'Is that so?' Ryu's gaze flickered. He looked as though he had already figured something out, but he didn't move immediately.
Those on his pillar were all subconsciously watching his actions. Even after what had happened, his actions previously hadn't been forgotten by them. If anything, they were even more focused. They realized now that the only way to survive wasn't just by listening to Ryu's words, but they also had to follow his actions. That was the only way to guarantee that they wouldn't be harmed.
But this made things difficult for Ryu, because his speed wouldn't be faster than theirs, and Little Silk's speed wouldn't be faster than Empana's, that much was impossible.
Ryu's gaze narrowed. There was nothing that could be gained in this world, worth gaining, that wouldn't cost him something in return. His aura changed and his Birthed Phenomena appeared to his back.
Mae reacted without Ryu saying anything, her crimson eyes blazing to life with her Soul Flame. The Soul Flame spilling over, making it look as though two balls of fire were floating in front of her face.
At that moment, a soul stirring moan came from Mae's lips. She squeezed her legs together hard, pressing her body against Ryu's as though she wouldn't be satisfied until Ryu had vanished into his body.
No one got the chance to react to this because Ryu had already vanished, his timing perfect. Just as the platform blinked into existence before him, his body appeared upon it.
The once blinking platform solidified with Little Silk, Ryu and Mae on it. Mae, though, didn't seem to notice despite the shock of everyone else. She had pressed her chest to Ryu's, kissing at his neck without a care for those around them.
Ryu smiled somewhat bitterly on the inside, but he didn't stop Mae. If she didn't vent her desires like this, she might really implode. As long as she didn't suddenly start stripping herself naked, it would be fine. She was his wife anyway, others could only look but not touch.
Mae couldn't hold back her transformation anymore and immediately entered her Asura state. Her hair lengthened and her wings appeared, wrapping around Ryu's body. As for Ryu, he settled himself into a state of selfless calm, looking forward to the next step. He was quite aware that this matter wasn't over yet.
At that moment, though, a flash of violet came from Mae's body and whatever had been manifesting before them vanished into thin air. It was only for a split moment, but Ryu didn't didn't miss it.
'Interesting. Violet? Should be related to the color of the portal. In that case...'
The platform quivered and suddenly lengthened a great deal. Ryu and Mae shot off into the distance as though they were riding a rainbow road, but this so-called rainbow road was only various shades of purple, making it look quite ethereal and beautiful.
Ryu had wondered how the matters related to the portal would manifest. According to his deductions, it should involve the luck and Heavenly Fate of this trial. He had wondered if it had been baked into the trials they had met until this point, but it seemed that he had overthought.
In order to earn luck, you had to put in some work first. His first gamble had almost caused him to fall flat on his face. This time, though, he was able to benefit from it.
'But this is not enough. If Mae is going to receive an Inheritance, she deserves the highest there is, my wife deserves nothing less.'
Ryu's lip twitched when he felt a hand suddenly begin to rub over his crotch. This woman was becoming more and more unbridled.
"You're so cruel, Ryu... You've been by my side for months now but you haven't taken me to bed even once, is this how you treat your wife?"
Ryu chuckled somewhat helplessly. He had indeed been Mae for a while now, but how could he have time to think about such things? He was working on helping them survive, every single waking moment was important.
Of course, he didn't blame Mae for saying this. This was probably the fiercest experience she had ever experienced. It could already be said that she was quite tame.
She dotted kisses all along his jawline as he focused on the path ahead. As expected, the blinding violet rainbow road finally came to a stop a long distance away. The pillars in the back could barely be seen even with Ryu's vision.
Ryu wasn't actually sure this time around if the others would be able to profit from this. For a moment, he forgot what was ahead of him and his eyes narrowed, looking toward what was happening in the far off distance.
As expected, Empana and the others immediately tried to step on the road, but to Ryu's surprise, after a single step, they slowed considerably as though they were fighting against a raging tide. Ryu could think of multiple reasons why that might be, but he didn't care about the truth of the reason, all that mattered was that they were slowed considerably.
He looked forward once more and he saw that the road ahead was flickering..
One of two things could happen. He could accept the rewards as they were, that was the first. If he did this, then the other pillars would receive their chance immediately and have a shot at catching up.
The second option was to continue walking forward. If he did this, the other pillars would gain a opportunity likewise, but the difference was that he would receive nothing in return for his efforts but a tough road forward. And it was very likely that with individuals of the Eighth and Ninth Plane here, they might have received a violet evaluation as well.
Ryu's stare turned cold. He looked down at the woman trying to melt her body into his and smiled. Like he had said, his wife didn't deserve any less than number one.
He took a step forward, looking as though he could collapse off the end of the bridge. But, instead, a black road appeared.
What stood ahead of him was a long stretch of black, then white, and then gold. It was an unknown road ahead, but he took it without hesitation.