Published at 28th of August 2026 10:30 am

Chapter 1968: Leah’s Decision

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The new team member stood with his arms crossed, his imposing figure radiating blatant disdain as he stared at Michael.

"What’s the matter?" he said with a sneer. "Didn’t expect to see me?"

Hearing that annoying voice and seeing the look of disdain in the bastard’s eyes, Michael frowned. He spat through gritted teeth, "Darren Burk!"

Ever since that night when Darren had invited ghouls into the cave, Michael hadn’t seen him. He thought the man had died. No, he truly wished that the bastard had died somewhere out in the woods.

After all, the one responsible for Koby and Kara’s death had been none other than Darren.

To see him alive and doing well when the rest of his teammates lay dead filled Michael with a feeling of disgust.

Why was this bastard alive when his friends were dead?

He turned to Leah, who was slightly surprised at the fact that he and the newcomer knew one another, and said in a grave voice:

"Captain, you don’t want this guy in your team! He was the reason why two of the people I came here with died! This bastard invited ghouls into our hideout while we were still in the dark forest! Please, you must reconsider!"

Meji had been observing the interaction from the side with amusement. When he noticed that the newcomer seemed to be at odds with Michael, he had decided to take Darren’s side just to spite him.

But when he heard Michael claim that Darren had brought ghouls into their hideouts, which eventually led to the deaths of two people, Meji’s amused smile instantly faded away.

The elf’s face was marred by a dark frown as he turned toward Darren. Not just him, but even Dell and Leah had turned to the newcomer, watching him with similar frowns.

"Is that true?" Leah asked, her voice no longer as gentle and friendly as before.

Seeing the sudden change in everyone’s reaction, Darren cursed inwardly. He didn’t think that these people would give so much weight to Michael’s words. After all, it was one person’s words against another.

But Darren had underestimated Michael’s standing within the hunting party. Either that, or he had severely underestimated the people’s hatred for the monsters roaming outside.

"I can explain." Darren tried to make his voice sound as calm as possible.

"At the time, I didn’t know they were monsters. They looked no different from us. So I invited them into our hideout, thinking they were fellow adventurers who were lost in the woods—"

"Lies!" Michael’s words were like venom. "He may not have known they were ghouls, but he sure as hell didn’t bring them over, thinking they were lost!"

Darren’s eyes flared with barely suppressed rage. "I—"

Leah raised a hand and cut him off. She turned to Michael and said solemnly, "Explain yourself. I will not stand for petty fights in my team. You two must try to clear everything right here, right now."

Michael went on to explain that Darren never liked having Adam on the team. In Michael’s view, Darren had brought the others along so he could find an opportunity to get rid of Adam.

Their enmity was an open secret. The only reason Darren hadn’t acted alone was that he was scared of Adam. The fact that those people had turned out to be ghouls was beside the point. Darren’s intentions had never been good from the beginning. And because of his actions, two members of the party had died.

After listening to Michael’s explanation, everyone’s frown only deepened. Leah turned to Darren and asked with narrowed eyes, "What do you have to say to that?"

Darren solemnly said, "I still stand by what I said earlier. I only invited them over because I thought they were lost like us. They were the first people I found in this secret plane, so naturally I wanted to help them. As for my enmity with Adam..."

He turned to Michael before shifting his gaze back to Leah. "Yes, I did not like that man. But I wouldn’t go so far as to try to get rid of him. I’m not that petty."

"He’s lying!" Michael said furiously.

He could clearly see through Darren’s intentions even back then. And the fact that poor Koby, barely a man grown, and Kara, who had only wanted to earn enough money to travel the West Coast, had been killed as a result of Darren’s actions further enraged him.

Why should they die and Darren get to live?

"He’s lying!" Michael repeated, his eyes fuming with rage.

By now, Leah and the rest began to realize that something was wrong with Michael, for they had never seen him act so livid before.

Leah felt a growing headache. She was told to induct Darren into her team since they were missing a person. Now, she learned that the newcomer and Michael had some history, and that the newcomer might have questionable character.

Darren promptly said, "I see that I’m not welcome here." He then prepared to turn and leave. "I will speak with the staff and switch to a different team."

If it were up to Michael, he would have loved to see the bastard thrown out of City Hall, let alone just their team. But it wasn’t up to him. And just when he thought that Darren wouldn’t be on their team, Leah suddenly spoke up.

"No need," she said after a moment of deliberation.

"What!" Michael blurted out. "Why?!"

Leah turned to him and said in a low voice, "We will give him the benefit of the doubt."

Michael wanted to protest, but Leah sternly cut him off.

"My decision stands, Michael."

Michael gritted his teeth. Perhaps, for the first time, he had displayed such open defiance toward the team leader. It was unlike him.

And that was why Leah believed there might be a kernel of truth to what he had claimed. But at the same time, she couldn’t outright dismiss the new team member.

She turned to Darren and said in a cold voice, "And I’ll have my eyes on you, Paladin. If, for a moment, I sense that you’re trying to sabotage us, I will not hesitate to put you down myself. Understood?"

Darren gulped. This was not how he had expected things to go down. But in the end, he could only bury his resentment and nod.

"Of course, Captain."

"Very well." Leah turned to leave. "Prepare to head out."

One by one, the others followed after her. Not one of them greeted Darren — not even the usually friendly Dell. Michael gave him a cold look as he walked past.

Just as Michael passed him by, Darren leaned closer and whispered to him, "Better watch your back."

Michael paused. He faced Darren with venom in his eyes, and it seemed like he wanted to say something. But in the end, he didn’t. He silently walked away.

Darren watched his departing back with a sneer.

"Coward!"

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