Chapter 163: You Did What?!

Words : 1243 Updated : Sep 19th, 2025

Chapter 163: You Did What?! It really wouldn’t be. Not by a long shot. Because when Luca couldn’t find the right words to explain what he really meant, the stressed-out little chipmunk decided that to see was to believe. *THUD!* However, no one expected to hear a loud thud accompanied by something straight out of the people’s nightmares. It was a giant spider. But not just any spider. In Xavier’s mind, it was happening all over again. Just when he thought he already had it all figured out, there’s this surprise about recycling corruption into actual currency. And then here they were, looking at the ancient arachnid that was supposed to have mutated due to the corruption. That giant thing was still slimy and rather toxic the last time he saw it. But now it was still humungous, a little too sharp in the legs, yet as spider-like as possible. And definitely non-contaminated. To be completely honest, Ollie should’ve known. He was there in the Market when it happened and witnessed just how his good brother was literally vacuuming up the corruption. It was just that he obviously thought that maybe the duchy really had this advanced technology. Like ultra-advanced. And super secret! But judging by the look on the Duke and the Butler’s face, they definitely didn’t. All of it was just his brother. Just Luca. And the mop was obviously flabbergasted. Then it was this spider again! Come to think of it, when he saw this the first time; he should’ve thought about it better rather than just focusing on the fact that Luca was giving it to him! The stick was really stressed. But who wouldn’t be? Even his hair antenna stood so straight that he looked way taller than usual! However, the overly efficient vacuum was anxious because everyone had gone terribly silent. Xavier felt like his brain needed to catch up faster because Luca was starting to redden again. It wasn’t surprising because most people were stuck trying to catch up to reality. After decades upon decades of worsening history and continuous reports of planets succumbing to corruption, they one day hear about someone turning their worst nightmare into currency. Who would be able to digest that right away? Certainly not the Duke. Not him, who saw countless people, comrades, and relatives who lost the war against these corrupted beasts. It was either death by being mauled or death by implosion. But it was death. Like the death that was supposed to have come for him but never did. Duke Leander felt like dry heaving. He’s never had asthma before, but now was probably the perfect time to have one. However, was this really something surprising? It was his son. The best one out there, obviously. So, if there were anyone who could possibly execute this kind of miracle, then it would probably be him. And he felt dirt irritating his eyes as he thought how his wife would’ve done a better job at comforting their son, who was clearly rattled right now. But since he was here, it would be best for the father to comfort the boy, who was probably scared whenever he had to face those corrupted beasts (not). "Ah, my son~!" Called the father, who was going for a long overdue embrace. But what was this? There was no trembling son? And only one fresh-faced youth plastered against another man’s chest! His precious son had been stolen! Again! Xavier, the newly minted snatcher, could not be blamed for having the necessary training and experience. It was not his fault that he was able to return to his body faster than the rest, who were still probably conversing with their inner selves. Xavier approached Luca slowly before covering the little chipmunk’s eyes with his hand. "Luca, you have to breathe. Come on." "No one’s mad. They’re just..." "Surprised." Or probably dead inside. But who cares? They’ll make it. Eventually. Luca was surprised to feel Xavier’s cool touch—a clear relief against his heated skin. He felt like he was overheating from several factors. There was guilt, the desire to belong, the fear of being abnormal again, and lastly, one that he hadn’t experienced before—a fear of losing it all. There had been nothing to lose in his last life, and while he wouldn’t admit it out loud, there was an underlying relief in not having to deal with anything ever again. But now, he felt like he had everything, and yet, if he was found to be defective again, would it also be like that? Would he be returned? The little chipmunk was unknowingly spiraling, but Xavier thankfully caught him. And with the gentle hand on his face, Luca felt tears beginning to form. But then his back hit Xavier’s chest, and an arm looped around his waist. "You did good. You told all of us." "If anything, maybe next time you can tell us after making everyone sit down." The giant ice pack was actually talking about Butler Gary, who had wobbled to the floor after losing strength in his knees. "Other than that, everything should be fine." "In fact, I just wanted to know if I at least earned you any corruption points?" Xavier wanted to distract the little money grubber while figuring out a bit of how this actually works. The little firecracker, who had earlier lost his spark, was suddenly ignited. "You’re not mad?" Asked Luca, who had left the comfort of Xavier’s free eye mask, to gauge the giant’s reaction. "No, I just hope it’s a substantial amount." Xavier shrugged as he smiled at the shifty guy before him. "About that, well...You’re my first client and then biggest benefactor. I actually learned about it first when we did our first transaction." "First transaction?" Luca nodded earnestly, now so focused on discussing the business deals that he was unaware that more and more people were blinking up at them. For different reasons. "When was this?" "The...the first time we met." Luca could feel his face heating up. Ordinarily, he wouldn’t be able to think any differently about what happened, but now, flashes of that day at his cabin would remind him why it was not good to poke at random beasts. Not everything can be grabbed, and sometimes, when you grab at things, they respond. But right now, several people were having trouble responding, and only one managed to muster something questionable. It was Jax, who was actually delayed by being too hung up on one particular imagery and finally decided to just ask. "Is that the secret?" Jax looked extremely serious, and for a moment, Luca, who had just calmed down, was taken aback. "What do you mean?" He asked tentatively. "Is the secret fertilizer actually Corruption?!" Jax was kneeling on the couch now, so he could see everyone from where he was. "The plants, they grow so well inside! But when I brought a pot out into my room, it looked like it was going to wilt just after a day!" "..." "!!!" "Hold the fuck, up!" Kyle had his literal hand facing Jax. "You’re telling me you brought a potted plant out of the space and into OUR room?!" The forgotten roommate felt like choking. "Do you have a death wish?!" No. He most definitely did not. But he likely opened the idea for the future development of the Empire in an attempt to coddle his first child.

Chapter 163: You Did What?!

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