---- Chapter 2803 When Andrew woke up, he noticed the sky was dim. It had to be night, though he had no idea what the exact time was. He could not move at all, and although his mind was clear, every part of his body refused to respond. He knew this was the aftermath of injuries that were far too severe. His greatsword, Godyer, was nowhere to be found. A spike of panic hit him, and he forced his neck to turn, even though it sent pain ripping through him. All he saw was a silent, empty stretch of wilderness he did not recognize.


    He was propped against arge boulder, and beside him a small campfire crackled quietly. "You''re awake. How do you feel?" a tense voice suddenly asked beside him, filled with concern and worry. Andrew instinctively called out, "Aspen, is that you?" The person fell silent for a moment before replying tly, "I''m not Aspen." Footsteps approached from behind him, and a tall, slender figure walked into view. She was carrying a few sticks of firewood. ---- Valerie! Andrew was utterly astonished. "Valerie? Why are you here?" Valerie sat down, adding a branch to the fire. "What?


    Are you disappointed it''s me?" Andrew tried to shake his head, but the movement sent a sharp pain through his neck. He grimaced. "See, as soon as we meet, you''re snappy with me. I''ve just escaped death. Of course, I''m happy to see you." Valerie pressed her lips together, hugging her knees as she sat by the fire. The mes cast a glow on her smooth face, making it appear wlessly delicate. She exined, "I took you over from a woman in ck. By the time I arrived, she had already saved you. Don''t look around. It''s just me. Luna and your other...


    close friends, none of them are here." Valerie then fixed her gaze on Andrew. She tried to maintain her cold facade, but she could not conceal the pain in her eyes Andrew frowned. "What''s wrong? Are you hurt?" Valerie shook her head. "No, I''m not. By the time I found you, it was all over. Right now, the elite forces of the Lloyd royal family have left Chetvine and are hunting down members of the ---- Cunningham and Harding families. Sheena, Luna, and your otherdies should all be safe." Andrew sighed in relief and managed a weak smile. "And you?


    Why did you leave Chetvine to find me?" Valerie snorted. "You''re asking the obvious, aren''t you? I was worried about you. I kept trying to contact you, but you never replied! So, I snuck out of Chetvine to find you!" Andrew replied helplessly, "If you snuck out, that means Senior Mr. Reyes didn''t want you to leave. Because it''s dangerous, and the Reyes family needs to y it safe, right?" Valerie nodded. "That''s right. This time, Mr. Vazquez''s n to kill you was on a scale we''ve never seen before, but he still failed. Andrew, you''re really lucky to be alive." Andrew chuckled softly.


    "Of course. Look how many people are on my side! Even you came to help me. With all of you backing me, why should I fear someone like him?" Valerie scoffed. "Don''t think sweet talk will make me forgive you. Andrew, I told you, I hate you." Andrew felt a headacheing on. He leaned back, finding a slightly morefortable half-reclining position to look up at the night sky. "Valerie, there''s no grudge between us. Why hate me? Look at ---- the state I''m in now. If you hate me, go ahead and hit me, yell at me. Or if you want to kill me to get revenge, go ahead.


    It''s not like I can fight back anyway." Valerie''s eyes reddened. "Idiot! Andrew, don''t you know? Even though you survived, you..." Seeing her hesitate, looking distressed, Andrew frowned and asked, "I what? The injuries are serious, but I''m still alive. Don''t cry." Valerie shook her head. "No. Your twin-core meridians and several of your primary meridians are severed. The woman who saved you told me... you''re finished. Your martial path will likely plummet from here. "Especially at the end, something happened to you.


    You forced yourself to burn your vital essence and blood when you faced Sergio, didn''t you? You might not realize it, but doing that... It''s likemitting suicide." Andrew paused, then said quietly, "I know all that... Wait... The woman who saved me told you all that?"