Chapter 196: Skin


    Hugh picked up the skin from the floor and looked at it. It was very lifelike, and Hugh could feel the skin and the hair like it was real.


    Hugh would have thrown up if not for the fact that this might be the only thing that could keep him from dying. Right now, he needed to get to themander''s ce.


    However, Beru had exhausted himself after that charade back at the camp. So, Hugh had to take on the mantle and go by himself.


    Hugh opened up the skin like it was a scroll and started to get inside it. At first, he thought it would not fit, but somehow, it gotrger andrger until it swallowed his whole body.


    Hugh could not believe what he was feeling. Once the whole skin enveloped him, it started to get smaller and smaller until it stuck into his skin.


    He was anxious. He was not sure if he wolf fit after all his fate. He was obese, and he could not pass off as a petite toon leader.


    However, contrary to his expectations, the skin started to get smaller until his fast waspressed. It was not a simple thing that physicists could fix, so Hugh guessed it had something to do with his power.


    When Hugh opened his eyes, he saw that he was in apletely different body. He was the personification of the toon leader.


    He almost could not believe what he was seeing. It already felt like this was his own body. Everything gets natural, and it did not give him any difort.


    When Hugh jumped around, he realized that he was not heavy. For some reason, his fat seemed to have beenpressed so hard that it disappeared into another dimension.


    When Hugh started to move, he was as fast as he could ever be. When he punched the air, he could feel the resistance of the wind.


    He was strong. It was as if all his fats werepressed and turned into real power. Hugh smiled. He could use this.


    If things went wrong, he would at least have something that he could use to protect himself. He did not want to have to resort to the transformation so quickly.


    Hugh looked back once again to the camp where Serena disappeared off to. Hugh wanted to go there and tell them what he will do, but Hugh hesitated.


    In the end, Hugh turned around and left the ce. He had carved out a letter in the trunk of a tree so that the others would be informed of his ns.


    Once he was gone, Serena sensed that something was wrong. She immediately felt that it was Hugh, so she rushed towards where shest saw him.


    When she got there, she did not see anyone. She did not even see Beru, who was supposed to be guarding the ce.


    When she looked at the ground, she saw some clues that told her that Hugh went off somewhere. Then, she turned her head and saw the letter that Hugh carved into a bark of a tree.


    After she read the whole thing, she frowned. Hugh''s n was hazardous. Back then, even if Beru were caught, Hugh would not have to risk his life.


    However, now that Hugh had taken the ce of the toon leader, he would be in great danger. Not to mention, he would be beside the most powerful entity in the army.


    If things go wrong, Hugh would have no escape n. Enemies on all sides would surround him without any reinforcement or backup.


    Even if Serena knew something was wrong, it would take a lot of time before she could go to Hugh''s side. By the time she gets there, she would have been already toote.


    "Stay safe," Serena said as she looked up at the sky and prayed to whatever gods and goddesses in the realm to make sure that Hugh stayed safe.


    Hugh walked towards the tent of themander with anxious steps. Then, he suddenly felt a tug in his pinky finger.


    Hugh immediately sensed that it was Serena. However. When he looked back, he did not see her. He could only see the barracks of the army.


    Their red string of fate once again connected them. It looked like Serena did not want Hugh to go through this challenging mission.


    Hugh doubted for a second, but he quickly shook his head. He was already here, and he should not back out right now.


    Hugh steeled his heart and walked cowardly with vigor. Once he was at the tent entrance, he took a deep breath and opened the tent.


    Once he was inside, he immediately felt the immense pressure of themander. This was an affectless aura that themander automatically emanates.


    This was forged from the blood of his enemies, and the people and kingdoms that he had conquered.


    "Ah, my right-hand man," themander said as he looked down at Hugh from his golden throne.


    Hugh immediately bowed his head and kneeled towards themander. Although he could bear the pressure, he still had to pretend that it was hard for him to endure.


    Hugh deliberately shook his body like he was shivering. However, he also made sure that he showed determination to conquer the immense pressure.


    "I havee as you requested,mander," Hugh said.


    Themander did not say anymore and just gestured for Hugh to stand up. Hugh obliged and stood up.


    "Get used to my aura," themander said.


    Hugh nodded his head. When he looked at the people inside the room, he could see minimal guards inside.


    There were only two guards at the entrance and two at both sides of his throne. This only goes to show that themander''s strength was that strong.


    Themander did not need any protection. He could protect himself, and no one else taut couldpare to him, so he did not have many guards.


    However, Hugh sensed that there were three hidden individuals around the room. They were invisible and hard to discern.


    This was the final safe that themander put in ce. He was confident, but he was not brazen. He knew that he should still take precautions.


    Hugh guessed that he would not even be able to touch themander''s throne if he showed even a bit of blood lust.


    "As my right-hand man," themander said as he stood up. "This is your ce."


    Then, themander pointed towards a small throne by themander''s left side. This was much smaller, and it was in the loweryer, but it was still precious.


    Hugh walked over towards his throne and sat on it. He was wary all the time, and it did not seem like there were any traps on the seat.


    The chair was made of silk and dark oak wood, and the padding was made of fine red silk with cotton insides. It was luxurious, and Hugh m felt too guilty sitting in it.


    However, Hugh had to keep up appearances. He had to show how much he appreciates this new upgrade. It was notmon to see a toon leader be a right-hand man for themander.


    When Hugh sat on the chair, he immediately felt the difference between a regr and a luxury chair. The padding smells into his behind and made it feel like heaven.


    Hugh did not have to fake it when he showed afortable and rxed expression in the chair. It looked like themander was satisfied with Hugh''s reaction.


    "From now on, you report directly to me," themander said as he looked down at Hugh. "You need to be essible at any time possible."


    Hugh listens to the requirements, and it seemed to be like a ve contract. Many soldiers and upset ranks would have been jealous of Hugh''s position, but Hugh felt like it would be exhausting as hell.


    With this, he had to be avable every time. He would have no free time, and he had to report his current location to themander at all times.


    Hugh did not have any freedom to help Serena and the others. He would have to be careful in his actions, or themander would know about their current ns.


    Hugh would have to hope that the toon and Serena would be able to function without him. Then, she remembered Serena''s face.


    If it was her, then she could handle any problem that came up as well as him. The toon would be safe in her hands. He did not have to worry about her.


    As long as the toon stays low, they would be able to prevent being found out. They would have had to wait until they reached the kingdom.


    Then, Hugh remembered Jane and Aric. He wondered what they were currently doing right now. Thest time they all saw each other, they were still stuck from that strange worn down pce.