The Author looked at Astral. In his eyes, only pity could be seen.
"If only you know..."
He shook his head lightly, not sparing him a second glance. "You might call yourself unlikely, but from where I am standing, that child is much more unlucky than you."
Eren did not understand the meaning behind the man's words. Why did he think that Astral was more unlucky? He had it all.
He was the second strongest person in the Hero Continent, and he had an ability that could make anyone jealous. With his Spatial Ability, he was like an insect that could not be killed.
Who could be luckier than Astral? Astral did not have to walk around pretending to be strong like him. He did not have to worry about being killed every day.
As Mist did not show herself, Astral was basically the true ruler of this Continent. And he was called unlucky? If that was bad luck, then what was his luck?
"If you want to know, you can use the Question Voucher on this. Or you can ask any other question that has been troubling you. Think carefully. This might be the last time you get to talk to me."
The Author did not explain further. He simply waited for Eren's decision.
'A question...'
Eren went silent. There were a lot of questions in his mind, and he could only ask one. It was a situation where most people might have their brains overwhelmed.
He tried to keep himself calm and think about the important questions. He wanted to know why Astral was called unlucky. But he also wanted to know about his own life.
He wanted to know about the small crystal knife that appeared in his pocket as well. Even his identifying skill was not able to give him an answer.
At first, he had thought that this was a gift from the System. But as time passed, he was having second thoughts.
The crystal knife appeared in his pocket when the woman hit him. And that same night, the woman was dead.
"I want you to tell me about this knife."
He brought the crystal knife out of his inventory, and revealed it to the man.
The man went silent in response. After a long time, he sighed.
"It is as I said before. I don't know if I should call you lucky, or unlucky. But you do always find these troublesome questions for me."
"I will ask again. Are you sure that you want to use the Question Voucher on this?" he asked. "You can still change your question. How about you ask me for a method to leave this place without dying?"
"I hope you haven't forgotten the situation you are in."
He pointed behind Eren, where Astral was still standing frozen.
"After I leave, time will start moving in the normal flow. Even I don't know what they would do to you."
"I know that you are a person who cherishes life. Do you want to choose a question that saves your life, or a question that ends your curiosity?"
Eren knew that the man was telling the truth. With his answer, he might be able to find a way to leave this place safely. But he also couldn't help but notice how hard this person was trying to make him change his question.
The first time he met the author and asked about ways to return, the person was hesitant but he still answered. But now, he was even suggesting questions from his own end to sway him.
The more this person hesitated, the more Eren felt that he was on the right track. He knew the risks.
His life was hanging by a thread here, and if his hunch was wrong, he might regret it forever. But for people like him, it was impossible to grow without taking risks.
He was not Astral who was given everything, without asking. He had to work for everything. He had to start from scratch. The safe route was not a route for him, especially since he chose the path of a Conqueror.
"I will stay with my question. Tell me everything you know about this thing."