CH 8.2

“What do you mean by that?”

At the relaxed question, Eden’s heart sank.

Asmun was surprised at her words.

Maybe she thought she could make it.

She could earn his trust.

However, the road would be very dangerous and difficult.

It was like gambling. To catch a big fish, she had to put the most precious thing as a stake. 

Of all the things she had here, there was only one precious thing to offer to Asmun.

“I’ll risk my life.”

At those words, Asmun’s eyebrows rose slowly.

“But if I’m right, you need to believe in me.”

“……”

“And, you must allow me to help you.”

At Eden’s blatant request, Asmun looked at her with an incomprehensible expression.

After a moment of silence, the sword that had hung near Eden’s neck was slowly withdrawn.

Even so, Eden still looked at Asmun as if the blade was still on her neck.

For a brief moment, their eyes met.

“……”

Soon, a cold voice came out of Asmun’s mouth.

“Go back.”

Eden escaped the basement safely.

Asmun’s subordinate who had led her to the secret passageway also led her away.

After following them out of the Imperial Palace, she saw a small carriage waiting for her.

“You will arrive at the temple.”

Then the carriage door closed and the carriage began to move slowly.

Eden kept her face expressionless, but after the carriage had moved for a while, she exhaled and fell to the side.

“Ha…”

It felt like her whole energy was being sucked out.

Dealing with Asmun was more exhausting than dealing with monsters. 

As she recalled those eyes, as if it was going to pierce her right away, her body felt numb again.

“……I did it though.”

Eden muttered in a trembling voice, but still couldn’t calm down, so she covered her face with both hands.

“I survived.”

She could still feel the cold blade on her neck. It was unbelievable, but she survived against Asmun.

Rather than being relieved that she survived, she was relieved that she had cleared a quest with a high level of difficulty.

Eden got up and looked into the air.

[【★】Main quest accomplished!

Offered an alliance to Asmun and survived!

Choose your reward.

<Prophecy/Item/Ability>]

A delightful smile spreads across Eden’s lips at the achievement window, which gives an exhilarating pleasure any time she sees it.

“I did this difficult thing.”

Eden, who had forgotten that she almost died a moment ago, felt good and was happy as she touched her chin.

“We don’t need the prophecy yet…….”

The prophecies would be of little use, as she had a glimpse of what would happen.

“Item……”

The item was really useful before, but she couldn’t think of an item she needed right now. 

Eden, who had been contemplating while gazing at the window seriously, stretched out her hand as if she had made a decision.

“Ability, I choose ability.”

As Eden pressed it firmly, a new window popped up.

[【!】What stat would you like to raise?

Intelligence 30

Power 5

Charisma 0

Magic 5

Holy Power 20]

“What should I pick?”

Looking at the really poor stats, Eden felt troubled.

While she was thinking about it, the carriage almost arrived at the temple. When the carriage finally stopped, Eden, who had made a decision, reached out.

“Because I don’t want to fall down at another important moment.”

When Eden clicked power, a clear beep resounded.

[You have selected Power as a reward. The player’s strength will increase by +10.]

At that moment, she felt her body become lighter. It felt as if the energy that had been sucked by Asmun just before was filled again in an instant.

“Haha…”

Eden burst out laughing at the situation.

Soon the carriage door opened and the xold night air leaked in.

“We’ve arrived.”

Eden got out of the carriage and moved her body which was noticeably lighter.

Seeing that she was so refreshed even after a long night, it was clear that the previous choice was an excellent one.

“Thank you. Please go back carefully!”

The driver lowered his head as he looked at Eden, who was covered in blood. She was walking towards the temple with excitement, even though she looked like a mess.