Chapter 52
“Isn’t this supposed to be a strategy game? Chapter 52.”
‘Secrets of the Hunting Grounds?’
We haven’t even started the hunting competition yet.
But before I could even ponder the name of the quest, something astonishing was happening at Eden’s feet. A long yellow arrow sprouted from where she stood, extending all the way to the door.
“Wow……”
Each time this occurred, I couldn’t help but remember that I was in a game. At the end of that arrow was undoubtedly Ibthan.
‘Good thing I don’t have to wander aimlessly.’
Thinking positively, Eden cautiously stepped into the corridor.
While there were torches hung here and there, they were hardly sufficient to illuminate the gloomy corridor, where the yellow glow continued to lead the way. Eden carefully followed the arrow as she walked.
The Star Palace was eerily quiet in the early morning, where everyone had fallen asleep. It felt like something more ghostly than a spirit might leap out, sending chills down her arms.
There were a few soldiers dozing off while standing watch, but the yellow glow cleverly avoided them and guided Eden.
After walking for about thirty minutes, starting to get bored, the arrow unexpectedly came to an end.
“What? How can it end here?”
Just when Eden stood there, puzzled, a long white hand sprang out from the thick darkness and grabbed her shoulder.
“……!”
Too shocked to scream, Eden sank down, and that someone quickly caught her arm.
As she leaned against that strength and turned around, the face she had been searching for appeared before her.
“What are you doing here?”
The man, with a bewildered expression and still holding Eden’s arm, was none other than Ibthan.
“……Chancellor.”
She was so relieved and happy it almost brought tears to her eyes.
Eden finally composed herself and looked at Ibthan. Unlike his usual overly neat and formal attire, today he was casually dressed, which was refreshing to see.
If this were a real game, this look would probably be a rare illustration.
“Why are you here? The priest’s room is not this way.”
Of course, she wished he would ease up on that stiff expression.
“I can’t sleep.”
Eden awkwardly smiled as she offered such a lame response, but Ibthan didn’t smile back. Like Asmun, he didn’t seem pleased that Eden was participating as Jepar’s aide.
“Why on earth are you taking part in the hunting competition?”
Just as expected, the interrogation began right away.
“I’ve wanted to join since I was a child.”
As Eden made a vague excuse, Ibthan’s face became even harsher.
It was clear he didn’t believe her, but she had no intention of telling the truth.
Even knowing she would face this inquiry, she came to meet Ibthan solely to clear the quest.
“But why are you out here, Chancellor? It seems like you can’t sleep either?”
If he replied with ‘Yes,’ she would suggest they take a stroll together, a proposal she almost forgot.
Ibthan had never once followed Eden’s intentions as a character.
“I have no obligation to report to the priest. It’s dangerous, so you should return. I’ll escort you to the front.”
At those rude words, Eden felt some determination rise in her.
“I’m not obliged to follow your orders either. I can’t sleep, so I’ll just take a walk. Well, I’ll be on my way.”
As Eden smiled back at him, she could feel a vein popping on Ibthan’s forehead. It was an event quest, so there was nothing to lose even if she failed.
Eden turned on her heels and began to walk away. Then, leisurely, she counted in her mind.
‘1…… 2…… 3.’
For a moment, she felt his gaze behind her, then soon realized a furious step was following her.
‘Exactly!’
Even as she celebrated internally, Eden pretended not to notice Ibthan and lagged behind.
As it stood, the one who would suffer the most if anything went wrong was Asmun, and the next would be Ibthan.
So Eden was aware that Ibthan was as concerned for her safety as he was for Asmun.
“Where are you going?”
Just as expected, a tense, impatient voice reached her ears.
“Well, who knows.”
“You don’t even know the way.”
“So I’m just going wherever my feet take me.”
Eden continued to play word games as she walked. Ibthan had no choice but to follow her, but the quest clear window wasn’t showing up.
It seemed like just walking together wasn’t enough.
Eden mulled over the quest in her mind.
‘A Secret Night Stroll,’ ‘Secrets of the Hunting Grounds.’
These two seemed like the key points.
“Are you participating in the competition too, Chancellor?”
Eden finally turned back to ask Ibthan, and he replied bluntly.
“I’m not participating.”
“Then why are you here?”
“Unfortunately, I’m the one overseeing this competition.”
Eden glanced at Ibthan again.
Chancellor, monster subjugation, and overseeing the hunting competition. Suddenly, Eden thought about what Ibthan’s day must look like and then threw out an unexpected question.
“Why are you so dedicated to monster subjugation?”
It was a light question, but Ibthan’s steps stopped abruptly. Eden halted as well, turning to see him staring intently at her.
His expression was unexpectedly serious.
Eden felt bewildered but was oddly curious about Ibthan’s answer.
It wasn’t like he had faith like Karon, nor did he feel pity for the common folk like any other saint.
So why was he so passionate about it?
Then came a quiet yet weighty response.
“Because it’s my mission.”
As expected, a very cliché answer. It was as if it was all just set up that way.
But seeing Ibthan speak so gracefully about his ‘mission’ made Eden’s heart flutter strangely.
If she were to realize that mission was merely an inputted setting, what kind of expression would the logical man before her make?
“……I see.”
But that was something she didn’t want to know. That face would surely be far too human.
That was sufficient for her. The bond between this world and her.
Eden was trying hard not to grow too attached to this place.
As the air in the corridor became awkward, Eden quickly turned her head and took another step forward. She suddenly wanted to go back now, even if it meant failing the quest.
Just as Eden hurriedly rounded the corner to return to her room, Ibthan grabbed her arm urgently, pulling her back so she couldn’t take another step.
“What do you think you’re doing….”
Shh.
Ibthan warned Eden, who was about to protest, with a gesture. Once Eden recognized the signal and held her breath, she could hear quiet voices approaching from the corner she had just been about to turn.
“What’s the plan?”
“It’s prepared as I mentioned before.”
Eden’s eyes widened. Among the voices of the two men, she recognized one of them. It was Kiris.
Eden and Ibthan held their breath against the wall, eavesdropping on the exchange between the two men.
“Good, make no mistakes. Especially remember not to leave any witnesses.”
“Yes.”
“You cocky brat. You’ve got some nerve being so arrogant.”
Eden and Ibthan instantly understood who Kiris was referring to when he said ‘that cocky brat.’
“Now it doesn’t matter if he aims for the Crown Prince’s position or not. I’ve concluded that a rat trying to climb up without knowing its place should just be eliminated.”
Upon hearing this, Eden’s eyes widened, and she turned to Ibthan, but he merely looked at her disdainfully, as if to say, ‘See?’
Clearly, he thought Asmun was a fool incapable of controlling his emotions, and while that made Eden frustrated, she had no rebuttal.
“The control is certain, right?”
“Of course. Once the magic takes effect, it loses its senses, and its physical abilities will spike instantly by five times. There’s no way to miss the target.”
The ominous voice of the man echoed quietly down the corridor.
Eden clenched her fist. Kiris was indeed planning to use magic on the decrepit marquis to attack Asmun. This was the most troublesome plan she had anticipated.
“It won’t just wear off on its own, will it?”
“No, it’s a powerful control magic, so it won’t.”
“Good. I’m relying on you.”
Once the conversation ended, the two men resumed walking. Thankfully, they headed in the opposite direction from where Eden and Ibthan were.
Only after their footsteps faded into the distance did Eden exhale the breath she had been holding.
“Did you hear that?”
Eden turned to Ibthan anxiously, but he remained unfazed. His expression was far too calm for someone who just overheard a filthy and vile plot at point-blank range.
“Yes.”
With that nonchalant response, Eden furrowed her brows.
“Something’s going to happen during the hunting competition. We need to stop it!”
“How?”
Ibthan was leaning against the wall, arms crossed, looking at Eden.
“Well, we need to investigate the conversation we just heard.”
“All I heard was that if one is caught under a certain spell, they lose their senses, and their physical capabilities enhance, thus missing their target.”
“Exactly!”
“But there were no specifics on who the spell is aimed at or who the target of the one under the spell is.”
What?
With a cold, almost frighteningly rational tone, Eden found herself at a loss for words.
“Tomorrow, the hunting competition will take place. Based solely on what you’ve heard, if you rush to question His Highness the 1st Prince, the one under the magic will be His Highness himself, and the nature of the magic is simply to enhance hunting skills. What else could you possibly deduce from that? Are you prepared to take responsibility for that?”
