Chapter 118
“Wasn’t this supposed to be a strategy game?”
Every time I faced Sereman, that vague, heavy feeling that had been lingering above me finally settled onto my shoulders.
But right now, finding out the identity of Sereman was secondary to rescuing Hagen’ti.
“Is there no way?”
Eden asked desperately with a tearful face, while Chediak bit his lip.
“It’s a complicated barrier, but every barrier will have a way to break it. Let me give it a try.”
At those words, Eden looked at Chediak with an overwhelmed expression.
“Thank you, Chediak!”
“But if I fail, the owner of the barrier will notice immediately.”
Even so, I had no other choice right now. If we failed, we could think of another way then.
“Got it.”
Eden nodded resolutely, and Chediak took a deep breath, raising his hands and focusing his mind while carefully brushing around the transparent barrier.
After what felt like aeons, Chediak finally found a gap in the barrier and lifted his eyebrows, chanting a spell.
“Halaf!”
Suddenly, the air twisted, and a flash of light burst forth into the void.
“Success!”
Chediak exclaimed joyfully, and Eden, who had been holding her breath in tension, finally let out the air she was holding and hugged Chediak tightly.
“You’re the best!”
Eden released Chediak, who was momentarily dazed by her sudden embrace, and quickly opened the door to the study with the key she was holding.
“This way!”
In the secret space that was revealed, Chediak followed Eden with a look of confusion. Eden, even in that moment, did not forget to shut the study door carefully.
“Is Choco here?”
Eden didn’t answer but inserted a book into the empty bookshelf, opening a space with a portal.
Chediak’s eyes widened at the sight of the portal. It was a series of shocks.
‘A portal in a place like this? What on earth is this…’
But there was no time to resolve his questions.
“Hurry!”
Eden urgently gestured, and Chediak reluctantly stepped onto the portal. The two quickly moved to Hagen’ti’s castle.
Eden did not explain any further and dashed up the spiral staircase, with Chediak following in a daze.
They climbed the stairs without resting and passed through the corridor, heading to the tower where Eden had first discovered Hagen’ti.
“Hugh… S-Saint… please slow down a bit…”
Chediak’s pace gradually slowed down, worn out, but Eden could not afford to take a break.
Finally, Eden swung the door open at the top of the tower, revealing, as expected, Hagen’ti collapsed inside.
“Hagen’ti!”
Seeing him unmoving, as if he were already dead, my heart sank, and tears filled my eyes.
Eden rushed over to Hagen’ti, holding his cold body and touching his icy face.
“Hagen’ti…!”
In the face of such a horrific scene, my heart raced uncontrollably.
“Open your eyes, Hagen’ti…”
But Hagen’ti remained still.
“He’s alive, right…?”
Eden asked, anxiety gripping her as she held onto Hagen’ti’s head, trembling hands brushing his hair and feeling a slight breath.
“Ha…”
Relief, mixed with deep guilt, surged forth. Hot tears dripped down, soaking Hagen’ti’s dry face.
Hagen’ti seemed to have suffered and fainted before. Seeing him like this made my heart ache uncontrollably.
‘I should not have left him alone like this…’
Looking at Hagen’ti, pale and motionless, the fear of the ending that I had only considered theoretically flooded back to me.
If I slipped up, it would mean game over.
And failing the game meant death for everyone in this world.
All the people I had come to know, the connections I had made, the emotions I had shared…
This was no longer a game. The pain in my heart was unimaginable; Eden was both bewildered and aware that she had come far too close to the edge.
To a point where no one could be let go.
“Open your eyes, Hagen’ti. Okay? Please…”
Eden’s plea resonated with the achievement notification popping up.
: Hagen’ti’s life has been extended. Choose a reward.
<Prophecy Book/Item/Stat>』
Only after seeing the clear notification did the tension that had been choking me ease slightly. Yet, a corner of my heart still ached painfully.
To say his life was extended felt as though it meant…
‘In the end, it means he’s still going to die…’
Eden, pale as a ghost, stood behind her, as Chediak, who had just climbed the tower, crawled in with a face nearing death.
“Hugh… huff… Ch-Choco!”
Startled by those words, Chediak strained his remaining strength and raced towards Hagen’ti, anxiously feeling for his pulse.
After confirming he felt a heartbeat, Chediak’s expression finally softened.
“Ha… he’s alive. Just in a deep sleep.”
Chediak calmly reassured Eden, glancing around the room.
The room looked as if a storm had swept through. Every item was shattered and ruined, and even the solid stone walls were broken in places.
Moreover, how could such a powerful mage be in a state like this…?
Chediak wiped the sweat off his forehead while managing to catch his breath.
Yet, the chaotic situation that had unfolded without warning was far from being sorted out.
“What on earth is going on here? Where is this, and why is Choco like this…?”
Eden, still holding onto the collapsed Hagen’ti, was engulfed in despair.
“…Hagen’ti won’t be in any danger, right?”
Chediak nodded, serious.
“Yes, for now, he seems to be alright. His pulse is normal, so Hagen’ti… huh? Who?”
As Chediak realized Eden had just mentioned ‘Hagen’ti’, his face went blank.
“Did you just… say Hagen’ti?”
Eden didn’t respond but didn’t deny it either. Chediak, still bewildered, looked at Hagen’ti, lying on Eden’s lap.
Hagen’ti.
Chediak also knew Hagen’ti well. The Empire’s only Great Mage. And…
“Hugh…”
Just the name Hagen’ti made everything click for Chediak, who covered his mouth with both hands. His shocked gaze returned to Hagen’ti’s pale face.
“…”
That was why. That’s why such insane magical power… in this world…
“…That’s correct.”
Eden finally raised her head and met Chediak’s structured face with her tearful eyes. Chediak’s expression stiffened further at her confirmation.
“Oh my god… so this castle is hidden in the north…”
Chediak gawked around the room again before plopping down on the floor, a feeling of utter disbelief settling on his face.
While he was stuck in shock, unable to comprehend, Eden managed to calm herself and slowly organized the situation.
‘There’s still one quest left.’
Now, I needed to head to the Yuren Grand Duchy and find Jepar’s weakness. To finish this game where everyone’s life was at stake.
Eden looked back down at Hagen’ti.
‘I had been warned that staying away from the castle for too long would worsen his condition.’
This meant that until I could stop the original cause of Hagen’ti’s illness or curse, he should not have left this castle lightly.
Hagen’ti instinctively knew that, which is why he returned to the castle.
“…”
Eden continued to ponder as she gazed at the seemingly motionless Hagen’ti.
‘A victim of a fraudulent contract…’
I could no longer deny it. Hagen’ti had made some wrong contract, which led to this disaster.
Whatever the cause, my belief that I could save Hagen’ti single-handedly was shaking at his dying form.
But right now, the quest in front of me was the priority. That way, I could also find a way to save Hagen’ti.
Soon, after finishing my thoughts, I looked up at Chediak, who still seemed dazed.
“Chediak, can I ask you for one favor?”
Murmuring that made Chediak, who had been staring blankly at Hagen’ti, redirect his gaze to me.
“Could you stay by Hagen’ti’s side until he wakes up?”
I was reluctant to leave Hagen’ti alone in this cold castle.
“…I don’t want to be alone anymore.”
Recalling that low voice made my heart ache again.
If I could, I would want to be by Hagen’ti’s side until he woke up, but this world didn’t offer me such mercy.
Faced with my unexpected request, Chediak’s expression turned complex. He had said he was traveling the continent for something he needed to find, so of course, this was an awkward request.
“…Guess it wouldn’t work. You have something to find, right, Chediak?”
Responding to my bitter words, Chediak let out a short sigh.
“No. I just found it.”
I didn’t immediately understand his words and looked at him with a puzzled expression.
Chediak’s face was still complicated, but somehow, his gaze hardened.
“What I’m looking for is Great Mage Hagen’ti.”
After finishing his statement, Chediak released a sigh mixed with a bewildered laugh as if he couldn’t quite believe the situation.
On the other hand, Eden felt even more confused.
“…Hagen’ti?”
“Yes. So, I’m also in a position where I need to wait for Hagen’ti to awaken.”
