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“Didn’t we agree this was a strategy game?”

“They probably came in through the door since it was left open.”

Having such a nonchalant tone as if discussing someone else’s house left Eden utterly dumbfounded.

“What? You left the door open?”

“…….”

“Are you out of your mind? What if an intruder comes in?”

Hagen’ti simply stared at her. The look in his eyes was as if he were sizing up the very intruder she was concerned about, making Eden’s ears burn.

No, I’m not the intruder…

Just as she was about to make her case, Hagen’ti spoke.

“Just kill them.”

His voice was startlingly calm. The level of calm sent shivers down her spine.

‘This guy is definitely a questionable type.’

But something felt off about Hagen’ti’s demeanor.

He talked about killing as if it were casual chit-chat, and there was no trace of anger or displeasure at having an unfamiliar person invade his castle. He was asking who it was, but there was no curiosity or suspicion behind the query.

There was no emotion radiating from him at all.

“You shouldn’t kill people so easily.”

Eden said firmly, but her mind kept racing. She had no clue when Sereman would arrive, so she needed to wrap things up quickly. Yet, no matter how hard she tried to think, an idea eluded her.

Eventually, Eden threw caution to the wind and decided to confront him directly.

“But hey, you weren’t trying to kill yourself yesterday or anything, right?”

Eden asked, trying to act casual, but Hagen’ti’s gaze darkened slightly. Damn it, that look made her regret saying anything.

“If you don’t want to answer…”

“You’re right.”

Even as he said that, Hagen’ti’s tone remained disturbingly nonchalant. The response sent her heart racing.

“…Why?”

Maybe if she figured out why Hagen’ti wanted to off himself, she could prevent a meltdown?

As Hagen’ti continued to stare intently at her, he slowly moved his lips.

“Boredom.”

His voice had a quiet undertone, almost as if he were sighing. That answer made Eden’s face go from hopeful to utterly flabbergasted.

Boredom? Bored of what? Life? Has he been around long enough? Then how can I solve that?

As Eden spiraled into despair, an unexpected notification chimed.

Beep.

『【!】Basic Quest

: Great Mage Hagen’ti has spent fifty years within the castle. Please help him step ‘outside the castle’.』

“…What?”

Eden frowned as she gazed into the air, prompting Hagen’ti to glance at whatever had caught her attention. But there was no way he could see the quest notification.

“…….”

Seeing the new quest, Eden was convinced she’d stumbled upon a hidden episode no one had ever found.

‘So, finding Hagen’ti through Sereman’s Chancellor’s Office was part of the game too?’

Now, finding Hagen’ti and doing a 180 on the game’s plot was going to be out the window. She was still merely dancing on the meticulously crafted board laid out by the creator.

The fact that Hagen’ti was standing right in front of her and had even attempted to end his life was all according to plan. That thought ignited a spark of defiance in her.

I’ll smash that board to bits.

“Eden Lilliarte.”

Pulling her gaze from the air, Eden looked straight at Hagen’ti and proclaimed her name. His indifferent gray eyes were still locked onto her.

“My name is Eden. Remember it.”

“…….”

“I’ll definitely be back.”

Eden gripped Hagen’ti’s collar and pulled him closer. A calm settled between the two as they were close enough to feel each other’s breath.

“Don’t die. Just wait.”

Hagen’ti still didn’t respond but didn’t break eye contact with the resolute light shining in Eden’s eyes.

Eden had to leave him behind and return to the Great Temple.

She thought maybe he would follow her and help her out, but he remained stoic until she disappeared from view, shattering her empty hopes.

Sereman still hadn’t returned to the temple, and thankfully, this time she hadn’t been caught, but she couldn’t guarantee it would hold for the next time, throwing her heart into a whirlwind of confusion.

She had bravely told him to wait, but for now, nothing worthwhile sprang to mind. No plan for stopping Hagen’ti’s meltdown or getting him out of the castle.

But she was pressed for time. The day to head west was fast approaching.

‘About thirty monsters should show up easily, right?’

When she played the game, she’d had plenty of expeditions for leveling up.

However, when playing on her phone, she’d just click once and be whisked away to the west, and bashing monsters was just a flurry of taps.

Yet now, Eden was caught between reality and the game. Just remembering the monsters that had lunged at her during the founding feast sent chills down her spine.

“I won’t die, right….”

Eden lay on her bed, staring at the moonlit ceiling, her eyes blinking as sleep evaded her. Next to her, the now familiar sound of Rita’s snoring filled the air. Listening to him, Eden muttered to herself.

‘I wish I had enough scrolls…’

Suddenly, something she’d forgotten flashed through Eden’s mind.

“Rewards!”

Eden let out a sudden yelp, quickly covering her mouth as she glanced at Rita. Thankfully, Rita barely stirred, though his eyebrows did twitch a bit before he returned to snoring.

Eden held her breath and got up quietly, whispering.

“Achievement window.”

Instantly, the long-forgotten achievement window popped up in front of her. What a convenient feature.

『【★】Basic Quest Achieved!

: You rescued Asmun from Kiris’s scheme!

Select your reward.

<Prophecy Book/Item/Stats>』

This was the achievement window for saving Asmun. She had completely forgotten about it, almost causing a huge blunder.

Eden was lost in thought, momentarily forgetting her intention to sleep.

What should she choose?

Based on her past experiences, it was clear that the Prophecy Book had the highest value, but since she’d just received a useful one, the odds were high that the next would be a total flop.

Eden didn’t want to throw away her reward like that.

Then, should she pick Stats?

She frowned at the thought but shook her head. Raising Stats felt pointless since aside from health, she didn’t find much use in any of them.

‘If all of this is a predetermined game…’

Then maybe her expedition to the west was scripted too. In that case, there was a chance that scrolls could appear as rewards.

After a brief moment of contemplation, Eden decided to choose the Item option. Immediately, the rewards window materialized.

『You chose an item as your reward. Player will receive the item ‘First-class Rider’s Bracelet’.』

‘First-class Rider’s Bracelet…?’

Eden’s brow furrowed, and before her eyes, with a shimmer of light, a really tiny bracelet appeared. She snatched it up and looked down.

‘A rider means…’

A horse?

As she pondered, realization hit her hard.

Of course, if she was going on an expedition, she needed to be able to ride a horse.

So this was a bracelet that would grant her outstanding horsemanship, considering the only riding experiences she had were from screens or books.

“Of course….”

Eden grasped the bracelet tightly and glared into the air. The fact that she’d received such an item just before her trip tomorrow further confirmed that going on that trip was indeed part of the story.

‘For a trash game, it’s surprisingly thorough.’

While she was mentally complaining about the game, a small thrill bubbled up inside her at how smoothly the story was progressing. Feeling pleased with her choice to select the item over the Prophecy Book, she strapped the bracelet onto her right arm.

At that moment, a notification chimed.

『Wearing ‘First-class Rider’s Bracelet’ has increased your strength. Player’s strength has risen by +10.』

“Sweet.”

Gaining a boost of 10 strength made Eden feel solid as a rock.

She promised herself not to lose it.

Feeling satisfied, Eden flopped back down on her bed.

Although she was still nervous, she’d be accompanied by Karon, and despite her harsh words to Ibthan to not treat her like an item, she was sure that Karon, with his deep faith, wouldn’t be reckless with her life.

So, she wouldn’t meet a tragic end before even clearing the mission by getting her throat ripped out by monsters.

Hagen’ti would come next.

‘Alright, let’s tackle the monster quest first.’

Finally feeling at ease, Eden closed her eyes, ready for tomorrow.

The next day, riding the cart provided by the Great Temple, Eden joined the expedition team and was left utterly speechless.

“Priest!”

Eden managed a stiff smile at Karon, who greeted her warmly, and then she spotted a familiar face standing confidently beside him.

The last person she expected to see here was Asmun.

“…….”

Asmun was putting on his gloves casually, clearly feeling the weight of her gaze on him but barely acknowledging it.

As Eden stared at him in shock, Karon spoke first, picking up on the tension.

“His Highness the 3rd Prince has also decided to join us.”

Karon looked somewhat confused and a bit flustered. It was rare for the royalty to accompany a high-risk monster expedition, especially on the dangerous border.

Finally, Asmun raised his head and looked at Eden. There was no prior warning, but his eyes wore a brazen look.

“Yes. I decided to join.”

He spoke, smiling slyly, but his eyes remained cold and unyielding.

Eden swallowed a snicker, stunned inside.

This guy?

“…Yes. The Commander of the Holy Knights and the Prince together, how reassuring.”

Eden masked her inner thoughts with a forced cheerful greeting. She was too aware of why Asmun was accompanying this expedition.

He still didn’t trust her. Clearly, he was suspicious about the source of the travel scroll.

What a suspicious guy.

Eden concealed her disdain and managed a warm smile.

“I look forward to working with you, Your Highness.”

 

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