Rakina fell into deep thought, her expression solemn.
Which question should she ask first? She had to be careful—every question was as precious as gold.
At this moment, Rakina felt that knowledge was heavier than gold itself. For the first time, she truly understood the Hideous Sage's desire for it.
… Never in my life did I think I'd sympathize with Him, she thought dryly.
"Do the other Outer Gods pose a risk to this world?"
"No, they don't." Elias shook his head. "As long as Their believers don't linger in this universe too much and attract Their attention, the universe will remain fine. However…"
A strange glint flashed in his eyes. His lips curled into a faint, unsettling smile.
"I'd like to see Them try."
Rakina fell silent, unsure what to make of his words—or his personality. But she had the answer she needed.
As for Ordinal's background and his organization, perhaps it had been a one-time incident. Or maybe she was just being optimistic.
Either way, if something like that happened again, she would simply have to stop it.
They were weakened to such an extreme degree that even Shun, a mere level-seven hunter, could fight someone at level fifty.
Rakina would likely stand an even better chance, as long as she was careful. Though they had spells that rendered magic useless…
What happened last night, in that canine's mouth, was proof of that.
"Do you have anything else to ask?"
Rakina paused for a moment before standing up. "No. I've learned what I wanted to know."
Elias grunted in acknowledgment and said nothing more. He returned to his seat.
Rakina walked toward the door but halted her steps.
"We're going to enter the newest Tower. Do you want to join us?"
"It's not in everyone's interest," Elias replied. "There's a fifty percent chance it'll ask me for a date."
Her eyes narrowed.
"What does that mean?"
"Wear something nice and comfortable tonight."
Rakina stared at him, puzzled. She scrutinized him for a moment, but eventually decided it would be wiser to ignore whatever nonsense he was talking about.
"If you'll excuse me." She gave a polite bow before leaving.
---
Elias sat quietly, staring at the wall clock on the table.
His thoughts were unknown—perhaps he was simply mesmerized by Rakina's unexpected move.
As he sank into thought, his gaze suddenly shifted toward the window.
His line of sight wasn't random. It was focused—at something, or someone.
More than fifteen kilometers away, in an apartment building, one of the windows…
"Crap! He saw us!"
A man with long hair panicked, crouching low and pressing himself against the wall to hide.
"What? Are you insane?" His partner stared in disbelief, visibly annoyed. "We're miles from the school! And why are you focusing on him? Our target is the witch! Have you forgotten the mission, you fool?" he yelled, spitting with every word.
"Of course not! But… something about him felt wrong. I couldn't help but observe him."
His partner smacked the back of his head.
"You idiot! Take this seriously, will you?!"
---
Their target is Rakina? Elias thought.
He had a faint idea why they might be after her.
Well… it wasn't really his business if she got hurt, kidnapped, or killed.
Elias paused.
"Maybe not the last part. I require her."
Then the school bell rang, and students scurried into the classroom.
When everyone settled in, there were only four people present, including him.
They waited for the teacher, chatting idly with those nearby.
Elias, seated alone in the back row, didn't join in. No one spoke to him.
Rumors had already spread that he was a cheating scumbag who'd somehow gotten involved with one of the most popular girls in school.
No one wanted to bother him.
As Elias sat lost in thought, the door opened.
Someone walked in alongside the teacher. They were smiling at each other, clearly having shared a pleasant conversation on the way.
"Everyone," the teacher announced, "let me present to you humanity's Hero—Jace Arclight Pendragon."
The teacher stepped aside, giving Jace the stage.
Jace smiled and stepped forward, scanning the room.
His eyes swept from left to right.
And then… they froze.
His expression stiffened slightly. He went silent.
"Is something the matter?" the teacher asked.
"Oh… nothing." Jace shook his head. But his gaze flicked toward Elias one last time before moving on with the lecture.
---
A few hours later, the bell rang.
Jace ended his lecture.
Elias was bored out of his mind and wondered if there was any point in continuing to attend school.
This is for mortals. It's not even a good experience.
That thought crossed his mind as the students packed up and left.
The teacher who had been supervising Jace was long gone, confident that the hero could handle the class.
Now, the room was empty—except for Jace and Elias.
Jace seemed hesitant from Elias' perspective.
"What do you want, human Hero?" Elias asked.
The question jolted Jace out of his hesitation. He walked over.
"Why didn't you tell the truth?"
"What are you talking about, human?"
"You know what I mean." Jace pointed directly at Elias. "You're the real Hero. Not me."
"Do you not desire the success and glory of a hero?"
Jace sat down, lowering his gaze.
"Those things are worth less than a grain of salt. My life could end like a candle flame flickering out in a storm."
A hero's journey was filled with obstacles more dangerous than oneself.
It was a path where you never knew if you'd see tomorrow.
"What are your goals, given by the System, as a hero?" Elias asked.
"I have to reduce the Rifts and the rising tide of beasts by eighty percent."
"That's not much."
"It'll still take years to complete." Jace raised his gaze to meet Elias'. "I'll ask this again—why didn't you tell the truth?"
"I should drop the same weight on you," Elias replied, "why didn't you quit?"
"I can't do that." Jace shook his head, rejecting what he thought was a coward's path.
But to Elias…
"You can," he said, then paused for a moment, giving Jace room to speak.
But the boy only frowned.
"You always have a choice. When you find yourself in a situation where you believe you have none—that's exactly when you must realize you do.
"Every destination, every road, every path… are all choices. Cowardice, bravery—they're just labels humans create."
"But there will be consequences," Jace said quietly. "And they'll harm a lot of people."
"Yet still, you'll make a choice of your own."
"…"
Jace fell silent.
For a moment, only the distant murmurs of students filled the classroom.
Shouts from young hunters training echoed faintly through the school. Laughter, muffled by the walls, slipped in once in a while.
Elias turned his gaze outside the window.
"There is always a choice. Claiming otherwise is not tragedy—it's convenience.
A mask to give meaning to fear. Poetry to cowardice."
He paused, letting his words sink in.
Then he spoke, voice low and sharp.
"This world isn't yours to obey, Hero."