Chapter 29: Whisper of the Robe
Rei returned to his room at the Kori Inn not long after Ailith had left for the quest board. The door creaked shut behind him, the soft click of the lock barely registering as he moved toward the bed and let himself fall backward onto the mattress.
He stared at the ceiling in silence.
His fingers idly traced the edges of the robe that still clung perfectly to his frame. It didn't wrinkle, didn't shift unnecessarily, and didn't trap heat. It felt more like a shadow than cloth.
"Interesting," he murmured aloud. "If the main gods are the ones who grant skills... then what Ailith said about minor and medium gods means... there's more out there."
A faint pulse ran through the robe.
Then, a voice echoed in his mind—calm, neutral, and oddly metallic.
> "Yes. There are."
Rei immediately sat upright, his eyes narrowing. "Who said that?"
> "Me. The one you're wearing."
He looked down at the robe.
"You mean... the robe is talking?"
> "Correct. I am the robe. Or rather, the artifact you are currently wearing."
Rei stared at it.
"You're sentient?"
> "To a degree. I am classified as a level 3 artifact."
"Artifact?"
> "Yes."
Rei tilted his head slightly. "You mean like relics? Magic items?"
> "Artifacts are ancient tools, crafted with forgotten knowledge. They are categorized into four levels: one through four. I am a level 3 artifact."
"So... you're old, then."
> "Yes. My previous master was named Elrahn."
Rei furrowed his brows. "Elrahn... is he dead?"
> "Unknown. I lost connection after our last battle. That was approximately three thousand years ago."
"Three thousand years?"
> "Correct. I was dormant."
"How do you even know that much time passed?"
> "I can measure time internally. A passive function."
Rei leaned back again, resting on his hands.
"So why are you talking now? Why didn't you say anything earlier?"
> "Out of respect. You were not in a private space. Surprising a new master in public may cause panic."
"...Fair point," Rei admitted. "So you were waiting until I was alone."
> "Correct."
"Can anyone else hear you?"
> "No. Only you."
Rei let out a long breath.
"This day keeps getting weirder."
> "Your reaction is mild compared to my last two masters. One screamed. The other fainted."
Rei almost smiled.
"So... your name is?"
> "Null."
"Null? That's... cliché."
> "Is it?"
Rei shrugged. "No, nothing. Just ironic. So what exactly can you do, Null?"
> "My primary functions are protection, flight enhancement, adaptive form, regeneration, and sensory feedback."
"Right... the robe repairs itself and fits perfectly. That makes sense."
> "There is more. I hold fragments of knowledge about gods."
Rei blinked. "Wait, gods?"
> "Correct."
Rei's fingers twitched slightly against the fabric.
"So you know things... about the gods?"
> "Some. I have knowledge about a few of them. The Demon Emperor. The God of Death. And the Human God—Vikra."
"Vikra?"
> "Yes. The one who governs the human race."
Rei went quiet.
"And why me? Why did you choose me?"
> "Because you are similar to Elrahn."
Rei's eyes narrowed. "What does that mean?"
> "Your aura. Your essence. They resonate in a way that reminds me of him."
Rei turned that over in his mind. "Was he... stronger than me?"
> "Yes."
"I see."
Silence fell for a moment.
> "So. What will you do now, Master?"
Rei blinked. "Master, huh. That sounds weird."
> "Would you prefer a different designation?"
"Just Rei is fine."
> "Understood."
Rei glanced down at the robe again. "So... are you watching everything I do?"
> "Only when necessary. I do not wish to dishonor my bearer."
Rei frowned. "Wait. That sounds suspicious. Are you saying you can... see everything?"
> "I lack eyes. I sense through threads of mana. But yes, I can perceive your surroundings."
"...You're not a pervert or something, right?"
> "I am not a living being. And I do not understand the relevance of that term."
Rei shook his head. "Forget it."
A sudden knock on the door pulled him from the conversation.
"Rei, it's me," came Ailith's voice from outside.
He stood up quickly and opened the door.
She stepped in, holding a folded slip of parchment.
"I got us a quest."
"What is it?"
"Subjugation of reptilian beasts. Level 6 threat. It's classified as a level 7 mission."
Rei blinked. "That's... pretty high."
"Think we can handle it?"
Rei nodded. "Yeah. But... let's go tomorrow."
Ailith raised an eyebrow. "Why tomorrow?"
" its... a holiday."
"Holiday?"
"Never mind. Just... tomorrow."
She sighed. "Alright. See you at dinner then."
"Yeah."
As she left, Rei closed the door and leaned back against it.
"So... Null."
> "Yes, Rei?"
"Earlier. That thing you said about 'not peeking.' What did you mean by that?"
> "I meant only that I would not observe your moments of privacy. I am a crafted tool. I have no personal desire."
"Right... I guess it's not so bad. Having something that knows things."
> "I will do what I can to assist you."
Rei nodded slowly.
"Then... stay with me."
> "I already am."