Those words completely threw Ebon off. He had no idea such a law against Heroes even existed, and to make things worse, he had already screwed up badly with this psychopath.
"Okay, calm down. Maybe we started off on the wrong foot. Let me start over, alright?"
"There's no point in talking. If I let you live, I'll only end up on trial for helping a Visitor. I promise it'll be just one cut and I promise I'll leave your pretty face intact."
That last part made him extremely uncomfortable, but it also gave him an idea.
"That's very kind of you, but wouldn't it be unfair to kill me without at least knowing my name? It'd be pretty sad to leave me in a nameless grave… hehe…"
The elf raised an eyebrow, his gaze softening slightly as he moved the dagger away and sat back down in his chair. It wasn't much, but he had bought himself some time.
"I suppose it would be unfair to let your memory be forgotten. Tell me your name and your final words for your gravestone."
"So straightforward. At least tell me what year it is and where we are. Looks like I missed a few things."
Ebon looked around desperately for some kind of help, but the place was nothing more than an old cabin. There was barely a broken table with a half-eaten plate of food on it.
"Year 743 A.C., and we're in the Kingdom of Lithany."
"A.C.?"
"After the Catastrophe. Now your name. I won't repeat myself."
That explained a few things, Ebon thought. The Catastrophe was an event scheduled for that year and promised massive changes, so it made sense that he had missed quite a lot.
"Well, I… I aaam…"
He didn't have many options, so he decided to call in the cavalry.
"(System, activate.)"
[----------------------------]
Would you like to view your body status?
[----------------------------]
"(And how is that supposed to help me with these magic-sealing ropes? How about a power-up or some bullshit like that?)"
[----------------------------]
That request is impossible. This is your new life, and you must push forward using your own means.
[----------------------------]
"(But I'm the protagonist! I deserve a plot armor moment before this lunatic kills me!)"
[----------------------------]
Error.
You are only one piece, and this is a massive board. Play or die whining like a child.
This is your second life. Make use of it or throw it away, I don't care.
[----------------------------]
"(Shit… stupid system!) …My name is Ebon…"
"Just that? No last name?"
"Nah, that's fine."
"I see. No family, then."
His gaze wavered slightly as he studied him closely.
"Well, no, I mean yes, but I mean"
It had been a long time since anyone had asked him that. Ever since he devoted his life to that game, he had stopped caring about remembering it.
"I… I had a family, but I separated from them and decided to stop using my last name. Since then, I… I'm just EbonY35… yeah, that's my name."
At that moment, he wanted to look away in embarrassment, but his captor beat him to it and stopped staring. It seemed he had struck a nerve, and that was perfect.
"Hey, what's your name? If you're going to kill me without even buying me a coffee first, at least tell me your name."
"My name?… Hmm… I'm Lucian."
The bastard stood up, clearly intent on killing him in cold blood, but Ebon had already gotten what he wanted. That guy was just like him.
"Now tell me your final words."
"Wait, wait. You're like me too, right? You're a half-elf, a mixed-blood exil-"
Lucian grabbed him by the hair and brought the dagger close to his chest.
"You're just another one begging for his life with lies."
"Yes, yes, I'm a Visitor. That's true. But I'm a Visitor with privileged information. I can help you, I promise, just let me talk."
"That's complete bullshit. You didn't even know about the Sacred Law. You know nothing."
"Listen, I knew this world before the Catastrophe. So yeah, maybe I missed a few things, but I know the locations of certain relics, like the Emerald Seed, which, judging by you being here, I'm guessing is still lost."
"That's impossible. It's just a myth. No one knows where it is, least of all a filthy Visi-"
"But did I mention it or not?! How would I know about it without knowing it beforehand if I'm just a filthy Visitor?"
As soon as he said that, the elf's gaze faltered despite his rage, a rage that only grew with every word coming out of Ebon's mouth. It was all or nothing for Ebon.
"Listen, pointy-ears. You and I are in the same boat. Half-breeds are still exiled from your homeland, right? They won't let you return and reunite with Yggdrasil until you obtain that stupid seed. That's why you live alone in this abandoned shack."
Hearing that, the elf nearly drove the dagger straight into his heart, but instead only slashed him, cutting through his clothes. Then he returned to his chair, let out a long sigh, and sheathed the dagger.
"And you think I'd break the law over some stupid legend that only God knows is even real?"
Hearing those words, Ebon couldn't help but smile confidently as he saw his opening.
"Oh, you will. Because your situation is worse than mine. Maybe my punishment is death, but it ends today. Yours is just beginning."
The elf fell silent. He was considering the proposal when suddenly a black arrow pierced through the window, narrowly missing his head. At the same time, a loud voice echoed from outside.
"Thief! We've found you! Come out now or we'll burn the cabin down and retrieve the dagger from your ashes!"
"Looks like your friends are here. They didn't take as long as I thought."
"Stop joking and untie me. Those maniacs will kill us both. You need my help."
The elf, completely calm, sliced the tip of his finger with the ceremonial dagger. At the same time, a rain of flaming arrows fell onto the roof.
"You cry an awful lot to save a life that's going to be shit anyway. Tell me, why do you want to live so badly?"
As he watched the blood run down the elf's finger, he understood. If he wanted to live, he'd have to sign a Blood Contract with this psychopath. There was no turning back. He looked at him with every ounce of courage he had left.
"Why? Are you kidding me? Because I want to live to fulfill my dreams! I want to make so much money I'll never have to worry about food again, be so famous the whole world envies me and wants my life, and above all, I…"
At that moment, the roof collapsed and a burning beam fell beside him, but he didn't avert his gaze even an inch.
"I want to lose my virginity with a cute girl!"
The elf looked at him skeptically, then let out a long sigh before forming a faint smile.
"I suppose you are a simple creature. Very well. It's a deal, you help me achieve my dream, and I'll help you achieve yours."
"Deal, deal. Now get me out of here."
"Perfect. Now just… don't get the wrong idea. This wasn't my intention, miss."
Immediately, the pointy-eared man stepped closer and pressed his bloodied finger against the wound on his chest.
"…Miss?"
A red magical seal appeared on the floor as he felt magic coursing through his body. The sensation left him frozen"not because of the magic, but because of the touch.
It wasn't every day you realized your chest was soft and spongy and that your faithful companion was missing from between your legs.