#143
Pandemonium’s grip on my hand loosened so suddenly that I nearly lost my balance. I stumbled back a step, caught between confusion and wariness. His nonchalant tone only made it worse.
#142
My mind went blank.
What the hell do I even say to this guy?
Another wave of cold sweat hit me.
This bastard clearly sees anyone who isn’t a player as a disposable NPC, someone he can just kill without a second thought.
#141
The invisible noose around my neck dissipated the second my identity was confirmed.
I stared in disbelief. That was it? That’s all it took?
#140
Pandemonium’s face crumbled after hearing about the reliquary’s tracking function.
Flustered, I rushed into an explanation. I told him about how I’d discovered Bishop Andrea was a servant of the Distorted One, and how Athanas, worried about my safety, had given me the reliquary to protect me during those private doctrine lessons.
#139
“…What?”
“I’m talking about Insanity. If an Othergod can’t bring in more than one player, he has to be the ‘Lord of Nightmares’ player. It adds up, don’t you think?”
“…So what?”
#138
Right off the bat, I knew who’d barged in.
A player. And not just any player either.
Probably that strategy game nerd, I thought, instantly annoyed. Of course, this had to be Reyes’s fault.
#137
I flinched, my fingers freezing mid-keystroke.
The God of Records?
My gaze flicked to my left hand. Smooth, unscarred, just... normal. Still, I balled it into a fist so tight it ached.
#136
Reyes, you still haven’t dealt with your biggest problem, have you?
Seems like your mind’s still twisted as ever.
“I never had any intentions like that. Really.”
Reyes tilted his head to one side, something unsettling in his gaze. “But don’t you remember? You told me to really think about what I wanted. So I did. I thought about it constantly, over and over...”
#135
I pushed Athanas’s arm off my chest and got up. There was no way I could just lie there, my mind racing with thoughts of Reyes.
…I’d promised him I’d handle it, told him not to worry.
#134
“Actually, handing him over to the Inquisition might be better. If he ends up with the Research Director…” I let the words hang, unfinished.
Callister cut in. “What happens if he goes to the Research Director? Are you worried he’ll become the test subject of some gruesome experiment?”
#133
“Is something wrong?”
Athanas’ piercing gaze locked onto mine.
I sighed, deciding to answer honestly.
“I have no idea how to fix this.”
#132
It was a foolish hope.
There was no way Athanasuki, of all people, wouldn’t recognize Athanas’ voice immediately.
I had to think fast.
First, I need to convince Reyes.