He can’t even say who he made the promise to? I racked my brain, trying to piece together the clues buried in Athanas’ cryptic silence. Just a few hours ago, when he handed me the reliquary, he wasn’t this haggard. What could have happened in such a short time?

Isn’t there usually a satisfying *Ding!* when you acquire a new skill in a game? I could’ve sworn that in Conclude, every time the cult leader unit gained an ability, that iconic sound would ring out.

Athanas does have some romantic comedy heroine-like qualities - at least, based on this totally made-up setting. It roughly goes like this: Athanasia is this insanely talented holy knight who pretty much makes everyone else green with envy. Her only sanctuary from the relentless admiration and jealousy is an old, deserted library where none of her classmates ever step foot in.

“Why won’t you use it?” he finally managed, his face twisted with confusion. “Was this our last chance?”

I gave the reliquary a gentle shake, but there was no rattling sound from inside. It had some heft to it, so it couldn’t be empty, but I was too chicken to open it and take a peek.

...Servant of the Distorted One? The system window disappeared in the blink of an eye. At first, I thought it was just my imagination playing tricks on me.

Ugh, what typical cult-like nonsense... After giving me that intense glare, I wondered what kind of “enlightening” crap he was about to spew. I was tempted to just brush him off, saying I didn’t need any of that nonsense, and be on my way. But then a question popped into my head.