When I pulled the knife from my neck, I saw the way Luna was looking at me.
She was dead silent; watching me like a mechanical, desperate hunter staring at her trapped prey.
I tossed the bent elven blade to the edge of the bed, right in front of her.
“If you are ever truly eager to kill me one day, you should use high-tier weapons enchanted by sacred dirges instead of such ordinary pieces of iron,” I said, turning my back and walking out of the room.
As soon as I stepped outside, I saw Ramia standing guard in the corridor.
She must have sensed the tension inside, for just as she opened her mouth to say something out of concern, I raised my hand and silenced her.
“Don’t meddle in affairs above your station, Ramia,” I said, walking past without even sparing her a glance.
Strolling down the corridor, I lightly slapped my cheeks a few times to shake off the last insidious effects of the parasite poison in my system.
Once I came to my senses and cleared my head, I headed straight for the backyard.
I was just about to open the mansion’s wide, sliding glass doors and step outside when I heard Ermo’s voice from the lounge.
He had his hand raised in the air, shouting at me enthusiastically “Kaan!
You’re just in time, mate.
Come over here!”
I walked over and slumped into one of the leather armchairs.
“What’s up?
Why so cheerful?” I asked.
Scatroj laughed, swirling the wine in his glass.
“We’re thinking of organizing a competition, Kaan,” he said with a grin.
I raised a single eyebrow in confusion.
“What kind of competition?”
Enwoybi, having squeezed his staff between his legs, eagerly chimed in: “A legendary betting contest where our assistants play a football match against each other!”
Hearing this, I fell back into my chair and burst into laughter.
Wiping a tear from my eye, I said, “Boys, where do you even come up with these things?”
Both of them pointed their fingers at Ermo simultaneously.
“This brilliant plan belongs entirely to Ermo,” Enwoybi declared.
I sat up straight once my laughter subsided.
“Alright…
But how will the teams be split?”
There was a brief silence.
Ermo slapped his hands on his knees.
“I think Luna and Ramia should be on the same team.
Besides, they’re both elves; there’s definitely some chemistry, some racial bond between them.”
Nodding in approval at the logical choice, I asked, “So, what are the stakes?”
Enwoybi grinned maliciously.
“Hah!
Now you’re speaking my language…
I am putting down exactly 50,000 gold on Ramia and Luna’s team!” he stated assertively.
Ermo suddenly jumped to his feet.
“Don’t be so stingy, man!
I say everyone puts up a total of two ‘Legendary-tier’ items from their own inventory to match the opposing duo,” he said, drastically raising the stakes.
I stood up with a smirk and shook Ermo’s hand.
“Deal.
But no crying in the corner when you lose the match and I ruthlessly take those items from you.”
Scatroj also stood up with slow, heavy movements.
“Make it three.
And for the third item, the winner gets to unconditionally choose and take whatever they want from the loser’s inventory.”
With that, the tone of the entire bet changed completely.
Once everyone agreed to these heavy terms, Scatroj sat back down and leaned into his chair.
With a slight rumble coming from his stomach, he asked, “Are we eating or what?”
As everyone nodded in agreement, Ermo went over to Velmora to have the maids—who had previously been assigned to the mansion—set up the banquet table.
The moment he left, I dropped the relaxed, playful demeanor and leaned forward.
“Gentlemen…
I have some very important things to tell you,” I said seriously.
Scatroj and Enwoybi immediately stopped their chatter and turned to me.
“Let’s wait for Ermo.
I’ll explain when we’re all together,” I said.
Scatroj let out a deep breath and rubbed his face in distress.
“Is it about those winged bastards, the angels?” he asked.
When I nodded, Scatroj slammed his hand on the table.
“Good…
I had some things to tell you guys, too.
Let’s spill it all out before dinner.”
When Ermo returned, the moment he saw the heavy, ominous expressions on our faces, he realized something had gone terribly wrong and quietly took his seat without a word.
I cleared my throat and got straight to the point: “A few days ago, I killed Titania and Oberon’s son.”
Scatroj and Ermo both jumped to their feet in horror, shouting in unison, “You did what?!”
I cleared my throat again and corrected myself: “More accurately…
Enwoybi killed him, not me.”
Enwoybi glared at me from his seat, warning me, “Mate, don’t tell the story starting from the exact middle of the book!
Start properly from the beginning.”
Keeping Luna’s identity out of it for now, I began to summarize the event: “While I was out, they kidnapped our companion.
In retaliation, I took Oberon’s son captive and demanded a trade.
I also sent a secret message to Enwoybi to cross over that valley while heading to the city.
Then things escalated during the exchange, stuff happened, and I killed his son.
Oberon went completely insane and started attacking me directly.”
Ermo interrupted, “So?
Isn’t this guy just some elf leader or something?
He should be child’s play for you.”
Ignoring the interruption, I emphasized the gravity of the situation: “He’s not…
That day in the valley, he wasn’t just using standard elf magic; he was directly wielding a reflection of the Holy Sword, the ancient power of the angels.
If Enwoybi hadn’t arrived in time, it could have been a genuinely massive problem for me.”
Scatroj narrowed his eyes at us, stroking his beard.
“How could the two of you fail to instantly execute a regular elf in that valley?” he asked suspiciously.
Looking directly into his eyes, I answered: “We beat him.
We crushed him.
But in that chaos, Oberon managed to escape heavily wounded by using the other elves and his own wife, Titania, as human shields.
However, since his holy power was exposed like that, the ones up above have probably already pulled the plug on him.
Right now, they are definitely searching for a new puppet Oberon.”
Staring at us with narrowed eyes, he said, “Look here…
It’s as if both of you know that this isn’t the whole story, that there’s other stuff going on behind the scenes.”
I took a deep breath.
“I can’t tell you that right now.
It’s not time yet.”
Just as Ermo was about to object, Enwoybi stood up, held Ermo by the shoulders, and gently guided him back into his seat.
“It’s not a problem, Ermo,” he said calmly.
“Here, among us, nobody makes a move or hides information for nothing.
Kaan must have his reasons.”
Seeing this diplomatic support from Enwoybi put my mind at ease.
Enwoybi then turned to Scatroj to change the subject: “Yes, Scatroj…
You were going to tell us something too, right?”
Without breaking his grim expression, Scatroj took out an old parchment inscribed with golden runes from the inside pocket of his jacket and placed it dead center on the table.
“The names written on this scroll…
They will sound extremely familiar to all of you, but equally terrifying,” he said.
When Ermo picked up the parchment and began translating and reading those strange symbols out loud, we were left completely speechless at the very first word.
As Ermo continued to read, our pupils dilated, and our heart rates spiked.
The names he was reading were the names of the Gods—entities that existed in the system in our old lives, back in that game universe, to guide players, give them quests, or reward them for outstanding achievements; entities considered completely harmless and unreachable!
While in the game, if you displayed mind-boggling success far above the average, a God would contact you through their ‘Apostles’ and offer you a chance to become one as well.
But until today, they had never shown their physical forms, nor did we know where they were or if they truly even existed.
As if trying to digest what he heard, Enwoybi lay back on the floor right where he was and muttered ironically, “Great!
Just great!”
Looking at Scatroj, I asked, “Where did you find this parchment?”
Scatroj involuntarily let out an angry, nervous laugh.
“Where did I find it?
Kaan…
These are the names of the Gods who personally came to me and offered to make me their Apostle!”
I raised a single eyebrow in sheer astonishment.
“Wait…
whose names did you say?”
Scatroj cleared his throat uncomfortably, unwilling to repeat himself due to the absolute absurdity of the situation.
Bringing a hand to his chin, Enwoybi asked, “If these beings really exist in this world and have started searching for Apostles…
Then why did they come to you and nobody visited us?
Me and Kaan?”
Fixing his eyes on the sky, on that invisible threat, Scatroj answered: “Believe me…
I don’t know either.
And honestly, this uncertainty disturbs me right now more than anything else.”
Shooting a meaningful look at Ermo, I asked, “I wonder…
Could Velmora know anything about this?
About these ancient beings?”
Shaking his head, Ermo said, “According to the latest records, the Gods were banished from this continent by ancient civilizations even before Velmora was born.
I genuinely have no idea…
But we still need to ask her about it in detail.”
Enwoybi sat up and looked straight at Scatroj.
“So what are you going to do, Scatroj?
Are you going to accept the offer?”
Laughing in a ruthless, proud manner, Scatroj said in a clear voice, “I’d die before working for those bastards who fancy themselves Gods.
I won’t be their dog.”
Then, to dispel the suffocating and dark atmosphere at the table, he stood up.
He grabbed Enwoybi, who was still lying on the floor, by the arm and hauled him up.
“Come on boys, let’s leave this topic here for now.
Let’s just have fun for a few days and empty our minds.
Later, we can put this on the table and discuss it at length,” he said, heading toward the dining hall doors.
I grabbed the seated Ermo by the shoulder and pulled him up, and we all moved to the grand hall together.
However, even though Ermo tried not to show it, he was inwardly upset by the fact that I had just mentioned Velmora’s name and cast suspicion on her.
He didn’t like it at all.
When we sat down at the banquet table, Scatroj turned to me while piling his plate high with meat.
“Is Luna still mad at you inside?”
I nodded, lying smoothly.
“I guess she’s just going through a very difficult time.”
Enwoybi slowly swirled the ruby-colored drink in his hand, watching the blood-red ripples inside the glass.
Ermo coughed lightly, looked at me, and interjected: “I think you should be by her side, Kaan.
Even though it still seems utopian to you, this place is now an absolute reality.
You have to get used to it and start acting accordingly, playing by the rules of this universe.
We have to do everything, absolutely everything, to not lose what we have, to not lose our loved ones…”
As he finished his sentence, he gently placed his hand on the shoulder of Velmora, who had quietly stepped up beside him.
This was a clear message directed at me.
I cast a brief, cautious glance at Scatroj and Enwoybi.
Once they too understood the sensitivity of the situation and quietly nodded in agreement, I filled two separate plates with hot food, left the table, and made my way to the room.
I stopped in front of Luna’s door.
“Can I come in?
I brought you hot food,” I said.
No answer came from inside.
Not wanting to harass her by using my mana—especially because of the forced contract I had established—I stood watching the dark garden through the large window across the corridor, waiting for a response.
However, after a while, a poisonous worm of doubt crept into my mind: “What if she actually took her own life?
What if she ignored the contract and killed herself?”
Unable to hold myself back any longer, I threw the door open and burst inside.
I found Luna in the exact same position, lying flat on her back on the bed, staring at the ceiling with those soulless, empty eyes.
Taking a deep breath, I placed the tray of hot food on the table and lounged in the armchair next to her.
Seeing me arrive, she slowly turned her head.
Looking at her, I said, “A brilliant idea just occurred to me.”
Smiling faintly, she replied, “Finally.” She then opened her arms to her sides and slightly lifted her chest as if to embrace death, waiting for me to deliver the killing blow.
“We’re going to make a new deal, Luna,” I said seriously.
Hearing this, she slowly lowered her arms and placed her hands on the quilt.
Fixing her eyes on me with suspicion, she asked, “What else is there to bargain for?
You’ve already taken everything from me.” Visit g.com for the full chapter.
I stood up with eagerness and excitement.
“I will crush all those half-breed tribes that obey Oberon and betrayed your lineage in a great war, and annex them all directly into the Ice Tribe’s lands!”
The moment Luna heard this, she let out a loud, mocking laugh, louder than I ever expected from her.
“So this was your real goal from the very beginning?
To seize that kingdom…
You are a true manipulator,” she said.
Shaking my head to deny it, I continued laying out the plan: “Until the day of that great war comes, the Ice Elves right now just need a strong leader to stand at their helm.
If you lead them, and I launch sudden two-pronged raids from the outside with Enwoybi, Oberon and his dogs won’t stand a chance against us.”
When I finished speaking, she rolled her eyes and closed them again.
“On that day, when the time comes, be sure that I will break this contract with my own hands,” I said threateningly.
Realizing the absolute seriousness in my voice, she said clearly, “This contract cannot be broken, even if you wanted to.”
Laughing, I opened my inventory and retrieved a glowing, runic Contract-Breaking Key.
Praying inwardly, “I hope this item works with the same mechanics as it did in the game universe,” I plunged the sharp key directly into my own chest, aiming right for my heart.
As the key pierced my flesh and entered my chest, it melted and vanished within seconds.
Luna’s closed eyes shot wide open in shock.
Instantly feeling her own body with her hands, searching for that invisible soul bond on her neck, she whispered in horror: “It’s gone…
The seal is gone.”
Coughing slightly and clearing my throat, I said, “I will no longer use a forced soul contract against you.
Instead, let’s sign a real pact that will be valid by the will of us both.”
She sat up in bed, showing she was finally taking me seriously.
“I have questions I need to ask you.”
I nodded.
“Why…
Why are you going so far as to risk your own life?
What is your goal?” she asked.
Without caring one bit about her scrutinizing, skeptical gaze, I shrugged.
“I’m just curious about the outcomes of a variable in this world, of a major move.”
Looking at me with utter disgust, as if viewing a monster, she said with pain, “Everything…
Every death experienced, every tragedy is still just a game to you.”
When I remained silent, she raised her voice: “Are you aware of the responsibility and destruction that what you just proposed, that war you promised, will bring?!”
A sly smile settled on my face.
“You arrogant elves always see yourselves as so great, so invincible.
Yes, you are powerful, but…
you are isolated.
Divided among yourselves.
And don’t forget, Luna; wolves always snatch the one that strays from the pack.”
After staring at me silently for a while, she surrendered and asked, “Then what is your actual plan?”
Lounging back in the armchair, I started explaining in a relaxed manner: “I will be your sword.
I won’t leave your side for even a second throughout the war.
You, on the other hand, will take up that leadership and give your fallen people the hope they desire.
You will make me your General and you will not interfere with my military affairs.
We’ll handle the rest of the war from the outside with Enwoybi.”
Frowning, she asked, “Does King Enwoybi know about this plan?”
Shaking my head, I said, “Not yet.
But he isn’t someone who would say no or shy away from shedding blood.”
She still wasn’t satisfied.
“What about the other ancient races?
Titans and Dragons are obsessively fixated on the balance of this continent.
How do you know they won’t intervene in an Elf Kingdom’s civil war?”
In an extremely confident voice, I replied, “They will never make a move.”
I smiled when she gestured with her head as if to ask, ‘Why?’.
“Because those mighty Titans and Dragons don’t actually fear the balance breaking; they fear harm coming directly to themselves.
If the great Elf King Enwoybi himself enters the war, none of them will risk facing us directly.
They won’t risk a massive war.”
Luna let out a deep breath, fully grasping the gravity of the situation.
“Alright…
In exchange for all these promises, what do you want from me, Kaan?”
Channeling my mana to my face, I turned to her, transforming my physical form into a flawless Ice Elf using a high-tier alteration spell.
“This is a multi-layered alteration spell.
If you accept me as your General and your ‘Husband’ in front of your people, and treat me as such politically throughout the war—”
Without letting me finish my sentence, she shouted in horror, “WHAT?!”
Her voice was so loud that I had to cover my ears with my hands.
“Calm down!
This is just a political mask!
Once the war is over and our business is completely settled, we’ll separate.
Don’t worry, it’s not a problem,” I said quickly.
She gave me a weird, eerie look, as if I were a mental patient.
“You still aren’t giving me a logical, tangible option.
What if at the end of the day, after ensuring the safety of my tribe and winning the war…
this time you guys personally invade my lands?”
I looked at her and laughed with amusement.
“Sweetheart…
If that were our intention, we could have done it right now, in this mansion, without ever asking you,” I said, canceling the spell and returning to my own human silhouette.
Luna remained silent, swallowing hard under the weight of that truth.
I stood up and headed for the door.
“Now eat the food I brought you, gather your strength.
Think long and hard about what we talked about, the offer I presented to you, and the future of that tribe you love so much.
If you accept my plan, we are downstairs in the lounge.
There are new clothes prepared for you in the closet; put them on and come down.
But if you’re going to refuse…
Your window is wide open.
Jump from there and run away.
But if you leave here today, know that my next stop will be directly the Ice Tribe.”
Dropping this final threat in the middle of the room, I opened the door and walked out, leaving her alone with her thoughts.