After Han left, Shekina lay on the bed, staring blankly at the ceiling.
– I definitely killed the Emperor that day, but the next day, he was alive. And it was announced that the crown prince died.
– I never mistake people’s faces. No matter how good the disguise, I can’t be fooled. What did I do?
Ugh… My head hurts.
Actually, I just wanted to pretend not to know about this and move on.
Whether it’s dark magic or whatever, I just want to focus on the main quest.
But Shekina couldn’t do that.
Firstly, because she don’t know how the behind-the-scenes story of the game will affect her future and what results it will bring.
Secondly…
Subquest <Uncovering the Royal Secret?>
I’m really proud of you! You keep making things happen even when you’re quiet! The resolution to only break the quests has already disappeared like a river. You’re amazing!
The royal family is hiding something. Let’s uncover that secret.
Content: Find the truth about the Crown Prince’s death.
Time limit: None
Reward:
1. Eavesdrop on the royal secret
2. ???
A quest had popped up.
“This kid’s becoming too bold with his words, seriously.”
Shekina clicked her tongue and took a deep breath.
Currently, there were two pending subquests.
One is turning a cat into a familiar, and the other is uncovering the royal secrets.
She had postponed the quest to turn the cat into a familiar. Not only had she not thought about it until then, but it was destined to fail even without looking at it. That cat is really just a cat. It doesn’t give a single bit of affection to Shekina.
‘It’s a shame to waste information on another system.’
Besides, once the connection portal to the demon realm was properly established, that information would be accessible anyway.
There was no urgent need to handle it right now.
‘But this quest seems quite promising.’
When ‘???’ appeared in the rewards, it usually meant a high chance of gaining valuable rewards. Moreover, since it was related to the behind-the-scenes story of the royal family, it would likely provide even more insights.
‘But I’m not sure how to investigate the royal family.’
Should I delve into dark magic?
‘But the majority of people don’t know about dark magic, right?’
Even demons might have forgotten about dark magic. Sebastian, who knows about it, can’t speak due to the silence spell.
‘Then…’
As Shekina pondered, she suddenly felt puzzled.
‘Sebastian must have learned dark magic from someone. And that someone cast the silence spell.’
Her mind raced.
‘So… what if I find that someone?’
In an instant, clarity struck like lightning.
Right. I just need to find the entity who taught Sebastian dark magic. I’ll go to the Ice Wall, sniff around for clues, and follow them back.
‘Starting from dark magic seems like a good plan.’
Surely there are dark mages in the royal family.
“Ah, got it. So I just need to head to the Ice Wall.”
With a plan in place, Shekina felt a sense of direction.
Shekina tried to get up immediately to head to the Ice Wall but then hesitated and lay back down.
“Ah… I can’t go now.”
The 1st Legion demons are training at the Ice Wall.
The training period lasts for a month.
There’s still over two weeks left until the training ends.
Groaning, Shekina suddenly remembered the quest’s ‘No time limit’.
“Well, I might as well rest until then. I’ve been running around like crazy lately.”
With no time limit, I can take it slow and relax.
So Shekina yawned deeply and closed her eyes slowly.
No, she tried to close them.
Ring!
Suddenly, the system window popped up.
[SYSTEM]
Run away.
[SYSTEM]
I recommend you to running away.
[SYSTEM]
Warning! Warning!
“…What’s this?”
Shekina felt a sense of dread as she looked at the red-tinted system window.
This was undoubtedly the warning window that appeared after killing the warrior.
“Why, why is this happening?”
What’s suddenly going on? Just as Shekina’s eyes widened in confusion, it happened.
Slam!
The door burst open, and a strong gust of wind rushed in. Shekina, shielding her eyes with her arm, furrowed her brow, but in that instant, a cold blade touched Shekina’s throat.
“Hello?”
Shekina lowered her arm dazedly.
Standing before her was a boy with bright white hair, as dazzling as fluttering snow.
“I’m Yurian.”
Wait, am I wil die?
Shekina murmured as she felt the blood trickling down her throat.
***
Since her reincarnation, Shekina had only felt the terror of death twice.
The first was facing the Cerberus, the twins pet.
The second was confronting the Demon King.
And today.
The third time had come.
“Whoa…”
Shekina’s throat felt damp. She might not have realized that more blood was flowing than her body could afford. So much blood was pouring onto her clothes and sheets.
“You should have known I was coming. Why were you so defenseless?”
Yurian looked down at Shekina, his eyes as red as blood flashing.
“If you weren’t ignoring me, shouldn’t you have countered my ambush? Instead, you’re just taking it lying down. Boring.”
“You…!”
“Are you really ignoring me? That’s sad if you are.”
Shekina quickly darted her eyes around.
With this much commotion, Arthur should have noticed. If Arthur comes, things will be okay. I won’t die. Thinking that, she looked towards the door, but…
“Ah, Arthur won’t be coming. He’s been summoned by 2nd elder.”
Yurian shattered Shekina’s hope.
He tightened his grip on the sword, smiling sinisterly.
“I don’t particularly want to kill you. You may not believe me, but I don’t enjoy killing people.”
She wanted to scream at him to leave. But if she opened his mouth to speak, the sword would probably pierce her throat.
“But…”
Yurian grinned at the trembling Shekina.
“But I suppose I have to kill you after all, don’t I?”
Just as Yurian was about to swing down his sword…
“Meow!”
The cat flew through the air, swiping at Yurian’s cheek.
“Ow!”
With bristling fur, the cat began to snarl and snap at Yurian.
“Oh, that’s suprising.”
With no choice but to retreat and withdraw the sword from Shekina, Yurian, holding his injured cheek, chuckled once more.
“I thought you were just cute, but your claws are quite sharp.”
Shekina, rising to her feet, kept her distance from Yurian and narrowed her eyes.
“Who are you?”
Her throat hurt. Pain seared through the torn flesh. Shekina grimaced.
“Why did you suddenly attack me out of nowhere? Are you crazy?”
“I told you. I’m Yurian.”
“I know that!”
Unable to contain herself, Shekina shouted.
“Why are you trying to kill me?”
Yurian smirked, then brightened, opening his mouth.
“Oh, you didn’t know? Sorry, my bad. I thought I mentioned it.”
His hand fell from his cheek. The wound from the cat’s attack vanished.
Is he using healing magic too? So perfectly, in such a short time?
Shekina’s spine chilled.
“Are you curious why you should die?”
He took a step closer to Shekina.
“Did you really think you wouldn’t die?”
During the first brush with death, Shekina survived through methods provided by the system.
During the second brush with death, Shekina lived by drawing upon memories from a past life.
And now.
A gut feeling told Shekina that there would be no help from any source.
“You’re human but you pretending to act like a demon.”
Yurian glared at Shekina with icy eyes.
“How can I keep letting you alive?”
