Chapter 409: Reflection [2]
A constant ringing sound echoed in my mind as I headed toward the location that Atlas had given me.
I thought back to the figure I had seen in the glass and had a sudden idea of what was going to happen.
My already ringing mind buzzed with even more intensity, and the words I had once heard in the vision rang in my mind once more.
'...Didn't do it. He did...'
Piecing everything together, I understood exactly what the vision was trying to tell me. Julien... He was the one who was responsible for getting me into that situation.
Someway, somehow, he took over my body and killed someone of importance, getting me into trouble.
A faint taste of metal lingered in my throat as I swallowed subtly, my throat suddenly felt dry. "Haa."
I took a deep and steady breath to keep myself composed.
The situation shocked me, but I had been expecting it for some time now. The shock died down rather fast as I started to think about my options.
'If the scenario plays just like I think it will play out, then I need to find a way to prevent Julien from taking control of the body.'
...I already knew what I had to do.
But there was a problem with that option.
And it was the fact that I'd need to reveal that there was another entity residing within my body.
Furthermore, I needed to find someone capable enough of sealing the Julien that resided within my body.
Only then would I be able to avoid the scenario presented in the vision?
But who?
Who could I tell about the situation? Furthermore, they needed to be capable of helping me. 'Maybe I can try to find a way to make it seem like someone is trying to possess me...?'
That seemed to be quite a dangerous plan. If it backfired then it might just destroy everything that I had worked so hard for.
Then what?
"Ah."
A thought occurred to me.
If there was one person that already had an idea of my situation and could help then there was
one.
'Evelyn.'
My heart skipped a beat.
....She was the one person that was capable of handling the situation.
Just like what she did with the Angel of Sorrow, I knew she was capable of doing the same thing with me.
So long as I asked for her help...
"Ooof."
I already felt a massive headache building up.
The thought felt daunting but what other option did I have? She already had a good idea, and this would only confirm her theories
What mattered to me was my own safety.
For that reason, after a little bit of thought, I decided to speak to her after I met up with Atlas.
My thoughts eased after that and I headed for the location Atlas sent me.
I thought I had a clear path forward in tackling the vision, when...
"...There's someone that I need you to kill."
Atlas's words reached my ears.
Even if I didn't want to, my body grew stiff. Especially since a notification flashed across my vision right after that.
[◆ Main Quest Activated: Murderer]
:Character Progression + 401%
: Game Progression + 17%
Failure
: Calamity 1 + 21%
: Calamity 2 + 13%
: Calamity 3 + 17%
It was a quest notification.
...The timing at which it arrived was somewhat questionable. Nonetheless, I remained composed and didn't show any outward reaction.
I merely glanced at the window for a few seconds before shifting my attention back to Atlas.
"I understand."
I was surprised by how calm my tone was.
Especially since the situation made the entire scenario confusing. It went from 'Julien' taking over and killing someone important to being ordered to kill someone important.
Which one of the two was it?
"Who exactly do I have to kill?"
I continued to be surprised by the calmness and composure that I exhibited while addressing
Atlas.
Was it that I had gotten so used to curveballs like this that I no longer felt shocked by them?
I didn't know how to feel about the thought.
"A priest. His name is Johan Opersia. He's around tier 4, in the middle of the materializing stage which puts him ahead of you. However, I have faith that you will be able to kill him."
"...Okay."
So long as they were the same tier as me then I wasn't too worried.
I highly doubted I'd be able to fight someone higher-tiered than me especially when they had
a full domain at their disposal.
"Is there any information that I need to know about my target?"
For now, my goal was to gain as much information as possible. I needed to fully understand who I was dealing with and whether they'd cause a situation just like in the vision.
"What other information would you like to know?"
"....The impact their death will have. Their talents, spells, and relics. Where are they from?
Why do I have to kill them? Wh-"
"Stop there for a second."
Atlas held his hand forward.
"I understand your concerns so I will answer a few questions now. Your target isn't from this Empire. He's from one of our sister organizations."
"Sister organizations?"
I pretended to be oblivious to what he was talking about but I already knew where he was getting at. I had already been told this information by the Faceless Man.
"Mhm, we have sister organizations. They're about the same in size as the Inverted Sky and operate in different Empires but that's not what's important. They've currently set different targets on one of the cadets in the Academy."
"Ah."
I had a clearer picture of the situation.
"They're targeting one of the transfer students...'
Who?
Who exactly were they targeting?
"It's Caius."
Atlas answered as though he could read my mind.
"...They've been eyeing his talent since the Summit. They planned on converting him into one
of them but his loss foiled their plans. Furthermore, his sudden transfer made things even
more difficult."
"Couldn't they have asked for Caius? Why must they come here? Also, why send someone of
the same strength to get Caius? As far as I'm aware, not many people can beat him in the same
tier."
Atlas smiled, his smile seeming very cold.
It was enough to make me shudder.
"The Academy has tabs on all the strong people. That's why it's impossible for them to go for
Caius. The moment they make a move, the Chancellor will sense it and intervene.
Furthermore, your target has a very specific skill that specializes in capture."
"So that's the case."
It all made more sense.
However, there were still things that I wasn't quite sure about.
Like...
"Why didn't they say anything to you? I thought-"
"That's the problem, Julien."
Atlas blinked his eyes slowly, his eyes turning slightly paler.
"They didn't tell me anything. They thought it was appropriate for them to act without my
permission. I've even tried contacting them but they aren't responding. And since that's the
case then..."
Atlas stopped but the intent behind his words were clear.
I inwardly cursed at the situation.
'Why do things have to be so annoying? If only they talked with each other then this mess wouldn't
have even begun in the first place.'
"Before I forget." Atlas rummaged through his pocket and took out a small piece of paper and pen. He then
proceeded to scribble a few things on the paper before handing it to me.
"This is?"
"List of locations where you can fight without being worried about being found out."
"Hm?"
I lowered my head to stare at the paper.
There were a total of three locations.
"Security is quite tight today. It's quite a struggle to find spots that escape the security's
reach. Of course, even though security is tight, when I'm here, it's nothing to worry about.
The Chancellor won't be giving you any problems. The spot I've listed has several high- ranking members overlooking the area which is why they're deadspots. They'll overlook
anything that happens there."
"I see."
I gave the paper a quick look once more, memorizing all the names before burning it. I wasn't surprised by the fact that Atlas was capable of achieving this much.
The Inverted Sky was an organization that had control over the Royal Family itself.
....What was a little Academy to them?
Still, there was one thing that was bothering me about the entire situation.
"If I do end up killing the target, what then?
"Are you worried about the response of the Church?"
"Yes."
The man in white...
I still couldn't forget about them. Especially their terrifying strength. Who were they?...And
who did they work for?
"You don't need to be too worried about the Church's response. We will handle that side."
Will you?
I wasn't so sure about that.
In any case, I looked directly at Atlas.
"There's one more thing that I wanted to bring up."
"What is it?"
"....I spotted a suspicious man in white not too long ago. He looked to be around tier 7 or
higher, I'm not entirely sure. Do you happen to know them?"
"A man in white?"
Atlas frowned, musing over my words while quietly mumbling to himself, 'That's not exactly
the best description, but if he's that strong then it shouldn't be too difficult to make a
guess...'
Eventually, he raised his head to look back at me.
"There's a few targets that come to mind. In particular, the followers of Clora, the Godess of Elements. They all wear white, and they would also have several powerful Templars guarding them at all times. If there's anyone that fits that description it would be them."
Clora...
'Right, their group did indeed wear white during the walk.'
I remember quite clearly now that I was thinking about it.
It was then that I had a sudden thought.
"My target... Is he "
"Yes, he's also a follower of Clora. At least, on the surface."
"Ah."
I pressed my lips.
The situation was becoming more and more complicated. But still, I managed to find out
most of the information that I wanted.
Now was the time for me to find a way to reject the mission.
I was just about to open my mouth when Atlas spoke over me,
"Before I forget, another reason why I assigned you on this mission is because there's a
chance that you might be targeted as well. No..."
Atlas laughed, his eyes squinting with a cold glint.
"Who am I kidding? You're definitely going to be targeted. Those guys definitely know about
the rumors. They will undoubtedly send some people to target you."
|| ||
"But like I said, you don't have to worry. So long as you're within my range, no one can harm
you. I won't stop those that you can stop yourself, but you won't have to worry about anyone
too strong coming your way. I can promise you that much."
He sounded so confident when he said those words.
It was enough to make me want to believe in them. Had it been before, perhaps I would've.
But things were different now.
I had seen the vision.
...I wasn't safe.
