An Extra’s POV

"How strange…"

After hearing all of Rey's detailed narration of everything that happened in the Shrine, those words naturally proceeded from Esme's lips.

"Right? I thought about it for so long, but it still makes no sense to me."

"Yeah…" Esme mumbled. "Why would they request for me specifically? I'm the hated Half Elf vermin, after all…"

"Well, I think—"

"Guess we'll find out once I ask them." She interrupted Rey, snapping her fingers once she made her choice.

"Wait, Esme. It's actually dangerous to—!"

"I know what's going on in your mind. It's possible that they want to execute me or something. However, all of this lies in conjecture. Are you really willing to throw away all your efforts thus far for just that?"

Rey had a rather conflicted expression on his face. He wanted to open his lips to say "Maybe?" but something stopped him from speaking out loud.

Esme smiled as soon as she saw this, shrugging a little nonchalantly. "It's fine, Rey! I also have many questions I want to ask this Oracle person, so it's a win-win for both of us."

It almost seemed like Esme was the one trying to convince Rey to go at this point. The latter understood why she was doing it, and instantly realized that being more difficult would only be an insult to her resolve.

"Thanks, Esme… really."

"I believe I owe you even more thanks." She beamed with a smile. "I guess I really was relevant to this whole adventure, after all!"

Rey laughed upon hearing this. "Yeah, I guess I'll have to thank Ater later. He always has such good sense on matters like this."

"Yup! You should! Do you think he predicted that this would happen?"

"Pfft! No way!"

The two continued in this good spirit as they increased their pace, their attention fixed on the path ahead that led to their goal.

—The Elven Shrine.

**********

at the point when

both simply sped into the outer court and landed on the

to Esme, who had already done away with her hood and was wearing her usual

"Yup!"

soon as she said this, they were transported to the inner sanctum by Rey's Skill. The statue stood in its usual position, and

all of that was soon

let out a sharp cry as she fell to the ground, clutching her head the second she entered the

"E-Esme—?!"

knees. Her expression depicted something akin to pain, but it

happening to you? Can

words. She just

her Status Window, Rey couldn't see her Life Force or any other Stat of hers being

did notice a

Linked

the connection all Elves have with The Oracle? Is Esme feeling

taking her out now

if it could be

he didn't want to see Esme in any

hell are you doing Oracle? Stop hurting Esme!" He yelled out, but was met with

the last

she could be attacking Esme's soul or something. There's no guarantee that any of this is positive!'

out

~ZZZZTTTZZ!~

the shrine, shrouding both Rey

That wasn't all, though.

formed on Rey's face as

'Damnit! Damnit!! Damnit!!!'

of those overwhelming feelings were swiftly suppressed, but he couldn't help but constantly feel the anxiety rise as he found

think of something else—like destroying the barrier with brute force—a

saw in the Shrine was the face of the statue staring intently at