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.

**********

deserted at the point when Rey and Esme

both simply sped into the outer court and landed on the hallowed

hood and was wearing her usual white robe

"Yup!"

they were transported to the inner sanctum by Rey's Skill. The statue

that

as she fell to the ground, clutching her head the second she entered the

"E-Esme—?!"

side, holding her tight before she fell to her knees. Her expression depicted something akin to pain, but it was more as

to you? Can you

coherent words. She just kept groaning as

couldn't see her Life Force or any other Stat of hers being

notice a Status

Linked

have with The Oracle? Is Esme feeling it all at once now because she's in

answers, and he feared that taking her out now

it could

to see Esme

Oracle? Stop hurting Esme!" He yelled out,

last straw for

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

get out of

~ZZZZTTTZZ!~

both Rey and Esme in its brilliant white and blue

That wasn't all, though.

formed on Rey's face as slight hints of panic began

'Damnit! Damnit!! Damnit!!!'

swiftly suppressed, but he couldn't help but constantly feel the anxiety rise as he

destroying the barrier with brute force—a bright

saw in the Shrine was the face of the statue staring intently at Esme; almost as if it