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 Rey and Esme arrived, much

any kinds of formality, so they both simply sped into the outer court

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

"Yup!"

as she said this, they were transported to the inner sanctum by Rey's Skill. The statue stood in its usual position, and the general ambiance remained the same—solemn, calm, and

that was

to 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 though she was overwhelmed

happening to you? Can you say

She just kept

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

notice a Status Condition,

Condition: Linked Connection

Is Esme feeling it all

no answers, and he feared that taking her out now would completely disrupt whatever process was taking

if it could be

he didn't want to see Esme

Esme!" He yelled out, but was met with

last straw

something. There's no guarantee that any of this is positive!' He gritted his

out

~ZZZZTTTZZ!~

Rey

That wasn't all, though.

out?!' A bead of sweat formed on Rey's face as slight hints of panic began

'Damnit! Damnit!! Damnit!!!'

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

think of something else—like destroying the barrier with brute force—a bright light suddenly covered everything and

the face of the statue staring intently at Esme; almost as if it had come