Chương 8: Death Pact

[Where are you heading?]

Jarvis asked.

I was on the move, heading towards a rather unusual destination. It was late at night, and I had donned a hoodie to avoid being recognized by people.

"Have you ever wondered why Edward, who's as weak as they come, became a major antagonist in the first game and the main antagonist in the second?"

I posed a question in response because, truth be told, I was currently about as weak as a kitten. So weak, in fact, that if I told anyone I would eventually become one of the most strongest individuals on the continent, or even the world, they'd probably burst into laughter.

[According to the game, Ante-Eden granted him power.]

"Yeah."

[Ante-Eden] was a terrorist organization and the most notorious villainous group in the first game. In the original plot, Edward was meant to be affiliated with this organization, although my recent actions had significantly altered that trajectory...

In the game, an intoxicated Edward would nearly assault one of the [Main Heroines] a few days after the academy's entrance day. In swoops the prince charming, the protagonist, to save the day. News of Edward's reprehensible act would rapidly spread throughout the kingdom, and Thomen Falkrona would promptly disown his son. At that juncture, an executive of [Ante-Eden] would approach Edward, offering him the chance for revenge if he joined their ranks— an offer he'd gladly accept.

And what would Edward receive from them?

"The Death Pact."

[Death Pact?]

"Yeah, it essentially entails offering your body to a higher being in exchange for a portion of their power. However, if you're not sufficiently strong to withstand their presence, you could lose your sanity or even your life."

[But Edward did it.]

"Yeah, fueled by deep-seated hatred for his family and the academy that had ridiculed him he just snapped. He forged the pact, and a God matched with Edward..."

My voice trailed off as I recalled the nightmarish fate Edward would face and the atrocities he'd commit over the course of the First and Second games. Massacres that would claim the lives of countless people. His deeds would turn so many lives into living nightmares that I could well understand why he'd rank third on the list of most despised individuals. And that God...

No, it didn't matter now, given that I was not Edward and had strayed far from the game's original plot. I had willingly abandoned my status and left the Falkrona mansion, and I certainly had no intention of assaulting that Heroine or anyone else as well.

[Based on what you're saying, you won't be forming a pact with that God.]

"Correct. The God Edward made a pact with is, without a doubt, powerful. It transformed Edward into a monstrous entity capable of rivaling [Monarchs]."

[So what's your plan?]

"I'll still form a Death Pact, but not with that God. While I'll likely be far weaker than the Edward in the game, that particular God is akin to the Devil himself— far too dangerous. If I chose that route, I might lose myself entirely."

[A prudent decision.]

"Exactly."

Though there was a significant chance I could lose my life or sanity, I had no other choice. Life in that brutal world without power was untenable. As someone who had played the game, I was all too aware of that fact. The threats were everywhere. I needed strength, and I didn't want to depend on others for my protection.

I halted my steps, surveying my surroundings. The area was devoid of any onlookers, which was unsurprising. I stood before a decrepit temple, a place steeped in malevolent legend. This temple, which now lay in ruins and was covered in grime, had once been a revered sanctuary dedicated to Eden. Yet, an incident ages ago had seen hundreds of worshipers meeting gruesome ends within its confines. Since then, the temple had been shunned, cursed by malevolent deities.

And this was precisely why I was here. My objective was to find a deity, be it malevolent or benevolent. Both types could feasibly inhabit a location like this. The temple's significance stemmed from a side quest I'd encountered in the game— never did I imagine it would prove relevant now.

"Alright, time to enter. Jarvis, keep watch behind me."

[Copy that.]

I winced at Jarvis's response before stepping into the temple. The interior was in shambles, making for difficult navigation. I stumbled multiple times over stones, boulders, animal remains, and even human bones. My ample frame didn't exactly make for nimble maneuvering.

[Are you certain no one has been here before?]

"Can't say for sure, but I highly doubt anyone would attempt a Death Pact in such a place."

Even those steeped in malevolence would likely balk at summoning a deity so overpowering that it might cost them their lives. Regardless, there was a strong chance I wouldn't emerge from this pact unscathed— either death or madness awaited me. Yet, at the same time, I held onto the hope of plot armor, if such a thing existed. Truth be told, I had no other recourse. Surviving in that world required power, and I was well aware of that fact. Dangers abounded, each more menacing than the last. I needed strength, and I wasn't about to rely on others to secure my safety.

I came to a halt, my gaze sweeping over my surroundings. All clear. In front of me lay a cursed temple— a place that had witnessed its share of horrors. Once, many centuries ago, it had been a sacred sanctuary devoted to Eden. But a tragedy had struck.

One day, scores of worshipers met a gruesome end within its walls. From that day on, the temple stood abandoned, cursed by vengeful deities.

Hence why I found myself here. My objective: to commune with a God, benevolent or malevolent. Either type could potentially inhabit this forsaken place. The temple's significance came from a side quest I'd stumbled upon in the game. Little did I know it would become pertinent in reality.

I had to get stronger.

I carried the Falkrona bloodline due to our house's founder, yet my screen and status showed no sign of awakening the 1st Wing.

"Curse that useless God blessing the Falkronas."

[Copy that.]

I grimaced at his reply again.

Why are you copying that?!

[Just taking precautions.]

"Precautions my ass—arghhh!"

I tumbled clumsily, resembling a rolling ball. After about ten seconds of this absurd dance, I managed to expel a mouthful of dirt through violent coughing.

"Arghh! I'll probably leave this damned temple with Tetanus!"

My hands and legs were stained with my own blood, and I couldn't understand what I had just rolled through—nor did I particularly want to know.

"Finally."

Rising to my feet, I found myself in a grand hall, reminiscent of a church nave on Earth. Striding to the end, I reached the sanctuary. Normally, several statues or sacred relics of Eden should have adorned the cursed temple. However, nothing remained – not that I cared.

I cleared a patch of ground and seized a thorny branch, employing it as a makeshift quill. With a forceful prick, I drew blood from my finger. It was a bit painful, but the blood was necessary.

As crimson drops flowed, I etched symbols into the earth.

[What are-]

"Don't bother asking what I'm doing, because I'm uncertain myself. I'm merely replicating the runes I observed in the game."

I cut Jarvis off before he could asked further.

[Runes?]

"Yes. I possess a good memory, so I still recall the symbols Ante-Eden used back then. Those are what Edward would use to form a death pact."

I continued drawing runes, replenishing my supply of blood with each new symbol if needed.

It felt akin to summoning a demon...

Pushing aside these unsettling thoughts, I stood upright.

Stepping into the rune-drawn circle, I waited.

"..."

[...]

"..."

[...]

"Nothing's happening..."

Suppressing the urge to dismantle my surroundings in frustration, I focused.

Still, nothing.

[Perhaps you should infuse your mana.]

"Ah, right."

I'd almost forgotten that I could employ mana in this world. While Edward might be a weakling at the moment, he still retained the ability to wield mana.

Leaking my mana gradually –

"Finally!"

Crimson runes emitted a brilliant glow, and a column of light soared towards the heavens, with me at its epicenter.

"Who?"

"L—Leave me!!"

"I am hungry...please..."

"It hurts!!"

"Help me!!"

Voices resonated around me, sending shivers down my spine. Yet, now wasn't the time to lose my focus.

"I seek a death pact."

By uttering the keyword, I hoped to establish contact with higher beings, to seize an opportunity.

"...!"