347 Answers
“What do you know about (G) Essence?”
The moment I asked this, Paul’s body throbbed. His eyes widened, and he seemed shell-shocked.
‘Ah, so he knows something!’
That was reassuring as well as dangerous.
In all honesty, I was still in the dark about the full nature of the (G) Element in my Status Window. However, there was one thing I knew to be certain.
‘It has helped me greatly!’
With (G) Karma Points, I could upgrade my Gift. Without it, I never would have come this far.
The (G) Factor ensured I was alive, despite being in many hairy situations. It served as the popular ‘plot armor’ I usually noticed in novels or anime.
Back then, I despised the fact that the main character had some sort of cheat, but now I was rethinking my position.
Thanks to these two factors—along with [Subspace], I was able to transform myself from the weakling to my current self. It was no understatement to say that without them I would have died back in my apartment.
Even my knowledge of the future played a huge role in my survival after leaving the apartment.
But, it seemed I had grown conceited thanks to these privileges.
‘What if I’m not the only one?’
That thought finally popped into my mind at some point.
It didn’t make sense that only I would have such abilities. However, I had taken them in stride—as though they were only natural.
All of that arrogance was shattered now, though.
“You have it too… don’t you? (G) Karma and (G) Factor…”
“…”
Paul’s expression changed the moment I mentioned those two. His expression twisted a bit.
It was subtle, but I could read it quite well.
‘He doesn’t know them? Really?’
I didn’t believe him, so I decided to resort to my ‘Command’ Skill. Using it to control his will, I demanded an answer.
“I don’t… I… I don’t have them…” Paul spat out.
‘Oh? Is he resistant to mind control?’
Either way, he couldn’t resist it. That meant he was telling the truth.
Did that mean he had another version of a (G) stuff?
‘Guess I’ll have to ask…’
I drew closer to him and decided to try something else.
“You’ve changed quite a bit. What could have caused this transformation?’ I spoke as I stroked his white hair, gazing at his kneeling posture.
‘Bodily contact will allow me to read his thoughts. That way, I’ll be able to reconfirm all he says as the truth.’
Once the link was established, I asked my question.
“What’s your connection with (G) Essence?” My eyes narrowed as I stared intensely at my target.
~Shit! How did this happen? I’m… under his control… I can’t even resist! Shiiitttt!!!~
“I… the gods… are on my… side…” Was his response.
“Gods? You mean the Supreme Being that gave us Gifts?”
“N-no… there are… others…”
‘WHAT?!’
“Who are they? What’s your connection with them?”
I was already getting a bad feeling about this.
My thoughts trailed to the closest encounter I had with certain death. The Angel that nearly killed me! If she was an Angel, then…
“… I don’t know. I… was saved… by them.” Paul blurted out.
~DAMNIT! I said it! I have to resist! Why won’t you shut up, body! I have to… escape….!!! I have to stop this!~
Hearing his thoughts and speech, I had to assume that I was hearing the truth. But, that made me even all the more confused.
‘So, the gods saved Paul? That’s probably why he didn’t die back then. Is it kind of like how (G) Factor protects me? No, he said he doesn’t have (G) Factor.’
“Why did they save you? How did they do it? What (G) ability do you have?”
“G-GUH… Gr… Ah…”
The guy’s resistance surged forth; his willpower deepened.
‘Hmmm, this is…’
To think he could keep himself out of my influence this much. He had to be quite strong.
‘After finding out the necessary information, I’ll have to kill him.’
It was the only way to avoid future problems.
‘In any case, I’ll strengthen my control over him…’
Buffing myself with an additional skill, I asked Paul the same question.
‘What is their intention? Why Paul? What was their motive?’
If there were other (G) abilities out there, that meant I needed to watch out for a lot of things.
“… Kill… you… I’m meant to… be the one… to… de-defeat… you…”
My eyes bulged.
“WHAT?!”
The reason he was saved was to kill me?
My mind brought up the image of the strange angel that also nearly succeeded in the act. Dots began connecting, and I was arriving at a scary conclusion.
However, with more knowledge came the surge of a greater wave of questions.
‘Me? Why me?’
Sure, I had done some relatively awful things, but…
‘I’ve seen the future. There are worse things to come. And I didn’t really break any rules, right?’
Was it because I had the ‘Singularity’ Title? Were they trying to purge me because of my balance-breaking existence?
There was only one person I could ask that question.
“Paul, why are they —?!”
Before I could finish, a bright glow shone from underneath him, and I sensed someone appearing behind me.
‘T-this is —!’
Bloodlust! They were going to strike me down.
>FSHUUUUUUU….<
I slipped past the person and also leaped away from the light that was shining.
‘If it’s a Return Function, I’m screwed!’
As I flipped in the air, I noticed the one who appeared behind me. It was Paul’s partner—Lilith.
‘Tch! When did she get here?!’
I wanted to approach her, but she had already reached the light that shone underneath Paul, and she was also holding a gem that resembled a Return Stone.
‘NO!’
My hesitation made me falter for a fraction of a moment, allowing the stone to activate.
>SHIIIIIINNNNNNGGGG!!!<
“SHIT!”
If I went after them, I would be transported to the beginning point. That meant I would forfeit the rewards of the Hidden Floor.
Could I afford to do that?
Sure, if I considered the threat Paul posed to me, as well as the information I needed, it would be worth the risk. However…
‘I can’t give up on the Hidden Floor!’
I tried absorbing the Return Stone with [Subspace], but their strange ability interfered.
And so, with gritted teeth…
>SHWUUUUSSHHHH!!!<
… I watched my prey get away!