Five bodyguards were looking at me suspiciously and behind them four people in their teens were ready to pounce on me.
But that wasn't the reason behind my freeze.
Among the four teenagers was a breathtaking girl. I could never mistake her for someone else. Dark-green hair and orange eyes.
-Ding!
[Hidden Heroine! Miranda Stormdila!]
Shit!
It's really her.
Miranda Stormdila was the [Hidden Heroine] of the First Game. A sophomore at the Royal Eden Academy, so you could say she was my senior. But more than that, Miranda was Edward's childhood friend. Their fathers were really close, so they ended up being close as well.
It didn't last long though. After Edward lost his mother, he cut all ties with Miranda and treated her like a stranger. Miranda, though, didn't give up on Edward, despite his new trashy attitude. She talked to him and tried to change him until he was ten years old.
At ten years old, Edward asked for Miranda's body as a birthday gift…
I know.
I couldn't hold back my laugh when I read that.
I mean what was that kid?
Miranda, of course, lost all respect and the little worry she had about Edward that day. She threw the birthday cake at Edward's face and left the Falkrona mansion in tears.
More importantly,
Miranda Stormdila was to be Edward's fiancee before even Aurora Celesta, the Royal Princess of the Celesta Kingdom. But after what happened, their two fathers chose to discard that thought reluctantly.
"Who are you?"
One of the guards asked.
He walked toward me slowly.
"Don't you get near me."
I spoke in a chilling tone without willing it…
I've spoken just like Edward…
Was that because I saw Miranda?
My body reacted on its own.
"!"
…and it did the effect.
The guard was sweating…
"Get yourself back! He's just a kid."
Another guard rebuked his colleague and looked at me.
"Who are you?"
He asked threateningly.
"A Delver?"
I said in an obvious tone which didn't please him.
"You-"
"Wait."
A voice stopped the guard and it was none other than Miranda.
I gulped seeing her.
Seeing her on the screen and in real life was sure two things different.
Miranda stepped forward.
"Myra?"
A girl, probably her friend, tried to stop her but Miranda raised her hand to stop her friends from moving and her guards as well.
Soon she faced me from head to toe.
"He's a Delver. I saw him in the guild."
"You saw him?"
An angry-looking teenager asked again to be sure.
"Yeah, I saw him."
Really?
I was confused.
I hadn't seen her though.
[I saw her.]
'And you didn't tell me?!'
[You didn't ask me.]
'That makes no sense!'
"How'd you land here?"
Miranda asked me.
"Ah."
I couldn't tell her I obtained a lifestone because I earned a title from my system.
[I'm not a system.]
"I don't know either."
I lied smoothly.
Silence lingered for a couple of seconds while Miranda's tangerine eyes scanned me. I had a really hard time looking at her beautiful and so unique eyes, even with my mask, but I did it.
Finally, Miranda walked away and joined her friends.
'It was tiring.'
I turned back and tried to leave but-
-Ding!
[!] [Unique Challenge!]
[Earn Affection Points from the [Hidden Heroine] Miranda Stormdila!]
[Reward: Edward Falkrona's memories.]
"!"
I gasped when I saw what was displayed on the screen.
Leaving aside the quest, the reward was memories…
'Jarvis!'
[It's true. If you fill the quest, you will get Edward's memories.]
What?!
How's that possible…
I froze, incredulous at what was happening.
Edward Falkrona's memories…
I should refuse to get my existence overwritten but-
'Jarvis.'
[Yes?]
'If it's proposing that, there must be a benefit for me, right?'
[Yes. Your potential will be boundless by recovering Edward's memories.]
'What does that mean?'
I was confused by his strange wording.
Edward only became strong after having his potential revealed by Ante-Eden not before.
[I don't know. I can only say what I kno-.]
'What that guy allows you to know, you mean?'
I cut him off.
[Yes.]
Surprisingly, Jarvis nodded without difficulty.
There was nothing to doubt after all.
Jarvis was 'just' a means for that guy to communicate with me or get information from me? I don't know.
'Last question.'
I needed to know that before making a decision that would decide my future and existence.
'Who will have the strongest influence once the merging is achieved? Me or Edward?'
It was important to know. Not only for me, but for this entire world as well, without exaggerating. I needed the most serious and truthful answer possible.
[...]
'Jarvis?'
[I can't answer that question.]
'What? Jarvis? It's important. Do you know or not?'
I asked again, a little annoyed by his answer. It was like he knew the answer but didn't want to answer.
[Will you lose yourself if 'you' merges with another 'you'?]
'...'
A vein popped out on my forehead at his answer.
It wasn't difficult to understand what he meant.
The similar thing.
'He reminds me of you'
A similar freaking thing Ephera said to me.
'I'm not in the mood to joke anymore, Jarvis. Answer me.'
I asked again in anger this time.
I didn't like to be compared to that guy. Who would, anyway?
I am not a murderer.
I am not a lunatic.
Not a psycho destroying cities left and right!
Then why?!
Honestly, I couldn't understand.
I played the game, so I still know about Edward a lot.
He has nothing in common with me.
[I already answered you.]
Jarvis said and stopped speaking.
So what?!
Since I'm 'similar' to Edward, I will not lose myself?!
Should I rejoice or curse you for that insult?!
I clicked my tongue and looked at the challenge again.
[Earn Affection Points from the [Hidden Heroine] Miranda Stormdila!]
"..."
That b*tch.
What does he want from me?!
Why is he giving me a challenge the Main Protagonist should get?!
Why does he want me to get Edward's memories?!
It was obvious. That guy wanted me to get Edward's memories for some reason. Otherwise he wouldn't have given the information to Jarvis. Then what was his goal?
'Tell me at least if he's on my side?'
I asked a last question in the hope I would get a positive answer.
[He's not on your side.]
Fuc-
[...and not your enemy either.]
He's not my enemy?
Then why did he kill me?!
[Edward. I've nothing to do with him and your current situation. I can't answer all your questions.]
Yeah.
Okay!
I stopped venting out on Jarvis and turned around.
My choice was now made.
I just have to get a few affection points so I don't need to seduce her.
[<You can't anyway>.]
Ah.
'The luggage Goddess is back to drag me down.'
[<Your insult doesn't affect me anymore. I am a Goddess after all. Rather, I will help you to get the points.>]
Cleenah said in a proud and haughty tone.
'It's my honor, luggage Goddess.'
[<T-Then, first find an excuse to follow them.>]
'Right, luggage Goddess.'
[<Enough!>]
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