"What's with the surprise visit?" Evelyn asked, pouring me a glass and sitting down beside me. "Got any more information to sell?"
"Mm... not really. I'll be gone for the next two months," I replied, accepting the glass. "I just thought I'd let you know."
She froze for a moment.
"Two months...?"
"Yep. I'll be heading to the Ancient Dragon Mountains."
"Oh."
A look of understanding appeared on her face.
"So you're planning on climbing to the top?"
Nope.
The thing I was looking for was halfway up the mountain.
Still...
"Yes?"
"I see. In that case, good luck," she replied with a smile. "Want an escort?"
I shook my head.
"Just a carriage is fine. I know you'll start charging me interest if I ask one of your shadows to come with me."
She nodded in satisfaction and called for her shadow. After she gave the shadow some instructions, she turned back to me, her smile still present.
"So why did you visit me, really?"
It seemed like she knew I didn't only come here to tell her I'd be leaving.
And that's exactly why I liked people like her.
"I need 1,000 gold coins and a dimensional ring. Preferably filled with food and the 1,000 gold coins I asked for."
"Done," Evelyn replied instantly. "Anything else?"
"..."
"Do you have any new information on a Kevin Lacrosse? He's one of the people who'll be applying to the academy in a few months, or so I've heard."
But he's also the main character of All Routes Lead To Death!
He was a man who had a supreme talent for archery and a Gift that controlled gravity. He was the definition of overpowered.
But even so...
"I looked into him the last time, and yesterday too. He's not really doing much," she said. "He's helping out his grandfather on the farm, and from time to time, he goes hunting in the forest."
I remained silent for a moment, then stood up.
"Thanks, I'll be heading out now."
"So soon?"
She rose up and appeared in front of me, holding out the glass I didn't drink.
"What do you say to a drink?"
If only her seduction matched her real thoughts... maybe I'd be a little more flattered.
"Are you trying to get me drunk so I tell you where I get all my information from?"
"Oh? No, I was just thinking... well, it didn't hurt to try, did it?" she went behind me again. "It's just, I know you're not a prophet. Prophets have vague details of all kinds of events. You, on the other hand, seem to know everything."
I didn't even turn around.
Why would I?
I had no intention of revealing my secret. At least, not anytime soon.
Evelyn was a smart and influential woman, sure.
But she was also the queen of the underground.
We simply didn't trust each other enough. I wasn't even sure if there would come a time when we did.
"We're mutual partners, Evelyn," I said, approaching the door. "I don't want to ruin that. See you in two months."
Without saying another word, I stepped out, catching a glimpse of her expression as I left.
Her expression was calm, but her eyes were blank.
I knew she didn't like my answer, but I was way too valuable to get rid of.
As I exited the gambling house, I suddenly felt a tap on my shoulder. Turning around, I spotted Evelyn's shadow, the one that had been protecting me all this time.
The shadow held out a ring, which I took and slipped onto my finger like an excited child.
I closed my eyes and imagined my consciousness flowing into the dimensional ring. In the next instant, I found myself in a completely white dimension.
On the ground, there were ten crates of food, some clothes, and to the side, ten sacks filled with money.
I paced around the pocket dimension for a few minutes, and then I imagined my consciousness flowing out of the ring.
When I reopened my eyes, I was back in front of the gambling house. Except, Evelyn's shadow was gone now.
In the shadow's place was a carriage and a driver who wore thick clothes, making it hard for me to see their face.
But considering the carriage was stopped right in front of me, I didn't hesitate to step inside and get comfortable.
The carriage started moving right after.
It was my first time on a carriage, but it didn't feel that bad.
It was like riding old public transport, except the seats were comfier.
But now that I was alone, and in for at least another two-week ride, I wanted to sort out my thoughts.
The main character, Kevin Lacrosse, had already started his training.
That meant everything was going just as it had in the game.
For a moment, I thought that with me transmigrating, there was a possibility someone had transmigrated into the main character as well.
But since that wasn't the case, I could rest easy, get stronger, and eventually overtake the main character.
"Heh..."
It wasn't possible.
Kevin was overpowered by default.
Every challenge made him several times stronger.
Me? Unless I wanted to follow the routes and be tortured for several years straight, I'd have normal growth.
Which was why I planned to gather a few artifacts.
If they didn't close the distance, then I was screwed either way.
I sat there in silence, listening to the horses gallop.
Eventually, I lay down on the comfy seats and closed my eyes.
I didn't even realize when I had fallen asleep, but for some reason, I felt strangely awake.
So I opened my eyes, expecting to just sit through the entire ride like an idiot.
But instead, what greeted my sight was an empty void, resembling the dimension inside the dimensional ring. Except instead of white, it was pitch black.
Yet the one thing that caught my attention was the shadowy figure standing right in front of me with its back turned.
It was tall, much taller than I was.
But it also invoked a sense of urgency in me.
I had to get away from this thing.
I had to—
"Amon Everness..." The figure spoke in a shrill voice, then slowly turned its head in my direction.
It felt like my heart dropped to my stomach when I saw its hollow white eyes staring at me.
Yet its face was distorted, making it hard for me to make out any features.
It mouthed something, but I could only hear the sound of my heartbeat as my legs shook.
I wasn't sure where this willpower came from, but I was able to stand my ground.
Noticing that, the figure's eyes narrowed.
A moment later, that same shrill voice resounded inside my head.
Amon Everness. Would you like to form a contract?