The word lingered in my ears like a song played on repeat. I still had little to no idea what was happening or why she had me there in the first place.

  “I’ve given you time to process your new body and even enjoy friends and strange new surroundings, but I expect something in return. A deal would be mutually beneficial, after all.”

  “No offence, but you don’t exactly strike me as the deal-making type. Wouldn’t it be faster for you to just trick me into giving whatever it is you want from me?” I fought back the catch in my throat. “Not that I’d prefer that.”

  Her eyes drifted off to the distance, “It might be faster to trick you, yes. The thought did cross my mind,” her gaze snapped to my direction with warm reverence. “The evolutions you have encountered, your skills and abilities. All of these things are what shape you and make you strong. However, at this time, you are not up to the task I have in mind.”

  Strong enough, for what? Just what does she need me to get stronger for?

  Azrael's cold, almost lifeless touch wrapped over my shoulders as the warmth of her breath brushed my ear, “That is none of your concern.”

  Her commanding tone held me down. She carried more weight behind a single syllable than a boulder over my body. My entirety pinned to the spot, I couldn’t force so much as a nod.

  How did she hear my thoughts?– Wait, is she listening right now? My body trembled uncontrollably as I gingerly glanced over my shoulder.

  Azrael had disappeared. Just as I turned, I felt a light jab against my cheek. I fell to the ground in fright, struggling backwards on my butt as she lorded over me with those cold, lifeless eyes.

  “Therefore, I can’t trick or take anything from you at this point. What I need is your strength. Which is something you’ll have to build on your own.”

  Her face softened, almost as if the whole thing had been an act until now.

  “Of course, I wouldn’t expect it to be a proper deal without some additional motivation.”

  Even though she spoke softly, I couldn’t shake the nervousness that wrapped around my chest. Clogging me down, I still had too much anxiety to speak back, so I quietly waited for what she’d say next.

  “The elf woman, you wish to help Veyra regain what she’s lost. I believe that would suffice as motivation?”

  “Y-yeah, how did you… Actually, never mind. I think I already get it. That would be amazing, though.” I held the side of my head, and was reminded that this body was not my own. I was a spectral figure, completely void of any signs of life. Merely a shape.

  My eyes glanced out at the field again, reminded just how beautiful each flower was. How perfect the sky looked every second we were speaking. This space was free of any and all imperfections, a true paradise to live in. Even Azrael, who claimed not to be a god, was beyond heavenly at a glance.

  “Azrael, are you lonely?” The question came suddenly, almost instinctively.

  “Hm? I don’t believe we were on that topic. Do you really have the nerve to ask me that?” Her smile straightened.

  “I’m sorry. It’s beautiful here, I could honestly imagine staying here for quite a long time.” The ends of my mouth dropped slightly, “but whenever I look around, I get the same feeling I had when I lived in the hospital all those years. No matter how much I distracted myself or how nice the rooms were, I was always alone every night. I never want to go back to those nights…” I clenched my fists into tight balls at my side.

  I prepared for her to lash out. To scream or deliver that furious scowl again. Maybe she’d even end me right there on the spot, but it never came. Her expression dimmed, as if most of the life was drained out of her body. Even her lips moved in a slow, burdened way.

  “I suppose I am.”

  “You’re really kind,” I answered instantly, catching even her off guard. “You’re way more powerful than anyone I’ve met before, I’m sure of it. So I’m certain you could have forced me into agreeing to your terms. Yet, you’re willing to help me out with a deal that benefits me as well.”

  Stolen story; please report.

  Her mouth hung half open, probably still processing the words and how ridiculous it sounded. Then, with a sudden burst, her lips parted with laughter. It was adorable. She really seemed like a kid at that moment.

  She cupped her hand over her mouth as it spilled out of her uncontrollably, “I never thought I’d ever hear someone speak to me that way. You’re really something else, Atlas!” She wiped a tear from the corner of her eye, still giggling between words. “Alright then, do I take it we have a deal?”

  I still had so many questions, but it felt like I’d only upset her if I approached the topic again, so I decided to let it pass. Getting help with Veyra’s situation was a priority, so I couldn’t risk blowing it for my own selfish reasons.

  “What exactly do you plan to do about the masked man? I take it you’re not able to kill people directly from here, wherever this is. I’m sure you wouldn’t have brought me all the way here if you had that kind of power.”

  “Correct. My authority is great, but it does not go that far. In any case, I don’t much care for the affairs of mortals.”

  Maybe that’s why I haven’t heard of her before. I haven’t spent a lot of time in this world, but I’m sure I would have heard of someone like her at least once.

  With a proud grin, she shifted her brow and said, “What I will offer you in return is advice.”

  “Advice? That’s it?”

  “You should count yourself lucky. Being able to talk to me is already a feat not many have ever achieved. In any case, it won’t be the low-grade advice you’d get from anyone else. What I’m offering is more… accurate.” She chose her words carefully as she spoke.

  My eyes lit up, “Accurate? As in, you can predict the future or something?” The excitement was clear in my voice.

  “Of course not, that’s nothing more than a simple outlook. All I can say is that you should take it to heart when I tell you to do something.” Azrael's fingers came together with an elegant pause, then delivered a powerful snap that scattered petals throughout the valley of flowers around us. “Head north, into the nation of man. Just off the shores, where the valleys and mountains intersect, is where you’ll get what you most want.”

  “Human territory? Me?” My finger instinctively pressed against my chest, unsure if she was being serious or not. “The humans here don’t even like me. What would they do to me there?! I am still a golem, aren’t I?” The words trailed off as if they fell out of my throat.

  “I’m afraid our time is up.”

  “Huh? What do you mean–” I wasn’t able to move my mouth anymore.

  My mouth’s not working! Whoa, my body’s falling apart– wait, am I dying?!

  My body began disappearing. More accurately, it faded away like scattered ashes against the wind. I tried forming the words, but my mouth had already fallen apart, leaving only a thin string that connected my upper head to my shoulders. All that kept me up was the outer edges of my stomach and chest, just barely merged together by the golden core floating at my centre.

  Wait, I still haven’t asked you about the system! I have too many questions! How can I see you again–

  A curt smile wrapped over her face, almost as if she were prepared for this moment. She gave a gentle wave as the area around me faded to a blank slate.

  “This realm exists beyond the living. I doubt we’ll meet anytime soon, Atlas. Until then, grow stronger.”

  I guess we have a deal…

  …

  My eyes beat open with rigid bats to the dull shine of what little sun peeked through the trees. I felt drained. My entire body was fatigued, left unable to move without creaking or crumbling away.

  Oh yeah, I was in the forest. I was just talking to Azrael and then… Did I wake up from a dream? My eyes drifted to the tendril of spikes coiled before me on the ground. Delta collapsed just before she could tear me apart, tears streaming down her four, grotesque eyes.

  The massive blades, petals, and other deadly mutations along her body were wilting off of her. Dying. She clawed at the grass between us, a desperate look in her eyes.

  With a sudden pop-up, Delta’s status appeared above her head, filling the blanks that were hidden before.

  {Test Model Delta Lv32}

  {Species: Carnivorous Plant Humanoid}

  {Status: Mana and Health Points have both been reduced to zero due to damaged Monster Core}

  “Mas…ter! Why…why won’t you come for me…even now. Aren’t I strong enough…?”

  My battered body had no mana left. No arms or legs to walk on. I was back to my destroyed golem form and couldn’t manage to even lift my neck without losing a few stones from my shape. Even so, I forced myself into a roll towards Delta.

  Stones cascaded off my back into a small trail behind me as I made my way over to her. She buried her face in the ground, teeth clenched, hanging onto some notion that something could still happen for her. As if she were waiting for something or someone to arrive.

  (I’m sorry, Delta. I know I can’t ever be him, but… You were seriously strong.)

  I had no hidden motive or intention behind it. I just felt that in that moment, more than anything else, she needed to hear it.

  The green shade of her skin dried out into a brittle grey husk as she reached over for my face. It pressed gently against my cheek before crumbling to scattered shards. I watched as Delta’s eyes drained of colour. The dim glow of her core, finally letting out.

  {Congratulations! You have slain the Dungeon Boss}

  {Gained 4600 Exp}

  {Level Up}

  {Level Up}