Aiden has never met his father. In his seventeen years of living with his mother, he was always blamed for his father's departure. The goddess seemed under the misconception that Aiden cared.
"Is he still alive?" Aiden asked.
"I cannot share that knowledge, as revealing it would change your fate."
"You are fine with pushing me to undertake a dangerous mission, but not tell me whether my father is alive or not?" Aiden asked with a little snicker. "There are two outcomes for this — you are either lying, which is fine because I don't care, or you are telling the truth, and then again, I don't care."
"You don't want to meet him?"
"You think I would get emotional and run to see him?" Aiden said with a little chuckle. "It seems that the all-knowing god does not know me at all."
"You are telling the truth."
"Why wouldn't I?"
Lumen was silent. "You are a cruel human."
"And you are even a crueler goddess," Aiden shot back. "You invite me here, threatening me with my status as an outsider, and then attempt to force me to undertake a dangerous mission with people I don't know."
"It is called guidance."
"I call it blatant manipulation," Aiden said with a laugh. "I know nothing, while you know everything. I know that I know nothing, and I believe that you know everything. That's the perfect recipe to be manipulated."
"You are still new to this world," Lumen said. "I am known as the God of Truths, and lying is a core sin of my religion."
"Manipulation doesn't have to be a lie," Aiden said. "Then it would be called deceit. Instead, the perfect manipulation is telling the truth at the perfect timing to push others to do things you want."
"I have a feeling that you hate the gods of your world."
"Not at all — I just refuse to follow them."
"That mindset will get you killed."
"If I'm killed without following anyone, then I will be content."
"You are an amusing human," Lumen said. "I'm afraid that we cannot talk any more, or you will die because of my desire to uncover the secrets of your soul."
"Is that why mortals die in your presence?" Aiden said with a smile. "Then how come I'm still alive?"
"I had to resist the temptation," Lumen said, and Aiden saw a smile in her radiant outline. "Take my advice with a grain of salt — but take it nonetheless."
Aiden did not answer, and watched as the goddess began to fade until he was alone in the circular chamber. He turned back the way he came from, leaving the tunnel and through the door.
It closed behind him.
[SYSTEM REINITIALIZATION SEQUENCE INITIATED!]
[Divine interference threshold: Below detectable parameters.]
[Stealth protocols: Disengaged.]
[Core functions: Restored.]
[User status: Nominal.]
[Vital signs: Stable.]
[Divine contamination scan: Negative.]
[Warning: Residual divine energy signatures detected.]
[Recommendation: Avoid prolonged deific contact.]
[System functions: 100% operational!]
"Welcome back, bud," Aiden said with a tired expression. "You might be the only thing that's actually on my side."
[Desire Fragment: Ashen Scars]
[Type: TRUTH]
["Uncover the truth behind the secret order that bears your blood. Knowledge is neither condemnation nor absolution—it simply is."]
[Reward: Unlocks [Liebreaker's Gaze] skill]
[Failure: PERMANENT MARK OF HONESTY (Inability to speak falsehoods)]
"I take that back," Aiden said. "Everything is against me."
Aiden stomped out of the temple in rage. He would rather die than bear this mark of honesty, so he no longer had a choice but to participate in this mission.
"If I have to participate, then I'll make sure it's on my own terms."
[---]
Genevieve was proud of who she was — and she never found a reason to second-guess herself. If she needed something done, it would happen before sunset. However, she found herself helpless regarding a certain man.
"My lady," Erebus manifested from the shadows. "I have finished the preparations for the dungeon exploration. We just need the time and day."
"This mission would yield half the rewards without a looting ability," Genevieve said with a sigh as she placed a hand on her forehead. "If we leave this to fate, then we won't be able to stop the crawling darkness."
"Is this about the kid?"
"Is there anyone else with the looting ability?" she asked.
"We can request someone from the other branches."
"They already want a reason to replace me," Genevieve let out a laugh. "If I make such a request, all eyes will be on me, waiting for my failure and eyeing any items we find."
"The kid is stubborn," Erebus said. "I met him yesterday and tried to threaten him a little."
Genevieve froze and glared at the Shadowkin. "You tried what?"
"It was a last-ditch attempt," Erebus said. "If that didn't work, nothing would. The kid is fearless."
"And as immovable as a mountain," Genevieve said with a sigh. "He saw right through my seduction, and it still didn't work. Should I offer him Awakening Shards?"
"Does he look like he would accept them?"
Genevieve looked down. "No."
"I think we were too straightforward because we thought he wanted to join the guild," Erebus said with a shake of his head. "If we want him to join us, we need to offer something that he desires."
"And what's that?"
"From our limited interaction, I learned that he is cautious, but prideful. Ambitious, but—"
"But what?" Genevieve pressed, her sharp gaze locking onto Erebus.
The Shadowkin hesitated, then smirked. "But he hates being controlled."
Genevieve exhaled through her nose, fingers drumming against the armrest of her chair. "So, we can't force him, bribe him, or seduce him. What does he want?"
"Freedom and power on his own terms."
"I hate him for that, but… I can't help but respect him," Genevieve said with a sigh.
"Well, this is a first," Erebus said with surprise. "It seems we have a visitor," the shadow said as he looked behind him. "Should I let them in?"
"Who is it?" Genevieve asked.
"A person that you hate," Erebus said and waved his hand.
The door opened.
A young man walked inside.
"Good morning, Guild Master," he said and bowed.
"Good morning, Dylan," Genevieve said with a sigh.