Hunter of the Evernight
Chapter 639: The threat of the hero

Chapter 639: The threat of the hero

"That bad, huh?"

I am only trying to help you out, Alex. You are my proxy, helping me to gather my hearts. I would not wish for you to fall in battle.

"Oh really?... I had no idea you had my best interest at heart."

You are the one that pushed me. I brought you into this world, I gave you what you needed, yet you reject me once I am no longer needed. If we didn’t already have an agreement, how could I trust you to fulfill your side of the bargain?

"Trust, Nyx, there’s something called trust. It’s the same way I trusted you like a fool when I first arrived. Also, I didn’t reject you."

That so?

"I only set up boundaries which you would understand if you were human like me. Leaving all my options to a godlike entity that could decide to fuck me over at any time isn’t the smartest choice."

I see. Regardless, it is time to make a decision. I will return the memories I have taken and grant you even more strength. You won’t need to ascend the Human Wheel to exert power on par with deities in Eventide.

"You are scared."

You are the first to have gotten so far in so short a time. I cannot afford to lose you.

Alex furrowed his brows as he caught something from Nyx’s words. "I’m not the first, am I?"

No.

"Baba Yaga..."

...Is not of my design. However, yes, she seems to have relations to the place you come from.

Alex grew excited as he realized that he wasn’t the only Earthling on Eventide.

There were others like him!

Now, decide quickly, Alexander. I am hardly in a state where I can maintain a prolonged conversation.

"Where is the Hero?"

Argent.

"The Northern Continent?"

Indeed. As we speak, he is currently growing his strength, making his way up the Divine Wheel to stop you from completing the task I have assigned to you.

"But why?... His patron, is he the reason you lost your hearts?"

Haven’t I told you to not ask questions related to that entity!?

Alex frowned at Nyx’s exaggerated response, taking it to mean that there was a deeper plot at play than what Nyx was letting on.

Have you made your decision?

"... Give me some time to think."

Do not take too long, Alexander. The more time we waste, the stronger the Hero becomes. Soon, even if you accept my strength, I fear you might not be able to handle him.

With that, Nyx vanished and the world of darkness evaporated like a lie, allowing Alex to let out a relieved sigh.

He knew the situation had to be dire for Nyx to be so desperate but he couldn’t allow that to change his perspective of things.

Nyx had already proven what they could do if Alex refused to do as they wished.

Having experienced such, could he truly give himself over to Nyx in good faith?

But the danger of the Hero was real.

Alex didn’t need Nyx to let him know that something was off about that man who called himself Adrian.

He seemed dangerous... perhaps, a bit too dangerous.

After some thought, he didn’t immediately wake up and instead, decided to head elsewhere with the person there allowing him entry.

"You are back rather quickly." Adam mused while taking a walk at the beach along with Alex.

"You said you are aware of things that happen in Eventide, correct?"

"More or less, of course, things that are not hidden."

"That’s good enough, do you know of the Hero?"

Adam paused, taking the time to look towards the horizon before replying. "I do."

"I need information on him. This guy seems to be aware of me, but apart from his name and his current location, I don’t know anything else, and it bothers me."

"Unfortunately, there’s not much else you can know. As you are, learning more would result in immediate death."

"Because of the Hero’s patron?"

"They are an entity on par with me and the other Guardians. Tasked with guarding the border, he is currently on a mission to restore balance."

"What does that mean?"

Adam turned to meet Alex’s gaze before replying in a somewhat melancholic tone. "It means that not just you, but all Errors are at risk of death."

"This..."

"Of course, considering you are the first bonafide Error, you would be the first to be targeted."

Alex bit down on his lower lip, realizing just how bad the situation was.

Both Nyx and Adam were saying the same thing.

If he faced the Hero, his chances of dying were too high.

"What do I do?"

"You have to achieve divinity. At that time, even if the Hero achieves divinity as well, he won’t be able to stop you."

Alex pursed his lips as he muttered. "That means reaching the 8th Lock, correct?"

"Indeed."

"Thank you for meeting me."

"As it is, I’m taking a gamble on you. The last thing I’d want to do is just let you be at such a dangerous period."

"I’ll think about everything you’ve said."

"Sure, now then, you should leave. Death looms."

Before Alex could ask what that meant, he was gone, leaving Adam to once again shift his attention towards the horizon as he fell into deep thought.

***

Alex opened his eyes to find himself in an unfamiliar space with a roof forged of rocks.

He was unable to move his limbs as his wrists and ankles were held by what resembled cartilage and he couldn’t even snap his fingers because skeletal hands were placed over his own, ensuring that his fingers wouldn’t meet.

The next moment, a nauseating smell assaulted his senses causing him to gag as he looked around only to discover the pile of yellowing feathers about him despite the poor lighting in the hall.

Following that, the acute wails of living beings drifted into his ear causing Alex to deduce his current location.

The Wailing Peaks.