Chapter 7: Crimson Calamity

The light in Nerez’s hand kept growing brighter.

Even those who were trying to invoke their Eidolons for the first time turned to see what was happening.

Or at least that was the idea, but the glow quickly became blinding.

“What happened to all that Sacred Darkness nonsense?!” Nerez shouted to himself. “I can’t see a thing with this much light!”

“An Eidolon is, in other words, a reflection of yourselves.” Oblivious to the commotion spreading through the crowd, Zorovan calmly continued his explanation. “As such, it offers a clue about the divinity you may one day attain.”

When the radiance finally began to fade, Nerez felt something heavy taking shape in his hand.

“A book?” Vilkie asked once she was finally able to lower her hand from her eyes.

“You’re right, it’s a book,” Aren affirmed beside her.

Nerez looked down at the heavy black leather book resting in his hands. At the center of the cover, an engraved silver skull lay bound beneath golden chains.

“Eidolons are more valuable than any artifact mortals could ever craft,” Zorovan declared, raising his arms toward the crowd. “But because they are a reflection of yourselves, they must develop and grow alongside you. Once you can bring out their true power, they will become your most valuable tool.”

Amid the crowd listening to the old god’s words, a fist suddenly shot into the air in triumph.

“What’s with you, Nerez?” Vilkie asked at his side. “Are you really that happy with your Eidolon?”

Nerez lowered his arm, still wearing a triumphant smile.

“Don’t you see it?” he asked. “I’m going to become the god of the library! The lord and master of peace and quiet!”

Aren and Vilkie exchanged confused glances.

“I hate to tell you this, Nerez…” Aren said at last, glancing at his Godscript. “But the challenge we were assigned isn’t exactly peaceful…”

Nerez turned to his own Godscript. Beneath the enormous letters indicating a new notice, the challenge assigned to him appeared in large bold text.

[Battle Royale]

“…”

“…”

“…”

“This is because you dragged me into your group! My Eidolon is a book! A book!” Nerez cried, dropping to his knees. “I’ve heard the pen is mightier than the sword! But at least a pen has a pointy end! What am I supposed to do with a book?!”

“Mmm… maybe you can hit someone in the head with the corner…” Vilkie suggested, tilting her head.

“For someone with such a pretty face, you say some vicious things…” Nerez complained from the ground.

“Was that a compliment?”

“Never. I don’t waste compliments on girls with boyfriends. Besides, what part of that sounded like a compliment to you?”

“Hmph!” Vilkie puffed out her cheeks and looked away. “I’m tired of denying it all the time, so believe whatever you want.”

“That sounds like a mini confession to me.”

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“You’re impossible!”

“And are you going to keep rubbing your love life in my face all day, or are you going to show us your Eidolon?”

“Aren already knows it,” Vilkie said with a sigh, hands on her hips. “If I bring it out here, it might kick someone.”

“Kick someone…?”

“Vilkie, Nerez,” Aren called, having been checking his Godscript until then. “It looks like a lot of candidates got assigned to the battle royale. It’s going to get a bit rough.”

“Just what I needed,” Nerez grumbled. “Where do I go to exchange my Eidolon for something else?”

“Haha, relax, you’re getting the wrong idea. Not every member of a faction or alliance has to take part in the same challenge,” Aren explained. “So, if you were assigned to the battle royale, it’s not because of us, but because you have an affinity for whatever gets tested there, and that book of yours will surely be of help.”

Nerez let out a tired sigh. It was true that he had fought in no small number of wars, but that was exactly the opposite of keeping a low profile.

“Tell me, among the candidates you were checking on your Godscript, didn’t you see someone with purple hair and lilac eyes participating in the battle royale?”

“Those traits are pretty common,” Vilkie said. “It’d be harder not to find someone who has at least one of the two.”

“…”

“Why? Is that someone you know, Nerez?” Aren asked curiously.