Reckless Plan

Upon seeing his status and the unfamiliar label '(evolving)' next to his Fearless trait, Eric focused on it.

-----

[Fearless}

Description: Few can say that they are as brave and reckless as you are; few can boast of their achievements as well as you can.

Positive:

The more dire and hopeless the situation, the clearer your mind becomes, and the stronger your body grows.

Your calculating nature, even against the worst odds, inspires those around you.

The requirements are met, all that's left is to walk the correct path.

Negative:

You often overestimate your abilities, putting yourself in harm's way.

If the requirements are met, this trait could devolve, pushing you further toward corruption.

-----

"The requirements are met? I just have to walk the correct path?"

Eric couldn't understand what it meant, so he asked his system.

[The requirements are met. Just like when you first received the trait, you must do something bolder to complete the evolution.]

"Something bolder… bolder…" he muttered to himself as the gears in his mind began to turn.

"Eric, is something wrong?" Aria asked, her voice filled with concern.

He met her gaze and suddenly realized, 'Ah… I see. There is a way.'

"I think I know how to liberate the cathedral," he said firmly.

Aria's eyes narrowed sharply at his bold proclamation, while Olivia turned her head, staring at him in awe.

"You think you have a way to do it?" Olivia asked, bewildered. No one could blame her, given the circumstances.

Eric took a deep breath, steeling his resolve before speaking again. 'Once I say it out loud, there's no going back… am I ready?'

Looking down at his arm, he closed his hand into a fist. 'No, there's no time to doubt myself. I am ready.'

Exhaling slowly, he turned his head to the girls, who were still looking at him. "Listen closely."

*****

The room was silent, as the girls were looking at him, their gazes filled with so many emotions it was hard to tell what they were feeling.

"Have you… completely gone insane?" Aria said, staring at him in awe. Though no one could blame her…

Because she was right. Eric wasn't sane, nor was his plan.

"Maybe," Eric met her gaze as he spoke, "But this is the only way."

Olivia took a deep breath as she leaned back. "You know, once this plan starts, there's no going back, right? Are you prepared for what would come?"

"Yes, I am," he replied immediately. In his life, he hadn't ever been more sure than he was now.

Olivia silently studied his gaze, trying to determine if he was lying or if he was serious.

Aria was holding her head with her hand, which was no doubt hurting, opposed to the idea.

"How much time do you have?" Aria asked about his essence.

He shifted his gaze for a moment.

-----

[Current Essence: 63]

-----

"Not long," he replied, his expression grim.

Olivia sighed as she shifted her gaze to Aria. "Princess, he might be insane… but there is no other option now."

Aria remained lost in thought, desperately trying to find another way. But nothing came to her.

"Aria," Olivia spoke again, gently placing her hand on her friend's shoulder. "Summon it."

Aria stayed silent for a few more moments, but in the end, she had to admit Eric was right.

Stretching out her hand, she summoned a beautiful lantern decorated with silver and gold

Eric stood as he approached her. Reaching out, he carefully took the lantern from Aria's hands.

Taking a step back, he gazed at his companions—likely for the last time.

"I'm off," he said firmly as he exited the room.

"Take care," Aria muttered, unable to look at him, feeling too pathetic.

"Take care," Olivia echoed, watching Eric's back as he disappeared into the darkness.

*****

"How long have I been walking?" he muttered to himself as he quietly traversed the forest, with the beautiful lantern in his hand.

Now that Aria wasn't with him, there was complete darkness surrounding him. So Eric walked slowly to avoid bumping into anything.

He wasn't heading directly toward the cathedral but circling around it—or at least that was the plan.

Stopping to catch his breath, he let out a sigh of relief. "This should be far enough, I suppose."

Placing the lantern on the ground, he stretched his muscles, preparing for what he knew would be the last run of his life.

Once he was ready, he picked up the lantern again and looked at it—or at least, he thought he was looking at it. The surrounding darkness made it almost impossible to see.

There was no sound. No movement. Only silence.

At this moment, Eric was truly alone.

He glanced at his essence again.

-----

[Current Essence: 62]

-----

"I'll die soon… so I might as well go out on my own terms," he muttered as he activated the lantern.

Suddenly, as the lantern turned on, it was as if the sun itself had broken through the vast emptiness of the forest.

The lantern illuminated everything within a kilometer. It was truly a magnificent miracle.

Eric was lucky Aria had agreed to lend it to him. Without it, his plan would have never worked.

The lantern shone brightly, like a beacon of hope piercing the darkness.

A beacon… or a perfect target.

Multiple monsters of all shapes and sizes immediately saw the light that tore through the darkness and began running toward Eric with all their might.

Eric sighed, glancing at his system. Several of his traits were already glowing, their effects kicking in.

He chuckled to himself, remembering the negative effect of his trait, Blinding Star.

'Like the stars themselves, you will often find yourself alone against the endless darkness.'

"It seems it was right," he muttered to himself as he exploded forward with all his strength, pushing his legs to their limit.

"AAAAAAAAA!"

He ran with all his might, screaming as loud as he could, the small lantern in his hand illuminating the darkness.

He ran.

Drawing the attention of dozens… no, hundreds of monsters along his way.

His final destination?

The cathedral? No.

Its guardian.

Eric and the hundreds of monsters behind him were going to pay him a visit.