Do Heroes Need Welfare Too? - Chapter 139

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Team. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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Part 2, Chapter 6

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Several days had passed since my life of confinement that wasn’t quite confinement began.

Adam brought new games every evening.

Just like I used to do for him at the temple.

Today it was a card game.

Unfortunately, I had never once won against him in our games.

“Ugh, why can’t I win even once!”

I threw down my losing cards and writhed in frustration.

I really thought I would win this time!

Adam wasn’t even concentrating on the card game, just glancing at me and staring at my face, so why couldn’t I win when I was the one focusing?

“Eve, do you want to win?”

Adam said while skillfully organizing his cards.

He wasn’t even teasing anyone.

What started as playful games had me looking forward to what game Adam would bring each night.

But now only my competitive spirit to beat Adam remained.

“Of course! I’m frustrated because I keep losing”

“Then I’ll let you win.”

Adam said with a sly smile.

“Are you going to go easy on me? The world of competition is ruthless, you know.”

“Well.”

A new game began.

It started the same as before, but this time was different.

He wasn’t obviously letting me win, but strangely the tide of the game turned.

In the end, victory was mine to claim.

“Wow, I finally won!”

“Congratulations, Eve.”

Hmm. I won because Adam helped me, but did I get too excited?

Feeling a bit awkward, I scratched my cheek.

I pushed the cards away and faced Adam.

I took a small deep breath and said,

“Well, now that I’ve won, let’s speak frankly. What is it that you want from me, Adam?”

I only went along with this because Adam wanted it, but this current lifestyle was strange after all.

No matter what, you can’t just prevent someone from going anywhere.

Of course, it wasn’t difficult.

It was literally imperial confinement.

If the Emperor were actually confined, Adam wouldn’t even look and would just leave in a huff.

Anyway, the spacious room lacked nothing.

Food, fruits, even desserts were all prepared, and Adam visited often so I didn’t even have time to be bored.

Eventually I had adapted to this luxurious(?) lifestyle, and Adam seemed to have calmed down a lot, so I brought up the main point.

“What I want from Eve is…”

Adam touched his chin with his hand as if he hadn’t expected me to bring this up.

“Is life here uncomfortable?”

“No.”

I shook my head.

Honestly speaking, these past few days had been the most physically comfortable of my entire life.

But what good was physical comfort? My mind was uncomfortable.

Because I had no idea what Adam wanted from me.

Adam’s expression grew even sadder at my quick and firm answer.

“For Eve to not leave this place and stay somewhere safe.”

I was flustered by Adam’s unexpected words.

After being dazed for a moment, I hurriedly answered.

Because I felt that if I let this slide, things would vaguely go his way.

“Th-that seems a bit difficult…”

The Emperor was dead, and there was no one left to torment Adam.

Yet what was Adam worried would threaten me?

It seemed it would be easier to make him trust me instead.

To show him that people don’t die so easily, would it be better to stay by his side continuously?

While I hesitated for a moment, he slipped his fingers between mine and held my hand.

Huh, this wasn’t part of the plan.

‘I meant just staying by your side, not hoping for this kind of thing!’

I wiggled the hand he was holding.

Though I acted uncomfortable, Adam didn’t let go.

“You said you’d grant everything I wanted, but this isn’t allowed?”

I moved my lips to speak but then pressed them tightly shut.

‘Could he be anxious that I might leave again?’

When I lifted my head to look at him, Adam was also looking down at our joined hands.

As if sensing my gaze, Adam’s eyes turned toward me again.

His face had been downcast just moments before, but seeing me looking at him, he brightened with joy and smiled radiantly.

Was this really okay?

The reason Adam was anxious was probably first and foremost the absence of God.

Because the Deity who had always been present throughout his life had suddenly disappeared.

No matter how much I filled that void, it wouldn’t be enough.

And then I disappeared again, so from his perspective, he might think there was nothing left to believe in.

Regardless of likes and dislikes, it would be hard to forget someone who had such a profound impact on his life.

He might always think that people leave him.

Should I just tell him here?

I hesitated and then opened my mouth.

“Adam, you know…”

“Yes, Eve.”

Adam answered obediently.

His upright golden eyes gazed at me as if judging me.

What would happen if Adam found out I was God?

Whatever it was, he wouldn’t just let it slide like he did when I hid that I was alive.

At least he wouldn’t look at me with those eyes.

Even if it wasn’t intentional, I had pushed his life into an abyss.

His father being betrayed and killed by the Emperor, being left in the hands of his abusive adoptive father – that wasn’t my intention, but making him the Hero according to the game’s story was my doing.

I couldn’t bring myself to say it out loud.

Even though it was something I had to do someday.

…I was scared.

Scared that Adam’s affectionate gaze might change.

“It’s nothing.”

Facing Adam’s straight and righteous gaze, my mouth naturally closed.

Because if Adam knew I was God, he definitely wouldn’t look at me with those eyes.

I squeezed my eyes shut.

‘Why did it have to be this playthrough!’

Clutching my chest, I shed tears inwardly.

No matter how hard I tried, I felt like I was stealing something important from Adam’s life.

If only there was even one memory of being kind to him, I could speak confidently!

No matter how much I searched my memories, it seemed like I had never even treated Adam kindly in this playthrough.

Because I was only thinking about solving the next quest.

Adam, who was so kind, would follow me without any resistance.

‘Back then, I thought he was just a game character, but…’

If you asked me whether I still think that way now, the answer would be ‘no.’

Absolutely not.

Because the helplessly pounding heart transmitted through my hand right now was too vivid.

Feeling guilty, I curled my hand into a fist and hung my head.

Adam, who had been quietly watching this series of events, spoke up.

“What do you think I’m thinking about, Eve?”

I lifted my head that I had been hanging down to look at him.

His clear golden eyes were filled entirely with only me.

Unlike me, who was trembling and unstable, I accepted his upright gaze.

“I hope Adam isn’t angry with me.”

“How could I ever be angry with Eve, whatever it may be.”

Adam wrapped my hand in his and placed it against his chest as he spoke.

“Even if Eve were to stab me with these pretty hands, I wouldn’t be able to get angry at you.”

It was a frightening hypothetical situation just to imagine.

It was something that would never happen and that I had no intention of doing.

“I’m fine with anything except Eve leaving me again. I could tolerate it twice, but I don’t think I could bear a third time.”

Adam said this while gently bumping his forehead against mine.

‘Twice?’

One time seems to refer to when I pretended to die and left because of the Quest.

And the other one is…

When is he talking about?

I couldn’t answer Adam’s cryptic words in the end.

Because Adam seemed to be acting as if he was waiting for something.

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Team. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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