Chapter 78: Chapter 78: Author's Return
He could try to explain his innocence, but it was useless. Once his identity was exposed, no matter what he said, it was going to be useless.
For them, he was someone from the Eastern Continent who had killed a Hero Academy member. It did not help that Xiu Ying was with him who had already killed a Hero Academy professor in the past.
"Can you use a charm on him?" he asked Xiu Ying.
The silence that came in response was enough of an answer for him. Even the Charm Skill had its limitations. It could not work on someone like Mist or Astral, who had a strong mentality.
Even if that wasn't the case, the Higher Ups of Hero Academy would have come up with a counter to the Charm when one of their Elders died. So it was unlikely that their higher ups could fall so easily.
With Astral present here, all the plans were useless. This was the man who had trailed Devourer to the depths of this world.
He was the one who led Devourer to death, by leading the Overlords to him. And now this same person was in front of his eyes.
Eren was really cursing his luck. Just last night, he was given two choices.
If he had selected the first choice and went after that woman, he might have been able to save her. Then, he would not be in this mess.
If he had selected the reward of Escape Talisman, he might have been able to escape with Xiu Ying. He had not expected a situation like this either. That's why he went with the Question Voucher.
Eren thought about his next step. Could he try talking to them? Or was fighting the only option? He still had one use of the Strengthening Pendant left.
Unfortunately, strength was more or less useless against someone who could control space. The only thing he could rely on was the Protection Pendant
Outside, Astral rose in the air. He appeared right before the window, his sharp gaze landing on Eren. It was as if a predator was looking at his prey.
He also noticed Xiu Ying next to Eren. It was only then, his face revealed a little surprise, but his expressions soon returned to normal.
He waved his hand and the window that was separating them disappeared, swallowed by space.
'I guess fighting is the only option left.'
Eren clenched his fist and prepared to take drastic steps. He was not sure if he could survive this situation.
Just as he made up his mind, he felt a strange pain in his heart. His heartbeat became irregular. He felt as if his connection with the world was suddenly cut.
His face revealed shock as he recognised this feeling. Just to be sure, he looked around.
He looked next to him. Celeste was still there, but she appeared to be frozen in time. It was the same for Xiu Ying.
Even someone like Astral who controlled space was not moving. Time had come to a halt.
He reached out to touch Celeste, but his hand passed through her. It was the second time this had happened.
The air felt heavy with an unknown presence, and a sense of foreboding washed over him.
"Author, are you going to show yourself or not?" Eren asked out loud.
[A meeting has been arranged. Please use your Question Voucher wisely. The Question Voucher will expire, if not used in this meeting]
In the corner of his view, Eren saw the notification. It was just as he expected.
A Question Voucher was like a pass that allowed him to meet the Author who refused to accept that he was the Author.
It allowed him to ask any one question, and the Author could not refuse to answer. Even the last time, the meeting was arranged soon after.
"I don't know if I should call you lucky or unlucky," A voice came from behind Eren.
"To think that you managed to get another Question Voucher, while the other transmigrators did not even receive one yet."
Eren turned around, finding a person sitting on the sofa, as if it was his own house.
He still could not see the face of the person. It was as if the world itself was glitching to hide the face of that person.
The only thing he could see was the physique of the person, which made him look like a man, dressed in a black suit.
"Look behind me. Do I look like I am lucky?" Eren sarcastically asked, pointing back at Astral.
"That is also true. Your luck is just as bad. I didn't think you would come across the second transmigrator so early. What bad luck."
"As if my luck was ever good, wait a minute, What did you say?!" Eren's jaws almost dropped as he comprehended the man's words.
"Please tell me you're not talking about Astral!"
"Who else would I be talking about?" The Author innocently asked in return.
Eren's expressions were like a person who has suddenly the spiciest chili in the world.
The last time he talked to the Author, he came to find out that there were at least four people who came from earth.
He was the only earthling who transmigrated in the Eastern Continent, while the other earthlings were spread out in the other Continents.
"Please tell me you are joking..." Eren's lips twitched in frustration.
He was here, struggling to grow stronger step by step. And then there was Astral! How could the balance of this world be so broken?
If this was a game, he would already be complaining to the game creators about the hell level difficulty.
He was staring from scratch. And then there was the person who possessed Astral! He was able to use the powers of Astral, and also possessed the highest authority in the Continent, other than the Dean.
"Don't worry. He might look intimidating, but he is very weak."
"You... Does this look weak to you?" Eren was almost on the verge of blowing up in anger.