Chapter 291: Forbidden
"Haah..." Kyle let out a long breath as he lay on the bed with his eyes closed.
He was no longer using God’s Eye, and the instant he shut it down, a wave of relief washed over his body.
It felt as though a tremendous weight had been lifted from his shoulders, a sensation similar to finally recovering from a lingering fever.
It was soothing.
Surprisingly, it hadn’t left him as exhausted as he had expected. His eyes were undeniably tired, and he had analyzed more in a single session than he had throughout his entire life. Even so, that experience had benefited his growth. He now understood what he could do to lessen the mental strain that came with using the skill.
In the long run, when he would inevitably have to rely on God’s Eye for extended periods, he would no longer become his own worst enemy.
[Host, your God’s Eye experience points has increased exponentially. You have now unlocked the skill’s second phase, along with your quest.]
Kyle chose to focus on the brighter side.
"Tell me, what did I gain?"
[Experience?]
"..." Kyle stared at the screen in silence.
Four hours of torture, and what did he get in return? Experience points and a congratulatory message? That was it?
[Host, please understand that these specific quests are designed to help you refine your existing skills, allowing you to gradually bridge the gap between a Second Grade and a Special Grade, even without the blessing.]
Kyle let out a quiet sigh.
"I know, but still... a reward would’ve kept me motivated, you know."
He wasn’t sulking.
Well, maybe he was.
[The system understands. That is why, upon completing every quest focused on growth, the system will provide a full recovery, extended sessions within the Temple, and external rewards whenever possible.]
Kyle blinked in surprise.
The system was actually offering rewards.
The very same entity that was always careful about how much it let him receive from his viewers was now volunteering benefits on its own.
Yeah, that was a welcome surprise.
With a smile, Kyle said, "Well, better than nothing."
He got to his feet, stretched his arms, and looked up.
"Now, can you let me meet Aleda, if that’s okay?"
[Uh, Host. You actually cleared a Special Grade Rift, while the quest only required a First Grade Rift. So...]
"System... do you know what’ll happen if I put on a sad face for my viewers and tell them you’ve been bullying me?"
[Ahaha! The system merely encountered a humorous error. Don’t worry, Host. You have exceeded the requirements with flying colors. Initializing transfer in 3... 2... 1...]
Kyle let out a quiet huff as his vision began to blur. A faint, shimmering light enveloped his entire body, and the world around him slowly dissolved.
The next moment Kyle opened his eyes, he found himself surrounded by familiar darkness. Not far away, a woman lay motionless on the ground, her vacant gaze fixed on nothingness.
"I wasn’t expecting any visitors today. I was hibernating in the hope of reaching nirvana."
Kyle gave a wry smile.
"The system didn’t tell you I was coming?"
"I don’t talk to anyone while I’m hibernating. Especially not that angel of yours. It nags worse than my mother."
Kyle blinked in surprise.
"So the system is actually an angel, huh?"
He had always known the one managing his status and skills was a living entity, but he had never imagined it was an angel.
"Well... I’m here for a reason."
The woman slowly pushed herself upright and settled into a cross-legged position.
"First, entertain me. Tell me something new about..."
Her voice trailed off as her eyes finally settled on Kyle’s head.
"...Huh?"
She frowned.
"Why in the world do you have that?"
She pointed toward his head.
Kyle looked puzzled. He instinctively reached up, then realized what she was referring to.
"Oh, the crown? Actually... that’s exactly why I came."
The woman’s expression turned serious.
"Now you have my attention. Go on. Tell me, how did you end up with that bond?"
Kyle tilted his head.
"Isn’t it just a blessing? You know, like the ones deities give to their apostles?"
That was the only explanation he could think of.
It was surprising, considering the system had clearly stated that deities were restricted from interfering with the mortal world. Even so, he believed Ethara had broken those rules and blessed him, making him her apostle, just as Maya had been.
However...
"You’re completely clueless, aren’t you...?" Aleda muttered, her eyes widening in utter disbelief.
Before Kyle could respond, she strode over and stopped right in front of him.
"You actually think every apostle becomes a deity’s bonded partner just because they receive a blessing?"
Kyle stared at her blankly.
"Bonded partner? What are you talking about?" he asked, completely lost.
Aleda took a slow breath before speaking, making sure every word sank in.
"Listen carefully. That crown is proof that an immortal has formed a soul bond with you. It marks you as their eternal partner. A union no different from that of husband and wife."
Silence.
Kyle’s mind went blank.
...What?
Seeing the shock etched across his face, Aleda continued.
"And the one who formed that bond with you is a maiden Goddess. Someone who was never meant to share any bond with anyone. Let alone a Soul Bond."
The weight behind her voice made one thing painfully clear. Something that should never have happened had already come to pass.
"Wait... so that’s why she isn’t appearing in the chat?" Kyle said, the pieces falling into place almost instantly. "Because of the bond?"
The more he thought about it, the more impossible it sounded. A maiden Goddess forming a soul bond with a mortal was forbidden in every sense of the word.
By now, he had already realized that the immortal realm was bound by even more laws than the mortal world.
Aleda let out a long sigh and folded her arms.
"Just what is so special about you?" she asked, her gaze fixed on him. "They keep crossing every boundary and breaking laws they created with their own hands."
Ah....