Read Novel Full Chapter 336: Reward [2]
Chapter 336: Reward [2]
Sophie unconsciously took a step forward and released a breath she didn’t know she was holding. "W-We’re not dying?"
"We might still," Ragnarok muttered. "Depends on her." As he said this, he eyed the figure sitting on the throne.
Their gazes followed his. Now that they were clearly seeing the woman, everyone—including the women present—found themselves captivated by her beauty.
Cassie squeezed her staff tightly, feeling a pang of jealousy. Ragnarok couldn’t bring himself to look away, as if he was in a trance. Even Bunny had stopped breathing for a moment.
’Damn, she’s beautiful!’ she cursed internally.
The only person who still had some reins on his emotions was Gabriel. Even he wasn’t faring too well, but he had a theory.
Thinking about this theory, he suddenly looked away.
A strange gleam flashed across his eyes. Just as he had figured, it appeared the Vampire Queen possessed some sort of charm-type power, similar to the Goblin General from the Inter-Guild Display Event.
"Everyone, stop looking at her directly," he said softly.
They listened and broke out of their trance-like state.
The Vampire Queen tilted her head slightly at that moment, a small smile on her face, clearly having seen through what Gabriel did.
"You may stand," she said.
Immediately, the three knights rose in perfect unison, their movements disciplined and sharp. They didn’t step aside until she made a small gesture with her fingers. Only then did they retreat to the edges of the room, forming a triangle as if maintaining a formation.
Her attention shifted fully to Gabriel.
"You... are interesting," she said, tone calm but laced with subtle curiosity. "Most beings tremble when facing my knights. Yet you stepped forward. Even though you were outmatched, you did not cower. That is rare."
He didn’t respond immediately. Gabriel wasn’t sure if he should speak or wait, but something told him she wasn’t someone who needed traditional protocol. Still, he remained cautious.
"I didn’t really have a choice," he eventually replied.
Her lips curved slightly. "There is always a choice. Perhaps not always a pleasant one, but still a choice."
She straightened gently on the throne, brushing a strand of crimson hair behind her ear. As she moved, the black crystal above her pulsed once, and the air shifted slightly, causing the pressure in the room to fluctuate.
Everyone tensed.
However, her expression remained relaxed and elegant. She studied Gabriel with unwavering focus.
"In all honesty... I do not remember much," she said. Her tone remained calm, but a fleeting hint of uncertainty slipped through. "All I recall is waking up in this tower... in this throne... with only half my strength. Everything before that is empty."
Gabriel’s eyes narrowed. ’She lost her memories...?’
She continued. "Even so, I understand instinctively that this place, this structure, is part of my domain. And that the one who reaches me first..." She let her gaze sweep across his teammates. "Is entitled to a reward."
The room fell silent again.
Of course they expected a reward... they didn’t climb all the way up here to return empty-handed.
But given so freely was unexpected even for them.
Gabriel exhaled quietly, playing along. "A reward, just like that?"
The Vampire Queen smiled faintly and leaned forward. "Yes. A wish, a boon, a gift, call it whatever you like. Something I can offer with my remaining power."
The knights bowed their heads again in silent affirmation.
Outside the tower, viewers were losing their minds. Everywhere erupted into chaos the moment she said the word "reward." Countless players were confused, shocked, some even outraged. They all expected a world-ending battle with the final boss—then the reward after.
Definitely not... this.
"WHY ISN’T SHE ATTACKING!?"
"IS THE TOWER BUGGED!?"
"She’s talking like some elegant hostess welcoming VIP guests. HELLO???"
"What kind of final boss calmly gives rewards!? What is going on!?"
"THAT SHOULD HAVE BEEN A RAID WIPE! A RAID WIPE!! WHY IS NO ONE GETTING DELETED!?"
"Bro I’m scared. Calm bosses are the scariest bosses."
Somewhere among the crowd—
"Hey... I thought top floor bosses were monstrous. Why is she talking like a normal person?" Alice asked, turning to Scarlet.
The latter usually had answers to most of her questions, but today even she was speechless.
"Not just normal. She’s kinda polite," Lilly added, a frown on her face.
Back inside the throne room, Gabriel was already considering possibilities. A reward from an existence far too strong for even the system to classify was no joke. It might be an artifact, a stat breakthrough, or something beyond normal limits.
He opened his mouth to ask something, but the Queen raised a hand delicately, stopping him. Her red eyes sparkled with amusement and something deeper.
"But," she said softly.
The temperature dipped.
Her tone didn’t sharpen, but the weight of her next words was unmistakable.
"I cannot simply give something without receiving something in return."
His brows pulled together.
She continued, voice calm, elegant, but carrying a faint playful edge that didn’t quite reach her eyes. "After all... every exchange must have balance. Even I understand this much, despite my fractured memories."
She rested her hands on the arms of her throne and looked straight into his eyes.
"So if you desire my reward, whatever it may be, then I must ask something from you."
’Now I see.’ Gabriel’s eyes flashed sharply. He now understood why they didn’t have to fight.
Apparently, the queen wanted something from them.
Teh queen’s gaze deepened. For the first time, the playful trace faded, replaced by something solemn... and strangely vulnerable.
"Will you accept a request from me?"
Gabriel didn’t speak.
No one dared to breathe.
She leaned back slightly, crimson hair catching the dim red glow of the crystal above. Her expression remained calm but earnest, as if uncertain how he would take her next words.
"It is not dangerous to you," she said quietly. "But it is... important to me."
She lifted her hand again, her voice dropping to an even softer tone.
"My request is simple." She paused, letting silence settle over the throne room.
"I want you..."
Her eyes, deep, ancient, yet unsure—met his.
"To help me find..."
...
To be continued!
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