Read Novel Full Chapter 445: Meeting Her Again?
Chapter 445: Meeting Her Again?
Gabriel stood still in the middle of the hallway, his eyes moving slowly from the tall pillars to the familiar walls, his jaw tightening as confusion crept in.
The first thing that crossed his mind was how he even got here in the first place, because just moments ago he had been lying in Henry’s mansion, about to extract the corpse, and now he was standing alone inside this ancient temple again, which made his stomach twist slightly as he spoke under his breath.
"Did I vanish... or did I disappear."
Even as he said it, he already knew neither answer felt right, because this place was too real, too clear, too exact.
He took a slow step forward, then stopped again, his eyes narrowing as memories rushed back all at once.
He remembered this hallway perfectly, every pillar, every crack in the floor, every stretch of empty space between the walls, and that realization only made his unease grow stronger, since the last time he had walked these halls was when the goddess had granted him his second chance.
His fingers curled slightly at his side as a faint panic rose in his chest, his breathing changing just a little as he muttered quietly, "Why am I here again."
For the first time in a long while, his calm wavered just enough for worry to slip through, because he could not ignore the thought that followed.
What if she wanted to take back her promise.
That idea settled heavy in his chest.
His gaze hardened as he stared down the hallway, his mind moving fast as he tried to piece things together, because he had not died this time, he had simply collapsed from exhaustion. Everything after that should have been darkness or rest, not this, and yet here he was, standing inside the same divine temple that had changed his fate, and even though he kept his posture steady, his thoughts refused to slow down.
"If this is some kind of judgment," he said quietly, his voice echoing faintly in the empty hall, "you picked a bad time."
He exhaled slowly and forced himself to move.
He began walking forward, his steps measured as he passed between the tall pillars, his eyes scanning the walls. While he walked, he could not help but wonder.
What was happening to his body back at the mansion.
Was Anna still beside him.
Was she watching over him.
Was he unconscious, or worse.
He shook his head lightly as if trying to clear it, keeping his pace steady as he moved deeper into the hallway, refusing to let panic take control. No matter what, he had survived worse situations than this. He was not about to lose his composure inside a place he already knew.
After several long stretches of walking, something on the side caught his attention.
A small pool of clear water sat beside one of the pillars.
He slowed, then turned toward it without hesitation, his boots tapping softly against the stone as he approached, curiosity pulling him closer, and he knelt slightly as he leaned over the surface.
When he did, his face was reflected back at him.
It was clear, sharp, and perfectly formed.
His brows drew together instantly.
He stared at his own reflection, unmoving, his heartbeat picking up as realization hit him hard.
Dreams never worked like this. No matter how vivid they were, you could never see yourself clearly. Your face always blurred or shifted or refused to stay stable, and yet right now, every detail was there, his eyes, his expression, even the faint tension in his jaw.
He straightened slowly.
"This isn’t a dream," he said quietly as his reflection stared back at him.
That was all the confirmation he needed.
He was truly here.
The weight of that realization pressed down on him, and his thoughts immediately returned to his body back at the mansion. His fists tightened at his sides as he muttered, "So where does that leave my body. Am I unconscious, or am I something else right now."
He stood there for several seconds before he finally turned away from the pool and resumed walking, his steps faster this time, his expression serious as he moved toward the end of the hallway.
The hallway stretched on, and with every step, his heartbeat steadied again, his confidence slowly returning as he reminded himself who he was now, what he had survived, and what he had built since that day, because even if this goddess wanted answers, or payment, or something else entirely, he was no longer the man who had begged for a second chance.
He reached the far end of the hallway and stopped in front of the massive door.
His gaze lingered on it, his chest rising as he took a deep breath, his thoughts briefly flashing to the last time he had stood here, to the chains, to the giantess, to her twisted smile, and he let the air out slowly before placing one hand against the cold surface.
"If you brought me back here," he said calmly, speaking to no one in particular, "I hope you have a good reason for doing this."
He pushed the door open. Light spilled out from the room beyond, washing over him as the entrance widened, and he stepped forward without hesitation, his eyes adjusting quickly as he entered the chamber.
Inside, on the far end of the room, bound by radiant chains and seated in the same position as before, was the chained giantess, her massive form bathed in radiant light.
He stopped just past the doorway, his shoulders squared as he took her in, the familiar pressure settling against his chest once again as the air itself seemed heavier in her presence.
He did not speak right away. His eyes moved over the chains, then to her face, checking if anything had changed since the last time they met. He could feel it clearly now, the gap between their strength was still wide even in her chained form.
However, he stood his ground anyway, lifting his chin slightly as he met her gaze.