As I watch Adam run out of the watchtower, a vague sense of worry stirs within me.

He was clearly in a bad mood, and I knew exactly why.

It’s probably related to the new task Gray entrusted to him. He’s nervous about it.

No doubt it’s something to do with stopping the ritual… That bastard Gray would do something like that.

Nekros is an extremely dangerous enemy.

Even though I’ve changed bodies and am intimately familiar with her game settings, I can’t say for sure I could win against her steadily.

If they get too deeply involved, Adam, even Emily and Aunt Clara, could be put in danger.

Should I go be his bodyguard? But then I wouldn’t be able to do all sorts of things with Gray.

Sigh, couldn’t Nekros have chosen somewhere else to perform the ritual? Seriously, why must she trouble me when my time is already limited?

Uh, everyone, please don’t look at me like that. I’m the real deal, a hero through and through, firmly opposed to killing people for immortality.

It’s true I used that so-called “perfect body” ritual to resurrect, but! I didn’t kill anyone, nor did I collect any grimy eyeballs.

Otherwise, I wouldn’t have been reduced to having only a year left to live, becoming so delicate and weak.

I just used magic to simulate the three eyeballs, offered my own body and the Demon King’s body as sacrifices, performed a super low-grade version of the ritual, and asked some deity or other to build me a new body and toss me into it. That’s all.

…Was that too casual? Well, magic is a casual thing.

If your imagination is sufficient, not only could you manage a degraded version like mine, you might even create an enhanced one.

Alright, enough setting explanations.

I need to focus on today’s task. I’m just about to speak when Gray beats me to it.

“Miss Spirit, congratulations on your recovery.”
“Thanks to your help.”
“Heh. This place is dirty and messy, truly unsuitable for a lovely young lady like yourself. Please, close your eyes with me for a moment.”

After spouting such a nauseating line, he actually closes his eyes, standing within arm’s reach of me with his eyes shut.

The manuscript papers and books scattered on the floor are instantly swept up by wind magic, fluttering and piling up neatly in various corners around Gray.

Perfect opportunity.

I silently approach Gray, ready to crush his throat in one move… Just kidding.

Even Gray has learned to be a bit smarter after being attacked. Right now, the area around me is full of mechanisms designed to detect non-healing runes.

If I use mana to enhance my body, I’ll be shot dead by solar flame projectiles from the traps first. In fact, anyone other than Gray probably can’t use offensive magic inside the tower anymore.

Assassinating him inside the watchtower has become impossible. And that’s not why I’m here today.

I walk over to a stack of books near Gray and take out a piece of paper I brought with me.

This paper records Nekros’s skill set and weaknesses. I spent some effort last night writing down this information and artificially aged it using creation magic, making it look like a page torn from some ancient text.

That’s my goal. I’ll slip this page into a book Gray is highly likely to翻阅, indirectly providing him with intelligence.

I really don’t want him or Adam to die pointlessly at Nekros’s hands.

However, I also can’t explain to them how I know Nekros’s abilities in such detail.

Nekros has always operated secretly, avoiding direct combat. Theoretically, only her contractor would know this level of information.

If I really said it, I’d either be considered insane or a spy colluding with demons, providing untrustworthy information.

Personally participating in the operation to stop the ritual and taking the chance to find and kill Nekros is also an option. But even ignoring the probability of failure, I don’t want to cooperate with Gray. I’ll deal with him after I settle the score.

So, I’m left with forging documents here. Cai Lun, Bi Sheng, Gutenberg, Aldus… forgive me.

I examine the stack of books in front of me from top to bottom. This pile seems to be all various records related to Mordresar.

"A Study of Mordresar's Atrocities: Research Based on the Second Church Tribunal Archives," "Secret Records of the Skull-Throne Court," "Research on the Lineage of the Abyssal Nobility," "Silent Accomplices: Re-examining the Spirits' Role in the Crimson-Skull Massacre" … This one.

I concentrate a tiny, undetectable amount of mana onto my finger and slide it into "Silent Accomplices," parting the pages to create a slit.

I smooth out the paper page, about to slip it into the gap, when I see the edges of the pages clamping my finger suddenly grow two rows of yellowish, beast-like fangs, their tips already touching my knuckle.

Even though they definitely couldn’t bite through, that’s disgusting! I quickly withdraw my hand and hide the paper.

I was fast enough, but my finger has already begun to wither and dry up.

Gray walks to my side and says, “I forgot to mention, please don’t touch these books. They’re imbued with complex malignant curses. Only Adam and I can read them. Here, let me heal you.”

He holds out a palm toward me, clearly indicating for me to place my finger on it.

Even though I often received his healing in the past, right now I really don’t want excessive physical contact with him. It feels weird and gross.

I channel mana, construct healing magic myself, and restore my finger in an instant. Gray says in surprise, “You are an ice-aligned spirit, aren’t you? To be so skilled in healing magic as well…”

I get goosebumps. When we traveled together, this guy never once praised me. Now he’s wearing an ingratiating expression.

Please, stop. It’s so strange.

“You flatter me. During the war, I had the honor of fighting alongside the Border Watchers a few times and picked up a trick or two.”
“I see. Then we might have seen each other once or twice in the past. By the way, I haven’t yet had the pleasure of learning your name?”

Using that pretentious, handsome-guy voice to get close, and using a word like “pleasure”…

I know it can’t be helped, but it’s seriously nauseating. When we first reunited, I was too busy being happy to notice, but now I’m feeling more and more uncomfortable.

Should I just reveal myself? Fight him right here… No, stay calm.

I force a smile and say, “My name is Sylvia. I did indeed witness your heroic deeds from afar in the past.”
“What a pleasant, lovely name. What brings you here today?”
“It’s about Adam. He told me about the stolen eyeball and Nekros, which has me worried.”
“What do you mean?”
“Unlike you, Adam is just an untested young man without the strength to confront a great demon or a high-level spirit.
You haven’t entrusted him with work beyond his capabilities, have you?”

Gray is stunned for a moment, then seems to realize something and shows a teasing smile.

This guy is thinking of playing a prank or preparing to gossip.

He says, “I’ve asked him to accompany me into the labyrinth to search for the second eyeball.”
“…A labyrinth isn’t a place for outings or teaching. Surely you can find more suitable companions?”

As I reply, I subtly move in front of the second stack of books, carefully sensing the malignant curses on them and beginning to analyze them.

He’s quite obtuse, and his attention is entirely on me right now. He probably won’t notice.

“Unfortunately, Nekros possesses the ability to manipulate flesh at will and can disguise herself as anyone. In the year I’ve been back in town, Adam is the only person I’ve formed a deep connection with. I truly can’t find a more suitable candidate.”

He knows more than I imagined. He is an old mage, after all.

Gray pauses, then says, “I can see you seem to have formed an exclusive contract with Adam… That’s difficult to fake. By examining the contract’s contents, I can verify your true identity. No need to worry about being deceived by an evil spirit.
So, how about this? You become my companion, and Adam won’t have to take the risk.”

While he’s rambling, I successfully create a small gap in the malignant curse. I can slip it in soon!

But… is it my imagination? Gray is smiling with his handsome face in an extremely sleazy way.