Ch.43Chapter 43 – The Mechanic Sensed Something Strange

Lately, I’ve been having growing doubts about this ability of mine.

Doubts about the “ability to fix everything” that I received as a special privilege when I was reincarnated into the world of Erasto Chronicle after dying from being hit by a truck.

‘Why did Epitrina give me this ability as a gift in the first place?’

Clearly, when we first met, Epitrina described this ability she gave me as the “ability to fix everything.”

But considering what I’ve experienced since using this ability, it’s hard to see it as something that simply specializes in fixing things.

For example, there was that incident between Reina and me behind the kitchen.

Reina claimed she acted that way because she was under a curse, but it felt like she was forcing the pieces of her story to fit together.

To be honest, I thought she was hiding the truth and giving me a false explanation.

Frankly speaking, I wonder if something like a “devil’s curse” is really that common?

Let’s put aside the word “devil” for a moment and focus on the word “curse.”

A curse is related to actions wishing for something bad to happen to someone else.

In other words, a curse isn’t a natural phenomenon that occurs spontaneously without someone’s intentional action.

In Erasto Chronicle, there are several heroines with storylines related to “curses.”

These curses were implemented as passive skills, and while they imposed certain penalties, they provided tremendous advantages in other areas as compensation.

From that perspective, the curse that the Chancellor supposedly had, and the curse that Reina claimed to have—these don’t make sense from the viewpoint of someone who played Erasto Chronicle.

Moreover, after I fixed their curses, both the Chancellor and Reina showed inexplicable signs of obsession.

Is it really appropriate for them to try to do so much for me just because I solved one curse?

Honestly, while it makes sense to receive something in return for using my ability, when I reflect on what happened before and the reactions I received, many things don’t add up.

I’ve started to think that this ability given to me isn’t simply about fixing things, but rather deals with something more fundamental.

Otherwise, there’s no way beautiful women would be drawn to someone as ordinary as me.

‘I need to meet Epitrina first.’

Epitrina would have the answers to all these questions.

This world is under her jurisdiction, and she is the goddess who oversees it.

I was certain she could resolve my doubts.

As they say, strike while the iron is hot—I immediately packed my bag.

I didn’t need to prepare for a long journey, but having some tools gave me peace of mind.

My “bag” was just a sack I’d found in the ruins, but it was surprisingly sturdy and still served me well.

I put a hammer, a dagger, and some coins into the sack and tied the opening securely with a string.

“Good. This should be enough.”

Only after confirming that the opening was tightly secured did I leave the dormitory.

Since classes were in session, there were no students to be found in the dormitory or around the academy.

I walked comfortably toward the academy’s main gate.

“Halt. May I ask your purpose for going out?”

“I’m going to the Great Goddess’s temple to offer prayers.”

“I see. You may pass.”

While other students would be prohibited from leaving on weekdays, I was an exception.

I greeted the guard and naturally walked outside the academy.

As I once again felt Archenium’s distinctive slightly stale air, I unconsciously felt a sense of liberation from my shackles.

But I didn’t have time to dwell on that.

I needed to go to the Great Goddess’s temple and speak with Epitrina right away.

I didn’t assume she would definitely receive me if I just showed up unannounced.

Rather than carefully planning everything in advance, it was better to act first and deal with the consequences later.

Since I had previously noted the location of Epitrina’s temple, I headed straight there.

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In Archenium, the commercial city surrounding Glesius Academy, there were temples dedicated to the Great Goddess as well as to other deities.

Among them, the temple serving the Great Goddess Epitrina was smaller in size compared to other temples, but the priests assigned there were several times more capable than those at other temples.

And the highest-ranking man among them.

Bertrand, the Archbishop of the Great Goddess Epitrina’s temple, was waiting for someone.

‘The Great Goddess said a man would come around this time.’

The person Bertrand was waiting for was someone Epitrina had mentioned in his dream last night.

She had told him that a black-haired man from the Eastern Continent would come looking for him, and when he arrived, he should not be treated poorly but immediately guided to the prayer room.

Bertrand had purified himself as soon as he woke up and had been waiting for the visitor Epitrina had mentioned.

‘Is the person the goddess mentioned not here yet?’

If he were a priest serving another deity, he might have gone inside even if the guest hadn’t arrived, but Bertrand was different.

As the Archbishop serving the Great Goddess Epitrina, who demanded strictness, he intended to remain in place until her mentioned guest arrived.

This stubborn adherence to following the goddess’s words had made him who he was today, so it was only natural.

After waiting for about three hours, Bertrand spotted a black-haired man from the Eastern Continent in the distance.

He was heading straight for Epitrina’s temple without even glancing at the other temples.

Bertrand instinctively knew that this black-haired Eastern man was the guest Epitrina had mentioned.

“Welcome. I’ve been waiting for you after receiving word from the Great Goddess. I am Archbishop Bertrand, an unworthy servant of the Great Goddess.”

“I’m Pathos, a first-year at Glesius Academy.”

Of course, the black-haired man was Pathos, who had departed from Glesius Academy.

“Please follow me. The Great Goddess asked me to guide you to the prayer room. This way.”

In other temples, a regular priest might have shown the way, but Bertrand believed it was only natural for the person who received the goddess’s message to guide the guest, so he led Pathos to the prayer room inside the temple.

Since it was just 9 o’clock, when people were starting their day, the temple interior was completely empty.

“I will take my leave now. Have a good time.”

After guiding Pathos to the prayer room, Bertrand quietly closed the door and stepped aside.

According to the Great Goddess temple’s rules, one must not disturb someone communicating with the goddess.

So he stood in front of the prayer room to prevent anyone from entering carelessly and suffering the goddess’s divine punishment.

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Guided by Archbishop Bertrand into the prayer room, I took out a few coins, placed them on the altar, and closed my eyes.

“Epitrina. I know you’re listening. I have something to ask you. Can we meet?”

After hearing the Archbishop say that Epitrina had contacted him, I felt hopeful inside.

[Welcome, Pathos. I’ve been waiting for you to come.]

As soon as I closed my eyes and offered something like a prayer, I felt a warm, gentle force enveloping me.

When I carefully opened my eyes, there stood Epitrina with a gentle smile, dressed quite differently from before.

Previously, she had worn flowing clothes, but now she was covered in a thick robe with the hood pulled back, revealing only her face.

“I came like this to avoid causing trouble for the other gods, so please don’t misunderstand.”

“Ah, yes.”

As soon as Epitrina stood before me, I automatically switched to ultra-polite mode.

I might be able to address Epitrina casually when with others, but standing before her now, I found it impossible to do so.

“You must have many questions for me, but the one you most want to ask is about ‘that ability’ I gave you. Isn’t that right?”

I nodded in response to Epitrina’s question.

“Yes. I understand completely. It must have been difficult not having anyone to ask about it?”

Epitrina nodded with a gentle smile, as if understanding my concerns.

“What I’m about to tell you, I want only you to know.”

A secret that only I should know—what kind of major revelation was she about to share?

“Actually, after giving you the ability, I discovered that an additional ability I hadn’t intended was combined with it when it was given to you.”

And the truth that came from Epitrina’s lips was indeed shocking enough.

“In other words, your soul now harbors not one, but two abilities.”

Upon hearing those words, I could only gape at Epitrina in stunned silence, unable to utter a word.