Single for Eternity
Chapter 85: Obsession

Chapter 85: Obsession

I ran a hand through my hair, fingers tangling in the unkempt strands as a strange weight settled in my chest—a question.

’Why was I so obsessed with getting stronger?’

It wasn’t in my nature to commit to anything for too long. I had the attention span of a caffeinated squirrel on a sugar rush. Severe ADHD back on Earth made sure I couldn’t stick to a single thing for more than a few weeks. Yet here I was, in another world, maniacally clawing my way toward awakening.

Yeah, sure. It was a fantasy world. Magic, swords, creatures, Gods, stupid people—the whole damn package. Anyone would be excited.

’And I was. At first.’

I wanted to explore breathtaking ruins, dance under otherworldly places, and maybe drink questionable liquids in strange taverns where the barkeep’s got horns and the drinks glow. ’You know... fantasy tourist stuff.’

But then the reality of this world slapped me with its iron gauntlet. This place wasn’t a storybook—it was a war zone wearing the skin of beauty. Creatures, calamities, corrupted gods, death around every glittering corner.

’So why didn’t I back off? Why wasn’t I scared like I used to be?’

I should’ve been. I was a coward. I never charged into danger back on Earth. Hell, I’d cross the street to avoid a barking chihuahua—even when I loved dogs.

But now... I was willingly jumping headfirst into a God’s domain —even if I didn’t know it was it still counts and experimenting with Chaos like it was candy.

Maybe because of the upcoming calamity but I was sure because of the letter I had received from Varek Sanguis—my father.

I could have holed up somewhere he considered safe... but then again what about my independence?

Getting help from someone, being dependent on someone, the thought itself was revolting.

And then it hit me.

No, not the answer—the pain. A sharp, focused headache lanced through my skull like a hot nail being hammered straight between my eyes.

I hissed, instinctively clutching my temples, trying to squeeze the agony out with sheer force. It didn’t work. Of course it didn’t.

I gritted my teeth, breathing heavily, lungs shaking with every exhale. The pressure wasn’t just physical—it was like something inside was scratching at my brain, screaming to be heard.

I forced myself to sit, cross-legged on the cold marble floor, cupping my hands over my knees, trying to stabilize myself.

Breathe in. Hold. Breathe out.

Over and over.

The pain lessened. Not vanished, but dimmed—dulled into a distant hum instead of an air raid siren.

But of course, peace was a luxury I wasn’t allowed anymore.

BANG!

The massive castle doors exploded open with a crack so loud it echoed even outside. I snapped my eyes toward the sound, already annoyed. I just wanted to breathe for two minutes. Was that too much to ask?

Olie, Bess, and Laura came rushing out from the main hall like headless chickens, their faces pale with terror, eyes bloodshot, tears streaking down their cheeks. They clung to each other’s hands like their lives depended on it—which, considering the circumstances, probably wasn’t an exaggeration.

Behind them, two more familiar figures followed.

The other two maids—the shy one and the well endowed one. Except... something was wrong.

’Very wrong.’

Unlike their panicked sisters, they looked composed. Too composed. Their expressions were empty, faces unmarred, posture too perfect. But their eyes... hollow.

No spark of life. Just void.

"Thralls," I muttered, recognition clicking. Ness had puppeted them.

The first three ran straight into me, colliding in a tangle of limbs and shrieks. We collapsed in a heap, them immediately scrambling back, looking at me like I was some undead boogeyman.

Olie’s eyes widened, then sparkled. "Wait!! He’s the original one! He returned like I said he would! Ahahahaha!"

She puffed her flat chest out like she’d just summoned me from the abyss with sheer belief and delusion. That unshakable trust...

’Wrong choice, Olie. I’m not as nice as you think.’

Bess gave her a side-eye so hard I think it had damage numbers. Still, she subtly glanced at me and seemed to relax once she confirmed it was really me.

I smirked.

And then came Laura.

Traitor Laura.

Her lips puckered, eyebrows drawn together like she’d been force-fed vinegar. "He’s not the original..."

Wow.

The other two glared, their synchronized eye-rolls practically symphonic. Then—BONK! BONK!—they both slapped her over the head like a cartoon comedy skit.

Laura whimpered and shrunk away, sulking.

That brief moment of chaos-induced comedy faded instantly as the true threat emerged.

The last two maids stepped out.

The well endowed and the shy, soft-spoken one. They halted at the edge of the shadow the castle cast, eyes locked onto me with disturbing precision.

Their bodies were too still.

Then Laura—ever the peace-loving idiot—stood up and stepped forward.

Just a few paces ahead of us, arms clasped to her chest, eyes brimming with tears, she pleaded, "Hey... let’s stop this stupid fighting and go back to being sisters, yeah?"

She smiled through her sobs. "We were happy... weren’t we?"

For a moment, I almost wanted it to work. The hope in her voice was just that strong.

Then she opened her damn mouth again.

"I know you’re still there, you couldn’t possibly be controlled by a stupid, incompetent, lecherous, good-for-nothing, orc-faced, goblin-shit noble! Get away from his clutches!"

My eyes twitched.

’Was that supposed to be aimed at Ness?’

Even then he was mimicking my body that sounded a lot like she just insulted me.

And if those two had returned to their senses after hearing that... ’I’d have crawled into a hole and buried them in there. But they didn’t.’

Thank the Chaos.

Instead, their bodies twitched—once, sharply. Then again. Their skin turned ashen gray, their eyes clouding into foggy pools of absence. Black, tar-like pus leaked from their mouths. Their limbs warped, contorted like marionettes yanked by broken strings.

Whatever innocence they once had was gone.

And with a distorted shriek, they charged.