"And in return?" Liam asked.
Of course, the elf was not going to help him out of the kindness of his heart. Everything was a transaction and it was better this way. When there was an equal exchange, the chances of either party getting burnt were low, well that is in an ideal world.
"Nothing much." The chubby elf laughed lightly. "It really is nothing. Trust me."
Seeing Liam frown, the elf cleared his throat awkwardly and got to the point. "The Ascension Spire," he said.
"Right, you don't know." The chubby elf laughed again. "I keep forgetting that you are from a no-name world, you freak. The Ascension Spire is…"
The elf took a deep breath and continued, "The Ascension Spire is in short a wonderland, a place filled with opportunities."
"Mind you, I am not talking about the random opportunities here. I am talking about the real deal, ones that could help you transcend from a mere mortal to an immortal, a Sovereign, a Deity, a True God!"
"Even if you forget about these fantasies, one can still claim enough opportunities to at least break through to the Sage level."
Liam's eyes narrowed, assessing the chubby elf before him. "The Ascension Spire you speak of—what's the catch? Places of such opportunity are usually fraught with danger, aren't they?"
The elf grinned, revealing a set of pearly white teeth. "Ah, you're not as naive as you look. Indeed, the Ascension Spire is perilous. It's filled with trials, enchantments, and powerful guardians. Many have perished attempting its challenges."
Liam sighed. It sounded about right. "So, what does that have to do with me helping you? What do you want in return? Don't talk in riddles."
"I am not talking in riddles, you freak!" The chubby elf sighed in exasperation.
"This Spire that I told you about is not something that everyone can enter. One can only enter if they have the permission and this permission is granted to only freaks like you."
Liam did not understand.
"Like the heavenly punishment that descends on freaks like you after a certain level, this place is a heavenly bestowment. It is a reward for being a freak. A genius. An irregular. Ah, right. That's the term."
Liam listened intently.
"You have just now stepped onto the grand arena, leaving behind the confines of your small world. And look at you… You have already exploded in strength!"
"Trust me. It is only a matter of time. You will receive the Ascension Spire's token. You can use the token to teleport to that wonderland."
Liam's eyes widened. Was this true? Does something actually exist?
As if reading his mind, the elf laughed and nodded. "It does and a freak like you will get the invitation for sure. Every genius will get three chances to enter this spire in their lifetime."
"And all I ask of you… My liege… is to bring this humble me along with you all three times." Eldrin once again revealed his pearly whites.
"And before you say no, you can bring along with you five people. One. Two. Three. Four. Five." Eldrin unfurled his fingers one after the other. "See, there are five spots. All I am asking is for a single spot."
Liam stared at the elf not knowing how to respond to this proposal. The elf's insistence that Liam would eventually receive an invitation to the spire based on his innate abilities intrigued him.
Soulmancer class was indeed special. Perhaps he would get an invitation for such a place, but this so-called Spire sounded dangerous. And the elf in front of him was…
Liam's gaze dragged on the elf. He was short and had a pot belly with chunky arms and feet. He wore clothes that could only belong to the nobility. He also seemed to be in possession of several expensive items.
Did this mean that the elf was just a spoiled rich brat of some elven clan?
Not that Liam cared about who he was or what he was. It was just that this request would essentially mean that he would be carrying a dead weight along with him into this dangerous spire.
Liam chuckled. He only hesitated for a moment before accepting the proposal.
There was really nothing to think about. All of this talk of the future did not concern him. Without his world, without his sister and his friends, there was really nothing left for him.
He would deal with this Spire and him carrying this elf when the time came and if the time came. For now, all of his focus was on getting more information.
He needed to know what happened.
He needed to heal himself.
And he needed to kill the person who was responsible for all of his agony.
He needed to rip her apart limb from limb until nothing of her remained, until she could no longer touch him or his family, ever again.
Liam's eyes turned bloodshot as his blood boiled at the thought of the woman who had shattered his world and crushed him as if he were nothing.
He felt his anger seethe beneath his skin, his soul eager for the chance at vengeance. But he pushed it down; now was not the time.
"I agree." Liam nodded.
There was another reason why he agreed to this. Liam had to admit. Even though this elf looked like a wastrel who had not trained a single day in his life, his brain was very sharp and cunning.
This proposal was an apt way for them to form an alliance and work together.
Even when the dragon woman proposed something to Liam, he had never trusted her for a moment, despite them signing a soul contract.
However, the proposal that this elf put forth was something he could trust.
This was because if indeed everything the elf claimed was true, then the elf very much needed his help to survive in this Spire and get to these golden opportunities.
Without him, the whole plan falls apart. This made sure that the elf wouldn't double-cross him, at least for now. At least until they entered the Ascension Spire together.