Secretly The Overlord

Chapter 4

 "I--Is that a threat?" Henri shuddered. The thought of returning back to that horrible place -- wherever that place was, terrified him greatly.

 Lilith who seemed to have seen through his fright, chuckled in an amused manner.

 [Hmph. This venerable doesn't need to resort to petty human tricks. The only reason I was able to pull you out from the Nil Zone was through linking your true essence with mine.]

 [In simple terms, we both share a lifespan. If I die, your die and vice versa.]

 "Y--You.." Henri was left stupified. What kind of nonsense plot twist was this?

 His longevity was tied to a ghost? At that moment, Henri felt like he needed to sleep. Perhaps once he woke up, all of these crazy stuff happening would vanish like a puff — He was actually conversing with a ghost?

 How crazy!

 [Hmph. You should Count yourself lucky. Normally I wouldn't have entered that kind of contract but my hands were tied. Why are you not rejoicing?]

 "R--Rejoicing?" Henri's face contorted like he had just swallowed a fly.

 "I could literally die anytime! why should I be happy?;"

 [Hmph. You are right. I guess you have no choice but to help me heal my true essence.]

 "Don't act so smug. Damnit. Okay, I accept. What do I do?" Henri felt sour.

 He would help her? it didn't sound like he had a choice in the matter!

 If he ended up dying, who would then take care of Elizabeth --

 "I have to do something!" Henri suddenly jumped out from the sofa, hurriedly getting rid of his clothes.

 Although he had no idea how he was currently unscathed despite falling from a five storied building, Henri noticed that his clothes was soaked with dried blood. Suddenly pausing his actions once he was about to take off his shorts, Henri swallowed.

 "D--Don't tell me you can see.." before he could finish his sentence, Lilith snappily cut him off.

 [This Venerable will be taking a short nap. Although our current contract ensures my true essence doesn't dissipate, it is only temporary. I need to reserve as much strength as I can.]

 After that, Lilith went radio silent. No matter how many times Henri called out to her, he didn't receive a response. Successful confirming Lilith was no longer available, Henri quickly got rid of his clothes.

..

 After taking a shower, Henri put on fresh new clothes before rushing out of his apartment complex. Boarding a taxi, Henri's destination was naturally the one place he always frequented.

 - Ivy Blue Hospital

 By the time Henri arrived at the hospital premises, he noticed that it was currently mid noon. Heading inside the hospital building, the receptionist who had grown familiar with Henri, expressed slight surprise when he saw him come in.

 "Mr. King?"

 "Why do you look shocked to see me? am I no longer allowed to see my sister? is she alright?" a look of worry spread across Henri's face.

 "Your sister is fine . I am just surprised to see you considering it has been a whole week since you last came here.. "

 "It was a bit strange considering you normally visit your sister regularly."

 Henri's expression changed when he heard the words of the receptionist. "What are you talking about? I clearly came to visit her yesterday."

 "Uhm. I doubt that. I might've changed shifts but I do not see your name on the visitors log. The last time you signed your name was last week."

 "What?!" Henri was stunned. Arriving at the receptionist booth, his jaws opened wide once he received confirmation.

 Just like the receptionist claimed, the last time his name was signed on the visitors log was indeed a week ago!

 As Henri made his way towards his sister's ward, he fell into deep silence. He was dead for over a week?! Why didn't Lilith tell him that?!

 However like magic, the unease in Henri's heart immediately vanished once he laid eyes on his sister. Arriving at her bed, his fingers brushed against her cheeks before he released a helpless sigh.

 "Oh Lizzie. Your big brother is truly useless." seeing his sister in her current state caused Henri's heart to nearly crack open.

 At the same time, he felt even more ashamed of himself. He made a promise to always protect her and yet what could he show for?

 Absolutely nothing. Not only was he a poor miser, he was the only one in the entire world who couldn't use magic!

 —[Ping!]

 —[Defect Identified!]

—[Defect; Negative Ascies Syndrome!]

—[Negative Ascies Syndrome: A dangerous ailment where the meridian veins grows at an unstoppable accelerated rate.]

 —[Does Player wish to activate Core Skill; Monarch?]

 Henri unconsciously retracted his fingers once he noticed the series of panel screens popping up before his eyes. He tried blinking but the panel screens remained visible.

 He was not hallucinating. They were real!

 "L--Lilith? are you the one doing this?" unfortunately Henri didn't receive a response no matter how many times he called out.

 "Core Skill?" Henri pursed his lips as hie eyes landed on the panel screen that recently popped up. 

 Although he had no idea why these strange game like screens suddenly appeared before his eyes, their analysis wasn't wrong. His sister was indeed suffering from Negative Ascies Syndrome. According to rumors, there was once an ailment similar to it in the past, known as cancer.

 However although Negative Ascies Syndrome was lethal, it wasn't incurable. Unfortunately the cost of doing so was roughly about a hundred million dollars and even more depending on the tier of the Syndrome.

 —[Monarch lvl 1 has the potential of curing all ailments that exists across time and space.]

 —[Does Player wish to activate Core Skill; Monarch?]

 Henri was left astounded at this revelation. For years he had saved up a lot of money from his intense blood and sweat all so he could fork out the money for his sister's Negative Ascies Syndrome operation.

 And yet, this mysterious screen was claiming he had the answer to his sister's recovery?! Henri heart nearly missed a beat from the excitement he was feeling.

 Although he had no idea how the mysterious virtual screens appeared or even why they did, Henri couldn't care at that moment. All he was interested in was curing his sister!

 "Activate it then." swallowing nervously, Henri gave the Command.

 —[Monarch lvl 1 has been successfully activated!]

 As soon as this virtual screen appeared, Henry sensed a warm sensation. With his gaze trailing towards the source, his brows jumped at the inconceivable sight playing before his eyes --

 All five fingers --

 Dancing across the tips of the five fingers on his right arm were small tongues of pitch black colored flames!