Extra's POV: My Obsessive Villainous Fiancee Is The Game's Final Boss

Ren froze mid-step.

The voice wasn't loud, but it was authoritative, like a man who expected his commands to be followed without question. It echoed slightly in the vaulted hallway, like it had been waiting for them.

Lilith's hand moved subtly beside her, probably palming a throwing knife from wherever she usually kept them.

After sharing a glance, they both slowly turned towards the source of the voice.

Standing just a few steps behind the last lantern in the hall was a strikingly handsome Chosen.

Tall, with perfectly combed dark hair and a white cloak that flowed around him like drifting snow, he watched them with intense narrowed eyes. His posture was relaxed, but there was something dangerous beneath it, like a blade half-drawn.

"Aspirants. Why are you roaming the halls?" He asked, his low voice drifting over to them.

Ren prayed to every deity that was in existence in that moment that Lilith wouldn't just attack the man. Thankfully, she was getting better, her emotions returning, and as if a deity out there was listening, nothing happened.

He took that moment to glance sideways at the door they had just come out from, his eyes catching the brass nameplate screwed into the wood. Archivist Davien.

He stepped forward, putting on a respectful tone. "We had some questions for Archivist Davien… but he was asleep at his desk. We didn't want to disturb him."

The Chosen's eyes narrowed slightly as he slowly walked to them, his boots echoing in the ground.

As he stopped in front of them, his gaze flicked to the door, then back to them. Without a word, he stepped forward, grabbed the handle, and pushed the door open.

Inside, the snoring continued. Davien was still slumped at his desk, one cheek pressed against a half-written scroll.

The Chosen exhaled, looking annoyed but not surprised. "He always was a lazy goat."

He shut the door again and turned to them. "Still, you shouldn't be wandering after lights out. Especially not without an escort. Come with me."

Ren and Lilith exchanged glances. They couldn't afford suspicion. Not now. So they nodded and fell in step behind him.

The man led them through the corridors of the church, descending multiple stairwells until the air turned cool and musty. The stone walls were damp in places, the lanterns flickering on the walls.

Finally, they reached a heavy iron door decorated with the sigil of the Shivering Tree. Above it was a plaque reading, 'Room of Records'.

The Chosen had led them to the exact place they wanted to go. Ren narrowed his eyes at that. Had he somehow inherited plot armor by killing the Penny Prince?

Sitting behind a desk with his boots crossed on it was another Chosen, this one broader and rougher-looking. His expression darkened the moment he spotted them.

"I haven't seen these two aspirants before." The seated Chosen said, his eyes narrowing in suspicion as he gestured to Ren and Lilith. "Florian, are you bringing unknown aspirants into restricted levels now? What are they, spies?"

The handsome Chosen, Florian, arched an eyebrow. "Really, Axel? That's the excuse you're going with tonight?"

Axel stood, towering over Florian with a clenched jaw. "It's not an excuse if it's a real concern. These are sensitive archives. I don't care how charming you think you are."

Florian stepped forward, unfazed. "What I am is a Chosen. Just like you. And unless you're suggesting I've turned traitor, maybe back off with the baseless accusations."

Axel snorted. "Wouldn't be the first time that a charming idiot turned out to be a traitor, would it?"

Florian smiled coldly. "Jealousy doesn't suit you. But if you want to accuse me, do it in front of the Synod."

Axel's hand twitched at his side, but he didn't move further.

Ren and Lilith watched quietly as the two Chosen glared at one another. For all their verbal sparring, none of them activated their resonance. Neither seemed willing to back down, but neither wanted to be the one to escalate it, either.

Finally, Axel huffed and turned away, muttering, "Fine. Take them in. But keep it quick. And if anything goes missing, it's your head."

Florian smirked as Axel pressed his hand to the iron door, resonating with a mechanism inside, and pulled the door open.

"After you." Florian said, gesturing for Ren and Lilith to enter.

Ren dipped his head slightly. "Thank you."

Ren led the way into the cold, dark room. The only light in the vast room was from what looked like glowing crystals embedded into the ceiling.

Around them were shelves in every direction, filled with scrolls and tomes. Each one looked no younger than fifty years old.

After giving Lilith her instructions, Florian turned to Ren. "Head to shelves thirteen through fifteen. The tomes labeled Rites of Binding, Divine Plagues And Punishments, and Resonance With The Creator. Bring them to me. And don't mix them up."

Ren nodded. "Understood."

He made their way through the shelves, following the markers that were at the top of the shelves. As they neared shelf fourteen, Ren's eyes landed on a large framed map bolted to the wall. Exactly what he was looking for.

He rushed straight to it, his eyes scanning quickly and memorizing it.

The main sanctuary, training grounds, the records chamber. There. On the far eastern wing was the Aspirant Quarters. A secured section flanked by two inner courtyards and watched by three different patrol routes.

Ren traced the route silently in his mind, committing it to memory before turning back to retrieve the tomes.

By the time he returned to Florian, the heavy books stacked in his arms, the Chosen was impatient, raising a brow.

"You sure took your time." Florian said flatly, glancing at Lilith who was already there with her own stack

Ren gave a slight bow. "Apologies. The Divine Plagues And Punishments tome was heavier than it looked."

Florian raised a brow but decided not to press further. "Come on. Let's get these back."

They left the room of records, Axel watching them with narrowed eyes from his seat by the door. "Try not to trip on your robes, rookies." He sneered.

Ren ignored him, while Lilith gave him a smile that was all teeth.

Before the man could even muster more than surprise at her expression, they were gone.

After almost ten minutes, they arrived at Florian's office. The office was well furnished, different from the rest of the stark church. They placed the tomes on his desk with heavy thuds, dust puffing into the air.

Florian turned, folding his arms as he leaned against the desk's edge.

"Well done." He said dryly. "But your sins are not yet forgiven. I haven't forgotten about your punishments. You two did break protocol."

Ren stiffened slightly beside Lilith, who looked unconcern.

"And believe me." Florian added with a smirk. "I'm very creative when it comes to punishment. What are your names, aspirants?"