"Uhm... What should I call you? Mistress? Lady? Or something else you prefer?" Kian asked innocently, his voice soft as he trailed behind Apotheosis.
Her steps were commanding, each movement resonating with the clinking sounds of her golden armor and the rhythmic pattern of her equipment.
Apotheosis walked like a valkyrie draped in gold—untouchable and divine. Yet, Kian, ever loyal to his own ideals, never saw her through the lens of romantic attraction.
On the contray, he feared her slightly instead. Her moods were unpredictable—sometimes cold, other times unexpectedly kind, like how now she slowed her pace to match his.
Without glancing back, she responded in her authoritative tone, "Little one, you may call me Apotheosis while you are within my residence. But outside these walls, do not dare to use my name. It will be seen as disrespectful, and you will find yourself in trouble."
Though her words were strict, there was a subtle note of guidance in them.
"Thank you, Mistress. But I wouldn't dream of calling you by your name," Kian replied, bowing slightly and adjusting his tone to reflect his subordinate position.
In that moment, he felt a pang of understanding—the same humility that the servants of his once-esteemed family must have felt while lowering themselves to address him as "Young Master."
"As you wish," Apotheosis replied nonchalantly.
Very soon, they arrived at a modest wooden house, about the size of a two-story building.
Kian froze in momentary surprise. He had assumed someone as commanding and renowned as Apotheosis would reside in opulent grandeur, but reality stood in stark contrast to his expectations.
Noticing his reaction, Apotheosis glanced back, the faintest hint of amusement flickering in her golden eyes, though her face betrayed no emotion.
"I prefer simplicity, little one," she said coolly. "But you... you seem like someone accustomed to an aristocratic lifestyle. Can you adjust to this?" Her tone carried a teasing edge, though her expression remained unreadable.
Kian's face tightened, his composure unshaken.
"No, Mistress. Though I once hail from an aristocratic background, I've experienced much worse than this. I was just surprised. With your elegance and presence, I never imagined you'd choose to live here," he replied with a steady voice as they stepped inside.
The interior was illuminated by soft candlelight chandeliers, their warm glow blending seamlessly with the evening sunlight streaming through the open windows. The light danced gently across the polished wooden floors and simple, yet elegant furniture.
Kian couldn't help but marvel at the strange phenomenon. How could there be a sun if they were within the confines of a massive tower? The logical answer eluded him. Perhaps it was an illusion, or perhaps some grand power was at work, crafting an artificial world where even the sun obeyed different rules.
The air was fresh, carrying faint hints of something floral, perhaps from gardens nearby residences. The house felt alive, as though infused with a quiet, unspoken energy, reflecting the presence of its enigmatic occupant.
Kian glanced around curiously but he refrained from voicing his questions. Instead, he simply followed Apotheosis, who moved through the house with the same effortless grace she exhibited everywhere.
"Little one, pick any room on the ground floor. I live on the second floor. Don't disturb me unless I call for you," Apotheosis instructed, her voice calm but firm. "Your duty is just to keep the house clean and prepare the meals.
We also require food to sustain ourselves. Think of this place as a Soul World for the chosen. Everything here mirrors the real world, but to the physical world, we are ghosts. Keep that in mind," she added, sensing Kian's lingering confusion.
Kian nodded, the pieces finally falling into place as he realized why he still felt hunger even after death.
As Apotheosis began ascending the stairs, Kian suddenly remembered an important question.
"Mistress, I forgot to ask one thing. When will I be able to go on missions and earn merit points?" he asked hurriedly.
Apotheosis paused mid-step, glancing back at him. "You have a long way to go, little one. Don't take the missions lightly. Many unfortunate souls are erased completely during them. Be mindful of that," she warned.
"Take rest for the night. I will guide you tomorrow morning. I need you fully punctual tomorrow," she concluded before continuing upstairs.
"Thank you for your guidance."
Kian watched her retreating figure, pondering her words of advice.
"Is it really that dangerous?" he murmured to himself.
Shaking his head to clear his doubts, he turned toward his chosen room. It was dusty and filled with old wooden furniture, the air carrying a faint musty smell of neglect. Despite its worn state, the room felt oddly comforting—a reminder of humble beginnings.
"This will do," Kian said softly to himself as he began to tidy up his room.
He opened the window, letting the warm glow of the evening sunlight pour into the room.
As he gazed outside, he spotted a cluster of nearby houses. Unlike the modest one he occupied, those were luxurious, guarded by stern-faced sentinels and tended to by diligent servants, who meticulously maintained the lawns and gardens.
Witnessing their work, Kian was reminded of his own duty to keep this house clean and well-organized to earn Apotheosis's approval. It was essential if he hoped to gain her guidance in this perilous realm.
Determined, he began his task. First, he dusted off his hard, bare bed—devoid of any mattress or pillow. Then he turned to the table, an old magical lamp that emitted a faint glow, and the wooden floor, wielding a broom with focus and vigor.
After a while, his hard work paid off; the room was moderately clean to live on.
With that done, he began cleaning the rest of the rooms one by one, which were untouched by human for a long time.