The chilling realization that the creature could snap the link at any moment, ending his life instantly, sent Levi's mind into a frantic overdrive. He desperately searched for a way to survive, to preserve the life that now felt so fragile.

But for the first time in a long time, his mind came up completely blank, he was terrifyingly aware of the creature's chilling power.

A being so cunning and powerful that it had successfully lied to him through a supposedly unbreakable bond, the moment it was resurrected.

The fear was a living thing, a cold hand squeezing his heart. His mind, usually a fortress of facts and strategies, was now an empty, silent void.

His hands shook as he looked at the tether, a thin line of magic that was his only connection to the creature. It was supposed to be a tool, a leash, but now it felt like a fuse. The moment it snapped, his life would be over.

The creature's voice, a soft, purring whisper, cut through Levi's frantic thoughts. "Sir Levi, may I ask how you resurrected me?".

Levi froze, he didn't have an answer, not one he could speak, anyway. He knew from experience that a simple sound, a single word, was enough for this being to absorb vital information.

If he opened his mouth, it would understand his power, and the pretense would drop, and the creature would attack.

But silence was just as dangerous— any more and the creature would soon understand that Levi had caught on to it's foul play.

Levi's mind raced, desperately searching for a way out of this impossible situation.

The answer came to him in a flash of pure, cold desperation.

'From the story, the main reason for the infighting in the Depraved clan was because the faction of the priest...'. Levi slowly raised his head, his eyes, previously downcast in despair, now fixed on the creature with a sharp, new understanding.

'...were benevolent'.

The words felt strange and absurd, but as he reasoned, the entire situation clicked into place. He saw the truth behind the creature's strange behavior.

It explained why the being was holding back, not immediately attacking him. It was a predator, but a thoughtful one, not driven by pure, mindless hunger.

It explained the bizarre politeness, the patient wait for his answer, even when a lesser creature would have simply torn him apart and ask questions later.

This wasn't a monster; it was a being with a code, a faction that, despite being part of a depraved clan, held on to some form of morality.

The creature's actions weren't a sign of weakness, but a sign of a philosophy. A priest of a benevolent faction wouldn't immediately attack someone who had shown them kindness, someone who had resurrected them.

They would ask for their name, their story, their purpose. They would try to understand before they acted.

This was a test, a long, drawn-out chess game, and Levi had just found the rulebook. He had been so focused on survival that he had missed the most obvious clue— the creature's very nature was a contradiction. It was a depraved being with a benevolent heart. And that was something Levi could use.

An idea formed in his mind.

It was a gamble born of desperation, a last, wild theory Levi's mind had conjured to outwit his own impending doom. He had no way to prove it was true. But what other choice did he have? It was either this or eventual death.

He had to put his new plan into practice.

In his mind, he repeated the words over and over. 'If I die, my pieces die with me. If I die, my pieces die with me. If I die, my pieces die with me'.

He had no proof, no system knowledge to back this up. But if he believed it, truly believed it, maybe the creature would as well.

Levi was counting on the creature's benevolent nature— a kindness so foolish it bordered on a weakness.

The being, he was sure, was keeping him alive to gain information on its resurrection, hoping to bring back the rest of its clan.

Levi's gaze shifted to the six other skeletons scattered across the floor, a potential army for a being he had accidentally resurrected.

He had to convince the creature that his life was a necessary component of its own existence. When he spoke, the creature would absorb the information from his words, and a crucial misunderstanding would be planted.

The creature would believe that if it killed him, its power, resurrection, would crumble to dust. It would have a vested interest in keeping him alive.

The plan was a house of cards, built on nothing but a hunch, but it was his only hope.

A long, slow sigh escaped Levi's lips. The familiar sensation of something else leaving his mouth, something cold and ethereal, echoed in his mind. He had spoken, and now the information was out there. He had to make it count.

"Does that waterway provide a way out of here?". Levi asked, his voice low and steady. "And if so, can I successfully get away from you?".

From all the tunnels conversing here, only one was open and it was the one the sound of rushing water echoed from.

The creature, whose name he had conveniently forgotten, nodded. It was a simple motion, but it sent a fresh wave of cold relief through Levi. It had confirmed a part of his gambit.

Levi nodded in return, his mind a silent cacophony of fear and determination. He kept mumbling the same words, over and over, hoping it would be enough to save him.

'If I die, my pieces die with me'.

With a mental command, the leech slithered around Levi's body. He ignored the unpleasant sensation as its head came to rest on top of his own, a bizarre, living helmet. He forced a smile, making sure it was as believable as possible.

"Would you be kind enough to give me a head start?". He asked.

The creature nodded, then spoke in a strange, surprisingly comforting voice. "I will offer my prayers to my benefactor."

Levi didn't wait for another word. He turned and sprinted toward the tunnel where the sound of gushing water echoed. He urgently commanded his origin energy to surge through his legs, a jolt of power that made his muscles burn and his speed explode.

He didn't look back. He couldn't. He knew the creature wasn't pursuing him, it had given him a headstart.

Instead the creature turned around and knelt before the altar.

"Dear mistress..." It began, its voice a reverent whisper.

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