Preview: “Waaait, master! I’m still eatinggg! AaaaAaAh!” “AaaAaAAahhHhHHhh '' Screams rang out as the sound of the wind blocked Yhaele’s ears and Pendra’s food fell from his mouth while crying.
Underworld Plants and silence greeted the three as they landed. The familiar dark and rocky environment disappeared from their perception as it was replaced by a jungle with large trees where vines hang casually. From time to time, insects and animals that are not present in the Underworld occasionally make their appearance but the silence remains the same.
Pendra was confused and felt something odd and somewhat familiar with this situation. “Master, where are we?” He asked in a concerned tone as he lost the mood to finish his snack.
This is.. Crickets? But they're not making any noise.. Caterpillars, fireflies, dragonflies, and other insects.. Where exactly have we landed..? Yhaele was dumbfounded as he observed and found insects familiar to him, critters that never appeared in Hell now present themselves in front of him in the most bizarre way.
Sunirae was confused as well as she didn't know the answer. She could only remember piercing the dimly lit red ground and dragging her body over, resulting in this situation. “I’m not sure either…”
The three intuitively felt that something was wrong and immediately prepared themselves. It seems like they were once again dragged into another absurd situation. Master, why do you keep on bringing trouble to ourselves T_T.
The trio didn't rashly move and only observed their surroundings. Leaves, vines, roots, branches and all kinds of life found in forests. The whole situation was bizarre, especially for Yhaele who was a former human.
“There doesn't seem to be any danger for now. We should get moving and explore” muttered Yhaele softly to not alert any lurking danger in the strange forest.
“Yes! And this was my intention anyway! To hunt prey and become stronger! I figured that you’re still too weak and need more protein!” Sunirae answered enthusiastically, like she always is. Despite the danger looming over them, Sunirae remains as positive as ever as she feels that the danger doesn’t seem to be that bad this time.
“We should be careful, Master! What if there is another monster like that guy, Pizon, here?” The only one getting anxious and worried was Pendra. His usually rough behavior was immediately tamed the moment he encountered a crisis. As expected of the weak and humble centipede.
Hmm, he does make sense.. I guess we’ve been into so many dangerous events these days that I’m starting to get used to them! But I don't like this at all! I can't even hunt in peace! Agreeing inwardly, Sunirae thought about it and decided that they should be careful for now. Although the trio are strong, that's only the case against normal demons and not against bizarre situations.
“Hmm, you’re right! Then, let's just travel and observe for now! Let's not hunt too much and moderate our hunger!” Although feeling bad, Sunirae still did what she had to. As the leader of the group, she knew how important having numbers could be in a place like this.
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Yhaele rolled his eyes to the side hearing that. You’re literally the only one with untamed hunger here. Although that stupid centipede is stupid, he still knows when to be cautious. What about you? You even dared to fight that monster, Pizon.
“I suggest that we keep an eye out for each other and stay together. I don't know what horrors await us once we split up individually.” Logical and precise words came out from Yhaele as he always does. I feel like I’m the only one with a functioning brain here. Do I have to become the brain of the group? But I was just an ordinary soldier.. Sigh..
Pendra was in glee as he heard the suggestion from Yhaele. It was totally in line with his style and immediately agreed to stop his master from thinking about absurd ideas “Yes! I agree, Master! As that ugly thing said, we should be careful in this unfamiliar place! Maybe it's teeming with intelligent and powerful demons we can't possibly fight against!” Full of enthusiasm, he tries to persuade Sunirae to agree with Yhaele’s words. He only wishes to have protection and freeload off his master.
“Hmm, okay.” Sunirae agreed as there was nothing wrong with the suggestion. Although she’d like to split up from the two, considering there are three of them now and could hunt separately, she doesn't wish for the two of them to suddenly die or escape.
The trio embarked on a journey filled with caution and wariness. Unlike their usual recklessness, the many times of being beaten allowed them to develop a style that suited losers, which is cowardice. Although, technically they did not lose since losing means death, it doesnt change the fact that reality punched them in the face many times.
Sometimes, leaves rustled as some mysterious cold winds flitted through the gaps. Chime-like sounds would ring out from between the hanging fruits that look unfamiliar to them. And there are times when the blocked out sound of forest would suddenly appear all at once in their heads, almost knocking them out.
It was a creepy and terrifying journey altogether but they slowly find themselves in a clearing. The trees and plants became more sparse and the ones left are those without leaves and with their trunks spiraling. Until finally, an abandoned looking house greets the trio as they appear in what seems to be an open area in the forest.
Of course, neither Pendra nor Sunirae knew what a house is, but Yhaele did. Strange. Inwardly muttering, he observes the structure in front of him.
It is a small yet neat wooden house. It seems to be suitable for only one person and he has never seen any style of house like this one. Its roofs are made of bundled thick and long leaves and the windows are closed from the inside. It is elevated by four small pillar-like foundations that are around 2 meters, making it look towering despite only having one floor.
Overall, the general structure and look of the tiny abode reminded Yhaele of the stories about witches he used to listen to when he was a child. Back when there were still no wars and he didn't have to be conscripted to enter the battlefield. His emotions went into turmoil as he remembered his deceased mother and the people he left in his homeworld.
Fortunately, he managed to reel himself back in a short moment and snapped back to reality. Strange. Once again, he inwardly mutters to himself the same word. Everything about the house seems to be telling strangeness. The location, the structure and the situation. Everything was so wrong when put together. Like, who would build a house in a place like the Underworld? In a forest that is filled with all kinds of life and unstable noises.
This must be an illusion.. Yhaele told himself to calm down even though he knew there are no demons who can use illusions. The only ones he's seen are wild demons who attack everyone they see, and certain exceptions like him and his teammates that possess a certain level of intelligence and plan their hunt before they take actions.
“Strange. Just what-” Sunirae was just about to ask what kind of thing they are encountering right now when the front door which wasn’t visible due to the thick moss and vines covering all over the outer walls suddenly opened.
Darkness surfaced from the door and a pair of pale and skinny hands reached out from the inside, opening the door and making a gesture.
“Greetings. It seems I have guests today, ones so unique I never would have expected to meet.”