Preview: “Greetings. It seems I have guests today, ones so unique I never would have expected to meet.”
A deep and enchanting voice echoed from the darkness where the pale and skinny hands came from. A figure soon outlined in front of the trio and gestured for them to come in.
“I apologize for my lowly abode for not being able to give you the comfort you deserve. But please, make yourself at home.”
That deep voice entered their ears once again as the figure shrouded by a black robe covering his entire body and face made way for the trio to pass through the door. Taking a step sidewards, the entrance fully revealed itself in front of them, but only darkness could be seen, with some vague silhouettes shuttling in between.
Ehh? What is he talking about?? Confusion filled the faces of the three, mainly because they couldn't understand a single thing about what the robed figure said. While Yhaele was confused because he could understand the words and the polite gestures. It made him wonder if he’s back into human society and is finally talking with intelligent creatures.
The robed figure paused for a moment and let out a snicker “Ahh, so that’s it. I suppose I was being too fast and eager. Come, I’ll invite you for some tea and a small chat.” He was speaking casually as though they were old friends. Despite his shady appearance, the three subtly felt more comfortable as they heard those words and took a few steps forward, following the figure inside.
The trio took a step on the wooden stairs leading to the door while creaks sounded as though it would give in any moment. “Ah, my apologies. I haven't had visitors in years so I havent had it fixed.”
The robed figure said in an apologetic tone as they continued following him inside. The door that seemed tiny from afar was actually bigger up close. The three of them fit inside, and even Yhaele who is more than 2 meters tall managed to get in.
Darkness covered them as they entered the tiny abode. The insides greeted them in a far more marvelous way than they could have expected. It wasn’t as small as it was outside and the space seemed to be folded as the space inside was quite wide.
Although it was wide, there wasn’t much light. There was only one table in the center, and on the table, a weak light emitted from a candle is the only source that illuminates the whole place. Books filled every corner of the room, from the bookshelves on the walls and to the floors. There were also weird containers that housed different kinds of plants that look similar to the ones outside. And from time to time, weird rustling noises could be heard as though countless insects are moving in the dark.
“Ahaha, don't mind the sounds, it's just my cute little babies. By the way, take a seat.” The robed figure gestured and took chairs from the thick darkness and moved the table closer to the three.
“...” She looked at the strange constructs in front of her as only question marks filled her mind. What? What are these?
Yhaele was amused as he looked at this knowing what’s going on inside the sunflower’s mind. Although he told them many things about the human world, he never really got deep into it and only mentioned surface level things like the weather, plants, animals and their depiction of time.
Pendra who was coiled around Sunirae reached out with his antennae to feel its surface “its hard.” He was confused on what it is nor what it’s used for. Is it a weapon? The ones Yhaele talked about??
Cough. The robed figure coughed as he just realized his blunder and started doubting his life. Is this really them? Do I have to entrust my future to these buffoons? He immediately composed himself and started explaining “Ahem. So, this is a chair. I’m not sure if you’ve encountered one but this is a tool for, uh, yes communication. You basically do an action called sitting and communicate and socialize with others while doing so.”
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Sunirae finally understood what it was but was even more confused as to how to perform “sitting.” She looked at the object called chair and thought about how to do it. She coiled her roots around the legs of the chair and placed her stem above it. The other roots and vines could only hang on the side and back of the chair.
“Why did you bring us here?” Yhaele asked the question lingering in everyone’s mind. The very crucial question that needed an answer the most at the moment.
The robed and hidden figure let out a soft chuckle only audible to himself. Smart. He finally feels as though his plan is getting closer to fruition and he doesn't beat around the bush any longer. He knew that these three, albeit foolish, are intelligent.
He took another chair from the darkness and sat down in front of the trio. Leaning his body forward, he places both of his hands together around his chin as his deep voice emanated throughout the whole place. “Heh, looks like you understand. It’s simple - Try your best to grow as quickly as possible and continue descending. Don't stop your growth and keep growing stronger.”
These words befuddled the trio as they couldn’t understand what he meant. What did he mean by continue growing and descending? The same question popped up in their heads as they vaguely felt that another troublesome event may have found its way onto them once again.
Pendra, who was the most cowardly amongst the three immediately spoke up “What do you mean by that? Why do you want us to grow as quickly as possible and continue descending? Clack.”
The robed figure enshrouded by the darkness released his hands and leaned back on the chair. “Ah, I apologize, I must’ve been too fast. Let me introduce myself properly this time. You can call me Artho and the reason why I told you those things is another simple story. Your lives are threatened.” His deep voice was mixed with a mocking and jesting tone this time as though he finds it funny that the trio’s lives are being endangered.
“Again?” Yhaele and Pendra simultaneously cried out as they thought about the events that happened in the past few days. They just encountered Pizon, a natural-born king. And now, they are brought into this strange situation by a strange person and somehow strangely told that their lives are being threatened. Who wouldn’t complain in a situation like this? Can’t we get some rest?!
Sunirae was quiet the whole time as though her entire persona changed. But in fact, she was just trying her best to hold back her curiosity and not explore this place recklessly. She knew that the person in front of them is not exactly a good and harmless person. She could feel a threat, a very sharp and concealed threat. Different from ones she experienced before. This sense of impending danger is fleeting but it tells her that she could die any moment the instant she does something wrong.
“Who?” She asked warily and curiously at the same time as she felt both excitement and thrill for the unknown. Unlike the past her, who would be confused by the situation she is put in. The current her is drastically different and instead welcomes any challenges that come her way and let them become a source of nutrition for her - and SPY’s growth. She was aware that she couldn’t do the same thing as before and needed to rely on others that are more proficient in other aspects, like Yhaele.
Chuckle. Another soft giggle echoed but this time it was heard by the three. “That, I won’t tell.” His words were laced with ambiguousness just like those charlatans who only say a few words and leave out the rest. “Okay, now that I finished listing my request, I’m gonna give you compensation for your hard work. I’m not that unreasonable but I’m also not charitable. I’ll give you a list of options and you can only choose one among them.”
His left hand pulled something in the void of the darkness and out came three different containers. “The first one is the Cockroach King’s egg. This is a special specimen of mine that I created in my spare time and it’s easy to raise, as you can see. You only need to feed it the blood of at least a hundred demons and it’d hatch on its own. And it has the amazing ability to reproduce on its own as long as there is enough flesh and blood. Amazing, isn't it? Plus, being a cockroach, it has a tenacious vitality and could survive in most harsh environments, its offspring included.” Said Artho as his left hand pointed at the small container floating in the left side. His voice was filled with joy and excitement as though he was explaining about his own son.
“The second one is a bangle that could enhance your physical and magical resistance. This item is perfect for Low-Rank Demons who cant use magic and have weak magic resistance. It also has another effect of Bloodsuck. As long as you deal damage to your enemy - physical or magical - you could steal a portion of their vitality and mana. It’s an item I coincidentally chanced upon in my childhood. Tempted?” He chuckles as he advertised his second item as though an unscrupulous merchant was introducing his goods to others with much professionalism and passion. The second box opened and revealed a bangle that shone with evil-looking blood-red light emanating from it. It had a thick smell of blood as though it’s an item born from blood itself.
“And lastly, the World Tree branch. It is a rare and precious branch that you can’t even come across in your entire lifetime. It has the miraculous effect of saving anyone in the brink of death and curing their wounds, no matter how grievous, to a peak and healthy state. The only drawback of this is that it can only be used once. And due to it being only a small branch, it can’t revive the dead.” Artho opened the last box and a glow so beautiful it couldn’t find any comparison nor words in Hell shone out. It shone at the trio and all of them felt invigorated just from being shrouded by the light. Their vitality became active and new leaves grew on Sunirae, more legs grew on Pendra and the hidden injuries from the earlier fight recovered, making Yhaele astonished.
Artho’s voice while explaining the World Tree branch was filled with seriousness and solemnity as though it was the most important thing among the three items. Although his face couldn’t be seen behind the deep darkness, one could feel that his expression was as serious as his words.
“So, which one are you going to pick?” The darkness seemed to stop stirring as the trio felt tense and their breathing stopped for a moment, unsure of what to choose.