Chapter 38: The Point of No Return

The monster in front of Tobias was vaguely reptilian in nature. Its head was covered in dark green scales, but there were a few missing cracks – almost as if it was forced or pried away by claws. Underneath those missing scales only revealed black, pulsing muscle-like skin, which resembled dried, burnt leather.

But that was where the reptilian features ended. Because its body – was a gross, mismatched combination of various animal parts. It had a large snake as a ‘tail’, except that the snake seemed to be stitched on where its anus should be with gigantic, metallic staples, and such snake was already dead.

Its actual body had the form of a lion, except all of its fur was ripped away, exposing its starving, bony visage. And its hind legs were torn away, and in its place were a pair of spindly horse legs, stapled and screwed in. Its front legs had metallic claws attached to where natural, bone claws should have been, and the way it scarred hinted that those natural claws were pried away, before metal claws were shoved and nailed in place.

It was a terrible, horrible beast. But Tobias instinctively felt that this was not a product of nature... What God was cruel enough to imbue its creature with metal? It seemed to be in pain just by existing.

Its yellow, reptilian eyes painfully looked up at them, and then the sight which clouded those yellow, dull eyes was an expression Tobias understood.

Primal fear.

It quickly stood up to its full height, even if such a motion only made its claws draw blood from its front paws – no doubt injuring its own self. Its maw opened, and revealed a sight that Tobias wasn’t sure he would forget.

What animal... did not have teeth made of teeth, and instead had teeth made of two-pronged iron spikes which were already rusted? The way the those dried, bloodied stains clashed against the horribly decayed, rotting, rusting iron...

It was painful to see.

Who... No... What made this...?

“What... is that...?” For the first time, Clara spoke. Her voice had obvious pity and disgust, rolled into one, even combination. An accurate expression, if nothing else.

“A Chimera...” Bastille replied, and for once, his eyes weren’t shining with pride for educating Clara on something she didn’t know. They were only dulled with faint disgust. “An artificial Chimera...”

“Take up your positions.” Jacques ordered from behind, and glancing behind, Tobias finally saw that he wasn’t hallucinating after all.

Because Jacques’ eyes really did burn white.

“We’re going to grant mercy to this... thing. Bastille, barrage it with your spells. Tobias, form an offensive front line with me and we’ll keep its attention while attacking it. Clara, run interference and do damage to it from range.”

Without any more words, they organized themselves like so.

Everyone had collectively understood that right now, they weren’t just Adventurers.

They were now Executioners, and could grant this... creature... the peace of death.

It was not even right to call this creature a monster. Because whoever – whatever did this... was the real monster.

***

[Analysis Complete]

[Artificial Chimera]

[Level ???]

[Race: ???]

[Class: ???]

[This creature, a crude mishmash of different animal parts.

There is a Human serving as its processing core – that is to say, its brain.

You might know of this number; 23724]

[Unknown Attributes/Stats. Assume they are higher than yours.]

NEW QUEST!

Heart of an Executioner

Objective: Free this Creature from its misery

Rewards: 30,000 Experience + Dungeon Key (Tier 3)

Jacques did not know who 23724 was, and that fact was a minor blessing by itself, because he did not have a human face to associate to such creature.

But what came next was only thoroughly insulting.

He knew that it would be impossible for him to ever use of any [Experience] he gets from killing any monster.

This was too cruel. It was almost as if it was dangling food in front of a starving dog, and yanking it away when the dog tried to bite. And even if the dog manages to snatch its rightful treat, it only turns out to be something inedible instead.

...

Whatever. Tobias wanted [Experience], did he not?

Of course... a normal human being would not be able to bear the strains of a fully developed [System]. Even with a loop-around method such as using Clara as an anchor, he knew that Tobias’ [System] was still limited – it only seemed to take form in the confines of his own mind, and he needed Clara to manifest such thing to begin with.

Well... his own [System] was much more limited to begin with, so he didn’t have any right to judge. But he was still alive too, so he shouldn’t really complain about it. That was the price of power after all, no?

So with that, he nodded to himself, and issued out his commands for his party.

They weren’t just Adventurers right now. They weren’t out to merely Slay such a creature.

Now... It was time for an Execution. It was only right to give that blessing to such pathetic, pain-filled existence.

How awfully ironic, don’t you think?

***

It was a fight –

No. It was not even a fight.

Even if the creature swiped with its undoubtedly lethal claws, each attack came painfully slow – painfully telegraphed.

How could it not? Simply moving was probably a minor hell for the creature to begin with. No, it was a miracle for it to even still be alive.

Magical Dungeon, huh? It really was Magical in its own dark, depressing way.

There was no exhilaration. No sense of danger. No desperation, nor any driving need to win.

It was like attending an execution, or watching a dying dog.

It made Tobias feel melancholic and hollow inside.

Each strike from the creature came slower and slower than before, and he knew that the arrows Clara had launched, as well as Bastille’s fiery spells which only brought even more pain to it would end its life quickly – quicker than any wound he can inflict on it with his sword.

He only dodged each incoming strike with a lot of distance to spare, while arrows and fire sailed from around him, landing towards the creature.

It did not even last for a minute, before the creature in front of them finally collapsed in exhaustion.

The creature only continued to look at them with fear. But beneath those eyes glazed with fear... Tobias could tell that it wanted to die. Even if its instincts demanded that it should fight to live, at the end of the day, some small part of it understood that it was simply too miserable to live.

Clara had stopped firing arrows. Bastille carefully closed his grimoire.

Jacques only continued to stare at it. His blue eyes turned white once more, before nodding to himself. Then he stared back at Tobias, and those glowing white eyes which almost seemed to burn reverted themselves back to its usual, color of the sky.

“Go on, Tobias.” Jacques said, and gave him a smile that was too hollow to ever naturally belong on his face. His palm was open, and extended towards the creature’s direction – as if he was serving it towards Tobias. “Grant this creature its end. It begs for it, can’t you see?”

Tobias turned towards the creature, who only hissed... or growled in misery. Even he couldn’t tell what animal it was supposed to make noise as. But those yellow, reptilian eyes which used to be dull – finally shone a different emotion he would not have expected to see on a dying creature.

Hope.

... Was it hoping for its death?

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He shook his head to clear away his thoughts. He carefully approached the creature of tormented existence. Then he raised his sword, and with a heavy sigh, he brought it down towards its head. But as his sword was falling, its mouth only opened.

...

Just like that, there was silence. Its whimpers had been silenced, and it had been finally laid to rest.

No sooner after Tobias withdrew his longsword, which stained both blade and his hands black, the creature’s corpse began to dissolve into light. But not without the rays of light turning into shapes.

The figure of a lion roars. The figure of a snake hisses. The figure of a horse gallops.

The figure of a human...

And just like that, it was gone. The silence was almost too deafening – until it was disrupted by the sound of metal clinking against the stone, cavern floor.

It was a key. Of course it was a key.

That was what they came here for, was it not? This Dungeon Key which would open their reward chest...

Normally, they would be happy. But the air around was empty, and sad.

Clara only cast her gaze forwards, where the creature had been executed had disappeared. In her eyes were relief for its death, and melancholy. In combination with her natural, new-found silence recently, Tobias could only tell that she’s going to be even more silent from this point on.

Bastille only had narrowed eyes, barely constrained anger flaring beneath them. It was almost as if he was blaming himself for the creation of such a thing... He always did say that Mages weren’t exactly good people, didn’t he? That creature... it was only likely that it was the work of a Mage, was it not? Bastille himself seemed to have reached that conclusion.

Jacques...

That was a can of worms Tobias did not expect to encounter.

Why were his eyes glowing white? Why does he seem like he knew where to go – like he had been in this place before? Why is he acting so strangely? His brilliant, kind, warm charisma was nowhere to be found – only replaced by hard, unmerciful, cold logic.

It was almost as if... Jacques was a completely different person.

It was almost as if... Jacques didn’t look at people like they were people.

It was almost as if... Jacques was only looking at numbers and statistics...

And just as one gazes at the Light...

The Light gazes back.

With a wave which was ever too forced to be friendly, Jacques tilted his head to the side, gazing at him with a false expression of confusion. “What’s wrong, Tobias?”

Tobias blinked.

In that instant – gone was Jacques’ cold gaze. It was replaced instead by an expression he was more familiar with – genuine concern.

Tobias blinked again.

“No... It’s nothing.” He said, shaking his head.

What was he seeing...?

With those words, Jacques only let out a respectful nod, before walking towards the dropped Dungeon Key. Picking it up, the Swordsman placed his finger within the loop, and twirled it around almost carelessly.

“Why do you guys look so depressed? Let’s get out of here.” With a grin, Jacques launched the key from his fingers towards the air, and caught it with a quick, practiced hand. “We might get an Artifact this time. I can feel it.”

And with those words, their Leader only made his way back to the large gates, and a soft click was heard – indicating that the door had been unlocked again.

Tobias found himself turning towards Bastille.

“I don’t know what happened to him.” The Sorcerer instantly answered back – as if he had read Tobias’ intentions from a mile away. “But whatever it was... this place seems to remind him of something tragic...”

“I see...” Tobias muttered, blankly looking at the opened door. “I was hoping you’d know something about it.”

“Hah.” Bastille scoffed, then turned away to walk towards the newly opened doors. “Even if I did, I wouldn’t tell you. It’s not our place to tell any secret that doesn’t belong to us.” With those words, he idly glanced towards their Archer. “Isn’t that right, Clara?”

“Shut up.” She glared at him, and with a shrug, the Sorcerer only proceeded to walk towards the doors. Then she shook her head, and glanced back towards Tobias. She carefully offered her hand to him. “This place is only too sad. Let’s get out of here.”

He stared at the extended hand. “Have you finished sorting out your thoughts and feelings yet?”

“Mmm, well... No. But I think I’ve achieved peace with myself for now.” She smiled back warmly, and with those kind eyes and sweet smile, he decided to take her hand.

Her hand was warm... It was almost too ironic how her abyss-hued eyes shone much brighter and warmer, in comparison to those cold, light-stained eyes.

***

It was pleasant to note that after the creature – the Dungeon Boss was killed, the tunnels back had been lit by torches. And the journey back only revealed that the branching paths – only lead to different rooms which seemed to have no value whatsoever aside from getting them lost.

They were literally just white rooms – as if someone had tore the walls and ceiling and floor away, and only left a white backdrop. It was almost too surreal.

And the water was gone. So the trek back to the entrance was much, much faster now that they didn’t have water reaching to their knees to contend with, as well as Tobias singlehandedly dealing with giant rats.

That was the only silver lining there was in this Dungeon Delving experience.

And they managed to make it back to where they came from. The white colored door stood in front of them, and just at the foot the three steps or so stairs which would take them outside, there was a chest.

Unlike the bland, brown wooden chests of Tier 2 Dungeon Chests, this chest was was colored silver instead, and while it was still made of wood as evidenced by a knock, it still looked fancier than before.

“Alright, moment of truth.” Jacques commented, as he idly raised the key to present it to everyone. He turned towards Bastille. “Do you think there’s going to be an Artifact?”

“I hope there’s a Relic instead.” The Sorcerer commented, and...

Tobias was confused. They always asked themselves that questions whenever it was time to open a Dungeon Chest but...

“Now that I think about it, what’s the difference between a Relic and an Artifact, anyways?”

Both Bastille and Jacques turned towards each other, then let out a shrug of unison. Well, it was good that everything seemed to be back to normal after that encounter which placed everyone on edge, Tobias silently noted.

Adventurers really did recover quickly from these things... They had probably seen far worse things at some point in their lives. He could tell from their hardened gazes.

“There’s no real difference, really. We just call them Artifacts and Relics because... they’re, well, Artifacts and Relics.” Jacques answered.

“But don’t worry about it, they’re usually something an adventurer could use. And if not, we could always sell them to a historian or to another adventurer, or something.” Bastille finished with a shrug.

So that was the secret behind it. Aside from Bastille’s personal grimoire which he insisted is a Relic, then Tobias had never seen a Relic or an Artifact before.

“Don’t think about it too much, Tobias.” Clara offered and shook her head, while clicking her tongue with some annoyance. “It’s just business as usual for them.”

“I see...” He nodded. On hindsight, when she put it like that, it only made sense. They were the best of friends after all. And even their sense of subtle, sarcasm as humor was shared between them.

By now, Jacques had slotted in the silver key into the chest. And with a click, the chest opened. Their Leader slowly opened the chest and looking within, he let out a small smile.

“Looks like Clara’s got a new toy.” Bastille pointed out, and immediately regret it when the Archer right next to him elbowed him.

“Don’t make it sound like I’m some kid.” She huffed, glaring at the Sorcerer for a few moments, before returning her attention back to the contents of the chest.

Indeed. On top of those copper and silver coins – was an ebony, recurve bow. It was sleek, and was about the same length as Clara’s regular bow. It was also shiny, as if it was lacquered with some high quality varnish. But that was where the normalcy ended.

Because the bow’s string was metal. Silver, lustrous, thin, and looked almost too fragile to even touch – as if merely glaring at it for too long would cause the string to snap in two.

“Is that silver...?” Tobias asked.

“No... I think that’s Mythril...” Bastille said, but even he wasn’t sure about it.

“It’s just enchanted silver.” Jacques idly added, and Tobias faintly saw his eyes glow white, before fading back to blue.

Those white eyes really were capable of seeing things which weren’t normally seen by people, after all...

Clara idly reached out towards the bow, carefully withdrawing it from the chest. The way she examined it curiously reminded Tobias of a newborn child looking at a new toy. And he let out a silent chuckle, mostly because Bastille was right after all.

But then she nodded to herself, placing her fingers to draw the string. And with a slight huff, she managed to draw it back, before carefully letting it relax again.

“This is nice.” Clara said, pleased with her newly acquired weapon. Or Relic, or Artifact. Whatever it was called – she was happy with it.

“Glad you like it.” Jacques hummed, then turned back towards the chest. Pulling out a sack from his bag, Tobias let out a knowing hum. It was time to get paid.

The sight and sound of silver coins and copper coins being placed in a sack was only too pleasant. It was almost enough for him to forget about the accursed, pitiable creature.

Almost.

Such a thought made him sigh heavily, but he still continued to fill his sack with coins.

Money was supposed to be satisfying but... it didn’t quite satisfy him.

The Dungeon Boss didn’t really make him any stronger – didn’t make him any closer to his original quest.

He didn’t gain any real Fighting Experience from that creature.

That wasn’t a Fight, after all.

Only an Execution, that he himself carried out.

His hands were stained with blood already, weren’t they?

He remembered the creature he slayed by his own hand.

And how it spoke to him in a human voice when he took its life.

“thAnK yoU”

He felt sick...

“Wait... Tobias, what are you doing...!?”

The sound of his fist cracking against stone only answered for him, as he tried his best to keep himself from lashing out.

***

“Jacques.” Tobias began, and seated himself directly across his Leader, who had been tending to the fireplace. It served as their light, and their warmth.

Or that was how he had thought it would be. But right now, the gray, wispy smoke which drifted from the flames was almost like a translucent wall between them.

“Tobias.” Jacques greeted back, with a surprised expression. But his hands were still moving the stick he used to move around the wood they used as fuel. “Did you wish to talk to me?”

“Of course I do.” He nodded back, narrowing his eyes. “If you already knew that, then you saw me coming, didn’t you?”

“Well, well.” Jacques let out a wry grin. “It looks like you’re learning a thing or two from me.”

“You’re really good at picking up these little sorts of things from people, after all.” Tobias agreed, then set his arms on top of his legs. And with that, he slouched forwards, stared at his Leader. “Tell me... What happened in that Dungeon?”

Jacques blinked. Then he gave a soft smile. “What do you mean? Do you not remember what happened back then?”

“That’s not what I meant.” Tobias said. Then he let out a sigh. Jacques was one hell of a conversation partner, and knew how to deflect aside subtle attempts. But no matter. Subtlety wasn’t his forte, anyways. “Why are your eyes white sometimes?”

With those words, the smile from Jacques’ face dipped just slightly. “You saw them.”

It was not a question. It was a fact.

“I did.” Tobias nodded, with an equally serious face. “And that place... You’ve been there before, weren’t you?”

“No, of course not. I told you that I was only lucky.”

“Then how did you manage to lead us directly to that Dungeon Boss Room?” Tobias asked, and inched forwards. “And why the hell did those different paths look like white rooms when we left? Like the rooms were simply ripped off our perception?”

“Tobias.” Jacques began, with a tone that was too low, and was more reminiscent of a growl. Tobias flinched. He... he had never heard that tone from their Leader before. Then Jacques sighed, before his eyes turned into pleading gaze. “Please stop asking. It’s better for you to not know.”

“But –”

“Tobias, I never asked your circumstances, did I not?” Jacques interrupted him, but he bore a patient, understanding gaze. “I have respected your history and privacy, until you have decided to feel comfortable enough to share it with me. I would only wish to ask the same courtesy from you.”

Tobias gritted his teeth. This guy was right... So with a stiff, reluctant nod, he looked at Jacques once more. “I understand... I’m sorry.”

“It’s quite alright, Tobias.” Jacques only smiled at him. It was a pure, genuine smile – much unlike that hollow, fake smile he gave him back at the Dungeon. “Because you’re not as hardheaded as I thought you would be, I will tell you one thing at least.”

Tobias’ ears perked, and he turned to look at his Leader in the eyes, their gazes locking in place.

“The System is not what you think it is. Don’t get used to it.”

He blinked. “What... do you mean?”

“Marcus was it...?” Jacques began, and Tobias’ eyes widened. “He died when he acquired his System was it? That only meant that he was not ready to bear the price of the System.”

Tobias’ head only swirled more, as each word that came out of Jacques’ mouth only seemed to make more questions pop out.

“W-what...?”

“He died because he flew too close to the realm of the Gods, and they struck him down.” Jacques tonelessly said, without any mirth or irony in his expression. Then he suddenly stood up, and clapped his hands. “Alright, then! That’s all for tonight. Just in time, Tobias. It’s your night watch shift now.”

Marcus flew too close the realm of the Gods...?

“What do you mean? Wait!” Tobias stood up to stand and took a step towards him – but he was only met by the harsh glare of Jacques.

Once more – the calm oceans of his eyes were replaced by bright, almost burning white flames instead.

“Tobias. If you take one more step towards me or ask one more question, I swear that you will wake up in the next morning without you remembering how or when you slept.” Jacques warned, with a tone so calm, so eerie – it was far too unexpected from their Leader. “You have to understand that it is only for your own good. Ignorance is, after all, a bliss.”

With those words, Tobias froze in place. He could only watch Jacques as he walked into the forest, before sitting down against a tree, wrapping himself with his own blanket.

How much of that charismatic, brave leader was Jacques...? How much of that cold, merciless person was Jacques...?

Which one was the real Jacques?

He looked down. There was only a single branch below him, in front of him.

The exact, one step towards Jacques was only marked by this single branch which was bereft of any leaves – it marked the point of no return.

But even if he didn’t take this step past the point of no return... Tobias already knew that he would not be able to look at Jacques the same way ever again.

Who are you, Jacques?

He would figure out who Jacques is, truly he would. If only for the sake of learning why Marcus suffered his fate, at least.

Even if it meant stepping past the point of no return, and declaring war.

Because if Jacques was desperate enough to protect his secrets by threatening Tobias...

Then that only meant that blades would work where words fail, did it not?