Realizing that his life was in danger, the Satrap froze. Yet, he did not panic. With his presence of mind, he avoided attracting any attention by slowly rising to his feet and carefully stepping back with as little noise as possible.

‘He’s a complete joke. No wonder this place is lawless. What else would you expect from an incompetent ruler?’

Suddenly, Dhi’b grinned at him and asked, “Where do you think you’re going?”

“Ah!” the Satrap yelled in fright. He was so startled that he stumbled backward, sprawling on the floor.

Watching the obese man, Dhi’b just sighed. Despite his disdain, he couldn’t help but feel embarrassed for him.

Instead of staying on the floor, the fat man quickly bolted in panic.

‘It appears that fear is a powerful motivator.’

“Imbeciles! Quickly, help me, dammit! He’s trying to kill me!” the Satrap bellowed as he lumbered towards his men. Instead of rushing to his side, his supposed protectors merely pretended to rescue him; their movements were slow, while most just stared at him.

‘Well, this perfectly epitomizes his relationship with his men.’

“What’s wrong with you, imbeciles? I’ve paid you generously, yet you fail to do your duties. Utterly worthless!” the ruler lashed out at his men upon reaching the relative safety of his forces. After berating them, the cowardly ruler composed himself and turned his attention to the merchant. “Surrender now, grandmaster. You’re surrounded. Should you submit peacefully, I’ll grant you the mercy of a swift and painless death.”

‘Grant me? The audacity of this swine!’

Sitting on the Satrap’s seat, Dhi’b couldn’t help but sigh in exasperation. “Tsk, tsk. Your grace, that’s just what villains always say—so predictably unoriginal.”

The merchant’s statement was so infuriating to the ruler that he finally snapped. “Shut up!” he screamed, his eyes bulging as if they might pop out. Who could blame him? Not only was he sprawled on the floor like some butchered meat, but he was also seen fleeing like a cowardly idiot, with everyone staring at him. Only someone with the thickest skin could survive such humiliation, especially given his status. Lucky for him, he was shameless. That’s why his anger just exploded, blaming everyone instead of himself. “If you don’t shut up…”

‘How dare you scream at me, you worthless scum!’

“Shout again, and I’ll kill you first,” Dhi’b threatened, his tone chilling and calm, while his aura pulsated suddenly and briefly, causing the Satrap to swallow back his words. Staring at the terrified ruler, he smiled and nodded approvingly. “Good. That’s good. We can finally have some peace and quiet here,” he remarked, satisfied with the silence. As if in his own world, he nonchalantly reached out for the ruler’s uneaten food and began to eat. “Ah, finally, some food. I’m starving.”

‘I could criticize this b*stard for many things, but I must admit, he has good taste in food.

Damn, this is delicious!’

“What are you doing?” the ruler inquired, finally regaining some of his courage.

“Are you blind? I’m eating, you idiot!” he snorted, relishing his food. “Ah! This is good. I commend you, your grace. Your chef is extremely skilled. Perhaps you should raise his salary,” he advised, turning to his attendant. “Hey Nasir, you should taste this. You won’t believe how delicious this is,” he remarked, offering the plate.

“Mmm... You’re absolutely right, master. This is delicious,” Nasir responded, savoring each bite.

When he witnessed the interaction between the merchant and his servant, the Satrap's jaw dropped. He couldn’t understand why they remained so calm in such a dire situation. However, after the ruler composed himself and collected his thoughts, he regained his confidence. “Grandmaster, please surrender. This will prevent further bloodshed.”

‘Bloodshed?’

“Whose bloodshed?” Dhi’b questioned, glancing at the ruler and snorting before taking another bite from his food, enjoying it for a moment. “You shouldn’t be this dumb, right? If you’ve attained the title of Satrap, one would expect a modicum of intelligence.”

“Master, his title is hereditary,” the attendant remarked.

“Ah! Now, I see,” he left the words unsaid, staring straight into the ruler’s eye while struggling to suppress a laugh. Left with no choice, he stuffed his mouth with more food instead.

“You! Y-You…,” the Satrap screamed, trembling in outrage as his voice echoed through the silent room. Though his words left him, replaced by unconstrained emotions, it did not stop the ruler. Status be damned, he showed no shame.

‘Is he about to burst? Can somebody stop that thing?

Sigh. Sometimes, I hate myself. I can be petty and, at worst, very spiteful. I don’t even have a problem with people who are overweight. I find them adorable. My favorite barkeeper is on the heftier side, and even some of my business partners overindulge in the luxury they can afford; it’s the hazard of the profession, you might say. At the end of the day, it’s their business.

It seems the wicked bring out the darkness in others. Will I be like that idiot now? I hope not. Though it would be very funny.’

“Careful now, Satrap. Don’t shout,” Dhi’b remarked, shaking his head in warning. “Let me simplify it for you. You suggested we should surrender to avoid bloodshed, but if we did, we’d end up dead. So, whose bloodshed are we avoiding? Certainly not ours. Wouldn’t it be better for us to fight? To have bloodshed on your side as well?”

When he heard the merchant’s words, the ruler stared at him for a moment, sweat starting to form on his forehead as he tried to come up with a response. “As I said earlier… What I mean is, if you surrender, I’ll grant you a painless death.”

‘Grant me? This arrogant b*stard! Let’s see who’s more arrogant between us.’

“Ah, painless death? Hmm…” Dhi’b mused for a moment, appearing to ponder the offer as he glanced into the air. “Can we even trust your words? Wouldn’t it be better for us to fight, where death will be swift?”

When he saw the merchant consider his offer, the ruler smiled; this smile widened into a grin upon hearing his response. He believed he had already won as he stood proudly and declared, “You can trust me because I’m the Satrap. My words are weighed in gold.”

‘Just gold? You’re cheap, then.’

Suddenly, looking around and seeing gold everywhere, Dhi’b erupted into laughter. “Then your words are cheap.”

Realizing he’d been played, the ruler finally had enough. As he was about to shout in anger, he caught himself just in time. When he saw Dh’b smirking at him, he averted his eyes as he swallowed hard upon remembering the dire warning of the merchant. With gritted teeth, he whispered instead, “K-Kill them.”

‘I didn’t know this toad could be funny. Perhaps he should have pursued a career as a jester instead. It seems he has a talent for it.’

The Satrap’s men exchanged uneasy glances, hesitating to attack. Just as they finally found their courage, the nearest soldier to the merchant had his head explode, leaving the rest frozen in shock, unable to even speak.

When Dhi’b saw their terrified faces, he could only sigh in regret.

‘Unnecessary death.

I know they’re just following orders. Some may even be forced into it. But this is a cruel world. Whether it’s forced or not, it’s still their choice. Given the chance, they would probably kill me without any hesitation. They might even brag about it.

Sigh. I’ve learned this lesson the hard way.

This doesn’t mean I don’t feel bad for them. It always leaves a bitter taste in my mouth. Maybe…

Whatever, let’s just see how this plays out.’

“Move forward, and you’ll die,” Nasir stated, warning them. Smirking at the soldiers, he nonchalantly played with a pebble in his hand while savoring the fear in their eyes.

“Your grace, you’ve been a bad host, constantly interrupting my dinner,” Dhi’b remarked, slurping a bowl of soup before burping in satisfaction. “Can you let me eat in peace?”

The ruler’s mouth just dropped, too shocked to even respond. Glancing at the attendant, he moved his head behind his men, not wanting to share the fate of the dead soldier.

With no one wanting to speak, the silence of the hall stretched on. That peace was finally broken. Tariq moaned, failing to free himself as his voice resonated in the quiet room.

‘Finally!’

“Hey, you’re… awake,” Dhi’b quipped with a smile, chewing as he spoke. “Nasir is always… asking about you, you know. He missed you… so much.”

“Why would I worry about that fool, master?” the attendant responded, scoffing at the very notion. “He’s an idiot for being caught by these fools.”

‘Ah, the banter begins.’

“See, Tariq, he missed you,” Dhi’b teased, laughing loudly.

The Satrap cursed himself for forgetting he had a prisoner. “Grandmaster, if you don’t surrender now, we will kill your companion,” he warned, while two of his soldiers pressed their blades against Tariq’s neck.

Dhi’b sighed at the threat. “You still don’t get it, do you, your grace? We’ve been at it for a while now, yet you fail to observe your soldiers’ reactions. Normally, they would’ve swarmed and attacked us already, but they didn’t. Do you know why?”

The ruler’s gaze swept across his forces, his eyes widening when he noticed the flicker of hesitation and the shadow of fear plastered on his soldiers’ faces. One death, or even several, shouldn’t have elicited such a reaction from them. After all, they were hardened men. This only showed how terrified they were of the merchant.

This realization caused the Satrap to swallow hard, the color draining from his once-flushed cheeks, rendering them pallid and ashen. The tension in the room thickened, hanging around the room like a heavy shroud.

‘Ah, fear. Now, he’s starting to understand the situation. Good.’

“First, they don’t have an ounce of loyalty to you. All they want is your money,” Dhi’b said, taking another bite from his food. “Second, even though they’re weak, they can feel it in their bones. They know that they are the prey. My title alone will bring most men to their knees. Look at your hired cultivators. You can see fear in their eyes, while they only see death.”

When he shifted his attention to the Satrap’s forces, his expression softened a little. He saw the fear in their eyes; this made him sigh. “If anyone wants to live, run. I won’t pursue you. This is not your fight. Don’t risk your life with someone like him. It’s not worth it.” He let his words linger in the air for a moment, emphasizing his point. “This is my final warning.”

‘I hope they take my offer to run away. I don’t want any pointless deaths.’

The silent room was shattered in an instant as chaos ensued. Soldiers exchanged nervous glances, with some engaged in hurried discussions while others resorted to shouting. Despite the varied reactions, one was certain: they all wanted to run away and save their lives.

The Satrap scowled with disdain when he saw this. Clenching his teeth, he bellowed, “Any coward who dares to flee will die! I will hunt you down if I have to. But if you stay, I will double… No, triple the rewards I promised you.” With an air of superiority, he gestured toward his captive and added, “He’s just trying to scare you. We have his companion. He’s powerless to do…”

‘Nice speech. But…’

Dhi’b glanced at his attendant, signaling for him to make his point clear.

Before the ruler could finish his words, the heads of the soldiers guarding Tariq exploded like watermelons hitting a wall. This instantly opened the floodgates as the soldiers fled. Even those who had been hesitating joined the frantic scramble to escape.

‘Wise choice.’

“I’ll never forget this!” the Satrap screamed as if steam were rising from his head. His anger was quickly replaced by panic when he saw his forces dwindling to less than half.

‘Oh, there are still some soldiers left. I did not expect that. Are they brave souls or idiots?’

“It seems I’m wrong. There are still a few loyal to you, your grace,” Dhi’b remarked casually before savoring another piece of meat.

As the merchant continued to eat, one of the high-ranking soldiers bowed in respect. “Forgive me, honored one, but we have no choice. He has our family.”

“Ah! Not loyal then,” Dhi’b responded, studying the soldier carefully. He saw the resolve in his eyes, not to fight, but to accept his fate—his demise. Nodding, he stated, “You’ve made your choice. I will respect that. Don’t worry; we’ll ensure your death is as swift and painless as possible.” Pausing briefly, he gave him a somber smile, and the other soldiers who were watching. “Rest assured, I’ll ensure that this bulbous tyrant is dead so that he can no longer threaten your family.”

Pulling out his dagger from its sheath, Nasir bowed before them in reverence. All eyes turned towards him, their gazes heavy, as if accepting their impending fate. Standing proud and tall, he looked like doom emerging from his abyssal throne. Despite their trembling hearts and teary eyes, the soldiers stood their ground—resolute. They already accepted death’s embrace, ready to join him, unyielding without disgrace. And so they stood their ground with honor, which made their ancestors proud. Facing doom in a deadly dance, they did not give retreat a single glance.

Nasir advanced. His movements were like a dance, graceful yet slow, flowing like the wind. They couldn’t land a single blow. Everyone he passed met their untimely end; with a single motion, his dagger swept like a reaper, and their heads fell with a whimper. Yet they came, facing doom, unafraid of their fate. Though they faced certain deaths, their faces were free of hate. Amidst the carnage, fire and ice erupted. The cultivators unleashed all their might. Still, he remained untouched. Truly, he was doom ascending to his mortal throne. With a flick of his finger, their heads exploded, yet they didn’t surrender. Until none were left but a whisper, and Nasir, the cold reaper, whose tears flowed like an endless river.

On that cold night, Dhi’b witnessed a dark play, valiant yet tragic. Throughout, he did not blink, a solemn tribute to those who fought and died but did not retreat. As the performance drew to a close, he sighed with mournful eyes and remained silent for a while.

‘Undeserved deaths never get easier, even after all these years.’

Dhi’b sauntered over to Nasir, handing him a handkerchief. Wiping his eyes, the attendant nodded in gratitude. “Thanks.”

“We all die someday; that is certain. Being able to choose how to die is a luxury some might not get,” the merchant remarked, turning his attention back to the Satrap, who was so overcome with fear that he couldn’t even run away, instead cowering on the floor.

‘There are times when you meet someone who deserves to die. When you have that moment, you should savor it. Sigh.’

Elysian’s somber mood faded, replaced by a nonchalant expression, followed by a wide grin. “Ah, that was delicious,” he said, burping loudly before walking towards the Satrap. “A delightful dinner, Your Grace. Thank you.”

‘This is the cause of all this mess.’

Quickly looking up, the ruler’s eyes widened with fear. Upon seeing the merchant smile, hope surged within him, and he pleaded, “I’m sorry, honored one.” The Satrap knelt in front of Dhi’b, begging for mercy. “Please forgive me. I was foolish for believing them.”

‘What’s this idiot talking about now?’

“Them?” Dhi’b asked, raising a brow.

‘Disgusting!’

“Yes, someone tipped me off that you found a very valuable relic,” the ruler quickly responded, nodding eagerly as tears, sweat, and mucus mixed into a repulsive fluid spread across his face.

“I don’t care about that. I’m asking about the identity of those people.”

“I don’t know, honored one. They wore a hood and mask.”

‘Lacking originality.’

“A typical villain getup,” the merchant muttered, shaking his head. “Very cliché.”

“Honored one, I’ll give you a lot of money,” the Satrap continued, attempting to bribe him when he saw the opportunity. “I'll offer you riches that will blow your mind.”

“... riches that will blow my mind?” he asked, his eyes suddenly glistening while his lips curled into a vicious grin.

“Yes…”

Dhi’b suddenly poured all his anger and frustration into a single kick, causing the ruler’s head to explode, spraying bits of skull and brain matter everywhere. It even reached across the hall, splattering Tariq with something wet, making him squirm.

The tale has been stolen; if detected on Amazon, report the violation.

‘Ah! That feels nice.’

“Idiot, I’m richer than you,” the merchant remarked, passing by the ruler’s lifeless body.

“What the f*ck is this? Is this brain? Sh*t! Who the hell did this?!” Tariq screamed after being freed by Nasir. He looked at his master and the attendant, who just exchanged glances with each other.

“Not me,” Dhi’b quickly denied, averting everyone’s gaze.

“Don’t lie, master. I saw what you did,” Nasir scowled.

“Me, lying?” Dhi’b asked with an expressionless face. “I would never do such a thing. Tariq, you be the judge. I only killed one person here,” he said, pointing to the body of the ruler ahead. “While he killed everyone. Just look at how close the bodies he killed are to you. This clearly shows that it’s his fault.”

‘The gang is back.’

“You’ll pay for this,” Tariq growled, giving Nasir a deathly stare while the attendant did the same to his master.

‘Yup, we’re back.“

Dhi’b just cleared his throat nonchalantly, as if the situation didn’t involve him. Moving toward his companion, he masterfully changed the topic. “Tariq, let’s heal you first before leaving this place.”

He kept staring at the attendant before eventually nodding to his master and taking a seat beside him.

“Tell us what happened,” the merchant said, placing his hands over the injuries as he started to heal.

“I don’t know, master. After I got out of the labyrinth, I was pursued. I was able to lose them and hide the artifact. I decided that it would be better to meet you first before retrieving it. So, I sent you the message, but along the way, I lost consciousness,” Tariq sighed, looking at his healed injuries. “After that, I woke up in a room where they tortured me. They didn’t get anything from me. I don’t know how long I was there, but after some time, I lost consciousness again. When I woke up, I was here, tied, gagged, and blindfolded.”

“Hmm… It's best if we leave this place,” Dhi’b said, looking around them before a smile crept onto his face. “Lead us to the artifact. It’s better to recover it swiftly so I can pass that problem on to someone else.”

----------------------------------------

The trio embarked on a relentless journey, enduring three whole days without rest to reach the location where Tariq had concealed the Eye of Sacraeon. Their path led them through the vast expanse of the Great Desert, each step a battle against the scorching sun and shifting sands. Finally, on the third day, they stumbled upon a small oasis nestled amidst the dunes in the eastern reaches of the desert. It was a secluded sanctuary, shielded from prying eyes and far removed from the bustling main roads frequented by merchants and travelers.

“Master, I’ve hidden the artifact under that palm tree,” Tariq pointed out.

‘Finally, where here. That was a grueling journey.’

“Good. Now, go get it,” Dhi’b, nodding to him before turning to his attendant. “Nasir, start the fire and prepare the food. We’ll be staying here tonight.”

“Yes, master,” his companions responded, bowing in unison before doing their tasks.

‘I can finally rest.’

Dhi’b sat beside the well, relaxing as he quenched his thirst with cool water, savoring each sip as it refreshed him from the desert heat. As he always did, he turned his gaze towards the setting sun, its warm hues painting the horizon in a breathtaking view. Lost in his thoughts, he let his mind wander, carried away by its melancholic beauty.

As the moon began its ascent, Tariq returned, carrying a black box adorned with strange red symbols etched into it. “Master, here’s the Eye of the artifact.”

‘After all the years of searching, it’s finally in my hands.’

The merchant took the box and carefully examined the intricate symbols on its surface. “This is the first time I’ve encountered this kind of hieroglyph,” he remarked thoughtfully. “Perhaps they predate the Great Calamity.”

“Master, here’s your food,” Nasir said, offering Dhi’b his dinner.

“Where’s mine?” Tariq demanded, scowling at the attendant.

“Am I your servant? Get your food, idiot,” Nasir retorted, snorting in response.

“I’ve been doing my damn job getting that thing while you can’t even do yours,” Nasir snapped, his frustration clear in his tone.

“My job is to serve the master, not…”

“Nasir, you're the expert in these,” Dhi’b stated, ignoring his companion's banter and directing his attention to the artifact. “Can you read these hieroglyphs?”

Nasir eagerly approached the merchant, took the box, and began inspecting the symbols excitedly, while Dhi’b ate beside him.

‘After three days, I can finally eat a proper meal.’

“Hmm… This is fascinating, master,” the attendant said, nodding to himself while fully engrossed in inspecting the box.

Dhi’b perked up upon hearing that and quickly inquired, “Can you read it?”

“No, but I’ve seen this type of wood before.”

“Is that wood?” the merchant asked, touching the box again and feeling how smooth it was. “I thought it was marble.”

‘Interesting.’

“Yes, master, it’s wood,” Nasir responded, smiling as he explained further. “Agarwood, to be exact. An extinct species before the Great Calamity. I once saw a trinket made of this in the Great Library. The scholar there said that this particular wood had long been extinct when the Great Calamity happened, so this is very ancient. This wood alone is a great find, master. This is priceless.”

‘Priceless?’

“Hmm… Yes, it is. It’s priceless,” Dhi’b muttered, pausing for a moment before a grin spread across his lips. “The agreement is to give this artifact, not the box, right?”

Looking at him, Nasir quickly grasped what the merchant was implying as he grinned back. “You’re right, master. Maybe we can tell him we found the artifact atop a stone pedestal or something.”

Both of them maintained a sly grin, exchanging knowing glances as they conspired together. Their eyes sparkled with mischief, and a sense of camaraderie filled the air as they plotted their next move.

“Ah, the master and servant are scheming again with their evil minds,” Tariq grumbled, scoffing at them before he resumed eating.

Brushing off their companion's swipe, Nasir and the merchant eagerly immersed themselves further into their discussion about the box and their plans for it. Their voices grew animated, punctuated by occasional bursts of laughter, and exchanged glances filled with anticipation. Oblivious to their surroundings, they appeared completely absorbed in their shared excitement and scheming.

“Tariq, have you opened it before?” Dhi’b asked while his eyes were still on the box.

“No, I was afraid of traps if I opened it carelessly.”

“Hmm. You’re right,” the merchant responded, nodding in agreement with his decision before turning to the attendant. “Nasir, how can we be sure it’s safe to open?”

“I don’t know, master.”

“Can we even open it?” Tariq asked, his brow furrowed as he joined the conversation. “Doesn’t it have any seals or perhaps a mysterious mechanism to unlock it?”

“Let’s try,” Dhi’b agreed, carefully attempting to open it, but he couldn’t. When he noticed a small red circle near the lid, he reached out to touch it. “Damn!” he cursed, startled, as the box slipped from his grasp and fell to the ground. As it made contact with the floor, the red hieroglyphs momentarily shined before vanishing. When he looked at the box again, it turned completely black.

‘What the heck!’

“Master, what happened?” Nasir asked, concerned in his voice.

“A needle pricked me when I touched near the lid,” Dhi’b responded, his eyes narrowing as he examined the blood staining his finger before turning his attention to the box. “What happened to it?”

“I don’t know. It feels ominous,” Tariq replied, his breaths shallow and quick while his eyes widened in fear as he stared intently at the box as though expecting a monster might come out.

‘Ominous? This b*stard!’

“Hey, don’t scare me like that!” the merchant exclaimed, his brows furrowing with annoyance as he shot a disapproving glare at his companion before swiftly turning to face Nasir. “What do you think?”

“Hmm… I’m not certain,” the attendant replied honestly while still staring at the box. “But I can envision two likely scenarios.”

‘Good. You’re more helpful than that damn b*stard over there.’

“Okay?” Dhi’b responded, waiting curiously for his analysis.

“First, the blood is needed to open the box, and that’s it,” Nasir said, pausing for a moment before sighing. “The second is much more problematic,” he continued, his tone tinged with concern, as though grappling with the complexities of the situation.

‘This doesn’t sound good.’

“Okay, say it,” the merchant responded, his tone revealing the worry he hid deep inside.

“The box serves as an intermediary between the artifact and its owner,” the attendant explained, glancing at his master. “This means the blood will not just open the box but will also transfer its ownership.”

‘Damn it!

This means I’ll become the owner of this artifact. While it might sound good, the one I owe would surely perceive it as a breach of trust. No explanation would suffice, and I can’t blame them. If I were in their shoes, I’d react the same way. This will not only bring me considerable trouble but could also provoke retaliation from them. I fear for the safety of my people.’

“Does this mean he owns the artifact now?” Tariq asked, glancing at his master with worry on his face.

“It’s possible,” Nasir responded, sighing.

“If that’s true, the debt will remain unpaid and cause many complications,” Tariq said, frowning as he stared at the box. “Hopefully, you're wrong.”

‘Yes, hopefully, he’s wrong too.'

“Master, do you feel anything unusual?” Nasir inquired, his eyes keenly observing his master for any kind of reaction.

‘Unusual?’

“No, why?” Dhi’b responded, confused by the question.

“I’m not sure, but I heard somewhere that powerful artifacts like this have a will of their own,” the attendant explained, staring straight at his master. “If they do, you should feel some type of connection to it.”

‘Isn’t that just the stuff of legends, though?’

“Living weapons?” the merchant asked, his eyes widening in surprise at his servant’s assertion. “Are they even real? I’ve only heard rumors about them, but I have never seen one.”

“They’re real. I’m sure of it,” Nasir said confidently. “But like you, master, I haven’t seen one either. I’ve only heard from trusted sources.”

‘If he’s sure that they’re real, then it seems the rumors are true.

Hmm…’

Tariq suddenly rose swiftly from his feet with a sense of urgency. His gaze, sharp and alert, swept over the merchant’s body with an intensity that made his companions uncomfortable. Unperturbed by their discomfort, he continued. Every contour of the merchant’s form was subjected to meticulous examination, and every detail was scrutinized as if searching for some hidden threat.

‘What is it this time?’

“What are you doing?” Dhi’b asked, raising his brow.

“Isn’t this artifact called the Eye of Sacraeon?” Tariq responded, his gaze inspecting his master as he spoke. “I’m searching for a third eye to appear somewhere.”

‘I knew it. This f*cking b*stard!’

“Stop joking!” Dhi’b exclaimed, his irritation clear in his voice as he scowled at his companion. When Tariq just stared back at him with a confused expression, the merchant paused abruptly, assessing his previous words. Suddenly, his eyes widened, and he hastily lifted his robe to join in the search. After finding nothing, he let out a sigh of relief. “Hey, cut it out. You’ll give me nightmares if you keep pulling stunts like that.”

‘This rascal might be the end of me.’

“Sorry, master,” Tariq said, bowing in apology. “I just thought it might be a possibility.”

‘He’s right about that. We lacked information in this matter.’

The merchant just sighed and waved his hand, signaling his acceptance of the apology.

“Will you open it?” Nasir inquired, taking the box and passing it to his master.

“Hmm… I don’t have a choice,” Dhi’b sighed, reluctantly taking the box and inspecting it once more. “I need to know if I’m really the owner of this thing.”

“Do you think it's an actual eye?” Tariq inquired curiously, glancing at his two companions.

‘Not again. Sigh.’

“Idiot, do you seriously think there’s an actual eye in there?” Nasir questioned, scoffing at him before he shrugged and offered his opinion. “It’s likely an accessory, maybe a ring or necklace with a large gem inscribed with hieroglyphs.”

‘It’s my guess as well.’

“You’re probably right,” Dhi’b said with an uneasy tone while nodding in agreement. “Be ready; I’ll open it,” he added, his hands trembling slightly as he slowly lifted the lid. The merchant’s heart pounded in his chest, his anxiety mounting with each passing moment while his mind raced with uncertainty.

‘It wouldn’t unleash some monster, right?’

Suddenly, the trio froze in shock and disbelief when they saw the artifact. It was an actual eye, pulsating with an otherworldly energy. And it was alive, staring at them with an eerie intensity that sent shivers down their spines.

“F*ck!” All three of them cursed simultaneously while staring back at the eye.

‘This got to be a joke, right?’

Remembering something, the master and servant exchanged a glance before turning their attention to Tariq, who responded with a casual shrug.

‘Now of all times.’

Sighing heavily, Dhi’b suddenly glanced at his companions, his voice low and serious as he said, “We have company.”

The trio rose to their feet, a sense of tension palpable in the arid air. As they scanned the horizon, the heat haze revealed the figures of five men, their silhouettes obscured by the billowing sands of the desert. Clad in dark robes that seamlessly blended with their surroundings, the masked faces of the strangers evoked an unsettling sense of impending disaster.

“Master, the villains have finally arrived,” Nasir stated, a mischievous grin spreading across his face as he idly played with a couple of pebbles in his right hand.

“It seems like it,” the merchant responded with a sigh.

‘I couldn’t get a proper rest because of them. Tsk.’

“They’re part of the group that chased me,” Tariq remarked, his gaze darkening with fury as memories of their relentless pursuit flooded his mind. “Don’t let your guard down. They’re dangerous, cunning, and relentless.”

“Yes, you’re absolutely correct. And more likely foreigners in this land.” Dhi’b remarked, observing their enemies carefully. “They’re not from around the desert.”

‘Let’s get this over with so that I can sleep.’

When their masked men stood before them, he smirked and quipped, “You’re finally here. I started getting bored waiting for you.”

The five mysterious figures remained quiet for a moment, their gazes filled with arrogance as they observed the trio. “Hand over the artifact, and we’ll grant you a painless death.”

‘You’ve got to be kidding me.’

“Oh my god!” Dhi’b exclaimed in frustration. “Did you teach that f*cking Satrap what to say? Can’t you be more original?”

“Quiet!” one of the masked men bellowed, his tone dripping with disdain as though addressing someone beneath him. Suddenly, his severed head fell to the ground, lips still moving, while his eyes looked confused and terrified.

‘Shut your mouth! I’m already pissed, and you’re making it worse by annoying me even more.’

“You should show some respect. Shouting at people you’ve just met is rude,” Dhi’b quipped, shaking his head as he sheathed back his sword. “Please lower your voice, okay? My ears are quite sensitive at night, and I get quite twitchy.”

The other four froze, staring at the head of their fallen comrade. Fear compelled them into action as they hastily retreated. “Attack!”

Out of nowhere, portals suddenly materialized out of thin air, encircling the trio. From within these mysterious gateways, hooded figures emerged, much like the other five previously. They poured out in a relentless stream, their forms obscured by the deep folds of their cloaks, turning the once-barren desert into a swirling sea of darkness.

“F*ck! Master, that’s a lot,” Tariq said, stretching his arm.

‘Yep, I agree.’

Dhi’b unleashed his aura, and his domain materialized with intricate glyphs forming on the ground, pulsating with so much power that it reverberated through the air. Suddenly, the domain faded, and the once-terrifying power disappeared without leaving any trace. Now, he appeared to be nothing more than an ordinary man. However, upon closer inspection, one might be fortunate enough to discern a translucent, enormous serpent coiling around him, seamlessly blended with the surroundings, hidden from plain sight, ready to strike down any unsuspecting enemies foolish enough to attack the now seemingly ordinary merchant.

Nasir and Tariq's domains differed significantly from their master’s. While the merchant’s power seemed to reduce him to a mere mortal, concealing his formidable power, Nasir and Tariq exuded theirs with terrifying intensity. The air around the duo crackled with suffocating force; Nasir’s domain emitted a piercing sensation, like needles prickling at the senses, while Tariq’s seemed to exert oppressive power, seemingly crushing anyone who dared to draw near him.

“This is going to be an exhausting night,” Dhi’b stated, relief evident in his tone. “Good thing we ate.”

“Master, I didn’t eat anything,” Nasir said dejectedly, sighing as the other two could only stare at him before averting their eyes.

----------------------------------------

“You may have won this fight, but in the end, our god…”

‘Why won’t they stop?!’

Dhi’b swiftly silenced him by cutting his neck before he could finish his sentence. Grasping for breath, the man’s words choked off abruptly. “Why do all of you keep yapping?” the merchant demanded, his frustration boiling over. “Aren’t you tired? God this, god that. Damn, fanatics!” His voice echoed amidst the carnage as he collapsed atop a mountain of corpses, his body exhausted. With weary eyes, he glanced to the east, witnessing the first ray of dawn breaking over the horizon, casting a golden hue across the desolate battlefield.

‘Damn it, I didn’t get my sleep.’

“Master, are you alright?”

Dhi’b turned to his right and saw Nasir with an arm missing, battered and exhausted, yet with eyes as sharp and piercing as ever while dragging his body forward with determined grace. On his left, the merchant saw Tariq walking towards him, steadfast and unyielding, despite the swords piercing his back, a testament to his great resolve. “It seems both of you are still alive,” he quipped, a wave of relief flooding his voice as he spoke, grateful to see his trusted companions survive such a perilous and chaotic battle.

‘It seems fate is not yet done with us after all.’

“I nearly died a couple of times. Those are quite scary b*stards. Even in death, they continued to fight,” Tariq stated, sighing as he recalled the battle, sitting next to his master, while Nasir sat on the other side.

“You look terrible,” Nasir said with a chuckle. “You’re like a human porcupine.”

“What about you?” Tariq retorted, his tone dripping with sarcasm directed at the attendant. “One-armed servant.”

‘I thought I could finally find peace.’

“Could both of you be quiet?!” Dhi’b exclaimed, glaring at them.

Each member of the trio let out a tired sigh, a chorus of fatigue mingling with the crisp morning air. They remained seated together in quiet contemplation, watching the sun’s gradual ascent into the vast expanse of the horizon. Each ray of light carried the promise of a new beginning, instilling their weary hearts with renewed hope for a day yet to come.

‘I usually detest sunrise. When did the rising sun get so beautiful?’

“We better get going, master,” Nasir suggested after some time. “This much blood will surely attract something dangerous.”

“Can we just rest for a moment? What are you afraid of? An abyssal worm showing up here?” Tariq responded, laughing at the absurdity of the idea. However, before anyone could respond, the ground beneath them trembled, and without warning, six colossal abyssal worms, each measuring a hundred meters in length, burst forth from the depths. Their gaping mouths filled with rows of sharp, needle-like teeth. A primal scream erupted from these monstrosities, deafening and piercing, sending shockwaves through the air and shattering the earth around them. Its spine-chilling sound sent shivers down the hearts of the trio, who stood frozen in terror at the sight of these monstrous creatures.

‘Yep, I spoke too soon. It seems fate really wanted us dead.’

“You’ve cursed us, you fool!” the attendant screamed, trembling with fury. His face drained of color as he stared wide-eyed at the towering abyssal worms; their grotesque forms casting a terrifying shadow over them and the desolate landscape.

“F*ck, we’re doomed,” Tariq muttered to himself, his mouth hanging open in shock.

‘Yes, we’re truly doomed. Even though they’re still fixated on the corpses, the moment we make a move to escape, they swarm us. There’s no chance we could outrun these b*stards, especially considering we’re exhausted and out of aura.’

“I never imagined we’d meet our end like this,” Dh’b said, his voice a mixture of disbelief and humor, before bursting into laughter. His companions exchanged puzzled glances at his weird behavior, but considering their hopeless situation, they too found themselves chuckling along with him. “After all the near-death experiences we’ve had, being devoured by abysmal worms wasn’t exactly on my list of possible endings.”

“Me too. Remember when we got buried in that underground tomb without water and food?” Nasir asked, shaking his head while smiling at the memory. “That was the worst. I really thought we’d meet our end there.

“At least we’ll die a quick death,” Tariq added, sighing, resigned to his own fate.

In that desperate moment, Dhi’b remembered the Eye of Sacraeon. He quickly retrieved it and opened the box. “What do we do with this?” he asked, glancing at his companions, who stared at the box.

“Aren’t you curious if you’ll develop a third eye after using it?” Tariq quipped, studying the artifact carefully.

‘Won’t this b*stard ever stop! Hmm…

Well, now that I think about it, I’m curious too. I’m going to die anyway, so what would I have to fear?’

Dhi’b hesitated for a moment, his gaze lingering on the mysterious artifact, before reaching out and taking it. As soon as his fingertips brushed against the surface of the Eye of Sacraeon, it vanished, leaving behind an eerie sensation that crawled beneath his skin. Suddenly, a subtle energy surged through him, as if something unseen had taken residence within. Then, that feeling disappeared, leaving the merchant confused about what had happened.

‘What the hell! Is that it? What’s going to happen now?

Hmm…

Maybe it will make me super powerful. And save us from this wretched fate.’

Dhi’b felt hope surge within him, a glimmer of anticipation stirring as he waited for a miracle. But as time passed, his anticipation turned to unease. With each passing moment, he hoped for something, anything, to aid them, but the silence remained oppressive. Anxiety gnawed at him as he waited in vain. Then, out of nowhere, he noticed something materialize next to the worm’s head.

image [https://i.imgur.com/qTwF69T.png]

‘Is that all?

An artifact of legend? Legend, my @ss!’

Upon reading the remark, Dhi'b blinked a couple of times, his expression shifting from confusion to shock. His eyes widened as he processed the insult, and he froze in disbelief. His mouth hung open as the realization dawned on him that he had just been insulted by the goddamn artifact itself.

‘F*ck you!’

Frustrated and furious, the merchant wanted to scream at that moment, but he couldn’t. Drawing the attention of the worms towards them was the last thing he wanted in their precarious situation.

“Master, what should we do?” Tariq asked, casting a worried glance at the merchant.

“Pray,” Dhi’b responded through gritted teeth, still seething from what happened with the artifact. “Pray that we go to paradise.”

Both of his companions were taken aback. “But we don’t believe in gods,” they said in unison.

‘So this is it.’

As the sky suddenly darkened, the colossal mouth of the abyssal worm loomed over them, casting a terrifying shadow. In the fleeting moments before his death, he recalled a memory—the words of the old woman echoed in his mind.

“Stupid child, no one can go back in time in this life.”

Then, everything turned dark.

He died.

In the abyss, he saw the necklace the old woman had given him fly through the endless void before erupting into a pure, blinding light.