"There's the map..." she said as she pointed to a table at the side.
Nolan found his scroll on the table, but his eyes narrowed when he heard what she said.
He turned back to her with flashing eyes.
"You've read its contents?" Lucian asked with narrowed eyes.
"Of course, I have," she replied matter-of-factly. "You didn't expect us to take you in and not check what you've brought with you, did you?"
One of the men butted in, and though Lucian felt a distaste, there wasn't much that could be done.
"And the stone?" He asked.
"It's with you," she said.
Lucian immediately started touching everywhere, checking his pockets, but found nothing.
"No, it's not!" he replied.
"Yes, it is," she said.
There was a moment of silence, and then a thought appeared in Lucian's mind.
He quickly closed his eyes, focusing inward.
In an instant, he felt himself enter a new world—a world of his own body.
Quickly, he swam up with speed, moving toward the place where his Magus Core was situated.
When Lucian saw it, his jaw dropped.
Floating above the core was a dark, gem-like stone, oozing a dark aura that occasionally seeped into the core itself.
It was like an unbreakable link.
Lucian's eyes snapped open, regaining his consciousness.
That could only mean one thing—he had successfully undergone his first Awakening and fused with the artifact.
"But how?" he wondered aloud.
There was no way he should have fused with the artifact at all. He remembered falling unconscious with the stone in his hands.
So how was it possible that it had now fused with him?
In the end, he could only look at the old woman.
Lucian rose to a knee and bowed deeply, surprising the trio in the room.
"I have no idea how, but I do know I couldn't have fused with the artifact without some sort of help."
"Thank you very much!"
This time, Lucian was honest, and the earlier distrust he felt toward the group began to fade.
He knew well that being caught by any aboriginals usually meant death, and somehow, he was still alive.
Even when he was unconscious and defenseless, they hadn't harmed him.
When he woke up, he wasn't bound or restrained.
Instead, he found himself on a cozy warm mat, his map placed at his side, and the Void Stone now fused with him.
There was no longer any doubt. If they wanted him dead, they would have done so long ago.
And even if they wanted to kill him now, he doubted he could fight off the two giant men and survive.
There was no need to keep his guard up so high anymore.
If anything, he should be thankful.
Lucian tried to remain in his bowing position for some time, but he felt incredible pain and weakness in his knees, causing him to fall back onto his butt.
"Your body is still too frail and weak. You need to eat first to regain some strength," the old woman said as she slid the bowl of stew toward him.
Lucian picked it up and began eating.
Surprisingly, it wasn't half as bad as he expected, and he even rushed to eat more, looking like a barbarian.
The two men glanced at him as if he were some kind of monkey, while the old woman only smiled brilliantly.
Raising her hand, both men stood.
"We have news of the Night Crawler, Grand Mother. We've found its trail and located its home, just behind the hills," said Theo, the bulkier of the two men.
The old woman's eyes furrowed as Lucian continued chewing his food, seemingly paying no attention to the conversation.
"We're planning to gather a small group of hunters and hunt it down, bringing it to its end once and for all," the scarred man added.
The old woman's eyes flashed.
"When do you plan to hunt it down?" the Grandmother asked both her sons.
"Three days from now, when the moon will be at its fullest," they replied. She nodded.
"Okay then. You may proceed with your plan."
"Make sure to inform me the night before the fateful day arrives," she said, and the two men nodded, bowing with respect before leaving the small hut.
'She's greatly respected...' Lucian observed silently.
He could see how the two men bowed to her with reverence, their respect not something that could be faked.
It was strong, giving Lucian the idea that both men would sacrifice their lives to ensure the old woman's safety.
The bond was that strong.
It didn't take more than a few seconds for Lucian to finish his food.
When he was done, he felt a soothing sensation spread through his entire bloodstream, energy returning to him.
He stood up, cracking his bones.
Looking down at his body, Lucian seemed even frailer and thinner than before, though he also noticed he had grown slightly taller.
His previous height had been around 1.75 meters, but now he was about 1.8 meters tall.
It was truly a change.
"Come with me. It seems there's much about you I need to know, and I believe the reverse is also true."
"Also, it's best if you leave the scroll here. It's the safest place to keep its contents secure," she said to him before heading outside.
Lucian hesitated for a few moments before ultimately making his choice, following her and leaving the scroll on the table.