Subtitle: Poison
I felt a ringing in my ears. I looked around, but there was no one noticeable.There has always been a fear inside me."Would someone who joined the Adventurer Hunt find me?"
For a moment, our eyes met — with the Hunter.Unintentionally, my hand went into my pocket.I gripped the tiny dagger inside so tightly that it almost cut my hand.
The Hunter looked at me calmly.He stopped and began to smile.He moved his lips.
Hunter – "I'll deal with you later. So wait a little longer."
There were several kilometers between us, yet I could hear his voice clearly.I was scared. I quickly let go of the dagger in my pocket.
Hunter – "Little boy, the dagger in your pocket is very dangerous for you. Its poison might seep into your tale."
I turned around and froze in place.When I finally looked forward again, the old man was gone.I looked around a little more.When I couldn't see anyone I recognized, I was convinced.I was lost.
The first thing that came to my mind was to stay where I was — but in such a crowded street, that was impossible.I leaned against the wall of a mansion.Just as I was about to leave to look for them, the door of the mansion opened.I turned my face there.
Odasaku – "Where the hell were you! I brought you here so you wouldn't stay home alone, not to get lost!"
"I can't stay home alone! Isn't Edmund there?"
I tried to enter without showing I was scared, but Odasaku stopped me.
Odasaku – "Hey… You're just going in like that without saying anything?"
I looked at Odasaku as if I didn't understand.
"Sir?"
Odasaku – "Nothing. Go inside."
I really can't understand this guy.He never keeps to one mood.I went inside and started walking through the long garden.
Everywhere had special lanterns placed at certain intervals.Water flowed along the garden's wall.When I looked at it, I saw fish and water lilies floating in it.It looked very impressive.The ground was covered with marble.I had reached the end of the garden.There was a room to the side.I knocked on the door, and a familiar voice said, "Come in."
I slightly opened the door and poked my head through the gap.Inside, Naiadler was sitting on a chair by the window, eating.She looked at me as if inviting me to join her.I bowed my head slightly and grinned with my lower teeth.
Naiadler – "Where were you? If you had stayed away a bit longer, Uncle Odasaku would've gone crazy."
"I was just wandering aimlessly on the street."
Naiadler – "So you got lost."
"NO! I mean—no."
Naiadler smirked and handed me the chicken as if she knew everything.I felt like I had to say something.
"You're weird too. Don't tell me you came to China just to mess around by taking human form."
Naiadler – "If I remember, I'll tell you."
Her tone gave nothing away.Something definitely happened.
"We're friends, right?"
Naiadler – "What's that got to do with anything?"
"Just answer!"
Naiadler suddenly stood up and left the room.Just as I was about to follow her, I saw a note on her chair.I quickly opened it.
Note –Of course, idiot.
I grinned slightly and crumpled the paper, tossing it in the trash.I didn't need confirmation.No matter what, I was going to help her.She was hiding something — and I didn't know about it? Impossible!I quietly watched outside through the window.I had calmed down a bit.I started preparing to go out.Since I had seen the Hunter, I took my dagger with me — just in case.
I wasn't going to follow her.All I needed to do was gather information.I left the room.Right as I stepped out, I ran into that girl — Li Rong.
Li Rong – "What are you doing here?"
"I'm staying here temporarily. What about you?"
Li Rong ignored what I said.When I looked closer, she was hiding something behind her back.I flinched without realizing it.
Li Rong revealed the cloth behind her.
Li Rong – "Here. I was really rude a few hours ago. Please accept these mooncakes as an apology."
I took one of the mooncakes and popped it into my mouth.While chewing, it suddenly hit me — what if it was poisoned?My face must have scrunched up.To make up for it, I opened my mouth to speak.
"It doesn't taste like it looks! Actually, it's pretty light."
Li Rong – "I'm glad you like it."
At that moment, I realized the best way to gather information was to ask a local.
"Can I ask you a favor?"
Li Rong – "Of course."
"Can you tell me about the General?"
Li Rong looked surprised.Clearly, she hadn't expected that question.She smiled slightly.
Li Rong – "Of course I can, but it's a long story. How about coming to the Tang Clan tomorrow at noon?"
"Sure. Oh, and can I call you Li?"
Li – "Why are you even asking that? Call me however you want."
Li slowly disappeared.When she was far enough that I couldn't see her anymore, I leaned against the wall and exhaled in relief.I started walking around the garden.My goal was to find someone to ask where the library was.
After a long walk, I finally came across someone.I hesitated to ask, because his stare was so stern.I finally gathered my courage and approached him.
"Uh, do you know where the library is?"
Man – "Turn right from there, sir."
I quickly left and started running toward the library.
Zero – "So he didn't notice you, huh? Honestly, I'm disappointed. Weaker than I expected."
The man's skin peeled away as he returned to his true form.
Second Rule – "I only came here because you wanted me to, and look what I'm dealing with!"
Zero – "Calm down. Trust me, the show will satisfy you."
Second Rule – "How can I enjoy something I already know?"
Zero – "Let's see about that. Maybe it's time to hand the stage over to Apollon."
I had arrived at the library.Its door was enormous.Even though I knocked lightly, the sound was so loud I had to cover my ears.I squeezed my eyes shut.When I finally dared to open them, the door was already wide open.I stepped inside hesitantly.
"Is anyone here?"
When I reached the main hall, oddly enough, I couldn't see any Chinese architecture.Bookshelves were everywhere, and dust particles floated in the white light streaming from the windows.The windows were huge, but the light wasn't disturbing.The hall was strangely dim.Someone was sitting on one of the chairs.
I got closer to see who it was.The man had his feet on the table and was casually flipping through the pages of a book.
"Excuse me."
Odasaku – "Brat! What are you doing here?"
Odasaku looked surprised — as if this was a place I could never have found.There was a sandglass and a book on the table.Odasaku started pushing me toward the exit.
Odasaku – "Come on, it's late. Time for bed."
I resisted.With my last bit of strength, I turned back and tried to read the book's title.The book had no title.
Second Rule – "AHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!"
Odasaku froze in place, clenching his fist so tightly it drew blood.I stared at him in worry.His head was tilted downward, so I couldn't see his face.
Odasaku snapped out of his daze, grabbed my arm tightly, and started dragging me.
"Hey, who was that laughing?! Let me go! You're hurting me!"
Odasaku didn't say a word.I was starting to get scared.I reached for the dagger in my pocket.
Odasaku – "Put it down."
"TELL ME WHO THAT WAS!"
Odasaku – "I said put it down!"
Furiously, Odasaku snatched the dagger from my hand.For a moment, I saw an opening in him.I pulled out the real dagger from my pocket and stabbed his leg.
Odasaku – "Brat, why did you do that?"
Clocks began to appear everywhere.The gears suddenly stopped — and started turning backward.
"What's happening!?"
Odasaku slowly began to be swallowed by the clocks.At that moment, everything clicked in my head.I ran toward the hall and hid under the table where Odasaku had rested his feet.
Odasaku – "Smart, brat! So the age has changed, huh?"
I quickly untied the strings binding Odasaku.He threw me over his shoulder, shattered the window, and took cover behind the wall.
Odasaku – "If things went smoothly once, I'd be shocked! How did you even realize it?"
"Ancient relics can't be separated from their owners."
Odasaku roughly patted my head and gripped his sword, standing up.
Odasaku – "Brat, cheer for me!"
Second Rule – "There's the soul I was looking for!"
Odasaku leapt forward at a speed faster than sight.The other man raised his arm as a shield.Odasaku redirected his sword toward the man's eyes.
Second Rule – "You're boring!"
Odasaku – "You're worse!"
A thin sword appeared in the man's hand.He launched extremely sharp attacks at Odasaku.Odasaku dodged them effortlessly — as if he'd done this millions of times.Finally, it was Odasaku's turn to strike.He dropped his sword and gathered all his strength into his fist.He punched the man square in the face.The man crashed into one of the bookshelves.Odasaku swiftly grabbed his sword again and came back to me.
Odasaku – "Second part's about to start. Got a towel?"
Odasaku was drenched in sweat.I tore my sleeve and handed it to him.
"Use your inheritance!"
Odasaku smirked.
Odasaku – "My inheritance isn't something I can use around humans."
"What do you mean?"
Odasaku pulled a paper from his pocket and threw it at me.I caught it as he continued fighting.
I quickly unfolded it.It said: My inheritance is "madness."I closed the paper and started thinking of a solution.Odasaku was still fighting.I ran quickly upstairs.
Odasaku – "BRAT! WHAT ARE YOU DOING? STAY PUT!"
Second Rule – "Don't take your eyes off me."
The man had cut off Odasaku's finger.Odasaku switched his sword to his left hand and began countering with faster strikes.
Ignoring that, I gathered all the curtains upstairs and retrieved my dagger.
"Odasaku! Wanna bet if you can withstand poison or not!?"
Odasaku started laughing.
Odasaku – "IF ANYTHING HAPPENS TO YOU, IT'S NOT ON ME!"
Odasaku froze.He was activating his inheritance.I quickly threw the curtains down.I ran downstairs.
Within seconds, all the curtains were slashed apart.The culprit was Odasaku.He had truly gone mad — like a wild beast.I couldn't help but feel terrified.Inside, I whispered, "No."
He held the sword in his mouth.He moved with his hands and feet like an animal.The man was clearly struggling to defend himself.I couldn't predict a single move of Odasaku's.He jumped onto one of the tables, and the man leapt to the other side.
Second Rule – "I guess it's my turn to be the cowardly baby."
The man ran out of the library at full speed.Odasaku howled like a wolf.His eyes had turned wild.I clung to his leg.I pulled out the dagger from my pocket and stabbed Odasaku with all my strength.I squeezed my eyes shut — afraid of being responsible for his death.When I opened them, someone was gently patting my head.His hand trembled, as if he was barely holding on.
Odasaku – "What kind of poison is this blood?! Where did you even find it?"
Odasaku leaned back against one of the tables without collapsing to the floor.My eyes filled with tears.I quickly hugged him.
He rested his head on my shoulder.
Odasaku – "Don't cry, brat. You'll plan my funeral before I'm even dead, huh?"
I ignored his words and kept crying.
Odasaku – "You're getting my shirt all snotty!"
Even though he said that, he didn't push me away.Finally, I lifted my head and wiped my face with my arm.
"I CRIED BECAUSE I WAS WORRIED ABOUT MY OWN LIFE FOR ONCE!"
Odasaku didn't press me further.When we left the library, the streets were completely empty — as if no one was left.The cold night wind hit my face.The once-busy street was now deserted.Odasaku took out a bandage from his pocket and started wrapping his leg.
Odasaku – "There must be others like us. Meeting them should be our priority."
The night had grown darker.I had no problem searching for someone, but I couldn't leave Odasaku like this.We entered one of the houses.Odasaku slumped down and leaned against a wall.
Odasaku – "Brat… that poison's nasty… When this is over, I'm taking it for myself…"
He kept breathing heavily as he spoke.No matter how strong he tried to seem, he wasn't.I clenched my eyes shut.DON'T DIE. PLEASE DON'T DIE. DON'T DIE BECAUSE OF MY STUPID IDEA!
The ceiling suddenly shattered.The sound tore through all my thoughts.
Hunter – "So there are other survivors besides us."
I was horrified.The Hunter slowly approached me and lifted Odasaku onto his back.
Hunter – "For now, I declare a ceasefire."
Odasaku didn't react — clearly, he had passed out.The Hunter came closer to me.
Hunter – "You should rest a bit."
Suddenly, I felt a heavy blow to the back of my neck.
The scent of warm wax slowly brought me back to consciousness.When I came to, I was in a huge hall.A lantern sat on the table, dimly lighting the surroundings.Around the table were the Hunter, Odasaku, and Li.
I crawled over to the table.Odasaku looked at me and slid aside.I sat down in the empty space.
Hunter – "Anyone got any ideas?"
Odasaku – "I think this is about the General."
Hunter – "Impressive. But why do you think that?"
Odasaku – "It was mentioned in the letter that brought me here. When I came here as a kid with my master, I met him personally. Most likely, someone revived him."
Hunter – "That doesn't explain why no one else is around though…"
Li – "I've heard rumors about that in the Tang Clan.Late at night, two men covered completely in white sheets roam around.It might have started with them."
Odasaku – "If someone has a Sur or an ancient relic, that explains everything, doesn't it?"
The Hunter bowed his head, as if admitting defeat.
I tugged on Odasaku's pants.
Odasaku – "What is it?"
"Where's Naiadler?"
End of Chapter.