Hero w/o Blood and Tear: Chapter 65
Chapter 65. The Abyss Rising (2)
The Abyss Rising examined me with curiosity. Then his skin broke out everywhere and the hidden eyes appeared from it. In a glance, there were over many hundreds of eyes, but no two of them had the same shape or color.
It seemed as if each of them had different ability. It was truly frightening. Should there be any type of magic coming out of each one of those eyes, both Schwartztoyel and I would be obliterated, for sure.
“Is there a problem with the contract?”
“Krrr…. There is. As you are receiving the support from two of the great beings…. Another explicit agreement is needed…. In order to execute this contract….”
There was a questionable aspect in his explanation.
“Two great beings? What are you talking about?”
“That is, the grave watcher…Surely, you…. Do not know? Krrrrrr.”
The grave watcher was another name for the man who squatted at the grave. I was only receiving the support from that individual, but he was talking about strange things.
“Who else other than the man who squats at the grave is supporting me?”
“Kk….I have no reason to tell you, going out of my way.”
He refused to answer me, but I did not have the bravery to ask further. The current situation was way too dangerous, already.
At any rate, I have no clue, at all. That was because other than the man who squatted at the grave, there was no other transcendental being with whom I have built a relationship.
“The important thing is that you are the target of his divine protection…This contract, using your soul as the stake… Is impossible.”
Someone was protecting my soul, how could that be. I thought that that was just simple rule which protected the player’s spirit and soul, but was there someone who was actually carrying out that duty?
It was certain that the man who squatted at the grave was not the one. That was because he would use me until the end and would attempt to swallow me in whole, including my soul. I must make a future arrangement to separate from him in order to see a happy ending.
“Instead, if you are to reject his divine protection from this contract…. This contract will be possible.”
“The divine protection, itself, does not go away?
“That’s right. That only applies to this contract.”
Then perhaps, that would be better. In order to share secrets with Schwartztoyel, this contract was a must.
“Alright. I’ll forego the divine protection with respect to this contract.”
“Good…The contract will be executed in full without any issues….”
As soon as I approved it, he began to quickly write something down on the paper made out of human hide, using his tentacle.
“Surely. Kk…I will expect… you, bastards’ contract would be breached.”
With that, the contract was executed by having him as the notary.
However, I thought that something was missing with just this. Based on my experience, opportunity always went hand in hand with danger. When would I run into another great being, like this one?
Even if I was to desperately beg Schwartztoyel, he would not allow it.
Furthermore, that Abyss Rising truly had a big interest in me, for sure. In an ordinary turn of events, he would have destroyed me immediately. He had to ensure that a price was paid for daring to call him out without even knowing all the conditions.
However, he gave me a detailed explanation on the situation. He had displayed such an unfathomable patience to think that he was an ancient evil.
Then why? Why did that great being give me a break?
Perhaps, he was interested in what that man who was squatting at the grave wanted to achieve through me.
“O, Abyss Rising.”
I wanted to use that and earn his support no matter what. I must be prepared for the possibility of getting double crossed or deserted, at some point, by the man who was squatting at the grave.
Besides that, if I could get his support, I could, once again, swiftly grow my power.
“The ceremony is completed. Do you have anything to say….?”
As expected, it was a courteous gesture. Although he had his jaw wide open as if he could swallow me up as a whole, at once, the fact that the ancient evil has replied in that fashion, itself, was an opportunity.
“I had a request from the man who was squatting at the grave. That is, to kill all the demon kings who are the old enemies, causing struggling death.”
“Kk. That I know… From looking at you.”
Truly, he was a transcendental being. There must be one eye, among all those eyes, which saw through me.
“The fact that you, who is an insect to me… Is able to talk to me…. Was because of that, too.”
“Then is it possible to give me your support? I, a lowly being, estimate that you do not like struggling death.”
“Kkrrrrr…..”
As the Abyss Rising let out laughter, the tentacles in the vicinity slithered more severely as if they had gone berserk. It almost made me vomit, just by looking at them.
“Trying to get something out of the situation is truly imaginative…And interesting. However, that reason alone… is not enough. As you may have guessed it, I despise the struggling death…. However, I do not offer my support for that reason, alone.”
He knew exactly what I wanted, even before I vocalized it, and he rejected it at once.
“I’m different than the grave watcher….”
His voice echoed loudly from everywhere. It was because he pierced his many tentacles into the humans in the vicinity, and made them speak all at once. Rather than having a conversation, it was more like interpreting the meaning in pain filled wailings.
As my heart weakened, I wanted to end this conversation right away. However, doing so will end everything without getting anything.
I thought of the information on that Abyss Rising which I saw in the holy book of the seven demons. Unfortunately, as he was not a great army of darkness, the explanation wasn’t specific.
However, I thought that there must be something. I desperately thought with my fist clenched.
“Ah!”
Then suddenly, a single thought came to me.
[The Abyss Rising was looking for a crown of darkness. It was in the possession of someone within the great army of darkness.]
I decided to bring this subject up. However, it was an act which accompanied great danger. However, I did not want to lose this chance, at all cost.
“Then I will propose something else in exchange for your support.”
“I’ll listen… just one more time….”
“I heard that you are looking for the crown of darkness. If you would support me, I’ll help you find it.”
“How do you know that!”
For the first time, he had a surprised look. Momentarily, even the tentacles shriveled. And his countless many eyes stared at me.
“Kkkkk…..You, it seems you have read the holy book of the seven demons.”
He saw right through me, again.
“That’s right.”
“However, it is quite strange…. I know that you read the holy book of the seven demons…but, when and how…you read them…even I can’t see with my eyes. This is the first time seeing someone very unique, like you. That isn’t everything… You are filled with much emptiness. Even I can’t read…. How did such a human, like you, appear?”
It seemed that he was getting more interested in me.
“If you will support me, I’ll do my best.”
“kkkk…. You. You must really want my support. Do you wish for the power that badly? However, even I could not find the crown of darkness, yet…. How could you volunteer to find it, as a lowly being. Kkkkk….”
Although he spoke in such a way, I felt that he didn’t really mind it. I even felt that he was enjoying it. Of course, he was joyfully tearing up the humans in the vicinity with his tentacles, though.
“Sometimes, things become clearer if you see it from below, rather than from up high.”
“That’s an interesting proposal… However, there is a problem.”
He said he couldn’t provide support, even if he wanted to. The reason for that was because my bowl was too small to add another transcendental being’s support.
“By nature…Humans get….Overwhelmed even with a support from a single transcendental being. However, you are already receiving the help from two transcendental beings. If I was to support you, it would make it three… You will not be able to endure that.”
Was that so. It was a fact that I did not know, at all. At any rate, I’ve learned many new things through this meeting today. Everything was precious information which couldn’t be bought with money.
“I give you that you are a human beyond the human’s measure. Perhaps, you are born with the characteristics of a legendary hero who appears time to time…. However, even you… will not be able to survive the support of three transcendental beings.”
It was disappointing, but I must give up on receiving the support from the Abyss Rising. What could be done since that was impossible for a human being, according to him.
“Understand. If you say so….”
As I was about to forego it, he cut me off.
“It isn’t… Without a way…..”
“Is that true?”
“That’s right. If the bowl is too small then you must grow it bigger… You, yourself, can grow it bigger. If you can do that, there would be no reason for not being able to support you. Besides, you have to be that much….In order to find the crown. So, you…. Yourself, has to prove that you’re worthy of the support.”
An unexpected method was available. It was impossible to get the support right away, but he was saying that it could be possible sometime in the future. It was like having a peace of mind, an insurance policy, for future fights.
Of course, there was the heavy burden of having to find the crown of darkness, but everything in the world came with a price. I was just satisfied that a way to turn the situation around was there when I was pushed to a corner.
“Kkkkk…. Interesting. I’ve lived a long, boring life. However, this is the first time, meeting an interesting human….Like you. You are the first one….to ever fought for my interest… in such a way. Ordinarily, anyone that crosses my path usually ends up dying.”
“I’ll not disappoint you. I’ll grow my bowl and earn your support.”
“Alright. I praise such a spirit…A spirited insect is different than other insects…Since things have come to this…and although I may not be able to give you my support… I will endow you with a…Small divine protection.”
Unexpectedly, he proposed to offer me a bonus.
“Thank you. Krrrah!”
As I was rejoicing, a tentacle pierced me in my abdomen, and I almost lost my mind. With the engulfing pain, I was drooping as I struggled. And then a new message popped up.
<You have gained: Life force +1,000, Physical resistance +25%!>
What the heck! I was so shocked that I had to take a second look at the stats which were before my eyes. It even felt like as if the pain has escaped me as well. What, this was a minor divine protection? At this level, I could even withstand the dragon breath!
“Thank you for your grace.”
“Life force +1,000? Is the increased capability visible in numbers? That’s really special. Kkkkkk. That’s most likely because….Of the capability which was endowed on you….by the great being.”
The Abyss Rising has also indicated that he was going to give me a spell as well.
“This spell is…going to enable you to call on me to negotiate. Ordinarily, this is something that you would receive only after…Offering me countless number of human souls. The demon dragon, standing next to you….he, too, has only received the spell after offering many humans to me. Be thankful.”
If I call on the Abyss Rising, I can negotiate with him on many things. Even the ceremony of oath, like the one right now, was just one of them.
“I really like human souls. I’ll gladly accept them…If not that…you can negotiate for godly power or ancient relics, too….”
“What do you offer in exchange?”
“Kk…you are already filled with greed. Good. I’ll tell you. Anything is possible for trades….including the secrets of the universe, new power, or my servants of the Abyss… the souls of the trapped humans here…or something bigger than the holy book of the seven demons which you saw….and more. Look….”
He stabbed and picked up several humans with his tentacles, and showed them off as items to sell.
“This one…a legendary knight… He fell down here for committing the sin of having coveted his master’s wife. And this woman….an enchantress who destroyed her empire. And many other human souls are in my possession… If you want them….they could be bought…. This knight will only serve you… this enchantress will only love you. It won’t be a bad deal.”
Come to think of it, I saw it in the holy book of the seven demons. That was, many fallen ancient heroes were by Abyss Rising. Depending on the situation, he was saying that I could buy them and use them as I saw fit.
“Will they obey me?”
“You worry too much…lowly one. Merchandise will always…be sold as slaves. My wealth is the strongest hero… and most beautiful women…. Your desires will be fulfilled… and your ambition will be realized.”
They were certainly great proposals. Although I wasn’t sure, it most likely seemed that I had to offer him many human souls in order to trade with him. It would be something that so many evil beings would want. As they were given for free, I could see that this being was expecting great things from me, and that he was paying much interest to me.
“I’ll meet your expectations.”
“Good. Even for an ant…greedy ant accomplishes amazing things. While you are not thinking about it, a small ant will lay eggs, and will build a large mound….Since you are an insect, too…. Do surprise me in the same way.”
However, a warning that sufficient quantity must be prepared was given.
“If you prepare something which isn’t to my liking…if you cause trouble for me…I’ll root out your soul, at once…and this place of slaves will be your new home. You will be a good merchandise. Kkkkk.”
When I heard that, I felt the real danger. I could see why even that boastful Schwartztoyel was trying to distance himself from this spell, and was fearful of it.
I really thought that it was better to not trade with him, unless it was absolutely necessary. To put it bluntly, it was possible that I could be dragged down to the abyss if he was to change his mind on an impulse.
He was friendly today, but he might not be the same way tomorrow. It was better for humans to not run into a godly being such as that one. However, I could not deny that a powerful maneuvering option has come to existence.
“Then…an insect should do an insect like task….”
With that, the meeting with the Abyss Rising has come to an end. When he left, the strange noise and the darkness which filled the area vanished without a trace.
It was that only the quiet dragon lair was visible. I stumbled as the anxiety and nervousness departed me.
“Phew.”
As I was letting out a sigh, Schwartztoyel, who was next to me, was staring at me like a ghost. He shivered as he sweated. Ultimately, Schwartztoyel, who was leaning on a cane, plopped down on the spot.
“You…Do you even realize what just happened”?
His aged hand was shaking as he pointed at me.