Return of the Fallen Volume 12 Chapter 80
Kazuki could not hear what the other groups were saying due to the fact they were communicating through the mind. This problem was only a minor inconvenience that was swiftly resolved. Among two of these groups, there happened to be two Demigods among said groups. Kazuki could easily break into the mind of a Demigod and spy on their thoughts but that would instantly alert the Gods among them. Instead, Kazuki relied on his soul-reading ability.
Reading their souls was just as good if not better than reading their thoughts. Kazuki no longer needed words to know what two out of the three groups were saying.
One of the groups had a being that had multiple arms and grey skin. The surface of this person’s skin was rough almost as if it were made of bark. He was the God leading this particular group. From the Demigod among them, the grey God was discussing Fleck. They were characters in the bar and had picked up Fleck’s little clue and put it together. They came to this exact location because there were other groups far larger than them following the Black gate.
They knew they had no chance for any spoils or treasures if they stayed with the bigger groups. They would be boxed out and would have no opportunities to get anything. They decided if there was a zero percent chance of them getting anything with the bigger groups, they minus well try their luck following Fleck’s clue.
Naturally, they arrived here but to their shock, Fleck who claimed he was on the verge of death was alive and well. This did not sit well with them. In their eyes he was a liar in regards to his impending death, and if he lied about that what else did he lie about they thought.
Similar thoughts were echoing back and forth between the second group. The one leading them was a short woman with golden hair and green eyes. A man beside her with short buzzed hair and a toothy grin wanted to fight Fleck and see if he was really dying or not while a third woman taller with a buff stature and tied-up hair wished to simply beat some answers out of Fleck.
The third and final group had insect-like creatures. Some had human-like faces while others had full-on insect heads with mandibles and multiple eyes. They were communicating as well but there was no Demigod among them so Kauzki could not soul-read any of them.
As the dot in the distance that was the Black gate slowly grew bigger as it approached, the four groups including Kazuki all stood in space passing looks amongst one another.
Finally, one of the groups, the man with grey and bark-like skin departed from his group and slowly approached.
Nala and Fleck gathered closer to Kazuki’s side with weapons drawn but Kazuki waved them back.
(There’s no need for protection. Stand down you two.)
Nala and Fleck could read the grey man’s strength but still could not understand the depths of Kauzki’s strength. They were protective of their master but they knew in this situation they did not need to be. Following his command, they lowered their weapons slightly and flew a few feet back.
The grey man smiled softly and emitted no ill intent and kept all of his power inside his core to show he was not hostile. Of course in these Realms this was merely a show. In actuality, if a God wished to draw out their power, it could be manifested instantly. Keeping one’s power in their core or not didn’t matter but Kazuki understood the man’s gesture and acted appropriately.
He as well kept his power in the depths of his core before he too slowly approached until he was only a few feet away from this grey-skinned God.
The man gently waved his hand and a barrier was created around both him and Kazuki and filled it with air. He wasted no time and spoke first.
“Forgive me, I don’t like strangers listening in to my mind. I much prefer a conversation face to face where we can hear each other’s voices.”
Kazuki waved his hand and two chairs materialized in front of the two. Taking a seat, the man followed suit.
“Understandable. It’s hard to pick up intention through a voice in the mind. Hearing one another out in the open like this…well it’s a little easier to see through the bullshit so to speak.”
The man’s eyes widened as he comprehended what Kazuki said.
“Bull shit… that’s an interesting term…I like it. Right, to cut through the bullshit is a good thing. Ah right, I haven’t introduced myself yet. I am called Dredinkar. A being of the lost tree folk race. What shall I call you?”
Kazuki had never heard of such a race before.
“Medatte. I’m merely a human of the human race.”
Dredinkar continued.
“Well, since we have arrived at the same location, and you are with that man over there, I assume we are both here for the exact same reason correct?”
Not exactly but Kazuki had no need to say that and even if he did, it’s not like anyone there would believe such words. Kazuki gave a simple nod.
“The treasure. We all want it but we both know it’s not something that can be split so what is this conversation’s purpose? Where do we go from here?”
Kazuki put on an overbearing tone to show a sign of strength and also as a sort of bait. If this man got aggressive in return, to Kauzki it meant he could not think rationally in a stressful situation and therefore would act on emotions. Someone like that combined with the potential of acquiring a treasure that could change a Realm. The smart thing would be to eliminate a potential threat as soon as possible.
Kazuki waited to see the man’s response and the man actually agreed with Kazuki.
“You aren’t wrong. This treasure, most are assuming it is an ancient Artifact. If that is the case, only one can obtain it but there are a few problems. Even if one person claims it, that does not mean the Artifact itself will accept that person. Not only that but just because one person obtains it, does not mean they can hold onto it or protect themselves from fast-approaching demise. Even if this person does manage to escape with the treasure, what about when they get out of the Black gate? If the Atifact still does not accept them, this person would simply be painting a bright red target on their back for all of the Realms to see. There’s a fractional chance of winning and then there’s the overwhelming fact that one person cannot deal with what’s to come alone.”
Kazuki agreed to some extent. Going into the unknown, finding a treasure and claiming it, and then escaping with it, with one’s life intact, was truly a difficult if not a nearly impossible task with all the greedy fish chasing after it.
“What is it you’re proposing?”
Dredinkar smiled.
“A partnership of course. If this place really is a path inside, a shortcut. It will mean we will be the first few inside the Black gate. The dangers are unknown and working together will assure us the best chance at the prize. I say we join forces and watch one another’s backs.”
“That sounds nice and all but what happens when we reach the prize? You won’t give up your claim and I know I won’t give up mine. Wouldn’t things break down after coming that far? We would end up killing each other the moment one of us touches the Artifact. How can you prevent this?”
Dredinkar shook his head as a dark expression spread across his face.
“Prevent it, why prevent it? I’m saying we work together until we reach the Artifact, after that we need not work together anymore. I am sure you are confident in your strength. This is the Realm of Gods, strength rules all. Let us fight each other in blood, ash, and bone. This is the fairest way is it not? Like that, we won’t have to worry about what happens until that moment. We will protect one another until then but afterward…every man for themselves. What do you say Medatte?”
Kazuki couldn’t help but chuckle and Arc as well-liked this tree folks attitude.
(Brat, this dumb tree is honest at least. I don’t know what dangers lie within the Black gate but with my missing piece in control, I’m sure it will be quite challenging. If this man tree wants to offer his body as a shield I say take it. When things play out, naturally you can just kill him in the end if he doesn’t back down.)
Kazuki’s eyes shifted to the other two groups.
“I’m curious. Why offer such a fine deal to me and not the other two groups? Surely more is better than less when it comes to this endeavor.”
Dredinkar glanced behind him before shrugging.
“I would have no problem with others joining but those two groups are…Stubborn one could say.”
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