Chapter 25: Hot spring

Derrick was deep in the hot spring appreciating the warmth and soothinh sensation it presented and he was not alone in hogging the pleasure brought about by the hot spring. Just a bit away from him was Edmund his face radiating an expression that didn't fit his body size and probably his humongous Sausage.

"Hey scary guy. What is your motive in bringing a prisoner to a hot spring?" Despite Derricks serious tone while questioning, one could see he still had the smug expression hanging on his face created from the satisfaction brought about by the hot spring.

"Isn't it nice? A prisoner granted the privilege of a hot spring." Edmund was the same, he was laid back but his tone was odd it had suddenly turned cheesy. Anyone unaware of his demeanour would would associate his present appearance to an satisfied baby after sucking on his mothers titties and his cheesy voice reinforced his current appearance.

"Um"

Derrick was skeptical weather laughing or crying would be appropriate for this current scene. But he was aware if even a giggle slipped off of his lips he would definitely become something more than a simple prisoner. And he was extremely convinced on this thought and he had seen on his way to the hot spring, for a prisoner in ice hell he was unreasonably privileged. He was neither tortured, nor whipped but this was an abnormal experience in Ice hell and from his observation blood and suffering was the normal and strangely the inmates seemed used to the normal that Derrick hadn't experienced yet or more precisely an experience he was protected from. The reasons you may ask? He was the same, oblivious of where his privilege came from.

Derrick was now staring at Edmund feeling unease at his undeserved advantage over the others. He wanted to escape the prison but he couldn't now or even in a month or two. He had to make preparations and make a viable plan before he could implement them.

His priority suddenly became the prison arena Dr. Joseph mentioned and even Athena had issued a mission which concerned his participation in the Prison arena. What Derrick didn't know was the degree of threat his opponents in the arena might posses. Nevertheless, he still knew he needed strength to both escape and participate in the arena.

"What is the prison arena Mr. Edmund?"

Shamelessly he became respectful, his prior rude fellow facade had already been long gone in his goal to receive the appropriate guidance. He tried adding a Mr. to emphasise his respect.

"You don't have to be hasty Derrick and with your current state it would be a miracle if you survived the arena." His expression was indifferent as if ignoring Derricks sly nature.

"Then, I probably won't be able to join the prison arena then?"

Before Derrick could even analyse his own statement he heard Edmund burst out laughing as if his statement was some joke.

"HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA, you are a cheeky kid indeed." Edmunds tone became serious the next moment.

"Dream on kid, if it weren't for your dad you would be similarly tortured everyday....just like the other prisoners and now you are hoping to get away from prison arena."

Huh! Dad? What has Dad have to do with this.

"Even if we aren't allowed to torture you or kill you, prison arena is a completely different case. You get freedom if you win enough points and to get that, well ,the process is definitely gruesome and you can't escape it."

Derrick felt like he was slowly being misunderstood. And it wasn't entirely a bad thing for him if his intention was concealed due to some misunderstandings.

"Sorry boy, you won't enjoy the same privilege at the arena? You have to earn you freedom yourself."

What Edmund was saying was the truth but Derricks second mission was to escape from ice hell. Would it count as an escape if he won the Prison arena with enough points to buy his freedom?was now his current thoughts. If it wasn't then it was going to be hard for Derrick.

He had his doubts because he had survived without actually escaping in his first mission and the mission had only stated to survive for 24 hours which he unintentionally accomplished with luck. But, what if he didn't want to follow the missions or decided not to attempt any? Would there be any consequences?

It was a possibility Derrick had to take into account. He knew that Athena alone wasn't miraculous enough to grant him punishment instantly or directly but Derricks thoughts of the talking books made him consider otherwise. And the Athena wasn't even the same as before, it had become fundamentally a different A.I after the books had gotten involved.

He did receive rewards for completing the missions but if it concerned life and death he would probably give up on his missions which apparently didn't have consequences since he hadn't tried failing one yet. And considering the Elders behaviour towards him, he felt that the punishments would be lenient even if there was one.

"Since I have no choice then I should participate even if it is suicide then. Oh! and I should train a little even if my effort means nothing."

Derrick was almost out of the hot spring to return to his cell and before he could even think his hand had received a projectile which seemed to be from Edmund.

Derrick realised it was a card and unfortunately it wasn't a Delphic card. And it wasn't like the book race was similar to the ant race who had large population, who could throw Delphic cards everywhere they went if they had the ability to create one that is.

"Your key to the training room. The door is in your cell."

Before he could even ask, Derrick already received a reply from Edmund answering his curiosity.

After wiping himself dry, Derrick went back to his cell with a new set of prison clothes ready to explore the training room. But he had to first find the door that led to it.