Feed Me

[Ding]

[ Nightvision Lv 1]

Description: You can now see through mortal darkness.

Light sparkled through my eyes with my first step towards the City of the Dead, causing the world of the night to glow with light, revealing a brand new outlook on the dark. I approached the towering gate, standing well over seven meters tall and wide and open.

Below and seemingly kicked away laid a few chains and a lock probably meant to lock the gate. Covered in dust and webs indicating how long it's been since anyone had bothered to come here, I stepped inside, making sure to mask my aura with Shroud.

My heart was a tinge bit cold as I scurried through the catacombs, trekking through bones as large as a wyvern, others smaller like the Galgor I'd fought. There were no tombs, only the harsh scent of skat and rot, alongside the mountains of bone thrown about, picked clean of any form of tissue.

A mile on, I stopped and frowned deeply, having both sensed and heard something up ahead, covered by black fog of sorts.

"No word?" Someone said. The voice was deep and raspy, causing my body to react almost instantly as I took refuge behind some of the scattered bones.

"Nay," came the reply through the fog as a slight glow emitted from the mist. "This is what happens when we hire trash from the slums."

"It worked the first time."

"Merely luck. Yalvo isn't a fool. He'll bloody investigate soon. We've only days before the Rites."

My head peeped over a pile of putrid bones that made my stomach churn as I forced myself to remain still as slugs, worms, and various other disgusting vermin crawled over my cheeks, burrowing through my clothing. Gods! This is disgusting. Tears had long since bubbled in my eyes as I silently wept.

My lips buckled, but I remained silent, albeit through sheer will, trying to peer through the veil of fog ahead to no avail.

[Ding]

[Shroud Lv4 →5]

[Ding]

[Shroud Lv5 →6]

[Ding]

[Shroud Lv6 →7]

"I say we torch the building,' Said the rasped voice.

"Stupid. Come on. Let's get the Hell out of here. These tombs give me the creeps."

Watching the fog clear, leaving nothing behind but emptiness, I sat still for a few minutes before lifting myself up, dashing at full speed back to the latch connecting to Vermillion halls, and screamed.

Stripping down to nothing, I squashed each and every one of these fuckers: Die, die, die, die!

"Bastards!" I spat, teary eyes, wishing for nothing more than a hot bath and a movie.

[Ding]

[Investigate the Catacombs: Complete]

[Reward: 100 Ether Points.]

—

"You look like shit!" Eryth uttered as I looked down at my once clean tunic and cried inwardly. My God, my tunic was now brown, and my hair was covered in God knows what.

"This had better be worth it," I barked, crossing my arms, trying to seem intimidating, but Eryth merely laughed, his dimple deepening as he turned around, beckoning me up the flight of stairs into the kitchen and then out back where no one could see me.

"Well?" He asked, awaiting my report.

"You're not the client." I teased, folding my arms as his brow jumped. "Yalvo is the one who gave me the assignment."

"Aha. I see. But can you still tell me?" Eryth pressed, his deep golden eyes shimmering intently under the moonlit night. "We have been waiting over an hour or two, and based on your successful advancement in cultivation, can I assume you had a good hunt?"

I frowned. Think for a moment. " Who is Yalvo? Is he taking part in the upcoming Rite?"

The dimple over Eryth faded, and a frost touched his voice. "What happened."

"Easy there, Eryth, my boy. You'll scare the girl."

"I'm not scared," I rebutted, noticing the old man step out with a weary expression.

Yalvo merely chuckled. " Well? What happened."

Gathering my thoughts for a second, I began. " Upon entering the sewers, I noticed scratch marks over the rim of the latch, as if someone was trying to pick the lock. And since you own this establishment, It wasn't done by you, correct?" He nodded, and I continued.

"Further down, I encountered two people, a younger man named Dayo, who was attacked by a Galgor and killed. But I'm sure you knew the manner of beast that attacked. Right?"

"We figured," Answered Eryth darkly, "The sewers are littered about with 'em."

"Well, before they were attacked, I'd heard a conversation regarding a hearthstone and beast I can only assume was the Galgor. The old man had escaped, but later in the catacombs I—"

"You didn't!"

A smile appeared on my lips," I did. It's scary down there."

"Stupid girl! Have you any idea how dangerous that place is? The city of the Dead was rumored to have been the resting place where a God fell and died. Abhorrent amalgamation wanders its depts in numbers, feasting over this Felled God's remains."

Startled by the fierce look of yalvo, I scratched my cheek. "No need to be rude, but you never said anything. How was I supposed to know? You were the one who said—"

"I know what I said," Yalvo retorted, "but an inquisitor should have instincts, and that gate is sealed. I did it personally! How did you even—

"It's open. Wide open." I interrupted, and Yalvo vanished in a flash of burning red embers. My lips dropped as I shuttered. "Did he…teleport?"

"No. Old Yalvo is just that fast," Eryth said softly, so softly I felt a chill dance along my spine. My stomach dipped. "What else happened when you entered the Catacombs?"

"I saw two people obscured by fog, planning on how to rid themselves of Yalvo. It seems they were the ones who attacked his cellar last week, trying to cause damage of sorts. One of them even suggested torching his business before the Rite. They both seem stupid, though."

"I bet. No one ever pays attention to stupid people. We didn't." Eryth pointed out grimly." Yalvo is one of the heads of the council; this business belongs to his wife, who passed a few years ago. It's his lifeblood. Destroying it or damaging its reputation would—"

"Cause him to miss out on the Rite. Someone else would take over."

Silence appeared.

"Y-You did good, Izalith. Very good." Said Eryth softly, batting his lashes as he stared. "If you didn't smell like piss and shit, I'd invite you to dine with me inside, but here will do."

"Just feed me, as promised. I'm dying!" I painfully sought, hanging my head as my shoulders slouched."I just want to eat."