The entrance didn't look anything grand. It just had a 2 meter tall gate and walls that surrounded the entire place.
Marcus, Nexus, and Eva entered. The guard at the side asked if they had a reservation to which Marcus said yes and showed it to him. The hot spring also functioned as an inn for visitors who wanted to stay the night.
The guard contacted someone inside the building and after that, he let them pass. They proceeded to the house which was a few dozen meters away from them. Their little group walked under the clear blue skies and on a narrow pathway made of stone. Sitting beside the pathway were well-cultivated monkey grasses.
The few trees further away had harmless beasts that looked like squirrels on a few of their branches. The nearby pond had fishes jumping up in the air from time to time.
As they arrived in front of the door Eva whispered "It truly is a relaxing place."
The tranquility of the place affected not only Eva but also the other two.
The Helia Hotspring wasn't that big and the building was mostly made of wood.
The group went in and a woman came to them. She has long dark hair, piercing black eyes, and a sweet smile. Her white skin highlighted the black hot spring uniform she wore.
"Good day! and welcome to Helia Hotsprings. You can follow me to your room." The woman greeted them. She looked at Eva's fair skin. Her gaze, envious. But it only lasted for a second. Though it only lasted that long, It did not escape from Nexus's senses.
Marcus slightly nodded and thanked her.
As they walked down the hall, the woman began talking about the history of Helia Hotsrping "A few years ago, a woman named Helia who was from a rich family came home after a hard day of work. Traveling, meetings, and other activities. Helia who was sprawling on her bed suddenly thought of an idea. To make a place where she and other people could relax. And so the Helia Hotspring was born. Not only is this place peaceful, but the hot spring can also rejuvenate your skin and make it look younger."
'boring' Nexus thought.
Eva's eyes lit up "Really?"
She had already taken her 2nd round of the awful treatment yesterday. For the last round, she'll be taking it when they reach the 2nd rate country.
"A lot of people have claimed so, yes." The woman smiled.
"Is Helia still alive?" Marcus asked.
The woman stopped walking and turned towards them."There are rumors that she still is but those are only rumors though. Here we are. There will be a free dinner tonight for all the guests. We would love it if you guys could come."
After making sure that they had no more questions, she left.
The group went into their room. The wooden sliding door smoothly opened as Marcus slid it. A small table was placed in the middle. Unlit lanterns hang on four sides.
They took off their footwear and felt the smooth hardwood flooring.
"You guys really want to stay here? It's not too late to go back to the hotel you know?" Nexus suggested.
"What are you talking about? We're already here. Why turn back now?" Eva wondered.
"He probably wants to go back to the hotel and watch the series he's been following." Marcus chuckled. Guessing that this must feel like torture for the cat.
Nexus sat in front of the small table and rested his head. "Suit yourselves."
Eva pointed to the right side of the room."There's a futon in that cabinet over there. I'll be going to my room first." She went to the left side of the room where the room separator was located.
"Do you wanna head to the hot spring?" Marcus eagerly asked.
"You dragged me out here, might as well let me rest first." Nexus grabbed a futon and laid it on the floor.
"Why don't we go around the town?" Eva quickly came back after checking her room.
"I guess the hot spring could wait." Marcus didn't mind. They'll be staying here until noon tomorrow anyway
Nexus had no choice. He stood up and left the futon there.
------
The gang headed out going through the same scenes they went through a while ago.
"Don't you guys think it's too peaceful?" Marcus looked around. For a place tourists go to, there weren't that many people on the streets.
"Is there really such a thing as 'too peaceful'? I think you're just not used to this kind of environment little brother." Eva chuckled.
"Mm, maybe." Marcus brushed it off. He wanted to enjoy this place.
They found a store that serves noodles and went in. They wanted to try out unique dishes in the town.
The stools were right in front of the counter where they'd eat.
"Boss, 3 of your most ordered dishes" Eva called out. She was used to these kinds of restaurants.
"Coming right up." A chubby man behind the counter said as he started working. He was wearing a white shirt with no sleeves. His arms wiggling every time he moved.
Marcus tapped the long table with his long fingers while waiting and then asked "Are there any good sceneries nearby town?"
"Not really. Though there is a place here where you shouldn't go." The chubby man answered.
This piqued the group's interest.
The man continued, "The nearby forest north of here is a place where everyone avoids. That's the place where people disappear. Actually, there are already a lot of reports about this. Not only the people who live here but also tourists disappeared."
"Did they venture to the forest?" Eva asked.
"No. Most of them didn't. It was said that they were just here in town." The chubby man finished up and served them their noodles.
"I guess that explains why it's so 'peaceful'" Marcus scrunched his brows.
Nexus was quietly slurping his food while Eva and Marcus conversed about the topic with the boss.
-----
In a dark stone square, body parts littered the floor. A woman stood in the middle.
"Clean this up!" She ordered.
The doors opened. A group of people with black hooded robes and red stripes moved quickly as they went to pick up the bloody bodies that were lying on the floor. Most of these people were alive just recently and now their skin looked grey as if they have been devoid of life for a long time. Most of their body parts were also missing.
"Madam we have a lot of customers today." A man strode towards her.
The Madam looked at him, her piercing eyes were looking at him. "I know. I already have my eyes set on someone. She's going to be my first meal tonight."
The Madam had an urge awhile ago to feed when she felt envious of the woman whose beauty overshadows her. She wondered how that woman achieved it. The Madam was beautiful but she had to work hard to get that beauty. The danger of being caught by the authorities was usually in her head. Even her money wouldn't be enough to get her out if they ever caught her.
The spell she practices was taboo. It's not something society can accept. She has never been talented with magic. It's more appropriate to say that there was a deficiency in her body. It took her quite a lot of time to be able to advance to the next stage. As days, weeks, and years go by, she started to look older.
In her time of need, someone came to her and gave her a spell. It allows her to transform into a monster that could feed on humans and make her look younger. Though, it didn't make her breakthroughs easier.
But this was not for free. The person told her that she would have to give them a few people every month. Not only that, but she also has to give them every single Commander ranked subordinates she has. She hurriedly agreed not even thinking caring about anything else except for retaining her youth. Thus that's how she got here.
"Prepare the banquet for tonight." The Madam walked out of the room.
The man bowed and went to work. This had been their routine on how to get people to reach the quota and also to feed the Madam. With this routine, they have never missed a single delivery before and their boss was always satisfied.
-------
Going back to their rooms they finally decided to soak in the hot springs.
"Little bro, should we find out about what's happening here?" Eva asked as they walked down the halls.
Marcus shook his head"Big Sis we came here to relax. I'm sure the authorities can handle that. And please I'm not so little anymore so just call me Marcus."
"Alright baby brother." Eva teased.
"Please don't." Marcus had a helpless look on his face.
"I think it suits him well." Nexus commented.
Eva grinned "Then it's settled."
They separated as the hot springs were different for males and females.