"We meet again". dacre smiled back as he cupped his fists. "last time I did not get the opportunity to introduce myself. Let us do so formally this time".
"I am Dacre Raymond and this is my good brother Marvyn Ruguoberg". He said while pointing his hand at the youth beside him.
Marvyn Ruguoberg also cupped his fist and said care freely. "I am Marvyn of the Ruguoberg kingdom. I have heard a lot about you from brother Dacre".
Sam also cupped his fist back and introduced himself. "I am Sam Desvons of the heavenly martial sect. It's a pleasure meeting you two". He then pointed at little Titi as he care freely said, "This is my pet cat. It's name is Titi".
A chuckle escaped from Dacre when Sam reached the later last of his introduction causing Sam to stare at him. "It's nothing. I like your pet cat".
"Well it is pretty awesome for a cat". Sam said casually. He walked forward calmly as he took the alcohol gourd from the table and took a few sips. "Good alcohol". He praised and casually sat beside the table.
His carefree attitude surprised Marvyn and Dacre. This was rather surprising for them because most other people would have some misgiving and act all polite with them. But, both of them rather appreciated this casual vibe of Sam.
Marvyn was the carefree one. Due to spending most of him time in the battlefield, he was accustomed to such behaviour being around the soilders. He laughed and sat down facing Sam and took the alcohol gourd from Sam as he took sips from it.
"Well well. Isn't this surprising? Dacre Raymond and Marvyn Ruguberg, the two unreconcilable enemies since young age in the eyes of public calling each other brothers". Sam looked at two youth in front of him with some amusement.
He had heard about their grudges and their battles from Saya before entering the swordridge valley. She had even described as their life and death enemies. Further more, he was aware of the rumors about their bet outside the city of dead. But the two enemies were now chilling and drinking alcohol together.
"Hahaha.... That is how the ignorant sees us and we don't bother explaining to them. As for us, we have always been brother since our childhood. When we just compete to test each others progress from time to time, people started calling us enemies". dacre explained as he too sat beside Marvyn.
"Must be nice huh? To have a good brother to fight side by side with". Sam said as he looked at the Marvyn and Dacre. Sam never had any friends since his childhood. He was always with his master at the heavenly martial peak and didnot get any chance to make friends. After his Master's death, he spend all of his time training. So, he had no friends other than Gilde and Saya whom he had just met.
Marvyn and Dacre looked at each other and smiled. "It indeed feels nice to have a good brother whom you can trust fully to watch your back. A brother with whom you travel together on this journey known as life".
Sam smiled. He also wanted a brother like that. Furthermore, he was expecting to have a brother like than soon. He was now more excited to met the undead Sanchez whom the old man was talking about.
"Alright. Let's talk about the matter at hand. I suppose you guys were waiting for me here. I don't understand why you would wait for me? " Sam asked after a while of silence.
Dacre answered, "After witnessing your abilities at the city of dead, we just wanted to know more about you. So, we wanted to ask if you want to explore the ruins of abyss together with us. I noticed you have the mysterious ability to meld into shadows. That could be helpful while exploring and more people makes it less dangerous".
"That is true. More people make it less dangerous. But I don't know you guys that well. There will be dangerous moment while exploring the ruins of abyss and to be honest, I would rather go alone than with some strangers".
Dacre laughed, "Brother Sam, please listen to us fist before we decide anything". He took out a scroll and a full body armor from his spatial ring and said, "I know that it is our first time meeting and we don't expect you to trust us immediately. We can work on that slowly. First let me say a few things".
"The ruins of abyss is a dangerous place. Most of the cultivators have only explored the outer regions as the death essence energy is too dense in the inner regions which make it difficult to survive. Thus, we researched a bit and found a way to block the death essence energy. This armor is called essence blocking armor. It's function is to purify all types of essence energy into air only. So, we don't have to worry about the problem of death essence energy with this armor. With death essence energy blocked, we can divert our attention to prevent other dangers".
"We also have the map of ruins of abyss which could lead us safely to the inner area. Our predecessor had also used similar armors and explored the inner areas but they could not go far as even their armors couldnot block all of the death essence energy in that areas. Now, we have improved armors and with this map, we could reach the inner areas safely and put our attention on exploring the unexplored areas. I say our chance to explore the inner area is pretty good".
"Say brother Sam why don't you joins us? We have an extra armor and we can share the map with you. Together we could explore the inner region and get all the treasure".
Sam was pretty interested in their preposition. He said, "Your offer is pretty enticing but I don't believe I could get such a good offer. There is no such thing such as free lunch in this world".
"That is true. We will need the help of your special abilities to scout if we are met with any difficulties where it could be proven useful. Don't misunderstand us. We will share all the dangers with you together. As for the scouting, you can judge the situation and take action by yourself. I suppose you will know when it is time for you act".
Sam nodded. That was fair. He will need to use his ability and scout if he went alone anyway. Bringing along helpers would increase his chance to explore further and even reach the real abyss from where he could absorb the purest death essence energy.
"Then what about the treasure? How are we going to divide it then? " Sam asked.
Dacre smiled as he said, "The treasure we obtain will go the person who can make the best use of it. If more than one person wants it we will roll the dice and leave it to luck. We know brother Sam doesn't lack treasures and we are the same. We are all doing this gain more experience and broken our horizon".
Sam nodded his head. "You guys seem like good person and even you guys even wasted your time waiting for me. Then, there's no need for me to hesitate. Let explore this ruins of abyss together and plunder all the treasure for ourselves".
"Good. Then, let us explore it all. You willnot regret joining us". Dacre laughed as he wrapped his arm around Sam's should like a good friend.
Marvyn also laughed as took out a jar from his storage ring and said, "Since, this is decided. Let us celebrate our new friendship with good alcohol".
He took out three large mugs and filled them with alcohol. The three laughed while looking at each other as clicked their mugs together and each drank large gulps from their mug. Three looked at each other and laughed while drinking.
"We will take a rest today to be in our top condition. Tomorrow, we will enter the ruins of abyss". Dacre declared. "My people have send information. It appears that all other cultivators already know that we are going to enter the ruins of abyss. Furthermore, they have reached a bottleneck at the Thousands Dragonnest. Thus, most of them are heading towards here. They will be here by tomorrow evening. Thus, we should enter in the morning. That way we have ahead of them by a day".
"All of them are coming, great. I have some people to meet and small grudge to settle. I can do all of it right here then". Sam smiled.
The group then discussed their strategy and formation that night. They drank alcohol while Sam also offered the meat of the demonic ape and demonic peacock. They started a fire to roast the meat. They eat and drank till midnight.
Then, the group all sat down cross-legged in a lotus position as they started meditating. They had made plan to meditate till dawn to maintain their peak state before entering the ruins of abyss.
At dawn, the three youth all opened their eyes. They all stood up at the same time.
"Ready?"
"Ready".
"Ready".
The group nodded with excitement. Dacre took out three full body armors from his spatial ring. They were thin and looked like they were made up of rubber. When Dacre put on his armor, it fused with his body and no difference could be felt from before.
Sam and Marvyn also put their armor on.
Dacre took out another armor and gave it to Sam as he said,"Use it on your cat. It is flexible armor and it will shape itself according to your body. Bring your cat along too. We will need it's help too".
Sam nodded. He wanted to bring titi along too. It will give him more reassurance if conflict occurred between them. Thus, the group of three and a 'cat' were ready to enter the ruins of abyss.