An uncomfortable silence lingered in the air. The dryad had gone to fetch the items requested by Riva and left her alone with Troikin. She now regretted refusing the dryad's invitation to visit the dungeon.
At first, she would have said yes for sure. She was extremely curious about the dungeon's denizens. But on second thought she had decided against it as she couldn't be sure that the others wouldn't be frightened or straight-up attack her. Even if they didn't, she doubted that she would be a welcome guest.
She had expected that Troikin would also head back into the dungeon never to be seen again but contrary to her expectations he stayed behind. This was what lead to the current awkward situation.
After what felt like hours but probably wasn't more than three minutes Riva couldn't stand it any longer and busied herself picking up Rocky 1 and Rocky 2. She pretended to clean them to prolong her escape.
In the end, this action also became uncomfortably long.
"You can go into the dungeon you know." Riva finally spoke up.
She didn't know if she should feel disappointed, angry, or sad about the gnome's behavior. Maybe she felt a bit of everything.
She realized that it was unreasonable to put her trust in a random intelligent monster she picked up from the forest. One that was obviously scared to death by her presence. It was a stupid mistake on her side.
Riva turned to face Troikin.
He immediately lowered his gaze and stared at his feet but didn't say anything.
Sigh~
"Look, I said so from the beginning. I mean no harm. I'm sorry about scaring you and testing that ritual might have been a bit... inappropriate. I totally understand why you took the chance and called for miss dryad." Riva talked softly to not scare the guy.
"I don't intend to keep you any longer, as a fact I never meant to force you into doing anything, okay?" She put her full sincerity into her words.
Troikin looked up. Their eyes met for but a moment. She could see a lot more resolution in them, he wasn't shivering in fear as he had done before.
He nodded stiffly at her then left for the portal.
Sigh~
Riva let out a long exhausted sigh.
She looked at Rocky 1 which she kept rotating between her fingers.
"Betrayal…" she muttered to herself.
Troikin made her remember something. Their roles were reversed. He did well to be suspicious of her.
She too had been something like a follower. She had believed them to be nice people to take her in and help her increase her strength…
I'm a fool. Strength might not be everything but only with sufficient backing can one be so free as to put trust into others.
Why do I think that it shouldn't be like this? Hasn't this world always been that way?
...There's something I'm missing.
Riva's thoughts wandered through the fog of her memories.
I remember… the people who betrayed me were adventurers. Not especially strong but stronger than me? I'm drawing a blank right now. I'll know when I see them.
"What troubles you, dear? I pride myself a good listener!" Riva flinched hearing the calm melodious voice.
The dryad stood right in front of her yet she had been so absorbed that she didn't notice her approach.
"Is it about Troikin? You'll have to forgive him for he was scared and sought survival." The dryad probed.
"Well, I'm sorry to see him leave and I understand his reasoning." Riva didn't intend to tell the dryad of her worries.
Didn't she just remember that it was dangerous to trust those stronger than herself?
The dryad smiled at her answer. "Then the cause of your troubles is the fact that you're newly risen!" She stated with certainty.
Despite her surprise, Riva controlled herself and looked at the dryad questioningly.
"Haha, not only that. I am certain that your death wasn't a pleasant one. It never is for those who rise. You should be thinking of your revenge!" she gave her a knowing smile as though to encourage her.
This time Riva couldn't help herself. Her 'Self Control' had been focused on her determination. She clenched her fists until he nails dug into her flesh and started revealing her purple blood, her eyes lit up with the now-familiar dangerous glow.
Riva shook her head and set her 'Self Control' focus towards the feeling of hope. Only then did she manage to relax.
The dryad observed her with interest.
Her smile had brightened.
"Your self-control is truly remarkable. If only all undead could be like you." The dryad handed Riva the bag she had been holding all this time.
"I really must say, I have taken a liking to you. This is the first time, I see such an odd mutation in a newborn monster. I can only look forward to the surprises you will show from here on."
Riva curiously opened the bag. It was of a familiar design commonly seen with adventurers and unsurprisingly contained everything one would need during an extended excursion.
They probably looted that from some foolish adventurers who intruded upon the dungeon? She guessed. Come to think of it, adventurers do give good loot...
Besides an entire set of clothes, the bag contained commonly seen tools such as a rope, flint and steel, a lamp, a sleeping bag, a sewing kit, a folding shovel, a knife, a small pick, and much more. She even found a bag filled with coins and a set of rations.
"Thank you! Thank you very much! This is much more than I could have ever asked for..."
"...but why the rations?" the dryad voiced what Riva left unsaid.
"You will be heading to the human settlement. Would someone who has no food and never eats not be suspicious? It is best that you pretend to be as human as possible and eat regularly. After all, this is the number one tell for your race."
It is unsettling how she keeps telling me who I am and what I will be doing. And she is right every single time. She doesn't wait for any confirmation and is just that confident in her knowledge… Riva marveled.
"Isn't my skin tone a dead giveaway, and didn't you say my aura was problematic too?"
Without a word, the dryad handed her a wooden ring. It was both plain and elegant with no decorations made from a single smooth and polished piece of wood.
When Riva's hand touched it a system message popped into her mind.
[Obtained: item]
Riva simply ignored the message. It was a mystery why the system only chose to tell her about the ring and no other item.
"Don't be shy and put it on. It's my gift to you!" the dryad urged her.
Riva slipped the ring onto her left index finger. As soon as she did another message popped up.
[Item successfully bound to user]
There was a sense of connection. Immediately the ring felt as though it was a part of her. It was a little similar to the tamed stones. But in this case, the feedback she received was a feeling of life and energy which flooded her through her connection with the ring.
She watched as delicate but somewhat jagged purple patterns appeared on the ring's surface. Their color exactly that of her blood.
It is as though I have re-acquired a piece of me. One I lost.
"What is this?" Riva asked in awe. She was relishing in the feeling.
"I have given you my blessing. This is a part of the dungeon core. It will…"
"The dungeon core???" Riva cut her off.
"How? How is this even possible? Won't it harm you and the dungeon? Will I not become a part of the dungeon?!" Riva was panicking at the thought of the implications concerning the dryad's gift.
"Hahaha!" The dryad laughed happily.
"I simply love your reaction when surprised. This was well worth the effort!"
"There's no need to worry." The dryad began her elaboration.
"This is what we call a dungeon seed. Giving it to you will neither harm you nor the dungeon. It has countless abilities and effects. The effect that you are in need of is the phenomenon caused by the fact that this is the seed of a forest dungeon. It has already changed your aura and you will be able to mimic another race with its help."
"So you're saying I can perfectly disguise myself as a human?!"
"That is the case." The dryad agreed.
"Isn't this too precious to give to a random, possibly dangerous monster?"
Riva didn't want to trust the dryad. Especially not when she had given her something this unbelievable. Dungeons were one of the biggest mysteries of this world, believed to be hostile and indestructible. And she had just received a part of the dungeon's core?!
"It is merely an item meant to be given to its fated person and I have judged you to be the perfect candidate."
"Will I need to accomplish something for you? Isn't there some requisite? Free things are the most expensive!" Riva argued.
"That's a good mindset to have to increase your chances of survival. Your growth will be covering the payment!"
This isn't exactly reassuring. Sound's to me like there's a lot she's not telling. Riva grumbled in her thoughts.
"Besides, the seed and you have established the connection. It is too late for second thoughts." The dryad added.