Staring down at the gooey liquid on the wooden bowl, I couldn't help but grimace. It was a revolting sight, but I simply couldn't refuse. Less because of morality and mostly because I was, even if I am ashamed of admitting it, kind of afraid.
''It is not much, but it is all that we can offer you.''
Arthur said from the opposite side of the table. We had mostly recovered ourselves from the strange sight of those people up on the roof, and he had offered us a meal as a means of apology for not warning us sooner.
I gave a smile and nodded, trying my best not to speak, otherwise, I'll probably start vomiting. The liquid didn't just look strange, it smelled weird too. Almost like copper.
I reached for the wooden spoon at the side and took a scoop out of the bowl, and swallowed the slimy liquid with all my strength. The taste was just as, if not more awful than the smell. It tasted sweet at first, but as soon as it started traveling down my esophagus a metallic taste started spreading around. I just barely managed to not vomit the contents out.
Do I have to eat this entire thing?
''Fiorella, start eating.''
''But, this is...''
''It doesn't matter what it is or what it's made of. Do your best to pretend that this situation is normal.''
Fiorella bit her lips down with strength and closed her eyes as she took a spoonful of the liquid. Her face's wrinkles became more defined as she struggled to swallow it down without vomiting. She managed to, somehow.
''Glad to see the food is to your liking. The people here aren't very fond of it.''
I can see why. The taste is completely awful, it's as if I'm swallowing a melted chunk of iron. Given that I'm already drowning in the shitty taste, I might as well try and get some information from this guy.
''Say, what happened to this place? To those people?''
Arthur's eyes downcasted and visibly darkened.
''A very strange disease has befallen this town. once teeming with life and vitality. But now, it lies barren, plagued by demons and the horrors they have brought to this place,''
Arthur's voice showed a longing for the past and a sadness about what it has become.
''We've gone and even forgot the name of our town due to this plague. We call it Dreadhaven now, a place forsaken by God and man alike.''
Arthur fell silent and looked down at the table, his eyes fixed on an empty space. I thought he might be lost in thought, but then I saw the look of sheer terror etched on his face. His eyes threatened to pop out of their sockets, the red veins seeming to pulsate.
''You must be tired, rest wherever you like,''
He said suddenly, his voice strained. He got up from his seat and bowed down to us, taking the hat off his head and bowing down to us.
''They stay up there on the roof, so don't worry about them coming down. Do not give them a reason to, though. They are not humans anymore, no matter how much they like to pretend.''
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''I want to go home...''
Fiorella said in between cries. Her voice was muffled, her head buried between her knees. She was curled up in a ball, refusing to look up.
''Go to sleep, I'll take guard for tonight.''
I tried to reassure her, but my words felt hollow even to me. There was no sense of confidence behind them. My mind was focused somewhere else. Somewhere else up there.
I've always considered myself a confident man. I'm not terribly afraid of anything, even things I used to fear a lot in my past life. But this feeling of familiarity combined with the completely alien creatures in this place makes me feel like running away.
''W-Why do you understand that man's language...?''
I didn't have a good answer for her. I said I had it covered, but it seems I was fooling myself the whole time.
''Don't know, maybe it's an effect of the dungeon. I don't quite understand myself.''
''...I see''
She didn't say anything else, and I assume she went to sleep.
But I couldn't. It didn't matter if I tried, no matter what, I couldn't sleep. Not just because of the hunger or the endless hole, I'm feeling in my chest.
But rather, because of this one, individual monster on the roof, staring down at me, his eyes full of bloodlust. We're very far away from each other, and yet, I can hear and almost feel his ragged and troubled breathing.
I didn't get much sleep that night.
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''You're leaving.''
I jumped at Arthur's voice, hitting the roof of the iron helmet I was putting on.
''Yeah, we still need to look for some of our friends.''
''I see...''
Arthur's voice was sad, but his demeanor was as elegant as ever.
''Well, seeing how well you fought I have no doubts that you will be safe traveling this place! Just a little advice: Avoid those who have taken a fully monstrous form. They have let go of their humanity completely, and are very dangerous.''
''Right, thanks.''
I waved goodbye at the man, although his hand seemed to move in slow motion. I hadn't slept anything, and I felt like I'd been in this place for more than a decade. I wonder if it's the hunger? I think Fiorella should be able to fix me a bit.
''Are you okay?''
Fiorella asked worryingly. I turned to her and realized that at least she had gotten some sleep. Unlike me, she could've very well been sleeping in the softest bed in the world.
''Yeah, I'm doing fine. I should be able to fight, although I'll need you to manage your mana better.''
''Ah, I-I-I'm sorry...''
''It's no matter.''
As long as I can get healed, it's fine. It's not like I'm gonna ask her to just cast healing spells, she's a magician, after all, not a healer.
So I'll be fine.
I should hope so.