"Idiots, don't fret too much... What other alternatives do we have?"
"Well..."
The three briefly discussed...
"Definitely... That old drunkard is the right choice, but..."
"In fact... but it will be difficult to convince that dude... Unless..."
"Damn... it's going to cost us a lot to persuade that shameless fellow! We may lose our precious wise reserves..."
Hearing that their discussion was heading in a good direction, Atlas spoke: "... wine?! You will receive the best wines on the continent as compensation. Moreover, Rose's father is one of the wealthiest merchants in the North, so the rewards will be bountiful and surely the finest ones."
With how much he was spending on the continent, Atlas knew for sure that Rose's father wouldn't forbade their requests. So, he boldly uttered those words without giving much thought. After all, he needed a powerful bodyguard, and somehow, they were talking about the same person Nihilir had suggested to him before.
What was more shocking to him was their utter nonchalance in giving him help. After all, his destination was a deadly place feared by all. So, their nonsensical discussion over losing a bunch of bottles of wine was simply too absurd.
"Boy... on this island, wine is our most precious thing. Don't joke about that so lightly!"
"I swear!! If you save her, his father will gladly send you rivers of the purest wine from the continent. The Soul Compass should be enough to convince you."
Indeed, Atlas's reminder cleared the last bit of unease in their hearts, and Waret looked at the other three with a strange smile: "Come on... Futuk, Kurin, Afalon, bring out the best wines you have... don't be stingy!"
Though reluctantly, the three pulled a bottle of wine out of their space artifacts and gave it to Waret, but Futuk didn't let him go so quickly and pointed out an undeniable problem.
"Boy... you obtained our help, but remember that you are a weak cultivator... practically an ant in front of those monsters, so hold back your arrogance as much as possible. Otherwise, those waters will swallow you in one bite."
|||
The other three repeatedly warned the young man, but seeing his resolve, Waret accompanied him across the village.
Intrigued by the village's mysteries, Atlas tried to find out more.
"Village chief... the inhabitants of the Black-Clawed Crab Village seem very strong. How is this possible?"
"It's normal if you live in a place filled with perils... we cannot do otherwise. From an early age, we have been forced to adapt to this world or die from its vicious claws. If you want to stay with us for a while after your return, you will find out what I mean on your skin..."
'He is right... the village of Nevery is relatively calm, and I have never encountered huge problems there, but sure, I had my own share of dangerous encounters with my grandpa.'
"Well... I'll think about that... I'm curious, what kind of creatures are around?"
"Mhm..." Waret paused briefly and then resumed walking: "Mostly Sea creatures with a high realm. After all, those waters had tempered their bodies to a fearsome degree, making every single part a real treasure. And then... the most troublesome of all are those vicious creatures subjugated by the evilness roaming across those waters."
"You are not talking about pirates or poachers, are you?"
"Hahaha... those weaklings do not dare to sail so close to those seas."
"So... who?"
Waret looked up at that misty blanket and spoke: "Boy... you may have noticed that our village is surrounded by that annoying fog."
"Well... it's hard not to notice it. So, it should be a powerful high-level formation, right?"
"Bravo..." Waret nodded satisfactorily, "It was my father's last gift to our village before his departure. It is a mighty protective formation that allows our little island to hide from the evils that inhabit those hellish waters."
"Actually, I am shocked that you managed to reach this place, and although I find it very suspicious, my old eyes can see your pure soul clearly."
'Damn...'
The old man's words terrified him slightly, but Atlas felt no hostility on his part.
"Also, that Soul Compass and your obstinacy in crossing the gates of hell makes it hard for me to suspect your words."
'What luck... If I had insisted on returning to the continent, things would have been different...'
Atlas was walking on a perilous path between lies and truth, and he had to be careful not to overdo it.
Certainly, after that little speech by the village chief, Atlas raised his guard, although he knew that the difference in power was too high.
"Village chief..."
Atlas wanted to say something, but Waret interrupted him: "I don't need to know how you really got here, but I think there's the paw of fate behind it all. Who knows, maybe this whole story will bring to my small village the luck that long ago abandoned us..."
Atlas did not add anything else and followed Waret along the way, listening to his speech.
"Anyway... since you are about to enter that hell, it is good that you know who the true masters of those seas are..."
Atlas had some information about that place, but knowing more could only benefit him.
"The name sea of death is, in fact, very appropriate because the creatures that dominate in those seas are precisely creatures forbade by this world and controlled by a vicious power... A tireless army that knows only evilness, corruption, and savagery."
"Are you talking about evil spirits?"
Atlas had heard stories about a strange existence that had brought over the continent several calamities during the past, so he could not help but blurt out their name.
"Exactly... we call them evil spirits, but it's more complicated than one could even imagine. After all, those monsters are much more dangerous because someone is hidden in the darkness and holds the power to control them."
"Someone is controlling them... is that even possible?" Atlas mumbled uncertainly, "Those evil spirits should be formed from the souls of fallen cultivators or creatures, so how is it possible for someone to control those twisted and evil souls?"
"Well... have you already forgotten our reaction before? We almost kill you at the gate..."
"Well... yes. It was pretty strange, but what about that?!"
Indeed, Atlas had found their reaction a bit too excessive but didn't want to meddle too much in other people's business.
"Hmm... there are several types of evil spirits out there... the most common ones are the weakling that holds only a small amount of power and can barely reform their bodies and minds, but there are also many of them that could regain full control over their past glory, monsters with the power in the greater realms. The last ones are the most dangerous because they can wander freely just like ordinary cultivators and bring chaos and destruction over the world."
"So... you mean you have mistaken me for one of those monsters?"
"Indeed... we have artifacts that can detect the presence of living beings and evil spirits all over the walls, but something went wrong at that time... as if you were not even a living being!"
Atlas didn't know how to react at this point, and the inquisitive gaze over his body made him feel a little pressured.
Waret was staring at him so intensely that the young man couldn't help but slowly turn his gaze at him and say: "What?! Probably, there was something wrong with that thing. Furthermore, I was unconscious for so long that I presumed you had already checked about my identity. So, why are you looking at me like that?!"
Waret didn't react too much at his response and instead kept walking steadily, leaving behind only a few words: "Indeed, you are a living creature for sure..."
Soon, the duo crossed the village and reached the other side, where a colossal gate was situated.
After their last discussion, they didn't speak more, keeping their thoughts only for themselves, but now Waret's mouth moved again: "We have arrived. Once you have crossed the gate, follow the path until you reach a small wharf. There, you'll find an old fellow. Good luck!"
"Mmm... thank you!" Atlas replied, "I..."
"Go... we will talk again once you get back with your friend." Waret waved his hand, sending him away, and then disappeared, leaving Atlas alone and with no other choices other than to turn around.