'Atlas... Drunkum's mind was infected by a terrible curse. Actually, every single inhabitant in this so-called Ocean of Fallen Legends was impacted by this condemnation...'
This time, Nihilir didn't hold back like usual and instead started speaking about that dreadful situation.
'It's a vicious plague that extended all over this wide area... Even those humans back in the village were under its devious power.'
Atlas had found the words spoken by Waret a bit too strange, but now, after Nihilir's explanation, everything made sense.
The young man was worried and even scared of such a devious power and couldn't help but ask again: 'I won't be affected by that damned thing, right?'
"No... you will be safe until you don't directly interact with the source of that power.'
From those words, he understood many things and said: 'So, what should I do? Are you sure we can trust him? He should be suffering or at least be influenced by the curse.'
'You will be safe, don't worry...' Nihilir's voice resounded again, 'That curse may alter his personality and memories by some degree, but he should be able to maintain control over his actions. I can feel it. His soul is powerful enough to fight against it.'
Atlas wanted to refute somehow but still found nothing to say after his reminder. Sure, it was a dangerous journey, but what could he do at this point?
'What about Waret's warning? Were his words true? Who is behind these vicious actions?!'
'I can't tell you that... for now.'
'So, you really know something about that...'
Atlas was once again shocked by his affirmation, and several more doubts formed in his head.
Lamenting with him was pointless, so he calmed down and tried to peer out more details: 'Tell me the truth... you didn't bring me to him simply to get his help, right? There should be another reason behind your actions if I'm not wrong...'
There was a moment of silence, but then that voice appeared again: 'Indeed... I had ulterior motivations, but it's not the right time for you to know them... find her if you want to uncover the truth.'
Sure, Nihilir liked to be enigmatic, almost driving the poor young man to curse him aloud.
'Fine... I'll find her... Mhm?!'
Cough! Cough! Cough!
Suddenly, a coughing noise attracted his attention, and when he turned around, Atlas saw the old man kneeling on the ground and spitting blood all over the place.
"What's going on?!"
The effect of the Obsidian Eyes was still in function, so Atlas could clearly see the mysterious, misty form distorting and expanding madly around the old man's head.
'Nihilir... is that the effect of the curse?! Should I help him? Is there something I can do?'
Clearly, he was dead worried for Drunkum's well-being and tried to approach him, but once again, he was stopped before he could even make a move.
'Don't do it! It should be somehow affected by this place. Outside of this great formation, the curse's influence is significantly weakened, but here, its power is way more challenging even for him.'
Cough! Cough! Cough!
Atlas couldn't do anything else, so he shouted at the trembling body to cheer up his heart: "Ohi... old man, hold on!!"
'He is fighting back... He is struggling with all his willpower... You should not worry too much about him. Give him a couple of minutes...'
Hearing Nihilir's suggestion, Atlas gave the old man a long stare and then moved aside.
'Uhhh... hey, you won't tell me how you know about this curse or even how you found out about this old fellow, right?'
Clearly, Atlas was curious by nature and couldn't refrain from finding out more. Alas, his interlocutor had nothing to say other than a simple word: 'No...'
'What about that silly woman, Rose? How did you know she was in danger?'
'...'
This time, Nihilir didn't even respond, but Atlas didn't stop and asked again. After all, something had been troubling his mind since his finding and constantly shocking his intrepid heart: 'What about this strange thing...'
Holding his hand right before his eyes, Atlas spoke without restraint: '... You sent me there and knew exactly what I had to find, so you should know more about it. Why are you keeping it a secret? Sooner or later, I will find out the truth. You should know that...'
'...'
Atlas tilted his head at this brief moment of silence and sighed: 'Still mute? I really don't understand your intentions...'
'...'
Nothing came in response, so Atlas concluded his attempt by shaking his head in resignation: 'Well... Hopefully, you will give me an answer before it's too late.'
Nihilir gave no more response, and Drunkum kneeled on the ground with his body trembling non-stop, leaving Atlas nothing else to do other than recollect what had happened in the previous battle.
It didn't take him long to clear his mind from those thoughts, so he began to collect the fragments of weapons and armor scattered across the beach.
The meteor of light had wreaked havoc, so collecting all the debris buried in the sand and bone took some time.
Fortunately, most of them were visible, thanks to their intense blue and purple glow.
In a few minutes, he had filled a large sack almost to his bust, and with the addition of the half-broken weapons of the first enemies, Atlas could not help but grin lightly. After all, those were free, and clearly, he wouldn't say no to such a gift.
"Excellent... It won't bring me any advantage for the time being, but sure, they will turn out useful for the future…"
Drunkum was still around even if he was somehow strained by that curse, so instead of showing Astra's peculiar power around, he kept them in his space artifact for later and then waited for the old man in silence.