Chapter 17: Voice
Nith hadn't received a moment to talk with Kyouka.
The team first ventured down the path from which the humanoid lizard had emerged, then descended to a lower level. From there, they encountered many similar monsters: humanoid crocodiles, lizards, beavers, and more.
Luckily, the water levels were lower in these corridors, which meant everyone fought, hindered only by the coldness.
The adrenaline and constant battles served as a countermeasure against the harsh environment, though. Along with Kyouka's stamina and health potions, the team progressed at a steady pace, moving from one corridor to another and collecting runes.
Strange epiphanies continued, much to Nith's displeasure. He couldn't help but suspect something when things were going this well.
That was when Kyouka suddenly halted.
An old but kind voice resonated in her head, 'In the next dead end, a sacrifice will be required to pass through a hidden door. Who will be sacrificed?'
Not only did this voice invade her mind, but it also hinted that the team would sacrifice Nith to overcome an obstacle. It sparked a surge of anger within her, but Kyouka's rational mind told her that the voice was right.
She wanted to confront the team about it, but it was already too late. The dead end, covered in moss and shiny foliage, stood before them.
This time, Netta spoke up, "It seems we need a sacrifice to open the hidden door within the moss."
Although no one had mentioned any names, a single name surfaced in everyone's minds, save for Kyouka and Nith.
"You're not thinking about sacrificing Nith, are you?" Kyouka glared at the team from the rear, her eyebrows furrowed.
After confirming through eye contact that his teammates shared the same thought, Norman took the reins of the conversation.
He said, "It's the only way to enter the next level."
"You're not questioning how she knows about the hidden door—only because you've been listening to that voice as well, right?" Kyouka retorted. "All of you seemed to have had brilliant moments. Now I know why."
Nith smirked. "So that's what's going on."
Kyouka nodded. "Yes… someone, maybe this place itself, has been speaking to them all this time, helping them discover clues to the next level. It just warned me about the sacrifice, too. I can see where this is going!"
Nith sneered. "The one behind the voice wants us to duke it out."
Validating his statement, Norman unsheathed his sword, and so did Netta. Roman took the lead, his huge frame encased in armor shielding the archers and the mage.
He cast an apologetic smile at the duo. "We, adventurers, are ready to sacrifice one another to come out alive. Teammates come last, right, Night?"
Nith chuckled, "Yeah, precisely. I have a question. Let's say I died, what would you do with my cloak?"
Norman replied, "I'd wear it."
Nith sneered, "You're the sacrifice. My congratulations."
As he declared, Nith fished out a third vial of poison. He thumbed it open and downed the entire contents, while Kyouka raised her potions, ready to throw them at anyone daring to hurt her beloved.
At once, Nith's skin seemed to exhale the black poison. In less than a few seconds, he was shrouded from head to toe. In the next three seconds, Kyouka was enveloped in the poison as well.
A moment later, the corridor was filled with it.
Within the dark haze, Nith passed Kyouka a mask, which she quickly put on over her lips and nose. Being able to breathe just fine, Kyouka sighed inwardly.
That said, she couldn't see anything. If it weren't for Nith's hand on her shoulder and his minimap, she would have worried about their safety.
Nith's voice echoed through the corridor. "You're fucking done. I'll keep all of you alive so that I can strengthen myself with Eclipse Venom and face the third floor without needing incompetent fucks like you."
Across from him, Norman had been shouting at his mage to dispel the cloud. "Use your wind magic!"
"I've been casting Wind Cutter after Wind Cutter!" the mage screamed. "It's useless! I don't know what it is, but I can't do anything about it!"
Nith hollered, "It's a poison."
"P-Poison?!"
"It feeds on damp air to spread faster… I prepared it as a countermeasure against an army of monsters or adventurers, should any be stupid enough to go after Kyouka. I didn't expect I'd use it in such circumstances, but that's even better." He looked at Kyouka over his shoulder, "I can see just fine here, but you can't, so stay still. I've got you covered."
He didn't want her to soil her hands with blood, but Nith wasn't one to say it aloud, let alone admit it.
Hunched over and with his hands in his pockets, Nith prowled through his dark world.
'Idiots can't even leave my party,' Nith sneered. 'I can see you and what you see. You're worse than ants.'
Slithering between the guardian and the swordsmen, Nith approached the mage, who had been desperately trying to blow away the black venom.
He snatched the short staff from the mage's grip and threw it into his inventory. Without his weapon, the mage screamed and tried to flee, but Nith delivered a swift kick to his groin, sending him crashing to the ground.
Nith spat venom at the mage.
Sensing the threat behind him, Norman rushed in the mage's direction. Alas, Nith was nowhere to be found. Norman's sword missed by a wide margin.
Furious, he shouted, "Fight me fair and square!"
Nith passed by him, whispering, "Fair and square… that doesn't exist in the dictionary of poison masters."
A dark purple venom landed on Norman's cheek—the second spit.
"Anyone would think my second target would be an archer," Nith whispered into Roman's ear as he stood beside him. "But I will immobilize you… and turn you into my precious strength fuel. You see, my current weakness is that I become weaker after killing my enemies. But you and Netta have so much resilience that you will serve me well for the remainder of this dungeon."
Goosebumps cascaded down Roman's back like an avalanche. His steel armor rattled as he shivered, his heart pounding against his chest.
Such fear had never gripped him before.
And how could it?
How could he fear toxins in a world where everyone had a natural high immunity to them?
The Venom Virtuoso sneered at him from within the depths of darkness. "I finally feel the same rush of adrenaline you had upon entering this place. Love it. I'll register at the adventurer guild after this. Thank you so much for your guidance. I'll kill you as painfully as possible."
A/N: Book has been contracted thanks to your help! Thank you so much! Please, share powerstones, comments, and reviews with me! I'll keep doing my best to entertain you with Nith's story!