When we were outside the cavern, a giant monster welcomed us. It is a red snake-like monster floating above the sky and it's currently heading towards our direction. "Marulk, analysis!" I exclaimed while grabbing his arm and leading him to safety.
"It's a Crimson Splitjaw, it's a dangerous monster that lurks around the second and third layer of the Abyss." Marulk explained. "Though, I have a feeling that fleeing isn't what in your mind right now huh?"
I smirked a little and nodded. "I mean, come on, aren't you curious how this bad boy tastes like?"
Marulk rolled his eyes for a moment. "I think you can kill it, this monster is purely physical so it won't be hard if you can overpower it," he explained. "However, it could be that this monster is stronger than five thousand men."
"Welp, let's figure it out!" I charged in towards the monster and brandished my machete. The monster opened its mouth to chomp me, but I jumped up high at the last moment and landed on its back. I stabbed the top of its head and start dragging the machete along its body.
The Crimson Splitjaw recoiled in pain and tried to shake me off. When I jumped off of it, the beast was already opening its mouth to eat me up. "You wanna eat me so badly mofo?!" I jumped into its mouth with my machete raised up high. "Come and get it!"
I can feel the giant snake snapping its jaw shut followed by the squishy everything around me pushing me deeper. I grinned a little and thrust my machete upwards, then downwards, then I drag it around every inch of its body until it stopped moving.
When I'm sure it's dead, I made myself an opening above me and hack my way through the flesh, blood, and other organic matter. I gasped for air once I'm back on the surface and laughed in slight relief. "Wow... I can't believe I did that..."
Below the monster's carcass, I can see Marulk staring at me along with the rest of the Subterranean Bandits. "Dinner ready!" I exclaimed jokingly while climbing down the corpse. "But seriously, can you eat that?"
Simred was the first one to speak up. "Are you sure your name's Haios? I mean, it could be that you're actually a bloodthirsty White Whistle who somehow got into a freak accident and was sent back on to the surface as a kid."
I really don't know what he's implying, but I don't think he's correct. "No, I'm pretty sure Haios is my real name," I replied simply. "Now come on, help me bring this back to the Camp."
With that, the five of us hauled the giant beast and start making our way back to the Seeker Camp.
[LINE BREAK]
It's been a month since Ozen attached the thousand men pins on my body. I'm starting to get used to my 'pleasure replacing pain' condition so that I don't get aroused whenever a beast managed to bite, scratch, or slammed me on the ground.
The artifact Marulk found turned out to be First Grade Relic, the Gauntlet of Force. Since it's a First Grade, we can't really use it so Ozen sent it to Orth for auction. But for finding an awesome artifact, Ozen did gave us something.
Ozen gave me the Indestructible Knife that Yelme found a couple years back. As for Marulk, she gave him a pair of goggles that let him see the Curse of the Abyss and the Force Field.
Not only that, but for discovering the first grade artifact and the temple, Marulk finally got himself a moon whistle.
Right now, I decided to spend my day reading some books in my room instead of hunting or delving. Marulk on the other hand is being strung up naked outside for accidentally spilling some drinks on Ozen's clothes.
After a few minutes, Marulk stepped into my room. His face bright red and his body barely able to support himself. "You're done?" I asked without looking away from my book.
Marulk dropped down in front of me and used my lap as a pillow. "yes…" he whispered while snuggling closer. "May I sleep here Haios-san?"
"No"
I can feel Marulk sighing a little. "Haios-san you're mean," he muttered.
"Yep."
Marulk looked up towards me from his position. "What's wrong?"
I closed the book I'm reading and set it aside. "Marulk, I can't stay here forever you know?" I sighed and gently stroke his head. "I will depart in one week."
Marulk bit his lip and gripped my clothes. "Please don't…" he pulled himself closer to me. "I don't want you to leave…"
I sighed and gently stroked his hair. "Sorry, but it's not up for debate."
Suddenly, Marulk sat up from his position and stood up. "Then…" He grabbed my hand and helped me up. "I will come with you!"
"But what about Ozen?" I asked, not sure if Ozen will let him go just like that.
"Let's ask her!"
The two of us walked out of my room and straight towards Ozen's chamber. The intimidating double door opened from the inside, revealing Ozen fully garbed in her battle attire.
I gulped a little at the sight of her. "Good Morning, Lord Ozen." I cleared my throat and took a step back. "Marulk has something to say to you."
Marulk was about to say something but Ozen beat him to it. "Don't worry, I've been listening…" she grinned and walk past us. "Meet me at the edge of the great vault, "she then jumped off the seeker camp and disappeared into nowhere.
"For the record, you put me in this situation."
"Sorry…"