Since the giant monkey was still wreaking havoc outside, the two complete strangers decided to call a truce for now. After all, both were very weak, and if the monkey found them, they would die.
Arthur followed the young man inside the small cave in the darkness and finally reached its inner parts. A strange stick embedded in the rocky walls illuminated the cave's rough terrain.
The young man went towards the Lightstick and sat down. His gaze was still focused on Arthur, and he followed all of his movements. If he did anything suspicious, he would act instantly.
Arthur didn't care about the young man's gaze and rested his back on one of the rocks. Of course, he wasn't just relaxing; he was observing the young man, who had been a buddy of his in his previous life.
His lips tugged upwards slightly as he thought, 'He is really the same as always.'
The young man's thin body looked short and frail, with only a bit of muscle. His dark black hair framed his face, hiding his abyss-like black eyes. This was Noah, the chosen one of the Elf race.
He was the one who had ended up marrying Elara in his previous life due to that bullshit prophecy. However, Arthur harbored no ill intentions toward him as he was one of his closest friends and also the one who gave his life to save Elara.
Noah had never loved Elara and was in a sort of deal with her, so they were more like friends than a couple. He also never objected to Arthur and Elara's relationship as he himself was a victim of it. After all, he had lost the opportunity to be with his love because of the said prophecy.
So, in a way, the prophecy had ruined many lives and saved none. That was why Arthur called it bullshit Prophecy.
"What did you do to make that big guy so angry?" Noah broke the silence and asked.
In response, Arthur just shrugged, "Do you think Abyssal Creatures need a reason to hunt someone?"
Noah went silent and didn't reply. It was true that he had little knowledge about the Abyssal creatures as he had grown up in poverty, spending his life in the slums. He didn't have any good education. However, he was unwilling to show weakness in front of Arthur, who might take his life given the chance.
Of course, Arthur was in the mood to talk and make his former buddy his friend again, so he began to say, "Well. It is the truth. I was just hunting around, but that monkey decided to throw a whole ass tree at me. I am too weak, so I had no other choice than to run away."
Noah narrowed his eyes and asked, "You're clearly just level 1. How did you survive his attack?"
Rolling his eyes at him, Arthur replied, "You are not the only genius, bro."
Noah gripped his dagger, which had some cracks on it, but didn't attack. He knew the young man before him wasn't simple. There was no way a Level 1 could have run away from a High-Grade Tier 1 Abyssal Creature.
'Why is he so relaxed? Is he mad or just pretending? Fuck! I can't read him at all.' Noah was really conflicted as he didn't know what to do. On one hand, he felt Arthur was too suspicious, and on the other hand, he seemed like a chill guy.
However, he didn't let his guard down and decided to spend some more time observing him.
Just then, the whole cave shuddered as some of the rocks fell on the duo. It only returned to normal after a few moments. It was as if a small earthquake had just hit them..
Sweat dripped from Arthur's forehead as he got a bad feeling. But he forced himself to calm down, thinking, 'Don't worry, I will survive this.'
Meanwhile, Arthur remained as relaxed as before. He looked at Noah and smirked, which Noah happened to catch a glimpse of.
His lips twitched as he growled, "What are you smirking at?"
"I was just thinking about our situation and how dead we are. The Monkey would surely won't leave this area till he had found us and we can't leave the area without him noticing." Arthur replied, his face returning to normal.
Noah was speechless and asked, "What is so funny in that?"
"Hmm, It is more of a sadly funny situation. I have a beautiful girlfriend back at home, but I am dying here with a random man," Arthur sighed. "I'd much prefer dying with a beautiful woman, but dying together with a man sounds so disappointing."
'Should I kill him? I really should,' Noah looked at Arthur with a deadpan look and wondered. Why did he have to meet such an annoying person here in such a situation?
As if he had expected a reply, Arthur sighed in disappointment when he didn't get anything in return, "You're no fun, Man. Just chill."
"I care about my life, unlike you. Why would I joke around while I'm practically dying," Noah looked away, his tense shoulders slumping downwards slightly.
"Oh yeah? Then what did Mr. Dark Night think to escape from here by remaining in a serious mood," Arthur snorted, his nostrils flaring up.
Noah opened his mouth but couldn't find the words to reply. After all, he really had no plans. So, instead of answering, he replied, "As if you have any plans either."
"Oh! I have a plan. It is a bit risky but if it works we would be safe," Arthur smiled and said.
Noah was surprised and asked, "What is it?"
"Pretty simple. We will go and kill that big ancestor of ours," Arthur shrugged as if it was the obvious thing. Well, it was, in a way.
Noah didn't reply and simply stared at Arthur, trying to see if he was joking. However, he found nothing—Arthur was as carefree as ever.. He narrowed his eyes and asked, "You're planning to use me as a bait to run away, don't you?"
"Of course not. Just trust me," Arthur replied instantly.
Noah rolled his eyes, "As if I would trust an unhinged bastard like you."
Arthur sighed and looked at Noah as if he were the most pitiful being. "I don't even want to imagine the horrible past you must have to have such trust issues. You are not even trusting this handsome face of mine—now that's the top level of trust issue."
'Forget surviving. First, I'll kill him, then die fighting that monkey,' Noah thought, drawing his blade as he pounced on Arthur.