Kaiju grabbed Snow and Little Gorilla with his other hand, leaping out from a dark skin woman's embrace. He warily gazed at her, while also keeping watch on a white middle-aged man in his peripheral vision.
He admitted it, seeing another human was good news, but with his understanding of human nature, he felt it would be better to trust the beast rather than his kind. After experiencing betrayal many times, he knew he would not be the same before.
Memories kept flooding on his mind, but he held it in. He was aware his circumstances didn't allow him to fall into daze. He had to assure his safety and his pet.
Kaiju stared intensely at the dark skin woman, scrutinizing her. She has curly hair, braids in a strange yet gorgeous pattern, amplifying her beauty. Despite her skin being dark brown, she was no doubt a beauty. Her breast was rather large–an indicator of her middle age. Her slim physique made her seem to be in an elf race.
He peeked at the white man, chilling on the right side, sitting on the protruding enormous roots of a gargantuan tree. He has blonde hair, white skin, bulky body, wearing steel armor that blinded him. If only he had the skill to analyze the steel armor, he would have information about it.
Having been exposed to Rare grade weapons, he knew it was certainly a Rare grade artifact.
Furthermore, the aura the two emanated certainly belonged to a rank even possibly higher than a Corrupted rank serpent he battled earlier. After all, just based on his instinct, the moment he tried to go against them, he was certainly doomed–not even lady luck could save him.
Hence, at this point, he knew he had to compromise. Survival mattered the most at this moment.
"W-Who are you?" Kaiju asked the dark woman.
The latter smiled at Kaiju's action, feeling a bit strange about his response but had chosen to understand it. She even thought it was good that Kaiju instantly remained wary of strangers.
She smiled. "We are participants just like you, handsome kid."
Kaiju gulped and nodded. "Normally, participants should be of my age. Why-"
"Stop." The white man interjected Kaiju.
Kaiju quickly looked at him and was startled by how terrified the white man appeared, gazing intensely at the dark woman. Kaiju turned his attention to the dark woman, but, instead of seeing her usual amiable expression, he was welcomed with a ferocious countenance directed at him.
The dark woman still tried to smile and asked, "What you were about to say? Continue."
Kaiju gulped and shook his head, terrified.
"I-I wouldn't dare."
The dark woman smiled brightly, but the aura she exuded felt more dangerous than any existence Kaiju encountered.
Thankfully, the dark woman didn't continue to press the matter as she said, "We've been living here on the Trial for a decade. To be honest, just surviving that amount of time is already lucky for us."
She took a deep breath and exhaled for a long while. She closed her eyes and continued.
"I know getting out of here alive is pretty much impossible. However, we will still try our best. We will continue to do so at the cost of our lives."
The dark woman stared at the white man, impelling Kaiju to look at the latter.
The white man smiled brightly and stared at Kaiju. "If death stares at us…"
"We'll stare at it back," they said at the same time.
Kaiju could perceive the fire burning intensely in their heart. They seemed to be adamant on getting out of the Trial. It was either they would die or leave from this hell. Kaiju understood their sentiments, as he even felt the same.
He nodded, lowering his guard somewhat as he replied, "I feel the same."
"Of course, you do!" The dark woman knew Kaiju trusted them somewhat so she walked towards him.
Despite still acting wary, Kaiju, who always relied on his instinct, let the dark woman walk near him, discerning no hostile intent coming from her.
She patted his shoulder and said, "We'll become the first Hellish Trial participant to complete it."
Kaiju stared deeply at her eyes, perceiving the vigorous spirit roaring deep within her iris. Kaiju was influenced somewhat and nodded without hesitation.
The dark woman laughed and said, "I'm Qwanisha, kid. Qwanisha Harriss."
She turned towards the white man and beamed a smile. The latter smiled brightly at her, and Kaiju could perceive some romantic tension between them, causing him to understand what their relationship was.
"Max Lawrence. H-He is my lover."
"My wife, after we get out of this Trial alive."
Kaiju peeked at Qwanisha's reaction when the white man added her introduction, and saw her cheeks burning in hotness. Kaiju furrowed his eyebrows, just feeling strange about the atmosphere he was standing in.
"A-Anyway." Qwanisha stared at Kaiju, and the latter knew her intention. "What about you, kid? What's your name?"
"Kaiju."
"Kaiju?"
"Kaiju."
Qwanisha gazed at Kaiju in bewilderment. She turned to her lover and asked, "Are there any places where we knew that a person didn't have a surname?"
Max furrowed his eyebrows and replied, "Slum? Orphanage?"
They stared at Kaiju at the same time, waiting for his answer.
Kaiju only smiled in response, remembering some unpleasant memories but he quickly erased them away.
"I have a father. Only that, he just gave me this name, nothing else. I don't even know his surname."
Qwanisha's eyes flashed with understanding, asking Kaiju with a worried tone, "Are you still living with him? Where is your mother?"
Kaiju smiled, nodded, and then shook her head.
Qwanisha suddenly had the urge to pull Kaiju into her embrace, hugging him tightly until Kaiju couldn't breathe. Kaiju let her be and didn't push her away.
Qwanisha could assume bits of what Kaiju was saying, knowing the child must have gone through with something dreadful.
To live with a father like that, who certainly didn't show love for his son… Qwanisha couldn't help but feel her heart ache for Kaiju.
She swore to help him grow under their care.
Another embrace mingled with them, and Qwanisha glanced at her lover, who was smiling while closing his eyes. He didn't land a gaze on her but stared at Kaiju who did the same.
Max said, "Alright, you will be under our care, kid. I mean, Kaiju, treat us like someone you could deeply rely on. We will try our best to meet your needs."