“We used to live in Radiant City, just idling our days away. Carrying some memories of our past lives, we lived day after day like that, and no one thought there was anything wrong with it.”
“Until one day, Garein somehow traded for a forbidden spell that could force the undead to regrow flesh and blood. But the process is extremely draining on the soul.”
“To Garein, the flesh and blood of living people is a rare... delicacy.” Lian’s voice trembled slightly. “He didn't capture us to bring us back to life. He treats us as food.”
“Every once in a while, a few of us would be chosen to enter that castle.” Lian’s voice grew lower and lower. “This time, I'm the only one left.”
Erich swept his gaze across the dormitory. The eight beds were completely empty now. He had originally thought the others living here were just out, but he hadn't expected this to be the reason.
“I wanted to run away, but... but...”
As Lian spoke, her voice choked up. Intermittent sobs came from beneath her black hood, which eventually turned into suppressed weeping, as if she were crying out all the terror she had bottled up over these past days.
“I'm sorry, I'm sorry...”
Erich’s fists clenched.
He had only known there was a hidden boss here, but he hadn't expected this boss to be so utterly inhuman.
His original plan was to leave Garein alive, just beating him half to death. That way, it wouldn't stop Erich from taking the ring, and he could keep coming back for more physical encounters in the future.
But now, whether it was to obtain the treasure or to rid the people of a menace, this boss had thoroughly earned his death.
Erich placed his hand on Lian’s head again. Beneath his palm was the uneven texture of withered bone and rotten flesh, which he could feel even through the hood.
“Don't be afraid. Tell me, where does Garein live?”
Lian sniffled twice. “In... in that castle.”
Erich stood up. “Wait here. I'll be right back.”
Just as he was about to turn around, Lian grabbed the hem of his black cloak. “Don't go. Garein is very strong. You should run.”
Erich looked down at her, a corner of his mouth curving upward. “I'm stronger.”
Lian froze. With tears still on her face, she didn't know what to say for a moment.
“I-I'll show you the way.”
She stopped crying, wiped her face, and jogged over to Erich.
Erich had wanted her to stay behind, as it was too dangerous for a child to go to such a place. But Lian was already pulling him toward the door, whispering as she walked, “I know every path in the city. I know how to bypass the guards. If you go wandering around alone, you'll definitely be caught.”
Unable to dissuade her, Erich had no choice but to follow.
Under the cover of night, the interior of the castle was even larger than it appeared from the outside. The paths intersected in a dizzying maze, with a dim red lamp hanging at regular intervals.
Lian was small, moving lightly and quickly along the base of the walls. Erich kept his pace low and followed behind. Twice along the way, heavy footsteps echoed from afar. Lian would drag him into the shadows of a corner, waiting for the footsteps to fade before continuing.
Before long, the two of them arrived at the foot of the towering tower that seemed to reach the heavens.
Built against the mountain, the top of the tower merged into the rock face, making it impossible to see where its highest point lay. One could only see the pitch-black tower stretching upward, disappearing into the dark red sky. Standing close to it, the sense of oppression was even more palpable.
The tower's gates were tightly shut, incredibly thick. Erich weighed his staff, wondering if he should just blast the doors open with a spell. However, Lian tugged at his sleeve and led him toward the side of the mountain.
There was a concealed passage hidden there, covered carelessly with weeds and rubble. It was virtually impossible to notice without looking closely.
Lian cleared away the cover, revealing an opening barely large enough for a person to squeeze through.
“This was an old cargo passage. After Garein moved in, he sealed the main gates, but he probably forgot about this one.”
Erich poked his head in. It was pitch black inside, so dark he couldn't see his own hand.
“I'll go first,” he said.
“Okay.”
Crawling through the passage, the two of them quickly arrived at what looked like a warehouse. It was filled with boxes and sacks covered in a thick layer of dust. In the corner lay several scattered skeletons, their clothes similar to what Lian and the others wore.
Erich didn't look closely. He landed lightly on the ground and reached out to help Lian down.
At the far end of the warehouse was a flight of stairs leading upward, disappearing into the gloomy heights.
Lian stood at the foot of the stairs, looking up. She took half a step back. “Garein's room is all the way at the top... Can I not go up?”
Erich could see her fear. He didn't force her. With a gentle smile, he turned and walked toward the stairs.
“Leave it to me.”
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