Chapter 101: Chapter 101: Aether Core [2]
"Um..."
Many years have passed since Joey was brought to this space.
It could also be called an illusion created by that person.
It could also be called a prison.
A forest.
And many other names.
But, no matter how many names it had, there was still one truth, and that was, anyone who entered here would never be able to escape.
The first day he was brought here, Joey did not react much.
He believed that at some point, he would be able to return to reality.
But Joey was wrong.
No matter how long he waited, the thing he was looking forward to never appeared.
But, at least there was one positive thing.
This place was extremely safe.
When he was here, Joey never felt hungry, and he could immerse himself in nature, doing whatever he wanted.
Honestly, it was quite like paradise.
An ideal place for people who sought freedom.
However...
This place was too perfect... to the point of being boring.
The first week, Joey still felt quite strange here.
The second week, he gradually felt more familiar.
The third month, Joey felt like this place was no different from a paradise.
But, that was all.
The fifth month, he started to feel itchy.
The eighth month, Joey was in a state of extreme lethargy due to boredom.
There was nothing interesting here for him to entertain himself.
The second year, Joey’s mind began to become disordered.
The fifth year, he began to evolve backwards, becoming a psychopath.
And now, Joey was in a semi-conscious state.
Sometimes, he would wake up with a stable mind like a normal person.
But sometimes, Joey would turn into a psychopath, and do what all psychopaths do.
Hahahahahahahahahahaha!
...
"Hey old man, are you awake yet?"
In his daze, Joey heard a stranger’s voice.
Not only that, he felt his cheeks being patted.
Frowning, and feeling quite uncomfortable, he used all his willpower to open his eyes.
"...Who is it?"
And what entered his vision were four people he had never seen before.
With a smile, the one who had just slapped him in the face opened his mouth:
"Oh, you’re not a madman anymore, old man. How lucky."
***
"How long have you been stuck in this place?"
Kael, who was walking in front, cutting away all the bushes that were blocking their path, spoke up.
"About eight years or so. I don’t remember."
It was amazing that he hadn’t gone completely insane after living in this rough place for so many years.
If it was him, then Kael would have killed himself in his first year.
"You were the victim of that dancer?"
"What? So you guys were brought here by her too?"
From the way he said it, it seemed like Joey was indeed the victim of that girl.
But what was that dancer’s purpose after all?
Why did she bring an old man here?
Kael could understand why their group was brought here.
It was all because they intended to attack that dancer first.
But this old man could never do such a thing.
Joey didn’t even have the guts to go deep into that haunted theater, let alone confront her.
"Oh right, you said you’ve been here for 8 years, so you must know a lot about this place, right?"
Hans asked, his voice expectant.
But, the main character’s anticipation was only met with a faint smile from Joey.
"...Sorry, I didn’t spend much time exploring this place, so I don’t have much information."
"..."
That was an obvious answer.
After all, he was old, and even mentally ill.
"So, are we almost there yet?"
Walking ahead, Kael interjected into the conversation.
"Almost there, just be patient."
The place his group was heading to was what this man called the human base.
Obviously, besides him, that dancer had many other victims.
And in this place, they were forced to unite together, trying their best to help each other survive.
So, it was only natural for them to gather together and build a base.
But...
"Oh, you’re back, Joey?"
Glancing inside the cave, Kae and the other three couldn’t help but frown.
Just like Joey, the people inside were no different from beggars.
Not only that, each of them gave off a stench worse than a dead rat.
To the point that even Hans Varun didn’t dare to approach.
’How could they still be alive?’
Kael thought, but then stopped when everyone’s attention was on them.
"Joey, am I seeing things, or are there four people behind you?"
"You’re not seeing things, my friend, they really are people I picked up!"
"Hmm?"
The way Joey described the four of them... sounded a lot like he was describing a piece of merchandise.
Hearing that, everyone in the cave simultaneously broke into strange smiles.
"Welcome everyone!"
"Make yourself at home!"
"Come on, come in and rest!"
In just a brief moment, all the men’s lustful gazes were directed towards Kaede.
And of course, all four of them realized it.
These people... and perhaps that man as well... were not good people.
Clenching his fists, gritting his teeth, Hans muttered in the smallest voice:
"...Do these people want to die, using that gaze to look at Kaede like that?"
The murderous intent in the protagonist’s eyes could not be hidden.
The guildmaster of the Shadow Viper guild and Alaric also touched the hilt of their swords, ready to attack at any moment.
"Wait."
Kael’s voice rang out, interrupting the intentions of the three of them.
"Let me handle this."
With a smug smile, he strode confidently into the wolf den.
An appearance that feared neither heaven nor earth.
"Come on, young man, sit down here and tell me about the world outside!"
When they saw Kael enter, they all smiled warmly.
But, contrary to their thoughts, he was still standing there, smiling with an unknown meaning.
"Can I ask a question?"
"Of course, go ahead! We will definitely answer all your questions."
A man patted his chest confidently.
Still smiling, Kael continued:
"I want to know how to get out of this place, does anyone have any clues?"
"..."
For a moment, everyone fell into a deadly silence.
And then, in the next second, not knowing which switch Kael had touched, they all went crazy at the same time.
"No!"
"No one can leave here!"
"Give up! There’s no way out!"
"Getting out of here is just a pipe dream!"
A riot occurred.