Chapter 538: Nepotism (1/2)

Billy looked around curiously, but he frowned when there was nothing but fog everywhere. Still, Billy remembered Zac’s words. This magic statue was dangerous. Of course, Billy was smart enough to understand that without Zac telling. The statue was able to grow in size so much that Billy could fit inside without problem, so how could it be normal?

Zac was just trying to help though, so Billy wouldn’t point out his friend’s silly mistake. Billy was a bit confused why the statue in Zac's house made Billy so annoyed though. It was almost as handsome as Billy himself, so he should like it.

He couldn't figure it out, so he just gripped [Bonker] even harder as he walked forward. Finally, there was a change in the fog as a smaller statue appeared, standing just a bit taller than Billy himself. Billy frowned at the sight, and something about this statue man was really annoying Billy as well. It felt like the statue was really asking for a beating.

“Welcome, descendant. I am Thrak, the Titan. Prove your worthi-“ a loud voice shouted out from the stone, but it did get any further before [Bonker] slammed into its head, utterly reducing the whole statue into rubble.

“Stupid stone, trying to talk like a person,” Billy said with a snort, anger smoldering in his chest.

Wait, why was Billy angry? Something about the talking stone had made Billy extremely annoyed, but he couldn’t remember why? Had Mama warned him of talking statues before? No, that wasn’t it. Billy looked down at the broken stone for a few seconds before he shrugged and kept walking.

If Mama hadn’t mentioned it, and he couldn’t remember, then it couldn't be too important.

Still, the hidden space within the big statue started to annoy Billy. Zac had said that there would be a lot of good things inside, but there were just crazy stones and mist. He kept trying to remember Zac’s other ideas, but Billy had been busy looking at the big octopus when he talked. It was a lot bigger than the ones he had seen at the aquarium, and it even had more arms.

Mama said that a lot of people thought octopuses were really yummy, but Billy had never tasted it. He wondered what Big Blue tasted like. Billy bet it tasted real good since it had so many arms. He couldn't help but drool a bit as he thought about it. Perhaps he should ask Thea if she could give Billy an arm? Big Blue already had so many.

An hour passed and Billy finally gave up on finding the treasure. Perhaps it was buried under the ground, but it was too hard to dig in, even for Billy. He took out a bed from his Magic Pouch and lay down, and thunderous snores soon echoed across the inheritance site.

“You’re back,” Statue Man said.

“Ah! Billy remembers now!” Billy roared in anger. “You’re the one who sent the talking stone to trick me! You’re the one who stole Billy’s good things!”

He immediately ran toward the statue, and [Bonker] ripped through the air as it shot against Statue Man's head. But [Bonker]'s bubbly skull was stopped by the shield, meaning that Billy wouldn't be able to destroy Statue Man today either.

”Calm down. I haven't done anything to steal your good things. In fact, I've been trying to give you good things for months now,” the statue said, like Billy didn't know that Statue Man was a trickster.

But in this case, it seemed like it was telling the truth. Billy was smart, so he could tell when people were lying.

“Oh, it’s wasn’t you?” Billy said with confusion. “Why didn’t you say so, trying to confuse Billy. Stupid.”

“… Anyway,” Statue man sighed. “What’s going on? What talking stone? Why do I sense a familiar aura from where you are sleeping?”

Billy considered whether he should tell Statue Man or not, but he eventually decided he could use some help. Billy had been lost in the mist for too long, and he was starting to get bored. Perhaps the Statue Man could help him figure out how to dig for treasure in the hard ground. Or perhaps he was even friends with the other Statue Man.

“Billy’s friend had another Statue Man, and he let Billy go inside to look for treasures. But Billy couldn't find any treasure anyway. Statues are all bad,” Billy said.

Statue Man was a bit stupid as usual, needing Billy to repeat himself multiple times before he understood what Billy was talking about. But he eventually understood.

“So you’re inside a trail created from a descendant of our clan? Small world, no wonder it felt familiar. The bloodline is weak and impure, but it has undergone a real awakening,” statue-man muttered. “This is good. I can only provide you with theory through this realm, but this half-blood child might be able to help you take the first steps with your bloodline,” the statue said.

“Billy has told you, Billy is human. Billy doesn't need any blood either, Billy's body is full of it,” Billy snorted.

”Nevermind then,” the Statue said. ”But what about treasures? There is a lot of treasure outside, but you won't be able to find it without help. So let me help you find some treasure, ok?”

”How?” Billy asked skeptically. ”Billy knows you can't get out. Billy won't draw the thing outside to let you free.”

”How about this?” the Statue said. ”This time when you wake up, you will remember me for one hour. If you shout 'Statue man, help me!' I'll be able to come out and help you, but only for 10 seconds. Any more than that might hurt me and the place where you are.”

”How does Billy know you're not lying?” Billy said skeptically.

”I swear on my mother that what I said just now was true,” the statue said solemnly.

”Good! Billy will trust you this time!” Billy said with a big smile.

However, Billy knew now that Statue Man was a liar. He never swore on his mama when it came to drawing that thing outside. Billy had actually considered drawing it before, but now he definitely wouldn't. Some statues are just too stupid.

”But first, explain to me how the trial works,” the Statue said, drawing Billy out of his thoughts.

“Billy doesn’t know. Billy only saw a talking stone. It was annoying so it got thwonked,” Billy shrugged. ”Then nothing happened.”

”The Inheritance Trial seems to have been pretty poorly crafted to allow such a situation to occur without any fallbacks,” the statue muttered. ”Well, just call for me outside, and I'll find the guy with the treasure for you.”

Billy woke up a bit later, and he actually remembered Statue Man this time, just like he said. However, he didn't immediately call for him, but rather looked around for a while longer. Billy didn't want to call that guy unless he had to. However, there really was just mist everywhere, and Billy finally gave up.

”STUPID STATUE MAN, COME HELP ME!” Billy roared, and a terrifying pressure spread out the next moment.

Billy's eyes widened in shock as he looked for the threat. However, he was afraid that [Bonker] wouldn't be able to help him right now. Not even that old spear guy during the hunt was as scary as this. He felt a bunch of bad feelings in his chest, just like those days he had to protect mama from papa when his mouth smelled funny.

Why had Billy cast the spell to let Statue Man out? Was it actually he who was the stupid one?

”IN THE NAME OF THE EASTERN MOUNTAIN, HELP THIS CHILD”, a thunderous voice suddenly echoed out across the area, causing the whole world to shake and most of the mist to disappear.

The terrifying pressure was gone the next moment, and Billy could breathe out in relief. Statue Man really didn't lie this time and went back inside Billy's dreams.

“Ah? The Eastern Mountain?” a startled voice answered from nowhere the next second, though Billy felt it was a lot weaker than the earlier voice.

Wait, what earlier voice?