26 A Glorious Feas (1/2)

After the gruesome battle that took place in the massive room, a six man Caretaker committee led James and the other survivors through a well illuminated maze-like hallway. Apart from the sounds of the feet marching on the tiled floor, not a single word was spoken. Most of the survivors had somber expressions on their blood-stained faces, even though a warm breeze whistled through the hallway, most of them felt a chill run down their spines. The memories of what happened in the spacious room, continued to flash in their minds like a broken record. However, the countenance of a select few differed from the majority. Instead of somber reflection, their eyes carried the same indifference as their demeanor. Some even had radiant smiles on their faces as they giggled at their counterparts with crestfallen expressions.

Like most of the youths, James looked dejected and listless. His blood-red hair was disheveled while coagulated blood dyed his robes. Although he had his head lowered, those around him could hear his subtle grunts of pain as he clenched his left arm which resembled a bloody mess. Apart from a select few, nobody mocked or laughed at him, because ninety percent of them nursed one form of injury. In fact, some of the survivors had injuries that would make the skins of most people crawl from terror and disgust. Unlike James, these people bawled in pain and misery. However, their misery was like a sweet symphony to others.

”Where are you leading us to? We have been walking for the last thirty minutes, at least tell us our destination!” A limping Dark-Elf bitterly complained. Although he said these words, he took a battle ready stance. After what he had experienced thus far, he knew to expect the unexpected.

Naturally, his shout drew the attention of everyone including the caretakers. Which caused the man familiar man leading them to stop in his tracks while turning around. With a gentle smile on his face, he glanced at the apprehensive Dark-Elf with his black beady eyes while stroking his goatee.

”We are almost there. I know you're tired, but trust me, you don't want to rest now. But if you insist, be my guest. Just to be certain, are there others who would like to rest, too?” Bronwyn said as he glanced at the other youths with his beady eyes. Just like him, the Dark-Elf also stared at the others in anticipation. He knew they were just as tired as him, but he was the only one who had the balls to speak up. However, his expectation was soon cut short by the stoic demeanors of the others. He knew that their silence meant they had no interest in siding with him.

The reaction of the group made Bronwyn chuckle softly while he fixed his gaze of the Dark-Elf, ”Hmm… It seems you're alone. So what will it be? Will you rest up, or will you join us?” Bronwyn asked with an amiable smile on his face.

”No… No. I'll continue. Since we are almost there, I can endure,” the Dark-Elf hurriedly said as he could not hide the terror in his voice.

”Fantastic. All right, let's continue,” Bronwyn retorted while giggling and clapping. Since none of the youths said nothing in response, he continued trekking towards their unknown location. Meanwhile, cold perspiration covered the forehead of the Dark-Elf while he struggled to maintain a steady breathing pattern. After everything he had experienced in the damned forsaken place, he knew what fate would have befallen him if he had chosen the other option.

”What a fucking coward,” a Demon snickered. His mocking words drew ire of all the surviving Dark-Elves, while the Demons could not stop themselves for laughing in delight. Even though they were all in a precarious situation, the Demons would never relinquish an opportunity to mock an Elf. Although a stared daggers at each other, none of them had the intention of attacking. Because they did not know how Bronwyn and the other caretakers would react. Using their earlier experience as a reference, they dared not attack.

With such thought in mind, members of both faction could only stare at each other in silence. The limping Dark-Elf could hardly maintain his calm, although he could not fight, it did not mean he could not hurl insults at the Demons. Just as he was about to speak, a small but firm hand covered in blood tapped him from his back. Startled, he turned his head while staring at the human with his lilac eyes. Overcoming his initial surprise, anger swelled his heart with his face distorted by rage, and his soiled robe irked him the most. The perfect vessel to vent his anger had appeared, he thought. Just as he was about to speak, he heard the soft voice of the human, ”Good job. You made the right decision friend,” James said while tapping the shoulder of the livid Dark-Elf.

”Don't touch me! And who the hell is your friend? Look at what you have done to why robes… are you fucking blind? You're lucky we can't fight here,” the Dark-Elf said as he swatted James's hand from his shoulder while using his other hand to shove James.

With a wry smile on his face while clenching his teeth in pain, James took hurried steps away from the enraged Dark-Elf. James's words and comical retreat only served as a temporary means of entertainment for the already amused Demons.

”What a retard. Why do we have to be in the same place with such lower beings?” the same Demon said with a dejected sigh. Openly mocking all the other races naturally made the Demons the focal point of everyone's anger. However, the Demons did not give a damn about the feelings of the orders.

James who retreated earlier was being eyed other humans, and from the looks on their face, they did not like the fact he dragged them down with his moronic actions.

”What an idiot. This is the fifth person he has randomly approached. Is this the place to make friends? How did someone like this survive?” a young girl muttered while shaking her head. Meanwhile, James still had his head lowered while softly grunting his pain. However, the sides of his lips curved into a faint smirk.

”System, was that long enough?” James said within his mind.

<Ding! >

Congratulations!

The user has placed the Skills–Rot Inducement and Curse Inducement on the Target.

<Ding! >

'Hahaha… That old bastard did a good job sending me here. It might be a loony bin, but it's a haven for me. Thank God those caretakers did not see through the Mana Manipulation. I don't need everyone wandering how I survived the battle unscathed. Hopefully, I'll find a way to sneak out of here,' James mused with a brilliant smile on his face. However, the moment he raised his head, he noticed the crazy redhead had her pitch black eyes fixated on him. With her beautiful appearance and graceful demeanor, James might have thought she was cute. Unfortunately, he knew she was a cold-blooded psychotic maniac.

Like a scared little kitten, he dodged her gaze while pretending to be scared. Noticing James's reaction, the redhead Demon turned her attention to an Ogre with a mottled scar on his back.

'Has she figured it out yet? No… no, that's not possible. Even though she could see in the darkness, she should not have noticed I'm the Grim Reaper. My Grim Reaper form and physical form share no similarities and I don't emit any scent while using it, so it's impossible for this crazy bitch to know. In fact, everyone thinks I survived the massacre by share luck, and my actions of tactlessly trying to form friends should cement the thought I survived by luck,' James thought as he continued to feign being scared. With no further altercations, the survivors and caretakers continued trekking in the hallway.

…