"His son?! What exactly does that mean?" I was still stunned by the blacksmith Vex's unexpected answer.
"Exactly what it sounds like, kid," Vex replied curtly. His face was still scowling, but his eyes looking at me seemed a bit softer... or maybe I was imagining it.
"But... what the hell is that good-for-nothing son of mine doing wandering around in that abandoned Sliver town?" He muttered more to himself than asking me.
"Uh... he said he got lost," I laughed dryly, trying to make myself as small as possible. Vex let go of my shirt collar reluctantly, but still kept grumbling.
"Hah! That idiot! Always causing trouble like usual!" He gritted his teeth, but I caught a flash of worry in his eyes... just for a split second though.
"So if you got that sword... that means Sin took you as his disciple!" Vex squinted at me accusingly. His tone was still harsh but tinged with curiosity. "He didn't trick you out of anything, did he?"
"Uh... something like that," I answered vaguely.
"Hmph!" Vex snorted. "Go drag him back here! If you can bring that ungrateful brat back to my shop... I'll tell you where that stupid Stone Wolf Mask you're all looking for actually is!"
My eyes lit up immediately! So it really exists! But... walk all the way back to Sliver town again? I've been going non-stop all day. My legs are about to give out!
"Hey! So it really exists, Uncle Vex!" I accidentally blurted out excitedly.
That was it. Vex's face went back to being dark and furious. His anger erupted instantly!
"I said go, so go! Stop asking so many questions!" Before he finished speaking, his heavy foot kicked straight into my ribs with full force!
Oof!
My body went flying from the massive kick, crashing into the entrance gate of Rusty town with such force that dust flew everywhere. Is this human strength or elephant strength?!
"W-wait, my sword!" I groaned in pain, watching as Vex casually picked up the short sword from the ground. Looks like he's keeping it as collateral until I can drag Sin back... he'll probably return it... maybe...
While I was dragging my battered body out of Rusty town...
"How'd it go, kid? Did old Vex teach you another lesson?" The voice of the street sweeper from earlier rang out knowingly. I didn't turn to answer, just scratched my head awkwardly and shuffled into Stone City territory, too embarrassed and in too much pain to speak.
Groan...
Suddenly! A strange feeling shot through my body. I collapsed to my knees uncontrollably. The whole world spun around. Horrifying images flashed in my head... it was the twisted smile of a demonic skeleton. Its eye sockets were hollow but somehow staring right at me like it would devour me! Terror gripped my heart!
Blegh!
After breaking free from that terrifying vision, I puked up bitter liquid right in front of Stone City's entrance gate until my stomach was empty. My body shook, cold sweat poured out, my heart pounded like it would burst from my chest. What the hell was that?!
Before I could collect myself, my gaze automatically turned toward Rust Forest on the left. And then... a chilling thought made my body move! I tried to resist, tried to scream, but my arms and legs wouldn't obey! They walked... walked straight toward that Rust Forest slowly but steadily, like being pulled by invisible strings!
"What the hell... is that..." I mumbled through my own trembling, dry lips.
The scene before me nearly made me lose consciousness! Rust Forest, which used to be lush and green... now part of it had transformed completely! The ground was cracked and dry with black-red flames blazing up. Trees twisted into grotesque demon-claw branches. The sky above that area was dark and ominous like it was shrouded by a veil of hell! It was the image of one pit of hell... overlapping with the normal forest that was still there... like two dimensions layered on top of each other in a twisted way!
And my body... was walking straight into that hellish pit!
ROARRRRR!
The roar of demons echoed thunderously from deep within that forest hell! I heard the screams and wails of people... the sounds of crazed Soul Either! What the hell is happening?! Why can't I control myself?!
"Hey! Kid! What's wrong with you?! Your eyes are completely white!"
The street sweeper's voice! He's still around here? Eyes completely white? What does that mean? Am I walking to my death? My body won't stop! Terror consumed my mind until I nearly went insane!
Crunch... crack...
The sound of my footsteps trampling on dried leaves that had turned to ash...
Swoosh!
A massive Soul Either shot out from the dark shadows ahead! Its body was red as if soaked in blood. Its eyes blazed like fire. Thick, slimy drool foamed from its mouth. The stench was overwhelming! I'd never seen such a hair-raising Soul Either in my life!
And I... just stood there like a wooden puppet, unable to move even slightly! Death was coming in just a few moments!
But then! Just as its razor-sharp claws were about to tear my body to pieces! My consciousness suddenly returned! My body responded on instinct! I barely managed to dodge to the side!
"SOUL EITHER!" The old man's voice screamed in panic before running for his life. The voices of people in town who started seeing what was happening all broke into panicked screams!
ROARRRRRRRR!
The demon roared again, its voice so powerful my eardrums nearly burst! I looked left and right trying to find a weapon... a sword! No wait... the sword was taken by old Vex! Gun! Right! My trusty pistol! I quickly searched for its weak spot... but no matter how I looked, I couldn't find it! Where is it?!
Before I could aim properly, it charged at me again! With its massive size, I decided to quickly duck under its legs and fire back!
Bang!
But what shocked me to my core was... my bullet... didn't penetrate at all! The bullet hit its tough skin and bounced off like I'd shot a steel plate!
And then... a hoarse, terrifying voice came from its mouth...
"You... will... die... badly..."
Soul Either... can talk?! Seriously?! These past two days I've been running into nothing but crazy stuff! And now... I'm about to die again! My life is so damn unlucky!