HDOVAML Chapter 112

<Chapter 112>

 

“Not dead?”

I stared at him blankly.

The Spirit King of Death looked down at me with an expression that seemed oddly conflicted and spoke.

[This is not a place where death is destined to occur.]

“Then…”

Well, that’s a relief, at least.

I thought absentmindedly, then fixed my gaze on the Spirit King of Death with curiosity.

“Why are you here, then?”

There was no one dead here.

[That…]

At my question, the Spirit King of Death noticeably hesitated, delaying his answer.

[…]

What’s with him? 

He should know the answer, yet his expression almost seemed like he was searching for a reason.

“Anyway, if no one’s dead, I should just get back to what I was doing.”

I abruptly got to my feet from where I’d been sitting and began striding deeper into the dark cave.

[Where are you going?]

After his prolonged silence, the Spirit King of Death suddenly asked as he followed behind me.

“Even if he’s not dead, I can’t just leave him like that.”

It’s not as if you’d deign to help with something as ‘insignificant’ as saving a mere mortal.

“So, I’m going to find some kind of rock. If I can dig through the mud and free that boy…”

He didn’t say anything more, and I kept searching, feeling along the walls and floor in the pitch darkness for a suitable rock.

“…If only I could just break that off and use it.”

But I couldn’t find anything usable. I muttered regretfully, looking up at the massive stalactites hanging from the ceiling.

If someone strong could just snap one of those off and hand it to me, that would be perfect.

“…”

Then, as if it were the most natural thing in the world, I turned to look at the large figure that had been lingering behind me for some time.

His blue eyes, the only light source in this dark cave, trembled slightly as he asked,

[Why are you looking at me like that?]

Come to think of it, didn’t the minion of the spirit king of death help me before when I was crossing the Ahilan River on my way to the Kingdom of Dryas?

When I was on the brink of being captured by Khalid Ilkai, the minion of the spirit king death appeared before Rezeck and hovered around, giving silent signals.

Since the minion wouldn’t act on its own will, the Spirit King of Death must have commanded it…

“Excuse me, I’d like to ask you something.”

This being might just help me.

“Last time, the crow you assigned to watch over me ended up helping me.”

[…]

The Spirit King of Death remained silent.

I hesitated briefly but decided to continue since I had already started.

“Please tell me. Why did you summon an ally to ensure my safe escape when I was at risk of being dragged away by the prince of Nisha?”

[There was no special reason.]

The answer came faster than I expected, in a firm and emotionless tone.

[To quickly fulfill the mission Lore entrusted to you, to recover the life I should have already taken,]

He looked down at me with an even colder gaze.

[And to restore everything to its proper order.]

The Spirit King of Death had answered my question.

“I see.”

I lowered my head slightly as I replied. Knowing the exact reason he had helped me felt like closure, in a way.

“In that case, I’ll feel more comfortable asking for your help from now on.”

[…]

When I mumbled quietly and glanced up, the Spirit King of Death frowned slightly, seemingly puzzled by my words.

Everything for mutual benefit.

“In order to fulfill my mission as quickly as possible, leave this body, and part ways cleanly with you, Spirit King of Death, I need your help.”

[What?]

Ignoring his confusion, I raised my hand and pointed at the most tempting stalactite.

“To do that, I first need to get out of this cave. But I can’t just leave with a living person trapped right in front of me. So, I beg you, Spirit King of Death. Could you break that stalactite and give it to me?”

[…]

Though it was too dark to see his expression clearly, I could tell intuitively—this being in front of me was genuinely baffled.

But so what? If he didn’t help me here, I’d be powerless.

Besides, I wasn’t asking him to carry me out of the cave, just to snap off a single stalactite. It wasn’t too much to ask, just the right amount of help would suffice.

If he refused even this…

No matter how much he reminded me of Ashmed, I didn’t think I could see him in a positive light anymore.

Not that my approval meant anything to him. But what was I supposed to do? I didn’t have any other options.

I decided to stick to my guns.

[In all my existence… I’ve never met a human quite like you.]

With a voice tinged with genuine exasperation, even shock, the Spirit King of Death closed his glowing blue eyes, seeming to contemplate briefly.

[…]

Without a word, he strode over, easily broke off the exact stalactite I had pointed at, and handed it to me.

[Take it. Such a trivial request is hardly worth refusing.]

“Thank you! As expected, you’re as strong as you look.”

I accepted the heavy stalactite with delight, even adding a bit of flattery. But rather than being pleased, the Spirit King of Death’s expression hardened noticeably.

How complicated. 

Still, it wasn’t my problem, so I held the stalactite tightly and carefully crossed the slippery floor toward the cave’s entrance, where the boy lay unconscious.

“With this…”

Thunk. Thunk.

The dense, wet soil didn’t yield easily. But I didn’t give up, wiping sweat from my forehead as I focused on digging.

Thunk—

“Finally!”

After what felt like an eternity, I managed to clear enough space to pull the boy out.

Overcome with relief, I tossed the heavy stalactite aside and grabbed the boy’s arms, pulling with all my might.

“Ugh… Even after all that digging, he won’t budge…”

It felt as though all my efforts were about to be wasted. The boy’s body showed no sign of coming free from the soil.

Frustrated, I muttered helplessly.

[Move aside.]

“What?”

Suddenly, the Spirit King of Death, whose presence I had completely forgotten, approached me.

Startled, I looked up at him, but he simply motioned for me to step aside without saying more.

‘…What is he planning?’

Hesitant, I moved back to give him space. As soon as I did, the Spirit King of Death grabbed the boy by the nape of his neck.

“Wait—!”

Before I could say anything, he pulled the boy completely free from the sticky soil in one effortless motion.

“…What?”

Did I just imagine that?

I’d been struggling for what felt like two hours, and he did it so easily…

“You could’ve helped me earlier… No, wait—amazing! As expected of the Spirit King of Death! You’re incredible!”

[…I’ll leave him here. Whatever happens next is up to you.]

“Of course! I’ll never forget the two times you helped me today. I’ll repay this debt, even after I return to my time.”

Though exhausted, I couldn’t help but express my gratitude.

I carefully laid the boy down, ensuring he was in a stable position, and checked for any other injuries.

[…I’ll take my leave now.]

The Spirit King of Death gave me an unreadable look before disappearing into mist, just as he had appeared.

“He’s finally gone. Now what…?”

Even though I’d saved the boy, if I couldn’t find a way out of this cave, we’d both starve to death.

That wretched Spirit King of Wisdom hadn’t offered a shred of help, even in the face of this danger.

“I had to beg and plead with the Spirit King of Death just to get this far…”

I was exhausted—too tired to keep going. I leaned against the cold cave wall and closed my eyes, thinking I’d rest for just a moment.

But unexpectedly, I fell into a deep sleep.

Boom. Boom—

“What’s that noise…?!”

Startled awake by a strong tremor that shook the ground beneath me and a persistent, irritating noise, I quickly turned to check on the boy I had rescued.

He was still unconscious, lying peacefully beside me. But the vibrations and sounds… What on earth were they?

Crack—

“!”

Suddenly, cracks began forming in the soil that had tightly sealed the cave entrance.

Crash—

[Whoa, I made it in! Let’s see, where’s the person… Oh?]

Through a small opening, a tiny figure tumbled in and met my eyes.

In disbelief, I muttered a single word.

“Gnome…?”