The Forgotten Slayer-Chapter 29: Brief Respite

There was no time of day here, like there was in the realm of the humans. The sky above was constantly maroon. So Clyde was surprised whenever the monsters started talking about settling down for nightfall.

He was standing away from the others near a tent. From Clyde's point of view, the tent was the size of a large house. Luckily they had lodging for beings the size of Clyde.

Deciding it would be a good idea to meet with the human-like creatures, Clyde tried to introduce himself. Leaning off the massive tent, he thought the best place to start would be the smaller tents.

His presence did attract some attention, but the beast chose to leave him alone for now. Clyde had already been asked to join several different clans, a concept he still didn't understand completely. To his surprise, a few creatures asked to join his own clan.

Clyde told them all yes, which hopefully wouldn't be a problem later. Technically, his clan had two members, excluding himself.

The large Minotaur he met asked to join pretty directly after camp was set up. Clyde recalled he said something along the lines of following strength. The other was a human sized spider. Clyde mostly said yes out of fear, but that was all it took.

Taking longer than expected, Clyde finally reached the smaller tents deeper into the center of the camp. He needed to be careful about revealing his true nature.

Seeing Clyde's entrance, a small, blue human-like creature walked up to him. He had glasses and short grey hair. He was currently wearing a dull leather tunic, likely preparing for sleep.

"You're Clyde right?"

His voice was higher pitched than Clyde was expecting.

"That's me, and you are?"

"They call me Quinn. I have another question for you."

Quinn intrigued Clyde because he was very straightforward.

"Go on."

"Why are you pretending to be an Inferi? I'm not strong but I'm intelligent, and you are a human."

This boy had completely figured out what Clyde was trying to hide. At least he found someone to learn from.

Grabbing the Quinn's arm, Clyde dragged him behind one of the tents. When he let go, the Inferi was blushing and clearly startled.

"Sorry to grab you like that, I just need to be cautious. I'm under the impression most of you don't like Humans."

"You're not wrong, but don't worry about me. Think about it—if I really disliked you, I would've told people by now. I just want to learn more about your kind."

Letting go if Quinn's arm, Clyde relaxed himself.

"That makes sense. I think we can make an exchange. I need to know more about your people, the Inferi. You wish to learn about Humans and why I'm here."

Quinn's yellow eyes began to glimmer.

"I would love nothing more! But I have one more request. You mentioned having a clan right?"

"I did."

"Is there any chance you would let someone like me in? I've mentioned that I'm not strong, but I more than make up for it in insight."

Clyde acted like he was taking his time contemplating.

"I don't see a problem with it, as of this moment you are a member of the House of Fracture."

Quinn became erratic.

"Finally, I've been trying to join one for almost sixty years now!"

'Sixty years!!? For someone who looks younger than me, they are that old. They must age differently than humans.'

"By the way Quinn, what is a clan."

Quinn's jaw might as well have dropped to the floor.

"I have made a grave mistake."

He fell to the ground with his hands covering his face. Clyde didn't imagine this reaction at all, the meaning of a clan must be deep.

"Are you gonna fill me in?"

Quinn begrudgingly answered.

"A clan is a pact. It's a permanent as life and death in this world. Members should treat everyone's lives as their own. Most importantly, it's beyond simple words or promises. In this realm, a clan is like a natural law."

"It's not like my clan is real or anything, I just made it up on the spot."

Quinn became a bit angry.

"That's all you had to do! It's such an intangible thing here—literally no one would state their clanship, because it meant that you couldn't join another clan! I initially thought you had some knowledge of what a clan was. Best case scenario, you were the head of some infamous, powerful group."

Clyde ran a hand through his hair.

"I guess I'm just not comprehending the scale of your words. It sounds like the way in comrade should act with each other."

Quinn let out a hysterical chuckle.

"Look into yourself, and I mean that literally. Close your eyes and imagine your heart beating."

Listening to her, Clyde followed her instructions. He saw a heart pulsing in and out. Suddenly, three small, shimmering lights surrounded it.

"You see them don't you? Each of those is a representation of a member. In case you forgot, it's like a natural law here. We are literally bounded! It might not be a big deal to you since you're not from here, but it is to me. In exchange for your assistance, we pledge our existence to you."

This was a lot to take in, Clyde only felt more questions in his mind.

"What do you mean my assistance and how exactly is your existence mine?"

"A clan's leader is supposed to be powerful, their duty is to protect their people and provide. A member is bound to be loyal, the will of our leader is absolute. Going against it could result in death, if the clan leader wanted it to."

Clyde was finally realizing what he had got himself and others into.

"I'm sorry, Quinn, but rest assured, I would never forfeit a life for any reason."

Quinn looked up at Clyde with a heartfelt reaction.

"For some reason, I trust you. In fact, I believe you were meant to be here. Do you mind telling me how you ended up in this place."

Clyde told Quinn about falling down a hole in the human realm, and the rest of the story to this point. His face was calm, displaying focus as he listened.

"That is a crazy idea to swallow. I don't think you're lying either. There's a lot to discuss, but for now I think it's best we get some rest."

Clyde couldn't disagree as he himself was beginning to feel an intense pressure to sleep.

"I agree. By the way, do you have any room in your tent? I don't have anywhere else to go."

Quinn's face became flustered once again.

"Yes, you can sleep inside. I have a spare sleeping bag."

Following Quinn to his tent, Clyde wondered if he was putting too much pressure on him. He had never seen someone get so flustered over something this simple. Perhaps it was a difference between the Inferi and humans.

Lying down, Clyde got some much needed rest.

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