The Gamer's POV-Chapter 217: The Return to the Sunken City

The graveyard was quiet, save for the low whistle of the wind as it brushed through the dead grass.

Then, all of a sudden, the sound of soil shifting and dry wood snapping echoed through the air as a hand began to slowly emerge from one of the shallow graves. By the time the hand had fully emerged, it remained perfectly still, as if testing the cold air for a moment. Then, the whole body began to heave upward, dragging itself out from the dark depth of the grave, until Cedric was sitting in a weary, almost meditative manner.

After a few quiet seconds, he ran a hand through his hair to shake out the lingering grains of sand. Then, as he brought his hand down, he studied his pale skin, which was now bare without Aika’s tattoo.

However, only a few seconds later, black flames began to wrap themselves like hungry shadows around his arm. He watched in silence as they burned, until they began to subside into thin, wispy trails of smoke. Then, as if guided by an invisible needle, a black tattoo of a majestic raven began to slowly etch itself back into his pale skin.

By the time it fully formed, the flames had completely extinguished, leaving behind nothing but a lingering, cold sensation.

Cedric exhaled and when he did, a cloud of green smoke flowed out as his mana core was suddenly filled up with mana again.

Then, at that moment, Aika’s voice echoed in Cedric’s head.

’Tsk. So that’s what death feels like.’~~

Cedric placed a hand to the back of his neck and rotated his head slowly, like someone who was exhausted despite being in peak physical condition.

"It’s not exactly fascinating, is it?"

’It’s utter bullshit,’ Aika spat. ’It felt like I was being pulled through the eye of a needle, only to find nothing on the other side.’~~

Cedric’s eyes remained dull and half-lidded as he let out a small sigh. Then, as he slowly began to rise, he muttered softly.

"At least something good came of it." He began to brush the sand from his clothes with a tired rhythm as he added, "It’s a great thing we got to know the true nature of the hollow ones."

’Oh?’ Aika’s voice carried a surprised, yet knowing tone. ’You plan on turning our nightmares into our neighbors, then?’~~

A faint, predatory grin began to grow on Cedric’s lips. "Neighbors? No. I was thinking more along the lines of... business partners."

He reached to the side and pulled out a large black coat from his inventory, then he wore it over his dirty white shirt. After that, he took out a black newsboy cap.

He looked at the cap for a brief second, then ran his hand along the edge of the brim, before finally placing it on his head.

The moment the cap was on, dozens of black feathers suddenly fluttered out from the seams, after which a few black ravens materialized from the air and took to the sky, flying in a steady circle above him.

Finally, Cedric pocketed his hands and drew in a deep breath. Then with a small smile on his lips, he muttered in a calm voice.

"Let’s go introduce ourselves... properly this time."

***

Caw! Caw!

The silence of the night was broken by the caws of ravens approaching the city. This drew the attention of the hollow ones guarding the entrance to this sunken city.

A few on patrol sniffed the air, then turned around to see a lone figure approaching the front gates with his hands tucked casually into the pockets of a long black coat. A death-black raven was perched on his shoulder, and its obsidian eyes were fixed on them.

Feathers kept falling from the ravens above like black snow, and with every step this lone figure took, the sparse grass around his boots seemed to wither and decay.

As Cedric drew closer, six hollow ones moved to intercept him. Two were on horses while four marched on foot, and they all gripped their weapons warily.

"Halt right there!" one of them bellowed, while pulling the reins of his horse as they finally blocked his path.

The creature had a confused and disturbed expression on his face. "How is this possible? You are the human with the scent of the decay. I heard you had died, so how are you alive?"

Cedric stopped walking. He tilted his head back slightly and the brim of his cap cast a deep shadow over his eyes. Then, rather than answering the creature’s question, Cedric slowly took out his right hand from his pocket.

He then reached up and tapped his chest, then his forehead, before raising his hand to the side. After that, he spoke in a tone that was quite matter of fact.

"I wish to have an audience with the leader of the pillars of the Hortus Conclusus."

Everyone fell quiet after Cedric spoke. The hollow ones were so stunned that for a moment, none spoke. They even began exchanging confused glances with each other.

Eventually, one of them leaned over his saddle toward Cedric and asked, "What made you so confident that we wouldn’t try to kill you, right here?"

Cedric pocketed his hand, then smiled and replied. "I was told that if I could survive death, I wouldn’t be killed. Well, I’m still alive, aren’t I?"

"...."

The creatures stared at him in silence for another long moment. Finally, one of those on a horse pulled on his reins and gestured with his hand.

"Follow me. I will take you to Argentos."

Cedric started walking again and his long coat swayed around his legs as the ravens continued their slow circle above him.

The hollow ones led him through the massive, crumbling gates and into the heart of the sunken city. The two riders stayed ahead of him, their horses’ hooves clicking sharply against the cracked cobblestone, while the others flanked him like an unofficial guard of honor. As they moved deeper into the ruins, Cedric could see more hollow ones emerge from the shadows of the buildings around. He could also see children among them. However, they did not attack him and just watched in silence as he walked past.

Some time later, they reached the section where the buildings became more grand and imposing. After walking for a while longer, they finally arrived at a castle that looked more like a fortress.

The two hollow ones got down from their horses and led Cedric into the castle, passing through a set of heavy iron-reinforced doors. They walked in silence past rows of stone pillars and through the long halls until they eventually reached a throne room.

But before they could even reach the door, it was thrown open and Argentos stepped out. His expression was a mix of confusion, disbelief, and a bit of fear.

"You... didn’t you die? No. You died. I saw it myself."

When his eyes darted to Cedric’s right arm, they widened even further.

"We even had your arm. How is this possible?"

A grin spread across Cedric’s face. He pulled his right hand from his pocket and flexed his fingers slowly.

"You said, and I quote: ’A person whom the lords are wary of should be a person of great power.’ Don’t tell me you really believe that having my head blown to bits would be the end of me. If I were that easy to get rid of, even the gods wouldn’t be wary of me."

As soon as he said that, the ravens that followed behind him glided forward in a low, silent sweep. They flew past them into the throne room and settled on the pillars like silent sentries.

Then, while Argentos was still frozen in a state of stunned silence, Cedric began to walk past him, inviting himself into the great hall.

Without stopping to look back, he said over his shoulder, "Now come, Argentos. We still have lots to discuss."