Sunny was silent for a while, then sighed:
"Do you remember how Effie told us that he might as well be considered immortal? Well, she wasn't wrong. Apart from the fact that Gunlaug has probably absorbed more Soul Essence and has more experience fighting both Nightmare Creature and Awakened than anyone else on the Forgotten Shore ... there's more to him than that."
Levi frowned.
"Is his Aspect Ability uniquely powerful?"
"His Aspect Ability is that he is able to breathe and move with incredible speed underwater. But it is connected to what I am about to tell you."
He hesitated.
"You see, Gunlaug came to the Dark City around eight years ago. Since his Ability was of no use in the ruins, he quickly became an outcast. From what I was able to learn, things were even darker in the Castle back then. Strength decided everything, and anyone without strength wasn't even considered to be human."
"But Gunlaug, he turned out to be mad even by those standards. Because he actually began to hunt in the dark sea."
The trio was baffled.
"What?" Nephis blinked.
He nodded.
"Yes. At dusk, he would dive from the city wall into the black water to scavenge the soul shards from the monsters of the Labyrinth that were crushed by the flood, racing against the approaching horrors of the depths. And at dawn, he would dive into the retreating sea to scavenge meat from the remains of creatures that the dwellers of the depths had killed and left behind."
Sunny took a deep breath.
"And this is how he turned from a desperate outcast into the Bright Lord. One day, Gunlaug was pulled away by a current and, once the sea disappeared, stumbled onto a mortally wounded, dying leviathan. The creature was still alive, but just barely. Knowing that the carrion eaters of the Labyrinth will soon come to feast on it, Gunlaug began cutting the meat of the creature's bones with his knife."
He paused, then said in a strangely dark voice:
"By chance, the leviathan happened to die from its terrible wounds at that exact moment. And since Gunlaug's blade was the last thing to cut it, the Spell happened to attribute the kill to him. And that kill ... that kill happened to give him a Memory. A wondrous golden armor that no human weapon can even scratch."
Sunny sighed.
"With that armor, he returned to the Dark City, gathered a few supporters, killed everyone who stood in his way, and took control of the Castle. No one was able to threaten his reign ever since. And all those who tried ... well. Their skulls are out there for everyone to see, swinging on chains above the gates of the castle."
Nephis remained silent for a long time, staring at the floor. She seemed to be a bit disheartened. Finally, she asked:
"What traits does the armor possess?"
He shrugged.
"Who knows? It's not like anyone who had the opportunity to learn that lived to tell the tale. The only thing widely known about the golden armor is that it is made out of some strange liquid metal and that it emanates a field of crushing psychic pressure. But even that is not entirely true. Actually, it only affects those who look at their reflection in the visor. Cassie wasn't affected at all."
Levi immediately grinned , a physic pressure? That was most likely considered as a mental attack. If he was to go up against this man , he would not be affected by it. Additionally.. he could corrode the armor , could he not? Even if it was many levels higher it would gradually decay under his touch.
Sunny looked at her and asked in a carefully neutral tone:
"So, what do you think?"
Changing Star was quiet for a while, then suddenly said:
"We have also learned something while you were gone."
Sunny frowned slightly. Was she trying to avoid this conversation? Feeling heavy and uncertain, he asked:
"Really? What is it?"
However, in the next second, he had forgotten all about his previous worries. Because Nephis looked him right in the eyes
and said:
"There is a Gateway here, after all."
Stunned, Sunny stared at Neph with wide eyes.
Levi sighed.
'Sorry Sunny..'
Trying to compose himself, Sunny slowly said:
"Then why ... why hasn't anyone left? Where is it?"
Nephis looked at the window, remained silent for a few moments, and then answered in a flat tone:
"Where do you think? It's in the Crimson Spire, of course."
***
After Nephis told them about the gateway , there was a short moment of silence before Sunny spoke up:
"So ... what's the plan?"
Nephis looked at the vista of the ruined city through the window. Shashi and Levi were also silent.
After a while, she said:
"We will create a hunting party."
...Good choice princess.. Despite the fact that becoming independent hunters was going to be a long and perilous journey, it was at least achievable. They just had to be smart and careful about it.
Sunny scratched the back of his head:
"Going into the Dark City blind will be very dangerous."
Nephis shrugged, then turned to face him:
"You are right. We will need to recruit a pathfinder."
Someone who was already experienced and could teach them the ropes ... that would certainly speed things along and make the whole process safer. Good thinking. Levi asked:
"Do you have someone in mind?"
She gave him a nod.
"As a matter of fact, I do. We will go see her later. But first ... "
Her eyes gleamed with intensity.
"...Tell me every detail of what you have learned in the castle. Every name, every Aspect. Every Ability and Flaw you've been able to glean. Every grievance people have and every agenda they're hiding. I need to know it all."
Sunny smiled.
"Sure, no problem. But be warned, this is going to take a while. I've been very busy snooping around, you know."
Levi sighed..
Changing Star gave him a nod.
"There's no hurry."
***
Several hours later, Sunny was finishing his winding report, his voice hoarse from all the talking:
" ... is actually the same Pathfinder who the hunter from the outer settlement, Jubei, accused of using another human as monster bait. A real nasty fellow. He is an incredibly formidable fighter and is good at his job, but his personal habits ... well. The man is a degenerate gambler. He spends all his shards in Aiko's gambling den, then refuses to pay and hurts anyone who dares to object."
He took a breath, then added angrily:
"Some people even say that this whole challenge happened because he wanted to hunt a powerful monster and pay off a part of his gambling debt. The bastard."
Then, Sunny thought for a while, scratched his head, and said:
"Uh ... I think that covers pretty much everything. Of course, there are a lot of things I wasn't able to learn at all."
Nephis was in deep thought, digesting the mountain of information that Sunny had thrown at her. Her face was cold and distant. Levi was laying on his back , as he listened to the report.. He was tired of listening to say the least.
Feeling that her friends wasn't going to react, Cassie patted him on the shoulder, smiled, and said:
"You've done a very good job, Sunny! This is amazing."
He blinked and looked aside, slightly embarrassed.
"Well ... of course it is. That is what my Aspect is actually for, remember? The whole monster-slaying thing is nothing but an unfortunate misuse of my talents, honestly."
Sunny smiled, then looked at Nephis.
"So ... who is the pathfinder you want to recruit? There can't be a lot of experienced hunters in the outer settlement, right? And each of them must have their hunting party already. How are we going to persuade one to join us?"
Changing Star lingered, then said in a strangely tense voice:
"Yes. Everyone who is worth something has their own party - except for one person. But persuading her won't be easy."
She sighed, then added:
"Actually, you already know her. It's Effie."
***
Levi scoffed. He was already annoyed by the woman's constant flirting , and now they were going to have her as their pathfinder?
Some time later, they were standing in front of a makeshift cabin. Just like Changing Star's patchwork dwelling, the cabin was constructed out of mismatched stone blocks that had been scavenged from the ruins. It was reinforced with monster hides here and there and seemed to be built slightly better than the rest of the hovels in the outer settlement.
There was a large bestial skull hung above the door, its thick forehead split apart by a devastating strike of some sharp weapon.
Glancing at the skull, Nephis took a step forward and knocked on the door. However, no response followed.
Sunny sighed.
"Maybe she's not home."
Instead of an answer, Changing Star frowned and banged on the door with her first. The first strike was somewhat gentle, but by the last, the bestial skull was on the verge of flying off the wall.
A sleepy and irritated voice sounded from the inside:
"I swear to gods, whoever you are, you'd better be a Nightmare Creature!"
A few moments later, Sunny heard the sound of footsteps approaching the door. Before it opened, though, Nephis suddenly spoke:
"Guys, turn away."
Levi did not get what she meant , so he didn't , however two hands covered his eyes from behind. Judging by the cold temperature of their skin it was most likely Shashi.
'Why... why do I even know her skin temperature..?'
"Who the hell is ... oh. It's you."
He swore he could hear Neph's teeth grinding against each other. A few seconds later, Changing Star spoke, her tone especially flat:
"...Put on a Memory, Effie. Please."
Understanding what she meant , Levi scoffed internally.
'This mortal does not have any manners at all..'
When Shashi finally let him go , he looked at the hunter.
"Here. Better?"
The huntress was exactly the same as the last time he had seen her - tall, strong, and brimming with vitality.
"So, you guys are back together, huh? Judging by how clean and shiny the other two look, I'm guessing that their stay in the Castle was pleasant?"
Sunny glanced at Cassie, then said in a reserved tone:
"Not particularly. Just like you said, the ambiance there is ... well ... an acquired taste, I guess."
Effie grinned.
"Well said! Anyway, how can I help you?"
Changing Star motioned at the door.
"Can we come inside?"
The unruly huntress glanced back, then shrugged.
"Sure. Why not?"
Inside, the cabin was small and cozy. One of its corners was occupied by a large pile of furs that served Effie as a bed.
There was also a fireplace, a table with a single wooden chair, and a pair of sturdy chests. The rest of the space was occupied by various curios that the huntress had scavenged from the ruins over the years. There was no particular logic to this opulent collection except for the fact that each object had once caught her fancy for this reason or that.
After the five of them were seated, Effie returned to her pile of furs, wrapped herself in one of them and asked:
"So, what's so important that you had to come and wake me up this early in the morning?"
"Its already noon." Levi said in a cold tone , however Effie did not react.
Nephis lingered for a few moments, then said:
"You haven't hunted since the day we met. Right?"
Effie yawned, then said in a languid tone:
"Nope. I'll go back into the ruins once my food runs out. Which will be in a day or two, I think."
Changing Star nodded.
"When you do, come with us. Be our pathfinder."
Levi gave Nephis the side eye. What kind of negotiation skills are those..?
'Not that I could do better.'
"Ah, that's a good one! Do you want me to be your nanny, too?"
When her laughter died down, she shook her head and said:
"No offense, kids, but you have just arrived in the Dark City. You are as green as it gets. Best hunters out here wanted me to become a part of their party, and I refused them all. Do you know why?"
Neph nodded with a serious expression.
"Most hunting parties share the spoils of their hunts. Each hunter keeps a part to eat and sells the rest to the people in the slum. But because of your Flaw, you can't allow yourself to do the same. You need all the sustenance a hunt can provide. The more partners you have, the lesser your share will become, so ... you hunt alone, and never sell the meat of your prey, just their hides."
Effie smiled.
"I see someone has been doing their homework."
Changing Star tilted her head a little and, not paying any attention to the irony in those words, continued:
"We can solve that problem by ... "
However, the solitary huntress interrupted her:
"Stop. Good guess, but you are wrong. That is not why I refused all those hunters."
Nephis blinked, surprised. After a long pause, she asked, a hint of confusion in her voice:
"Then ... why?"
The smile disappeared from Effie's face.
"Because they are weak. Every one of them is weak. Even the most successful of them are. And do you know why?"
Something dark gleamed in her hazel eyes.
"They are weak because Gunlaug will never allow anyone strong to exist outside of his control. So ... I am not going to be your pathfinder. Sorry, princess."
Changing Star froze, obviously flustered by that answer. She opened her mouth to say something, then closed it again and
awkwardly pressed her lips together.
No matter how much she had honed her social skills during their journey through the Labyrinth, this conversation still
seemed to be too much for her.
In the ensuing silence, Shashi suddenly spoke, her voice calm and slightly provoking:
"He's allowing you to exist."
Effie looked at her, raised one eyebrow with a smile, and didn't say anything.
Finally, Nephis was able to compose herself:
"We might be new here, but we are not weak. Between the two of us, Sunny and I had killed dozens upon dozens of Awakened creatures in the Labyrinth ... "
The huntress interrupted her once again:
"Even if that's true, that was there. Out here in the Dark City, things are very different."
The two of them stared at each other, one with a relaxed smile on her lips, the other with stubborn flames burning in her eyes.
'Oh I like this.' Levi grinned.
Eventually, Changing Star grimaced and said:
"So, if we prove that we have strength, you might reconsider?"
Effie chuckled.
"Damn! You say it like it's easy. You do know how many people can't even step a foot into the ruins, right? If you guys survive in this hell for a few years, maybe then we can talk again."
Nephis looked at her for a while, and then smiled darkly.
"We will talk again in the evening. Then, you will change your mind."