Chapter 2: CHAPTER-02. HUMANS are Interesting Creatures. [02]
A person is cautiously treading on a narrow path that leads to one of the larger settlements. His steps are light but fast, and he is on guard for any possible danger. From the way his leather bag is hanging loosely on his shoulder it is clear that he had.. a rather uneventful day.
Suddenly..
While looking around , his sight rested on a branch that has a Bulge like a tumor. This caused him to stop immediately. Greed mixed with hope flashed in his eyes. But he soon recovered and started surveying the perimeter. Finding no one he approached the tree slowly.
Under the tree he took a deep breath and with a single thrust, jumped from a branch to another and finally landed on the branch with a Bulge. With eyes full of hope, he carefully peeled the thick skin of the branch, revealing what is hidden. Looking at the ash coloured fruit in his hand a smile appeared on his face.
Hesta is a veteran hunter, well known in his settlement. Today though it is not going well for him. He wasn't able to catch a single suitable 'Dread spawn' today.
"Haaah.." he sighed, cursing at his terrible luck. Looking at the purplish sky, his frustration grew even more. The Darkest Hours are Approaching. From far beyond, a black fog carrying Intangible Murmurings and spine chilling Visage is slowly, but steadily approaching the chain of settlements.
Hesta Suppressed the fear in his heart. Cursing at his luck another time he started walking in a different direction. He is returning home today empty handed... Or so he thought.
As they say, "Fate is really something". Who could have thought that he would chance upon an 'Arut Fruit', a very Rare commodity in this Damned place. Looking at the smooth Ash-coloured Fruit he thought, 'fate really is something'.
Recovering from his stupor Hesta surveyed his surroundings once again.. He gazed into the far beyond, at the approaching darkness solemnly. There's still some time.
He took out an old knife and made a barely visible hole on the fruit. A very relaxing smell drew itself out from the fruit, spreading in every direction. Inhaling this smell his smile widened even more. He really hit the jackpot today. Those othersiders will pay thousands of udra coins for a fruit of this quality.
To understand the value of Udra coins.. One must know that, Those Dread spawns Hesta came to capture can only fetch him about 5-10 udras depending on their quality. He will be busy for the rest of the year doing 'nothing'. He laughed and took out his water pouch. He splashed the Black water he collected from 'Marus river' on the fruit and hid it in a leather bag. Time to go home.
Few minutes later he could see the 7th settlement. He saw that Huge menacing wall and relaxed a little, But his relief soon disappeared. Dozens of symbols are giving a faint blue colour and are shining lucidly. But there is a symbol that is flickering and getting dimmer.
''Damn" Hesta yelled and started running like a Madman. Entering the settlement perimeter he checked the guard posts. There are no guards. 'Must have returned home' he thought. Wasting no time he ran towards the central Hall.
On his way, he saw people returning to their respective homes. Among them he noticed a 17-18 yr old boy. Hesta recognized that boy. He stopped and grabbed the boy by his shoulder and asked, "Hesta: Hey Erand boy! You just delivered food to the Central Hall, right? Is Lord Morita present at the moment?"
The boy, clearly Displeased with Hesta's rough approach spoke with irritation, "Dan: First, I am no erand boy, I am Dan.. and I am the Best Chef in the Whole Marus Forest. Answering your question yes, He is having a meal with my Boss Now."
Dan freed his shoulder from Hesta's hand and dusted off his shirt.
Hesta didn't care about Dan's displeasure, and spoke, "Hesta: Whatever erand boy, Now listen, I have a special order for tomorrow's Evening. Signature dish of your Tavern, Brown rice with eggs and don't forget about your best alcohol for two people. understand."
Hearing that Dan frowned a little and responded, "Dan: What an expensive dinner date. Can you pay though? What you asked will cost you about 60 udra coins. Including your previous tally that would be 76 Coins in total."
"Hesta: You don't have to care about that. I will be clearing everything. Now scram." Hesta spoke uncaringly.
Dan shrugged his shoulders showing his disinterest, Glancing at Hesta from head to toe one more time, he walked away.
After Dan walked away, Hesta enetered a nearby cottage which seems to be his house. He hid the leather bag in barrel and that barrel in another one. After Locking his house he started running again. Unbeknownst to him that someone is watching him.. And his leather bag the whole time.
Dan, Hidden behind another cottage observed hesta carefully. Dan is a very clever and observant person. While talking with Hesta he noticed something. There are no fresh blood stains on his clothes or his shoes.
If he didn't kill any Dread spawn then what is that thing in his bag? If that thing really, is a dread spawn corpse then, why it isn't stinky? A thing that smells..ah..um.. Relaxing? A thing that smells Relaxing in this God forsaken place. He is really curious about it now. So, he stayed and observed Hesta.
Few minutes later.. Dan saw Hesta leaving home without the leather bag. His curiosity is overwhelming him, unable to hold it in he entered the house. As for the lock on the door, He used to be a Thief before his boss gave him this job.
Entering Hesta's house he searched for that bag. He also searched for that good smell. He have to be quick about it, Hesta will return soon.
After some time he found the source of that smell. He opened a barrel and inside it was another wooden barrel. He took the leather bag and poured whatever was in it on the floor. He saw something unexpected.
So this is the Rumoured Arut Fruit. Last year someone from 16th settlement found a fruit like this and became rich over night. He sold every thing he owned and moved to 1st settlement. No wonder Hesta was so extravagant today. Lucky Bastard.
There is just one question. Well.. What should Dan do now?
Dan contemplated pros and cons of this situation. If he steals this fruit now, he could sell it, and become rich overnight but, at the same time he will became the mortal enemy of Hesta.
Most important thing is.. He don't have what it requires to keep that money safe. He will either Die or Disappear someday without anyone knowing anything?
He needs to be strong, and he needs this thing to become strong. Dan is a weakling who barely completed his 1st transformation. Fighting Hesta, who completed his 4th transformation, is like a child going against a adult. He won't even know how he died.
Out of nowhere Dan started talking with himself, "Dan: You know what? Its not like Hesta will find anything, anytime soon? And even if he did find out about it, I will be long gone to 1st settlement. There I will purchase a 2nd transformation script and become strong enough to fight Hesta. A opportunity like this will not present itself again?"
Reasoning with himself he picked the leather bag and started running towards his home. As I have said before, HUMANS ARE INTERESTING CREATURES. Even though they Knew they were gonna Regret It, They will still Do It.
Dan is.. also going to regret it very.. very soon. Hehe..hehe hehe.[someone laughing]
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