Chapter 19: Chapter 19: Damn

[Asher's POV.]

The revelation of the Northern Basilisk's Eye left me dumbfounded. I pressed my fingertips against my forehead, grappling with the sheer incredulity of hearing such an extraordinary claim. The audacity to possess and trade the essence of one of the kingdom's most elusive and safeguarded creatures was beyond comprehension.

"So, someone dared to kill one of the most reserved and protected beast in the kingdom," I muttered, a heavy sigh escaping me. The depth of the underworld's dealings never failed to astonish, even for someone well-acquainted with its intricacies.

Ines met my gaze with a mixture of fear and apprehension, her eyes betraying the weight of the secrets she harbored.

"And where is this Northern Basilisk's Eye?" I inquired, my curiosity mingling with disbelief.

Silence lingered in the room, Ines hesitating before speaking, her gaze never leaving my hand inching towards the knife. "It's... in the basement."

I frowned, my mind struggling to reconcile the presence of such a valuable artifact hidden beneath the very floor I stood upon. "What basement?" I questioned, caught off guard by the unexpected revelation.

"The basement of this house," Ines replied, her words sending a shiver down my spine.

"Huh?" I wore an expression that mirrored my bewilderment. "We kept it in your basement, and I was about to give it to him before leaving Lumonara altogether for a few years," she explained.

My disbelief morphed into determination. I rose from my seat, Ines flinching as I grabbed her and released her from the chair. "Show me," I commanded, my grip firm on the back of her neck.

As we moved, a sense of incredulity lingered, coupled with the realization that this house harbored secrets even I had remained oblivious to.

I maintained my firm grip on Ines's neck as we stepped out of the dimly lit bedroom, the shadows playing on the walls as the candle's flame flickered. We descended the staircase in silence, each step echoing in the quietude of the house.

The first floor greeted us with an eerie stillness. We traversed the corridor, passing the dining room where a heavy wooden table stood solemnly in the darkness. Without a word, we moved towards the kitchen, a pragmatic space with simple design—functional, devoid of unnecessary embellishments.

The kitchen's layout unfolded as we entered—an L-shaped counter with a wooden surface worn by time, a modest stove, and a basin for washing. Shelves lined with plain plates and utensils occupied one wall. The atmosphere was utilitarian, reflecting a place meant for practicality rather than aesthetics.

"Why are we here?" I questioned Ines, and she pointed towards the lower wooden kitchen cabinet. My gaze followed her indication, settling on the unremarkable piece of furniture.

"Open it," I commanded, my right hand leaving her neck to let her comply. She hesitated for a moment before doing as instructed. The creak of the cabinet door echoed in the quiet space.

Inside, a peculiar sight met our eyes—wooden sticks and stones filled the cabinet. Ines began methodically removing them, placing each item aside until the cabinet was empty.

The wooden sticks varied in length and thickness, while the stones displayed no particular distinction. The collection seemed incongruous, raising more questions than answers. The minimalistic ambiance of the kitchen clashed with the enigma hidden within the seemingly mundane cabinet.

I scrutinized the items, contemplating their purpose. The silence persisted, neither of us exchanging words. The dull glow of the candle cast elongated shadows, creating an atmosphere that heightened the mystery surrounding the contents of the cabinet.

The simplicity of the kitchen contrasted starkly with the complexity of the situation. My mind raced, seeking logical explanations for the assortment of sticks and stones that had occupied this concealed space.

As Ines continued to empty the cabinet, the room remained enveloped in the quiet tension of uncertainty. The revelation, it seemed, was unfolding gradually, piece by piece, in the most unassuming corners of the house.

Once the cabinet lay empty, Ines turned her face toward me, a subtle raise of my eyebrow prompting her to reveal her intentions.

With determined force, she raised her fist and delivered three powerful blows to the bottom of the cabinet. The resounding thuds echoed through the kitchen, signaling a hidden mechanism at play. The wooden structure gave way, revealing a concealed compartment beneath—a hole that plunged into the unknown depths of the basement.

"Sneaky way to the basement," I murmured as I squatted down, examining the depth of the hole. It extended far beyond my line of sight, shrouded in darkness that concealed its true extent.

"Get down," I ordered, leaving no room for hesitation.

Ines, visibly anxious, grabbed the cabinet's edges and began her descent into the mysterious abyss. The sound of her movements was soon replaced by a swift fwip, and she vanished into the darkness. A brief moment of suspense hung in the air before a muted thud indicated her safe landing—approximately 50 meters below.

With a determined look, I prepared myself to follow suit. Placing my feet on the hole's walls, I allowed them to drag against the surface, lessening the impact of my descent. In a matter of minutes, I joined Ines on the rocky ground, landing with calculated precision.

Ignoring Ines's discomfort as she squirmed on the ground, nursing her injured knee, I surveyed the surroundings. The sight that greeted me exceeded expectations.

"Damn," I uttered,