Chapter 23: Don Freecs [3]
After a perilous and daunting journey of gates, Canoe and various aquatic beasts I'd never seen before as we travelled across Lake Mobius, we'd finally arrived on the coast of the Dark Continent.
But upon stepping onto the landmass, it was painfully clear we were out of our depth.
If it weren't enough we couldn't use our Nen, we were also met with a 7 foot horrid humanoid creature with no eyes, white skin, a set of human-like teeth and rusty chains wrapped around its hands and feet.
Even with our Nen, I couldn't confidently say we'd be able to beat the creature.
Not only were we no match for its superhuman strength and speed, it also had the ability to adapt to anything it deemed a threat.
To put it simply, we were severely outmatched.
This was soon proven when a loud CRACK was heard on the battlefield as Williams' body dropped to the ground.
With the rest of us unable to move and some unconscious, I couldn't help but curse at myself for leading everyone to their doom.
Why?
Why couldn't I be satisfied with what I had.
Thinking back now, perhaps it was the fact I'd never faced true hardships in life and everything seemed to work themselves out that I felt I could take everything on.
Or maybe it was the darker thoughts I had later on, like if the V5 purposefully mentioned the Dark Continent to get rid of me, knowing I'd go to explore.
Now I could only watch as my loved ones were slain.
However, as I thought this, a figure appeared before me.
It was like all time had stopped.
An enormous tree-like figure with a faint face stood over me. I still remember the words it spoke to me.
"I can save them, but are you willing to sacrifice what you desire the most?"
Without thinking, I accepted.
And as time resumed, a light erupted over the dead body of William. Simultaneously, everyone with me that day had disappeared in the blink of an eye.
Including the humanoid creatures which long since disappeared into the forest.
I didn't know at the time, but I soon figured out what happened.
The tree figure before me saved my loved ones, but in return, I was forced to give up what I unknowingly craved the most.
My freedom.
I was forced to wander the Dark Continent for the rest of my time, imprisoned.
I didn't know whether to thank the tree figure or condemn him.
Either way, I refused to simply rot in this hell.
I quickly figured out how to regain my Nen and hide myself as if I were the air itself. This way, I wouldn't be attacked by beasts.
I continued to travel the Dark Continent coastline, travelling deeper within as time went, logging my time there as I went.
I don't know why I spent so much time on the coastline.
I told myself it was to not rush things and make sure I was prepared to travel deeper, however, a small part of me thought my wife and friends would return for me.
During my travels, I encountered Nitro Rice, which allowed me to extend my life.
In that time, I logged as much as possible, knowing this information I logged would one day be useful to somebody.
As I currently write this, I can feel the effects of the Nitro rice weakening.
From the beginning I knew it wasn't a means to immortality, but simply extended time.
Therefore, I've decided to take a page out of Dark Continent's book.
Upon dying, I will activate my Post Mortem Nen with the sole goal of recounting my last bit of knowledge for future brave travellers.
I don't know which is more terrifying, the fact I hadn't come close to covering all of the Dark Continent, or the fact I never again encountered a creature as powerful as the Tree Figure, much less the figure itself.
Therefore, I decided to give it a name.
Sirens Lament: Desires Sacrifice.
For anyone who is reading this, I can only wish this information will allow you to succeed where I failed.
And although they are long deceased, I hope my beloved moved on and could only forgive my foolishness.
And to my young boy, I have no doubt he will continue the legacy of the Freecs and make me proud.
I'm not sure what lies in wait for me after I activate my Post Mortem Nen, but I wonder.
If I am accepted into the afterlife, will I meet William once again? And if I do, will he forgive me for failing him? I hope so.
Family, friends and even money. Something every man chases. But never take for granted what is given to us at birth.
The greatest gift of all.
Freedom.
***
"Freedom, huh?" Isaac muttered.
He, Netero and even Monet were all listening intently as Isaac read out loud the whole book.
"The founder of the Hunter's Association. How amusing." Netero slightly chuckled.
Isaac was confused at what the Hunter's Association was, but it seemed he was alone in that confusion as both Netero and Monet didnt point it out, therefore he too kept quiet.
Isaac closed the book and placed it on his lap as the room was enveloped in silence.
'Hunter's Association, beasts, V5 nations. I really am in another world.'
However, the calm was interrupted as Monet suddenly switched to her human form.
With a serious demeanour, she held out her hand.
"Give it." She said simply.
Isaac raised an eyebrow.
"The book. Give me the book." She repeated with an irritated look.
As she stepped forward to snatch it, a glint sparkled in Isaac's eyes as he jumped back, the book in his hand.
"No."
Isaac held the book near his chest with an indifferent demeanour as Monet and Netero stared at him, lost for words.
"What did you say?" A vein bulged on the side of Monet's head, ruining her perfect model like appearance.
"I'm not giving it to you."
"I hope you know the severity of your actions right now. I'd be acting within my power to rip that book from your chest as well as your heart. Now, give me the damned book!" A menacing aura erupted from Monet, making the boy flinch a little, however, he stood his ground.
Isaac didn't know why she seemed so adamant on obtaining the book, even after she stated she wasn't allowed to interfere in Dark Continent matters, but he didn't care.
He saw an opportunity.
Placing both his hands on the book and moving them in opposite directions, a small tear formed of the blue cover.
"Y-you…!" As she prepared to dash, Netero appeared before her, countering her Aura with his.
"Move!" She yelled, to which Netero stayed quiet.
"I only want to make a deal." Isaac said, catching her attention.
"Tell me why the humans were at war. What was the choice they'd selfishly made without taking into consideration the future of their world and people?" It didn't matter what era, whether it was Isaac's earth or this one he was currently in, but it was rare for a war to be truly justified on both sides, almost impossible.
"What makes you think I know?" Monet scowled.
"Let's not play games. You clearly know more than you let on."
Isaac was right.
However, if Monet were to do what he asked, she'd be going against everything she stood for as gatekeeper. By interfering, she'd be breaking her oath as a sworn Gatekeeper, and because of this she hesitated.
Isaac saw this.
'Time for what I'm good at.'
"Additionally, if you tell us, I'll return the favour and reveal how I arrived in the Dark Continent."
Monet furrowed her eyebrows.
"I never said I was the only one who was coming. Pretty soon, you'll have your hands full capturing countless trespassers like me. And some are far stronger than I'll ever be." Isaac wore a wry smile, further infuriating Monet.
'I knew it. He's found a way to enter the Dark Continent without us noticing. If he can do it, what's to say others can't.'
This was what Monet thought, however, she tried to push further. She had to know more.
"How do I know you're telling the truth?"
In situations like this, where one had not even the slightest bit of proof to back up his claims and was unprepared, Isaac found two ways to help succeed.
The first one was to lie your ass off.
And in a situation like this where the opposition was pushing more, Isaac liked to employ his second tactic.
Go all in.
"You don't. But what choice do you have?"
Isaac was right.
Not only did he have some room to breathe, seeing as he did indeed bypass the Gatekeeper's watch by spawning in, but he also held the higher ground as long as the book was in his hand.
He knew he'd won.
Grinding her teeth, Monet sat on the ground, crossing her legs as she took a deep breath.
"Humans were…normal at a time." Monet started as she searched for the right word.
"Evolution, the stone age, industrial revolution. Of course, different kingdoms grew at different rates, but the world as a collective was a thriving one."
"That was until they'd discovered Nen."
"At the time, Nen was too big a topic to keep hidden for long, and in a short period of time, the whole world was aware of it."
"It was quickly discovered that Nen could heal, nurture and cure, but we wouldn't be humans if we didn't find ways to turn this blessing into curse."
Netero and Isaac nodded in agreement. This indeed sounded like humans.
"It was quickly discovered how to weaponize Nen to make supersoldiers and how to manipulate it to bring forth supernatural abilities."
"Despite this, the world once again saw a significant boost in technology and healthcare, to name a few. In a few years, humans achieved what they thought would take them centuries."
"Including a small town of what the world assumed to be scary or peculiar folk. The Kurta Clan. They were quick to learn they had the highest affinity with Nen compared to regular people, and because of this, their small town was quick to grow powerful enough to rival the top Kingdoms at the time."
Isaac interrupted upon hearing this.
"Why is that?"
Monet stayed quiet for a few seconds, closing her eyes and soon snapping them open as Isaac could quickly tell the difference in her eye colour.
What was once deep blue and mesmerising, had changed to a daunting bright red.
"It's because of these. The Scarlet Eyes."
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