Chapitre 30: Solomon
Solomon apprehended Riku within his territory, harboring suspicions that he might be the creature known as the "Doppelganger." This particular monster possessed the ability to replicate both the external appearance and capabilities of humans and other creatures, making it exceedingly dangerous.
Reports indicated that these types of monsters had originated from the S+ Dungeon. Riku couldn't help but wonder why these immensely powerful creatures consistently reappeared in this forest.
Dungeons on Earth were categorized as follows: E, D, C, B, A, S, and S-S dungeons. Each tier corresponded to a different difficulty level. For instance, a level one mutant could enter E and D dungeons, while level two mutants could access C and B dungeons.
...
Riku's eyes fluttered open, his surroundings initially blurred. A throbbing sensation in his head was reminiscent of being struck by a metal bat.
Oh, no!
His mind raced back to his first encounter with the villagers of Arzotoc. Was causing harm to someone the norm in this world, even if you had only met them once?
Riku found himself bound to a tree by thick, green vines from the area. An attempt to break free was thwarted by Solomon's intervention.
"Don't make a move, monster, or I won't hesitate to end you."
The imposing figure before him possessed tanned skin, a robust physique, green hair, and violet eyes. It was unmistakably Melissa's father, and he aimed a sword at Riku.
Riku was certain this was the man he had sought, yet a significant obstacle arose: Solomon believed him to be a monster. How frustrating.
Entering Solomon's domain, Riku reasoned it was a simple misunderstanding. Simultaneously, he knew of one thing that could sway Solomon's opinion.
Looking upwards, he was grateful for the sunlight that filtered through. The area featured a marble surface covered by leaves and vines from the trees.
"Listen to me, Solomon," Riku addressed him with a sly smile, sensing Solomon's shock at hearing his name.
Undeterred, Solomon advanced, sword pointed beneath Riku's chin. "Who are you?! How do you know my name?! Monsters wouldn't normally possess such knowledge."
The sword's tip drew blood, crimson drops staining the white fabric around Riku's neck. "Argh!" Riku cried out in pain, desperation evident in his voice. "Listen, I'm Riku Hirota from Arzotoc village, and I'm here to rescue Melissa's father!"
Solomon released his grip on the sword, skepticism evident. Could a mere farmer like Riku truly attempt a rescue? Solomon shook his head, firmly convinced it was improbable. "No guards or farmers would venture here to save me. This seems like a ruse, an attempt to catch me off guard and kill me."
The monster had invoked Solomon's daughter's name to manipulate his emotions.
"What are you saying, Solomon?! Your wife is named Jara Bandit, and you've been lost in this forest for weeks after seeking water for the crops!" Riku urgently revealed everything he knew about Solomon, seizing the moment before it slipped away.
*Clang!*
The sword hit the ground, resonating with the disbelief painted across Solomon's face. He couldn't fathom how this man possessed such accurate knowledge about him.
"B-but, w-why?" Solomon stammered, "why would anyone seek to save a worthless farmer like me?"
"In truth, the guards hadn't been looking for you, and I only learned of your situation from Melissa. So, I'm striving to fulfill my promise to your daughter by finding you."
With his words, Riku managed to dispel Solomon's doubts and reassure him of his intentions.
"Melissa... Jara..."
Solomon's grief for the two most significant women in his life was evident. In this perilous forest, who else would possess the courage to search for him and extend a helping hand?
Solomon continued weeping, unaware that Riku still clung to the tree.
After a few moments, Solomon gradually wiped his eyes and noticed the man with black eyes gazing at him. In haste, he retrieved his sword and severed the vines restraining him.
"I apologize; I nearly forgot about you."
*Swish! Swish! Swish!*
As the green vines fell away, the dark bruises on Riku's body became apparent, a testament to Solomon's determination to prevent his escape.
Scratching his head, Solomon spotted a marble rock nearby, smeared with blood. Evidently, it had been used to incapacitate Riku.
"I'm truly sorry, Riku. I hadn't anticipated anyone seeking me out, and there's a slime creature here capable of imitating human forms. I've been cautious to defend myself from them," Solomon explained with a somber tone.
What the heck?!
Is this man for real?
Annoyance surged within Riku as Solomon struck him on the head with the rock. The claim of him being a slime imposter was absurd, especially since Riku wasn't capable of mimicking human blood. He sighed deeply, shoulders slumping as he sought to move beyond the bizarre turn of events. What else could he do? The past was unchangeable, and it had indelibly altered the circumstances he found himself in.
"It's understandable, Solomon; survival instincts are natural," Riku feigned, then inquired further. "You're clearly strong, so what's preventing you from returning to Arzotoc village?"
Solomon shook his head slowly and cast his gaze downward, a troubled expression on his face. "I don't know, Riku. While I'm familiar with this area and know how to reach the village, something is keeping me trapped here."
"Could it be an astray spell?" Riku asked, using the term that accurately described Solomon's situation. "What do you call this forest?"
Solomon quirked his head slightly. "Why do you ask about the Mystic Forest?"
Riku shook his head, stroking his chin thoughtfully. An astray spell was typically cast by the guardian monster of a forest. He couldn't jump to conclusions without knowledge of the specific monsters dwelling here.
While Riku could easily escape using his [Fly], his primary concern was whether Solomon would react fearfully upon seeing Riku's black, gleaming wings.
Curiosity compelled him to inquire further, his tone serious. "How do you know you're familiar with this place?"
Solomon's confidence shone through as he replied, "I know the lay of the land and recognize the types of monsters that inhabit different regions."
Testing Solomon's knowledge and seeking more insights, Riku asked, "Which monster can be found in the lake nearby?" referring to the Naga creature.
Solomon pointed towards a specific area. "You mean the lake behind that rocky formation?"
"Eh? There's a lake here?" Riku was taken aback by the revelation of yet another lake in the forest.
"Yes, it's a concealed lake. That's the lake I mentioned to the guards to support our crops, not the larger one over there," Solomon explained. A realization dawned on him as he processed Riku's question. "Wait, are you implying you've been to that lake?"
Riku paused, mulling over his response carefully. It seemed he had inadvertently revealed his knowledge of the hidden lake. "Well, I've only heard about it from the villagers," he replied, attempting to downplay his involvement.
Riku nodded thoughtfully, considering the consequences of visiting that lake. "Indeed, I was seeking a suitable lake in Arzotoc village for one of my inventions."
"Then did you happen to encounter the creature that's half-human and half-serpent in the seratic lake?" Solomon inquired, followed by another question. "How have you managed to survive?"
"I've been fortunate—"
Riku's sentence was cut short as he abruptly lunged towards Solomon. The two of them tumbled to the ground, evading what seemed to be a sharp attack aimed at them.
Oh, no!
A deafening boom resonated as a fresh explosion erupted, leaving a massive hole where Riku had been tied to the tree earlier. Eventually, the tree collapsed to the ground.
"You're seeking the Naga monster, aren't you, Solomon? Look ahead, a formidable and resilient monster awaits us," Riku muttered, his lips pressed together as he realized the dire situation.
[Mana pool: 4]
We're in trouble...
Riku had indeed located Solomon within the Mystic Forest, but now he faced a predicament. He hadn't yet completed the quest that could potentially increase his mana pool.
Solomon steadied his trembling arms, gripping his sword tightly as the Naga's fearsome presence loomed before them, far more intimidating than the stories concocted by the villagers.
"Run, of course!"
With those words, Riku urged Solomon to flee, both of them fully aware of the imminent danger they were in.
Cadeaux
-- Cadeau
reçu État de l’alimentation hebdomadaire
-- Classement
Power Stone 
-- Power
stone