The Smiling Death-Chapter 315: Kael

"Well, that’s very weird. Sleeping for a long time. They do not wake up? Like from time to time? Like that?"

Amon asked while thinking deeply about the matter.

Vetaal had also been asleep. Even when these people came near his tree. But he didn’t wake up. And now there were these monsters.

Also in the same condition.

’Don’t tell me they will wake up only after coming in contact with me. Like Vetaal.’ A chill ran down his spine.

’No! No! Don’t think bad. Be positive, Amon. Be positive.’ Amon slowly placed the clay cup on the table.

"Okay. I understand everything. So I will stay here from now on... but where should I stay?"

Roland replied calmly, "There is one house that is empty. I will assign it as yours. You can stay there comfortably."

Amon nodded gratefully. "Thanks for that."

They continued to talk as Roland told him more about this place. Just then, someone else entered the living room.

"Oh! Is he the new guy here?" came a curious voice from the door.

Amon turned his face and saw the man who had just entered the room.

His eyes widened for a moment but became calm instantly.

The man was taller than Amon, about the same height as Roland. He had fair skin and looked as old as Roland. His hair was dark violet in color. His eyes were hazel. What drew Amon’s attention were the two black horns on his head and the vertical slits in his eyes.

’A demon.’

Different kinds of races lived here together. It was no surprise to see a demon here.

A bitter memory surfaced in his mind. Fighting against demons. Being tortured. Running away from them. But he knew that it had nothing to do with the man standing in front of him.

With a polite smile, Amon greeted him. "Hello! I am Amon."

The demon chuckled warmly. "Haha! A cheerful guy. That’s a good sign."

He walked inside casually and pulled another chair to the table, sitting down comfortably.

Up close, Amon could see faint scale-like textures near the demon’s temples. His hands were large, fingers slightly longer than a human’s, nails darker and sharper.

But his expression was relaxed. He was friendly looking.

Leaning back slightly, he extended his hand. "The name’s Kael."

Amon accepted the handshake. His grip was firm but not aggressive.

"Nice to meet you, Kael."

Roland said in a neutral tone, "Kael lives in this house with me."

Kael nodded lazily and joked, "Yeah. The old man here snores too much at night. I’m still surviving somehow."

Roland shot him a flat look. "You talk too much."

Kael laughed openly. The atmosphere lightened slightly. 𝕗𝕣𝐞𝐞𝘄𝐞𝚋𝚗𝗼𝘃𝗲𝗹.𝚌𝕠𝚖

Resting his elbow on the table, Kael looked at Amon with curiosity. "So, Amon. How long did you wander before realizing this place is a loop?"

"Two days," Amon replied calmly.

Kael whistled softly in appreciation. "Not bad. Some people take longer. Some refuse to believe it even after a week."

Amon glanced at Roland. "How long did it take you?"

Roland answered calmly, "Three days."

Kael smirked slightly. "Took me five. I am also like you and Roland. I thought I was just bad at directions. But later I understood this was a far more worse situation."

Amon allowed a faint smile.

"Did you try everything?" he asked seriously. "Changing directions? Marking trees? Running straight without stopping?"

Kael nodded firmly. "Tried all of it. Marked trees. Broke branches. Even burned a line across the ground once."

Amon leaned forward slightly. "And?"

Kael replied casually, "It led right back to the same tree. Every time."

Silence lingered briefly. Amon leaned back in his chair.

"So we are trapped inside an invisible boundary," he said thoughtfully.

Roland corrected gently, "Not a boundary."

Kael tilted his head slightly and said seriously, "A cycle."

Amon’s eyes darkened slightly at that word.

Studying Amon’s expression, Kael said with a faint smile, "It seems you are not going to give up easily. That’s a really good habit."

"Yeah, I know," Amon replied confidently.

Kael grinned faintly. "Good. We need more people like that."

Roland folded his arms and said calmly, "Most newcomers either panic or fall into despair. Well, we didn’t get many newcomers though. It was three years ago when someone came."

Kael nodded and added casually, "If we don’t find a way, then we just drink too much and pretend this is paradise."

Amon looked between them.

"And you two?"

Roland answered firmly, "We search."

Kael’s grin faded slightly. "Whenever we can."

Amon’s gaze sharpened. "Search for what?"

Roland and Kael exchanged a brief look.

Then Roland replied quietly, "Anything that can help us break free from here."

Amon just nodded.

Roland then asked with curiosity, "By the way, how’s the world outside? Which kingdom are you from? I never asked. Also, how did you come here... a young man like you. It’s the first time."

Amon replied calmly, "Oh... I am from Valmoria Kingdom..."

Amon started to tell them about the current world outside. How he came here. He even told them about how they fought with demons, to which Kael did give a reaction. But it was not bad or anything. Rather, he gave an apologetic smile.

They listened carefully to him, not interrupting him.

After listening to everything, Roland exhaled heavily and said with admiration, "You have really gone through so much, young man. It’s really amazing how you have survived."

Kael spoke with a dejected expression, slight guilt visible on his face. "Yeah... I feel sorry for you. Because of my people... you went through so much. Also now i undertand where did you get thay small burned on your left cheek."

Amon shook his head lightly and said calmly, "Oh, don’t worry. I am not hostile or anything. I already killed him. So don’t worry. Also, in this place, we are all the same."

Kael’s expression softened. "You are a good man."

Roland then stood up and said casually, "Yeah. Now how about I show you your new house."

Amon nodded and stood up. "Yes. Lead the way, Sir Roland."

Roland laughed heartily. "Hahaha. I am old. Just call me Uncle Roland."

Kael added with a grin, "Yeah. We are just getting older. You can call me Uncle Kael as well."

Amon replied calmly, "If you say so."

Amon followed Roland outside. Kael did not come with them.

Once outside, Roland led Amon toward the middle of the village. The people in the village were spending their day as usual. But when they saw Amon and Roland walking together, they slowly walked toward them.