"I don't think I want to live anymore…"
After expressing his frustration to the dead carcass of the Devil slug. Steel picked up River and went to find some place to rest.
It took him half a night to find a safe resting place.
In that short adventure, he had to hide from those strange wooden abominations that were pretending to be trees and plants.
The threat of these creatures wasn't that obvious but Steel wasn't interested in finding out what would happen if one were to get him.
It was also fortunate that the moonlight of the misshapen moon was also as bright as the day. That also helped him spot these wooden abominations.
But it was still a struggle to find a resting place that is away from the reaches of these wooden abominations.
In the end, the dead carcass of the Devil slug came in handy. For whatever reason, these wooden abominations were scared of the Devil slug. Perhaps, cause some of the wooden abomination had become collateral damage of Devil slug's feral state.
But why were other wooden abominations were scared of the Devil slug? Are these wooden abominations a huge hivemind? Steel can only guess.
He had picked up some of the meat and useful materials like its claws and teeth of the devil slug. So after figuring out wooden abomination's PTSD. Steel just had to take advantage of it and get away from these creatures.
'that damned ugly slug is useful for something, huh…'
Later he found a safe area to make a fire and cook some Devil slug meat. He can't rest with an empty stomach.
'oh look, that ugly slug is useful for one more thing…to be my dinner.'
Steel is just too petty to leave his grudges even after killing the devil slug. He is still very salty about not getting a soul weapon.
River spoke in his mind with the same nonchalant tone.
[is it tasty?]
Steel looks at the meat and says.
[No. it tastes like crap.]
It is the meat of a Devil spawn and they are not known for their taste. It is common for Devil spawn meat to have no taste at all.
Some people with strange interests do prefer it over the meat of domestic animals. But even they eat it with a heavy amount of seasoning. And here Steel without any seasoning at hand.
Animals have almost gone extinct cause of these devil spawns. So even there meat is a rare commodity. Steel have never tried that stuff. It is for royalty.
River ponders for few minutes and speaks again.
[are you not in a good mood?]
Steel wishes that he could have straight conversations. Why does she even have to think so much before answering? Is this what happen when you are a living cataclysm?
And talking inside of the mind is so awkward. Getting used to this is gonna take a long time.
Steel replies.
[No. I'm just depressed, tired, injured and sleepy.]
She thinks for a second and replies.
[don't be sad. Just rest.]
He looked at her and frowned. Was that supposed to be helpful? If he could rest he would already be sleeping. But he is still isn't entirely safe. What if something attacks him if he is sleeping. She wouldn't be able to do anything, she can't even move.
Also what doesn't she mean by "don't be sad". He had been stabbed, carried a rag doll of a demon out of the hell, kill a devil spawn while endangering his life and she want him to just stop being depressed and worrying?
Do demons not get depressed or tired? She is kind of a strange creature if you thing about it. Something that's only purpose is to be a living cataclysm and here he is carrying one from one location to another.
He sure is in some grand scheme of the Mother. Even after death, she is keeping the world in her palm.
While he was thinking of a reply. She said again before he could reply.
[I wonder how do you look like? Are you pretty?]
She can only see through his eyes so of course she doesn't know how he looks like. But why does she care he is good looking or not? Also why did she use "pretty" instead of "handsome".
Is she into weird things? Do demons even have fetishes. He does have them but he is sort of an exception. So don't count him in with these guys.
"Well, you would-"
He stops and frowns. He was supposed to reply in the mind.
Embarrassing.
[you can see my face when we get home. My home… until then, enjoy looking at your own dumb expressionless face…]
If she could show expressions, she probably be pouting right now. That could've been cute but right now, all he can see his a creepy stitched up face of a girl. That face gonna give him nightmares.
After a second or two she reply.
[Rest then. So we can move at dawn and reach your home as soon as possible.]
He looks at her and sighs.
[It would still take us a whole month or so to reach my home. So let me just get enough sleep and rest. Also I'm worried about the Devil spawns. You wouldn't even be able to see if I'm sleeping so I can't really put you on watch while I sleep.]
River replies back instantly. It took him by surprise.
[Then you can just give me permission to use your hearing too. I would wake you up if I heard anything near by…]
Her idea isn't that bad. It is obvious that she can use his senses better than him. And with his hearing, she probably would be able to hear much more further than he can ever.
She might even be able to distinguish between various sounds of creatures of the jungle and tell the direction and distance of that noise. It would be quite helpful to have that ability.
But what would be the cost?
Her eyelids, lips, ears all are stitched together with that fleshy thread in a way that she can't use those sense. He is even sure that these stitched go even deeper inside of her body removing other types of senses.
It is so strange. And also…
That face is stuck forever in time to make that slight smile on her face. Was she smiling when her face was stitched together with that strange thread?
[You know, you have a weird face…]
She replies back. a little confused.
[weird?]
He sighs again.
[If I heard something I'll just wake up. You don't have to worry about my well being. So good night…]
There was no reply from River.