Abyssal Awakening

Upon arriving at the stables, they hired a wagon driver for a round trip to the Inferno Tower Ruins.

However, there was a slight complication that neither of them foresaw.

"Haaa??? You won't do a round trip? Why?" Ria asked with a frown.

"There's been some rumours going around for the drivers right now. Going to any of those areas for a round trip means death. I can do a one way trip but not round trip, I'm not camping there sorry lass." The driver apologised while the other drivers seemed to have the same sentiment.

"What about an area nearby then? Maybe you can drop us off there and camp a fair bit away?" Ria asked, hoping to get a compromise.

"Sorry lass, no can do. That area is forbidden for us drivers right now. It's not even a matter where we want to upcharge you. No amount is worth our lives." The driver apologised with a helpless sigh.

As drivers for Hunters, they were familiar with risks and there weren't many they would refuse to go. However, this situation was truly strange.

"Look, there might be a few if you ask around but most of them will say no. Too many drivers have gone and never returned, until the guild gives us a proper explanation on what happened, there's not much we can do."

Hearing this, Ria sighed in frustration.

"Then do you know anyone that might be interested?"

"Personally no. But like I said, there are probably a few b*stards crazy enough to take your job offer."

Thanking the driver, the two asked around for a while but it didn't seem like anyone was wanting to take the job.

Naturally, the news got passed around that two girls were looking for a round trip to the Inferno Tower Ruins.

After trying for the better half of a day, Ria gave up and sat by a water fountain. Leaning back, she looked up at the sky and let out a big sigh.

"Just our luck. I don't think we'll be able to get anyone to take us there and back. A singular trip will get us to where we need but honestly, I don't trust myself to bring us back. And you aren't familiar with the surrounding area yet." Ria lamented. If they have a guaranteed way to get back to the city, she wouldn't mind a one way trip.

"True. If we follow you, probably get lost and find new city." Alice agreed, causing Ria to smack her gently on the shoulder.

"Hey! That's too much trust in me. If we find a new city we'll at least get a way back to Zadash. The realistic situation will be we accidently walk a loop back to the Ruins." Ria joked with a grin.

"Do you want to keep asking around? Or are we giving up on this hunt?" Alice asked, curious as to what they plan on doing next.

"Here's the good part. We don't do anything for now. We've spread some rumours about what we want, the drivers that want to take the job will reach out to us since we never set a price. There will probably be a few that will try to rip us off with high fees. Depending on how the fee becomes, we'll see if we want to continue this hunt or abandon it. The key is to get a good reason." Ria explained.

"A good reason?"

"Yep, If a Hunter declines a hunt after accepting, the Guild needs a good reason or it'll be marked as a penalty. Our reason can either be there are no drivers willing to take us there or that the prices outweigh the hunt rewards. Either of these will work but the second reason just means we have to be careful with our next hunt.

If we forfeit twice in a row after accepting, there will be a penalty incurred." Ria explained before pointing to a man that seems to be approaching them. He wore a large bagged coat while holding a bottle in his hands.

"You two the ones looking for a roun' trip to the Ruins?" He asked while narrowing his eyes at their outfits to judge how wealthy they may be.

"Yep. How much for the round trip?" Ria nodded while crossing her legs.

"20 Gold." The man held up two fingers.

"20 Gold? That's like two damn weeks worth of payment. No deal." Ria frowned and shook her head.

"Look lass, I'm risking my life here to send you to that bleedin' place and you want to haggle?" The man scratched his hair.

"15 Gold is the highest I'll go. Round trip, camping 3 to 4 days."

"Hah! 15 Gold for 4 days of risking my damn life. Dream on lass, 20 Gold, not a silver cheaper." The man laughed but held his ground.

"Then we'll just look for someone else or forfeit the hunt. It's up to you if you want to take the job or not." Ria shrugged. 20 Gold was simply too steep of a price for a 30 Gold hunt.

Staring at Ria for a good moment, the man narrowed his eyes before taking a swing of his alcohol.

"I'll do 18 Coins." He offered but Ria shook her head.

"15 is the most I'll go."

"Tsk, listen here lass, a man's life is not worth 15 Coins." He scratched his hair in annoyance.

"Oh I know, I've killed for less. But if you're here risking your life for a measly 18 to 20 Gold then clearly you know something others don't and have a safe route in mind." Ria countered as her smile faded.

Feeling a chill in the air next to her, Alice was surprised to feel this kind of killing intent from Ria of all people.

She was like a sword being unsheathed at this moment and the man knew she wasn't budging on her price.

"Tsk, then how about this. 18 for the trip, 2 for the information of why people aren't willing to go." The man offered, surprising both Alice.

"You know the reason? I thought the Guild was still investigating the issues?" Alice asked curiously.

"Oh they are. But there are a few things that only a select few know. I was close to the Ruins when sh*t went south so I know a little more. If you pay me 2 Gold first, I will tell you what I know then you can think if its worth paying me another 18 Gold for the trip okay?"

Thinking about it for a moment, Ria nodded her head.

"Fine."

"Follow me to my carriage. Some information are better left unspoken in a public place. There's a reason why the Guild haven't said anything yet." The man smiled as Alice and Ria looked at one another before standing up.

Following the man to his carriage, he sat down and made sure no one was listening in before gesturing for the two to lean closer.

"You see, the Guild's been awfully quiet since a branch of the Cult of Eclipse might've moved near the Tower Ruins. The day I managed to escape the Ruins, I saw a crowd of hooded men moving through the forest, capturing everyone they came across. I was lucky that I was far away."

Hearing this, Ria widened her eyes as she heard of the Cult's involvement within this.

"But that's not the only reason. On the same day, despite being far away, I could see a great shadow looming over the Ruins. It didn't make a sound, but it felt like I'll die if it looked at me. The Guild's trying to determine what's actually going on without causing panic to the public." He explained as ria handed him two gold coins.

"I'll pay the 18 Coins. Let's do 10 Coins now and 8 coins for the trip back. Just in case."

Scratching his chin, the man nodded his head.

"Alright. The journey will only take half a day. I'll be stopping at some roads near the Ruin but it'll still be a distance away. It's just so I get a head start if that giant beast shows itself again okay?"

"That's fine. Here's the 10 Gold." Handing over the 10 Gold, Ria sat in the carriage silently while looking out of the window.

Meanwhile, Alice was left with some questions as Ria's reaction towards the mention of a Cult seems to be highly unnatural.

"Are… You okay?" Alice asked hesitantly.

"Hm? Yeah. It's a little more expensive than I hoped but the information is worth it. Just focus on your hunt, I'll keep the coast clear. As for the giant beast, I'll figure out something if it does get to that stage. We are both pretty fast at running so it'll be fine." Ria reassured with a false smile as Alice played with her fingers momentarily before opening her mouth.

"I know. I'm worried about your reaction to the Cult."

". . ."

Taking a deep breath, Ria sighed out.

"Well… It's a little complicated. But the reason why I'm staying with my grandfather is because of them. I just don't like the Cult b*stards snooping around the place all the time." Ria frowned in disgust towards any mention of the Cult.

"I should be able… to end the hunt in two days. Want to use the last two days to look for clues?" Alice offered. With Allura and Ria helping her out in more ways than one, she wanted to repay them however she could.

If Ria has any issues with the Cult, assisting her was the least she could do.

Hearing Alice's reply, Ria didn't know what to say back. Pausing for a brief moment, Ria smiled softly and nodded her head.

"Thank you, truly."

It was not energetic or boisterous. It was a soft and genuine thank you from Ria's heart.