The Mansion of Trials and Trials

The man-eating chest Eater

Down the grand staircase, the hall was packed with people, Wanderers. They stared at us immediately once we arrived. Keira and I went down quickly. We're not late, are we? Searching, Puppet stood near a round standing table. On top of it was a.......huge treasure chest?

"Oh wonderful, you two are finally here." Puppet clapped her hands, "I'm wondering what I should do to the both of you if you are late."

"What time is it now?" I asked.

"Why don't you look at your pocket watch?" she said. I grabbed my watch in my pocket, it was eleven o'clock and fifty-nine minutes. I was relieved that I wasn't late. Who knows what Puppet will do?

"I suggest you two arrive more early next time."

"Sorry, I will." I apologized.

"Anyway, my dear Wanderers. The second trial will begin soon. This trial costs you to pay one obol. Please get ready your obols as soon as possible." Puppet suggested. She reached her hand and tapped the treasure chest next to her twice.

"Wake up, Eater. It's lunch time!" she said. Slowly, as if it could understand Puppet, the huge chest on the table began to vibrate, shaking the table up and down. It waggled, wobbled vigorously and bounced up high in the air. I stared at it deadly. It fell down on the table and the chest opened automatically by itself, revealing its razor sharp teeth. A tongue came out and licked the air, drooling.

Wait.......a tongue?

"Arrrrr! Arrr! Arrr! Good morning......Puppet!" The chest stretched its tongue to wave hello.

The chest........TALKS?!!!!!!

"Oh, Eater. It's not 'Good morning'. It's 'Good afternoon'. Stop sleeping! It's already twelve!" Puppet crossed her arms.

"Arrrr? Arrrrrr.....arr......I'm sleepy," The chest ignored Puppet and closed the lid by itself.

"Wake up!" Puppet knocked the chest hard, "If you don't wake up now, I won't let you have lunch!"

"Arrr.....Lunch! Lunch!" The chest jumped up immediately and stretched out his tongue. He looked mouth watering.

"So Eater, which one would you like to eat first?" Puppet asked, looking at us. I doubted my ears. What did she just say?

The chest pointed to a young woman not far away with his tongue.

"That one, right? Hey, the Wanderer over there. Please come forward and show me your obol," Puppet said. The woman froze instantly. Her face turned pale.

"I........I......."

"What's wrong, Wanderer? I repeat, please show me your obol."

"Well......I....."

"Do you not have any obols?" Puppet asked.

"No no no!......of course not! Please wait a moment! I'm finding it." The woman searched her pockets. Obviously, they were all empty. Puppet sighed.

"Looks like you don't have any. It's a shame," Puppet smiled delightly.

Instantly, there was a sound of a stab. Quick and deep. Like a fork picking up a slice of meat. The woman looked down at her chest. Blood soaked her clothes and the skin got ripped open. A long stick had gone past the bones and tore the skin, revealing its fatal spearhead. The spear pulled out away from the body on its own and vanished in the air. Blood spilled out like waterfalls. The woman's eyes lost light, with only seconds of consciousness, she collapsed on the ground.

"Ahhhhhhhhh!" Everyone screamed and stepped back. Puppet stared at the body.

"Hmm.......looks like she doesn't have any food, Eater. Who do you want to eat next?"