Ric's nonchalant demeanor astonishes Minotaur, even more so because his slip-up fails to crush his heart.
"Why not revert to normal and give it another shot?" Ric suggests.
"Weren't you paying attention?" Minotaur growls at Ric, frustration causing him to forget the clause and divulge the remaining information.
The contracts of the kennel folks stand out from the rest. Ric surmised the information that every human possesses a peculiar ability, but these half-animal, half-human beings are on another level.
As per the ritual outlined in the Fea book, the animal and human begin by sketching fractals on their hearts, interconnecting them midway. Any misstep before, during, or after the contract could cause sudden death.
Delving deeper into the book, their elder discovers a method to incorporate clauses during the bonding process. By infusing additional information and intent into the fractal, any kennel folk attempting to breach or sidestep the clause will succumb to fatal heart failure.
Essentially, the fractal would tear their heart apart from within. The more Ric learned about the humans' bizarre lifestyle, the deeper his frown was etched.
"Sorry," Ric withdraws. "There's just too much amiss with you guys, sorry that I asked." His disgust hung heavy in the air.
"You'll never comprehend," Lara sighs.
"Nor do I care to," Ric snorts. "You surrendered without making an effort. There's nothing to glean from such a feeble stance."
"What!"
"Are you deaf as well?" Ric frowns at Lara.
Minotaur leaps in to prevent her from pummeling Mary's tool spirit into oblivion. Once deceased, unique energies, rare materials, and high-tier alchemists are needed for their restoration, yet each revival results in diminished power until a day arrives when they cease to return.
"We lack the means to revive him," Minotaur reminds Lara.
"You're not in a better state yourself," Ric snorts, and now Lara restrains Minotaur.
"Take your own advice."
"That's the worst way to make friends," Ravi interjects from the side.
Ric spots him tied to a pole and snickers. "My bad!" He apologizes to Minotaur. "He's worse off than all of you put together." He points and laughs.
Ravi slips out of the binding but is held back by both Lara and Minotaur as he flails about.
"Calm down. We can't," they yell into Ravi's ear.
"Pathetic trio," Ric laughs, prompting all of them to attack at once.
Ric sidesteps Minotaur's mindless charge, moving deeper between Ravi and Lara.
Ravi raises a small pillar of mud between him and Lara. He needed momentum to catch a close-by target, but before it could advance toward Ric, he stepped on it, using it as a platform. He draws the dagger hidden behind Ravi's belt and presses it against Lara's neck, ending the battle before it begins.
"You better not move," he smiles at Lara. "You better not lower my ladder," he snickers at Ravi. Minotaur struggles to get up, his arms too heavy for his legs to push him upright. "Pathetic. All of you."
Ric jumps off the platform and flicks the knife as it lands between the trio, startling them. "You morons are so scared of death, you forgot to live." He frowns and walks away.
Lara snaps out of the trance and yells. "What do you know? We aren't gifted like you, nor have the talent to rise."
"Or the common sense to try," Ric adds. "Have any of you chosen death?"
YOU ARE READING
Demon King
FantasiaGood has never won over evil. At least for the people of Saint. Now fate has pitied and spun its wheel, dragging a stranger into their lands. A villain who stood at the pinnacle of evil. When all hope is lost, you remove a thorn with a thorn and Fat...
