51 Revelation

'What the hell is this freak saying? Who told him I would come?' James became more guarded. The strange creature's words reminded him of the formless sorcerer who threw down the gorge. The system's notification also screamed at him, warning him of the huge disparity between them.

'Can I outrun him?' James had his doubts. Despite running at his maximum speed, the old still caught up and outpaced him. However, he subtly increased the distance separating them. Since the old man was faster, he couldn't afford to stay close to him.

The old man monetarily glanced at James, but he didn't bother to stop him. Instead, he continued muttering inaudible words while scratching his face. Sometimes he would laugh, only for a frown to replace it a moment later.

James was certain he had stumbled across a troublesome enemy.

"Kuku... why aren't you saying anything?" The old man suddenly asked. "Is he mute?" He muttered while tilting his head to the side. His large crimson eyes lingered on James's face.

James stopped retreating. It was pointless since the old man had focused his attention on him. 'What does this old bastard what me to say?' James silently stared at the old man.

The old man continued scratching his head while occasionally fiddling with some of his scales. "Kuku... to think he's a mute... This isn't good..." He genuinely believed James was a mute. He didn't know how to communicate without speaking. Just then, the old man suddenly pointed towards James with his right hand while he pointed to himself with his left hand. "Me... Kuku." He said. His fingers glided across his scales, producing a distinct echo, and two strange letters formed in midair.

Kuku pointed towards the letters. "Kuku... do you understand?"

James remained silent. However, he was inwardly stunned. The characters Kuku formed weren't any known language in Skyhaven, but James perfectly understood what it meant.

"How am I sure you won't harm me?" James uttered slowly. The characters conveyed Kuku's intentions not to harm James.

"Kuku... you can speak? Kuku..." Kuku was delighted. Their discussion would be much more difficult if James couldn't speak. Inwardly, he was also excited James could read the characters. Saying nothing further, Kuku's stomach suddenly swelled to three times its size. Before James could comprehend what was happening, Kuku vomited a mouthful of silver liquid.

'Is that what I think it's?' James could see a faint purple radiance within the odorless vomit. James could sense the whereabouts of all his damned souls, no matter where they are. The moment he saw the purple radiance, he sensed the damned soul Kuku had devoured.

The damned soul dashed towards James's side with alacrity. It would rather spend entirety with James than Kuku. Only it knew what it had passed through the last couple of months.

"Kuku... I have returned your pet. I also haven't attacked you yet. Believe me, you can trust me. I have been waiting for you for a long time. Kuku..."

James's emotionless voice followed, "What do you mean?" Although Kuku's words made sense, James had no reason to trust him. He could have released his damned soul because of a hidden agenda. He would never trust another man, not to talk of an unknown creature.

"Kuku... you don't know about me?" Kuku's visage had turned uglier.

"Why would I ask if I already knew? Who are you, and what you mean you have waited a long time for me?" James asked in quick succession.

'Kuku... he's not joking... he really doesn't know about Kuku. How can that be?' Kuku was distraught over James's response. "Kuku... what do you know about your predecessor? Kuku..."

James hesitated slightly before saying, "I only know his name." He answered truthfully. He believed lying would only irritate Kuku, and he wanted to know what information Kuku had on the mysterious faction that had planted two people in Kynar because of him.

"Kuku... only his name?��� Kuku couldn't hide his disappointment. "Kuku... can you open the abyss gates yet?" Kuku suddenly asked.

James countenance darkened. 'How does he know about that?' He had only gotten the Mantra of the Abyss a few days ago, and he had yet to use it. It was impossible for anyone to know about it. Unless... someone knew he would eventually receive the skill. James thought. But doubts filled his mind. The odds of any other person getting the Mantra of the Abyss were non-existent. He was the only person who would even bother checking through hundreds of incomplete spells. No one, not even James, would image those incomplete skills made up a grand skill. Without the system, James knew it would take him tens of decades to master the incomplete spells in the path of darkness alone.

"Kuku? Why are you silent? Have you opened the abyss gates? Kuku."

"I don't know what an abyss gate is. So there's no way I would have opened it." James retorted.

Kuku fell silent. His gaze constantly shifted between James and the silver liquid on the ground. 'Kuku... It hasn't changed. He's telling the truth. Kuku...' The liquid would glow anytime someone told a lie. Unfortunately for Kuku, James had already scanned the properties of the vomit. He was glad that Kuku didn't ask him about the Mantra of the Abyss.

"Kuku... It seems you're not lying. Have you—?"

"Answer my questions if you want me to speak further." James injected. He wouldn't willingly give out information without getting something in return. Kuku smiled sheepishly. "Kuku... I apologize. Ask what's on your mind. Kuku."

"On whose order are you here? Why have you been searching for me? And how do you know I'm the successor of the sovereign of darkness?" James asked in quick succession. He still had more to ask, but he only asked the most pressing questions.

"Kuku... My ancestor was a general in your predecessor's army. Over the last ten thousand years, we waited for the successor in Kynar. As our master foretold. Kuku..." He suddenly paused. He lay on the ground while yawning and rubbing his stomach. "Kuku... It's only natural I would search of the successor of our master. Because I can finally serve you as my new master. Lastly, apart from me, only the successor of the sovereign of darkness can read soul scripts. That's how I knew you were the successor. Kuku..." He met James's gaze while patting his stomach.

Meanwhile, James fell silent. Thousand of thoughts raced through his mind. 'Can I believe everything he said?' There were no historical records of Aians Tuta Aghoul's life. He didn't know if Kuku's ancestor was a general in his predecessor's army. He didn't even know what Kuku meant by soul scripts. Although Kuku's words sounded plausible, James still doubted him.

"Let's say I believe you. What next?" James asked.

"Kuku... Kuku will now serve you. Like my ancestors before me, I have vowed to help in your conquest of Skyhaven. Kuku..."

'Try saying that while you aren't scratching your butt...' Kuku's nonchalant attitude didn't match his valiant words. His words would have excited other people, but James's suspicion heightened.

"Why were you asking if I've opened the abyss gates? Is it something I should have done?"

"Kuku... unfortunately, I can't tell you that yet, Master. Not until you can summon it. However, I can tell you that, the earlier you can open it, the smoother your conquest will be. Kuku..."

James was neither disappointed nor angry. He expected the old man wouldn't reveal everything to him just yet. James felt he had gotten the better from their trade-off. Although he didn't believe everything Kuku said, it confirmed his suspicions that someone wanted him to start his journey in the Tiodon Kingdom. He believed everything that had happened since then had purposely led him to this moment.

'If he has waited for so long, surely he should know a way to leave this island?' James stared intently at Kuku. The old man couldn't help but knit his brows. Before he could say anything, James's voice filled his ears. "Do you know how to get off this island?"

"Kuku... Of course." Kuku replied without pause. "Kuku... Why do you ask?"

James jubilated inwardly. "Tell me how." James demanded. Since Kuku had sworn loyalty to him, he would use him for his benefit.

Kuku hesitated. He awkwardly scratched his head while muttering inaudible words.

"What is it? Didn't you declare your loyalty? Why are you silent?" James spat. Now wasn't the time for the old man to shut up, he cursed.

"Kuku... I'm truly loyal." Kuku hesitated slightly.

James's irritation grew. "Then what?" He would have let it go if Kuku said he didn't know, but how was he supposed to let go of the chance of leaving Kynar?

"Kuku... I'm just confused about why you would want to leave."

James didn't know whether or not he should be angry. What kind of question is that? He thought. Who wouldn't want to leave Kynar if given the chance?

"Is there something worth staying for?" James asked a question of his own. He felt Kuku wouldn't have asked if there wasn't something worth staying for.

Kuku nodded aggressively. "Kuku... Of course." He pointed to a nearby tree, "Kuku... This belongs to you." Then pointed at the mountains in the distance, "And that too." He then pointed to the ground, "Everything here belongs to you. Why would you want to leave when you haven't taken its treasures?" Kuku gazed at James. He couldn't fathom the thoughts in his master's mind.

"What treasures?" James asked. Although he reminded expressionless, Kuku's declaration had exceed his expectations.

"Kuku... my ancestor said every beast here was once a servant to your predecessor. So it's only natural that you, his successor, would claim their descendants. He also mentioned something about Nether, but I'm not sure what he meant." Kuku scratched his head awkwardly.

Unbeknownst to him, his words had stunned James. 'The sovereign of darkness placed the beasts and nether in Kynar?' Joy filled James's mind. If he could tame all the beasts in Kynar, he would posses might greater than some Allied Kingdoms. 'But my level is too low to dream about taming the all the beasts. Then there is the matter concerning the nether. How am I supposed to take it?' James thought. If he could use the beasts and nether, James believed only the larger factions in the Black Lands and the four great kingdoms would rival him.

"Kuku... Master, do you still plan on leaving?"

James chuckled. "Why would I? Haven't taken what is mine yet."

<Ding! >

Scanning Completed!

Name: Kuku.

Race: Soul Eater (Mutated).

Age: >700.

Path: None.

Level:??? (The user's level is too low to access this information).

Rank:??? (The user's level is too low to access this information).

Loyalty to the user:??? (The user's level is too low to access this information).

<Ding! >

Grim Reaper and Soul Eater stared at each other as their laughter filled the air. James tasked the system with scanning Kuku's stats long ago, but it had only now completed the task. Although James couldn't see Kuku's rank or level, he knew the Soul Eater could destroy him if he wanted to. That he couldn't see Kuku's loyalty towards him didn't surprise him. Even if the system's notification displayed complete loyalty, he still wouldn't trust Kuku.

"Kuku... Master, are you planning on eliminating those chasing after you?" Kuku suddenly asked.

"Oh? Do you want to handle the task?" James retorted. If Kuku intervened, none of his pursuers would survive.

"Kuku... As much as I would love to help you master, I can't touch them. There are several mutated beasts that would notice my involvement, especially that damn eagle." Kuku cursed aloud.

'Eagle?' A sudden thought filled James's mind. He couldn't forget the monstrous bird he saw in the Odon Forest.

"Kuku… Master, let's go to my cave. We can discuss much there. Kuku…"

"Lead the way." James gestured.

James's indifference surprised Kuku. He didn't expect James to agree immediately. He had already prepared several lines to convince James. Saying nothing further, he dashed westwards and James closely followed. Two hours after they left, tens of soldiers from different factions passed by the area. However, they found no signs of James or the people they sent after him.

***

Three hours later.

James stood at the center of a spacious cave which had the thick, but fragrant smell of fresh plums. The moon's silver light barely illuminated the cave. Small, loose stones littered the floor. Kuku had dug the cave from the muddy brown rock of a cliff. The stone guarding the entrance was jagged, arranged in such a way that it would be difficult for passers-by to spot. The cave had several sets of crudely constructed furniture and a few beast hides knitted into blankets, clothes and rugs. James couldn't help but wonder why Kuku was naked, since he could make clothes.

"Kuku… Master, what do you think? Nice, right?"

James stared at the proud Soul Eater. He didn't bother to answer. Their definition of 'nice' differed. Unknown to James, many soldiers would kill to have a place like Kuku's. Most of them had to sleep inside hollow trees or under massive rocks. Some even spent the chilly nights under trees, and could only warm themselves with fallen leaves.

"So what else do you have to discuss?" James asked. Neither of them shared a word during the three hours it took to get to the cave. He was curious what other secrets Kuku knew about the sovereign of darkness.

"Kuku… I'll tell you everything you need to know, Master. But we need to wait for my partner. Kuku…"

"Why didn't you mention you had a partner?" James asked sternly.

"Kuku… Master, you never asked Kuku…" The Soul Eater scratched his head while staring at James. How was he supposed to know what was in James's mind? He thought.

James fell silent. 'If his partner is just like him, then there's no problem. However, if it's someone difficult… that would be a problem.' James reassessed his options.

"System, scan for any living being heading towards my location." James mentally commanded.

<Ding! >

Scanning…

Scanning Completed!

Signs of Life detected within a 15km radius.

{Race}

— Human [1].

The user's Level is too low to search above 15km.

<Ding>

'A human? How?' James narrowed his eyes as he stared at the system's report. He didn't expect a human would partner with Kuku.

"System, how close is the human?" James asked hurriedly.

<Ding! >

Scanning…

Scanning Completed!

9km… 7km… 8km… 6km… 5km… 4km…

James's expression changed as he saw the gradually reducing distance. 'How can a human cross a kilometer in barely a second?' James turned his expression towards the cave's exit. Unlike him, Kuku lay on one of the many rugs while yawning lazily.

3km… 2km… 1km…

The target has arrived before the user!

<Ding! >

At that moment, a shadow cast on the walls of the cave. James's jaw dropped as he saw the person behind the shadow. "How is it you?" He blurted out.

End of Book 3.