3 The Stone Of Life

Charm's POV

I've already created many dolls, five of which were able to move. However, there is none of those dolls that could speak like a normal human being, just like what I always wanted to have.

I guess my magic skills that I have right now is not that enough.

So with that thought, I made an extra effort in doing some more research in the temple's vast library. While scrolling down some books, I found this Sorcery Book in which I've read from its contents about a powerful stone known as the Soul Stone.

This Soul Stone can be found in the underground cavern of Misty Cave . The mentioned stone is also known as the Stone of Life since it has a power to resurrect someone, and bring them back to life.

Unfortunately though, there's a problem regarding this stone. There's only one Soul Stone left and you can only use its power once.

Well, I guess this is the ultimate solution for me to create a doll that could talk like a normal person!

After me and Baal had breakfast together, I quickly left the temple and went straight ahead to Misty Cave. I am fully aware that several monsters are silently lurking in this cave so I guess I might have to fight my way towards getting the Soul Stone.

I have just arrived at the entrance of the said cave when I coincidentally came across with the same lad that I saw yesterday here. If I remember his name correctly, it's Lance, right?

"Charm?! W-what are you doing here?" he looked so surprised to see me here right now, as I was also surprised to see him here either.

"I should be asking you that question, not the other way around." I said as a matter of fact. I firmly looked at him and can't help but to wonder, is he not afraid of the wild creatures here that are holding a grudge against mortals like him?

"Uhm, I... I was hiding. Right I am hiding, and I am also looking for something at the same time." he answered while looking over my shoulder, like he was hiding from someone. To my surprise, he just suddenly dashed off inside the cave without uttering any word.

Great. I was just about to stop him from entering the cave again because it's really dangerous for a mortal like him to wander around inside on his own... but he already rushed inside.

Well... I guess, he's on his own now. I did try to warn him yesterday.

I decided to turn around to the direction where that lad turned earlier, only to be surprised to see several soldiers from Citadel, which is the capital city of Gilead, passing by at the cave. Without further adieu, I quickly dashed off inside the cave as well.

I wonder if that lad is a criminal or what, that is why he was hiding from these soldiers here.

***

I will just have to forget about that lad's existence and focus on my main goal and reason as to why I am here in the first place.

I went straight ahead to the said cavern of this Misty cave according to that Sorcery Book I've read, but I was quite shocked to see a wooden ladder already placed on the cavern's entrance the moment I arrived here.

Wait a minute, did someone already find this place before I did? Well, only one way to find out.

Thanks to this ladder, I was able to go down conveniently. When I was finally able to reach the cavern in no time, I continued to make my way towards reaching the location of the Soul Stone.

The temperature drops as I enter into the massive underground chamber, sending a violent chill down my spine. Light reaches neither wall nor ceiling, confining vision to a small circle of flickering orange brought by the small flame that I created at the tip of my index finger; inky black water sloshes against a narrow strip of land that disappears into the darkness before me and jagged teeth of stone descend from the shadows above.

"AHHHHH!"

I immediately paused the moment I heard someone shouted , as if he is currently in great danger. Wait a minute, I know that voice! It's Lance!

Without any second thoughts, I quickly dashed off towards the direction where I think I heard his voice. And when I finally arrived, I was surprised to be greeted by a scenario that I never expected to see that made me put out the flame igniting at the tip of my finger as quickly as I can.

I immediately spotted Lance, lying unconsciously on the floor, and with other mortals surrounding him. There are three of them who are now in their black tight suits and are wearing a black ninja-like mask to conceal their faces.

Wait, who are they?

"Boss! Looks like another person discovered this place." said by the guy standing on the left the moment he noticed my existence.

His other comrades turned to my direction. And their so-called boss, who is standing in the middle, crossed his arms as he looked at me.

"A girl? What are you doing here? Are you lost, perhaps?" said by that suspicious looking guy in the middle with a hint of sarcasm in his tone. Well, they all look suspicious to me.

Suddenly, I just have the urge to land a punch to his suspicious face.

My gaze then fell on that lad I met earlier who is still lying unconsciously on the floor. I thought he can take care of himself?

"What did you do to him?" I asked, pointing my index finger to the unconscious lad.

"Oh, him? Well... we did teach him a lesson earlier since he attempted to steal something from us." Their comrade standing on the right answered for me, who is standing nearest to Lance.

Ohhh.. so this lad is a thief after all!

"C-Charm? " I was a bit surprised to see Lance suddenly half awake and tried to lift up his head to look at me. But it didn't last though since he became unconscious for the second time around.

"Uhm, can I have him?" I nicely asked, still pointing at the once again unconscious lad lying on the rocky floor of the cavern.

"Sure, you can. We're already done teaching him a lesson plus we have a Soul Stone to sell anyway." answered by the leader.

My attention was immediately diverted to the Soul Stone he just mentioned a while ago. How come he has that very sacred thing? As far as I know, that stone is guarded by a guardian animal!

Well, I don't have any money brought here with me that I'm sure they got from stealing it away. So I guess, I will just have to take it from them by force then.

"Can I have the Soul Stone, please?" I tried to ask them nicely though. It's worth the shot.

"Ohhh... so you also have an interest in the stone huh? Unfortunately, you have to beat us first before you can have it!" the leader said with full confidence.

"Go easy on her, mate. She's just a weak, little girl." his comrade on the left said, letting out a sarcastic laugh after.

It's a good thing that Lance right now is unconscious, I can just use magic freely against these incompetent mortals. I quickly switched into my fighting stance.

With my right hand raised upwards, a ray of light suddenly appeared and later on formed a wand against my palm. These ninja-like mortals were quite amused by what they just witnessed.

"A witch! Lady luck seems to be on our side right now!" said by the guy on the left happily.

"We can get to sell the soul stone at a very high price, plus we have this witch that we can sell to the government in an incredible amount of gold pieces as well." said by his comrade on the right.

"What are you waiting for? AFTER HER!" shouted by their leader.

As soon as their leader gave the order, his two comrades dashed off towards my direction with sharp-looking daggers in both of their hands. However, before they can slice me off with their daggers, I quickly cast a level 2 fire spell.

"Murus Ignis!"

The moment I chanted the spell, it created a wide circle of roaring flames surrounding the area, that whoever will be hit with it within 2-meter radius will literally be sent in the air-flying.

So that was what exactly happened on those two. They both flew several feet above the ground, and they also simultaneously hit the rocky floor in no time while the tip of their suits is still covered in fire. Upon seeing this, they both desperately rolled over the ground for the fire to come off their suits.

From them, my gaze then landed on their leader who was still standing in front of me and quickly gave him an icy stare.

"H-h-here you go, the Soul Stone is all yours. Just spare our lives, please! I'm begging you!" I was surprised to see him handing over to me a small brown pouch while standing on his knees.

Wow, that was kinda' fast.

I quickly grabbed for that pouch and immediately cast a spell for the fire to come out from his comrades' suits.

"Get your asses out of here before I turn all of you into ashes!" I sternly warned them.

As soon as his comrades were able to stand up, they immediately fled from my presence and ran for their lives towards the cavern's exit point. The wand that was on my right hand a while ago suddenly disappeared the moment the fight was over.

I decided to take a peek on what's inside the pouch that I am currently holding. I never thought that it would be that easy to get this from those suspicious-looking mortals. But then, a smile immediately formed on my lips as I saw the Soul Stone inside this pouch.

Mission accomplished!

Oh wait! I almost forgot about that lad!

I quickly hid the pouch inside the khaki-colored sling bag that I am currently wearing and afterwards I also grabbed a vial from it and ran towards the unconscious lad.

This vial, by the way, is a healing potion that I made myself. It should have been for me since I kinda expected that I would be in a huge fight against monsters. But oh well...

As soon as I reached his location, I immediately grabbed for the back of his head and let him lay on my thigh. Then I held the potion in my other hand and carefully slid a few drops inside his mouth. It didn't take that long before I heard him cough and his hazel brown eyes soon flung open, so I was kinda relieved..

"Charm? W-wait, what are you doing here?" He looked a bit confused and dazed as he looked at me now. Then he struggled to stand up on his feet again so I helped him do so.

"I should be the one asking you that, not the other way around." I said, one eyebrow is raised at him.

Wait a minute, this feels like a de' ja vu.

"Where are those three men that I was going to teach a lesson earlier? Come on, show yourselves!"

As soon as he was able to stand up, he picked up a good-looking sword from the ground that I hadn't even noticed earlier. Maybe he dropped it the moment his ass was kicked by those ninja-like mortals.

"They already left." I answered, trying to suppress my laughter.

Actually, I already beat them for you.

"Well, let's get outta here Charm. This place is quite a bit dangerous for you." he said, grabbing my right hand as we started to run towards the exit point of the cavern.

*Badump... badump*

I suddenly felt my heart fluttered as I also felt my cheeks heat up in an instant . And I have no freaking idea why!

What is this unknown, weird feeling?