18 – The Well

Ritor was walking under the night sky in a terrible mood. On every mission, he felt a part of his soul was lost.

First, exterminating a mob of rats plaguing a district. The second one is tame a horny giant cat. For the third, he must put the medicine into the pet dragon's ass hole. And lastly, battle slime-squirting monsters for a rare plant to tighten a noble's daughter's butt.

And most annoyingly, he was almost killed by the guards while delivering the plant. It would be best if he could slaughter them, but as per Lord Vorn's orders, he was forbidden from doing so.

Isn't there any more exciting mission for him? At least he wanted to get an exhilarating battle like the first quest.

He was getting closer to the location of the fifth mission, an old well with stone walls in the middle of the forest. An armored man with short black hair was nearby, almost asleep in front of the bonfire.

Noticing the minotaur's arrival, the man sprang to his feet, raising his sword and shield.

"I just wanted to help you." Ritor passed the man, then peered into the darkness of the quite large well. Maybe his body could get in there. "So, this is the well you said was the place of the Ragmoruk, the legendary weapon?"

"How did you know that?" The man still raised his weapon, backing away from the minotaur. "Did you read the announcement at the adventurers guild headquarters?"

"Yes or no?" Ritor pulled his head back, getting impatient. "This is that well?"

The armored man was silent for a moment, then lowered his sword. "Yes. As we know, this country has a legend about a mysterious cave that will give you one of the best weapons in the world. Many people are looking for the existence of that cave..."

"I'm not here to hear fairy tales." Ritor folded his arms across his chest. The veins in his neck began to bulge as if he was holding back his anger.

"The bottom line is that people misinterpret the word 'well' in the old language for a cave. So, they don't consider this place." The armored man hastily added. "My friends and I accidentally discovered the secret of this place. At that time, we had just returned from an adventure..."

Ritor snorted. "I told you! I don't want to hear your bullshit!"

"In short, the well pulled us back then." The man continued at rapid intervals. "We explored the cave maze inside but couldn't get the weapon. My friends died, and luckily I found the way out."

The minotaur frowned. "This well pulled you and your friends?"

"Yes, in the middle of the night, because we're bored, we looked into it, then… Ah, it's hard to explain in words. You'll see for yourself later." The man grimaced. "That's if you really want to help."

Ritor looked back at the well. "Yes, I will help you."

The armored man approached the minotaur with a timid gesture, then peered into the well too.

"I've tried to enter through the exit, but I only found a dead-end cave." The man spoke again, even though Ritor had scolded him twice. "So, it looks like this is the only way in... My name is Finn, by the way."

"Is there a strong enemy in there?"

"Well, there are many powerful monsters I've never seen before. They are shaped like the bones of various creatures, including humans." Finn shrugged. "Maybe that's why people don't know this place. Anyone who enters will be killed. Even if they survive, they may not be able to find a way out. So, the story of this place is buried with them."

He then paused and closed his eyes for a moment. "The keeper of this place said, to get the Ragmoruk weapon and instructions for the way out, we have to answer three questions. I was lucky, accidentally found the way out, even though we were wrong on the first question..."

Finn stopped talking when Ritor glanced at him with a piercing gaze. The armored man made a locking mouth gesture, but he kept asking. "Just one question. Why do you want to help me when the humans laugh at me? They think this legend is a child's tale, you know?"

"You don't have to know why." Ritor was really holding back from squeezing Finn's head. This man really talks too much. "I only have one request. After I succeed, you must remember Lord Vorn's name and spread the word that I, as his subordinate, have helped you."

Now it was Finn's turn to frown. He paused a second time, then chuckled. "Vorn? Lord Vorn, the emperor of darkness? You're joking, right? Vorn is a fairy tale! And he's reappeared now!? There should be destruction everywhere!"

Ritor hits the wall of the well until it partially shatters, causing Finn to flinch and raise his weapon again.

"You don't believe me!?" Ritor couldn't take it anymore. "Do you want me to take you to him right now!? I wonder what kind of punishment he will give you!"

"Okay, okay, I trust you!" Finn was shivering with fear, either really believing what Ritor was saying or just pretending.

"So, when can we enter this well?" Ritor gritted his teeth, diverting the conversation to contain his overflowing rage.

"Errrr… It's past midnight now." Finn looked at the well again. "We should be able to…. Arggghhh!!!"

The man just fell into the well. His scream echoed and drifted away before finally disappearing.

Ritor froze, thinking why this could happen. However, he remembered that he was not used to using his brain. So, he also looked into the well.

He felt like an invisible force was pulling him, forcing him to plunge into the well. What he could see after that was only pitch-black darkness.

The minotaur screamed like a madman, not knowing when and where he would land. And before long, he saw a speck of light getting bigger and bigger.

He pierced through the light, entering a cave with stone walls. His fall speed slowed, allowing him to land on both feet.

"This…" Ritor looked around. In contrast to Lord Vorn's dark base, that place was lit up by the dim purple glow of some sort of moss on the rocks.

"Welcome to this place." Finn spread his arms. "The undead cave."

Ritor looked up and found that the entrance to his arrival had disappeared. "So, where are the monsters?"

"Follow me." Finn started walking. "We're going to the keeper's place…. But first, I want to pay my last respects to my friends."