Kzel pushed the hilt of his sword with a thumb, revealing an inch of the blade. He then pressed his thumb on the sharp metal until it drew blood but he had press harder because his skin was tough and the blade couldn't cut it with only a slight touch. The gatekeeper presented the contract and Kzel left his fingerprint.
The scroll dematerialized on the hands of the gatekeeper and it turned its attention to Aviree and Cleera.
"This two livings don't have the privilege to be here."
"They're my subordinates. May I ask if you can give them contracts?" Kzel instantly responded after seeing the two women put up their guards.
The gatekeeper shook from a hollow laughter, "Only The Master can procure a contract. If they want safe passage, they must pay the toll; a soul."
Aviree and Cleera's expression brightened. They started to discuss and after a moment, Aviree retrieved a materialized red orb from her backpack. She then started to chant until a white smoke escaped from it.
The gatekeeper turned to a grey smoke and tackled the white one. When the gatekeeper returned to its material form, it was holding a chain binding the white smoke.
"You may proceed to the Underworld Trade Web." The gatekeeper sliced the empty space with its scythe. Moments later, a portal appeared leading to another section of the Underworld. But this one had more pressure oozing out. No doubt inhabited by more powerful beings.
Kzel tried to identify the gatekeeper.
>>Moluhr, Underworld Gatekeeper(Lvl.????????)
'So if one entered the Underworld, one have to pass through the gatekeeper. Even if one miraculously defeated the gatekeeper, they can't enter this Underworld Trade Web without its permission.' Kzel thought and warily strolled to the portal followed closely by Aviree and Cleera.
The trio started to float after stepping inside the portal. Wails of endless despair started to echo, causing the hair on Kzel's body to stood. The Rzir saw a green light below, he floated down and landed on a solid ground. When the two women landed, he spotted another flicker of green light in the distance.
Without wasting anymore time, Kzel headed towards the light. He skidded to a halt when he noticed that he was on the edge and the beginning of unending green liquids. Kzel dropped on a knee and started observing the liquid emanating a foul steam but not aware of the floating figure above.
"What business do you have here in the Web, mortals?" An otherworldly voice almost made Kzel to jump in fright.
Aviree excitedly dashed to the figure and tossed the book he looted from the merchant. "I can't read it, so I'm trading it."
The figure caught the book and flipped open its pages. "Hmm. This is Gaian writing."
"Very well," The figure clapped the book close, "Trade accepted. I'll give you the knowledge of Gaian literature."
Aviree was speechless for a moment and considered. It was not what she expected to trade but nodded. If she can read Gaian, she'd be able to learn their spells.
"I want that knowledge too." Cleera jumped in to get a share of the cake.
"Do you have anything to trade?" The figure asked with doubt.
Cleera smiled and raised a finger, "A soul!"
The figure instantly appeared infront of Cleera, revealing itself. Just like the Gatekeeper, it wore a tattered black robe but had a mask made from the skull of a demon.
"Is it your soul?" It asked in a thrilled voice.
Kzel scratched his head on the corner. He had no interest of the topic. The system can easily translate any form of writing for him. Summoning his system menu, he found out that he can access the Edge. After countless of questions, the system finally explained that the Edge and Infinity had the same flow of time.
"No," Cleera answered and took out a crystallized Soul Siphoning Orb.
The reaper was shocked to see what's inside the orb and greedily snatched the orb from Cleera's grasp before it started to caress it~like it was the most treasured possession it had.
"I will not only impart you Gaian literacy if you give me this orb, but also a mark. A mark that is not of any gods. The Mark of the Underworld." The reaper said still caressing the orb.
Cleera raised a brow, "And what does this mark do?"
"It will grant you knowledge and abilities interlinked to the Underworld without the blessings of the Death gods."
"Deal." Cleera answered without hesitation. She can now receive a blessing without offending her patron.
"I want that exchange too." Aviree took out an orb that she recently obtained.
"Ah--" Kzel raised a hand but was completely ignored so he continued his research.
"Done!" The reaper relieved the orb from Aviree and created a Mind Link, dedicated only to share specific informations. Then it extended a hand that released death energies which would naturally bend and distort the space it occupied. Aviree and Cleera's eyes started to shone and a centimeter grey line appeared on their forearm.
When it's over, the two women were grinning from ear to ear. The knowledge they gained were beyond their contemplation.
Kzel took this oppurtunity to lurk between the two women and asked, "Where's my share?"
Cleera turned to face him and smiled. She slowly inserted a hand in her pocket and exposed a crystallized Soul Siphoning Orb the size of her thumb, "Take this. It's the result of my earlier casting of the spell."
Kzel picked the orb with two fingers and stared at it grudgingly. However, he can sense the avarice coming from the reaper. It wanted more souls. He can take advantage of that.
"I'm Kzel, a Chaos Bringer. What's yours, mighty one?" The Rzir's question received silence.
After a moment, the reaper guffawed causing the space around it to vibrate before proceeding to introduce itself.
"I am Dnavar. Reaper of demons and immortals. Sadly, I went off the chart and ended up trapped in the Web."
A new information appeared in Kzel's vision.
>>Dnavar, Greater Reaper(Lvl.?????????)<<
"Now...Name your price." The reaper asked in anticipation.
Kzel pretended to think for awhile and ultimately said, "Become one of my Summoned Units."
There were many things that needed attending. I'll sneak in some chapters in my tight schedule.