A Wanderer's Lies

Chapter 21: Don Freecs [1]

"You what?!" Isaac was taken aback as his loud voice echoed through the dark cave.

The light had substantially lessened as they walked further from the waterfall and the cave still showed no signs of ending.

With a sigh, Netero continued.

"When I first arrived in the Dark Continent, I wasn't alone. I practically dragged along two other companions I'd crossed paths with beforehand."

"Why?" Interrupted Isaac. If really did escape soon, he promised himself to never come back.

"Why else? I wanted a challenge. The Dark Continent is notorious for harbouring creatures that can single handedly drive humanity to extinction and in my youth, I was rash and trigger happy."

"You still are. I hope you know most people don't like you because your first instinct is to fight. Me included." Monet added with her chin held high and a cocky demeanour.

"Thank you for the unwanted comment, Monet." Netero replied without sparing her a glance.

"But upon arriving, my two other companions, who although were slightly forced still had their own reasons for venturing into the Dark Continent, as well as my younger self were quickly overwhelmed when arriving."

"If it wasn't enough we couldn't use Nen, the miniscule amount spared to us was like a siren, attracting anything near us. To put it simply, we were overwhelmed."

"Us, two elite hunters and an extremely capable assassin." Hearing this, Isaac raised an eyebrow and wore a confused expression, but he quickly changed it so as not to seem suspicious.

"To make matters worse, before we could leave, that demon injected itself into my companion. Taking control." Netero spoke, every word carrying a hint of remorse although he tried to hide it.

Darting his eyes between the Ai before them and Netero, Isaac's eyes widened.

"You mean this is the friend you spoke of? The reason you're here?" Netero quickly nodded.

"Yes. We were easily able to obey its commands and wished for something simple so we could be done with it all." The corner of Netero's mouth twitched as he continued.

"But instead of returning control to him, the Ai left within the Dark Continent and we were forced to flee." Isaac could tell from the small emotions Netero wasn't necessarily sad.

No. Angry would better describe it.

"But I didn't give up. I vowed from then on I'd return and save him. I trained tirelessly to overcome the atmosphere as well as increasing my Nen capabilities. And I guess it's paid off." Netero looked to the Ai.

Upon finishing his story, a chilling silence enveloped the cave, the only sound being the tapping of their feet as they walked.

It felt like they'd walked for hours. The small light had long since disappeared and Isaac was starting to feel a slight tiredness in his step.

After an unknown amount of time, the Ai stopped.

If it weren't for the fact Isaac was channelling small amounts of Nen to his eyes for better vision, he'd have bumped into the creature.

After stopping, Isaac and Netero, even Monet who seemed slightly surprised, could all be seen staring at a crude and poorly made door at the end of the cave.

The Ai grabbed the handle, soon pushing the door open as a loud creak echoed through the cave.

After a few seconds, the trio shrugged their shoulders and entered the door.

However, upon the three of them entering, the door swung shut.

Instantly, a wave of refreshing air washed over the three of them.

The thick atmosphere, strained Nen and suffocating air had all disappeared.

"It feels…normal." Isaac commented, taking in a deep breath and closing his eyes to savour the feeling of freedom for the first time.

In the Dark Continent, it always felt as if Isaac was in a narrow alley or a small box. He hated the feeling of claustrophobia that always kept him on edge.

It's like he'd just entered a new dimension. He couldn't even feel a wisp of the chaotic Nen behind the door.

But most notably, he saw a drastic increase in his Nen. It was the first time in a while his Nen wasn't being weighed down, causing him to be surprised at the sheer difference in power.

If his Nen was comparable to a small pond at first, it wouldn't be a stretch to say he now resembled a large river.

As Isaac spoke, he felt a burst of power beside him that made him flinch a little.

"Ah, how refreshing." Smiled Netero. Without needing to explain, Isaac could tell why he was releasing his Nen.

It was because that small door seemed to separate their current location and the Dark Continent, as evidenced when Isaac couldn't feel the heavy atmosphere even if he tried.

Meaning their casual use of Nen shouldn't attract any creatures.

Knowing this, Isaac switched his Invisible Ten to regular Ten, stretching as he smiled at the fact he no longer needed to hold such a tedious technique.

Not only was he physically suffering, as the Invisible Ten made it feel like he was being struck with a bat, but it was also mentally draining.

It wasn't long before the Ai continued to walk and they followed.

As they did, Isaac made sure to pick up on the difference in the cave.

With a high ceiling which Isaac couldn't even see the end to, large space and countless stalagmites, the area almost resembled the cave of a certain man dressed like a bat.

The walk this time took far less time as it wasn't long until they'd reached yet another door.

However, this time, as the Ai stopped before it, it suddenly dropped to the ground, revealing its face which had returned to the normal wrinkled old man.

"It seems this is as far as the Ai takes us." Netero commenter, crouching to come face to face with his long lost companion.

A hint of fulfilment, as well as guilt flashed before his eyes as he grabbed the man, putting him over his shoulder.

As they stood, Isaac took it upon himself to open the door.

With a deep breath, he pulled the handle as a familiar creak echoed.

Walking in, a faint orange light entered their eyes as they quickly spotted the source being lit candles.

Once again, the door shut behind them.

The difference this time in atmosphere saw no change.

However, where the outside cave was chilling and had a lingering damp smell, the small room they'd entered was warm and had a pleasant oder, most likely from the candles.

However, despite this, the three travellers all had their eyes fixed on a particular figure seated on the ground with his legs crossed before a wooden table that reached his chest.

The figure wore what resembled a dark blue Gi, the same type isaac would see in Kung Fu movies.

Additionally, the figure's hair was a spiky green mess that pointed in all directions. It was so messy that Isaac thought it was fake for a second.

He'd never thought it possible for human hair to be so unkempt.

Although it was probably for different reasons, even Monet seemed interested in the figure as she narrowed her feline eyes.

"Hello?" Isaac spoke, trying to make his presence known. But if the loud slam of the door and Netero's heavy footsteps weren't enough to attract the figure, he doubted he'd have better chances.

But contrary to his thoughts…

"Hello." The figure replied simply with an indifferent tone.

The trio took a quick glance at each other as they slowly approached the figure.

They weren't necessarily wary of the figure, as the man seemed to be interested in nothing going on around him.

"What's your name?" Isaac asked, simply trying to make conversation and figure out some basic information.

"Don." Once again, the figure gave a simple answer with a nonchalant tone.

As the man said this, Isaac caught Monet's usual cold demeanour falter for a second, replaced by a look of astonishment.

However, she quickly recovered and Isaac pretended like he'd seen nothing.

At this point, Isaac was close enough to see what the man had been fidgeting with all this time, only to notice a pen in Don's hand with a simple book before him.

Additionally, there were two more books neatly stacked atop each other on the corner of the table.

Netero, who had long since placed the old man in the corner of the room against the wall, slowly reached for the two books, keeping his eyes on Don to see if there was any negative reaction.

But as usual, Don stayed neutral as he continued to write.

Netero grabbed the top book which was far thinner than the one below it.

Placing it before his eyes, he raised an eyebrow, soon handing the book to Isaac for him to see.

On the front cover of the book, in a neat handwriting, Isaac reasons out loud.

"The Story of Don Freecs."

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