Demon’s Task
The tree was as large as expected, bearing about forty Soul Fruits.
The beast was unexpectedly calm, sitting on one of its branches.
Unlike the others, it did not wander around looking for a way to kill him.
It was calm.
Something about its aura felt sad and pitiful.
The closer Randolph got to it, the stronger the urge to comfort the beast became.
“Wake up, it might be a trap!” Randolph slapped himself, only to be shocked when he felt no pain.
Realization struck him.
He could no longer feel any part of his body.
Looking down at himself, he felt more like a spirit than a living person.
The beast’s eyes were surprisingly dull as it stared at him.
The other beasts seemed afraid of it.
When Randolph approached the tree, none of them dared to come any closer.
They remained gathered around it, waiting to see what would happen.
“Who are you?” the beast asked in a harsh voice.
“You can talk?” Randolph replied in surprise, glancing at the beasts behind him.
Creatures like this were not supposed to speak so clearly.
They usually communicated through angry growls and mournful cries about the injustices they had suffered.
“What? Am I not allowed to? Even while trapped here?” the beast smirked.
“Who are you? The Greenlight Keeper? Have you come to warn us not to kill those who enter these waters again?” the beast asked.
“Greenlight Keeper?” Randolph frowned.
He had heard many strange things in the past few hours, and now there was a Greenlight Keeper?
He couldn’t remember ever reading about such a person.
“You’re not him?” Suspicion filled the beast’s voice.
“Well, I don’t know who you’re talking about, but I want to get to the Dream Cage,” Randolph said.
If someone had offended these creatures before, it had nothing to do with him.
“The Dream Cage? You want to release someone? Your lover?” the beast asked.
“No. I want to connect with my demon.”
“And you think he’s down there?” the beast asked doubtfully.
“Yes.”
The crowd of beasts erupted into laughter.
“Your demon must be a wicked one!” the beast said.
“What?”
Randolph was confused.
“There is no need to accept such a demon. Just reject him, okay?” the beast said.
“Why?”
“Isn’t it obvious?” The beast sighed.
“The only thing down there is the five-thousand-year-old bloodthirsty dragon known as Bloody Vein.
And I know very well that it isn’t your demon.
“The owner of that dragon died over seven thousand years ago, before the beast had fully awakened its powers.
Since then, it has never accepted another master.
“Because of what happened to his master, he became what he is today and was imprisoned here, just like the rest of us.
“If your demon sent you here, then he either wants you dead or intends to use you as a sacrifice to release the dragon.”
Randolph’s heart sank.
“So you’re saying my demon led me here on purpose?” he asked, stunned.
“Judging by the situation, he may already be preparing to take over your body.
Your time is almost up.
“He gave you the task of removing one of the dragon’s scales, which is obviously impossible. But if you still want to try, I can let you pass without anyone disturbing you.”
“How do you know that’s my task?” Randolph asked.
“Because I know him. Your demon.”
The beast’s eyes darkened.
“And I can feel his presence watching you right now. I can even read his thoughts… and the thoughts he intends to have.”
The beast rose from the branch and walked closer until it was close enough to whisper.
“If you fail this task, he will take over your body.”
His voice dropped lower.
“You don’t want that, do you?”
Randolph took a deep breath.
Zex was truly dangerous.
If he allowed Zex to take over, countless people would suffer.
Especially Ella.
The mere thought of her getting hurt by Zex filled him with pain.
She had no power to protect herself.
She was vulnerable.
And somehow, despite everything, he felt responsible for her.
He was supposed to be her shield.
His brows furrowed.
Why am I thinking about her?
The thought frustrated him.
He barely knew her.
He didn’t understand her.
She had even demanded to be married off.
Yet whenever he imagined her in danger, his heart tightened painfully.
For reasons he couldn’t explain, he wanted to protect her.
Not abandon her.
Not send her away.
Protect her.
“I’ll go,” he said firmly.
He wasn’t doing this only for Ella.
He was doing it for everyone in the kingdom.
He couldn’t allow a deadly demon to take over his body and turn their lives into a nightmare.
The beast smiled.
“You are indeed bold. I like your spirit.”
With a wave of its hand, a pathway appeared, leading toward the Dream Cage.
It looked like a river of stars stretching through endless darkness.
A chilling energy flowed from within it.
Randolph stared at the path before turning back to the beast.
“Can you sense my condition in the Cold Tower right now?” he asked.
The beast nodded.
“If it helps motivate you, then yes.
“The Flame Sword is sinking deeper into your body.
If it pierces your heart, you’re finished.
“Your demon will take over, and your soul will never be retrieved.
“You will truly die.”
The beast stretched out a hand, gesturing toward the pathway.
Randolph swallowed hard.
Then he stepped forward.
The moment he entered, the pathway sealed itself behind him.
The beast watched the darkness for a long moment.
Then it sighed.
“Zex, Zex, Zex…”
There was pity in its voice.
“Can’t you be kinder to the boy? You’ve already caused him enough pain.”
With a wave of its hand, the gathered beasts slowly dispersed