Before they could leave, Nicole had to retrieve her spear. The elders had gathered around Dellas’s corpse, Nicole could hear them whispering among themselves, but as she approached, they fell silent.
"Um, there wouldn’t be any issue with me taking my spear back, right?" Nicole asked, just in case.
"No, no. Just try to do it without disturbing the body too much." Izab replied calmly.
Maybe they have some kind of ritual for the dead, instead of just burying them.
Luckily for Nicole, Dellas had fallen in such a way that the spear's tip was on her side, so she had no trouble sliding the wooden handle out of the body. But as soon as she did, Dellas’s back twitched. Nicole stepped back as his torso began to tremble—softly at first, then violently. Within seconds, a bulge appeared on his back, swelling to the size of a fist before bursting in a spray of flesh. A small creature emerged, peeking out with a single eye, then quickly jumped free.
It resembled a large black-and-red tadpole, with a single oversized eye and numerous insect-like legs along its body.
"What the fuck is that?!" Nicole shouted.
The creature tried to flee, but Terl caught it easily by the tail. He twisted it in his hands and, with a loud CRACK, the monster went limp. The man smirked at Nicole.
"Never seen one? Funny little thing—swallow one, and it’ll eat you alive from the inside."
Nicole stared as Terl tossed the parasite into the ocean and walked away with the other two elders. Moments later, Soi and Morilia joined her, and the trio left the beach together.
Soon, they were seated on the floor of the hut in a triangle. Nicole leaned against the wall, trying to ease the pain in her chest. In the center stood a tall pot filled with a light-blue liquid. Morilia poured generous servings into three cups and handed them out.
"To Nicole’s victorious duel!" Morilia declared before taking a drink.
Soi, blushing, seemed a little uncomfortable sitting so close to her crush.
"Is it really okay to share this with us?" She asked. "I don’t know how you managed to get a whole pot of Eyekiss, but—"
"Eh, calm down, girl. Soi, right? Don’t worry about it." Morilia said, sipping again.
Nicole eyed the unfamiliar drink. "Can you tell me what this is exactly? And if it has any side effects, I’d prefer to avoid any more drink-related surprises."
Soi shook her head. "It’s just berry juice mixed with water, or something like that. It’s made in one of the Zunthari villages from Topal berries. They’re dangerous raw but can be used to make this."
She took a sip before continuing. "The only effect is that it might make you feel lightheaded and warm inside. Normally, it’s not cheap, I don’t know how you got your hands on so much."
She looked at Morilia, who was already showing signs of feeling its effects. The woman smirked. "I bought it from a traveling merchant. For occasions like this."
Looks like they have alcohol here, at least.
Nicole took a sip and immediately coughed. "What is that taste?!" The incredibly sweet and spicy liquid burned her throat as it went down.
"Hahahaha!" Morilia laughed. "You’ll get used to it."
"Anyway—" she suddenly turned serious. "I imagine you're wondering what the hell happened to Dellas, right?"
"Actually, yes. He seemed to turn feral near the end. And then that creature burst out of his back. Care to explain?"
"That was a Ren Parasite." Morilia said. "It boosts the host’s strength while slowly draining their health. Thing is, the host can control the strength of the effect—more power means more damage. In a rage, Dellas pushed it too far and... You saw the result. The parasites are illegal for a reason, and I have no idea how he got one, since Their habitat is far from here."
Was it Terl who gave it to him? I can’t prove anything. Not sure Soi or Morilia would appreciate me accusing an elder, either. And honestly, I’m not sure myself.
"Alright… And what about the sand pit?"
Morilia raised an eyebrow. "Wait, that wasn’t yours? I don’t know anything about it."
Soi shook her head, too.
"Was it Dellas, then? Or maybe there’s some natural explanation..."
A giant sand mole? I wouldn’t be surprised. But if that were the case, someone would’ve said something.
Then Nicole remembered another strange moment.
"Hey, this might sound weird, but did either of you notice Dellas’s claws going right through my arms—like there was nothing but air and sand?"
Morilia sighed. "Looks like the Eyekiss is kicking in, huh?"
"No, I’m serious!"
"You should go easy on the drinking."
"B-but... Ugh." Nicole gave up with a groan.
Maybe it really was nothing?
She poked at her hand—nothing unusual. To lighten the mood, Morilia poured more Eyekiss into their empty cups.
"So, what’s next for you? You’ve been here what, three weeks? And already introduced new food and won a duel. That’s something."
The alcohol made it easier for Nicole to talk about things she’d normally keep to herself. "O-of course I’ve got big plans! I’ll make better clothes! Then explore the forest! And... and then I’ll find my friend!"
"Nice plans. But what do you mean by ‘find your friend’?"
Nicole downed her drink and slammed the empty cup onto the floor. "My friend! Annie! She was with me before I ended up here. If I’m here, she should be too. She’s smart—maybe she’ll even find me first, hah." Her excitement faltered. "Man, I miss her."
Soi and Morilia exchanged a glance. Morilia quietly poured another cup for Nicole. Soi gently placed a hand on her shoulder.
"It’s alright. You’ll find each other. Everything’s going to be fine."
"Yeah... Yeah!" Nicole’s mood rebounded. "No point worrying all the time." She emptied her cup in one go. "Let’s focus on the now! Speaking of which—do either of you know where I can get a larger piece of Ironhide’s skin?"
"Hm. It’s not cheap. Easiest way is to get someone to hunt it for you. Why?" Morilia asked.
"You said you wanted to make clothes," Soi added, suddenly excited. "You’re planning to use Ironhide wool?"
"Yes. It’s the best material I’ve seen so far."
Soi was about to say more, but Morilia cut in. "Nicole, you probably don’t know, but that’s exactly why Ironhide fur is so expensive. Merchants buy all they can and sell it to one Ishtarai village. They’ve kept their techniques secret for years, and the clothes made from it are incredibly pricey."
Oh. I thought I’d be the first one to try. Still, maybe I could strike a deal with them. Their technique can’t be better than Earth’s methods.
"And this tribe is…?"
"Otters. They live on the other side of the island. And if they find out someone else can do what they do... they won’t be happy."
"Doesn’t change much. I still need the fur—probably a lot. Soi, maybe could you hunt one?"
She shook her head. "No way. They’re dangerous and hard to find. You need a team, and I’ve only got my teacher."
"What about Sevora? Isn’t she the village’s lead hunter?"
"Good luck with her. She mostly stays home, sleeps, or does nothing. It's a miracle she stays in shape. Her hunting skills are top-tier, though."
"I heard she spends all night screwing her harem. Must be the only reason why she still looks good. And don’t even think about trying to seduce her into helping, Nicole. She sleeps only with those in her harem."
"Well, shit."
"There are other hunters. I’m sure someone will help you." Soi offered.
"I’ll figure something out." Nicole sighed.
Morilia picked up the Eyekiss pot and saw it was empty.
"Aw, I was hoping there’d be some left." She fanned herself. "Damn, that spice made me sweat. Happens every time I eat something spicy."
Wearing just leather pants and a crop top, her glistening skin made it obvious. She casually took off her top to cool down. Nicole smiled as she noticed Soi blushing furiously and sneaking glances at Morilia’s bare chest.
Well, time to give Soi a chance.
With a groan, Nicole stood. "I think I should go get some sleep."
"Alright, let’s go. I’ll walk you back, just in case." Soi offered.
"No need. I don’t feel the pain anymore—thanks to the alcohol. You should stay. I’m sure Morilia won’t mind your company."
The woman nodded eagerly. "Of course not. Just wait for a second." Morilia got up and took one of the pots that stood around the hut. She the approached Nicole holding something. She then handed it to her. It was a pouch with bright pink dust.
"Take some of it and mix with water in your hands. Then smear on your wounds, it will help to heal faster. But do that right before going to sleep, if you move too much the effect won’t be as good."
"Thanks." Nicole hugged Morilia, not too tight though, careful with her wounds.
Without giving Soi a chance to object, Nicole turned and walked out.
Now it’s all in your hands.
Back in her hut, Nicole took off her clothes and sat on the bed. Following Morilia's instructions, she mixed the dust, which turned into a thick pink liquid. Nicole carefully applied it to her main wounds and went to sleep.