"Ethan, are you alright?"
I nodded, leaning over the stone table in the small pavilion. Rachel Lan brought over a glass of water and set it in front of me. For the past few days, I've had her come to my Shadow Realm to rest; maybe that could slow the effect of the dark power on her body.
Only five days remain before the Dark Banquet begins. Since then, we've been eating and drinking nonstop. I have to admit, those guys are impressive; even when I returned to the Shadow Realm just now, they were still feasting.
I took a sip of hot tea, my head throbbing slightly—I've had too much alcohol these past few days.
Rachel Lan sat down, placing one hand over mine, clearly worried.
"It's fine. There won't be any problems."
It was obvious that, despite her words, Rachel Lan was still deeply worried about not being able to return. Not being able to go back meant never seeing friends or family again—a reality none of us could accept.
This was only the beginning. The days ahead would be long, and in this place without a past or a future, how were we supposed to keep living?
That was the reality before us—a problem we all had to face, everyone who had come here.
"Ethan, if we really can't go back, what do you think we should do?"
She finally spoke, her voice low. I thought carefully.
"Maybe we could open a snack shop, like the locals here. What do you think?"
Rachel Lan murmured in agreement.
"Don't worry, Rachel. We'll find a clue. We'll be able to go back soon, I'm sure of it."
I quietly held Rachel Lan in my arms. She leaned against me, and all we could do was keep enduring, waiting for Poison Dreadstar to come find us. That was the best option.
Just then, a ripple passed through my Shadow Realm. I immediately opened it.
"Ethan, come out quick—Poison Dreadstar is here!"
Deathcurse poked his head in and shouted. I jolted, instantly on alert, and grabbed Rachel Lan as we hurried out.
When I got back to the hotel room, Poison Dreadstar was already sitting at the table, drinking. Everyone else watched us with tense, guarded expressions.
"State your terms. What will it take for you to betray your boss?"
Redhair spoke bluntly. Rachel Lan and I sat down, while Poison Dreadstar quietly sipped her drink, a smile lingering on her lips before she sighed with resentment.
"Things are just as you expected. I have to ask someone to do something for me, otherwise, I really can't go on in such a dull place."
"If you've got something to say, say it quickly. We're all familiar here, no need for this, right?"
Redhair shot up from his seat, but Poison Dreadstar just chuckled.
"Mr. Mao, calm down. We need to sort things out one by one. I'm alone and vulnerable—what if you all trick me?"
Poison Dreadstar is clearly worried the Lords of the Dead will pull something once she reveals the location of the Demonic Quartet, leaving her out to dry.
"So who do you trust here? Just let that person handle it, isn't that enough?"
Yin Choujian spoke, glancing at me with a sly smile. I blinked, and he pointed at me. Poison Dreadstar looked at me, her smile growing.
"Of everyone here, the only one I trust is Ethan Zhang. As for the rest of you, forget it."
"A wise choice."
Yin Choujian said, standing up and patting me on the shoulder.
"Brother, go with her. We'll talk after it's done."
I let out a sound of surprise, and Rachel Lan stood up as well. Poison Dreadstar smiled and spoke.
"Young lady, you don't need to come. You don't have the ability. Ethan Zhang, come with me."
Poison Dreadstar called out, while Rachel Lan looked on, frustrated. Poison Dreadstar led me into the women's quarters, closed the door, and her smile faded.
"So, what is it you need?"
A faint green glow enveloped Poison Dreadstar and me. She sat down, deep in thought, as if pondering something important.
"What's wrong? If you need me to do something, just say it."
Poison Dreadstar grunted, giving me a cold, mocking look.
"Let me think it over, Ethan Zhang. After all, the pros and cons of this matter are serious."
I let out a quiet sound and sat down. Half an hour passed, and Poison Dreadstar still looked grave, her complexion growing worse by the minute.
I had no idea what was going through her mind. As her face grew paler, Poison Dreadstar stood up, restless, then quickly crouched down, clutching her head in pain.
"Why don't you tell me what it is? I might not be able to give advice, but..."
"Ethan Zhang, how long do you think love can last?"
I blinked in surprise, looking at Poison Dreadstar. Her gaze was like that of a sorrowful young girl, eyes shimmering with tears.
"It depends on how deeply you love someone, I guess. Or maybe only time can prove it—love is like that."
Rachel Lan came to mind, warming my heart. A contented smile appeared on my face.
"It seems you understand love well, Ethan Zhang."
I nodded.
"Maybe. Or maybe I don't. Rachel and I haven't grown old together yet, but I hope we can."
My mood grew heavy. Thinking of our predicament and the fact that I wasn't human anymore, I could only sigh helplessly.
"Long ago, before I met the Demonic Quartet—you've heard of them, right?"
I nodded. Poison Dreadstar was once a courtesan, sold to the brothel by her father during a time of famine.
"It was the Demonic Quartet who killed the one I loved."
My eyes widened in shock as I stared at Poison Dreadstar. She slowly stood, then sat again, her face returning to calm.
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"What happened exactly?"
Poison Dreadstar took out a small lock of hair from her pocket. It was well preserved, glowing faintly green and giving off a pleasant fragrance.
"That person is here, at the Dark Banquet."
My eyes widened as I stared at Poison Dreadstar. Anger flickered on her face before she looked at me.
"Find this person for me before the Dark Banquet begins. There's just over five days left."
"Got it. No problem."
I replied. Poison Dreadstar took the sachet from her neck, put the hair inside, and handed it to me.
"Huh?"
I looked at Poison Dreadstar and continued questioning.
"Where exactly am I supposed to look?"
"I don't know either. All I know is, he's over there."
Poison Dreadstar pulled me to the window, pointing across to District 1.
"District 1?"
I looked along the big pillar and asked. She shook her head.
"Farther than that."
I made a sound and looked toward the distant darkness.
"Is five days enough?"
"I don't know."
I looked at Poison Dreadstar helplessly—wasn't this asking the impossible? But suddenly, I nodded.
"Is it for that girl?"
I responded with a sound.
"We have to find a way back, even if the chance is almost nonexistent."
Back in the main hall, an hour had passed. Rachel Lan's cheeks were flushed as she looked at us.
"Ethan, what were you two talking about for so long?"
Poison Dreadstar gave a wicked smile, then spoke slowly.
"Of course, just the things a man and woman should talk about."
I turned and shouted.
"Can you not mess around? It's not the time for this."
I had already agreed with Poison Dreadstar not to tell anyone else about this. I didn't explain much, just floated upward.
"Don't worry, Rachel. I'll be back before the Dark Banquet begins."
Poison Dreadstar sat down, smiling.
"Then I'll wait here for your good news, Ethan Zhang. You'd better come back, or I'll tear these evil spirits apart."
I glanced at the Lords of the Dead—their faces were grim, and even Yin Choujian seemed displeased.
"Sorry, everyone. I can't tell you, but I should be able to handle it."
After saying goodbye to Rachel Lan again, I flew out at top speed. A shroud of baleful energy enveloped me, and no one from the Dark Banquet interfered. I soared past the massive pillar and over District 1, heading for the endless darkness far away, where I could just make out the shapes of rocks and mountains.
Suddenly, I sensed a faint change ahead and stopped. With a rush, a shadow appeared, followed by the Smiling One.
"Where are you headed, guest?"
"Is it any of your business where I'm going?"
I replied irritably. The Smiling One shook his head, bowed, and stepped aside.
"It doesn't matter where you go, guest. You're free to do as you wish, but remember to come back for the Dark Banquet. It's quite the event."
I made a sound and was about to leave when the Smiling One continued.
"But let me give you a friendly warning, guest: it's best not to go that way. That's the gathering place of ancient dark dwellers, and there shouldn't be many left. There are also beasts—be careful."
I nodded and floated upward with a rush.
"Thanks."
I kept flying quickly. Since Poison Dreadstar could sense it, I should be able to as well. I instantly spread out my ghost web and soared, the black rocks below shifting and uneven, with no path in sight.
Suddenly, I stopped and looked at the sachet in my hand, feeling something strange.