Chapter 41: Zarl’s Confession 1

Chapter 41: Chapter 41: Zarl’s Confession 1

Arin stood by the remains of one of the buildings, watching the small crystal levitating over his palm. His Pocket Dungeon. The very place that almost ended his life. The words of Arene still echoed in his head.

[Dungeon Core integration is complete.]

[The Pocket Dungeon is currently unstable.]

Arin frowned. "How unstable is it? It is functioning."

There was a pause.

[It is functioning, however, it is advisable to proceed with caution.]

Arin sighed. "That’s not very reassuring."

[It was not meant to be.]

Arin turned around, taking in the sight of the village. Ayan was a few paces behind him, while Saira stood nearby. Mira was resting on the ground, her blanket covering her thin frame. She was pale, but alive. That was enough for now. Arin turned to Ayan.

"How is he?" Ayan’s expression did not change. "Alive." Saira crossed her arms. "Unfortunately." Arin almost smiled. He turned his attention to the edge of the village.

Zarl was there, kneeling on the ground, his arms bound behind his back..Powerful magic held him in place, thick chains coiling around his body, reinforcing the bindings. A few glowing sigils adorned his body. The visor of the mask he wore during the battle was cracked, revealing his eyes. Standing next to him was his subordinate. The man had been surprisingly silent since his capture. His presence was an indicator of the seriousness of the situation. Zarl was dangerous, but the sight of the man himself was... surprising.

Arin studied him for a moment before Ayan stepped forward. "You stay here." Arin raised an eyebrow. "Excuse me?" "I want answers." Ayan’s voice was emotionless. "And I would prefer to obtain them without you trying to kill him." Arin turned away. "Fair enough." Saira followed Ayan, and Arin did not object. The two men stopped a few feet away from the bound adventurer.

Zarl lifted his head, regarding them with surprising composure. "Dragon." Ayan’s expression did not change. "Zarl." The bound man chuckled. "So, it seems you finally agreed to speak with me." "I have questions." "Indeed, you did." Zarl glanced at the chains binding him. "You prepared quite an exquisite welcome for me." Ayan stepped closer. "You will answer my questions." Zarl’s smirk was dazzling. "I will answer what you ask."

Saira narrowed her eyes. "You are awfully cooperative for a captured enemy." Zarl’s gaze was calm as he looked at her. "Your actions speak of a victory, but breaking through my dungeon is hardly a feat I deem worthy of defeat." Saira’s expression darkened. Ayan raised a hand, and Saira relented. Zarl inclined his head. "Indeed, interesting." Ayan narrowed his eyes. "Who ordered the Chimera experiment?" For a moment, there was no response. Then Zarl chuckled. "Getting straight to the point, I see." "You will answer." "I am afraid I cannot."

Ayan’s gaze narrowed in anger. "I know you are not the one responsible for the Chimera experiment." "I am simply a tool." Zarl’s eyes were emotionless. "The order was given by someone far above me." "Who?" "I do not know." Saira frowned. "You expect us to believe that?" "I do not expect you to believe in anything, really." Zarl’s look was piercing as he studied the ruined village. "I am simply telling you what happened." Ayan did not respond, but his expression was grim.

"The previous Dungeon Master was being watched when I found him." "Watched by who?" "Several parties." Zarl’s smirk was gone. "His existence was beginning to be a nuisance." Arin, who had been silent until then, turned to face the two men. Ayan clearly saw the reaction and asked, "The previous Dungeon Master had enemies?" "He did." Zarl’s voice was emotionless. "He possessed something that several others desired." "The Dungeon Core." "Among other things." Zarl’s gaze was piercing. "He was strong, but not unstoppable." His voice softened. "Neither was his family." Saira’s expression softened at the words.

Zarl’s expression darkened. "One of those people approached me with an offer." Ayan’s tone was cold. "The Chimera experiment." "Yes." "Why his wife?" "Because she was close to him." Ayan’s grip tightened. "But there was another reason." Ayan waited, and Zarl continued. "She had a compatibility with Chimera blood." Saira’s eyes widened in horror. "You experimented on her because of her compatibility?" "I did not choose her." Zarl’s expression was dark. "The one who sent me did." Ayan narrowed his eyes. "Who sent you?" Zarl’s smirk returned. "Now, now, now, this is the interesting part."

Ayan took a step forward. "Answer." "I never met him in person." "Then how did you receive the order?" "From a messenger." "Who?" Zarl’s smirk widened. "A Hero." Ayan’s expression darkened. "Human?" "No." Zarl’s voice was even. "Not exactly." Saira frowned. "What do you mean?" Zarl’s gaze was piercing. "He had long ears." Silence reigned as Ayan’s expression changed. "An elf?" Zarl shrugged. "That is what I assumed." "You assumed?" "I never saw his face." Ayan’s gaze was icy. "But you know he was a Hero." "Yes." "How?" Zarl tapped his fractured mask.

"He carried a Hero insignia.

Arin stepped forward. "A long-eared Hero..." 𝘧𝓇ℯℯ𝑤ℯ𝘣𝓃ℴ

Zarl’s smirk widened. "That is the clue, is it not?" Arin frowned. "What do you mean the clue?" "You are going to the elves." Ayan’s eyes narrowed. "Why would you say that?"

"Because if you are looking for answers regarding the previous Dungeon Master..." Zarl’s gaze was fixed on the distant forest.

"...that is where you will find them." Ayan’s expression darkened. "What does the elves have to do with the previous Dungeon Master?" Zarl said nothing for a moment, watching the small crystal in Arin’s hand, the Dungeon Core. His expression was inscrutable. "The Pocket Dungeon." Arin’s grip tightened around the crystal. "What about it?" Zarl chuckled. "You truly do not know, do you?" "Know what?" "How much you inherited from the previous Dungeon Master."

Arene’s voice echoed in Arin’s mind.

[Warning.]

[Dungeon Authority fluctuation detected.]

Arin’s eyes widened in surprise, and Zarl’s smirk grew. "So, it seems she has awakened." Arin stiffened, and Ayan turned to him. "Who?" Zarl was grinning. "The spirit." Arin’s expression darkened. "How do you know about Arene?" Zarl chuckled.