Nightmare Mythos

Cesar couldn't help but shake his head before repeating the question that had kept bugging him earlier till now.

"No one really knew how we survived? It's kind of making me think we've managed to get to this point with luck," Cesar paused as he mused inwardly, 'Hahaha, seriously. I just want to know how Cedeit does it and what kind of prowess he showed that needed me to lose consciousness,'

Jeremiah gave him a short glance before answering, "What about you? Do you remember something before you fainted?"

Cesar had to ponder the question given to him even though he already had an answer to it.

But telling him that he was choking himself to give the hidden existence of his body to solve their problem, wouldn't just sound right.

In the end, Cesar had to lie with a glib tongue, "Honestly, I just lost consciousness at some point while watching you fight. It's probably to exhaustion,"

"Hmm…"

Jeremiah stared at Cesar, only giving that low hum as a retort to his answer. Obviously, he got weirded out by the antics that their leader was showing but he thought it was just yet another after-effect of being able to stand his guard with the Nightmare.

"Hey, you two. Time to gear up,"
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Since the rest of the cohort hadn't really done anything else to help, they let Jeremiah and Cesar, the two people who managed to stay awake recuperate their strength while the rest gathered the spoils.

"Sir, have you been aware all this time that Nightmares and Corrupted Humans can drop artifacts?"

Jeremiah blankly pondered for a brief moment before nodding, "Yes, this is a slightly secret military knowledge that isn't widely known to the world. And hear me, aside from you and Quentin, the rest shouldn't be able to say it since we're put in a 'contract' but here am I, being able to express it. It's probably because of the mansion's influence,"

'Contract…'

After already having a suspicion that there's involvement as to why some of the knowledge he was now discovering isn't widely known because of some manipulation by higher powers, Cesar was about to question another question.

"Right sir, do you have any idea what Subconsciousness is—"

"Hey, we have no time to dilly dally!"

Leah gathered all the dropped artifacts around with glee but she and the rest understood that these spoils didn't belong to them. She dropped it all down and presented it to the two with a slightly distressed face.

"Everyone here can agree that you two are the greatest contributor to our survival. As painful as it sounds to me, you also deserve this bunch. Like, really, I do!" Leah chuckled, her lolly words didn't match the unsettled actions she was doing.

She then smiled crookedly as she added, "But anyways, you two will split it amongst yourself,"

'This much!?'

Cesar immediately started counting the artifacts on the floor that would give him a lifetime of money. If he could sell it from outside, he wouldn't have to worry about going to school or experiencing hunger again.

He will be set in life.

-You're going to let me take your body.

Cesar then remembered that phrase that brought him back to reality, subtly dampening his mood.

"…"

Jeremiah gave Cesar a brief glance before standing up and joining the others, leaving Cesar alone on the ground.

"Eh?"

Even the group was surprised at his actions.

"Cesar can have all the spoils. I'm good on my own," Jeremiah abruptly replied before crossing his hands and going silently through the door.

'What's wrong with him?' Cesar mused inwardly before his eyes glistened with greediness, 'Well, time to dig in. What should I pick… Wait, screw it! This is all mine—'

Just as he was having fun at the fact that he'll hog everything, Cesar saw a slipping Leah shamelessly making faces at him as she dropped on the ground.

"Wow, so many artifacts. Surely, one person wouldn't be able to use it all alone, right?"

"…"

"Imagine if those artifacts are given to a rightful owner that compliments it with their skill. We'll increase the rate of our survivability as we cross another hallway, right?"

This time, Cesar was making faces while trying to keep his cool down. What Leah was doing was exactly what any greedy person, including himself, would have done. Adding a hint of logic to her words only masked the true intent behind her goal.

To acquire an artifact for free.

'Though she is right. I will not be able to use all of these artifacts. If that's the case, I'll have to choose something that suits me right. Still, already receiving these for free just to handle them for free as well… My heart will not take it. Hmm, so what should I do—'

Thinking about the most optimal way to use this one advantage that he held, an idea struck Cesar's head.

He was thinking about his future with this.

Finalizing the notion in his head, Cesar pushed it forward, "All right, you can borrow these artifacts,"

Leah's eyes were full of delight, "Yes! We're going to borrow… borrow. Borrow?"

Cesar then explained carefully, "Of course, this is not free. You can say I'm investing my properties in you and the value will only rise exponentially when we're outside. Say, you borrow two of my artifacts, then I'll have two favors to get from you,"

Leah was stricken at first before she became disheartened. As for the rest of the group, they actually liked the idea. Only Leah seemed indignant about getting one for free.

"All right, kid. Whatever you say." Klaus shrugged his shoulders, "I mean, pulling a business right in this place is kind of crazy but what can we do?"

Cesar chuckled before he signaled everyone to close and ordered amiably, "Everyone, there are fifteen artifacts in here. Since we are five here, at least pick three artifacts to test, and please, honestly tell me what their abilities are. Then, I can pick whatever I liked first then we'll proceed on letting you guys pick,"

One by one, the group picked up three artifacts to test and see the ability they contained that they'd inform Cesar about later on. Leah was unable to retort as the majority had already won, even though her face was saying otherwise in the end but she still reluctantly inspected the artifacts that landed on her.

After that, hopefully, something will land on them that they'll like to use to improve their overall prowess.

That something to improve them didn't take long however as they were finally done with their inspection after half an hour of inspection.