Second Life's Revenge

"I would like to tell you why, but this is only as far as I can go," Angelo sighed.

Through the window, Laura looked at the man whose eyes held sorrow. From listening to what Angelo had said, it seems like the man has been through so much. But something bothered Laura, what is a high master?

Laura turned her head at Angelo, whose eyes were saddened. It pained her that she couldn't help, but the man didn't tell them what he needed, and so they could do nothing but wait.

They all hoped that the man would give some information about Marquess Rogen, but it looks like it's going to take a while to earn his trust. 

"Is there a place where we can get information then? Erwin asked, looking at Angelo.

"There is, but...it's too dangerous. If you want, I can go there but only alone," Angelo said with determination.

"I'll go with you," Laura said as she stood.

"Then, that means I'll be joining, right?" Erwin smirked, holding his scabbard.

Angelo sighed, feeling helpless. The two were willing to risk their own lives to get information—what a team. 

"I understand. Just remember the three things I told you earlier. But we need to wait for night to fall. That's when things get interesting," Angelo said and continued, "For now, let's have some rest."

Laura walked to a corner and sat down, leaning her head onto the wall. Although Laura slept throughout the trip of going to the underground market, she still felt tired, and her back was aching as it was her first time riding a horse.

To be honest, Laura didn't know what to do. The shack was silent, and no one was talking to each other. Erwin was cleaning his sword while Angelo was closing eyes, probably taking a nap, and the man was outside smoking his cigar. 

An idea popped into Laura's head, and the idea was to try talking to the man. Laura clearly remembered that Angelo didn't call his name and just called him brother. 

Though the appearance of the two didn't look similar, and the age gap was quite far. The man looked around the same age as Erwin, while Angelo looked older, around this thirties. 

Laura thought, what if the man doesn't have a name? Laura read in a book once that those who resided in the underground market usually don't have a name. It was probably why Angelo just called the man, brother.

Laura stood up, wearing her hood back as she walked out of the shack, to try and have a chat with the man. As she went out, the first thing she noticed was that the man's eyes were fixed at the tall trees that were blocking the sun.

The man blew out the smoke and only realized Laura was there when the sound of a branch breaking in two sounded. He smiled at Laura and dropped the cigar onto the ground and crushed it using his foot.

"What does the lady need?" The man asked as he stood still and continued looking up.

"I just want to have a chat with you. You know to get to know you better," Laura answered nicely.

"Nothing is interesting about me," The man informed as his mouth slightly went up.

"Then...why did your eyes look sad earlier?" Laura asked, shivering as it was cold as ice.

The man stayed quiet and smirked. Interesting, the man thought. Just what can this small, fragile-looking girl do? Only by looking at Laura's eyes, it seemed as if she had experienced something in the past. She looked wounded and resurrected.

"Do you want to know who I am?" The man provoked, crossing his arms together.

"I do," Laura straightforwardly said.

"Are you aware that I have killed thousands of people in their sleep as I allow them to go in my shack??" The man said, looking at Laura's emotionless face.

Of course, Laura was going to be shocked. Because of what he just said, Laura felt her stomach sinking as expected of someone living in the underground market. 

It was impossible to meet someone from the underground market, which has zero records of murdering someone from the beginning. Laura has a feeling in her gut that she could trust the man.

That's because the man could have killed Erwin and Laura earlier despite being acquainted with Angelo. Even having an acquaintance doesn't guarantee your safety.

"And so?" Laura answered back, clenching her fist.

"And so I can kill you anytime and anywhere or maybe even now," The man smirked as he pressed his knife on Laura's neck.

"Then do it," Laura boldly answered and continued, "And I bet you will take back your words from earlier."

The man laughed out loud as he retreated his knife back. He clapped his hand together as he compliments Laura for being brave and bold. If it were a normal noble lady, she would be screaming and begging for forgiveness right now. 

"Do you want me to show you something?" The man asked, and Laura nodded her head.

The man removed his white long sleeves, revealing his back. Laura gasped, seeing a black magic circle that entirely covered his back. Just what is this? Why is there a magic circle on his back?

But as Laura kept observing the magic circle, it looked different from the basic magic circle. Instead of a small star in the middle, it was a big star that outlined the magic circle.

Just what is this, Laura thought. Then slowly, she concluded that it was a curse. It was rare to see a curse implemented on a human body, and it a first for Laura to see one.

"Is this a curse?" Laura asked as the man wore his top back.

"It is, and what kind of curse do you think it is?" The man asked, and Laura shook her head and continued, "A constricting curse."

"A constricting curse?" Laura thought deeply and never heard this curse before.

"I doubt you've heard this before. After all, this can only be found here, the underground market," The man said, looking at Laura with saddened eyes.

"What does it do?" Laura asked as cold sweat formed on her forehead.

"I haven't been or seen the outside of this world. I've never been out of the underground market because of this curse," The man frowned.

"Then does that mean...you don't know what it's like to see the sun?" 

Instead of a nod, the man gave Laura a smile as an answer. Questions wondered in Laura's head. Since when was the curse placed? Why would someone do that to him? Who would do such a thing to him?

"Well, that's what I can tell about myself, and what about you?" The man asked, wrapping his finger together, leaning it the back of his head.

Laura averted her eyes away. Maybe a lie can do but, the man wouldn't fall for it. She didn't want to answer and decided to stay silent about it. The man understood just by looking at Laura's expression and told her not to mind it.

Laura felt guilty, not telling the man about herself. But at least now she knows one thing about the man. The tension between them has decreased. He's a good man, and it was really a pity that there was nothing Laura could do.

That's not if the high priest could come and remove the curse. Laura lifted her head, and her mouth opened. This might do it. The high priest can remove the curse—after all, he was the purest magic or what they call the holy magic. 

"What if I call someone to remove this curse?" Laura appealed.

"Is there even someone asides the high priest who could remove it?" The man scoffed. Not until he realized something and thought, does this girl have some connection with him?

"I can ask him to remove it. He's a friend of mine," Laura determinedly said.

The man was speechless. What was he feeling, happiness? It was as if all the problems in his life dissolved. Can this small fragile-looking girl help him? Can he finally be free from the curse?

"Can you help me?" The man asked as he held Laura's shoulder.

"That's if you will tell me more information about this certain person," Laura associated.

"You have yourself a deal," The man smiled genuinely.

"I haven't introduced myself, did I?" Laura giggled and reached out a hand, "My name is Laura, and what's yours?"

"The name is Zeke, and I hope that you will fulfill your promise," Zeke said, accepting Laura's hand.

Even though Laura didn't know much about Zeke, she wanted to help set him free. All humans deserve to be free to do what they want to do. Either bad or good, they are still human beings.

Laura hoped to know the full story of what happened to Zeke. But what she suspected was that he may have been part of the organization, Silence. With the way, he gripped his knife earlier. It didn't look like a newbie but a professional.

Just thinking about it more made it more and more profound. If Zeke weren't constrained in the underground market, he would have probably been a skilled knight. Maybe once he's free from his chains, he'll be walking on a new path.