As Solaire made his way back to his shelter, his thoughts remained fixed on the message carved into the stele. Something about it still lingered in his mind, gnawing at him. Night was falling fast—it was almost time for the hunt. Still in a daze, he found himself drifting toward the meeting point, led more by habit than intent.
There, standing in the dusky twilight, he saw Sunny waiting for him. A grotesque body of a Nightmare Creature lay crumpled at Sunny's feet.
[Did you kill it?] Solaire asked.
Sunny shook his head."Not me. My echo. Anyway, let's go check out that treasure spot."
Solaire gave a short nod, but Sunny noticed something was off. There was a dullness in his friend's expression—his usual silent intensity had dimmed into something… distant.
"What happened?" Sunny asked. "Why do you look like someone drained your soul?"
Solaire glanced at him briefly.[Nothing. Just a bit tired.]
Sunny narrowed his eyes. He studied Solaire's face for a few seconds before sighing and turning away."Alright. Let's move."
They made their way toward the location marked on the tattered map they'd found earlier. The path led through an older, forgotten part of the city. Strangely, they encountered no Nightmare Creatures along the way. This entire district seemed untouched, as if even the monsters avoided it.
Eventually, they arrived at the base of a once-grand building, now partially collapsed. Climbing over a broken wall, they found themselves inside a dark, secluded courtyard.
At its center stood a well—its wide stone mouth gaping like an open wound in the courtyard floor. A massive, ornate iron grate sealed it shut, so heavy it looked like it hadn't been moved in centuries. Whoever had placed it clearly wanted to make sure nothing ever came out again.
Sunny stepped closer, picked up a loose stone, and dropped it in.
No sound.
Seconds passed. Then more. Still no splash or echo.
Unsettled, Sunny summoned his echo and ordered it to lift the grate.
The jarring screech of metal scraping against stone echoed through the courtyard.
From the dark hollow of the well, a voice rose.
"Oh… a guest. How wonderful. I haven't been fed in a long, long time…"
Its tone was eerily pleasant.
Then came a soft, whispering chorus—faint echoes of the voice, repeating the final word.
"…time… time… time…"
Solaire frowned.[Seems like a person. So much for treasure, I guess. Shall we pull him out?]
Sunny, still staring into the well, shook his head."No. I've met Nightmare Creatures that can speak."
Just then, the voice below spoke again, this time with a tinge of awkward politeness.
"Umm… could you just confirm that you're not Nightmare Creatures?"
Sunny arched a brow. "No, I'm not. Come outside."
The voice hesitated. "Forgive me, but… how do I know you're not a Nightmare Creature that can speak?"
Sunny, clearly losing patience, replied flatly."Fine. Stay there then. Stone Saint, close the gate."
The voice panicked. "W-Wait! I'll come out! Please don't eat me!"
As they waited, wondering how exactly the speaker would climb out, a silhouette finally emerged from the shadows.
The owner of the voice was, indeed, human. A young man in light lamellar armor, his dark auburn hair cascading in elegant waves. His features were striking—mesmerizing green eyes, flawless ivory skin, high cheekbones, and a lean, graceful build. He wore burnished brown leather armor, layered over embroidered blue garments, all perfectly fitted to his form.
His beauty bordered on unsettling.
"Aaah! A demon!" the man yelped upon seeing Solaire.
Sunny rolled his eyes and spoke from behind."I'm behind you, idiot."
The young man spun around and stared at both of them.
"…Oh. You really are human."
He brushed himself off with slightly exaggerated poise."My name is Kai. May I ask your names?"
"I am Sunless," Sunny replied.
[Name's Solaire.]
Kai looked at Solaire in surprise, noting his silence, but didn't ask further.
After a pause, he spoke again. "I can't see anything around here. Can we wait somewhere until daylight breaks?"
Solaire responded,[If you have a memory that produces light, summon it. No Nightmare Creatures around here.]
Nodding, Kai produced a small lantern—an awakened memory, softly glowing with golden light. As he glanced between them, he muttered quietly under his breath, almost like a prayer.
"They're human…"
Sunny caught the murmur. "Good. Now, we need a favor from you."
Kai blinked, visibly nervous."A-And what would that be…?"