Renny kept moving forward, his jaw tight. After that last reaction, he decided he wouldn't share his name with anyone else, not unless he had no choice. The Pit was already difficult enough to navigate without having to explain why his very family name could send people into hysterics.
Still, he needed information. And if anyone knew where Druvash lurked, it would be the Pitters.
He spotted one sitting lazily behind a stall lined with cracked bottles and broken charms. Renny walked closer and asked, keeping his tone casual, "You know where I can find the beast, Druvash?"
The Pitter tilted his head, squinting. Then he pointed off with one crooked finger. "Da map shop. See it written plain on da board. Can't miss it."
Renny gave a quick nod. "Thanks."
The Pitter was already ignoring him again by the time he walked away.
The map shop looked like little more than a shack squeezed between two stalls, but when Renny pushed the door open, the inside swallowed him whole.
It was huge, like stepping into a library that stretched forever. Endless rows of shelves reached high overhead, each one crowded with maps rolled and bound, sorted neatly under letters painted in glowing script. A handful of demons stalked the aisles, pulling maps, muttering, and tucking them under their arms.
Renny walked toward the section marked D. His hands brushed past scrolls until he found the one he wanted, Druvash. As soon as he plucked it free, another map shimmered into place, sliding neatly into the gap he'd left.
That small touch impressed him. The map led him to the market's exit gate, then onto a narrow road that wound downward until it ended at the banks of the Acheron.
The river stretched black and endless, its surface reflecting nothing, swallowing light. At its edge, hundreds of boats bobbed and bumped against one another. Demons, pitters, and other things Renny didn't recognize climbed aboard whichever vessel they pleased, and each boat slid out silently, carrying them down the river's current.
He approached one boat directly in front of him, frowning. It was plain wood, no saddle, no oars. How the hell was he supposed to move it?
As he stood there, confused, the boat spoke.
"Where ya headin'?"
Renny nearly fell back in shock, heart hammering. He caught himself, eyes wide, scanning the hull.
"What the hell..."
The boat barked, "Ya idjit! Never seen a talkin' boat before? Where ya goin'?"
Renny swallowed, forcing air back into his lungs. He glanced down at the map, trying to steady himself. "The… Timber Forest."
"Oh-ho!" The boat creaked with laughter. "Chasin' after a wood beast, eh?"
"Druvash," Renny muttered.
The boat fell silent at the name, bobbing on the water as though considering. Finally, it said, "A'ight. Hop in. I'll take ya there."
Renny climbed on cautiously. He was about to ask if he needed to row or steer, but the boat cut him off before he could finish.
"Shaddup. I'll do the movin'."
And just like that, the boat pushed off the bank by itself, sliding smoothly into the black waters of the Acheron.
***
The boat drifted to the bank, where the black waters of the Acheron lapped against roots as thick as pillars. Looming ahead was the timber forest, its endless canopy shrouding everything in a sickly twilight.
"There. That's yer stop," the boat grumbled. "Off now, before I change me mind."
Before Renny could even steady himself, the boat lurched sharply to the side. The sudden tilt ejected him, flinging him onto the dirt. He landed hard, rolling over roots and mud as the boat's hull shuddered with laughter.
Renny groaned, staggering up. He brushed dust and grime off his body, scowling. "Mischievous piece of junk," he muttered, then snapped louder, "That's why you're a boat!"
The vessel growled low, a sound like creaking wood about to splinter, but Renny only shook his head and hurried into the treeline.
The forest swallowed him whole. He checked his map, northward, toward the cobra-headed tree. His steps quickened as he searched every trunk and shadow. The deeper he went, the more he swore he heard footsteps all around him. Were they demons? Pitters? Hunters like himself, also chasing Druvash? The thought chilled him. If others were after the soul key of Charles, which was possible, since another contract might involve the CEO, not directly but indirectly like his own, then he couldn't afford to fall behind.
He broke into a run, weaving between roots and twisted trunks, until he froze.
There it was.
A tree, monstrous in size, towering above all others. Its upper branches bent into the curved shape of a hooded cobra, its bark ridged like scales.
At its base stretched a wide clearing. Beneath the giant, tucked under its shadow, stood a small wooden house, more like a timber garage. Around it lay the signs of endless labor: piles of felled logs stacked high, their bark bleeding sap in the stale air. Splinters and shavings littered the ground, crunching underfoot with each step.
A thick layer of sawdust clung to everything, drifting in the breeze and gathering in low mounds. Beside the shed leaned crude frames bound with frayed ropes, used to drag timber into place. Some were still looped, lying slack across the dirt like waiting snares.
There, at the heart of it, stood the man. His back was broad, bent slightly as he worked, the axe in his hands rising and falling with an unhurried rhythm. Each strike buried deep into the log before him, and each split crack rang sharp across the clearing
Renny approached carefully.
"Excuse me sir. Please do you know where the beast, Druvash, is?"
No answer. The man kept cutting, stacking the wood piece by piece.
Renny frowned. "Please… I just need a direction. The beast was supposed to be here, but I can't see it. Did you already kill it?" His voice quickened, desperate. "I really need to find the beast. It has a key I want. If you have it, if you've killed it and taken the key, can I borrow it? I swear I'll bring it back."
Still nothing. The man worked in silence, the rhythm of chopping and arranging wood the only reply.
Frustrated, Renny stepped closer, trying to block the man's movement. "Please, answer me..." Then he froze. Around the man's neck hung a pendant, glinting in the dim light. A key.
Renny's eyes widened. "You… you have a key? Is that Charles's key? Please, I need it!"
He pleaded again and again, but the man ignored him, continuing his work as though Renny didn't exist.
At last, Renny grabbed the man's arm to stop him.
The man paused, head turning slowly. His eyes flared, glowing a deep, molten brown, anger radiating off him like heat. He stared down at Renny as though the demon had crossed a forbidden line.
Without a word, the man slammed him into the ground. The earth cracked beneath Renny's back as the air burst from his lungs. A guttural growl rumbled from the man's chest. Then, with terrifying strength, he hoisted Renny up and hurled him across the clearing, his body crashing into the trees at the forest's edge.