Frank was stunned for a moment thinking about all he had just heard from Orn that he didn't listen to what Orn's secretary was asking him, he was torn between hearing the fact that he would die within a month, that he was somehow a soul vampire, and that he had not fully reached a state of enlightenment.
A few minutes later, Frank concluded thinking long and hard about what he had just heard, he turned to face Orn and said:
[Do you have a cure?]
[Do you know a way you could reverse the experiment done on me.]
Orn turned to face him before saying:
[I would have run more tests on you to develop a way to reverse the experiment done on you.]
[But that would only cost you more and you would have to pay more for the tests you would be subjected to because the tests consume resources and power.]
[Do you have any energy bars you can use to pay for the resources and power the test will cost?]
Frank finally thought about the debt he was under and realized that he had just arrived in the land of souls without any job and an accumulating debt and while his body was gradually dying it was a problem of the future while the issue concerning his finance was that of the present.
Unsure of a way to free himself from the dilemma he faced, he said:
[No, and I don't have a job that will fetch enough money for these tests.]
[I would do anything to be able to pay for my body medical examination.]
Orn concealed a smile on his face that lasted a few seconds before replying:
[The cost of the medical examination just conducted is a life energy and that is a resource that is hard to find.
I'm afraid that for you to pay for the test just conducted you will need to work in my mine for a total of 10 days]
Frank was stunned for a moment before realizing what that meant, what that meant was that for the total of a month he would have to work to pay for the test he would be subjected to for only 3 times.
He hardly felt the 3 medical examinations he would be subjected to would be enough to fully diagnose him and that would be enough time to create a cure to reverse the experiment he suspected was performed by Maru.
Speaking of Maru, Maru must have known he would die within a month of staying in the land of the deads, Frank felt he had always known Maru had never intended to return him back to earth but he had somehow convinced himself to believe that the sinister vampire had his best interest at heart.
He was busy forming connections between thoughts until Orn interrupted him saying:
[So what would it be?]
[I understand you serve another master but I believe I have shown you that I have your best interest at heart and I will make it my utmost goal to reverse the experiment done on you providing safe passage to your forgotten memories and handing you the free will to choose the world you would rather stay in.]
Frank hurriedly established a line with the broken connections in his thoughts thereby labeling Maru evil.
He had a faint resolve as he asked:
[I want to accept your offer but I have no idea what disastrous repercussions you may be subjected to for the betrayal of my master.]
Orn faced Frank while smiling softly and replied slowly:
[I don't care about the repercussions I would face for accepting you to work for me because...]
[...I don't view you as a servant, I view you as...]
[...a friend...]
Frank felt elated by the proclamation he received from Orn. He glanced at Berry's aloof expression as if to make a final decision as he said:
[I accept.]
Orn grabbed him tightly as he heard the words coming from his mouth and said:
[I will take you to where you would be staying and whatever you require if it is within my power, I will provide.]
[I only ask that you keep your requests modest and that whatever you want that isn't significantly modest will attract a fee, services or resources.]
[My officials will provide you with a contract for your employment, I'm sorry I have to discuss with your friend here.]
[Please excuse me.]
Frank nodded as he walked to Berry to say goodbye. Throughout the beginning to the end of the shocking scene Berry's face never conveyed any conflicting emotion, even as Frank walked closer to him now, his facial expression still remained the same. When Frank was directly face to face with Berry he said:
[I can't say I'm going to miss you and the officials back home, I just wanted to tell you to take care.]
As Frank turned to proceed to the corner where the skeleton officials stood, he was stunned by the words coming from Berry's mouth although he didn't let it show on his face as he turned to look back.
When Frank had only taken a few steps, Berry said the following words:
[Is that how the human tradition is?]
[Surely you wouldn't mind to give me a proper "bear hug" to celebrate your newly found independence.]
Berry spoke with a hint of solemn malice as he said those words and despite the fact that they seemed to sound like Berry was mocking him, Frank went to meet Berry, hugging him tightly and embracing him softly.
When Frank hugged Berry, Berry used that time to convey a message to Frank in soft whispers saying :
[Definitely a new development.]
[Personally I wouldn't have chosen a new master.]
[Trust no one and watch your back.]
Berry released his grip on Frank, leaving frank stunned by the short phrases he had heard from Berry, meanwhile Berry continued to act nonchalantly and disinterested.
Frank thought about what he heard from Berry for a while before returning to the officials waiting for him.
***
In a dark room, two figure were discussing a subject in short word codes.
[I believe the payment is sufficient.]
[Yeah, he is nice and ignorant but the sorcery performed on him is next level.]
[I will take great pleasure in studying him.]
A dark figure handed a book to a bony hand and the owner of the bony hand turned away walking out of an hallway filled with rocks and mining tools to a familiar floor.
He programmed the floor to rise up to the top of the mine and when he opened a familiar door, the face of the figure holding the received book is seen.
It was Berry.