The Author Is Speechless
Chapter 270: The Mourning Ceremony. Part 9

Chapter 270: The Mourning Ceremony. Part 9

The morning bus was bustling with people going to their workplaces. They had to wait 20 minutes for the bus with empty stomachs and after what they saw on the bus, they didn’t want to go.

"Shall we get something to eat before we go inside the forest?" Adonis advised after booking a cab. "A cab is coming to pick us up in 10 minutes."

"You called a cab? Futaba, you’re so reliable sometimes." Hajime laughed and bought a bento from the convenience store near the bus stop. They were all fresh so they ate it before getting out of the store. More like they inhaled it.

’My account is currently jacked with money, but the habit of wanting more isn’t leaving me. I have a whole bank in my pocket now but still, I need more. I guess I should stop accepting things from my master everyday-_-.’

’But more importantly, I forgot to check the very important thing. Last night when I was about to sleep, the system gave me a notification that some portion of my power would be because I completed the 1st stage of my dungeon quest. But I didn’t think the system would unlock this much of my abilities. I can open my dimension room which is a huge advantage. I can continue with my clone study now but is that what my eyes are seeing?’

Adonis looked at the bus stop. Seeing Rika and Umiro waiting for the bus, he sighed and called the two to check them out. "Guys, I think we are not going alone."

"I can see that clearly." Hajime nodded his head in frustration and approached them.

’Looks like the 2nd quest will start today. And the 3rd quest will happen sooner than I anticipated. Well, the sooner the quest finishes, the better.’ The cab came at the right time and all 5 of them somehow fit into the small car. The driver wasn’t happy about it at all so he began to complain.

"The info clearly said there were 3 people. Where did the extra two come from?"

Adonis, who was sitting in the front seat, sent a few thousand tips to that man’s account and replied, "I wonder why the tip increased to ¥30k?"

The driver’s anger disappeared and a smile appeared. "Young man, you’re really a kind-hearted kid. If you need a quick ride, just call me. Here’s my business card."

Adonis took the business card and said, "I appreciate your generosity, old man. Let’s see eachother in the future." He smiled a little and turned the card into dust by using his destruction spell.

’He reeked so evil that I almost drooled. And it’s not only him. Since some of my abilities are now unlocked, I can feel my senses coming back. Means, I can see which one is evil and which one is good. So, I can sense 4 people who reeks of evil besides the driver. And I am surprised that Ryoko is the most evil one. His soul is covered with evil that I can’t even see its end. It’s like a huge dark hole in his chest that can devour anything. Just what kind of secrets are you hiding... I better find it out before I leave.’

They reached their destination after a 20-minute ride. The sun was shining bright so the forest didn’t look scary as it looked that night. It was nice, warm, filled with birds’ chirping noise and sometimes, one or two squirrels could be seen from time to time above trees.

They slowly walked into the forest and reached the shrine gate. It was standing as it was before but the path they took wasn’t there. It was somehow covered with thick vegetation as if it never existed.

They were confused so Rika asked, "Futaba, why is the muddy path not there? We came here and took that path yesterday. Why isn’t it there anymore?"

Adonis looked above the long old stairs and replied, "We are here to find Mahiko. Not to search for the house. Let’s go and ask someone from the shrine. I am sure someone had seen him running around here somewhere."

All of them started to walk the long old stairs all the way up to the tip of the mountain where the shrine was but the thing they were welcomed by was unexpected.

They were magically teleported right in front of the abandoned house that looked a little different. It looked old, the windows were broken and it was surrounded by dead trees where a lawn was there last night.

Adonis looked at the house in excitement and mumbled, ’The theme changed today! Without a doubt, it’s the second stage of the quest. If we can survive this, more of my seal will be lifted.. and I can go back before my master is back. It’s been more than 30 years since he left.’

But besides Adonis, everyone was scared to see the sudden appearance of the house where they were heading to the shrine. It makes Ryoko a little worried.

"Guys, I think we should leave," Ryoko advised and began to walk towards the forest to get out. But the moment he was about to leave, all of them heard a scream of Mahiko from the house.

"Hey, I heard Mahiko! Let’s go in!!"

Adonis, who was left behind, slowly followed the group and before entering, he put a small talisman on the door and mumbled something before closing the door.

******

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Viktor’s POV:

Inside the time trap spell in his dimension room, 7 years had passed since he started to take care of a baby who had the key. He thought taking care of a baby was hard but taking care of one in reality was way more challenging than he anticipated.

They cry over nothing, they pee where they aren’t supposed to, they vanish if someone turns their attention elsewhere for a second and more importantly, they don’t sleep straight for 8 hours.

They are like little bugs crawling everywhere and making a mess. That’s the creature Viktor was taking care of.

"Kid, get down from the tree...." Viktor crossed his arms and looked at the top branch of the tree in his kitchen.

The seven-year-old kid laughed and said, "Not until Viktor is showing me a sun. I want to study it."

"As I said, I will show you when it’s time. Now get down before I am coming up."

"No, you’re a jerk who always hides things from me!"

"Where did you learn that word-_-?"

"It was you who called me a jerk!! You’re a jerk!"

"Tsk! Get down or no cocomelon for a week."

"No!!! Not my cocomelon!!!" The small child jumped from the tree and landed safely beside Viktor who was boiling in rage. It was way past his bedtime and Viktor needed some ’me-time’.

Both of them walked inside a room filled with toys and books related to astronomy, math and magic.

Viktor took him to his bathroom and forcefully brushed his teeth before putting him inside his blanket. He looked at Viktor with his green radiant eyes and said, "Viktor? I learned a new word a few days ago."

Viktor fixed his blanket and reached for the small chair near the bed to sit. "What is it?"

"What is mother and father?"

Viktor spaced out for a moment and before answering, he laughed a little. "So, you’re curious about that, huh? Mother and father are a family who takes care of a child, love them unconditionally, teaches a child how the world works, prays for their child’s well-being, also, beats their child if they are not listening or doing bad things. That’s what mother and father mean. It’s a family."

"So, are you my mother?" The little kid asks.

"Hahahaha. What makes you think that?"

"Because you take care of me, cook food for me and also beat me. And you teach me so many things."

"Is that what I am to you?" Viktor frowned a little and mumbled, ’What is that ticklish feeling I am getting inside my stomach-_-... happiness? No way. This kid in front of me doesn’t know his true value. He may think he is a small child but when he will regain his memories some decades later, he will realize it. He is a god who was envied by so many gods because of his talent, skills and wisdom. Just because of his powerlessness, he was taken advantage of by a god who just stole his work and fame.’

The child answered, "Yes. You have long hair and cook food. You also do all the work so you’re a mother."

Viktor sighed and said, "Just because I have long hair and do all the housework, it doesn’t make me a mother, kid. I am a man. And if you want to put me into that category, I’d be the father. Not a mother. And why are you still talking! Go to sleep!"

"But Viktor!"

"What is it!"

"Can I call you father, then?"

Viktor became silent after hearing his question. He stared at the light green eyes and sighed. "You will decide when you’re 50 years old. Just call me Viktor for the time being."

"On my 50th birthday? Can I call you father then?"

"If you want to, you can call me father, I guess.. Now sleep."

Viktor stood up and when he was about to reach the door, the kid said, "I hate you for hiding so many things from me, Viktor. You won’t show me the outside world, you won’t show me the stars, sun or the sky, you won’t let me go inside your room, you won’t tell me who Adonis is. You’re a bad person, Viktor. But still, you take care of me and would tell me anything except for those things. That’s what I like about you. I count you as my family. Please don’t abandon me even if I become a useless parasite to you."

Viktor stood near the door holding its handle and replied, "You sure got a big mouth, kid. Go to sleep."

Viktor closed the door and hushed, ’Thank you for believing in me. That’s all I need from you, truly.’ He then walked away.

The small child heard his whispering behind the door and smiled. ’Good night, dad.’