Bonus chapter 35: Package
Axel paused for a moment, his gaze fixed on the street ahead as he took in Velerium's words. The specter's gurgled voice still echoed in his head, stirring an unsettling chill down his spine.
"The worst ones?" Axel muttered under his breath, furrowing his brow. "What exactly do you mean, Velerium? Are you saying that if I tell my sister about the system, there's something... or someone out there that will come after her?"
Velerium hovered close, his skeletal frame barely making a sound as he floated beside Axel. His hollow eye sockets seemed to narrow, giving the impression that he was choosing his words carefully.
"Let's just say... there are things even I fear, master Axel. Beings far older and far more dangerous than anything you've faced so far. The system itself is only a fragment of their power, and if they wake, not even your god-like abilities will be enough to stop them."
Axel's heart thudded in his chest. He'd grown stronger, yes—much stronger than before. But to hear Velerium, a being of considerable power, express fear? That was a new level of terrifying. His mind raced with the possibilities of what those "worst ones" could be.
"I see," Axel said slowly, his voice betraying the unease gnawing at him. "But what if they wake up anyway? What if my keeping this secret does nothing to stop it?"
Velerium chuckled darkly, his voice a raspy whisper. "They sleep because they do not yet feel threatened. The more power you accumulate, the closer you come to them. But for now, your best course of action is to stay under their radar... for as long as you can."
Axel swallowed hard. This wasn't the first time he'd been warned about something bigger lurking in the shadows, but it felt more tangible now—more immediate. He straightened his posture, forcing the anxiety aside.
"Alright," he said, his voice firm. "I won't tell Annie anything. Not yet. I just have to make sure she stays safe, no matter what."
Velerium's skeletal grin widened, though it lacked any warmth. "A wise decision, master Axel. Now, what's our next move?"
Axel's gaze sharpened as he thought back to the dwarf woman who had intruded into his home. She had been sent by the Hunter's Association—or so she claimed—but Axel knew better than to trust anyone so easily. He had a feeling she had her own agenda, and that made her dangerous.
"She mentioned a package at my apartment," Axel murmured, his eyes narrowing. "It's probably a trap, but I can't ignore it. I need to see what's going on."
Inside, nestled in a bed of straw-like material, was a small, black cube. Its surface was smooth and reflective, almost like obsidian, but there was something about it that made Axel's skin crawl.
"What the hell is this?" he muttered.
Velerium hovered closer, his bony fingers twitching as he inspected the cube. "It's a sealed artifact. Very old, very dangerous. Whoever sent this to you is either trying to kill you... or test you."
Axel clenched his jaw, frustration bubbling beneath the surface. "And how exactly do I use it?"
"You don't," Velerium hissed. "Not unless you want to unleash something far beyond your control. This is not a toy, master Axel. You'd be wise to leave it alone."
Axel stood, the cube still clutched in his hand. His instincts screamed at him to destroy it, to rid himself of whatever cursed object this was. But something stopped him—a strange pull, like the cube was calling to him, urging him to keep it.
"I'll hold onto it," Axel decided, his voice steady. "For now."
Velerium's hollow eyes flared with disapproval. "You're playing a dangerous game, master. One misstep, and you'll regret it."
Axel sighed, slipping the cube into his pocket. "I know. But I need to understand who sent this and why. I can't just ignore it."
He turned, casting one last glance at the package before leaving his apartment. His mind raced with possibilities, each one more disturbing than the last. Someone was watching him, testing him, and now they had given him this... thing.
As Axel stepped back onto the street, the world seemed darker, more hostile. His every move felt scrutinized, like eyes were following him from the shadows.
Whatever game he had been pulled into, it was only just beginning. And Axel knew that if he wanted to survive, he'd have to outsmart whoever—or whatever—was behind it all.
And the worst part? He wasn't sure if he could.
'Now to catch the rat following me.'