To the Depth of Abyss

Chapter 155: Reason to Follow

Abyssal Terra / Floor 2 / Ruins of Ancient Cognition 

Sites of Memorial / Bonfire Lit

A cavern located in the edge of the east side of Ruins of Ancient Cognition. A dark cavern that has only one light, the Bonfire Lit; a large torch located in a hole in the middle of the cavern. 

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Afternoon / 

Jade's party is fully rested. They set up tents; many go straight to sleep, even with their equipment still on their bodies. 

The chefs cooked food before taking a break, although they were just as tired as the others, but they wouldn't be able to sleep if they hadn't filled the party's stomach.

At one point in the cavern stood a large black stone that had many inscriptions and on all of them gave off a green light.

[Stone of Proof of Attainment]

In front of the World Stone, kneeled two women who are praying a prayer. They are Jade and Elisa. Of all the members, only the two of them paid their respects to their predecessors.

"You are done, Elizabeth?"

They both finished at the same time.

"Yes." Before getting up, Elisa looked at the World Stone for a moment. "To think there is so much name in the stone, the fight in the past must have been so tough in this region."

It had more names than any World Stone Elisa had ever seen. Except for the one in Land of Honor. 

"Alright, let's go eat first."

They went to the stone seat near the kitchen. There, Jade is welcomed by the Platinum Specialist of the party, Hwang, a nice Korean guy.

"Sit here, seonbae."

"Thank you."

Elisa followed Jade and sat next to her. Just as they sat down, the chefs had finished cooking.

One chef hit the pan. Teng-teng-teng~

"The food is ready!"

Previously it was like a cemetery, but after the food was finished cooking, everyone got up and went straight to the dining table.

"I will get you two the food."

Hwang nicely get up to bring the two ladies their food because they don't sit at the dining table. 

When Hwang had gone, Elisa had one question to ask. 

"Lady Jade, what is, 'senbei', Mr. Hwang called you?"

"It's 'Seonbae', it's stand for 'Senior'."

"I see."

"Why? Is it sounds strange?"

"No-no, not at all. I just thought that is an unusal language to use. But it sounds nice calling, though. Senobae."

Jade giggled at Elisa's cute personality. She thought: 'Why didn't I meet this cute girl since then? If possible, I want to make her my little sister.

"It's, s-e-o-n-b-a-e. Seonbae."

"O-oh, ok. Se-on-bae. Got it! Sonbae!"

At Elisa's cute manner, Jade immediately turned her face to the side so it wouldn't be seen by people and Elisa.

That sudden gesture of course surprised Elisa. 

"What is wrong, Lady Jade?!"

Elisa tried to help Jade, but Jade refuses and return her gesture. 

"I'm, ok. Don't worry."

Jade returned to face forward after wiping her nose.

"By the way, Elizabeth."

"You can just call me Elisa, Lady Jade."

"Elisa?"

That name is not much different from Elizabeth. Only has a subtraction and pronunciation at the end.

"That is my nickname. My mother and the people outside of the cathedral used to call me with that and I think that is simpler and easier to say than Elizabeth."

That excuse sounded plausible. However, somehow Jade felt there is something not proper about it.

"O-oh, ok, so, Elisa, who are you looking for in the Cyber City?"

A certain someone and Cyber City. Those are the two reasons Elisa left the house, Saint Arcane Cathedral. 

Once again, Jade doesn't mind if Elisa is a young woman who has tasted the experience of being a Hunter. But she is still a girl who looks innocent. Plus the place she wanted to visit is the most dangerous territory on Floor 2, Shadow Cyber City.

"Um, that's..."

Elisa could see that there are quite a lot of questions in Jade's eyes she could not avoid.

"The dinner's ready!"

Luckily, Hwang came with two plates of soup for the two of them. 

"Wait, is there anything wrong?"

"No-no, thank you very much for bringing our food."

Thus Elisa has the opportunity to refuse Jade's question.

"Here is yours, Lady Jade."

Jade let Elisa escape for now. They had dinner divided into three groups. Jade and Elisa. All men and all women at different big tables.

Elisa feels the gap between Jade and her subordinates and feels strange.

"You can join the Priests if you want, Elisa."

Of course Jade would offer that to Elisa.

However, like a dignified girl, Elisa wouldn't refuse or accept the offer without asking the reason.

"I want to accompany you if you allow, Lady Jade. But, if you did not want to..."

Jade felt guilty for trying to expel the girl.

"I'm sorry, that's not what I meant. I just feel more comfortable when I'm alone."

"O-oh, ok, then I will..."

"No-no, you can stay. Please, stay."

"A-alright."

"Okay, now, let's eat."

Jade took the spoon and immediately sipped her soup. 

At first Elisa felt awkward because of what happened just now. But not wanting to bother with her head, she prayed first, then started eating.

The crowd from the tables of the men and women did not stop, even though their plates already empty.

"Now I understand why you prefer to be alone, Lady Jade."

"Right?"

The cleaners packed all the tableware to clean. One of them is Hwang who took Jade and Elisa's.

"Does the food taste good, Elizabeth?" asked Hwang to Elisa. 

"Food will always taste good when eaten together."

It was a positive reply, but Elisa didn't answer Hwang's question.

"Uh-ok, it tastes good then. Great! How about you, beautiful lady?"

"I don't know how many times you've asked that question and I will always answer, 'our chef's food tastes just as good as always'."

"Ahaha, you are so cold, seonbae! That's why no boy approaches you besides me!"

"It doesn't matter to me. Now, go and get to work."

"I got rejected again! Hahaha! But don't worry, I will come back later to break the ice in your heart!"

"No, thank you."

Hwang left happy, even though what happened just now is quite concerning.

"Why doesn't he just say 'love' and shoot the boss, duh?"

"Don't think too much about it. They are just as stupid when it comes to love."

"Stupid Hwang. Even though we tried to keep away the other guys who interested in boss, but he wasted it by being stupid."

Elisa didn't feel it wrong. She even listened to the other members that the man has feelings for their leader.

However, the party leader is insensitive of the man's feeling, and the man himself seems did not have the courage to express his love. 

Oh ya, Elisa."

"Y-yes!"

Due to daydreaming, Elisa had forgotten that the person being talked about is next to her.

"Why so formal all of a sudden?"

"No, nothing! What is it, Lady Jade?"

Jade was wondering for a moment. But immediately returned to focus.

"About what I asked before? Who and why you want to go to that dark city?"

Now that Elisa remembers about that question. 

"A-aahh, about that..."

"About that?"

Elisa couldn't find a good reason. Maybe run away and buying time would be better for now.

"I..."

"I?"

"I am sorry. Suddenly I feel sleepy."

"But it's still 7 in the night. Plus, you just ate and maybe your stomach isn't ready for you to take to sleep."

"That, is, right."

That way Elisa had no choice to run away.

Elisa continued to dodge her questions. That means the reason is complicated enough to discuss with others. Then Jade won't push her anymore.

"Well, it's okay if you don't want to talk about it. But, if your reason is to follow a man, I suggest that you think twice."

"?!"

Elisa did not say why. But Jade was able to pinpoint a topic which was Elisa's reasoning.

"O-of-of course my journey is not to follow a man!"

Elisa's awkward attitude was telling the truth.

Jade giggled. "Regardless of your reason, Shadow Cyber City is still a dangerous place for a young girl like you. So I advise you not to stay away from us until you have found your goal."

"O-okay."

Now Elisa feels guilty. Jade happily took her to her destination. Not only because their destination is the same, but because the kindness of the lady's heart said so.

"Um, actually, yes."

"What is it?"

"My reason to go to Shadow Cyber City, is to find a certain person."

Since Elisa is such a good girl, she tells Jade the reason. Why not? After all, Jade is a kind person who can be relied on. Seeing Jade's strong figure, Elisa remembered the figure of the Dark Elf Woman who had traveled with her.

"That person must be so lucky then."

"Eh?"

Elisa thought Jade was going to get her some more words of advice out. But no, the party leader smiled and invited Elisa to a girl's chat.

"I mean, just look at you. You are cute little beautiful girl. Plus, you are the foster child of Maria Christina, one of the trusted people of the Saint Staff. If there are a lot of guys who know you, I'm sure they will immediately try to get close to you."

Well, it's not completely wrong. But also not completely true.

After bringing out her cheerful side, Jade let out a sigh. "It's been a really long time since I last followed someone. Yeah, it was the Spear Saint that I followed back then. Following behind him even though I couldn't get closer to him."

Now that is a plot, Elisa didn't think she could hear it from a Diamond Hunter.