[Psychokinetic] Eyeball Pulling - Chapter 171 (Patreon)

Heading toward the so-called Rosary, they took the long way around the mountain, and gazed down across the endless seas.

Hundreds of blackened dots were shrouded under the ocean waves. As it was approaching winter, the once calm oceans looked like they were now taken over by an angry spirit. Crash after crash, the waters were quickly becoming chaotic.

Soon, not many would dare travel the endless waters in fear of their own lives.

“Do you think it’s the Leviathan’s doing?” Calum’s expression was sombre as he looked at the Spawn hidden under the waves.

“What does it matter?” Rachelle brushed up against Astrid’s shoulders as she continued down the mountain staircase, down toward the rest of the town.

“Of course it matters.” Calum spun around. “Why would it not?”

“Would it change anything?” Rachelle said without turning her head. “If the Leviathan turns up, then there’s nothing we can do but fight. If it’s not the Leviathan’s doing, then it’s something else that we need to fight. In the end–we just need to fight. Rebirth is already prepared to face the Leviathan, so does it matter what monster it is?”

Calum huffed a breath. “Well–”

Astrid shrugged and chuckled. “There’s no arguing with that. We just fight.” She placed her hands behind her hand and strolled behind Rachelle.

Thanks to the chaotic waves from the high wind, it spat salt water all around the island. Her golden hair was rough and sorely needed a good combing. But she didn’t care. All that was on her mind was her future opponent.

From their detour, it took them a few extra minutes before they descended back into the main hustle and bustle of Mount Hullbeck.

Astrid was about to ask where the Rosary was, until a perfume assaulted her senses. It wasn’t an uncomfortable smell like most perfumes, and that was saying a lot considering Astrid hated the vast majority of perfumes. Or maybe that was just because the nobles back on Rebirth used it one too many times.

Regardless, it was a soothing smell. Like she was back in the forests Eyamos, adventuring. But twitching her nostrils, she could make out something else deep within the perfume. Blood.

At first, it was pretty, but it had a danger lurking within.

Astrid raised her guard. Her shoulders tightened.

“What’s wrong, my lady?” Leena took a step closer.

Astrid glanced around at her surroundings. No-one seemed to care about the hidden smell, or perhaps they couldn’t detect it in the first place.

She sifted through her memories in an attempt to recall the Rosary, but all that arrived was nothing but a blank slate. Well, apart from the fact that Yursa had something to do with it. And that Brett and the others were chased out from Mount Hullbeck because of his actions.

However, with a quick check of Identify to the people in the area; it was clear they were all high Level adventurers. She even recognized a few familiar faces from Rebirth.

Turning a corner, it was clear what the main attraction was. The strong adventurers streamed into a large building that had long green vines growing from every surface of the building. IT was obviously made from brick, but it was impossible to make them out from the thick foliage.

Looking a little closer, each vine was covered in razor-sharp thorns. They were as red as a rose. They would have been beautiful–if not for the bloody undertones of them.

So that’s what the smell was. Astrid noted. Since she was nearer the building now, she could feel a thick surge of mana within. It was evident there were multiple strong magic users within. If it wasn’t that, then it was just one person. But from her experience of dealing with Avemoth, she guessed it was the former.

“Hey, just so we’re all clear, don’t go mentioning anyones dog.” Rachelle addressed the team.

Everyone nodded. They had heard of Yursa’s prickly skin whenever her pet was mentioned; it was best to steer clear of talking about it.

They all entered and Astrid was immediately taken aback by the scenery inside. Vines and roses coiled all around the room, tipped in sharpened thorns. From the reception area, to the enormous hall where the majority of people were located.

Astrid noticed a few of the stronger ones being ushered into a pair of large doors. Vip. Astrid thought.

Rachelle approached the front counter. Of course with it being so busy–they were forced to wait.

Astrid couldn’t help but tap her boot against the hard-wooden floors of the restaurant. She hated waiting. Thankfully, the service was exceptional, and in only a few minutes–Rachelle placed her hand against the counter-tops.

“Table for us.” Rachelle pointed to her group, and the lady behind the counter broke out into a wide, professional smile.

“Certainly, Grace will take you to your table.” She said, and as her words finished, the woman named Grace ushered them into the wide hall–and to their table.

Astrid pouted underneath her hood. She was expecting to be taken into the vip rooms, but it was only right that she was with everyone else. Her appearance was hidden. If she uncovered her face, it wouldn’t be long until word spread.

She knew there were people hunting her. It was one thing to try and hurt her, but she couldn’t allow her friends to come to any harm because of her.

Sitting down, she quickly looked at the menu as her stomach rumbled. It had been so long now since she had a professionally cooked meal–she could only imagine the taste. The items on the menu were–not to her surprise–rose themed.

From rose infused steak, to caramelised rose petals.

Astrid tilted her head. “Can rose petals be eaten?”

At her words, Rachelle pointed to the fine letters beneath the item on the menu. All items on the menu are made from a specially created rose flower. Infused with honey and kile, it brings forth a sensational aroma that will have your taste-buds dancing–and craving for more.

“Oh.” Astrid nodded. She didn’t like looking at small writing. It made her head hurt, so she had made it a bit to skip over it. Much to her mothers dislike.

She got impatient from looking at the menu, so she simply just pointed at a few things at random. If it had the words meat, or sweet, she pointed at it in haste.

However, once their order was taken, it was evident that food would take a while to arrive. So Astrid began listening to those around her. Thankfully, everyone within the hall had interesting stories to tell.

It was a room filled with adventurers, and most of them were talking about the current issues the world was facing. The Spawn. Many of them were in here waiting for their ships being fixed up, or for another second-hand ship going up for auction.

One table in particular made her eyebrows lift.

“Have you all heard about what happened with Lord Sinwen?” The speaker was a man with a long ponytail. He was wearing a tight black t-shirt and it hugged every muscle on his body. However, it was the high tiered sword sheathed at his waist that made him standout.

He was the only one facing toward her, while his group all had their backs to her.

Dad? Astrid nudged her ears closer.

“No, George, what happened?”

“Well, you know my brother’s part of the Humanity Corps. Not many days ago, something happened to the Sinwen Manor. An explosion ripped apart the castle walls. Some rumour that it was a training session gone wrong, but who can believe that?”

“Then what happened?” One of them said in haste. “Out with it then.”

“Alright, don’t get your trousers caught in a twist.” George spat. “My brother told me that someone was listening in on a private conversation between Lord Sinwen, and his daughter–Astrid.”

“What were they saying?”

“Well I’m not bloody omniscient, am I?” He chuckled. “But if I were to guess, then it’s obviously something about the dungeon that Astrid, and the second year Wayfarers underwent. The spy was probably trying to uncover something about what happened in the dungeon.”

“What could be so important as to spy on Lord Sinwen–isn’t that just inviting death?”

George scoffed. “Nowadays? I’m not so sure. Lord Sinwen hasn’t been active for–how many years exactly? I can’t even remember his last mission. My guess is that all the nobles have caught up to him in strength by this point. I think it’s true too, the spy managed to get away, after all.”

“Oh come on George, you said it was just a guess–now you’re saying the spy got away?”

“Besides, that goes against what other people are saying.” One man with his back turned said.

“Like what?” George asked.

“I heard that the man responsible for breaking the Sinwen castle walls was hunted down, and slain out on the ocean.”

“I even heard that it was a pirate king. And he slaughtered him with just a look of his thunder-like eyes.”

“Who’s really bullshitting here?” George shook his head. “Besides, with what’s happening on Rebirth right now–only those mad enough would travel back there.”

Astrid looked in his direction. Curious as to what he meant, but the others simply just nodded their heads. It was as if they all knew what he was saying, as if it was common knowledge. Either that, or she had arrived after the talk.

She needed to know.

Placing her hands on the table, she stood up. Everyone gave her curious glances as she walked over to George’s table.

“What happened on Rebirth?”

George looked at her while his friends turned around.

“Were you eavesdropping on our conversation?”

“Yes, I was.” Astrid stared at them from the darkness of her hood, then took out a bag of money. “I will pay.”

George was about to get angry, but a man that still hadn’t turned his back placed his hand on the table. “George, we could use all the money we can get at this point. The repairs aren’t going to pay for themselves.”

George took a breath. “Alright Jak, I get it.” He looked at Astrid. “What do you want to know?”

“You said only those mad enough would travel back to Rebirth–why?”

“Because,” George sat back in his chair as he gnawed on a piece of chicken bone. “There’s some sort of disease going around Rebirth. Anyone that catches it becomes some sort of man-eating monster.”

“Strong too,” Jak said. “Or maybe it’s more accurate to say that they undergo an evolution. Far surpassing their previous strength. Everywhere is shut down. Top, middle, lower. All of it. No-one is allowed in or out. People would be mad to go there, because you would just be turned away. With no fuel, you’d be stranded in the ocean.”

Astrid took a deep breath. Countless thoughts rampaged within her mind.

What was the cause?