Sami paused for a short moment, thinking. Finally, after a period of silence and enduring the stares Senn and Lam were giving him, he decided to speak at last.
"Alright, I don't fully understand why I supposedly share the same traits as this 'Knight of the Moon' you're talking about, but... don't expect me to do anything for you."
At that moment, Sami realized that stubbornness and feigned ignorance were the best ways to extract information from them, so he decided to follow that plan. But he didn't get the response he expected.
Senn spoke. Her tone was sarcastic and angry as she gracefully pushed strands of hair away from her face. "It's not like we really care about you anymore. We gave up on you a long time ago... In fact, it would have been better if you hadn't shown up at all!"
Sami's hand trembled violently, and his breathing became harder.
Senn retreated backwards, sat down away from him, and began muttering incomprehensible words to herself, mentioning obscure names as if apologizing to certain people.
In contrast, Lam stepped forward and placed his hand on Sami's shoulder, sending a strong shiver through his body.
Lam said in his usual calm and indifferent tone:
"Well, Mr. Sami... rest now, and we'll continue our talk when we reach the city... Perhaps the Temple of the Moon will help you, as the legend says."
It seemed Sami's plan hadn't worked as he'd intended. He forced a smile, then looked at Lam's face, which remained rigid and expressionless.
"Alright, I suppose that's the best option for now, right? So, we'll continue our talk in the city..."
---
After this long exchange, everyone fell silent again. Senn sat in her place, occasionally glancing at Sami with looks that were sometimes angry, sometimes sad, all while muttering unknown names. Lam remained calm as ever. In contrast, Sami's face was full of expressions, as if he carried the weight of the world on his shoulders.
Sami let out a strong sigh, adjusted his sitting position, crossing his legs, and placed his hands on the floor behind his back, while the beautiful silver Desert Armor rested against him. He lifted his head upward and muttered to himself:
Damn, what should I do? The information is scarce, and I couldn't get them to keep talking... There are huge gaps, I don't know how to solve this damned puzzle!
Then he slowly lowered his head, shifting his gaze between Senn and Lam, before quietly closing his eyes.
It seems the best choice is to survive until the end! Among all who've experienced the first ordeal, that's the only constant law... But seriously, how can I survive here?
He moved his lips silently, barely noticeable, while looking at his feet. To any observer, he would seem to be staring at a stone in front of him, but he was actually doing something completely different. He had summoned the Ordeal's system.
This is common knowledge among all who have undergone an ordeal; even someone like him knows that. All he had to do was utter the word "ordeal," and its screen would appear before him.
The screen appeared!
---
Name: Sami
Age: 16
Race: Human
Rank: Unbound
Acquired Creatures: {03}
Primary Ability : ???
Possessions: [Skull Venom], [Moon Key], [Desert Armor], [Skullcrusher Sickle]
---
Sami sighed.
I have to thank whoever invented the system concept. When I get back for real, it's useful in many ways.
He quietly closed his eyes.
But it doesn't seem I have much yet... I've spent two days in this desert and only killed three creatures. Webtoon stories are truly fantasy... However, killing that creature in the oasis was beneficial; it seems killing stronger creatures increases the rewards. I got three skills; that's good.
He glanced at his possessions again.
Also, 'Skullcrusher Sickle' seems like a great weapon... It's Rank Three, which is something I'm not supposed to have now. I was really lucky! But I wish I'd gotten a sword instead, otherwise three years of training will be meaningless... Damn, as they say, the ordeal never gives you what you want from it!
---
Suddenly, Lam stood up, making Sami jolt to his feet as well, and Senn seemed to notice this and began standing up herself.
Lam spoke in his same calm tone: "I think we've had enough rest. We can continue on our way now."
Then he began walking quietly towards the door.
Sami followed his steps in silence. And before they exited the iron door of the stone room, Senn approached Sami and hit his back gently but with a hint of force.
She said in a sarcastic tone: "Well, it seems you really are the Knight of the Moon after all... What a pity!"
But her eyes showed something different... a look mixed with sadness and pity, which left Sami utterly confused. He couldn't understand her.
They exited the door, heading towards the caravan.
Sami sighed, following their steps in silence, while one thought echoed within him:
Damn... I think I'm really starting to hate this desert!
To be continued...
---