Hunter of the Evernight-Chapter 835: What do you eat?

"Quick question," Alex said once Bartholomew stepped out of the dressing chamber wearing a white shirt and a pair of black trousers. "Did you wake up in this manor?"

"Yes, why?"

"Alone?"

"Unfortunately."

"Have you taken the time out to learn about this manor?... Perhaps it might be able to give us some clues on who built it and why it isn’t being attacked by the monsters."

"Hmm, honestly never thought of that," Bartholomew remarked. "I just saw this as my safe space."

Alex regarded the man, unsure if he should believe his words.

His experience with Thera reminded him that just because a person was being upfront about information didn’t mean they were friendly.

They could just be doing it for the fun of it, or perhaps to lead them into danger, or as Thera did, distract them from what was truly important.

"I see," Alex muttered as he shifted his attention back to the map.

Pointing at a section on the map, he inquired. "What’s over here?... Why did you highlight more than the others?"

Bartholomew replied. "I believe something is there, something important."

"Why?"

"Because it has the largest population of monsters compared to other locations. Also, there’s a huge cave opening in that direction."

"So you think this area could be the exit?"

"Something like that. Unfortunately, it’s not easy getting there and once you are there, you might as well kiss goodbye to leaving in one piece. I only survived because of my ability to regenerate."

"They tried to kill you?"

"Nearly did."

Alex pursed his lips.

If Bartholomew was telling the truth, whatever was in that area was definitely important but then again, taking the risk only to end up losing something important in exchange for a wild goose chase would be foolish.

It was best to focus on investigating the house first.

"Thank you," Alex remarked as he handed the map back to Bartholomew.

"Happy to help," Bartholomew replied as he returned the parchment to its spot in a drawer.

"Quick question," Alexander said.

"Hmm?"

"How do you eat?"

"You don’t want to know," Bartholomew remarked with Alex furrowing his brows.

"He’s right, it’s best if you don’t know." Arwen chipped in from the side.

"I see," Alex muttered. "In that case, we’ll talk a bit more later on."

"Alright then," Bartholomew remarked after which Alex and his cohorts took their leave.

Once out in the hallway, Alex remarked. "Anyone want to tell me why I wouldn’t want to know what Bartholomew eats?"

"He eats his flesh," Ana said, putting an abrupt end to Alex’s curiosity.

He froze before slowly glancing at Ana. "What?"

"His regeneration allows him to grow entire limbs, so whenever he’s hungry..."

"That’s enough," Alex said, putting an end to the conversation.

Ana shrugged. "You were the one who wanted to know despite the warnings."

"I know, I walked right into that one." Alex sighed while massaging his temples.

"So, I’m guessing you want us to investigate the manor," Elena remarked, thankfully helping to change the topic.

"Something like that."

"In truth, we had the same idea but felt it might be rude to do so."

"I understand," Alex said. "Come on, we have a lot to do if we don’t want to be stuck here forever."

***

They found solace in a cave inhabited by Giant Ants, a mutant breed native to Henos.

After erasing the creatures, they made their way to its depths and killed the Ant Queen, effectively putting an end to the colony.

Only after they had done all this did they finally get the chance to rest and rest they did, as they collapsed to the ground, struggling to breathe like a fish out of water.

"Where exactly are we?" One of them, a man who seemed to be in his late thirties, asked while lying against the wall. "Are we sure this is Veridia?... It looks nothing like it and what are these creatures?"

The one they called Gil, currently seated on the corpse of the Ant Queen with his spear beside him, lodged into the flesh of the Mutant, remarked. "This is indeed Veridia, however, it appears to be Veridia after the Flood."

"And you are certain of this?" The lady who had shown worry for Gil asked. "I mean, how is it possible that after such a terrifying event, life would come to exist on Veridia once again?"

"This world is very different from the Veridia we know, Gil. I honestly cannot reconcile the two." Yet another spoke, the other man in the group of five.

"And I assure you that it is, trust me."

"We trusted you once, Gil, and for that we have suffered for more than five thousand years."

"Zirrat!"

"No, Ishtar." Gil quickly said. "She is right. I am the reason for our suffering, which is why I intend to put an end to it. If you do not trust me, trust my desire to redeem myself."

The one named Zirrat, hit with a slight bit of guilt, nodded in silence before turning away.

"So what now?... How do we ensure that this world is Veridia?"

"Not only that, there’s something more important to think about." The one named Ishtar said. "Isn’t that right, Gil?"

"What is she talking about?" Zirrat asked.

Gil sighed. "This world is indeed Veridia, even though it now goes by the name Eventide. However, just as the world has changed, its rules have changed as well, and in its rules, we are not welcome."

"Wait what?"

"That is the reason I had to hand you all the essence of individuals from this world. It serves as a mask to hide us from the laws of the world. But only for a time. If we wish to remain in this new world, we need to find a way to change our existence to one that is acceptable to the laws of Eventide."

"And you didn’t deem it necessary to tell us something so important before now?" Zirrat scolded, with Gil responding.

"I needed to be certain."