Chapter 5

Teri was happy that their extensive discussion about cat girls was over. Taku was thrilled to know that if cat girls really existed in this world, Teri would go for one that had short and lustrous black hair—he gushed even more when he learned that it was Teri’s type. Then, Taku monologued about really wanting a person that gives a shit about him instead of one that just has a rockin bod and nothing else, though he said again that both are nice.

Taku was going to talk more about society as a whole. And at that point, hearing his takes might break Teri more than this dungeon. It might as well be better for Teri to face his fears. So, when Taku was about to talk about nerds having more to offer than the “cool” guys, Teri jumped on his feet, stretched his limbs, and told him he’s ready.

His best friend dropped the topic at the very next second. The man rolled back like a piece of ham and struggled to get on his knees. He also fixed how Teri’s leather gloves were tied, making it feel more a part of his body instead of some clothing. To humor his friend, Teri tried to do some poses, with his weapon and all, as Taku cheered and mimicked the sound of applause and dozens of people screaming. Taku paused too, and the only thing that stopped them from having a dress off was a faint trail of blood leading to the door at the western side of the room.

“Come to think of it,” Taku said. “the other party didn’t have weapons on them—except for this sick staff I borrowed.”

Teri glanced at the trail. “You think another party did this?” Something came to mind. To test his theory, he poured a little water over his hand, stood straight, and let some droplets fall to the ground. He compared the droplets he made to the ones in the trail—it was somewhat the same.

“We can’t rule that out,” Taku said from the other side of the room. “Also yeah. I double checked. Bodies weren’t touched. Also, I may have destroyed some evidence by moving the bodies earlier. My bad.”

“That’s fine,” Teri shouted, “all that means is that we need to be on the lookout. If they’re humans, we can talk to them. We’re screwed if they’re not.”

“Hella. This means that they’re smart enough to distinguish and use weapons. Pair that with some monstrous strength—”

Teri laughed, smiling wide. “Really?”

“What?” Taku scoffed, chuckling a moment later. “That’s the fuuuun of it! Exploring. Investigating. Making theories! We might be fucked, but at least we know who’s going to fuck us!”

“Except we don’t.”

“And that’s even more fun!” Taku picked up his backpack. “And see, if monsters like that exist—I mean they already are—it means we don't have to beat them at their own game. We have to CHEESE them. Like, think. If they’re monstrous beasts… what don't they have that we do?”

Teri felt himself smiling again. “Cringe, sheer optimism,” he stifled a laugh. “power of friendship?”

Taku stopped, trying not to laugh. “Brains!” He pointed at his temple. “Also yeah, all of that.”

“Fiiiinneeee… I get it.”

Teri approached the western door with Taku behind him. He raised his shield—well, it was Taku’s. His shield had holes already, so Taku gave him his. Teri knew that he was kidding when he said that he was okay earlier. But there’s no turning back now, even as both his lungs and legs felt like lead in the water.

“You know what I would do if I got a sick-ass fire spell?”

Teri blinked, his bead of cold sweat cutting a line from his forehead to his chin. “What?”

“I’d name my staff Hot Rod.”

Silence. Only the sound of their careful steps filled their ears. Teri’s face cracked a grin. “Yeah, you gotta rub your Hot Rod with both hands or else the magic won’t come out…”

“That’s a stupid joke.”

Another moment of silence.

Taku laughed. So did Teri—somehow, he felt a little braver.

“You fucking ruined it.”

“Sorry,” Teri replied. “I mean I had to do it. The joke was asking to be made.”

“But that was so green!” Taku nudged Teri’s shoulder from the back. “I didn’t imagine you liking green jokes, much less make one. What are you, a highschooler?”

“Oh, I didn’t get to finish.” Suddenly, Teri felt afraid of Taku’s words. If possible, he didn’t want the silence to drag on.

“Oh shit,” Taku paused. “Me too!”

Taku nudged Teri’s shoulder again, making him feel a bit at home. Teri was made aware that his breathing wasn’t as heavy, so were his legs. Now, he’s in front of the door he was so scared of. Like they’re really going to get out of this room and face what’s out there. The thought itself was gripping, but somehow, the hold it had on him wasn’t as tight anymore.

“I have also improved my skills. But this is only the beginning of my rise to power.” Taku stepped in front of him. “Behold—” He held the tip of his staff and tapped the door and everything around it—from a distance. “—RANGE! Also yeah. Seems like the door isn’t trapped, we can pass.”

“Nice.” Teri held back from woah-ing.

Teri opened the door. Another moment of silence. Then, a moment of chill. They checked for traps again. The cold corridor, supposedly to overwhelm them with the despairing smell of rose, ink, and flesh, wasn’t so drowning anymore. With cringe, Teri passed through his fears. With sheer optimism, they moved forward, having fun and thinking that everything would be okay.

They approached an intersection. The corridor can lead them further west. There’s also another path down south. Then, there’s the way north. It didn’t have a trail of blood. It was an actual streak, and it came from the southern corridor.

“Yep, something dragged a body in there.” Taku said straight.

Teri glanced around, hoping that something would fill in the silence. But not really since that would most likely be monsters. “Oh.”

“Yeah, I’m not walking in there,” Taku added.

“Uh-huh.”

“Massive death flag vibes,” Taku continued.

“Wanna keep heading east?”

Taku gave him two thumbs up. “Absolutely.”

“Brains,” Taku mumbled as they carefully moved forward.

“Bro, I’m telling you.”