20demayo Chapter 554 The Inn Keeper
Chapter 554 The Inn Keeper
JJ met his gaze steadily, the weight of the question lingering in the air. She took a slow breath. If I can just get more out of him, maybe I'll have enough to figure out how to help Ty later. She tilted her head slightly, feigning curiosity. "Before? What exactly do you mean by that?"
He leaned back in his chair, swirling his drink as if savoring the moment. "I don't have all the details, but my master told me that Ty didn't arrive here as a human. His soul... it was ripped from his body, placed into a skeleton. One that had died centuries ago. But when his soul entered that body, it came back to life—flesh and all."
JJ's heart skipped a beat, but she maintained her composure. That lines up with what Ty told me, but why does this man know so much?
"My master believes that whoever brought him here—whoever ripped his soul from his original body—put him into the last living demon on this planet."
JJ's brow furrowed. "Last demon? What are you getting at?"
He leaned in slightly, his voice dropping lower, conspiratorial. "The demons weren't wiped out because they were a threat to humanity. No, they were wiped out because only a demon can kill the King. He's immortal, at least in part."
JJ narrowed her eyes. "Immortal? You can't be serious."
He gave a small, humorless laugh. "We don't fully understand it yet, but we're getting closer. We believe it's tied to the wish the winner of the Arena of Life receives. The King has been keeping the true history of the demons hidden for a reason. And Ty... Ty may be the key."
JJ's stomach churned. Ty, tied to the demons and the King? What does this mean for him, for his survival?
The man continued, not waiting for her response. "That's why I'm here. We need your help, Jadenui. You're close to Ty, closer than anyone else. You can get us information, access to places in the kingdom that we can't reach."
JJ tensed. "You're asking me to betray the kingdom?"
"I'll be in touch," he said, standing from the table and giving her one last, pointed look. "I hope you'll make the right decision."
He walked away, leaving behind a pouch on the table. JJ scuffed under her breath, her lip curling as she eyed it. I don't need his stinking money. She grabbed the pouch to run it back to him, but as soon as it touched her hand, something felt off. It was too light—much lighter than she expected.
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Her brow furrowed as she loosened the drawstring and peeked inside. Instead of coins or paper, there sat a small metal spider, no bigger than her fingernail. It glowed red for a brief second before the light faded, leaving it cold and still.
So this is his plan to track me for my answer? She scowled, flipping the pouch closed. I can play along for now. I don't want to be killed. The thought gnawed at her. If I flat out rejected him, that's a real possibility.
Her eyes flicked to the door he had disappeared through. Plus, these people like him for whatever reason. They'd likely hide my body, too.
She let out a long sigh, gripping her bandaged shoulder as the pain flared briefly. Time to grab a room, sleep, and figure out what the hell happened to my adorable Blue.
The pouch still in her hand, she shoved it into her cloak and made her way through the town. It wasn't long before she found an inn tucked between two larger buildings. The sign outside was weathered, but welcoming. She stepped inside, the warmth of the hearth washing over her as she approached the counter.
An old woman, hunched with age but with bright, keen eyes, greeted her. A mark on her wrist caught JJ's attention—a unique, swirling pattern that looked almost like a tattoo, though it seemed older and more mysterious.
"Welcome, dearie," the woman rasped with a warm smile. "Need a room for the night?"
JJ nodded. "Yes, please."