Chapter 88: StrandedI suddenly found myself in a meadow. The last thing I remembered was seeing Jukhan running towards me before I sank into a shadow.

    "Are you alright?" [Nakros]

    Then there was this guy. Some blue horned guy that claims to be my senior disciple.

    "...What does it look like?" [Solace]

    I lifted my arms, only to scream internally as I saw how not-normal they looked. Also, it hurt. A lot.

    "Oh... Let me help you." [Nakros]

    Raising his hand, he started chanting.

    "O'' kind and gracious. Bring mercy to this lost lamb. |Middle Cure|." [Nakros]

    A small light washed over me, causing my arms to slowly bend into strange directions before returning to normal.

    "...Ew." [Solace]

    I stared at my hands with a somewhat disgusted look. It wasn''t that they looked weird or anything, it was just the feeling and sounds of them being fixed.

    "...Is there something wrong?" [Nakros]

    "...Nothing." [Solace]

    Even though he was all nice and stuff, I was still a bit cautious.

    "By the way... Why do you have cuffs on you?" [Solace]

    Nakros looked a bit confused, that is until he realized he had chains on him.

    "These? Well, I broke out of prison." [Nakros]

    Great. Now I''m stuck with an escapee.

    "How did you get out?" [Solace]

    "I followed Jukhan. After he got caught, he remained in prison for five years. After that, he suddenly decided to break out." [Nakros]

    "...You make it sound so casual." [Solace]

    Nakros gave me a look as if he wasn''t sure how to explain it.

    "It was pretty casual. The guards never knew he was so strong." [Nakros]

    ("Well that''s weird.") [Solace]

    I found it strange that someone so strong was placed in a prison incapable of containing him.

    "Then what are those chains for? If he''s so strong, why doesn''t he just take them off?" [Solace]

    "He can''t." [Nakros]

    "What?" [Solace]

    Nakros lowered himself to give me a better view of his neck.

    "Look here." [Nakros]

    Tugging a little bit at the collar, it appeared to be stuck to his skin.

    "Upon entering the Robar Prison, they seal a portion of our power into these chains and cuffs. If we try to take it off, we''ll most likely die, or lose most of our strength." [Nakros]

    I was taken aback. It appeared this world was a bit more hardcore than I thought it was.

    "What did you do to be put into that prison?" [Solace]

    "..." [Nakros]

    Nakros opened his mouth as if he was going to answer, but he closed it again.

    "I would tell you, but I feel that you would look at me another way." [Nakros]

    To be honest, I was really curious after he kind of hyped it up like that. However, I thought that would be insensitive of me.

    "Does Master know of this?" [Solace]

    Nakros laughed.

    "Of course. In fact, he was the one who threw me in there." [Nakros]

    "Eh?!" [Solace]

    Well that was a surprise. I didn''t expect Master to be so cruel to his own disciple.

    "In any case, I''ve taken up a bit too much of your time. I should take my leave." [Nakros]

    "Huh?" [Solace]

    A shadow appeared beneath Nakros'' feet, and he began to sink in.

    "Oh! I almost forgot." [Nakros]

    Summoning a rift beside him, he stuck his hand inside.

    ("He''s doing this while sinking...?") [Solace]

    There wasn''t much I could say other than it was an odd sight.

    "Found it!" [Nakros]

    Yanking his hand out, Nakros tossed me a white crystal. It was shaped into a cube and fit in the middle of my palm. Strangely, it felt comforting to be in my hand.

    "What''s this?" [Solace]

    "You could think of it as a way of contacting me. Just break it when you''re in danger." [Nakros]

    I looked at him with a puzzled look.

    "Why are you doing all this for me? Don''t you hate Master for throwing you into prison?" [Solace]

    "To be honest. No. I''m glad." [Nakros]

    He had a melancholic expression as he sank. It was also the moment I recalled something I really needed to ask.

    "Wait! I have a question!" [Solace] Sёarch* The N??eFire.ηet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.

    "Oh, too late. Ask Master when you see him." [Nakros]

    He must''ve thought I wanted to know more about his past, but Nakros was dead wrong.

    "I wanted to ask-" [Solace]

    Before I could even start with my question, the shadow ate him up. Thus, I was left by myself in a meadow.

    "...I just wanted to ask where I am..." [Solace]