Dungeon Raider System

The enemies had settled on the deepest part of the cave but finding them would have been impossible without the help of their prisoner because, for some strange reason, the flashlights stopped working and it was pitch black. Even with Sam's guidance they would have wasted a long time, because even though he was able to see as clear as day, the cavern was as convoluted as a maze.

When the watchmen noticed Uriel's group they quickly took arms, but when they realized they had a prisoner they let them pass without saying anything and they limited to follow after them.

"So far so good." Nika heaved a sigh.

Experience tales with My Virtual Library Empire

"Keep silence, let me do the talking." Uriel whispered, fearing someone might say something that could offend them. Even if they were modern day people, the best equipped to deal with them was Uriel.

The enemies were few in number, but as they continued walking those following them had became a crowd. They were now heavily outnumbered, but thankfully they didn't show any sign of agression. Instead, they seemed to act respectful towards them as though they were guests and they walked until they found an area that was lit by tallow torches.

Ika gasped at the sight of a couple hundred people that were kept as cattle waiting to be slaughtered. They were completely naked since their clothes had long been used to either craft torches or rope to keep them tied. She was already expecting something like that, but the gruesome sight of men and women being treated so poorly forced her to cover her mouth.

There was a fine white table with beautifully crafted chairs, also white, and the table was served with all sorts of exquisite delicacies, for a cannibal. Medusa gagged at the sight of the flesh on the table, knowing full well where did it come from, but the rest of the group didn't react. It wasn't lack of empathy, but they were more worried about their safety.

Especially Sam, who knew exactly how many enemies were currently surrounding them.

"What brings you here?" A grave voice resounded and a big man stepped out of the shadows. Contrary to most of the cannibals, he was tall, muscular and his body was covered in white dots almost entirely. He was also wearing a significant amount of white jewelry, something none of them missed.

"I bring you this gift." Uriel spoke solemnly as he pushed the prisoner in front of him.

"And what do you wish in return for this gift?" The big man eyed him with suspicion.

"I came to show my respect to the leader and also to speak of the future."

"I thank you for your gift, you're my guest now and I'll grant you safe passage when you want to leave. I was just about to have dinner, join me." The leader took a seat and pointed at the chair in front of him. Without hesitation, Uriel sat at the table and made himself a 'plate' by picking something he recognized as a human heart.

'I'm not so heartless now.' He inwardly joked, though not even Luna would have found it funny.

"There's something I'd like to discuss with you."

"First eat, then we talk." The man replied, his eyes sharp as knives.

Uriel was about to grab a bite from the raw and bloodied heart when Ika slapped it out of his hand and shouted.

"No! Stop! That's disgusting!"

"You idiot! Do you know what you just did!?" Uriel glared at the helpess woman who couldn't stop herself from crying.

"The conversations are over, go now." The man ordered, but Uriel refused to leave the table.

"Let's go, these guys are worse than animals. We can't reason with them."

"No, we can't leave. The minute I stand up from this table you guys are dead."

"But he said..." Ika tried to rebuke.

"I said he's my guest, not you. You didn't bring me anything. I would have let you all go because you're with him, but you disrespected me and you must pay. The only reason why you're still alive is because I don't want to upset my guest."

As an archaeology student, Uriel knew the reasoning behind anthropophagy in most cultures. It was always related to tradition and culture and consuming human meat was seen more as a ceremony than a meal.

Such behavior was common even in cases where people was forced to do it in order to survive and the most accepted theory explained the ceremonial side of cannibalism as a way to cope with the inhumane act.

By following a strict set of rules, they were able to perform such vile acts without feeling any remorse and Uriel was trying to take advantage of that, but now that Ika intervened in the ceremony there was no chance to end things without a fight. Uriel was well aware of that fact and he was only stalling for time, trying to think of the best way to keep everyone safe.

Luna, Medusa, Sam and Ika were now back to back getting ready for a fight, but Uriel raised his hand. "I apologize for the behavior of my companion. I will gift her to you as compensation." Ika's eyes widened, but before she could complain Luna took her down by kicking her behind the knees and then hitting her on the back of the head.

"I will accept your offering. Now, let's talk." The big man seemed pleased after receiving Ika, but Medusa and Sam looked terrified.

"It finally happened, he's completely insane." Sam muttered. Luna was the only one who remained calm, be it for her blind trust in Uriel or her complete disregard for human life.

"There's a way to get food, you don't need to eat people anymore." Uriel finally was able to get to the point and Medusa heaved a sigh, finally understanding why Uriel decided to offer Ika as a gift. If there was food, there was no need to kill people anymore and she would be safe. However, the cannibal chief didn't react to his words and Uriel knew it was a bad sign.

"So what?"