Welcome, Player: Grand Quest

Chapter 108: A Father's Tale

-chapter one-hundred-eight-
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"Don't look for a person who doesn't want to be found." 

"WHAT DO you know about our father?!" singhal ni River. "He's probably worried for us too if we vanish like he did."

Nagtitigan ang dalawa. Both had fiery determination in their eyes. Solace flickers her gaze between the two, anxious of the growing tension.

"Probably." tipid na sagot ng Demon King at ngumiti. "I just have this feeling that you'll waste your time finding him. So isn't it better if you focus on your ultimate goal?"

River glares at the man. Ano ba ang akala nito sa sarili niya? Gusto niya itong pagsigawan at galitan pero may pumipigil sa kaniya. Kaya iniwas niya na lang ang tingin.

"You don't care, demon-wannabe." River gives Solace a final glance. "Aalis na ako. I'm going to show everyone that I'll find our father. So, do your best."

Ngumiti si Solace at tumango. The Demon King watches River leave, feet looking sure on a path. Hindi na ito muling tumingin sa kaniya. At mukhang hindi din nito napansin na siya ay isang Demon King at hindi isang demon-wannabe. He's the real deal, for goodness sake.

Kids, nowadays. He sighs and moves his gaze back to the girl who's still standing. A strange silence falls between the slayer and the demon king.

The Demon King turns around and walks to the cave's entrance. Solace watches the black coat with red linings that he wears. Kumunot ang noo niya. Napakaweird talaga ng NPC na 'to. Since they first met, he didn't act like what the stories made him to be. A being who will kill any human he sees.

Kaya siguro hindi siya napaghinalaan ni River na demon king. Is this part of the glitch, she wonders. Kagaya siguro ito kay Aaron noon kung saan nakakabehave sila like humans.

"Just ask."

Nagulat si Solace nang bigla itong magsalita. Hindi na pala siya nakatingin sa likod nito! She spaced out and was caught staring at him. Nakakahiya!

Bumukas at sumara ang bibig niya. The demon king tries to copy it for teasing, and Solace can't help but glare playfully.

"What?" tanong muli ng demon king. "You've been staring. May itatanong ka ba?"

Solace hesitated. "Bakit mo sinabi 'yon? Na hindi namin makikita si Papa?"

The demon king stiffens at the word. Nagtitigan sila ng ilang sandali. Naghintay si Solace sa isasagot nito. Baka kagaya ng demon king ang magician na nakakakita. But now, maybe the demon king will tell her kung ano ang rason.

Pero tinalikuran lamang siya ng demon king. "As I said, I just have this feeling. You should go and finish your goal, player. Like your twin does."

Solace wants to talk back but she opted not. Bumuntong-hinga siya at nagsimula na ring umalis. From where she stands, nakikita niya ang anim na pigura ng mga kaibigan niya.

Unknown to her, the demon king stops and looks back. Tiningnan niyang umalis ang babae na taas ang noo at balikat, exuding confidence and regal in her very own way. Both of them does. Rio walks confidently, filled with a princely pride, while Solace walks gracefully, filled with queenly aura.

"Reverie." he calls. "I'm sure your father is very proud of how much you've grown."

Mabilis na lumingon si Solace. Ngunit wala na ang demon king sa likuran. Only the door to the dungeon lies eerily, and the wind hums her disappointment.

"Sol? Aalis na tayo, bakit ang tagal mo? Nakita na namin si Irusu na sinamahan si River." tanong ni Feyre na bumalik.

Umiling si Solace. "N-Nothing. Just..."