The Abyss wasn’t exactly a good place to stay. Most of those who chose to come here stay for three main reasons. Number one, they’re running from a crime on the surface. With how big and dangerous the Abyss is, most criminals can escape and live however they want. Of course, certain towns and cities in the Abyss have their own justice system and methods of dealing with criminals, but compared to the surface, it was much simpler. Number two, Hunters who enjoy the feeling of the Hunt. They crave the dance between life and death, fighting against beasts and the feeling of surviving through strength. Down here, strength was all that mattered. And finally, the last reason why one would enjoy living in the Abyss despite the miasma and dangers such as Abyss Waters, was that they have a screw loose in the head and actually enjoy this perpetual darkness. And before Alice stood a man with qualities of all three. "What’s wrong lil’ miss? Do I got something stuck in my teeth?" The man grinned, revealing his sharp pristine teeth. Alice sighed and shook her head. A man who openly admits to killing royalty on the surface and ran to the Abyss. A man who enjoys the feeling of the Hunt, even going as far as living out in the Abyss Waters despite the dangers. And finally, someone who actually liked this place so much that he actively travels between layers in search of stimulation. Clad in tattered black robes with a white hood, his piercing violet eyes shimmered through the darkness. He held a strange spear that he uses to navigate the Abyssal Waters while a single purple lantern hung on one side. Bags under his eyes and an overall gloomy expression despite the smile on his face. The ’Ferryman’ or so he called himself. An eight Sigil Abyss Lord with an unknown title. Alice sat in his boat, old, worn and full of scars. Yet strangely, not a single leak. In fact, its durability was rather impressive considering the fact that Alice could sense beasts trying to break it apart from below only to fail in their attempts. Originally, Alice was planning on travelling south east while looking for an exit. But a huge issue arose. Syrion’s old home, the land where Alice had landed with Gwen was actually rather detached from the southern parts. In order to reach south, she needed to cross a large ’ocean’ as well as a few layers. She could try to cross with her Void powers but if anything was to happen during the journey... She’ll be plunging head first into Abyss Waters. Read complete versıon only at NoveI[F]ire.net Even with her resistance, submerging herself for that long will affect her. And while contemplating what to do, dark mist rolled in. At first she thought it was a stray beast trying to kill her. But then she sensed the power hidden in the mist and prepared for an attack. A Lord was approaching. Then he came into view. A skull visible through the hood. "Weary traveller, what bringeth thou to such depths?" He asked, pushing his spear into the Abyss Waters to steer his boat. "Beasts roam these lands, one wrong step and thou shall forever sleep in the embrace of the dark mother." Alice stared at the man with a neutral expression. "If thou grant the Ferryman two gilded coins, I can take you wherever you want within the reaches of this ocean." Alice continued to stare as the man monologued. In the end, she couldn’t hold back and sighed. "Old man, why are you pretending to be a beast with that skull? And what’s with the way you talk?" Alice massaged her eyes. The Ferryman coughed frantically as he didn’t expect a little girl to see through his act. How did she realise he wasn’t a beast? "So you’re one of those that are no fun at all. But my question remains lil’ miss, what is a girl like you doing down here? I don’t think this place is very welcoming for the pristine goody types." He rested his chin on his arms while removing his skull mask. "Came down here to sort out a bounty with a friend. Is it true that you can go anywhere these waters reach?" Alice asked. She couldn’t help but wonder why a Lord would lower himself to the position of a... Ferryman of all things. "My words speak no lies. Where these waters lead I can go. Provided we form a contract and you hand over two gilded coins." He grinned, holding up two fingers. If it’s a contract, then Alice wasn’t too worried. But at the same time, she couldn’t help but stare at his boat. A flimsy boat ... carrying her through the Abyss? "Ah~ I know that look. Don’t worry, this boat just looks because of my own tastes. You can attack it if you want." He cackled, pulling up to the shore and stepped off. Scratching her chin, Alice contemplated for a moment and nodded her head. "If it breaks, don’t blame me okay?" The Ferryman let out a loud laugh. This girl who didn’t even feel like a Lord was telling him that his boat might break? This boat that’s stayed with him for centuries in these dark waters, travelling through beast infested waters and even surviving attacks from Lords was going to break? "Alright. Lil’ miss, if my boat does break, I won’t blame ye. I’ll even give you the ride for free." He challenged her. "Hou~ Confident. In that case... I won’t be polite." Alice narrowed her eyes and took a deep breath. A field of spider lilies blossomed as Alice’s outfit and eyes shifted colours. Sigils flared across her body while briar thorns dug into the ground. Immediately, the Ferryman lost his smile as a frown appeared on his face. Who the hell was this girl? Why is there so much energy stored inside that tiny body of hers? "Oi oi..." He muttered as a bead of sweat rolled down his face. "Feeling scared?" Alice smirked. Snapping her finger, a singularity formed above her palm as she condensed it into a single spark. A spiral of energy burst out around her, converging at the spark. "Ah alright alright, I got ye lil’ miss. The boat won’t break but it doesn’t mean it won’t take damage." The Ferryman coiled his fingers around the spark, erasing it. Alice widened her eyes. All of that energy she had built up dispersed all at once and was absorbed into his lantern. And more than that, he managed to cross the distance between them in an instant. She didn’t have her Vision deployed but it didn’t mean she wasn’t on guard. "Are you one of those that’s stuck at six Sigils but can’t get a bounty to become a Lord? The Abyss is rather stingy at times haha." He joked, sluggishly walking over to his boat and stepping into it. "Well? Are you getting on? I promised ye a free ride did I not?" He asked, snapping his fingers and presenting a contract for Alice to sign. Scanning her eyes through the contents, Alice could see that it was very thought out, ensuring safety for both sides. While she’s on his boat, he’s responsible for her safety and in return, she cannot harm him at all. Two coins for a single journey, extra stops need extra payment. But in this case, due to the bet, the journey was free. "Is this a hobby of yours? I figured a Lord like yourself would... be making factions or claiming land." Alice asked curiously as she sat down opposite the Ferryman. "Hmm, what use is such material goods when I’m not at the pinnacle?" He smirked. "But rather than that, where do you wish to go lil’ miss? I’ve roamed these waters for centuries now, there’s not a single place I don’t know about." He bragged. "Then... send me to a city or town that leads up to the surface. Specifically, I want to find a gateway leading to Extalia." "Extalia? A rather turbulent place you have decided to go. I ask you now, are you sure?" The Ferryman scratched his chin. "Oh? Is there something you know?" Alice was interested. She crossed her legs and narrowed her eyes. "Nay. Merely a hunch. And in all my years, it’s rarely been wrong. My hunches are usually spot on. Just like how my hunch for you is that anyone who becomes your enemy has a bad time." The Ferryman chuckled. Indeed, now that he saw her preparing an attack, he could sense the wellspring of power dwelling within her. It wasn’t the full picture but it was enough to send a chill down his spine just thinking about it. A dangerous girl who poses a threat to even Lords. "So, I ask you again. Are you sure you want to go to Extalia? I know the location of ancient ruins filled with treasure, secret passages and even lands beneath the waves. And I am someone people struggle to bump into twice." "Yep, a journey to Extalia please." Alice nodded with a smile. These places are interesting but perhaps she’ll check them out when she has time. Right now, her focus was to deal with the Zenia family. "Ah~ I see how it is. A girl with a purpose in mind, a singular goal that has to be completed no matter what. Seems to be a matter of vengeance." He grinned, leaning towards Alice. Furrowing her brows, Alice was about to say something when he pushed his spear against the shore. "Then let us depart. Let this Ferryman take the blade of vengeance towards her target’s throat." With a deep echoing laugh, the two of them disappeared into the mist.