The Crack In Heaven [A LitRPG Progression Fantasy] Chapter 63: Chapter 63: Macabre Unknown

Read chapter 63 of The Crack In Heaven [A LitRPG Progression Fantasy] by Adamus_Auguste on NovelPedia.

Chapter 63: Macabre Unknown Loaded with Els' heavy basket, Kael followed Ransley to his home. Els shielded herself behind his back, trying to escape the old man's gaze. He could understand why she hid, really. If only Ransley had actually been looking at her... But no. The man and Tonio locked themselves in a glaring competition. Even as he fumbled for the door handle, Ransley never broke eye contact with Tonio's beady red eyes, and for a moment, Kael feared two sets of dark nails and a metallic cane might clash before he could blink. Couldn't they look at the sheen of the moon crescent as he did? It was beautiful, pale and silvery like precious metal. He could watch it and the tiny lights mottling the dark sky all night. But what were they? Flowers didn't seem to need them to grow, so he couldn't remember reading about them. Moon. Silver. Dimmer glow. Iron? Iron lamps—that would do for now. With a grimace, he tore his eyes from the sky. He strode in front of Ransley, nudging Tonio's chest lightly with his elbow. "I don't know what you remembered, but drop the glare. We need him." Tonio's whiskers twitched. He lowered his head. "Tonio don't remember. Ransley... blurry?" "Perfect. You don't forget enemies, right? So, relax until we sort things out." Tonio tilted his head, a finger crooked over his lips, then nodded. "No forget bad men. Stop glare." As Ransley slammed the handle down with a victorious snort, Tonio snapped his gaze the opposite way. That was... not what Kael had in mind. Whatever... The door creaked open to a living room. Red-rimmed green carpets etched with yellow, flowery patterns covered every inch of the metallic floor. Coppery candlesticks brightened a long, white stone table polished to a glow. Every piece of furniture was outdated, but clean as if fresh from the factory. "The water should be ready. The shy girlfriend, you go first." Ransley pointed at Els—who shifted from Kael's to Tonio's broader back—without glancing at her. "She's not my girlf..." Just as Kael followed Ransley in, a door at the edge of the living room opened on its own. His words caught in his throat. WHAT? From a crooked, steam-filled room tucked into the slum's walls, another skeleton walked out! Not small this time, but taller than him. It stood aside, a folded burlap towel and a jar of some dark goo in its hands. Immobile. Waiting. Before Kael could even ask, another door flung open. A savoury scent of meat and fresh bread steamed from a plate carried by... a second skeleton. The moment Ransley sat at the head of the table, a plate was placed in front of him. Then, the skeleton vanished into the kitchen and returned with another. Kael watched it set three plates, four rocky cups, and two pitchers before the door finally closed behind its ribs. Ransley broke the spell with a knock on the table. "Are you waiting for someone, perhaps?" He kicked a chair under the table. "Sit." Kael moved first. He sat at the table, the basket at his feet. Tonio walked more slowly, his eyes darting across bookshelves carved from the wall, and the broad chair-like cushion that lacked a backrest, set in front of them. Somehow, he didn't spare the skeletons a glance. From behind his back, Els kept glaring at the skeleton beside the open door, then at Kael. Don't look at me. Massaging his temples, he turned to Ransley. "What does she have to do?" "Going inside the bathroom would be an amazing start. Then, the usual, I guess." Ransley poured himself a cup. The perfume of ale slapped Kael's nose. Though he only smelled the cheapest ale, this one's aroma made him sure it was of even better quality than what the Black Cask sold. That, and seeing Tonio rush to his seat like an obedient kid and nudge his glass toward the pitcher... Ransley smacked his lips, then poured the rat-man a cup. "I doubt any of you know how to wash yourselves properly." He pointed at the skeleton. "That brat will show you how it's done." Tonio sipped his cup dry, then nodded at the old m