The conversation with the Dragon Emperor sent a wave of goosebumps down Sai's spine. The creature's gaze was piercing, full of power and wisdom. Suddenly, the Dragon Emperor began to transform, shifting into a humanoid form. His appearance was majestic, like that of an elegant man, radiating the undeniable aura of a ruler. His presence was overwhelming, and his voice resonated with authority as he spoke.
"You are lucky," the Dragon Emperor said, his tone both commanding and contemplative. "You survived the Blackthrone Abyss, a place filled with unimaginable terror. Even the most powerful of beings dare not venture there alone, yet you managed to survive."
The emperor's eyes narrowed, as if calculating something. "The Blackthrone Abyss is dormant now, but its power is ever-present. It is a place of great danger, where the very land itself seems to swallow anything that dares enter. And yet, here you are—alive."
Sai gulped, the gravity of the emperor's words sinking in. He mustered his courage and began recounting his ordeal. "I... I was lost in a forest," he started hesitantly, "trying to survive. I came across a strange cave, and inside it, a door marked with ancient symbols. I touched it, and..." He hesitated, the vivid memory of the blinding light flashing through his mind. "It brought me here."
The emperor listened intently, his expression unreadable, yet his commanding presence made Sai feel as though no detail could be hidden.
The emperor let out a booming laugh. "You, lost in that forest? Do you even know where you are or how you stumbled upon the entrance to such a place?" His gaze narrowed slightly, the air around him growing heavier. "I know you're hiding something," he said, his tone carrying an almost playful edge. "But it matters little to me."
Sai's body stiffened at those words, his mind racing. The Dragon Emperor's amused expression only deepened as he observed Sai's reaction, a knowing glint in his eyes that sent a chill down Sai's spine.
After observing Sai's reaction, the Dragon Emperor's suspicion turned into certainty. He already knew Sai was no ordinary wanderer. With an almost casual air, the emperor spoke, his voice carrying an edge of authority and indifference.
"Even though I know you do not belong here," the Dragon Emperor said, his piercing gaze locking onto Sai, "you are just an ant in the eyes of many. Your existence holds no significance to the great powers of this realm."
His words were matter-of-fact, but they carried the weight of absolute truth, leaving Sai to grapple with the stark reality of his situation.
The Dragon Emperor's gaze grew sharper, his voice resonating with a mix of authority and intrigue.
"I offer you a solution," he said, his words deliberate, "but it comes with a cost. Will you take it?"
Sai, understanding the weight of such an offer, hesitated. He knew well enough from his old world that nothing came without strings attached. There was no such thing as a free lunch.
"What are the conditions?" Sai asked cautiously, his voice steady despite the uncertainty swirling within him. The Dragon Emperor's piercing gaze bore into Sai, as if weighing his very soul. Then, in a tone both commanding and calculated, the Emperor spoke:
"I offer you a chance to survive and grow in this world. In return, you will give me knowledge—knowledge of what you have seen and felt. Your insights, your understanding of the unknown—no matter how small or insignificant it seems to you—will be mine to know."
Sai hesitated, his mind racing. The thought of sharing such details unsettled him. What if the Emperor used that knowledge for something beyond his understanding? Could he truly trust such a powerful being?
The Emperor's lips curled into a faint smile, as if reading Sai's doubts. "Do not mistake my curiosity for malice. The Blackthrone Abyss stirs once more, and you… you are an anomaly. Your very presence distorts the natural order. Refuse, and I'll leave you to the mercy of this realm. Accept, and I will guide you toward survival, power, and perhaps even purpose."
Sai clenched his fists. He knew he had little choice. The alternative was to wander aimlessly, vulnerable to the dangers around him. With a deep breath, he met the Emperor's gaze and nodded.
"Fine," Sai said, his voice steady despite the turmoil within. "I'll share what I know."
"Good," the Emperor said with satisfaction. "But be warned—if I find even a shred of deceit in your words, I will know. And the consequences will be dire."
Sai took a deep breath, steadying himself. He began speaking—a half-truth wrapped in half-bullshit, hoping it would be enough to satisfy the Emperor. The weight of the Dragon Emperor's gaze bore down on him, compelling him to speak. He knew he had no room for dishonesty—not with a being of such immense power before him.
"There is something within me," Sai began, his voice hesitant but clear. "An unfamiliar presence, an aura that should not exist. It is neither magic nor divine, yet it lingers... restless. Even I do not understand it."
The Emperor's eyes narrowed slightly, his expression unreadable, yet Sai felt a subtle shift in the air, as if his words were being weighed.
"And then... I awoke in that forest," Sai continued, his voice barely above a whisper. "No memories of how I arrived. No traces of where I came from. Only this body and the unsettling feeling that something... watches."
He paused, his gaze distant, as if grasping at elusive fragments of truth. "And then it happened—a force I could not see, pulling at me from the abyss of nothingness. For a moment, I felt as if I would cease to exist. But something else… something unknown held me back. It did not let me vanish."
He took a deep breath, trying to steady himself. "After that, everything went blank. When I woke up, I was in the forest—alive, but changed. I don't know how I got here or what brought me back."
The Dragon Emperor fixed Sai with a piercing gaze. "You were brought here by forces beyond your understanding. Perhaps you are lucky, or perhaps cursed. But the truth is, you are not without potential. The Blackthrone Abyss does not act without reason. I can offer you power to survive and more, but it will not come freely. Will you accept it?"