Several hours passed until we finally reached our destination. The smell of saltpeter and saltwater already hung in the air, permeating everything. I remember the last time I went to the sea on Earth, I almost drowned, so I'm not exactly thrilled to be here. During the trip, the others looked haggard and spiritless; it's normal after everything that happened. I can't help but feel a bit guilty for having been "dead" while they lost everything.
—Alright, time to get down, vermin —Janeth said.
She stood up and, using her hair, she carried me with surprising gentleness. She had never treated me like this before; for a second, I was genuinely moved.
—Don't think I'm doing this for pleasure —she immediately added, regaining her gruff tone—. It's only because right now, you're a burden.
And there was the usual Janeth again. I almost felt relieved; I don't like seeing her so broken. What happened to the King hurt her to her soul. Stay strong, friend, you can do it!
They weren't lying when they said this village was right on the coast. Literally, the houses are built over the crystal-clear water. Good thing we arrived during the day, because the scenery is insane. The dwellings are made of wood, with many windows and pointed roofs made of thatch; curiously, they don't seem to have doors. I guess they don't have thieves around here; you can tell it's a peaceful place.
I love that the sand has a subtle pink hue; it gives it a charismatic and unique touch. If I were still on Earth, I'd want to live in a place like this with my family... What are they doing now?
There were about ten people waiting for us at the entrance. An old woman led the group, and the rest were burly demons, but very different from the ones I knew. In the Village Between Cliffs, everyone had varied skin tones, colorful hair, and colossal heights. Here, it's a different story.
They have very light blue skin and hair as white as snow. I can't help but think they are beautiful; it makes no sense. These people would be supermodels in my world. They have silky skin, predatory eyes, and perfectly defined thin lips. Plus, they all have a natural eyeliner that highlights their gaze. It's ridiculous how good they look.
—Welcome, Lady Janeth! It's been a long time since we saw you; it's a shame our reunion is under these circumstances —the old woman welcomed us with a solemn tone—. I see you come with several people. Come, you can rest here.
We entered the village. If it looked pretty from the outside, walking through its streets was even better. It looks like the typical dream destination they sell you in luxury travel brochures; and I emphasize: it makes no sense how beautiful everyone is. The women are wonderful; for a moment, I thank destiny for not leaving me dead and allowing me to see this.
We reached one of the huts and they let us in. Janeth, with that strange gentleness she was showing, laid me down on a bed in the corner.
—The pet sleeps on the bed? —one of the men accompanying us suddenly asked, tilting his head with curiosity.
I froze. Pet?
—What pet? —I blurted out, indignant.
—Look! It can talk! —another exclaimed, stepping back as if he had seen a dog recite poetry.
Janeth and the brats, who until a second ago were mired in depression, burst into laughter in unison. They were laughing at me to my face. Apparently, for these blue-skinned people, I wasn't a warrior, nor an envoy, nor a refrigerator architect... I was just the group's talking companion animal.
—I'm not a pet! I'm an engineer! —I roared, or at least I tried to, because I ended up hunched over—. Cough! Cough! —The cough reminded me that my lungs were still a mess.
—Sorry for the confusion —said the guy who looked like the biggest and strongest of the group—. It's just that in this village, we usually keep Livas as pets.
Almost as if it had been summoned, a specimen of my species entered the hut. It was small, grayish in color, and had a cub in its pouch; the fool began to circle a girl's feet and purr as if it were a cat. I stared at it with a mixture of horror and pity. Have some dignity, brother!
—Well, we didn't know he could talk. That's not normal around here —another one present exclaimed, approaching with scientific curiosity.
—Actually, this one is bigger and has purple skin... Could it be some kind of mutation? —one of the women asked, narrowing her predatory eyes as she inspected me.
—Mr. Samuel is not a pet! —one of the twins suddenly announced, puffing out her chest with pride—. He is our husband.
The silence that followed was deathly. Janeth stood like a statue, and I felt I'd rather go back to the pink void than process that sentence.
—Hahaha, husband? —The big guy let out a vibrant laugh while scratching his chin—. Now that is strange, even for us. But oh well, we don't judge anyone's tastes here.
—I'm nobody's husband! —I screamed, hunching over again from the effort—. Cough! Cough! —I coughed hard; this time, a thread of blood stained my lips.
—That's a lie! The perverted cockroach took both of us by force! —Petra exclaimed with a seriousness that would scare anyone who didn't know her.
Dammit! That sounds a thousand times worse! You aren't helping by saying those things!
—Alright, girls, calm down. We all know you love our pet very much —Janeth intervened to "calm them down," though all she did was add fuel to the fire.
"Damn you, Janeth! You aren't helping either!" I cursed her in my mind while trying to catch my breath.
—Enough with the husbands and the nonsense! —Old Mona's voice boomed as she entered the hut—. I need you to let our talkative pet rest once and for all!
My jaw dropped, ignoring the metallic taste of blood. Her too?! Even the King's mother had joined the "Samuel is a domestic animal" club?
Definitely, respect is a concept that doesn't exist on this side of the world.
[You have obtained a new title: The Polygamous Pet]
I expected that from the System. Everyone left and left me alone with Mona; she sat down beside me.
—You have quite the endurance, little animal —the old woman began, sitting next to me with a calm that made my skin crawl—. But that wasn't enough to save you. When we found you, you were already dead; what saved you was that your soul didn't escape your body in time. So I was able to tether it and put it back in.
She fell silent for a moment, scrutinizing me with those eyes that seemed to see right through my purple skin.
—Apparently, you have a tormented soul. It looked a bit tired, as if it had lived a long time —she declared, without looking away—. You're an Envoy, aren't you?
I felt a shiver that had nothing to do with my wounds. She had discovered my biggest secret, the one that not even the System let me fully explain. What am I supposed to do? If I confess, will they kill me? Or will they use me as a lucky charm? Panic began to bubble in my chest.
—Relax, if you don't want to, don't tell me —she said, standing up, as if my answer weren't as important as the fact that she already knew—. But I want you to know something: I was able to save you, but there was a cost. You only have one year of life left.
The old woman left, leaving me with the silence and the weight of her words. So I only have one year left?
I sighed, trying not to move my torso too much. Fine, I guess this time I'll be able to truly rest when the time is up. As soon as I regain some mobility, I'll go straight for the Leviathan; if I'm going to disappear, at least I want to go out having done something epic, something that leaves a mark on this world that has made me suffer so much.
I only have one doubt: Will I reincarnate into another body again? My only wish is for this to be the last time. I've had enough pain since the day I set foot in this place.
I closed my eyes, but a familiar light flickered in my mind. The System has no respect even for the dying.
...................
[Main Quest: Kill the Leviathan] [Time remaining: 2 years, 8 months, and 1 day]
[Side Quest: Teach the Demon King a lesson] [Time remaining: ???]