Dungeon Raider System-Chapter 749: Tribute Part 4

The captain's determination faltered the moment she saw the sharp alloy knife. In the trained hands of a medic, the same tool could save a life or end it with the same ease, but the worst part was somewhere in between those two options.

"I'll talk, even better, I'll take you there!" Captain Roberts begged.

"Uhm, but... I wanted to cut something." Luna made her best impression of a pout sending shivers down the seasoned pilot's spine.

"Please, don't! I beg of you, I have a family!"

"Do you want me to cut them instead of you? That is callous." Luna tilted her head, the true meaning of his words going over her head as usual.

Luna figured the man didn't need to walk on his own to lead her to the place where the cryptid was located and she decided to tie him up. She showed great skill as she hogtied him in less than a minute, rendering the captain unable to move anything but his neck.

This killed any hope the captain had of escaping from his captor leaving him completely helpless to the point where he didn't even question where did the rope come from. She dragged him along the lush vegetation without minding the obstacles in the way such as stones, rocks, thorny bushes and the likes.

Roberts begged and pleaded for her to at least carry him, but Luna didn't mind the yapping and only listened to his directions until she eventually found what she had been looking for.

It was a large clearing in the middle of the island and at the center of it a carved stone was erected on top of a circular platform made of the same stone. She looked at the carvings with disinterest and scanned her surroundings wondering where the cryptid could be located, but the answer came to her in the form of a guttural voice that seemingly came from beyond the grave.

"Who dares come to my domain unannounced?" The voice bellowed.

"Hi, I'm... uhm... Luna, pleasure to make your acquaintance." Luna said.

"Welcome, Uhm Luna." The voice replied.

"My name is just Luna." She shook her head.

"What business do you have with me, Just Luna?" The cryptid replied.

"No, no..." Luna shook her head again and to Robert's shock she got tangled in a calm debate about her name with the cryptid.

"Understood, you are Luna. Why did you come to my domain?" The cryptid replied with curiosity.

"You made my friends fall asleep, I recommend you release them soon."

"You cannot come to my house and order me around. I am the ruler of this island and of the seas around it." The cryptid let out a cackle.

"It is not a demand, just a suggestion for your own sake. If you do as I say, you will definitely survive. If you don't, they will kill you." Luna said.

"And you expect me to believe that you are giving me this advice for my own good? I have met cunning humans, but never one so bold." The cryptid replied in shock.

"Where are you? I can't smell you or see you." Luna asked annoyed that she couldn't speak to the cryptid's face.

"You are standing on my body. It's a privilege that demands payment, that is why I will be keeping your friends in the dreamscape until they pass away. Fear not for them, while it is true that I'll feed on them, they'll get to live long happy lives in there and won't even notice me."

"You are this island, this entire island is you..." Luna couldn't bear the excitement of the realization.

"Yes, child." The cryptid replied.

"I am an adult. What is your name?"

"For many centuries people have called me treasure island, wandering island, island of doom and similar names. This is the first time someone asks me my true name." The island replied.

"Which is?" Luna bobbed her head with her pencil and a notepad on her hand, ready to write down the cryptid's name.

"I can't remember."

"Too bad," Luna regretfully muttered. "do you want to be my friend?"

"Your friend!?" The island laughed causing what could only be described as an earthquake. Trees jiggled like pompoms losing some of their leaves in the process causing a beautiful phenomenon that filled the wind with colors. "You are an odd one."

"Not really. As an acquaintance, my unsolicited advice isn't welcome. But if we become friends, then you might listen to me." Luna said.

"You are quite smart for someone so young," The island replied. "unfortunately, friend or not the price needs to be paid. It takes effort to search the ocean for the treasures I offer to those who bring me food and if I don't feed I will wither away and die like all living things."

"Why don't you take this as payment?" Luna said as she placed a gag on the captain's mouth to keep him quiet while she bargained with the cryptid.

"Why should I settle with a single tribute when there's plenty more in the metal cage that brought you here?" The cryptid asked.

"Because those inside the ship are my friends and I know they will be able to kill you if you don't release them." Luna said unfazed.

"How can I know you are not lying?"

"Because we are friends. Friends don't lie to each other..." Luna said.

"So, if I agree I will be safe, but if I don't there's a chance I might not. Your terms are acceptable, but you may never return and I will have nothing to eat."

"Friends also visit each other and I can bring you food," Luna insisted. "besides, you won't need to pay me with treasures because that would make our relationship transactional."

Pondering about the possible outcomes would have been the wisest approach, but in its eons of life it was the first time someone ever offered friendship which piqued the cryptid's interest.

"Fine, Luna, place the tribute in the platform and may our friendship last forever."

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