The Smiling Death-Chapter 306: What’s your name?

Amon took a slow breath, steadying himself. The fear was still there, coiled tightly in his chest, but it was no longer paralyzing.

The strange man. No, the undead hanging before him had spoken calmly. He hadn’t attacked. That alone gave Amon a fragile sense of hope.

He swallowed and spoke again.

"Sir... can you tell me a way to get out of this place?" The words came out carefully, respectfully.

"I don’t know where I am," Amon continued. "I don’t even know what part of the island this is. I just know I need to reach the coastline. If I can get there, I might find a way to leave this island."

Amon had noticed something since coming out of that cave. He couldn’t see the mountain range, which was closer to the coastline.

This area looked different compared to before. So, in a way, he believed that he was not only lost, but that he had found himself in an unknown place. One where it might be even harder to find a way out. Asking this man seemed more sensible.

The forest remained silent after his words. The hanging man didn’t answer immediately.

For a moment, he only stared at Amon with those terrifying white eyes. The small black pupils shifted slightly, studying him deeper than before.

Then a smile slowly spread across the man’s dried, cracked lips.

It was not a warm smile. It was twisted, creepy, and very unnatural.

The corners of his mouth stretched wider than they should have, pulling against stiff skin that hadn’t moved properly in ages. The sight alone made Amon’s stomach tighten.

"So..." the man said slowly, his voice dragging like chains over stone. "You want to leave this place."

Amon nodded. "Yes."

The man let out a low, hoarse chuckle.

"Hehehe..."

The sound echoed softly through the clearing, making the dead tree seem even more sinister.

"I might help you," the man said. "I do know how to get out of here. I know the path that leads away from this cursed place... and toward the edge of the island."

Amon’s eyes lit up slightly.

"Really?" he asked before he could stop himself.

"But—" the man continued, his smile widening, "nothing comes for free, young man Amon."

Amon’s heart sank.

The man’s gaze sharpened. "If I help you... what will you give me in return?"

The words were calm, but they felt heavy. Dangerous.

Amon’s smile faltered.

For a split second, his real emotions slipped through. His jaw tightened. His teeth clenched.

’Of course...’ he thought bitterly. ’There’s always a price.’

His mind raced. He had nothing. No treasures. No powerful artifacts. No authority. Just a battered body and an uncertain future.

But then Amon forced his expression to change. Slowly, carefully, he lifted the corners of his lips again.

A perfect smile. It was too perfect.

It didn’t show fear. It didn’t show hesitation. It looked polite, confident. Almost like the smile of a shady merchant trying to strike a deal.

No one could tell how much effort it took him to hold that expression.

"I don’t have much," Amon said honestly. "I’m just a student. I don’t carry riches or powerful items."

The man watched him closely, unblinking.

"But," Amon continued, "you said you’ve been stuck here for many years."

The smile on the man’s face froze slightly. Amon took that as a sign and pressed on.

"If it’s possible..." he said slowly, choosing each word with care, "I can help you too."

The undead man’s eyes narrowed just a little.

"Help me?" he repeated.

"Yes," Amon said. "If you help me get out of this place... I’ll try to help you leave as well."

The clearing fell silent again.

The dead tree creaked faintly, as if reacting to those words.

The man didn’t laugh this time. 𝚏𝐫𝚎𝗲𝕨𝐞𝐛𝕟𝚘𝐯𝚎𝗹.𝕔𝐨𝗺

He stared at Amon for a long moment.

"...You would help me get out?" the man asked, his voice lower now. "Even after seeing what I am?"

Amon held his smile, though his heart was pounding wildly.

"You’re stuck here," Amon replied. "And so am I. That alone makes us similar."

The undead man didn’t answer immediately.

Then, slowly the creepy smile returned.

"Hehehe...How interesting..."

His white eyes gleamed with something new. It was pure amusement.

Then Amon smiled just like the hanging man. Very creepy.

"Heheh~ so what do you think? Do you think... I can help you get out of here?"

The undead remained silent for a while, thinking about something very deeply.

"Hmm... you might help me get out of here. But it’s not easy, young man... but again, getting out from here even for you is not easy. So are you sure about this?"

Amon frowned. "What do you mean? Why would it be that hard? Because of strong monsters? It’s just an island... I need to reach the coastline."

Amon started to feel uncomfortable. ’Was I right...? Am I stuck in something more dangerous?’

"Hahaha... Amon, you might have already guessed it. Yes. You are still on the island, but somehow you have reached an area where you should not have come. Now... you are stuck in this place... just like me. But we can help each other... so what do you think? Are you ready for it?"

Hearing those words, Amon sighed. ’I was right.’

Amon thought for a while. The man in front of him was clearly suspicious and dangerous. Honestly, it would be better to just leave this place.

But at the same time, he had a feeling that he was right about being mysterious place from which getting out might be extremely difficult.

Not forgetting how he had seen those crows here. It was super weird to see normal living beings here.

So he made a choice.

"Then I don’t have another choice," Amon smiled widely. "Let’s help each other out then."

’As much as he looks shady... I don’t want to get into too much trouble. Better to have someone with me. Also, I am bored of traveling alone.’

"Haha~ good choice. Now... how about taking me with you? I don’t have much power. Just woke up you know." the hanged man chuckled and asked Amon to carry him.

"What? You can’t move..." Amon hesitated for a moment, but then, gathering his courage, he moved toward the tree.

Amon started to climb the tree. The trunk was cold. He stopped on the branch where the man was hanging.

For a while, Amon remained silent, thinking about this again.

’Whatever! Let’s do it.’

He got closer to the man, held his legs, and pulled him up.

"After a long time, I will see another place besides this one," the man said with a crooked smile.

’He’s too light... like paper,’ Amon thought as he easily pulled him up and took him onto his back.

The undead’s bony, gray hands wrapped around his neck.

It was like a piggyback.

"Alright, shall we go?" Amon asked him.

"Yes," he replied with just one word.

Amon nodded and jumped down from the tree.

Thud!

’Fuck! My body still hurts.’

"You are too hurt, boy. What did you fight to be in that condition?"

"Nothing... rather, I was running away from a very strong monster and got hurt. By the way... you didn’t tell me your name. What’s your name?" Amon tried to ask his name again.

"My name? Well, my name is nothing special. In truth, I also have multiple names. Though you can call me..." The man paused for a while. Then he said his name. "...Vetaal."