The Smiling Death-Chapter 334: Malphas Dreadmoor (1)

"But something about her feels..." Vetaal hesitated.

Amon folded his arms, his brows knitting together. "Feels what?"

Vetaal’s brows furrowed faintly.

"...Familiar."

Amon frowned slightly. "What do you mean, familiar?"

Vetaal floated upward into the air, then hung from the wooden log of the house, staring down at Amon from his suspended position.

"It’s just... like I felt some familiarity with her. As if I have seen something like her before. It’s not important. I might be mistaken."

Vetaal said it vaguely, then dismissed it at the end.

Amon narrowed his eyes slightly. He couldn’t tell if he was really telling the truth or just trying to change the subject.

’He’s hiding something for sure,’ Amon thought. But he didn’t push his luck. He knew that he wouldn’t get any answer.

After a brief silence, Amon exhaled lightly. "Well, whatever. When should we go and check it out?"

Vetaal’s expression turned more serious. "Wait... for a week. After a week, we will go. For now, you should take some time and explore more sides. See if there are similar caves filled with sleeping monsters or not."

Amon nodded slowly. "Okay, I will do that. If there are really more monster caves... then we could be in bigger trouble than we thought."

Vetaal tilted his head slightly. "Oh, you mean what if they wake up? What if such a situation occurs?"

Amon’s face grew tense. "Yeah. What if... they suddenly wake up when we find out a way to leave this place? Just one cave had hundreds of monsters. If there are multiple, then we will be in big trouble."

Vetaal let out a short laugh. "Hah... yeah, yeah... but it’s not like we will be alone in this. The village people will also be with us." He replied with a knowing smile.

Amon sat down on the chair with a sigh. "You are not wrong. It’s not like I have any plan to leave this place alone. If we get to know more about the way outside, I will tell that to Roland and the others."

Vetaal nodded calmly. "That’s right. There are a few more people in the village who are really strong."

Amon raised a brow slightly. "Is that so? Then it’s nice. Anyways, I will be going outside."

Vetaal closed his eyes slowly. "Yes. I will also meditate more."

Amon didn’t bother Vetaal any further and left the house quietly.

Amon stepped out of the house and stretched his arms above his head, letting out a long yawn that echoed faintly in the still air.

The sky was gray as usual thick, unmoving clouds spreading endlessly overhead. There was no true sunlight here, only a dull, lifeless glow that made everything look muted.

The trees surrounding the village stood tall and silent, their bark and leaves almost entirely black, as if drained of color. Even the houses were built from the same dark wood, their walls absorbing what little light existed.

Amon shoved his hands into his pockets and began walking in a random direction.

"Morning," he greeted lazily as he passed a pair of villagers carrying bundles of firewood.

They nodded back politely. 𝗳𝚛𝗲𝕖𝕨𝕖𝗯𝚗𝚘𝕧𝕖𝗹.𝗰𝗼𝕞

He passed a woman bringing water from the river, a pair of children running across the muddy ground, their laughter oddly bright against the gloomy atmosphere. Amon lifted a hand in greeting here and there, earning small waves and respectful nods in return.

’This really looked like a normal village. Everything is just too peaceful.’ He thought while walking.

Eventually, he reached the center of the village.

There, near a worn patch of earth, stood a simple wooden bench.

And on that bench sat an elderly man.

He appeared to be in his sixties. Long white hair fell past his shoulders, slightly unkempt but clean. His face spoke of experience and struggle lined with faint wrinkles that didn’t make him look weak, but seasoned.

A white beard covered his lower face, thick and well-kept. In his hand, he held a metal can, resting it casually against his knee.

Two black horns curved slightly from his head, marking him clearly as a demon. His eyes were a deep blue, striking against his pale skin, with vertical slits that gave his gaze a sharp intensity even in stillness.

He was tall even while seated, there was something imposing about his frame.

He wore a simple tunic and trousers, both plain and practical, suited for daily village life.

The old demon sat calmly, unmoving, staring ahead as if lost in thought or perhaps in memory.

Amon slowed his steps.

He had seen this man before. Many times, probably. But he had never really paid attention.

Now that he looked closely, something about the man’s presence felt steady. Grounded.

Curiosity stirred inside him. Amon changed direction and walked toward the bench.

’Let’s say hello to him.’

Without hesitation, he sat down beside the old demon, leaving a respectful bit of space between them.

"Good morning," Amon greeted casually. "I don’t think we’ve properly met before."

The elderly man didn’t respond immediately.

His gaze remained fixed ahead for a moment longer, as if Amon’s voice had taken a second to reach him.

Then slowly, he turned his head. His deep blue eyes settled on Amon.

At Amon’s words, the old man seemed to come out of his thoughts. He blinked once, then lifted a hand to gently stroke his white beard.

A low chuckle escaped him.

"Oh..." he said, voice calm and slightly rough with age. " Look at me...you cane and sit beside me yet i didn’t notice. Seems like age is catching up." The he observed Amon.." Are that young man who just came here."

There was no hostility in his tone. Only mild amusement and curiosity.

Amon gave a small grin. "Yeah. That would be me. My name’s Amon." He introduced himself like always.

The old demon nodded his head. While caressing his slight long white beard.

The old demon studied him for another quiet second.

Then he nodded once. "My name," he said evenly, "is... Malphas Dreadmoor."