Another Stupid Isekai

The day started as usual in that part of my life, with the small exception of getting my shoes, still not dry, from the roof. When I was ready we quickly departed to hunt the lizards. After finishing the battle, killing the boss, and collecting the score, we returned for a moment, to sell it all, so the crystals wouldn't slow us down while traveling through the swamp. We ate as I returned with a bit of food.

It was a tough exploration. I didn't really know which direction to choose. Ki'rai helped a bit, by transforming in this stingray-like flying creature, and tried to look from above, but there was nothing in the immediate vicinity, so we agreed that I'll go back to the lizardmen settlement while she explores, and then we will reunite and travel there together.

I only was few miles away, so it didn't take me long. Then I waited a couple of hours before she returned with the news of a place completely different from the lizardfolk architecture. She described it to me, but it was hard to imagine. There were also creatures there, but with her lack of knowledge about the earth's fauna, we couldn't really understand each other so I resigned from trying

She led me in the direction of what she found. We had to clear a bunch more lizards on our path. The travel was annoying. With every step, I hated that place more and more. If there were any mosquitos I would probably just say 'fuck it' and left. Fortunately, the device wasn't allowing any bugs to exist inside the dome.

We walked for hours, with few minor breaks, and eventually, it started to become grey outside. After consultation with Ki'rai, we kept pushing since she thought we were actually pretty close to whatever she saw out there.

She was wrong. It became dark, and we didn't see anything, so I decided its time to drop the anchor return. We both were tired, so after selling the score, putting my shoes out to dry on a roof again, and eating we called it a day. I earned 1 812 000 points from the hunt.

The next day we picked where we left. My shoes were completely ruined at that point, but I just had to deal with it, since buying a new pair and ruining it in a couple of days sounded stupid to me.

After couple more hours of this terrible experience, we finally arrived at a place that looked oddly familiar to me. The terrain started to become more solid. The puddle of stinky water disappeared. In the middle of that, there was a big structure. Graveyard.

There were slight differences, but it all was in the margin of error. The metal, bent fence with posts made of concrete, all falling apart. There was even the thin fog around it.

There was no reason to look for a gate, so I just jumped over the fence. Tombstones were everywhere, organized in squares, with pathways between them. All black, covered by lichen. Most of them were damaged. I took my time to look at a few and noticed the same runes spelling gibberish.

I expected the ground to started moving, but instead, I noticed shapes in the fog. I came closer and saw red, meaty creatures, more or less in the size of a gorilla, with strong front limbs made out of exposed muscle tissue. Heads that looked like skulls barely covered by any meat, with yellow eyes in the sockets, and several dozens exposed sharp teeth.

They were snarling at each other and immediately tried to surround me. I dealt with them quickly and dropped the anchor since I forgot to do it earlier. Ki'rai joined me, and I also summoned the shadows to pick up the crystals. I left them with her and started pushing forward, clearing the path. Soon it became pretty obvious that this place is bigger than the cemetery in Alexandra's world.

We walked for hours, trying to find the center. Eventually, we did. It was a rather small mausoleum, with a dome-shaped roof. The best description I can give you is a variation of Hurva Synagogue if you ever saw it. Just the stone it was made of was more yellowish. There was no door keeping it closed, so I could look inside.

Pale-blue light was illuminating two rows of benches made out of stone on both sides of the pathway leading to the altar. No decoration. The floor seemed to be made out of marble, but that was just a guess. I went inside, telling Ki'rai to wait for me with my shadows.

It was empty. I was carefully looking around, with the weapon at the ready, but I couldn't see anything. I slowly walked closer to the altar. It was a simple rectangular block of stone, with few decorative patterns chiseled close to the top edges. Nothing spectacular. What was interesting, was hidden behind it.

Staircase, leading under the alter itself. A simple one, going straight. There were olive lamps embedded in the walls, made out of black metal. The flame was dancing in the little cages around it. The angle was preventing me from seeing what was at the end, but it for sure was long.

- You can come inside! - I shouted to Ki'rai, as there seemed to be no threat around.

Shadows followed as they got the order to protect her. She came closer, to look at what I was looking.

- You are going there? - she asked.

- Yes. I bet the boss is hiding there.

- Should I stay here?

- No, you can follow, but keep the distance - I said, and started to walk down.

After dozen of steps, I could finally see the end. A heavy door with carved patterns on it. Squares and rectangles intertwining with themselves. There was no handle to open it, but I saw clearly the vertical line between the door leaves.

I walked slowly all the way there and then pushed it open.