The Devil’s Cage

Knock Knock Knock.

After the rhythmic knock, Bain didn’t enter but waited at the entrance instead.

Although it was a public restaurant, he decided to behave because of the intention that ushered him for the visit.

A few seconds later, Kieran’s voice was heard. “Come in.”

Bain entered.

“Good evening, Royan.”

He pretended to be familiar but actually shameless. Bain then walked to the counter.

Kieran was still reading his newspaper, listening to the evening news from the tv in his seat. The only extra thing was a cup of tea beside him that Starbeck made for him.

Both of them went tea shopping in the afternoon, and after getting some tea leaves and a tea set, Starbeck eagerly prepared them for Kieran.

He was skilled in cooking, and his tea-making skills weren’t bad either.

The common tea leaves felt different in Starbeck’s hands.

The first taste wasn’t bogged down by the bitterness; it felt rich and left a sweet, pleasant taste in the mouth.

Kieran smiled after a quick sip.

His already bright mood from recovering part of his strength was elevated further.

With similar experience, after a full day of buffer, Kieran could already adapt to his new body, which had a portion of seals unlocked. He could fully bring out the potential of his body in the current state, and for a person like Kieran, being strong was necessary.

However, he must have total control over his own powers. Kieran had no need for powers he couldn’t control, no matter how powerful.

More importantly, after recovering part of his strength, he would have more choices to proceed in this dungeon world; Starbeck would also be safer.

It was killing two birds with one stone.

Therefore, Kieran looked at Bain with a rather pleasant expression.

“What do you need?”

“Fried rice and chicken soup,” Bain answered.

Because of the battle last night, the worried Starbeck did not prepare the ingredients beforehand, so the dishes he planned for today that required curing couldn’t be served.

Only fried rice and chicken soup was on the menu today.

“That will be 250, service charge 10%,” Kieran told Bain.

‘What?! You cunning merchant! Your food isn’t just expensive, but you are also taking service charges too? Is there even service here?’ Bain ranted in his heart. His face, however, was all smiles as he paid up joyfully. He knew why he was here, so he would rather not lose the bigger deal because of personal skirmishes.

Even though his smile was stiff and hurt his face, he continued the act.

After putting the money into the moneybox, Kieran walked to the kitchen, lifted up the curtain, and said, “One fried rice.”

“Okay.” Starbeck smiled, nodded, put on his bandana, and started to prepare the dish.

Unlike his cowardly self during normal times, Starbeck was serious during cooking and his eyes looked sharp.

Kieran leaned on the door frame and watched Starbeck in his cooking mode, his gaze showing admiration.

He wasn’t just admiring Starbeck’s seriousness in cooking, but also his smooth and skillful techniques too.

Looking at the cooking brought joy to Kieran’s heart, so never once did he ever think that the price for a plate of fried rice was expensive.

As for the service charge? It was common sense because Starbeck was preparing the food seriously.

Three minutes later, a plate of golden radiating egg fried rice was completed by Starbeck’s skillful hands.

“It’s done.”

After finishing cooking, Starbeck, with the plate of fried rice in his hands, returned to his usual self: the weak and scared Starbeck.

“Wanna have tea together?” Kieran took the plate of fried rice and asked.

Starbeck’s eyes shined.

What did they buy a tea set for anyway? And a set for two?

It was exactly for this moment!

Overjoyed because his little plan worked, Starbeck removed his bandana and apron before he walked out of the kitchen.

He glanced over at Bain but didn’t pay him mind. He went on and brought out the can of tea leaves and the cups.

The water for making tea was filtered and by Starbeck himself. It wasn’t exactly sweet but was very tender.

The pot was an iron pot; the stove was a charcoal stove.

Starbeck pinched a little bit of tea leaves, put them into the pot, and poured the water in, not till it was full or overflowing though, just half the pot.

He lit up the stove, the charcoal turning red, and he put the pot on top of it. It boiled rather quickly.

A little bit of red sugar and ginger slices were put into the cup.

Unlike Kieran’s plain tea, Starbeck preferred this kind of mixed tea.

The boiled tea was poured into the cups. Starbeck waited for 10 seconds before taking it with both his hands. He sat down in the newly purchased sofa chair and showed Kieran a smile.

Kieran replied in kind and also took his cup.

Bain watched dully.

What the…

Why did he feel that he was the extra?

Couldn’t these two brothers get a room just for tea?

But…

The egg fried rice was really good!

Aromatic!

The chicken soup was not bad either!

It has been a while since he had such delicious food. Although it was expensive and the portion was small, it was worth it.

Looking at his empty plate and bowl, Bain wanted to order another, but when he saw Kieran and Starbeck looking at each other with meaningful smiles while holding their tea cups, he felt like he was excluded from the scene entirely.

He tried to speak but he couldn’t find an opening for his words. Every time he opened his mouth, his heart would race as if afraid that his words would attract some kind of disaster.

The Herder believed in his instinct though. Having opened his mouth many times but not managing to squeeze a single word out, he sat down in silence.

The night was still young. He still had time, right?

Listening to the stray dog’s barks was quite nice too.

Woof! Woof!

Bain listened to the barks and watched the hour hand of his watch moved three blocks around the dial.

Finally, Starbeck started to tidy up the tea set.

“What do you want to eat tomorrow?” Starbeck asked Kieran while tidying.

“It’s getting cold. Let’s have mutton,” Kieran said after some thought.

“Em. Mutton it is.” Starbeck nodded and walked into the kitchen.

Inside the big refrigerator, there was all kinds of meat that they bought from the market, all handpicked by Starbeck.

After taking out a slab of mutton and placing it on the chopping board, Starbeck thought for a while before washing the meat with cold water.

The water flowing in the kitchen raised the anticipation in Kieran; he looked forward to eating it.

‘What could it be?’ he thought.

Staying with Starbeck had its own perks.

Each meal was a surprise; each meal was an experience in itself, worthy of being reminiscent.

Since they started the restaurant, Kieran got used to spending some time guessing what Starbeck would prepare for him, and it was his favorite part of the day.

Food brought joy, right?

Bain’s patience finally wore off. The heart pounding somehow went off on its own, thus providing him with courage.

He looked at Kieran, who continued to neglect him, and couldn’t help but knock on the counter.

Having been Interrupted, Kieran looked at Bain with a displeased look.

“Is there something?” Kieran asked.

“Do you know about the Dark Moon Treaty?” Bain asked the obvious.

He knew from Kieran’s documents that his father left for the mountains because he wasn’t happy with the conditions of the Dark Moon Treaty.

“Independent from the average, the treaty was made between the mystical Demon Hunters and the monstrous; both sides compromised to reach an accord.” Kieran nodded.

Ed Wong did explain the Dark Moon Treaty to Kieran before in order to maintain cover.

Without the Dark Moon Treaty, the Demon Hunters and monsters might fight all year long.

The fights were fierce, and sometimes, certain houses or factions would end up annihilated.

The Demon Hunters grouped themselves by family, and the bond from the same blood allowed them to trust their comrades with their backs.

Fathers, sons, brothers, husbands and wives or even the whole family would be in the demon-hunting business.

When did the tradition start?

Probably after one of the monsters killed a commoner’s wife and then the ‘commoner’ trained himself, along with his children, into Demon Hunters.

Since then, the houses of Demon Hunters became mainstream, and compared to earlier methods, it was much more effective with fewer casualties.

Although casualties were lower, they weren’t exactly eradicated.

During a Demon Hunter operation, an important figure in the common world was affected and led to his death.

The whole world plunged into panic.

The Demon Hunters and monsters entered a prolonged war, and casualties went on the rise.

The commoners suffered as well, as collateral damage.

The chaos lasted for around a month. In the end, when the commoners’ casualties reached a certain height, those important figures couldn’t stand it anymore and used the name of ‘peace’ to drag the Demon Hunters and monsters to the negotiation table.

After that was a long and tedious process where all three sides combed out their mess, compromised, and met in the middle.

In the end, the Dark Moon Treaty was formed.

Its name was a remembrance of the dark, moonless month filled with death.

Everyone was forced to comply with the treaty, which was to never harm the commoners.

Should either side harm a commoner, both the Demon Hunters and monsters would have to work together to erase the party responsible. At the same time, monsters who followed the rules were protected from the Demon Hunters’ slaughtering.

Some agreed while others disagreed, but the majority’s votes ushered the formation of the treaty, and then it was signed by every party.

However, those who disagreed did not comply at all. Some Demon Hunters that held blood grudges with the monsters took extreme measures—a part of them died along with the monsters, a part of them left in silence.

Likewise with the monsters.

In order for the treaty to stay in effect, the three sides worked together and spent a whole year to ease every tense party, but something else also happened during the process.

This ‘something’ was the reason for Bain’s visit.

“If you know about the Dark Moon Treaty, do you also know about the Battle of Winter Night?” Bain continued to test Kieran.

“Battle of Winter Night?” Kieran was stunned.

Ed Wong never told him about this battle before.

“A year after the Dark Moon Treaty was formed, the Battle of Winter Night was created—it was to ease the grudge between Demon Hunters and monsters. Rather than forcefully stopping both sides, might as well let them have it. Grudges would not die off with time, but only continue to fester. The Battle of Winter Night was created for this purpose.”

Bain paused for a moment before continuing, “During the winter solstice, the Demon Hunters and monsters choose representatives to participate in the battle at a certain location. The battle lasts for seven days. The winner of the battle receives a huge amount of Crossing Coins or some miraculous items. The reason why I am here is for the hope that you, Royan, can represent Ai City East Sector in the Battle of Winter Night!” Bain stated his true purpose.”

“Represent the East Sector of Ai City?” Kieran raised a brow.

“Yes, the East Sector of Ai City. We don’t really need you to win the battle, only make sure Ai City East Sector does not end up in last place among the four sectors in the Herders Election. We are sick of carrying the title of weakest sector! If it weren’t for the age restriction, I would have kicked those bastards’ asses!” Bain looked at Kieran with a sincere and hopeful gaze.

“You don’t have to worry, we won’t let your efforts be in vain. As long as you agree to participate, we can pay you 10 Crossing Silver Coins. Whether you win or not, the 10 Crossing Silver Coins will be yours, and if you do win, the reward will be yours to keep.” Bain stated the offer.

“10 Crossing Silver Coins?” Kieran went into deep thought.

Exorcising the dead, absorbing the coins was his key to recovering his strength and if he could get a huge amount of silver coins through official channels, he would love it.

However, Kieran remembered how dishonest this man before his eyes was.

He thought things through without providing an immediate answer.

The very next moment, when Bain realized he had a chance since Kieran didn’t reject immediately, he quickly stated a new price.

“15 Crossing Silver Coins!” said Bain.

Kieran remained quiet.

“16 Crossing Silver Coins!”

“17!”

“18!”

“That’s the best we could do! 18 Crossing Silver Coins, nothing more than that!”

Each time he stated a number, Bain’s face got redder, blood streaks even starting to show in his eyes.

“20!” Kieran finally gave his answer.

The number almost choked Bain, but he clenched his teeth painfully. “Deal! 20 coins!”

The title of weakest sector had brought them too many arguments and disadvantages.

Although 20 coins wasn’t a small number, it was possible with the combined help of all the Herders throughout the 11 sectors in the East Sector.

Moreover, a Class B was definitely worth the price.

“Pay up first,” Kieran said.

“Fine! Wait for me!”

Since Kieran already agreed, Bain had no reasons to hesitate anymore. He stood up and walked out.

Less than half an hour later, Bain returned and tossed a bag of coins on the counter.

“20 Crossing Silver Coins. Count them,” Bain said.

Kieran opened the bag up and counted the coins carefully before looking at Bain.

“When does the election start?” Kieran asked.

“A week from now. I’ll come for you by that time,” said Bain.

After getting a nod from Kieran, Bain left.

But why did he leave in such a hurry?

Other than Ed Wong, all the other Herders from the different sectors were waiting outside the restaurant as well. He had to deliver the good news to his colleagues.

Kieran saw Bain off and then looked down at the bag of coins. His mind was adding and perfecting his future plans.

It was at this time that the phone on the table rang.

Ring Ring Ring!