Garden Of The Abyss

"Attendant? Is that some kind of sick joke?"

Looking at the man who claimed his name to be Bifrons, Ren put his worries out on the table.

"I assure you it is no joke. I understand you're awfully tired, so please, use this time to relax, Ren."

Bifron's voice was as smooth as silver, as enigmatic as he was, it held a subtle aspect of comfort within it. Clapping his hands together, a tray conjured in front of Ren, bringing with it a delightful fragrance of grilled meat of some kind and a variety of spices.

As much as he doubted any kindness from the trial, his stomach let out a roar at the smell of this culinary gift before him.

"It seems at least your stomach is honest."

Winking, Bifron clasped his tone in humor, moving his hand to gesture for Ren to lift the silver lid of the tray.

Ren hesitantly grabbed hold of the pristine handle, raising it to reveal what his sense of smell had already confirmed—a hearty portion of marinated chicken, surrounded by peppers and coated in spices.

The instant his sight and smell matched the existence of this meal, his stomach let loose another hungering yell in call of the appetizing grub.

"This isn't poisoned or anything…Right?"

"Take a bite and find out."

"—"

"I simply jest. As I've told you, this is a place of leisure between floors, a sparse concept within Purgatory—so savor it while you can."

There was some level of pride that made him want to refuse the meal, however, he was simply far too hungry at this point. Exhausting himself physically, mentally, and in mana, his stomach was running on nothing by this point.

"—Thanks for the meal."

He took a deep breath before ravaging the meal without using the utensils provided, tearing apart the chicken like a primal warrior.

Eating so fast without any concern, a chunk of meat had lodged itself in his passageways, forcing him to bump his fist against his chest to guide the piece down.

A chuckle from Bifrons caught his attention, "It would surely be a first if a challenger died from asphyxiation. Take your time, Ren, there is no rush."

Not paying much mind to the words of the mysterious inhuman, Ren washed the meal down with a helping gulp of water.

"Ah…"

"I presume the meal was to your liking?"

Bifrons tapped his black-painted fingernails against his cheek with a present smile, watching the young man with his magenta gaze.

"Tell me what you mean by being my attendant."

Being at rest, lowering his guard--it all felt wrong. It felt as if he was being deprived of the senses forcefully honed by the harshness of the labyrinth.

It hurts. Everything still hurts. Some of it...It's a pain that doesn't even exist; a phantom pain beneath my skin, stabbing away at my nerves, he thought.

"My, you don't waste any time, do you?"

"Are you going to answer me or not?"

It seemed the mysterious, well-dressed man enjoyed the forwardness of his guest, taking a slight chuckle.

"I suppose I should properly explain things so that you may understand."

"Probably should've done that from the get-go."

"Spicy," Bifrons smirked, "The first floor that you have cleared—the Labyrinth—, is in a way a culling for challengers."

Explaining this, the man ran his long, bony fingers through his combed hair, shifting his tie that rested between his collar.

"A culling? So, like a test?"

Snapping his fingers, Bifrons nodded his head, "Bingo. There aren't a frequent number of challengers, so the trial is able to make the first floor exclusive to one challenger at a time."

"Urr…One challenger?"

"Yes?"

The so-called attendant raised an eyebrow at the challenger. Bifron's statement didn't make much sense to him—he clearly was with Goldheve within the labyrinth.

"That's…not right. I met someone—I was with someone in there."

"Is that right? That sounds unlikely, but it doesn't sound like you're lying…"

Hearing this information, the black-sclera man scratched his temple with his sharp fingernail.

"Who knows? Maybe that person was just another aspect of the trial."

"Really?"

Ren only received a shrug in response, watching the ever-present, smug smile remain on Bifron's expression.

"You still haven't told me…"

"Hm?"

"Just what the hell are you? I...I can't trust you until you tell me, I'm sorry."

It was only then that the enigmatic attendant realized Ren had his fingers wrapped around the handle of his sheathed blade.

"I answered that already: I'm your attendant--"

"No. What are you? You aren't human. All I know is that you're a part of this place somehow."

Taking a hostile tone against Bifrons, the man in question let out a subtle sigh before settling his ethereal gaze on the young man.

"Now, now, no need for such drastic measures. It wouldn't go well for you anyways," Bifrons held a smile still, "I am a demon."