"Let's go, there's no choice now,"
"We have no other option."
Watching Thomson weep, Ronald returned the lantern to Charon and began to decide on their next move with the merchant. Although the mansion also leaked strangeness everywhere they looked, entering it was their only remaining option.
The reason was simple—
It was only after they arrived at the clearing that they began to notice the scenery in the distance.
The rolling black mist had actually surrounded Black Mountain on all sides, and unless they were thrushes with wings, it was impossible for them to cross over the chasm formed by the mist.
The mansion before them was the only place atop Black Mountain that had not been devoured.
It was also the last exit for Ronald and his companions.
—Unless someone considered charging into the black mist as an option.
Immediately, the two who didn't want to delay any further prepared to walk toward the entrance of the mansion.
However, after taking two steps, Ronald still looked back at Thomson who continued to kneel on the ground.
Charon's earlier attempt at consolation had some effect, at least Thomson wasn't wailing there anymore. Yet even though the sobbing had stopped, the middle-aged man still lacked the courage to stand up and move on.
"Thomson, can you stand up?"
"If you're going to stay here, please remind us when the black mist gets close."
"Shouting is fine, causing some damage is also okay."
"We're counting on you."
"..."
Hearing Ronald address Thomson, Charon immediately cast a very complex look his way.
There was no intimidation or coaxing, but instead, a plea.
The subtle hint of 'the black mist might come over' within the words would definitely be the biggest push for Thomson to stand up.
Was it a moment's improvisation?
Or since the time he began comforting Thomson until this moment, had the 'gentleman' in front of him organized such words in less than a minute?
Combining this with his earlier acute discovery of the extinguished campfire...
Could this man be an expert in negotiation or psychological studies?
Amidst Charon's racing thoughts in that instant,
Thomson's reaction behind them had proven that his shock was reasonable.
Despite the lingering fear in his eyes, Thomson really stood up!
"I...I can do it."
Who would dare continue to stay put in the face of Ronald's inquiry and suggestions, and face the inevitable attack of the black mist alone?
The human instinct to survive as a group compelled him to force himself up, staggering along to follow them.
————
To call it a mansion was only the result of viewing it from a distance.
Moreover, they had the obstacles of darkness and insufficient lighting.
It was only after they approached it that the three of them realized the mansion actually covered quite a large area.
Compared to Ronald's experiences before crossing over, this could very well be a multi-apartment residential building, and there was also a large garden surrounding the main house.
This...
This was becoming increasingly suspicious.
How could such an extensive manor appear on the outskirts of a small town? It was as absurd as building a castle in a slum.
Considering the economy and environment from multiple aspects, it just wasn't the kind of building that a remote rural town, claiming to be a township, could sustain.
"Thomson, didn't you say you'd been here before?"
Ronald cautiously approached the middle-aged merchant behind him and quietly asked:
"Was there such a prominent family here on Black Mountain three years ago?"
Hearing this question, Thomson looked blank with bewilderment at the mansion in front of him.
"Ah...?"
He had not lied before.
He indeed had been to Black Mountain three years ago.
But that was just a passing visit during his merchant life.
Who would remember such a trivial detail!
"Tsk—"
Realizing Thomson's gaze, Ronald instantly understood he couldn't glean any more information from him and decisively gave up on adding pressure to the man.
At this point, only one thing was clear.
This estate nestled within Black Mountain, also at the very center of the black mist.
It was definitely not simple!
Otherwise, why did the black mist choose not to slow its pace earlier nor later but precisely when approaching the estate?
It couldn't possibly be that the thing had suddenly grown merciful, ready to offer them a way out?
Safety first—
In such times, the advice of experienced personnel was often worth listening to.
Ronald's gaze immediately found Charon, who was up ahead.
If he remembered correctly, this fellow had hinted at having experienced similar events before...
Sensing Ronald approach his side in two or three steps, Charon's sensitivity was also quite high.
Without waiting for Ronald to speak, he began to instruct in a low voice with a 'I know what you want to do' expression:
"Alright, I know what you want to ask."
"But we don't have the luxury of time to explain slowly right now."
"Just watch my expressions and act accordingly, trust me, we're in the same boat."
"..."
Ronald silently observed Charon.
While instructing him, the middle-aged man barely let his gaze wander to himself, he seemed to concentrate almost all of his energy on the mansion in front of them.
That terrifying focus, as if the black mist behind them no longer mattered.
His eyes were fixed solely on this residence!
Whoo—
Suddenly, a gust of unfounded wind rose around the three, sending chills down their spines.
If one were to listen carefully, they could detect the eerie wheezing voices that seemed to emanate, like a broken bellows being torn apart.
—That was the situation a normal person would face.
—But not applicable to Ronald at this moment!
Due to previous encounters, he now could understand any human language, whether he had seen it before or not and could communicate without barriers.
And then, the voices mixed in with the wind were actually human cries of agony.
He could identify them precisely!
"Ah—"
"Help... help me..."
"I don't want to die, I don't want to die!"
"Let me cross the river, Charon!"
"Damn purgatory, I curse you!"
"..."
Despair and pain filled the wind as if someone was enduring endless torture, giving rise to these terrible screams.
Quietly, Ronald glanced at the two people beside him using his peripheral vision.
Neither Charon nor Thomson seemed aware of the moaning in the wind, apparently perceiving it as nothing more than a disordered gust.
Clang, clang, clang—
Just as Ronald was ready to continue listening to the wind, Charon, leading at the front, had already reached the mansion's door, his right hand holding a lantern, and with his left hand, he knocked on the single door.
'Creak' went the noise.
Hardly had the sound dissipated when the door on the left swung open towards the outside.
The person inside seemed to be well prepared.
A young boy who appeared quite young stood at the threshold, his eyes warily watching the black mist in the distance.
The child was dressed in ordinary white-grey linen, and by his appearance, he looked like an ordinary person.
"Come in, quickly."
"It's too dangerous outside."
As his words fell, the boy moved to the left, stepping aside to make room for the three to enter the house.
"..."
Under the densely clouded black night.
Charon, carrying the lantern, nodded and stepped into the mansion first.
"Let's go—"