Chapter Text
There was one thing I bought from a darkness recently. It was a weird-looking egg with a single button on one of the sides.
The problem was that I have never read of this item on ‘Dark Exploration Records’ Wiki. I bought it because… well… It’s the most expensive item on display.
“…”
Isn’t this just me being consumptive?
Before I got deep into my thoughts, Braun started off his commentary.
[Well, Mr. Roe Deer, it seemed like a kid’s toy! Perhaps it is because we explored an abandoned toy factory?]
‘Maybe.’
Braun has a point, items tend to have similarity or something resembling the darkness they are from. Since, I just got off from a darkness related to toys, it is only natural for it to look like one.
I remembered the guy who sells the item. He looked very out of place compared to the atmosphere of the darkness, it even accepted human currency. I didn’t questionate it further back then, I just thought the egg might be useful. I mean, of course I have doubts on spending a ridiculous amount of money on something I don’t even know.
‘Might as well call this gambling’
[It seems very interesting Mr. Roe Deer! Ah, you really have the talent to be an entertainer! This is going to be exciting!]
I shivered at Braun’s comment, I started to have a bad feeling for this very-suspicious-looking item that I’m holding.
‘But this…’
!!!
I almost jumped when I heard the company housing’s door suddenly oppened. The back of the door revealed a man with brown hair and an eyepatch. It’s Baek Saheon.
Our eyes met, I tried to keep my composure and look at him with an annoyed expression before I opened my mouth.
“What is it?”
“N-nothing, sir.”
The man I stared twitched in response. I exhaled internally before I took a glance at my hand, the one holding the egg toy.
‘Fuck.’
I cursed under my breath to see that I accidentally pressed the button on the egg. Suddenly, the egg, as if hatching, vibrated violently. I wanted to throw the egg away, but before I could do that, the egg was flying out of my hand.
“...”
I froze at the sight, the egg was glowing red as if it’s announcing its menacing presence. It was flying on top of me. I instinctively tried to step back and run when I saw there was something coming out of the back of the egg. It looked like a snake? Cable? Hose? I can’t tell, I’m panicking.
As I turned my back, I saw Saheon tried to run away just like me. Unfortunately, it was too late for us. The egg with the snake-looking hose lunged at me. Suddenly, I can feel red liquid dripping from my neck. I collapse in an instant.
***
I’m not sure how long I’ve passed out, it seems like the same day. I looked at someone in front of me, body on the floor, just like me seconds ago.
‘Him too?’
I can see Baek Saheon lying on the floor near our housing door. He seemed to get the same effect from the egg.
Shiver ran down my spine as I saw dry blood from Saheon’s neck, the same happened to me. I noticed the sting on my neck, it was painful, like someone getting bitten.
[Mr. Roe Deer! You are finally awake!]
I checked my pocket to see the relieved Braun.
[Oh, dear, my friend, it seems like you’re in deep pain!]
‘I’m actually not, it just stings.’
[Well, it seems the culprit is the weird-looking egg that we purchased, dear friend!]
Absolutely correct, no doubt, but why does it bite? Wait… does it count as a bite?
Before I could come up with a conclusion, Baek Saheon grunt and opened his eyes, cursing as soon as he woke up.
“What the hell was that?!”
He was looking at the floor when he cursed, then he looked at me, as if waiting for an answer.
“Sir…?”
“I don’t know”
I’m not trying to get him irritated, I genuinely don’t know. He looked at me, pissed at my answer.
I decided to not further the conversation with him. Instead, I got up and searched for the egg. I scanned the room, trying to get a good look.
‘Found it…?’
It was certainly the egg, but its size was definitely bigger than before. It looked like it could fit a cat in it.
‘Scary’
I decided to look at Baek Saheon, it seems like he also noticed the big egg. He then looked at me in need of explanation.
“What is that?”
He pointed at the egg, it was no longer glowing. Saheon’s eyes filled with resentment and confusion at the egg.
“It’s an item”
“!!!”
I saw a flickering light in his eyes when I mentioned the word ‘item’. This guy sure is greedy.
“What does it do?”
“I told you I don’t know, stop asking and think.”
He flinced at my remark before frowning at me, whereas I’m genuinely irritated.
‘Haven’t I told him that I do not know?’
I shake my head in disbelief and decide to take a look at the egg. On the previously button part of the egg, there is a light showing some symbols simultaneously.
“Is that… a countdown?”
Baek Saheon commented from behind me.
[My friend, it seems that your roommate is someone who can use their brain too.]
‘Seems like it’
I agree with Braun, I mean, he isn’t called Viper for no reason.
I looked at the egg again, the symbol stopped changing as if it stopped counting. Me and Saheon took steps back in anticipation. I’m not sure what I’m expecting, but it’s better to be cautious.
The egg opened, it split into two, revealing something inside it.
“Huh?”
“What?”
Me and Saheon stood in disbelief, inside it was… a child? A child wearing filthy clothes, probably around three years old? Maybe even five? I don’t know, I really don’t know.
The child’s hair color is black with slightly curly hair, black eyes with a subtle hint of green. The eyes are kind of like an innocent puppy, reminding me of someone…
The child looked at me and Saheon alternately. The child was trying to form a word with its tiny mouth.
“Mama?”
‘Holy shit’
I might have developed a migraine.