"Heh, this place isn't too bad. I used to come here all the time back when our family was doing well..." Delphie trails off. "Anyways, I know the manager so let's get some lichen noodles!"
"Cool."
We meander inside with the tinkling of a bunch of unique garlic-shaped, silver bells hanging by the door. With a swish of her dress's sleeve, Delphie taps on the counter while waiting to be attended. There are probably only about five other beings inside this room, all Nephilim with the characteristic violet hair. Their kaleidoscope eyes sparkle as they follow my entrance to the room. However, when they see who I'm with, they look away politely, though I see them sneaking glimpses from time to time. Man, this is one thing I don't miss from being a high-level. Everyone watching you. The stress. Seems like Delphie's family is rather important in Meteos City.
"Coming!" From behind the counter, a thick portly Nephilim with a chef's apron and spatula walks out. "Well, well, well, if it isn't Miss. Delphie! Please, please, take a seat. And you brought your friend? Wow, I was beginning to think you had gotten tired of my noodles. Come on then, let's get you fed!" This particular Nephilim's eye pattern is a bit different. It's kind of hard to say how, but it doesn't gleam quite the same way. His short hair tied up into a bun under a net, he gives a small start as he sees my own black hair and my one regular eye. Ignoring the eyepatch, he shakes my hand. "What's your name? I'm Midas. I keep telling Delphie to bring her friends here, but she rarely does anything besides eat alone. Refusing to help a poor man keep his business afloat, that's cruelty, no?!"
"I'm Hei. Nice to meet you."
After the introductions are made, Midas leads us to an open table in the corner. I note that two of the Nephilim sitting nearby hurriedly toss some System Coins beside their half-finished bowls and leave the shop when we arrive. Seeing how uncomfortable and dismayed Delphie's face gets, I decide it'd be better not to ask what that's better.
"Okay, okay! Well, my shop only serves one thing, so two bowls coming right up!" The owner rubs his hands together and rushes away cheerily, though something about his voice sounds a little forced. Clearly, he's noticed but is trying not to say anything. The conversation grows awkward as Delphie stares out the window glumly. Though I'm not much of a talker, I can emphasize. It sucks being ostracized.
"So, tell me more about the Underworld. For instance, if I wanted to go back to the surface. How would I get there?" I try to change the topic and though Delphie still looks a bit put-out, she quickly warms up to it. Braiding her violet strands into some sort of elaborate coiffe over her head, she explains things to me.
"Well, I assume you mean your surface as opposed to any surface. The Underworld is full of various connection points and gates which can go to many places. Take the wrong one, and you might end up somewhere in a flaming hell or be murdered by Angelic Sabliques. However, the human gates are generally pretty well known. Rather there is a problem though..." Delphie chews on her lip with an awkward expression though her fingers continue to effortlessly braid a masterpiece that the best Hollywood hairdressers would be hard-pressed to replicate. "You see...the human gates we know of...they only come in. Not out."
"What?"
"Yea...sorry. That's just kind of how it is!" For the first time, her fingers miss a strand and half the elaborate hairdo falls apart. Blowing her hair out of her face, she holds up her palms apologetically. "Sometimes the System just works that way. But I mean, it's not impossible that a new one will open. Or you'll find an undiscovered gate. Happens all the time as a matter of fact. For instance, I have no idea what gate you came in through. Must be one that's not on Meteos City's maps."
"Ah...crap." Muttering angrily to myself, I shake my head, and now I'm the glum one. So, this explains why I can't remember anyone coming back from the Underworld. Just like Tiendas. This place must just be hard to exit. But at least it's not a deathtrap, right? I mean there's even other Hunters here. There has to be some way out. The System always leaves a glimmer of hope, after all. Unless System Admins are involved.
