~Stuck on the seventh floor–VI~

"I...."

Eden already had a lie formulated in response to this question, he hadn't expected it at this exact moment but he had definitely prepared for it. The only reason why he was wasting time was because he was trying to remind himself why he needs to explain anything to Daniel.

'i could kill this guy right here and now... No, his uncle knows he was with me last and he doesn't seem like the kind to be killed off so easily especially since Darius trusted him enough to keep watch over me. Besides, I think I can gain a little something from this converstion'. Eden inwardly smiled as he quickly formulated a plan.

"Before I answer your question, give me one good enough reason why I should. If you do, then I will answer your question".

Daniel's mouth opened ever so slightly as he didn't expect the reply. Apparently, Eden was willing to answer his question if he could produce a reason. He had expected Eden to straight up decline his question and if he did, then they would kick him out of camp. It was supposed to be a test of Eden's trustworthiness, but Daniel would eventually come to know just how bad of an idea that was.

'alright. He said he needs a reason huh. But it can't be just any reason, it has to be a 'good enough' reason... Ok, I think I know what to do'. Daniel thought inwardly, his face showed no sign of his inner thoughts. But Eden could more or less guess from his silence.

"If you answer my question, I'll grant you three requests you can ask of me anytime you wish but then you'd have to answer one more question of mine". Daniel said.

'hoho. I got a better deal than I expected, this kid catches on fast'. Eden didn't show it, but he smiled inwardly. There was a fundamental difference between a question and a favor. It was that a favor had much more possibilities.

"Deal". Eden said.

"You asked how I was able to regenerate my legs? Simple, one of my colleagues during the time was the son of a rich noble of this world. I looted the bottle from his body before I encountered the centipede. After I injured, I immediately used it and by the time I woke up my leg was fully regenerated".

Daniel's jaw dropped at how blatant the lie was.

'i sort of expected him to lie, but this is...'

The words didn't have any obvious potholes but it was easy to determine that it was a lie. Just how convenient was it to have a rich 'collegue' that can afford a regeneration potion. And if the limb grew back before he woke up, then it was a high grade one. Those types were usually only sold at auctions or the black market with a base price of at least a million gold coins. Life simply couldn't be that generous to anyone.

It was an obvious lie, but it wasn't an impossibility so Daniel couldn't demand anything. He unconsciously asked:

"You looted the bottle from your teammates? I thought you said they were your friends?"

"Yes. I never once said they were my friends". As Eden said these words, a cold smile formed on his face.

Daniel who saw this was a little confused but he soon realized why and immediately regretted what he had done, his eyes went wide as he unconsciously moved to cover his mouth.

Unfortunately for him, he had just wasted his third and last question.

"No! Wait, I still have one more question!".

Daniel wanted to ask for the name of the family of the 'collegue' from whom he had looted the regenerative potion, but Eden had anticipated his actions so he shook his head and said:

"Now don't be like that. We had a deal, didn't we? Or are you planning to go back on your words and shame the Desmond family name".

"Huh, how did you know?"

Eden then pointed at a pendent which he wore, it was coloured a deep green and had an exotic emblem of a two lions pouncing on each other etched onto it. Eden had noticed it on Heather and Ada's neck too and assumed it to be some sort of family thing. And if there was one thing Eden knew about noble house holds, it was that they always etched their family symbols on important valuables.

By engaging in this question and answer session, Eden had achieved two things.

Firstly, he had obtained three free favours from a nobleman's son. And secondly, by 'recognizing' the Desmond family emblem he had actually convinced Daniel that his backstory had some credibility.

The Desmond family wasn't well known outside their domain, but they were quite influential within it and as such any one who could recognize the emblem was either well informed about the noble households on the continent or a citizen of the country in which the Desmond family domain was located in. In fact, Daniel had already assumed he was the latter.

'you are at least a thousand years too early to play mind games with me, kid'. Eden thought, he had obviously benefited the most from this conversation and now it was time to relish the spoils of war.

"I want to use one of my requests now".

Daniel was a bit taken a back but he quickly composed himself and mentaly prepared himself for whatever favour Eden asked.

'i hope he doesn't force me to do wierd things'. Daniel was extremely lucky that Eden couldn't read minds, else he'd have been dead by now.

"For my first favour, I would like for you to explain all the abilities of everyone in the team including yourself with as much detail as possible, if you can of course. And don't lie, that would just be pointless". Eden stressed the beginning and the last parts to rub his victory in Daniel's face. Daniel knew that even though Eden said it was optional, he couldn't actually refuse lest he'd be breaking his promise and shaming his family.

"Uh, isn't that a bit too much". Daniel tried to change Eden's mind. Allowing the enemy know all the karmic abilities of everyone in the group while they didn't know his would be an extreme disadvantage for them if a fight ever broke out.

But unfortunately for him, Eden was adamant about his request. There were two reasons why Eden asked this question. One, it would always be good to know the karmic abilities of your colleagues. Two, as a sort of trump card, if he knew all the abilities of the group then they wouldn't be able to make an enemy out of him unless they'd be at a huge disadvantage. By asking this question, he'd gain extra knowledge while keeping his associates in check. It was a win for Eden no matter how you looked at it.

Daniel also knew this, and when he figured it out, he finally started to see just what sort of a monster Eden was. He tried to temper Eden's mind by explaining all the disadvantages it would be for them, but Eden who already knew this didn't even bat an eye.

'it isn't smart to expose your disadvantages o your opponent. Your smart but still a bit rough around the edges'. Eden thought as he emotionlessly looked at Daniel. At one point, Daniel just decided to give up and started talking.

"Alright, fine. I'll start with mine then".

'finally. He talks'. Daniel was extremely lucky he'd started talking when he did, otherwise Eden would have gotten violent.

"my stigmata is called <Spatial step>".