— Finally, you managed to open it. It took longer than I expected. — came the confident voice of the man.
Lon flinched slightly when he heard the sudden voice. However, he composed himself and calmed down, furrowing his brow.
He looked at the complete darkness that was sealed by the door and swallowed, asking:
— Who are you? And why did you make me come here? — his voice echoed in the darkness.
The voice behind the door went silent, making Lon feel strangely unsettled. After a moment, he heard the man's voice again.
— It's not appropriate for a guest to stand by the door. So... Mister Renvel, I invite you into my house. Into the house of Grendel! Come in, don't stand at the door, it may seem disrespectful to me.
The corners of Lon's mouth twitched slightly, but he did not dare disobey the voice from behind the door. He took a step forward and entered the house.
Slowly walking through the pitch-black space, Lon felt hundreds of tiny insects crawling across his body, tickling him everywhere. The sensation wasn't unpleasant, but it was a little strange, as though it was meant to not invoke fear in people, but rather amusement.
Lon looked around but saw only an endless void. He could see his own hands and feet, but beyond a few meters, the darkness prevented him from seeing anything else.
Lon swallowed and thought it would be nice if he had some kind of lamp with him, something to light his way and make him feel more comfortable.
«Although I'm not afraid of the dark. But the atmosphere here... is truly suffocating... Beyond a few meters, the darkness keeps you from seeing anything!»
Lon shook his head and continued walking.
After what seemed like an eternity of walking, Lon finally decided to ask the man who had let him in:
— Sir Grendel... Could you explain why you let me in? I've been walking here for quite some time, but I haven't met you or seen your house...
— Eyes... — he heard Grendel's voice in his ears.
But after the single word was spoken, the voice went silent, as if it had never existed.
Lon stood still in the thick darkness, pondering Grendel's words:
«Eyes? What does he mean? Do I need to do something with my eyes? But what?»
Suddenly, a thought flashed in his mind, causing his eyes to light up. He thought:
«Is this related to the pain I felt in my eyes in the park?» – he realized that this might be the true answer.
«Since it's connected to the pain in my eyes... this changes everything. Sir Grendel wants me to focus and open my eyes? If that's the case, it shouldn't be difficult to do...»
Lon sighed heavily and slowly closed his eyes to concentrate even more and feel the pain in his eyes again, the pain he had experienced in the park.
Time seemed to pass slowly, and Lon's mind gradually began to clear, becoming lighter and easier to think.
Soon, he felt the burning sensation in his eyes again, and it began to intensify, growing stronger. But he endured it, not opening his eyes prematurely, as he had done in the park.
Lon sighed heavily and began to slowly open his blue eyes, which now had red veins running through the sclera from the pain.
Once his eyes opened, Lon immediately noticed a small wooden cabin in the distance, glowing with a yellow light. It was like a bright torch shining in the middle of the complete darkness.
«It wasn't there before... And I wasn't able to see that far, especially in the dark...» — countless thoughts raced through Lon's head, but he decided to continue walking toward the cabin.
After walking for some time, Lon reached the wooden cabin and looked at it. This cabin looked identical to the one he had seen outside. It had the same wooden planks and a sign that read: "Welcome to the House of Grendel!"
Sighing, Lon approached the door and grabbed the handle, pushing it inward.
The door creaked open, revealing the interior of the house. And as it did, the burning sensation in his eyes completely ceased.
The interior of the house was quite old. The ceiling was made of decaying boards covered in mold, and the walls were dirty, clearly indicating that they hadn't been cleaned in a long time. The atmosphere was unpleasant, making it an uninviting place to enter.
The house appeared to be set up like a store selling various items. Shelves lined the walls, filled with all sorts of objects — from common things like lamps to jars containing eyes!
There were also many other items on display for every taste and need. Overall, the store was fine, if you ignored some of the questionable items and the shabby decor.
Lon looked ahead and saw a small counter where a man sat, his long black hair reaching his shoulders. He wore a white mask with a drawn-on smile and the number eleven on the forehead.
The shopkeeper wore a long crimson cloak with a hood, and the collar was very tall, hiding his neck. The collar was adorned with a beautiful, multifaceted red gem that held the entire structure together.
The shopkeeper leaned back in his red chair and spoke:
— Well then? What do you think of my store, Mister Renvel? — his voice echoed through the room.
Lon composed himself and replied:
— I take it you're Grendel? Although I don't know why you brought me here. But clearly, it wasn't just to admire your store...
The shopkeeper shook his head and sighed:
— Mister Renvel, you are too direct and impatient... In polite conversation, the key is sequence and respect. I asked you about my store, and you simply ignored it... Know that this can be seen as disrespect toward me.
«He's calm... And I really couldn't restrain myself by asking him such a question... Yet he easily brushed it off. He clearly knows how to carry on a conversation. Alright, I just need to fix my mistake now.»
Lon lowered his head and placed a hand on his chest, apologizing:
— I was indeed too impulsive. I hope you'll accept my apology.
The shopkeeper smiled under his mask and nodded.
— I accept your apology. Now, answer my previous question: What do you think of my store?
Lon sighed heavily, realizing he had avoided a bad outcome. He smiled at the shopkeeper:
— Though your store seems untidy from the outside... The items inside are certainly worth attention. I've noticed many unusual objects here that I've never seen before in my life.
The shopkeeper nodded and waved his hand for Lon to continue.
— Looking at your items... Your store seems to be meant for special clients. But how do these items relate to me? I'm just an ordinary resident of Seon...
The shopkeeper nodded again and responded:
— Though the store is indeed meant for special clients... That doesn't mean ordinary people are forbidden to enter. I think, if this happens, the main question will be how these people managed to get in here...
— But never mind. It seems, Mister Renvel, you were asking why I let you in? It's easy to answer. I noticed the potential you possess, and it stands out greatly, so I decided to let you in for our mutual benefit...
— Potential? — Lon asked, frowning.
«Potential? Is it related to activating my special vision?»
The shopkeeper nodded and continued:
— Yes. Your potential is quite good, and it can be developed well. You can consider my offer as an "investment" in your future. Right now, nothing is required of you, but in the future, when I need help, you must assist me...
«So that's it. He wants to invest in me so that I can help him later? But what will I get in return?»
Lon paused for a few seconds, seemingly contemplating something, then asked:
— I'm willing to make a deal with you... But what do I get in return? You must understand, the deal should satisfy both sides.
The shopkeeper smiled at Lon's question.
— Any item from this store! You can choose one item from the store, but I won't tell you its properties until you choose it.
— And do these items have any special properties?
The shopkeeper laughed and replied:
— Mister Renvel, you shouldn't underestimate my store! I, Grendel, never deceive my customers — at least, not in terms of thegoods!