Cole found himself twisting and turning on the side of the road.
He was still in Sant Flores. The crows that had gathered to feast on his corpse dispersed like scattered flowers.
Cole squeezed his eyes shut on reflex. "Damn, is it just me, or is the sun hotter than usual?"
Forcefully, Cole dragged himself up and scanned the environment. From his perspective, everything had reverted to normal—or so he thought.
Regardless, a dreary feeling of discomfort hung over him like a cloud.
The first thought to pop into Cole's mind was the old woman who had directed him. Originally, he planned to run away, but after what transpired, he felt like at least thanking her.
The second thought that popped into his mind was, "I'm immortal."
Cole's eyes widened as the words escaped his lips like a breath of air. He thought about it again and cackled, remembering the concept of immortality, he laughed.
It was a poorly disguised laugh, so obvious that the crows watching him seemed almost entertained by his display.
"Ha..." Cole sighed to cool himself down.
With easy steps, he walked back the way he came. Because of his exhausted body, he staggered as he walked, yet a devious grin remained painted on his face.
As Cole returned, the streets held a damper atmosphere; the air was thick yet gentle, and the people in the area slowly became more apparent.
'Now that I've attained immortality, what next? I'm invulnerable. With this new advantage, I don't have to worry about factions and whatnot. Even she couldn't kill me if she wanted to.'
Not too long after, the streets were buzzing with life once again. Cole tried his best to blend in; even with his new immortality, it was best not to cause unnecessary commotion.
In the distance, Cole glimpsed the old woman grinding spices as usual. Partially, he wanted to confess the truth and let whatever happens happen. On the other hand, he just wanted to say thank you and leave.
The decision nearly tore him in two. When he arrived at the woman's shop, his mind hadn't fully settled on what to do. Either way, Cole had to interact with her.
"Good afternoon, ma'am," he greeted with a firm, gentle smile.
"Good afternoon, Snider. Have you found what you're looking for?" She returned his gesture with equal positivity.
Cole lowered his brows and spoke, "No, unfortunately, I haven't."
"Well, that's too bad," she uttered briefly. "Now, it's time for my payment."
'Pay...ment?'
Cole stared blankly at her for a few seconds.
"What... don't tell me you've forgotten how things work. Did you perhaps sustain a head injury at the shrine?" She raised her brow.
Cole formulated his words and responded, "I don't really remember much. It may not look like it, but I got beaten near to death."
'I actually died, but that's not important info.'
The old lady pitied him, then gestured for him to come closer. Once Cole complied, she parted her wrinkled lips and whispered softly in his ear.
"I have a task for you." Her breath was abnormally chilling.
Cole remained in place.
'If I wanted to, I could refuse. She can't do anything to me in my current state. Even then, something tells me not to take Indulgers so lightly.'
Cole accepted with a heavy heart, his lips flickering between a frown and a straight face. The old woman clapped joyfully after hearing Cole's response.
'She's awfully energetic for an old hag.'
"Follow me," she ordered, leading Cole in the opposite direction of where he came from.
Despite being immortal, Cole didn't drop his guard once. The street got more and more crowded as they went; seeing people made Cole doubt any Indulger activity would occur.
In the end, they stopped at a tree in the middle of Stump District. Cole was amazed by its structure; large roots extended from the tree and spread throughout every building.
Not only did it give the district a more natural feel, but the immense heat he expected was almost nonexistent. Beneath the large, leaf-covered roots lay a suppressing shade and a pleasant scent. The city's magic-like appearance was only a bonus.
'How amazing. I can't believe I haven't been here before,' Cole speculated.
The old woman pointed at the tree. "I need you to kill this."
Cole shot back, his lips pressing against his cheek to expose his gritted teeth. "What the hell?"
He lowered his head and scowled like an abused child. "Are you being serious?"
"Do I look like I'm joking?" the old woman asked with a stiff, expressionless face.
"May I ask why?" he inquired.
The old woman brushed her chin, nodded her head, and pondered. After half a minute, she concluded.
"No."
Cole's expression dimmed extensively. "Then I don't have a reason to."
'What am I saying?' Cole wondered.
"So you're unwilling to simply cut down an old tree, even though you're in debt to me for my favor?" Her wrinkled face exuded a repulsive yet threatening expression. "You must truly have hit your head if you forgot the deal I made with your Faction Head."
"I'm... not sure how to respond," Cole answered carefully.
The old woman sighed. "It's not your fault. Currently, you and everyone else in Sant Flores are under the effects of a curse."
'Curse?' A thought struck his skull.
'A curse is a lingering negative effect either cast by a person or object...' He recalled some of the deity's words.
"Whoever falls under its curse becomes attached to the tree. Or at least, that's my hypothesis for now," she continued.
"How long has it been here?" Cole flattened his brows.
"Only a year, but the affected citizens have been claiming it's a valuable landmark that's existed for centuries." The old woman scoffed as she talked.
'Interesting...'
"So what can I do about it?" Cole questioned with a plain expression.
"You survived the Venerable. Though I'm sure you didn't pass its test, you should have at least picked up on a thing or two." Her voice lagged as a result of her age.
Cole tilted his head back and shook it. "There are far more capable Indulgers. Why me?"
The old woman stretched a long, mysterious grin. "Because I've been intrigued by you most, Snider."
Cole's eyes burned with intense focus.
"I have permission to take your life as compensation if you don't accept." She clenched the air with tense resolve.
'From one random scenario to another. Still, it's best to keep my immortality a secret for now,' he pondered.
Cole scratched his head, inhaled, and puffed out a large breath of air. "I don't have a choice but to accept."
"Good boy." She shone a blissful expression.
"What about the people here?" Cole inquired, surveying the grounds where he stood.
"If they get in the way, clean them."
Cole let out a large gasp.
"You're an Indulger now; don't be held back by guilt." The old woman softened her voice.
"Guilt? I'm a notorious veteran; jobs like this are new to me..."
Cole's mind quickly reverted to all his experiences within the few days he became a target. All his near-death experiences and reckless decisions played like a tape.
"Yet lately, I don't think... I have the willpower to execute the order."