Although the surroundings were piled high with coal slag, the Crispy Corners' speed was not slow.
Despite their short legs, short arms, and small stature, they were strangely agile.
Following behind, Mono kept observing these white figures but still couldn't discern anything from their appearance or behavior.
If he hadn't known they were originally Little Person, these little things might never have been identified.
The Crispy Corner named 'Xiao Bai' led the way, appearing the most active, constantly hopping onto coal mounds and squeezing through gaps.
The other Gnomes followed closely behind.
Their pointed, long-capped heads swayed unevenly, but when they all bobbed in unison, it was oddly pleasing to the eye.
Finally, deep in the darkness, a faint 'crackle!' sound suddenly echoed.
Something seemed to be making noise ahead.
The Crispy Corners slowed their pace, forming a small, messy line along the trenches beneath the coal piles, slowly advancing forward.
Mono followed behind.
Although these Gnomes weren't'smart,' they were permanent residents of the The Maw. Mono believed they understood the ship's layout.
Finally, the sounds grew clearer.
In the darkness, a faint light appeared, seeping through a crack. Though dim, it was glaringly bright in the darkness.
The Gnomes headed toward the crack where the light shone through, then bent their heads and squeezed past one by one.
Mono also reached the edge of the crack.
The crack was located at the corner of a wooden wall, just tall enough for a person to pass through with difficulty. Mono bent down slightly and peered through the crack to the other side. On the other side of the wooden wall, a dozen Gnomes who had already passed through were swaying as they walked toward a massive furnace.
And beside the furnace, there were many other white Crispy Corners.
Was this... the Boiler Room?
Apart from the Gnomes, no other strange figures were visible in the room. Mono crouched down and slowly squeezed through.
Little Six, holding Mono's hand, also stepped out.
As soon as they left the coal-dust-filled space, waves of gentle, warm air washed over their faces.
The temperature had suddenly risen significantly.
This place was infinitely better than the dark, damp compartment of the Bilge.
His limbs, which had been stiff from the cold, gradually regained
some flexibility.
The Crispy Corners had stopped.
Mono looked at them curiously. Was the exit to the upper level here?
But? Apart from a huge boiler and a conveyor belt for coal slag, there seemed to be nothing else.
No stairs, no elevator. Where was the way forward?
The Crispy Corners that had brought him back had now walked over to their companions
who had stayed here all along.
They let out soft, bubbly calls like fish blowing bubbles, occasionally waving their hands and pointing in this direction, as if communicating.
Mono couldn't understand what they were saying.
He was silently observing when the two groups of Crispy Corners seemed to finish their exchange. They all stopped moving and then walked toward him.
Seeing this, Six, who had been relatively quiet, clenched her small hands, silently stepped forward, and positioned herself in front of Mono.
Seeing Six's defensive stance, Mono couldn't help but pat her head and slowly explained.
"Little Six, don't worry, they won't harm us."
Although the Crispy Corners before him had, in a sense, also become 'monsters,' they were different from the monsters formed from distorted humans.
Was it because they lacked [Emotion]?
So they weren't driven by their desires?
So they weren't eroded by darkness?
So they didn't fall into madness?
So they didn't seek to fill their empty hearts with killing and plundering?
The instincts remaining in their bodies were still about pursuit, but their hearts were not twisted.
In the end, these Gnomes were merely pitiful, innocent creations, inexplicably trapped in the lowest level of the The Maw, constantly exploited and deprived, yet unaware, still trying to find the missing parts of their hearts.
Hearing this, Little Six hesitated...
These little white things, though they seemed utterly harmless and posed no threat...
But...
A flash of reluctance appeared in Little Six's eyes... Then... she slowly loosened her grip...
She should... still listen to Mono's words...
The Crispy Corners walked up to them.
Xiao Bai pointed to the companions beside it, then held up two fingers again.
Mono looked at it puzzled and asked:
"Are you saying they want to help me too?"
As soon as he finished speaking, the other Crispy Corners around began hopping excitedly.
Mono sighed inwardly...
Clearly, his guess was correct.
However, he didn't find it troublesome. After all, if a dozen were fine, what difference did a few dozen more make?
Just as he was about to agree...
"No... you can't..."
Six suddenly interrupted Mono before he could speak.
Then, her small figure shifted, and in an instant, she stood in front of him, spreading her arms.
I never realized Six was this jealous before.
Huh? Didn't I just explain it to her?
...
However, after speaking, the small figure showed no intention of moving aside.
A quiet muttering suddenly came, carrying an accusatory tone:
"...Mono... Too much... How could you agree so easily... agree... to others... such... a request... Servant"
Although... I know Mono... is doing it to seek help...
But, the moment I think... that scene from earlier is about to happen again, I can't help but feel... scared, uneasy.
As if... the only thing I have is going to be taken away again...
Mono clearly... should only belong to her, even if it's to... escape, it's not allowed...
Not even... a little bit...
I don't want to lose...
-------------------------
If you enjoy this story, you can read 70+ advanced chapters on Patreon!
Webnovel will keep getting 1 new chapter every day but Patreon readers can stay far ahead.
Maybe it's not a big deal now… maybe it will be later.
[email protected]/Rexlent
"And If you're enjoying it, drop a Power Stone for me!"