Over half the trial of freezing cold had passed, and the Predator Drones hadn't found them. Inside the snow-cocooned space, the Blue Slime bounced around a regal Kitsuul while Lyra exclaimed.
"There's a freaking deathmatch arena in the Hollow Stacks?! And people risk their lives for... what, 10,000 Credits? That's it?!"
She looked both horrified and fascinated, while Damian skillfully avoided sharing anything personal. Instead, he told her about life in the Hollow Stacks—bits and pieces that seemed to both terrify and intrigue her.
At the same time, he slowly coaxed more information out of her, especially regarding Beast Masters. He asked about Guardian Flameborn. About Guardian Valentina, who was being stalked by the Serpent Queen, Serena.
He had asked about the Drunken Butcher. When he did, he made sure not to give away anything in his expression—just another name, just another question!
And he obtained even more information this way.
