Leon thought for a while, he wasn't bothered about being called a crooked-neck banshee or a broken-neck ghoul but he needed to know about the psyche and fix his neck to find a way out of this place like that hooded man suggested.
"Maybe I should find a place to stay tonight and head towards the town square tomorrow," Leon said thoughtfully.
The baby gave him a weird look, "Tomorrow? Youngman, if you wait until tomorrow your neck will be stuck like that!"
Leon gulped, "Welp, I definitely don't think it's possible to navigate places in this darkness?"
"First of all, you know nothing about this place, second of all you need a new suit," the baby retorted, looking at Leon's blood-soaked tuxedo and squinted its nose.
"Oh okay," Leon knew he had to stick with this baby and it seemed like a nice person. Even if it were to pull any stunts and tried to eat him or anything, he could always kick it.
"Follow me," it said, its tiny form waddling into the depths of the dark alley. Leon dutifully trailed behind, his steps aligned with the mysterious baby's.
'I mean, it's just a baby -- what harm can it do?' he pacified himself as his anxiety grew.
The baby made a turn at the end of the alleyway that led to a different street. the baby entered the shaggy shop nearby, this street was rather silent with no street lights.
"Welcome to Filamenta Armaturae!" the baby announced as it turned on the lights that dimly lit the place.
The old and weary shop was filled with suits of all kinds, but they lacked aesthetic appeal. Long clothes hanging racks extended up to the ceilings and some to waist-height. Suits of various sizes and styles adorned the racks, along with dresses and Apostolniks. Some were partially visible, while the majority remained shrouded in darkness.
Leon felt weary and cold, he couldn't calculate how long he had been in this place. "Is this your shop?" he asked, his voice filled with fatigue.
"Oh yes, young man, choose any suit of your choice-- I will give it to you for free as a welcome gift!"
'Welcome gift for a not-so-welcoming place,' Leon sighed.
He strolled among the hanging suits, searching for a more good-looking option. Eventually, he came across an all-black suit, though its texture felt coarse to the touch. To his surprise, it also came with a pocket watch, similar to the one the baby had.
"This one, maybe?"
"Oh," the baby paused for a second.
"That's an excellent choice! If it had fit me, I wouldn't have offered it for sale," the baby remarked with a hint of amusement.
'Why is this little shit overly excited?'
"Now, go change it," It gestured toward a trial room to which Leon obeyed.
He undressed, noticing that his wounds from the encounter with the trees were now halfway healed. However, his suit had suffered some damage. He couldn't help but feel grateful to this strange baby. The afterlife didn't seem so bad after all.
Just when he pulled up the suit jacket over adjusting the pocket watch that it held inside, the red gradient screen popped up once again startling Leon.
*ding*
// You have received clothing from Elias, Now he is your Master//
"Excuse me, what the fuck?!"
Leon trudged out of the changing room, full of fury but his tiredness made him cut short his words.
"What the fuck you little shit?! I'm your slave now??" he yelled at the baby.
The baby sat in an armchair, a wicked smile adorning its face as it spoke, "Now, that's no way to address your Master."
"Master my ass!"
The baby gracefully slid down from the armchair, its expression turning serious.
"You need my help to locate the healer's place," it said in a calm yet high-pitched voice.
But Leon had had enough. He kicked at the baby, attempting to get rid of it, but to his surprise, it tightly clung to his leg, refusing to let go even as he vigorously kicked his leg.
"Let it go, Asshole!"
"Not until you call me Milord!"
*ding*
// Your Qi has dropped by 50%//
// Don't despise your master!//
'Oh, God.'
"Alright, Milord -- whatever you say," Leon muttered giving in not having any other choice.
"That's more like it, young man!" the baby shrugged, dusting off its suit.
// New Suit: Made with the silk of Slumber roots//
//Endurance: 17/50
Strength Enhancement: 7/50
Elemental Resistance: Nil //
'Damn, now that's not too bad,' Leon thought to himself.
"You need me, and I need you," the baby started grabbing Leon's attention.
"Yes Yes," Leon nodded, and the baby stared at him.
"--Milord" he added, rolling his eyes.
He was too tired as he slumped down, trying to conserve his energy. The vintage lamp flickered, casting a dim light across the shop filled with suits. He wondered if there were any better options than the one he had chosen. But he was more curious about why the baby needed him, especially considering the fact that he had just arrived in this realm.
"Why would you need me? for labor?" he questioned.
"Precisely, but it's not just any labor work."
"Don't get me into trouble mate," Leon gulped.
"No, I'm coming with you, I just need this rare plant that will aid me to make a suit with marvelous capabilities but it's not easy to acquire that. For it's located in the hollows where the lethargic spirits wander," the baby finished.
'Need a plant for a suit? Hollows? Lethargic Spirits?' Leon was too confused with this information dump, but he knew what was more important to ask.
"So will you release me from the slave position if I do that for you?"
The baby stared at him blankly once again before continuing. "No, I will guide you to the healers' place," it denied.
Leon had no choice but to accept this, even if he threw a tantrum there was no way he could locate the healer's inn by himself in this wicked place.
"Deal."
"By the way, what do you know about Psyche?" Leon added. He was hoping that the baby could provide him with the information he needed.
"Hmm..."
"I only know that it's different for everyone and it has something to do with individuals. For instance, my psyche only alerts me when I'm in danger, and I don't have the Qi resonance like most people. It's because I died as a baby. That's what the healer told me," it finished.
Leon felt slightly awkward at the mention of the baby's death, but he composed himself, reminding himself that the baby had deceived him into becoming its slave.
"So the healer can tell about the psyche too?"
"Why, yes, Of course, young man. Your psyche is the key to survival in purgatory."
After a deep thought, the baby asked, "Where to first?"
"Obviously the healer's, unless you want my limbs to get broken as well," Leon replied.
"Very well, then giddy up! It's not too far!"
'This little twerp.'