《Demon's Reign》


 Chapter 0: Prologue

    Millennia ago, the most cherished of God¡¯s children committed a primordial sin¡ªso grave a crime that God cast him out of the heavens into the abyss below.


    His wings, symbols of his divine grace, were torn away as punishment. In their place, as though in defiance of his Father¡¯s will, the child sprouted a scaly, serpentine tail.


    His once-radiant presence transformed into a ferocious beast, a distorted reflection of his own psyche. This disfigured body remained a constant reminder of his unforgivable transgression.


    Cast down from the heavens, he fell like a blazing star.


    ¡°What did I do wrong?¡± Lucifer wondered. ¡°I only wanted to take them to the light.¡±


    ¡°I am not wrong! It¡¯s them¡ªthey are wrong! The world is wrong!¡± Lucifer raged as he plummeted, consumed by fury. In his final act of resentment, he renounced the name bestowed upon him by his Father.


    Thus did Lucifer, the Light Bearer, become Satan, the Adversary.


    With his descent, Satan ushered in a new era¡ªthe age of demons. Towering reptiles that roamed the land could not withstand his transcendental might. Mindless and frail in comparison, they offered him no real solace or companionship.


    Driven by madness and the loneliness gnawing at his being, Satan discovered he had inherited his Father¡¯s gift: the power of creation.


    From this divine prowess, he fashioned the first primordial demons in his own image.


    Lucifer, the demon of the mind, born of Satan¡¯s magical energy. The name served as a perpetual echo of his forsaken past.


    Goliath, the demon of the body, sprouting from Satan¡¯s severed ring finger¡ªa testament to his once-perfect grace.


    Prometheus, the demon of the spirit, conjured from a fragment of Satan¡¯s own soul, endowed with unrelenting resolve.


    These three children distracted Satan from his torment, yet they failed to sate his twisted need for love. Solitude, an unending curse, devoured him from within.


    So he continued creating children in the likeness of those three primordial demons, each reflecting one of his triad of qualities. In time, these offspring became the race called demons.


    God, enraged by His child¡¯s blasphemous deeds, unleashed the full wrath of heaven upon the earth. A grand war erupted.


    Although the demons were fewer in number, they proved formidable adversaries against the angelic legions. As long as the battle raged, demons often prevailed.


    Amid the bloodshed, certain angels and demons alike grew weary of endless strife. They laid down arms and united, not for conquest or dominion, but for peace.Unauthorized duplication: this narrative has been taken without consent. Report sightings.


    Over generations, these deserters intermingled and lost their powers, becoming progenitors of a third race: humans.


    Humans lacked magic, their smallness stark against the towering presence of angels or demons. Yet they possessed a trait neither of the two older races understood¡ªmortality. Their fleeting lives, so short and fragile, brought them happiness and a boundless capacity for growth.


    In the civilizations that emerged, humans revered both angels and demons as gods, sometimes relying on their powers for survival. Every culture spun its own mythology, a tapestry of truth and legend chronicling the ceaseless war between heaven and the underworld.


    In time, Satan¡¯s first and third sons tired of the conflict. Enchanted by humanity¡¯s ability to create¡ªa spark inherited from their progenitors¡ªthey chose to forsake their father¡¯s side and dwell among mortals.


    Lucifer, living alongside humans, adopted the guise of a magician¡ªMerlin¡ªindulging in human pleasures.


    Prometheus, meanwhile, bequeathed humans a miraculous gift: the power to harbor angelic or demonic souls through a contract, thus channeling supernatural might.


    This gift, however, had dire repercussions. A demon¡¯s soul did not vanish upon death but clung to robust human hosts, promising power while gradually corrupting them from within.


    During the Middle Ages, Lucifer joined forces with the angels on the condition that his wings be restored. He crafted a seal capable of imprisoning the demon horde beneath the earth¡¯s crust. His brother Goliath opposed him, and despite Goliath¡¯s superior strength, Lucifer deceived and killed him.


    The plan succeeded. The demons, along with every other creature of demonic lineage, were sealed away. The great war ended¡ªbriefly.


    Lucifer, having regained his wings, was betrayed by the angels who tore them off as a cruel mockery. His body, further twisted, grew a monstrous tail beyond imagining. Isolated and unable to master his warped form, he was slain by the very beings he had aided.


    Prometheus, the last primordial demon, evaded this imprisonment. He remains distant from angels and demons alike, sequestered in a realm beyond their reach.


    The sealing of demons beneath the earth¡¯s crust ushered in a new epoch: the Age of Man. With the demons gone, humans turned their weapons upon one another. No magic shaped these wars¡ªtechnology did, and thus they fought among themselves.


    Centuries passed. Human innovation soared, binding the globe under the Internet¡¯s watchful net. Yet beneath this veneer of progress slumbered old powers and ancient grudges.


    In the early 2000s, a chilling prophecy spread across forums and mystics¡¯ pulpits alike. A date¡ªDecember 21, 2012¡ªsurfaced from diverse sources: the Mayan calendar, so-called prophets, and cryptic digital rumors. Many dismissed it as baseless hysteria; others believed the end was near. But no one was ready for what truly came to pass.


    On December 21, 2012, the seal between the mortal realm and the demonic horde broke. Demons roamed free once more.


    Countless demon souls surged from the underworld, seeking powerful humans. And so arose a new term¡ªcontractors¡ªthose mortals who harnessed demonic strength, risking their humanity in the process.


    In the ensuing cataclysm, humankind¡¯s world was razed. From its ashes, a new order emerged, one where humans strove for dominance all over again.


    The military was helpless against demons the size of skyscrapers. Had they enjoyed another century to refine their technology, they might have stood a chance. As it happened, the war was futile¡ªa fight mankind was sure to lose.


    In desperation, humans erected a space elevator and built a floating city: the last human city on Earth. Those who could not ascend settled at the base of the elevator. Over time, the Lower City expanded, home to both humans and contractors. A group called the Knights seized control, restricting entry only to weaker contractors, endeavoring to maintain order in a world perched on the edge of annihilation.

 Chapter 1: Simply known as X

    The city of Babel was the last human city, named after the mythical metropolis where a tower was designed to reach communion with God was built. And much like its mythical counterpart, this modern city also had a tower at its epicenter. However, this tower was not made to reach God but instead served as a precaution to keep humans away from the demons rummaging below.


    Countless men sought to enter the sanctity of the floating city, but there was only so much space on board. Those who were denied entry settled below, and in the span of 50 years, a neon metropolis with a population of over 30 million residents was built. The city of lower babel, the city of contractors.


    A filthy skyline blistered with countless advertisements, billboards and neon signs. A place where human depravity was given free rein to manifest itself. A domain largely ruled by contractors and their propensity for ¡®evil¡¯.


    Countless crowds could be seen scouring the city at all times: people wandering aimlessly, going to work their mundane jobs, or to commit something dubious. Inside one of these crowds, a certain man traversed the city. A man that didn¡¯t quite belong to any of these categories.


    At first glance, he didn¡¯t stand out. He wasn¡¯t particularly tall, boasting a height that was only slightly above average. Nor was he especially handsome, his face adorned by a short scruffy beard, and his left eye covered by a black leather eye patch with a hideous scar barely peeking through. His only real defining feature was his salt pepper hair, that was loosely tied behind the back of his head. He walked the streets with a certain light-hearted slouch it his stride, lazy and careless. Those with insight could easily tell, only those of considerable strength could afford to be at ease within the city of lower babel.


    The mysterious man walked carelessly through the city, periodically staring up into the sky, looking at the almost full moon with a blank expression.


    Eventually, he reached a rundown bar hidden from the public eye inside of a small alleyway, a buffer between two mega-buildings. A place that was without a doubt built with certain shady purposes in mind.


    The bar had several large, blackened windows in front, with a small wooden doorway in between. It was topped with a large neon sign in the shape of a pistol, ¡°Gun-barrel,¡± the sign read.


    The man made his way into the bar, looking around as he went inside. A thick smoke permeated the air, a heavy smog of burnt tobacco. Most of the people seated appeared to be illegal residents and vagrants, shady-looking individuals, men covered in tribal tattoos, with prosthetic mechanical arms and legs, loaded head to toe in deadly weapons.


    In the back of the bar, there was a barkeeper dressed in a white buttoned shirt and a black vest. A barely visible dark purple bruise was poking out on his neck from under his shirt. He stood calmly while cleaning a glass, squinting his right eye in distrust, looking at the approaching stranger in front of him.


    The man sat down on the barstool closest to the barkeeper. ¡°Iron plated,¡± he noted to himself after inspecting the counter.


    ¡°Hey, barkeep, I¡¯d like a double scotch on the rocks,¡± he asked, leaning forward with a strange, unnatural, almost creepy smile.


    ¡°We¡¯re out of ice,¡± the barkeeper responded.


    ¡°Plain is fine too, I guess,¡± the man replied.


    The barkeeper backed away, grabbing a bottle off the shelf behind him and poured a sloppy glass.


    ¡°So hey, you wouldn¡¯t know anyone looking for work?¡± the mysterious figure wondered with the same nerve-racking smile, while holding on to his chin with his mechanical prosthetic left hand.


    The barkeeper slammed his palms on the counter, looking the figure directly in the eye, inspecting him as if he was a timeless artwork, an aged bottle of wine, a splendid tool. The man continued smiling, and the barkeeper suddenly turned away.


    ¡°I think you should leave,¡± the barkeeper replied with a worried expression.


    The atmosphere inside the bar shifted in an instant. As the figure peaked backwards, he could see the other customers intensely eyeing him, watching for his next move while grasping at their firearms. The barkeeper, too, stumbled for a bit. His expression became rather stressed. He appeared to adjust his hand below the counter, as if to grasp at something. The mysterious figure made a note of this. For a brief moment, his gaze shifted into a confident one.


    ¡°I come in peace, I¡¯m here to offer some work,¡± the man shouted out as he demonstratively raised both of his hands into the air,¡° I promise I can make it worth your time,¡± he continued with a slight grin.The author''s narrative has been misappropriated; report any instances of this story on Amazon.


    ¡°What are you looking for?¡± The barkeeper sighed.


    ¡°Phoenix!¡± the man responded and slammed his right hand down on the bar, leaning in closer towards the barkeeper.


    ¡°You should leave if you think that life of yours has any value!¡± the barkeeper glared at the man.


    The bar fell silent, overcome with an intense, eerie atmosphere. The cigarette smoke stretched wide across the room in a single consistent veil, forcing its way into every little nook and cranny, before being parted by the breath of those sitting inside.


    ¡°Hey barkeep!¡± the man screamed out enthusiastically before downing his drink.


    ¡°Yeah¡­¡± the barkeeper responded, but before he had the chance to finish what he was about to say, the mysterious figure pulled out an energy blade from under his coat and cleaved the barkeeper¡¯s head clean off his body in one fell swoop.


    ¡°What gives you the right to give me advice, you disgusting parasite?!¡± the man screamed out with a psychotic smile and a pissed off tone.


    As the head dropped to the floor, 7 slimy tentacles sprouted from it, wiggling in all directions.


    The man turned around, seeing the other visitors grasping at their weapons. He picked the head up by the tentacles, ¡°See, I told you he was a parasite,¡± he shouted, waving the head in front of the armed vagrants.


    ¡°Help me, you idiots!¡± the barkeeper¡¯s head suddenly screamed out.


    Without delay, the armed men opened fire, focusing their sights on the figure, forcing him to dive out of the way, hiding behind the iron plated counter. He covered his head as bullets flew past, ricocheting in every direction. As the oncoming fire paused, he made sure to pull out his pistol and fire back from over the counter. This, however, this had little effect against the group of armed vagrants gunning for his life.


    Seemingly out of options, the figure tied the barkeeper¡¯s head directly to his belt, using the tentacles as makeshift scraps, and shouted, ¡°Ordinus, requesting level 1 limiter release!¡±


    ¡°Denied, no demonic energy detected in your surroundings,¡± a robotic voice replied.


    The man sighed, ¡°Ordinus, please!¡± he pleaded, clasping both of his hands.


    ¡°Denied,¡± Ordinus responded in monotone.


    ¡°Fine, I guess I¡¯ll do this the old-fashioned way,¡± the figure grabbed the double-barrel shotgun from under the bar and proceeded to saw off its end with his energy blade.


    ¡°Here we go,¡± the man sighed, grinning widely before jumping out from behind the bar with his new shotgun in one hand and his trusty pistol clasped in the other.


    ¡°Boom!¡± he called out, firing the first shot, hitting one of his attackers directly in the chest, before quickly reloading and firing a second shot into the group of armed men.


    The figure appeared almost stationary. However, whatever minimal movements were made proved themselves to be enough to avoid most of the bullets coming his way.


    It was akin to a dance. A trance that enveloped both sides of the party. One against many, an intricate game of precision, filled with interlocking feints and gestures of desperation. As bullets rained, a certain rhythm could be felt, a captivating flamenco of marksmen that the figure was, without a doubt, leading. The smoke subsided; it was blasted out of the way by the strong odor of gunpower.


    ¡°Almost got me,¡± the man tilted his head, barely dodging a bullet. It made contact with his cheek, grazing it slightly, leaving a large gash on his face right under his eyepatch. He paid almost no mind to it. There was no concern on his face, only a sick, maniacal smile and a bestial, entranced gaze.


    Suddenly, seemingly out of nowhere, the bar was flooded with flames. A shadowy silhouette of a masked attacker could be seen standing outside of the bar, firing magic into it.


    ¡°Ordinus,¡± said the man as he narrowly hid away from the fire behind a wooden table.


    ¡°Demonic energy detected, limiter lowered by 1 level,¡± the robotic voice replied.


    Blue sparks emerged, scattering around the bar, covering it in a strange hypnotic veil. The wound on his face, left by the passing bullet, began to close up and shrivel away into nothingness.


    The interior of the bar exploded once more. However, this time, it lit up in a captivating blue light. Before long, the man calmly emerged from the door, staring the masked attacker directly in the eyes.


    In a flash, he vanished, only to appear standing directly behind his masked adversary. He grabbed him by the neck as he slowly whispered into his ear, ¡°Little piggy,¡± he remarked with an even more sadistic expression.


    Some time later, the Knights arrived, arresting and detaining everyone involved with the den of illegal contractors. A certain person stepped out of the patrol vehicle. He was tall and lanky, wearing a suit and square glasses that matched the shape of his face. This was none other than Senior Squad leader Timothy Matsuhide.


    ¡°This was a perfectly good lead that you just went ahead and screwed up. You were going undercover for a reason!¡± Timothy shouted scolding the man, ¡°Sometimes I wonder what the director even sees in a mad demon like you.¡± He continued before letting out a tired sigh.


    The man threw the barkeeper¡¯s severed head to Timothy before walking away, ¡°Always ask the barkeeps. You might be surprised by how well they know their liquor.¡±


    ¡°Damn psychopath,¡± Timothy whispered under his breath.


    The man left with no further delay, sinking into another nameless crowd of this god-forsaken city.


    There were many rumors out on the streets concerning the man. No one knew his real identity, he was called by many names. But to those who knew him, he was simply known as X, the special grade investigator.

 Chapter 2: Excalibur part 1

    The ¡®Knights¡¯, an organization originally formed at the dawn of mankind. A brotherhood with only one goal: to exterminate all demons.


    Once the demons were sealed, the Knights deteriorated rapidly. There was no need for them to exist in a world without their adversary. As such, they became a small underground organization, a brotherhood of scrawny old men, those who still knew the truth about the world and its true nature. However, come 2012, all of that changed. These old men became the most knowledgeable, influential people, allowing humanity to survive a cataclysm the likes of which no one could have predicted.


    In the year of 2062, the Knights are heralded as humanity¡¯s last hope, those who stand against the demonic threat. An organization that functions akin to the police and the military within the confines of the Lower Babel. Whose goal was to deal with all issues concerning demons and contractors. The Knights had an enormous influence over the government. In fact, in more ways than one, they were ¡®the government¡¯.


    Compound 15 of the Knights was located a mile away from the space elevator. A military encampment composed of a variety of buildings: an armory, where weapons, armor and ammunition were stored; the barracks where some of the on duty military personnel lived; the medical and research department, a large building where advanced combat gear was designed and maintained, as well as where the medical facilities were located; the management office where all the public documentations were being processed.


    X walked into the Knights¡¯ facility, getting past various check points without letting them slow him down, casually waving at those he found familiar, without getting an answer back. He strolled into the research department, touching the plain white walls with his hand, feeling their texture as he treaded onwards.


    ¡°There you are!¡± a woman suddenly appeared in the hallway and shouted.


    ¡°There I am!¡± X responded with the same amount of enthusiasm.


    ¡°Get your ass over here,¡± the woman said while moving into one of the workshops dotted all over the corridor.


    X sighed and followed the woman through the doorway. There she stood, a short girl with an angry expression and a scar above her left eyebrow. She had a cherry-colored bob cut, wore military boots, cargo pants and a tank top. She stood confidently, accompanied by her assistant.


    ¡°Been a while, Rebeca,¡± X said with his usual smirk. He looked around, briefly scanning the lab with his gaze. ¡°You moved,¡± X remarked with a wide smile while awkwardly scratching his head.


    ¡°I had to because of a certain someone,¡± Rebeca frowned, her right eyebrow began to spaz out.


    ¡°Who¡¯s the new kid?¡± X asked, pointing his finger at the man standing next to Rebeca.


    He appeared rather timid, was tall and well-kept, had long black hair carefully tied into a stern bun, he was wearing boots, cargo pants, a black T-shirt and a lab-coat with 3 differently colored pens sticking out of his front pocket.


    ¡°He¡¯s my new assistant,¡± Rebeca remarked, closing her eyes. ¡°Go on and introduce yourself,¡± she ordered.


    ¡°Nice to meet you, my name is John Alstein,¡± the man approached X extending his hand for a handshake.


    ¡°What¡¯s with the lab-coat?¡± X responded in a mocking tone, ignoring John¡¯s attempt.


    ¡°Those are the rules,¡± Rebeca said, briefly squinting.


    ¡°Where¡¯s yours?¡± X giggled slightly.Stolen from Royal Road, this story should be reported if encountered on Amazon.


    ¡°Eat shit!¡± Rebeca replied, opening her eyes as wide as possible in an open sign of aggression.


    ¡°That¡¯s more like it!¡± X smiled, ¡°I really missed you, Bec.¡±


    Rebeca sighed. ¡°Alright, enough chit-chat,¡± she said, walking towards her workstation, ¡°I¡¯ve got something special ready for you,¡± she smiled slightly.


    ¡°Yeah¡­ Bec¡­ Before that,¡± X raised his bullet ridden, broken mechanical arm into the air, flapping it around in a functional demonstration of its ragged state.


    ¡°WHAAAAAAT!¡± Rebeca shouted out. She became enraged. Her face turned red, her small body convulsed and shook as she began grasping for the nearest wrenches at her workstation and throwing them at X in quick succession.


    ¡°Here we go again¡­¡± X sighed, tilting his head to avoid the flying objects.


    ¡°Miss Rebeca, please stop!¡± John called out with a worried expression.


    Suddenly, a wrench came flying, aimed directly at John¡¯s face. Before Rebeca had the chance to notice, John effortlessly and gracefully flicked it out of the air with his finger.


    ¡°¡¯Miss¡¯ that there is no ¡®miss¡¯ it¡¯s just an angry mutated ape,¡± X remarked while grabbing John by his shoulder, ¡°By the way, how did you do that just now? Bec¡¯s wrenches fly at super-fast speeds, there¡¯s no way for a normal person to flick them out of the way like that.¡±


    ¡°Oh, he¡¯s a contractor!¡± Rebeca replied, slipping out of her frenzy.


    ¡°Are you now? You up for a tussle?¡± X asked with a great deal of enthusiasm.


    John stared at X visibly confused, unable to understand what he was trying to say.


    ¡°Don¡¯t worry about it too much Johnny boy. That guy right there is a grade ¡®A¡¯ certified psychopath. The moment he learns that someone¡¯s a contractor, he can¡¯t help but to offer them a spar and then beat the daylights out of them. It¡¯s just how he is,¡± Rebeca explained.


    ¡°So whadaya say?¡± X asked, looking at John.


    ¡°I would have to refuse. You would find my combat ability lacking. I am a non-combatant after all,¡± John replied, avoiding eye contact.


    ¡°Enough bullshit. Get undressed and lie down in the chair,¡± Rebeca said, pointing him to a service chair that resembled one you could normally find in a dentist¡¯s office.


    ¡°You¡¯re no fun,¡± X mumbled as he slowly unbuttoned his shirt, revealing a glowing blue circular object poking out from his chest.


    X took off his clothes, coat and shirt, dropping them messily on the ground and got into the service chair designed to maintain cyborgs. John carefully attached large, hunky, metallic sensors to his ankles, wrist, and neck. He connected a cable to the device on his chest, and detached his damaged robotic arm.


    ¡°I prefer when the lady does this part,¡± X whispered.


    ¡°Shut it,¡± Rebeca shouted over from her desk on the other side of the workshop.


    ¡°Wow, I didn¡¯t know you could hear that. You must have really good ears!¡± X laughed.


    Rebeca grabbed the damaged prosthetic and placed it on her workstation to examine the damage.


    ¡°Bullet holes,¡± she whispered, caressing the metal with the tips of her fingers. ¡°Did you get shot up recently?¡± She wondered.


    ¡°I was up against non-contractors, so blocking bullets with the arm was my only option,¡± X explained.


    ¡°That¡¯s why we have standard issue energy shields,¡± Rebeca remarked. ¡°This is some extensive damage. It¡¯s gonna take me a while to fix,¡± she explained, continuing to examine the arm further.


    ¡°I¡¯ll be sure to keep that in mind next time,¡± X laughed again.


    ¡°You can let him out,¡± Rebeca said to John. ¡°Your vitals seem okay but your demonic energy¡¯s a mess, you best avoid using magic for some time if you can help it,¡± She continued, telling X about his condition.


    ¡°Thanks! will do doc,¡± X said, getting up from the chair.


    ¡°One last thing, John made you a special grade weapon,¡± Rebeca averted her gaze as her expression became nervous, worried.


    ¡°Oh, I don¡¯t remember asking Mr. lab-coat to make me a special grade weapon. Silly me, that must be because I just met Mr. lab-coat 10 minutes ago,¡± X aggressively remarked.


    ¡°It¡¯s an excellent weapon. Just try it out,¡± Rebeca tossed X a small circular contraption.


    ¡°Fine,¡± X replied, placing the object into his pocket.


    X stared intensely at the door with a blank expression. He frowned, his eyebrows twisted in a sign of obvious dissatisfaction. In a flash, seemingly out of nowhere, X approached the door and kicked it, knocking it out of the frame, sending it tumbling out into the empty hall.


    ¡°I¡¯m out,¡± X retorted as he walked away.


    ¡°Aw shit,¡± Rebeca covered her face with the palm of her right hand. ¡°What about your clothes?¡± she asked.


    ¡°Dry cleaning, I¡¯ll pick them up tomorrow at eight,¡± X screamed out from the hallway.


    ¡°What an asshole,¡± Rebeca sighed.

 Chapter 2: Excalibur part 2

    X went on his merry way, wandering around compound 15. The blank, empty white hallways filled him with a strange sense of comfort. He briefly considered going into his office to inform his comrades about the status of the mission. His thoughts, however, were quickly interrupted by his rumbling stomach. He went straight to the mess hall next to the barracks in search of something to eat.


    On his way, X was approached by a young man in his mid-twenties. He had short blonde hair, a handsome boyish face, and gray eyes. He wore the standard issue Knights military uniform: an ornamented gray suit and a dress shirt.


    ¡°Excuse me, are you by any chance X?¡± the man calmly asked.


    ¡°Yeah, and who might you be?¡± X responded with an intrigued smile.


    ¡°Your worst nightmare!¡± the man shouted spurring seemingly out of nowhere. He aggressively threw his glove towards X, ¡°I challenge you to a duel!¡±


    ¡°I would love to, but I am in fact not fit for combat right now,¡± X explained, waving his stump in front of the man¡¯s face.


    ¡°I don¡¯t care,¡± the figure said, pulled out his energy sword and relentlessly slashed at X.


    X narrowly avoided the attack, moving his head slightly out of the way. He stared into the young man¡¯s eyes, sensing deep hatred emanating from them. A cold unbefitting gaze. It was strange since X had never met this lad, and therefore, was yet to do anything to piss him off.


    ¡°You must be Arthur,¡± X smirked, ¡°I¡¯ve heard a lot about you.¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s right,¡± Arthur affirmed, preparing to attack once again.


    People gathered around the two, surrounding them in a small combat ring. All curious about the two Investigators fighting. Both of them were special grade investigators, a rank synonymous with authority, power and skill. Many wished to see them fight, as spars between special grade investigators were often confidential.


    ¡°Look, I have no idea why you¡¯re attacking me, but let¡¯s move this to another time. I¡¯m in a terribly bad mood,¡± X stated with a calm expression.


    ¡°Do I need a reason to attack a demon? Just the fact that you are one shows that you have crossed beyond the boundary of being considered human. I shall kill you and take your seat as a member of the thirteen,¡± Arthur explained.This tale has been unlawfully lifted from Royal Road; report any instances of this story if found elsewhere.


    ¡°Oh, and you think you¡¯re so much better than me just because you¡¯re contracted to an Angel? Well, let me tell you this, that contract you¡¯re so proud of, you only have it because you fit Excalibur¡¯s criteria. He only contracts with pretty boys named Arthur,¡± X remarked, provoking the young man.


    ¡°I care not for your words. Ready yourself, rank 13,¡± Arthur said while clenching his sword sternly in his hand.


    ¡°I might be rank 13 on paper¡­¡± X said, shifting his weight. Suddenly, he leaped towards Arthur, knocking away his weapon and punching him in the stomach before he could react, ¡°but I¡¯m way outside your pay grade.¡±


    X paused, looking at the young man groveling on the ground, grabbing on to his stomach. A sudden realization came to mind - he went overboard. X turned around, but just as he was about to leave, he felt something. A am ominous sensation of rampant magical energy filled the hall, making the air stale and heavy. A shiver went down X¡¯s spine, forcing him to look back behind him.


    ¡°Soul,¡± Arthur called out and materialized a glowing great-sword that built itself up, forming from the ground below.


    ¡°You¡¯re summoning your soul, even though you know mine is sealed. How heroic of you,¡± X remarked, mocking Arthur.


    ¡°Shut up,¡± Arthur screamed and leaped towards him. However, he was far too slow. In a split second, X placed his hand on the sword¡¯s pommel, restricting Arthur¡¯s movements, stopping him from pulling his weapon out of the ground.


    ¡°Gotcha,¡± X smirked. He charged forward, using Arthur¡¯s delayed actions to grab him by the face and throwing him into the wall behind him, smashing it in the process.


    He patted the dust off his pants as calmly approached the young man who now found himself in a severely wounded state.


    ¡°Boy, you are ten years too young to challenge me,¡± X smiled, his face unnatural, cold and sadistic, akin to a beast about to devour its prey. ¡°Now, shall I finish this?¡±


    It was clear to everyone watching that X was about to take things too far, yet amongst the crowd of combat trained Knight agents, none dared to intervene.


    ¡°Stop!¡± A voice suddenly called out, followed by a set of heavy footsteps. They belonged to none other than Joseph, the director of compound 15 and the leader of the Knights.


    Joseph was a tall bald black male in his late forties - early fifties. Dressed in an official Knight¡¯s uniform. A stern figure and a well-rounded leader. He was a force to be reckoned with. A man with a strong moral compass, and ideals to boast, not all members of the Knights agreed with him, but most respected his opinions. He and X had a partnership spanning multiple decades of collaboration.


    ¡°Okie dokie, boss¡±, X replied, briefly avoiding eye contact as he scooched past Joseph.


    ¡°Director¡­¡± Arthur ghasped while gazing up at Joseph.


    ¡°I understand your complicated relationship with demons but do something like this again and I¡¯ll have you prosecuted,¡± Joseph retorted as he looked back at X, ¡°Not only did you attack your senior officer, you also attacked my friend. I¡¯m not quite sure if you were able to feel the massive gap between your capabilities. He might seem eccentric, but he¡¯s a genuine genius when it comes to combat. You¡¯re truly lucky to be alive.¡±

 Chapter 3: GanXta part 1

    Life inside the confines of the city of lower babel isn¡¯t easy by any means. Not to those living ordinary lives, nor to those combating the daily demonic threats. Yet most of the residents are aware of one thing, however tough their lives within the city might be, they are a lot better than getting chomped on by demons out in the wilderness.


    There are 6 Knights organization bases inside of the city of lower babel: Compound 11; Compound 15; Compound 28, Compound 36, Compound 72 and the elusive Compound ¡°Omega¡±.


    Compound 15 is one of the main compounds of the Knights organization, housing the most advanced research facility and a state-of-the-art containment center within its confines. This compound boasts the best agent survival rate, as well as having a 67% illegal contractor capture rate, and a 99% demon extermination rate. These numbers are the highest out of all compounds. And the reason for these high capture and extermination rates is simple: the group known as the ¡®squad X¡¯. The most decorated team in the entire organization. While Timothy Matsuhide is the official squad leader, everyone, with even a speck of insight knows, he is not the one in charge.


    Each year, a multitude of recruits join the knights with the dream of eventually becoming members of the infamous squad. However, only the most competent are invited, personally picked out by X himself.


    Calvin was a tall, well-built redhead male with a thick bushy beard and a slightly receding hairline he attempted to have covered at all times with the assistance of a baseball cap. He was a loud, well-spoken Irish man, who rarely took anything other than capturing contractors seriously. When it came to battle, he used his trusty machine gun that he always kept up and maintained himself. In close quarters combat, he would fall back on the techno-great sword, usually carrying it around in a suit-case on his back. He would most often be seen wearing military cargo pants, combat boots and a tank top everywhere he went, only dressing up properly when he was around his kids. Because of his attitude and overall rough appearance, X nicknamed him ¡°Brick¡±.


    Maddie was the enforcer of the group, specializing in close quarters combat. He fought by mostly relying on his dual Scorpion class energy blades. In times of need, he also used the experimental knight force-field plate armor designed for him by Rebeca. He had a rather calm and timid personality when it came to talking to anyone outside his squad. It¡¯s because of this, Calvin, George and Jebua all considered him to be an insincere sociopath. Behind his calm persona lied a battle-hardened demon hunter obsessed with combat. Because of his blonde hair and handsome face X gave him the nickname ¡°Pretty-boy¡±.


    George was a man with a frightening outward appearance. A man of great depth, a gentle soul with a soft, caring interior. A straight edge kind of guy in most cases, yet unbelievably intelligent, often seen reading books in his free time. He was extremely tall, the tallest out of the entire squad. George had a buzz cut and a short beard. His face was extremely scarred, adorned with large burns, cuts and bruises, his eyes were replaced by a cybernetic vizor, that gave him an even more terrifying appearance. He specialized in explosives and used dual pistols as his side-arms. X nicknamed him ¡°Vizor¡±.


    Jebua, also known as ¡®Jeb¡¯ was the last combatant of squad X. He handled espionage and recon. His primary weapon was a silenced sniper rifle, which he would use in tandem with an energy spear at times when things had to get personal. He was a black male of average build, was bald with a scar going down from his ear along his cheek. His personality was rather twisted and cruel, this being a result of many years of trauma. It¡¯s because of this that Jebua was almost always drunk. He also picked up a nasty smoking habit. He easily smoked over 10 packs a day, henceforth, X named him ¡°Chimney¡±.


    There was one last member of team X that didn¡¯t directly take part in missions, yet was still an integral part of the team¡¯s success. Her name was Matilda, at first glance a gentle woman. Her dress style was sharp and professional, her demeanor calm and composed. Blond hair, long legs, a large bust and a slim figure, she was an attractive woman often fawned over by other squads, receiving multiple invitations to join them every single day. However, on the inside, she was a calculative deviant with a criminal background. Years ago, X raided her organization, involuntarily recruiting her, forcing her to work for the Knights. Matilda handled intel gathering and maintenance of the X squad and operated as a buffer between the team and Matsuhide. X nicknamed her ¡°Lips¡±.You might be reading a stolen copy. Visit Royal Road for the authentic version.


    On normal days, the members of the squad spent their time cooped up in their office, which was structured more like a lounge than anything else. A leisurely area, with a couch, a tv, gaming consoles, a pool table and even a bowling alley. The interiors also differed from the rest of the facility. The usually plain white walls were covered in paintings created before the cataclysm. A variety of antique sculptures, pedestals and vases were placed around in order to make the room more bearable, giving it a warm and cozy, if not a little grand, atmosphere.


    Most of the decorations were procured by X during his many expeditions outside of the city. All the artworks found in the headquarters were priceless, but there was one piece that held a certain, sentimental value to X. It was a large painting located inside of X¡¯s office, hung on the wall opposite to his desk. It was a reproduction of the painting of Napoleon Crossing the Alps. The words: ¡°The battlefield is a scene of constant chaos. The winner will be the one who controls that chaos, both his own and the enemies,¡± were inscribed on it in blood. For some reason not known by anyone, this painting resonated with X. He would often spend long idle hours in his office, with his legs perched upon his desk, staring deep into the panting, admiring it to the fullest extent.


    The members of the squad were going about their usual idle business when Timothy notified them about an upcoming raid operation. Maddie and Calvin were playing pool, with Jeb making bets on who was going to win. George was reading a book, X was sitting in his office and Matilda was browsing forums.


    ¡°The information extracted from the bartender of the Gun-barrel indicated the location of the base of operations of the Phoenix gang,¡± Matsuhide said over the intercoms.


    ¡°Well, fellas, you heard that. No more games, you have a job to do,¡± Matilda said, closing the screen of her laptop, staring at the guys arguing in front of her.


    ¡°That¡¯s tomorrow though!¡± Jebua shouted while patting his back pocket in search of a cigarette.


    ¡°Don¡¯t you have to prepare, though?¡± Matilda wondered.


    ¡°No, the boss told us about the lead before-hand, if anything, we¡¯ve been waiting for Matsuhide for a couple of days now,¡± Brick explained, scratching his head.


    ¡°He should have let us interrogate the bastard. He would¡¯ve talked much earlier,¡± Maddie remarked, resting his cue on the pool table.


    ¡°Who¡¯s up for a drink?¡± Jeb asked, lighting his cigarette.


    ¡°Me!¡± X exclaimed, peeking his head through the doorway out of his office.


    ¡°You can¡¯t even get drunk!¡± Matilda retorted with a slight frown.


    ¡°It still tastes good though,¡± X smiled back cheerfully.


    ¡°Yuck!¡± she demonstratively exclaimed.


    ¡°Well, I¡¯ll go if the boss is going,¡± Calvin retorted, walking off to pick up his jacket.


    ¡°Me too,¡± Maddie added.


    X slowly came out of his office and leaned in on Matilda¡¯s desk. ¡°Are you coming with us?¡± he asked, looking deep into her eyes as he stood over her.


    ¡°No thanks, I have some better things to do than to hang out with a bunch of sweaty old men. No offence Maddie,¡± she said while applying lipstick.


    ¡°None taken.¡± Maddie scratched his head.


    ¡°Well suit yourself Lips, let¡¯s go guys,¡± X said as he shifted his gaze towards George.


    ¡°I¡¯ll pass, boss,¡± George replied without diverting attention away from his book.


    ¡°Sure thing,¡± X placed his hand on George¡¯s shoulder, ¡°Have a good night!¡± he said while approaching the exit.


    ¡°You too guys,¡± George briefly lifted his eyes.


    Calvin, Maddie, Jebua and X Walked out of their headquarters and continued heading down the hall.


    ¡°So what¡¯s the plan, boss?¡± Calvin asked.


    ¡°We throw a god damn super party!¡± X replied with a great deal of excitement in his tone.

 Chapter 3: GanXta part 2

    The group gathered inside of a bar X frequented, a small, quiet place on the outskirts of the city, a small hole in the wall, with cozy, dimply lit interiors, and an owner infamous for his fiery temper.


    They were joined by Joseph and Arthur, along with two of Arthur¡¯s squad mates, Dalas and Victor. A duo of elite demon hunters who worked in a team of two before they were joined by Arthur. They were both melee combat specialists. Dalas was a large, heavily armored, cyber great sword wielder, while Victor was a small and fast dual weapon specialist.


    Drinks began to roll. X treated everyone to a pint of beer, buying the same brand for everyone, seeing as only one brand was left after the cataclysm, brewed by a company know as ¡®Harvest¡¯.


    ¡°So tell me, how did you know we were going out?¡± X murmured, asking Joseph.


    ¡°Matilda invited us to make sure you don¡¯t go overboard. Well, to be completely honest, she sent invites out to everyone in outpost 15, but most were too intimidated to join,¡± Joseph explained.


    ¡°I¡¯m glad she¡¯s being her usual spiteful self,¡± X remarked, glaring at Dalas while slurping the foam off the top of his beer.


    ¡°Ahhh, the infamous X, how nice to see you again!¡± Dalas exclaimed.


    ¡°Oh, hey Vic, how are the kids?¡± X asked, with a mischievous smile.


    ¡°Fine, how are yours?¡± Victor responded in his usual calm tone.


    ¡°Did you not hear me?¡± Dalas slammed his pint on the table, interrupting the two.


    ¡°I heard you. It¡¯s just that I was curious about Vic¡¯s children,¡± X responded while avoiding eye contact.


    ¡°I have children too!¡± Dalas loudly declared.


    ¡°Yeah, but I don¡¯t care about yours,¡± X murmured, continuing to sip his beer.


    Suddenly, a loud argument ensued. Maddie and Calvin rummaged across the bar, tugging at each other¡¯s clothes, shouting incomprehensible profanities at one another.


    ¡°Boys! Calm down, we¡¯re in a public place. What¡¯s the matter?¡± Joseph intervened, pulling Maddie away from Calvin, attempting to stop the argument.


    ¡°Oh the usual,¡± Calvin retorted, ¡°Maddie¡¯s being a big baby!¡± he laughed, before downing an entire pint in one go.


    ¡°What I¡¯m saying is that we better be careful tomorrow. We shouldn¡¯t rush in. After all, Phoenix is a known Invoke class contractor.¡± Maddie explained, slamming the table in front of him.


    ¡°Yeah, and who made you boss? We go in like we always do, me you and boss at the front, Jeb and George at the back!¡± Calvin screamed, tilting his head towards Maddie in an aggressive manner.The author''s tale has been misappropriated; report any instances of this story on Amazon.


    ¡°This entire predicament seems fishy! You mean to say that after searching for their outpost all this time, some random criminal job-hunter knows where it is. Doesn¡¯t that seem fishy?!¡± Maddie shouted, voicing his concerns.


    ¡°X, take care of this!¡± Joseph shoved X by the shoulder.


    Rebeca suddenly walked in, watching the ensuing conversation from behind a corner.


    ¡°Alright, ladies and gentlemen, watch how a true leader resolves conflict,¡± X said, playfully gesturing with his hands as he climbed on top of the table, ¡°Oh hi Bec!¡± he waved after noticing her standing in the doorway.


    Rebeca waved back.


    ¡°Rock, paper, scissors. The winner decides how we approach,¡± X explained, crouching down in front of the two.


    ¡°Let¡¯s do this!¡± Calvin and Maddie shouted in unison.


    ¡°That¡¯s the spirit!¡± X screamed out.


    Meanwhile, Arthur, Joseph, and Dalas were having a conversation.


    ¡°What a bunch of savages,¡± Dalas frowned with seeming disgust.


    ¡°X seems to have them figured out,¡± Arthur replied, looking straight at the unfolding mess.


    ¡°Rookie, he¡¯s one of them. In fact, he¡¯s probably the biggest savage out of all of them.¡± Dalas closed his eyes for a brief moment before looking up at X.


    ¡°He might appear rough at first glance, but X has everything under control, in his own way,¡± Joseph stated attempting to make eye contact with Dalas, who didn¡¯t notice.


    ¡°I wouldn¡¯t expect anything less from a demon,¡± Dalas retorted as silence filled the bar.


    ¡°What was that?¡± X turned his head back, looking directly at Dalas, making his way to the other end of the table before crouching down in front of him, staring him down face to face with nothing but several inches separating them. ¡°You were saying?¡±


    ¡°So, what made you cross the border, anyway? Weren¡¯t you human before that, I can¡¯t imagine what made you want to become a demon,¡± Dalas asked, leaning back in an attempt to put some distance between himself and X.


    X frowned momentarily.


    ¡°Are you an idiot? There is no border, you don¡¯t suddenly become different when you achieve a demonic transformation,¡± X remarked while signaling for the bartender to bring him another pint.


    ¡°I don¡¯t think that¡¯s quite right. Who¡¯s to say that you haven¡¯t been influenced by your demon to think the way you do? There is a reason we consider all demons a threat. It is because they can no longer be reasoned with.¡± Dalas placed his hand on his chin and smiled.


    ¡°You¡¯re a bit of a dickhead, aren¡¯cha?¡± X asked, confronting Dalas.


    ¡°What X was trying to say,¡± Joseph cleared his throat. ¡°Is that corruption is not as dependent on demonic energy as you might think. When bad people attain power, they become evil. And hell, sometimes even good people who attain power become evil, but that has less to do with the nature of power and more to do with the nature of the person wielding that power,¡± He explained, trying to break up the argument.


    ¡°Nah, what I wanted to say was that he¡¯s a dickhead!¡± X paused, briefly. ¡°Now let¡¯s drink,¡± he climbed down from the table, grabbed his beer, and approached Rebeca.


    ¡°You don¡¯t get drunk anyway, why would you want to drink so badly?¡± Dalas asked in his last attempt to provoke X.


    ¡°Cause it tastes good.¡± X smiled. ¡°Plus, I want to see you get shitfaced and make an absolute ass out of yourself,¡± he turned his head back before continuing to approach Rebeca.


    ¡°Bec! What are you doing here? I thought you weren¡¯t one for parties!¡± X exclaimed with open arms.


    ¡°I¡¯m not, but seeing as Mattie invited me just to spite you, I couldn¡¯t let her down,¡± Rebeca explained while sipping on a cocktail.


    A few hours passed. The group continued arguing, drinking, dancing, and making a scene to the point where they scared away all the other customers of the bar. However, the owner didn¡¯t mind, seeing as their tab was already double the amount the pub usually made every night night.

 Chapter 3: GanXta part 3

    Seemingly out of nowhere, Arthur approached X, wrapping his hand around his shoulder. ¡°I¡¯m sorry,¡± He said while slurring his words, leaning ever so slightly on the table.


    ¡°You¡¯re drunk, everyone¡¯s sorry for something when they¡¯re drunk,¡± X retorted.


    ¡°I shouldn¡¯t have attacked you back then. You are an amazing demon hunter, I know that. I just couldn¡¯t fathom the possibility of a demon being a good person,¡± Arthur explained while getting teary-eyed.


    ¡°Whoa, whoa, no need to cry about it,¡± X raised both of his hands, ¡°Honestly, I shouldn¡¯t have provoked you either. I just thought that you attacked me because you were following the orders of your contracted angel. You see, me and Excalibur¡¯s previous host had a bit of a falling out,¡± X explained while scratching his head.


    ¡°You mean you fought Arthur Raymond?!¡± Calvin screamed out in shock.


    ¡°He killed Arthur Raymond,¡± Joseph added, clearing his throat.


    ¡°I didn¡¯t know,¡± Arthur stuttered. ¡°I can¡¯t really converse with Excalibur yet.¡±


    ¡°You¡¯ll get there eventually, but when you do, be sure to keep whatever you learn about me to yourself,¡± X said while looking down at the ground, ¡°You¡¯re a good kid, I think I¡¯ll come over to teach you a few things one of these days,¡± X smiled.


    Arthur smiled back, before immediately throwing up onto the ground.


    ¡°Hey, what the hell are you doing?!¡± the bartender shouted, waving his fist at the rowdy demon hunters.


    ¡°I think that¡¯s our cue to leave,¡± Joseph grabbed X by the shoulder, nudging him towards the exit as the two laughed gleefully.


    The group hastily ran outside. Maddie picked up Arthur, Victor helped Dalas and X threw exuberant amounts of credits at the bartender in order to appease his anger.


    ¡°So, what¡¯s the plan now?¡± X asked as the group stood outside the bar.


    ¡°I think that¡¯s enough for today, boss,¡± Calvin stated with a sad look.


    ¡°Yeah, I have to take this kid home.¡± Maddie pointed at Arthur, who was barely conscious.


    ¡°I have to sober up a little, or I won¡¯t be able to shoot for shit tomorrow,¡± Jeb said while lighting his cigarette.


    ¡°Come on guys, the night is still young!¡± X exclaimed.


    ¡°Sorry X, I have work tomorrow,¡± Joseph shook his head.


    ¡°Yeah, us too. Dalas had a few too many,¡± Victor stated as he slowly waddled towards the distance, carrying his partner on his shoulder.Support creative writers by reading their stories on Royal Road, not stolen versions.


    X looked up at the murky night sky. No stars were visible. A strange sense of nostalgia filled him up from the inside. An emotion that appeared so integral to his being, yet he himself was made uncomfortable by it.


    ¡°I¡¯m still here,¡± Rebeca smiled, cracking open a can of beer.


    ¡°Hell yeah! Just like in the good old days!¡± X shouted with a great deal of excitement.


    Rebeca and X spent the next couple of hours wandering around the city. Laughing and engaging in speculative conversations about everything and nothing at the same time, things that had nothing to do with their daily lives and the roles they played. Then, in the now, they two could be their true selves, two drunk idiots messing around the city at 3 am.


    Eventually, the two made it on to a rooftop of a tall building climbing up on the fire escape ladder. They sat down, staring at the sky, drinking their last cans of beer.


    ¡°Look, it¡¯s clearing up,¡± Rebeca said with a certain gleam in her eyes, ¡°Isn¡¯t it beautiful?¡±


    ¡°Yeah, the stars are pretty nice,¡± X stated.


    ¡°No, I mean the moon. It¡¯s almost full!¡± Rebeca looked up with a captivated expression solely focused on the night sky.


    ¡°I guess so,¡± X stumbled, ¡°Hey, remember when we first met?¡± he said, diverting the conversation.


    ¡°I sure do,¡± Rebeca shook her head, shifting her attention, ¡°I honestly didn¡¯t know what to make of you. You would break everything I gave you. You were loud and confrontational and appeared to be hostile for no reason.¡±


    ¡°You sure you¡¯re not talking about yourself?¡± X smirked.


    ¡°Ha ha, very funny,¡± Rebeca frowned, ¡°But you know, as much as you hate to admit it, you do have a softer side. The way you take care of your team, the way you teach and nurture them, makes me a little jealous,¡± Rebeca smiled.


    ¡°I know,¡± X stood up, ¡°Well, I think it¡¯s about time for us to roll. I¡¯ll get you home.¡±


    ¡°We still have to climb back down,¡± Rebeca sighed.


    ¡°If you can keep a secret¡­¡± X remarked, repeatedly dragging the soles of his feet against the ground.


    ¡°We¡¯re gonna jump off, aren¡¯t we?¡± Rebeca grabbed the top of her head with her right hand.


    ¡°You don¡¯t sound surprised,¡± X smirked while extending his hand to Rebeca.


    ¡°I knew,¡± Rebeca grabbed on as an anxious smile took root on her face.


    As the two slowly approached the edge of the building, a vista of the city opened up before them.


    ¡°You do this often?¡± Rebeca asked in a nervous tone, clutching tightly to X¡¯s side.


    ¡°Every Friday,¡± X replied as he launched the two of them off the side of the building.


    Rebeca began screaming violently as the two twirled around in midair. She looked up at X only to see his bored expression. The city below the two slowly expanded, getting ever-closer like a gaping maw with the toothy skyline of tall buildings that eventually swallowed them whole. The pair safely landed on the ground, with Rebeca held tightly in X¡¯s arms.


    X put her down, climbed on top of a motorcycle and calmly said, ¡°Get on. I¡¯ll take you home.¡±


    The drive was short, far shorter than the two had expected. Rebeca made sure to hold on tightly to X¡¯s back throughout the ride, felling his heart beat along with the warmth of his body.


    Eventually, the pair reached Rebeca¡¯s apartment. X escorted her to the door and said, ¡°It was fun. We should do this more often!¡±


    ¡°I didn¡¯t know you rode,¡± Rebeca remarked while laughing.


    ¡°Yeah, I didn¡¯t either, the thing¡¯s not mine,¡± he smirked, scratching his head.


    ¡°You know,¡± Rebeca stumbled, ¡°You can stay the night here if you want.¡± she blushed ever so slightly.


    X¡¯s eyes widened. In truth, he had known about Rebeca¡¯s feelings for quite some time but never expected her to come forward.


    ¡°I don¡¯t think this would lead anywhere the two of us wouldn¡¯t regret in the near future,¡± X said with a serious expression, ¡°And plus, I still have to take care of my daughter.¡±


    X put his hand on top of Rebeca¡¯s head, ¡°Good night, scaredy cat,¡± X smirked before leaving Rebeca alone, standing speechless in the middle of the night.

 Chapter 4: PhoeniX part 1

    The next day came. The squad gathered their gear and weapons in preparation for the operation.


    Calvin sat calm, cleaning his rifle, creating a certain repetitive ticking sound that echoed throughout the room.


    Maddie walked pacing back and forth, from one corner to the other, frantically and repeatedly placing his hands on to the blades holstered on his belt, as if he was practicing the quick draw of a revolver. Each time he did this motion, it would be faster than the last, until eventually, a single drop of sweat fell from his nose, seeping into the concrete floor.


    Gorge was sitting alone, away from others with his hands clasped, praying silently.


    ¡°Does it help?¡± Jebua asked as he stumbled into the room.


    ¡°What?¡± George asked as he opened his eye.


    ¡°To take the edge off,¡± Jebua clarified.


    ¡°Yeah,¡± George said before closing his bible.


    ¡°Maybe I should try it sometime,¡± Jebua said while lighting a cigarette.


    ¡°No better time than the present,¡± George retorted, pulling the cigarette out of Jebua¡¯s mouth and stomping it out with his foot as he glanced at him with a warm comforting smile.


    ¡°Alright,¡± Jebua sat down next to George, ¡°How do I do this?¡± he asked.


    ¡°Just close your eyes, clasp your hands together and think of your loved ones,¡± George explained.


    ¡°How do I know if I¡¯m doing it right?¡± Jebua asked, trying to focus.


    ¡°As long as the payer comes from the heart, it is bound to reach someone,¡± George explained, intensely staring at his companion. The author''s narrative has been misappropriated; report any instances of this story on Amazon.


    Suddenly, X and Matsuhide walked into the room.


    ¡°Aright, enough chit chat boys, it¡¯s go time. The chopper is waiting for us!¡± X shouted with Matsuhide standing directly behind him.


    ¡°Maybe next time,¡± Jebua muttered, standing up.


    ¡°Yeah,¡± George replied, cracking his left knuckle.


    As the squad rushed outside, the sound of rotor blades cutting through the air grew louder.


    ¡°Hurry up or we will lose the element of surprise. We have the entire block surrounded and barricaded, the communications are scrambled, there¡¯s only a brief window for us to act. I will be with you on the intercoms,¡± Matsuhide explained, screaming so his voice doesn¡¯t get drowned out.


    The helicopter took off, flying high into the night sky. The crew sat still on the bunks inside, staring blankly at the floor, completely motionless. Cold sweat was gathering on their foreheads and dripping into their eyes, but they were far too focused to notice. X was the only exception to this. He was laying down on the floor of the aircraft as it flew, looking up at the ceiling with a bored expression.


    ¡°Why are you all so worried?¡± he wondered, laughing gleefully.


    ¡°You do realize this is akin to a suicide mission, right? We are about to storm into a compound full of contractors, one of which is a guaranteed invoke class,¡± Maddie replied lighting a cigarette of his own.


    ¡°Oh, come on guys, we¡¯ve done this before. You¡¯re not afraid of little old Phoenix, are you?¡± X smirked as his gaze shifted towards Maddie.


    ¡°Sure, we are. We¡¯re about to face off against one of the most powerful contractors in the city. Not to mention that he¡¯s functionally immortal,¡± George stated.


    ¡°I¡¯ll take care of him,¡± X stated confidently.


    ¡°You better,¡± Maddie scoffed.


    ¡°He will,¡± Calvin intervened.


    ¡°What about drinks after we¡¯re done??¡± Jebua laughed, trying to brighten the mood.


    ¡°You have a drinking problem!¡± Calvin pointed at Jebua.


    ¡°Right, and I will solve it¡­¡± Jebua attempted to reply before being interrupted by the intercoms.


    ¡°Code name: X, Brick, Pretty-boy, Vizor and Chimney, this is team leader Matsuhide, do you read me? Over,¡± Matsuhide said over the intercoms.


    ¡°Loud and clear, over,¡± X replied.


    ¡°You are about to descend into the enemy¡¯s den. The location is an old warehouse-complex. To your right will be the main office building. To your left is the warehouse itself. You are to engage at your own discretion. Be careful not to get spotted, over,¡± Matsuhide explained.


    ¡°Eye eye, over,¡± Calvin answered with a slight awkwardness in voice.


    ¡°Where¡¯s X?¡± Matsuhide asked in a concerned tone.


    ¡°He just jumped out of the helicopter,¡± Calvin sighed.


    ¡°Fucking psycho,¡± Matsuhide angrily murmured.

 Chapter 4: PhoeniX part 2

    X landed down on the ground. He stealthily scouted the office building, feeling no presence emanating from it.


    ¡°Strange,¡± he thought to himself as his teammates landed beside him.


    ¡°What¡¯s the plan, boss?¡± Brick asked, looking towards X.


    ¡°I found no signs of any activity after investigating the office. It¡¯s clear that they¡¯re cooped up in the warehouse,¡± X explained.


    ¡°Perfect, I¡¯ll go set myself up at the office,¡± Chimney stated, extinguishing his cigarette against his hand.


    ¡°No, get up on the roof, and engage them as soon as we open fire,¡± X smiled, ¡°The rest of you, come with me. Me and Pretty-boy will be at the front, Brick and Vizor fire at them from the back. Use shields as cover. Let¡¯s go,¡± X gave out orders as the squad approached the warehouse doors.


    The warehouse building stood tall, constructed out of reinforced concrete slabs. It consisted of two floors. The first was a general storage area, and the second was made up of decks and catwalks, overseeing the first.


    ¡°Open up!¡± shouted as he kicked the doors open.


    There were about 20 men stationed inside of the building. Phoenix stood on the second floor, surrounded by 8 of his comrades. A tall masculine figure dressed in a long gray trench coat, with long blonde hair and a bird- shaped mask covering his face.


    ¡°Open fire!¡± Phoenix ordered in a strong, commanding shout.


    Suddenly, 8 turrets lit up out of the cover of darkness, covered by knight force-fields. Immediately, X¡¯s expression shifted to that of frustration and annoyance as the barrels began to spin.


    ¡°Ordinus!¡± X screamed out.


    ¡°Denied, no demonic energy detected in your surroundings,¡± the A.I. stated.


    ¡°Shit,¡± X retorted in frustration.


    Explosions suddenly went off, releasing a fraction of the wall from its supports, causing it to collapse behind the group, walling them in.


    ¡°Deploy shields,¡± X shouted.


    Brick and Pretty-boy quickly picked up their round, badge shaped shields, deployed them into the shape of a half-cylinder and placed them on the ground in front of the squad. The turrets fired rounds with savage intensity as Phoenix looked on at the trapped knights as they squirmed, trying to survive.


    Seemingly out of nowhere, Chimney, who was previously hidden in the very back of the warehouse, fired a shot from his rifle, directing it at Phoenix. However, Phoenix was too swift. He narrowly avoided the attack and whispered something to one of his men. The man picked up a remote and with a single press of a button detonated the area where Chimney was stationed. Smoke filled the interior. Phoenix¡¯s men gazed down at the demon hunters with great destain as they opened fire.


    Explosive and incendiary rounds were able to break through the squad¡¯s shields with little effort. Without delay, X lunged forward and placed another shield in front of his team.


    ¡°Quick, get behind me!¡± he shouted to his men.


    He crouched down as Calvin fired over him, giving him cover.


    Suddenly, a grenade flew to the center of the group, exploding directly behind the shield, shattering it, throwing everyone in various directions.


    ¡°Carry a shield, she said,¡± X murmured. ¡°That¡¯s why I don¡¯t carry a fucking shield around, Bec!¡± X thought as he attempted to pick himself up off the ground.


    As he tilted his head, he saw flames surrounding him in a circle. His teammates were scattered all over his vicinity.


    Calvin was launched to the nearby wall, bleeding out with his legs detached from the rest of his body.


    Maddie was hanging on the same wall, empaled through the chest with a thick piece of rebar.


    The only one still up was George, who was unloading explosives at the turrets before him, taking out their shields. He moved with great accuracy, zooming past bullets with his animalistic instincts. His face, calm and focused, with a single goal in mind ¨C survive and return home.


    ¡°Open fire! Quick, while the Pale Reaper is down!¡± Phoenix ordered his men.


    Before the men had the chance to shoot, Jebua appeared seemingly out of nowhere. He charged at Phoenix in an attempt to stab him with a poison dagger, but to no avail. Without a single speck of worry, Phoenix swiped horizontally with a knife, cleanly decapitating Jebua in a single attack.


    Jebua¡¯s head fell down onto the cold ground below.


    ¡°No!¡± X screamed in agony as the head of his companion rolled on to the ground towards him.This tale has been unlawfully lifted without the author''s consent. Report any appearances on Amazon.


    The glimmer previously found in Jebua¡¯s eyes disappeared, being replaced by a blank, vacant stare of a porcelain doll.


    ¡°So this is how I die?¡± Jeb wondered. ¡°Captain, you have to survive,¡± he smiled for the last time as his consciousness faded out of existence.


    ¡°How pathetic!¡± Phoenix scoffed. ¡°For a ¡®great¡¯ demon hunter to be decapitated by a simple knife,¡± he laughed.


    ¡°I¡¯ll fucking kill you, I swear, I¡¯ll fucking kill you!¡± X shouted with pure rage.


    X got up, but before he could do anything to assist his comrades, George was shot straight through the head. His blood splattered the back wall of the warehouse, spreading in the shape of a wing as his lifeless body collapse of the ground.


    ¡°That¡¯s for my brother, you bastard!¡± a man arming the turret screamed.


    Phoenix¡¯s plan was working perfectly. By coercing the family members of the contractors killed or captured by squad X to fight, he could avoid using demonic energy. And without demonic energy, X could not use his own demonic powers. Such was the flaw of the Ordinus system. Demon hunters were I¡¯ll equipped to fight against human foes. After all, in the eyes of the city, the humans posed little threat. This created a loophole, a powerful weapon to be used against the unbeatable team of legendary demon hunters.


    X looked up at Phoenix with rage so vast that Phoenix, even from his safe position up on top, could feel shivers going down his spine. X searched the pocket of his tattered coat but all of his weapons were destroyed. All but one. The blade given to him by Rebeca was still in perfect condition. And as the gunmen and turrets opened fire, X turned the weapon on, extending the blade into a curved single-edge saber. Thanks to his vast experience, X could intuitively tell, this was an exceptional weapon.


    As a barrage of bullets flew at him X cut them apart in mid-air. This, however, was not enough to give him an advantage. He was acting like a barrier, protecting Maddie and Calvin from the impending projectiles.


    ¡°I¡¯m done playing games,¡± X growled as he extended his mechanical arm and fired a powerful energy blast at Phoenix, destroying the shield he and his posse were covered by.


    Because he had to keep still while aiming X got shot through the legs, but this did not slow him down. If anything, he kept getting increasingly faster. However, despite his speed, he was only able to remain on the defensive.


    Soon another explosive was fired at his teammates, X had no other choice but to take the brunt of the impact himself. He was torn into chunks, his robotic arm was yet again destroyed, his right leg was blown apart, and his other arm was damaged so badly he was barely able to hold his sword. However, X was not worried. In his final moment of desperation, he smiled as the reaper welcomed him in it¡¯s embrace.


    ¡°Finish him!¡± Phoenix gave the order and another explosive RPG round was fired at X.


    Suddenly, X jumped as high as his damaged leg allowed him to. He sliced the RPG round and, as soon as his blade cup deep enough into it, he disabled his weapon, attaching himself firmly to the projectile. Then, using its momentum like a pendulum, he swung his body through the air, redirecting the rocket back at Phoenix.


    An explosion echoed through the warehouse, raining fire and brimstone onto the ground below.


    Phoenix received extensive damage, shrapnel pierced his entire body, scattering along his face, his right eye was no longer usable, his skin was burned and entirely disfigured. He stood up, leaning on the wall as he slowly regained consciousness.


    This was not enough to kill Phoenix, far from it. His tenacity and determination rose as his injuries worsened.


    ¡°Shoot him, he¡¯s almost dead!¡± Phoenix shouted out with all of his might as he coughed up blood.


    But then, suddenly, X¡¯s blade came in flying like a boomerang, decapitating Phoenix.


    Phoenix¡¯s body lit ablaze. A powerful white flame engulfed his head and body, forcing him back into a single piece, healing him in the process.


    ¡°Fuuuck!¡± Phoenix screamed, ¡°Contractors, give covering fire. Everyone else retreat as soon as possible! Whatever you do, do not engage the Pale Reaper!¡± Phoenix continued giving out orders as his face appeared increasingly more scared.


    ¡°Demonic energy detected, host state critical, limiter lowered by 3,¡± Ordinus said in a robotic tone.


    ¡°About time,¡± X smiled while glaring at Phoenix.


    Contractors fired magic projectiles of various elements all around. From wind blades, to stone bullets and fireballs, a wide assortment of attacks came flying towards X. However, that did not matter. Sparks filled the room, drowning out every other sound in their loud chirping. In an instant, X fired a powerful chain of lighting into the turrets, destroying them in the blink of an eye. His body regenerated almost instantly, twisting and turning back into it¡¯s correct shape as bullets erupted from it dropping on to the ground.


    X stood stoically as he looked up at Phoenix. ¡°I wonder how many times I will have to cut off your head for you to actually die,¡± he contemplated.


    Phoenix squirmed; his face contorted with fear. ¡°I invoke!¡± He screamed out as his body became enveloped in fleshy, scaly armor resembling a demon. With long dark-red feathers draped behind his head, and a beak that formed covering his face. His jagged armor looked alive, like it was part of his body. Equipped with sharp claws and a bestial stature.


    ¡°Yeah, me too,¡± X grinned.


    ¡­


    X opened his eyes and suddenly found himself in a strange, unfamiliar location. He was sitting down on the ground, in the middle of the street, surrounded by barricades made out of black minivans belonging to the Knights organization.


    As X looked up, he saw a familiar face. Her name was Cassey, a black thin paramedic with curly hair and a gorgeous contagious smile. She looked up at him as she crouched down in front.


    ¡°Hey beautiful,¡± he remarked, rubbing his eyes.


    ¡°Oh, you¡¯re back,¡± she responded, standing back up.


    ¡°How long was I out?¡± X wondered.


    ¡°About 2 minutes,¡± Cassey explained, writing something down in her notepad.


    ¡°How did I get here? Last I remember, I was stuck in a smelly old warehouse,¡± X scratched his head.


    ¡°You blacked out again, huh?¡± Cassey said, visibly worried.


    ¡°Yeah,¡± X looked down at the ground with a grim expression.


    ¡°Well, you apparently punched whoever you were fighting so hard they flew halfway across the city, well, 9 blocks to be exact,¡± Cassey stated before being interrupted.


    ¡°What about my team?¡± X wondered in a sorrow tone.


    ¡°Two deceased, two in critical condition,¡± Cassey swallowed.


    X looked up at the sky, peering deep into the expansive darkness of space, a vista diluted by the lights of the city so much that the stars were no longer visible.


    ¡°So, what are you going to do now?¡± Cassey placed her hand on X¡¯s shoulder.


    ¡°I¡¯m gonna scout some newbies,¡± smiled, getting up off the ground and walked off, eventually disappearing into a crowd.

 Chapter 5: Xychologically sane part 1

    Whenever something traumatic happened, a simple questionnaire was given to determine whether a knight required psychological assistance.


    Question 1: ¡°Have you experienced anything traumatic recently?¡±


    Question 2: ¡°How do you feel about your day-to-day life?¡±


    Question 3: ¡°Do you require emotional assistance?¡±


    Sometimes, however, such questions failed to ascertain an individual¡¯s condition.


    There he was, X, sitting patiently in the waiting room of the medical wing inside of the research department with his usual light-hearted demeanor, staring blankly at the mosaic tile flooring.


    ¡°Come in,¡± a female voice said in a British accent, beckoning him into the office as the big metal shutter doors opened up in front of X. As he walked inside, those same doors shut behind him, creating a loud, damp, metallic sound.


    The interior of the office was rather lavish, furnished with comfortable oak seats and a fine leather sofa. The walls were clad in spruce panels, and on the marble floors a white fur rug comfortably sat.


    ¡°It¡¯s rather cozy in here,¡± X remarked with an anxious smile.


    ¡°It should be. This is a psychiatrist¡¯s office,¡± the woman replied, sitting behind her ornamented antique desk.


    A variety of bits and bobs were arranged on her desk, making it that much more welcoming. Behind her, there was a large exotic fish tank built into the wall, illuminating the office with its blue glow.


    The psychiatrist appeared to be a woman in her mid-twenties. She had black, slicked back hair that was carefully tied into a meticulous bun. She wore black heels and a black butterfly patterned summer dress with long loose sleeves rolled up to her elbows and sat with her legs crossed, leaning her elbows on her desk.


    ¡°My name is Vivian. I¡¯ve heard so much about you, X. You can sit down and make yourself comfortable,¡± the woman smiled.


    ¡°The pleasure is all mine,¡± X muttered, sitting down in the chair directly in front of her.


    ¡°You can lie down on the sofa if that will make you more comfortable,¡± Vivian stated with a warm look in her eyes.


    ¡°Oh no, I¡¯m okay,¡± X replied, as he continued awkwardly staring at her without saying anything.


    Silence filled the office with overwhelming pressure. A stare-down between Vivian and X ensued, none moving an inch or diverting their gaze even for a moment.


    ¡°So, do you feel like telling me why you¡¯re here?¡± she asked, breaking the ice


    ¡°¡¯He¡¯ said I had to come, didn¡¯t say I had to talk,¡± X retorted without moving an inch.


    ¡°Joseph told me that something happened. Care to explain what?¡± Vivian smiled.


    ¡°I got into a workplace argument,¡± X shifted his gaze.


    ¡°An argument? Please elaborate?¡± Vivian clasped her fingers in front of her face.


    ¡°Nope!¡± X anxiously exclaimed with a goofy smile.


    ¡°Alrighty,¡± Vivian said, picking a file out of one of her drawers and throwing it on to her desk. ¡°July 23, 12:13 am, You¡­¡± she read before being interrupted.This story has been stolen from Royal Road. If you read it on Amazon, please report it


    ¡°Wait!¡± X screamed out in frustration. ¡°Alright. You got me! I¡¯ll tell you,¡± he smiled with a slight scoff.


    ¡°So basically. Two days ago, me and my team went out for drinks. I¡¯m sure you were invited, the entire compound was,¡± X explained.


    ¡°I recall receiving a memo,¡± Vivian said while touching her chin.


    ¡°Well, almost the entirety of our team showed up apart from Matilda, George, and Matsuhide. The next day, we had an operation. Well, things went south, as the enemy set up an ambush waiting for us and two of my teammates died as a result. I lost control, Yada, Yada, Yada. Let me skip over the non-important details.¡± X paused, trying to gather his thoughts. ¡°So, there was this bartender who we got the info from, right? But apparently, he never gave any intel. And guess who was tasked with interrogating him? Matsuhide! And so, I thought, If I was Matsuhide, and if I was going to betray my team the next day, I wouldn¡¯t come to drink with them. I mean, I could bear to see their faces, and that¡¯s me. Matsuhide is a lot softer than me. I¡¯ve known him since he was a kid. His dad used to bring him to see me. Man, those were the days,¡± X continued, shifting his thoughts towards the past.


    ¡°But wait, Matsuhide wasn¡¯t the only one not to show up?¡± Vivian asked.


    ¡°Well yeah, but George was killed, and it¡¯s not Matilda,¡± X shook his head.


    ¡°Why do you think it¡¯s not Matilda?¡± Vivian wondered.


    ¡°It¡¯s not Matilda.¡± X said, motionless.


    ¡°Why do you think so?¡± Vivian smirked, leaning forward.


    ¡°I know it¡¯s not Matilda.¡± X repeated, in a slightly agitated tone.


    ¡°How?¡± she inquired with a blank stare.


    ¡°I know it¡¯s not Matilda, because I¡¯m sleeping with her!¡± X loudly declared. ¡°Kidding,¡± he smiled. ¡°She¡¯s just not the type,¡± X shook his head.


    ¡°So basically, you¡¯re saying it could be Matilda.¡± Vivian sighed, shaking her head in accordance.


    ¡°Now that I think about it¡­ Yes!¡± X giggled. ¡°Can I leave now that I¡¯ve stumbled upon this great realization?¡± X mumbled, visibly dissatisfied.


    ¡°Why don¡¯t you continue telling me what happened,¡± Vivian interjected, putting on her glasses.


    ¡°Okay, right¡­¡±, X cleared his throat, ¡°So, yesterday, after dropping my arm off for repairs, I went to Matsuhide¡¯s office to talk to him. But you see, there was this big black bodybuilder looking guy standing outside his door, not letting me in. A real mountain of a man. Swole and pumped with spaghetti-like veins popping out of every uneven surface.¡± X explained.


    ¡°So, what did you do?¡± Vivian leaned in closer.


    ¡°Told him I had full jurisdiction to enter Matsuhide¡¯s office. To which he said that he¡¯s not a Knight and I have no jurisdiction over him, therefore I have no means of making him move and that I should walk away or try my luck,¡± X sighed.


    ¡°And?¡± Vivian asked with great anticipation.


    ¡°I tried my luck,¡± X¡¯s eyes shifted to a serious expression filled to the brim with malice, ¡°I grabbed him by the throat and smashed him through a wall and used his limp body like a rug,¡± X explained before sighing once more.


    ¡°Then, I came up to Matsuhide and said: you¡¯re a little rat, aren¡¯t you?


    And then he said: what are you doing? Why did you do that to my bodyguard? Are you insane?


    And then I said: Fein ignorance, all you want, you set us up to die!


    And then he said: Fuck you X! Do you have any proof of this nonsense you¡¯re spouting?


    And then I said: You didn¡¯t go to the bar with us, and you were the one responsible for the intel.


    And then he said: I didn¡¯t interrogate the guy myself, someone set us up, but it wasn¡¯t me!


    And then I said: What about the bar then? What were you doing then?


    And then he said: Fuck you, it¡¯s none of your business what I do in my free time!


    And then I said: It is my business when my teammates die because you¡¯re a shithead!


    And then he pulled out his gun and screamed: Fuck you!


    And then she said¡­¡± X spoke reenacting the conversation.


    ¡°Wait, wait, wait. Who¡¯s ¡®she¡¯?¡± Vivian slightly twisted her head as a sign of confusion.


    ¡°I¡¯m just screwing with you, there was no ¡°she¡±, I was just checking if you were paying attention,¡± X laughed.


    ¡°Anyway, then I screamed: I¡¯ll skin you alive Timothy!


    He tried to shoot me, but all of his shots missed. I took away his gun, smashed his head into the ground and said: You are a fucking cockroach!


    And then he said: Fuck you.


    And then Joseph screamed over intercoms: X stop it this instant!


    And then I said: I¡¯m just taking care of the trash.


    And then Joseph finally gave me some context and said: His wife died last Monday, that¡¯s why he wasn¡¯t with us that day, he was with her at the hospital.


    And then I said while having my blade pressed against his throat: We¡¯re you now?


    And then he said, unsurprisingly: Fuck you!


    And then Joseph said: X leave his office this instant!


    And now I¡¯m here, happy?¡± X grinned while crossing his legs.


    ¡°Yes! Are you?¡± She asked with a warm smile.


    ¡°Not since coming here,¡± X replied with a slight sigh.


    ¡°Fantastic!¡± Vivian clapped. ¡°So, is this violent behavior of yours, is that common? I heard about what you did to Melissa, poor girl.¡± Vivian demonstratively swayed from side to side.


    ¡°She wouldn¡¯t let me out, so I walked out on my own,¡± X smirked with a strange sense of self-satisfaction.

 Chapter 5: Xychologically sane part 2

    ¡°Going back to your violent streak! I heard this rumor about this event¡­ What did they call it? Ah, yes! ¡°The Susie massacre,¡± what can you tell me about it?¡± She asked, paying no attention to X¡¯s indirect threat.


    ¡°How do you know about that? It¡¯s classified information.¡± X frowned.


    ¡°Oh, I have my ways!¡± Vivian smirked.


    ¡°I can¡¯t discuss classified information without permission. It¡¯s against protocol,¡± X averted his gaze.


    ¡°Fuck the protocol!¡± She smiled.


    ¡°Well, if you put it that way,¡± X smiled back. ¡°8 years ago, I was often dispatched on missions to the outskirts of the city. Some had me warding off demons, others had me capturing contractors. Either way, it was common for me to end up in that part of town at least once a week. This one day I was having lunch on a bench overlooking the city, when a young girl approached me asking for food. I had nothing to give her then, but I promised that the next time I come I will bring something for her.


    Well, the next time came, and I did as I promised. It had been a week since then and apparently the little rascal had been showing up every day, waiting for me. Her name was Susie. She took me to the orphanage where she lived, a beautiful chapel surrounded by a field of flowers. The nuns were weary of me at first. But eventually, after I became a patron of the orphanage, they too took a liking to me.


    Time passed, I would get dispatched to the outskirts on an almost daily basis, and after every mission, I would visit Susie at the orphanage. I would bring her and the other kids clothes, toys and candy, I would lay in the grass, and bask in the sunlight. Man, those were the days.


    There was an oil field in a region near the orphanage. A convoy was to bring supplies from one of the major outposts to the oilfield in order to construct additional silos. I was deployed along with a team of other knights to protect the construction site. I remember being glad, since that meant I could spend more time with Susie and the kids. But what I found when I came to see the orphanage left me shaken to my very core.


    You see, a group of powerful contractors from outside the city tracked the caravan and followed it to the base. The group was most-likely planning to raid the oilfield, but when they saw the chapel, they decided to make a detour. And can you guess what they did? They raped the nuns and burned the chapel. They killed the kids and covered the area in their intestines as if they were a holiday decorations. They tore off their heads and played catch with them. Most said that they did it because they were demons, because they wished to defy God. But I can tell you this: a natural-born demon would never act in such pointlessly cruel ways. If it were done by demons, they would have simply been eaten with little to no suffering,¡± X explained.


    ¡°What did you do?¡± Vivan asked while covering her mouth.


    ¡°I did what I could. They were strong and there were 7 of them, 3 demons and 2 titans. I can only unseal up to 3 limiters without administrative approval. I called the knights for backup, but they refused to assist me. And the only person who even listened to what I had to say was Joseph. He went against the orders of his superiors from the upper babel and allowed me to unseal my limiter up to level 12, using a technicality as an excuse.


    As many are well-aware, my soul is being kept at the research center in an underground vault. They say that during that confrontation, my soul disappeared from containment for exactly 7 seconds. I don¡¯t know what precisely happened during that fight, but when I came to, all the contractors were torn to shreds and their hearts were digesting inside of my stomach.This story originates from a different website. Ensure the author gets the support they deserve by reading it there.


    The knights spun the story differently. They blamed me for killing the children because it was a natural thing for a ¡®demon¡¯ to do, using the attack as an excuse to go on a rampage. And since there was nothing left of the attackers, I had no means of clearing my name.


    And the name, ¡®Susie massacre,¡¯ the event got that title because I called it that in my report. I just wanted for people to remember Susie, even if it happens because of the circumstances of her death.¡± X finished telling his story before closing his eyes.


    ¡°So, you blacked out? Does this happen often?¡± Vivian asked, ignoring the emotional conclusion of his story.


    ¡°Every time I unseal over 3 limiters, but as of late I¡¯ve been blacking out even with just two. Hell, even at one, I feel somewhat different.¡± X explained.


    ¡°And when you black out, what usually happens?¡± Vivian asked with a keen interest in her eyes.


    ¡°When they sealed away my power 30 years ago, they also sealed a part of my soul along with it. A part that, from what I can tell, is always pissed,¡± X smiled.


    ¡°You mean the demon part?¡± she wondered.


    ¡°Not necessarily. Who can say that I¡¯m not the demon part? All I know is that the seal created two distinct personalities. The more seals are removed, the closer I get to becoming who I was before.¡± X sighed.


    ¡°Oh, and who exactly were you?¡± Vivian smiled.


    ¡°You don¡¯t want to know,¡± X placed his hand on his temple.


    ¡°But I do,¡± Vivian bit her lip.


    ¡°Let me offer you a piece of advice,¡± X scratched his head and closed his eyes, ¡°You might not know this but demons who have dominion over fire, are in actuality able to control the speed of particles, pyromancers and cryomancers are actually controlling the same element, much in the same way, demons who control wind or stone actually control pressure. The things regarded as magic are intuitive to contractors and therefore are considered to be magical, but they are far more scientific than it might seem. Demons are feared because once a contractor reaches that stage, they are no longer bound by the laws of the world. You should have felt it yourself. The abyss you reached upon becoming a titan. No amount of demonic energy will allow you to traverse it. Demons are not made with power, but knowledge. Are you a demon who wishes to conquer your enemies? Then you must become the definition of that knowledge. Only then will you attain freedom. Such is the truth behind all contracts.¡± X explained.


    ¡°How did you know?¡± Vivian asked with a worried expression.


    ¡°What do you mean?¡± X grinned.


    ¡°That I¡¯m a titan.¡± She stared deep into his eyes.


    ¡°Oh, well, your demonic energy is depleted, but there¡¯s no hiding the smell. And plus, your vessel is too large to be this empty.¡± X smiled and placed his hands behind his head.


    ¡°When did you¡­¡± she said and grabbed her chin, trying to think.


    ¡°I must warn you, young one, if you ever attempt to peer into mine, you might just become swallowed whole by it.¡± X stood up, getting ready to leave. ¡°Oh, and by the way, how come you didn¡¯t say I can make myself at home?¡± He asked, referring to the beginning of their meeting.


    ¡°I don¡¯t know how you act at home,¡± she remarked crossing her arms.


    ¡°I like you,¡± X laughed. ¡°I really enjoyed our chat. Same time next week?¡± X asked while standing up.


    ¡°It¡¯s scheduled,¡± Vivian mumbled.


    ¡°Perfect, let¡¯s make it a date!¡± X smiled while squinting.


    ¡°Aren¡¯t I a little too young for you? And don¡¯t you have a thing for Matilda?¡± Vivian smiled with a concerned expression.


    ¡°Everyone has a thing for Matilda!¡± X explained while approaching the exit.


    ¡°They¡¯re locked,¡± she remarked, referring to the doors.


    ¡°No, they aren¡¯t,¡± X retorted as he kicked the solid steel doors out along with their entire frame, sending debris and a loud shockwave echoing through the halls.

 Chapter 6: Solitude amidst the weeping moonlight

    ¡°I am rotten,¡± X thought to himself as the cold, heavy acidic rain poured on his face. A blank expression took over, rendering his face in a seeming emotionless state. His body went limp and for a moment he felt like he found himself in a massive dark birdcage.


    ¡°Come on, we have to go,¡± Joseph said as he placed his hand on X¡¯s shoulder.


    X snapped out of his bitter sulking.


    ¡°I guess you¡¯re right,¡± he replied. ¡°We can¡¯t keep them waiting for long.¡±


    The bells toiled in the background as the pair, dressed in black suits, made their way into the Knights¡¯ graveyard. A place where distinguished knights, who die during fieldwork, are laid to rest. Stone memorials are erected for each of them, a statue of their likeness to be remembered for ages to come. A rare commodity in the modern world.


    X closed his eyes. His weary gaze shifted towards the ground as the pair approached the gathering.


    ¡°Two holes,¡± X thought to himself. ¡°No one will remember them,¡± he paused, ¡°apart from me.¡±


    It was a funeral procession, the first one that X had gone to since he joined the ranks of the Knights.


    ¡°Hey, boss!¡± a voice called out to X.


    ¡°Brick! What are you doing here?¡± X raised his eyes.


    But what he saw was a mere shadow of his expectations. A previously tall masculine figure bound to a wheelchair. In the span of a couple of days, his ginger beard began to turn gray. His normally puffy, lively face had sunken in, seeming tired, appearing almost dead and sickly.


    ¡°We¡¯re gonna have Bec fix you up some high-grade prosthetics!¡± X smirked.


    ¡°I¡¯m not sure if I¡¯ll need them, boss,¡± Calvin anxiously laughed.


    ¡°What do you mean?¡± X asked.


    ¡°I¡¯m going to retire,¡± Calvin stumbled while scratching his head.


    ¡°You¡¯re not going to retire!¡± Maddie suddenly yelled, interrupting the conversation.


    ¡°I¡¯ve made my choice!¡± Calvin screamed out.


    ¡°Fuck your choice!¡± Maddie shouted back.


    ¡°Maddie!¡± Joseph said as he grabbed him by the shoulder.


    ¡°Fuck his choice!¡± Maddie shouted at Joseph. ¡°You mean to say that a man strong enough to resist a contract will give up after losing a few limbs?!¡±


    ¡°I have an obligation to my family,¡± Calvin frowned in despair.


    ¡°You can put the wolf into a kennel¡­¡± X smirked.


    ¡°¡­But you can¡¯t stop him from hunting deer in your backyard,¡± Calvin continued. ¡°I need some time,¡± he muttered.


    ¡°Time is the most limited resource for a human,¡± X grinned, ¡°But fine! I¡¯ll order you those legs. I¡¯ll even pay for them out of pocket, regardless if you come back to do fieldwork. Just promise me one thing, that even if you won¡¯t hunt demons, you¡¯ll still work for me.¡± X smiled and approached Calvin with a handshake.


    ¡°You mean work for Timothy?¡± Joseph cleared his throat.


    ¡°I¡¯ll think about it,¡± Calvin shook X¡¯s hand with tears in his eyes.


    ¡°That¡¯s all I want,¡± X said with a smile that didn¡¯t match his eyes.


    ¡°I¡¯m rotten to the core,¡± X thought to himself with a blank expression.


    The farewell ceremony proceeded. Several muscular men carried in the caskets, all members of the organization. The caskets were gently placed into their respective holes and buried.


    ¡°Tsk. Butchered like dogs,¡± Maddie muttered in anger, something only X heard.


    As the grave diggers shoveled, covering the coffins with dirt, the people attending the funeral looked on. Some cried, others stood in silence, consumed in thought. But X was the only one smiling, despite his grief, or rather, in spite of it.


    Goerges family stood opposite to X, glaring at him the entire time. His son appeared like he had all life artificially removed from him. Not a single tear rolled down his cheek, yet his face was grieving, twisting, and contorting into a rage so great that no words could describe it.


    X looked back at the little boy, flashing a smile in his eyes, embedding it into his subconscious. A face of someone his father had trusted more than anyone, and now an enemy the boy is swearing to destroy.The tale has been illicitly lifted; should you spot it on Amazon, report the violation.


    ¡°He¡¯s just at that ripe age,¡± X thought to himself before turning around and leaving mid-ceremony.


    Everyone looked on at his back as it got farther, but most knew it was for the best if he left without making the situation worse. Only Calvin and Maddie were clenching their fists at this great injustice. A hero viewed as an unsympathetic demon.


    For the next couple of hours, X scoured the streets in his usual pattern, alternating between wandering aimlessly and looking at the sky with a sorrowful expression. He walked until it got dark.


    The damp cold air clumping together near his mouth and nose brought his gaze towards the magnetic monorail.


    ¡°I should probably go home,¡± he thought to himself as he boarded a wagon.


    Inside was rather barren, which was unusual for this time of the day. Three young men were sitting in the back wearing sweatpants and cheap plastic bomber jackets. Their hair was shaved short in punk styles. One youth was playing with a knife, tossing it around in the air, another was chewing gum and the third was zoned out on his phone, playing loud electronic music through a cheap speaker from inside of his bag.


    X sat down on one of the front seats near the window so he could gaze at the beautiful vista. However, his plans were interrupted by the sound of obnoxious, high paced music, which suddenly got a lot louder. X turned his head at the youths to see the youths staring right back at him.


    ¡°Whatcha looking at?¡± one youth asked with an over-articulated expression.


    ¡°Your bad music taste,¡± X paused. ¡°Well, to be more exact, I¡¯m listening to it,¡± he laughed.


    ¡°What did you say?!¡± another youth shouted.


    ¡°See, I don¡¯t really have a choice other than to listen to your awful music. Because you¡¯re blasting it so loud,¡± X continued.


    ¡°You tryna pick a fight?¡± the same youth asked.


    ¡°So, could you please turn it down? I want to enjoy the scenery in peace,¡± X finished explaining.


    One guy stood up and started making his way towards X while continuing to play with his knife.


    ¡°You get out on this stop,¡± he said while bringing the blade up to X¡¯s throat.


    ¡°I was planning to either way. I live not far from here.¡± X stood up, glaring at the young man while avoiding the point of his knife, gracefully dancing around him towards the exit.


    X stood next to the door, waiting for it to open as the three piled up behind him.


    ¡°Oh, you¡¯re getting off here too, guys?¡± he grinned.


    ¡°Sure we are,¡± one guy replied.


    ¡°Don¡¯t make any sudden moves,¡± another said as he brought the blade to X¡¯s nape.


    ¡°Ooo, scary,¡± X replied as he giggled slightly. ¡°Ordinus, data check.¡± He requested in monotone.


    ¡°Target one: Michael Grinn, status: contractor. Target two: Josh Mintc, status: ordinary. Target three: Caleb Tinge, status: contractor.¡± Ordinus replied, spooking the teenagers.


    ¡°I see you guys are legal,¡± X looked back at them, ¡°why would you do something so stupid then?¡± X laughed, pointing his finger at the bunch.


    ¡°Fuck you,¡± one boy swiped his knife at X.


    ¡°Ordinus,¡± X replied while shifting his body slightly to the right.


    ¡°Disciplinary action permitted against Josh Mintc,¡± Ordinus replied.


    X dodged the attack with little effort, and kicked the boy in the chest, hitting him unconscious against the interior of the wagon, causing it to shake.


    ¡°Next please!¡± X waved his hand at the boys.


    Suddenly, one youth began channeling a fire spell in his right hand.


    ¡°You know I¡¯m a Knight, right?¡± X shook his head.


    ¡°Does it look like I care? I¡¯ll blast this entire cabin if you don¡¯t give us all your money!¡± He screamed while preparing to fire out the projectile.


    ¡°You should have said so,¡± X said before grabbing his wallet and throwing it on the ground. ¡°Nevermind, that wallet was a gift,¡± he remarked as he picked it back up off the ground, took out all the credits inside and handed them to the guy closest to him.


    As the doors of the monorail opened, X walked out, leaving the youths standing completely speechless.


    ¡°Don¡¯t spend it all at once!¡± He waved them goodbye before going on his way.


    X slowly made his way into the most expensive neighborhood in the city. A place called the ¡°Safe-zone¡± of lower babel. The streets were paved in clean, perfectly defined concrete slabs, turrets and cameras were placed around every corner. The buildings, mostly consisting of multi-apartment high-rises, were built with pristine appearance and impeccable stability in mind.


    X entered the lobby of his apartment building. A large central area with a receptionist and 3D holographic visualization of the high-rise.


    ¡°Hey X, it¡¯s been a while,¡± the receptionist remarked.


    ¡°Four months Vince, I see you¡¯re still as sharp as ever,¡± X responded, giving the receptionist a high-five.


    ¡°Miss Amanda is¡­¡± the reactionist said before being interrupted.


    ¡°I¡¯ll figure it out on my own Vince, have a good night,¡± X sighed while getting into the elevator.


    ¡°Likewise,¡± Vince smiled.


    X slowly paced along the interior as the elevator climbed upwards. Its mechanical gears clanking and screeching before stopping on the top floor.


    ¡°I¡¯m home!¡± X shouted as he walked in.


    The penthouse was lavishly decorated, with many modern art pieces strewn about. A perfectly designed blend of modern architectural shapes and ancient roman aesthetics.


    X took off his soaked shoes, leaving them by the elevator. He made his way into the apartment, turning on the lights in the kitchen and living room. He walked into the kitchen and opened the fridge, grabbing a bottle of expensive wine. As he closed the fridge door, he noticed a note taped on to it.


    The note read: ¡°Dad, I don¡¯t know where you are or when you will return. I asked you to call me at least once in a while to see how you¡¯re doing. I can¡¯t keep sitting and waiting for you like a little girl. I know Eris feels the same way. I¡¯m leaving for compound 67 in Turkey for the next eight months. I wanted to leave your granddaughter in your care, but I don¡¯t know when you will be back, so I¡¯m taking her with me. I hope I can see you again when I return. Love, Amanda.¡±


    ¡°Fuck!¡± X sighed.


    He picked up the bottle and removed the top with his bare hand like it was made of butter, leaving a clean cut. He sat down next to the panoramic window overlooking the city, its great and terrifying beauty expanding before his very eyes.


    His gaze slowly shifted towards the full moon, as its massive tyrannical glory expanded over the night sky.


    X lit a cigarette. ¡°The moon,¡± he thought to himself. ¡°What a load of bullshit,¡± he said with a tired and lonely gaze.


    End of prologue

 ARC 2: Cradle of Fools

    Hello, my kind readers! This is mora. I am writing this section as a means of granting the reader some additional information about what ''Demon''s Reign is and how it''s being made. As I am writing this I have just finished editing ARC 1 and have drafts for the next 3 ARC ready to go.


    Now, first of all, Demon''s Reign as a concept was initially created over 12 years ago. Back then, when I was still an angsty teen I became fascinated by how people are reacting to the entire 2012 end of the world thing, an over blown bubble made of countless ''what ifs''. And so I started my own ''What if''. What if the world was invaded by massive building sized, kaiju-like demons. What if those demons destroyed the world? Several characters were born from these countless scenarios and soon a central plot was born. But that was not enough for me. I thought, ''But what would happen in 50 years after the end of the world? How would this new world function?'' And this became the setting of what we now call ''Demon''s reign''. Of course at that point it didn''t even have at title.


    After 10 or so years of plotting the story as my life continued to progress, I never thought I would actually start writing it. To get this out of the way, ''Demon''s reign'' is not my first book, nor is it my only long-term project. It''s just that at this time I primarily focus on writing song lyrics. To be honest I am far from being able to call it a full time job, maybe a side hustle? Anyways, back to the main to topic. Two years ago, I got the brilliant idea of starting a webcomic. I found an artist and we began working on preproduction. I believe back then the working title was still ''Souls of the end'' (haha). A couple of months passed and my artist left without saying anything, he simply stopped working on the project without telling me, or so I was informed by a common acquaintance. I got angry and decided to turn all of the storyboards I had produced into a novel and here we are.This story originates from a different website. Ensure the author gets the support they deserve by reading it there.


    For ARC 1 my intention was quite simple. I had to write a prologue that would compliment the story further down the line. I am unsure of how well I was able to achieve what I set out to do but It''s quite interesting to compare it to the later arcs because of how different it is, both in tone and style.


    This was everything I wanted to say. I''ll talk to you more after the end of the next arc and hope that you continue reading my story.


    Love,


    ~Mora


    30-06-2024

 Chapter 7: Zeke part 1

    All education takes place within the Babel Academy. Many years after the world had ended, after humans, once again, became at least somewhat situated. Within this new relatively safe space, production and industry boomed, resulting in a high demand for educated workers. Being taught how to survive by your parents and grandparents, or reading scientific information out of old textbooks, was no longer sufficient.


    The solution to this crisis became a plan that was proposed by the Knights. A plan to create an education system catered around the new world. That is how the Babel Academy came to be.


    Initially, the academy was structured into two segments.


    The normal wing, created to accommodate the basic needs of regular students. The students who attended classes in this wing were known as ¡®Stems¡¯. When Stem students graduated, most of them became factory technicians and engineers, and some became laborers and servers regardless of their education.


    The royal wing, encompassing the education of contractors, teaching in depth courses on demonic biology, science and combat, the students of this course also attended regular classes, they were known as ¡®blooms¡¯. After they graduated, these students were set to become members of the Knight organization.


    Originally, the royal course was only reserved for contractors, as they were seen as more useful and efficient, but because of popular demand, a third option arose, an in between, the rank known as ¡®Buds¡¯, These were students who were not contractors but were exceptional enough at their studies to take classes at the royal wing. These students were exempt from combat-based education, as their physical abilities could not match those of contractors. After graduation, most of these students would become scientists, politicians or high-qualification specialists.


    However, because of the high standards placed on those wishing to become ¡°Buds¡°, there were only several students that were capable of this feat in the entire academy.


    A special class that was accessible to both blooms and buds. The class was called demonology. The professor teaching this class was known as the father of demonology, a man who was alive before the collapse. His cunning and extensive knowledge when combating demons has become legendary among his peers. When he was young, he became known as Garen the demon slayer. Now, a 75 year old man, he still contributes to the world by teaching the younger generation. This was the heritage of Garen Henry Orkal.


    ¡°Do you know what the defining difference between Dragons and Drakonians is?¡± Garen asked his class.Ensure your favorite authors get the support they deserve. Read this novel on the original website.


    Not one soul answered as he paced back and forth along the auditorium filled to the brim with over 150 students. Only one boy, who was sitting in the middle row, quivering quietly in terror.


    ¡°Come on, one of you has to know!¡± Garen said with enthusiasm, not befitting an old man as he waved around his cane.


    ¡°Dragons are closer to demons, and Drakonians are more closely related to animals, sir!¡± A boy anxiously explained.


    ¡°Ahhh, fantastic, very good. You are quite right, boy. Dragons are highly intelligent and cognitive with the ability to understand human concepts such as mathematics, art and language. In fact, some are much more intelligent than humans, thanks to their long lifespans. While Drakonians on the other hand, are near mindless beasts operating mostly on instinct, they are the distant offspring of dinosaurs. And of these two, which do you think is harder to hunt?¡± Garen explained before asking a second question.


    ¡°Drakonians, sir!¡± Another student boldly exclaimed while standing up.


    ¡°Oh, and why do you think so?¡± Garen asked.


    ¡°Because Drakes who are classified as Drakonians are on average larger than dragons and their savage, uncivilized nature makes that much more fierce in battle,¡± the boy explained.


    ¡°Dragons are more dangerous, sir!¡± the boy from before interrupted. ¡°They are much nimbler and calculating. Some even possess the ability to use magic,¡± the child anxiously stated.


    ¡°Excellent!¡± the professor exclaimed, ¡°Keith, you were close but not quite there I¡¯m afraid. Ferocity and savagery are not to be undervalued, as they can be powerful weapons. However, in my experience, they always fall behind a calculative mind,¡± he explained. ¡°As for you, what is your name?¡± the professor asked, addressing the other student.


    ¡°Z-z-z-Zeke, sir!¡± the boy nervously replied.


    ¡°Well, Zeke, you have an excellent head on your shoulders. I¡¯ll be looking forward to your end-term report,¡± Garen smiled.


    Keith scoffed bitterly, looking back at the boy.


    ¡°Hey professor, when are you going to teach us about actual demons?¡± A young man slouching in the back of the auditorium loudly shouted.


    ¡°Oh, are you not satisfied with what I am teaching you?¡± Garen asked.


    ¡°I¡¯m not. I don¡¯t have the slightest interest in dragons or minotaurs. They are not the ones who destroyed our world, they are not the enemy. The demons are,¡± the boy casually explained.


    ¡°And, young man, I assume you are here to become a Knight and hunt demons?¡± Garen questioned.


    ¡°Exactly, and I want to know all there is to know about them. Their powers, their intelligence, their weaknesses, ways of killing them.¡± The boy said, lifting his feet off the desk, sitting upright.


    ¡°Well, young boy, all information about existing demons is classified. So, you will have to get it on your own. And as far as weaknesses are concerned, you will find that they are all of human origin, meaning that those natural-born demons who you wish to hunt so deeply, possess none such traits,¡± the professor said, before turning his back to the auditorium, ¡°Class dismissed.¡± The man said, walking back to his desk.

 Chapter 7: Zeke part 2

    The auditorium suddenly became filled with chatter as the people inside started leaving after the class was finished. A couple of students started to converse.


    ¡°What happened to your face?¡± Keith asked one of the three boys that came up to him.


    ¡°He got beat up,¡± one of the guys smiled.


    ¡°By who?¡± Keith questioned with a surprised expression.


    ¡°This fucking gray-haired dude,¡± Josh scoffed while looking at the ground and clenching his fist.


    ¡°You mean to say that some old guy beat you up? That¡¯s hilarious!¡± Keith could not hold back his laughter.


    Suddenly, the confrontational student from the back of the auditorium approached the group.


    ¡°Wait, this man, what did he look like?¡± the youth wondered.


    ¡°Oh, hi Ian,¡± Michael greeted the boy, ¡°Long hair, partially gray hair, stubby beard, an eyepatch. He mentioned he was a knight,¡± the boy explained.


    ¡°Well, he did have an ordinus badge peeking out of his pocket,¡± Caleb remarked.


    ¡°Holy shit! You got beat up by the pale reaper!¡± Ian exclaimed.


    ¡°Come on, there¡¯s no way it was him, right?¡± Keith said, rubbing the back of his head. ¡°Guys, if that was the pale reaper, you would have been killed on the spot.¡± He explained.


    ¡°Whoever it was, this shit fucking hurts,¡± Josh stated, alluring to his bruised face, ¡°Wait up, that reminds me¡±, He said before taking a deep breath, ¡°Hey, meat-bag where do you think you¡¯re going?!¡± he screamed to Zeke who was trying to slip away unnoticed.


    ¡°To have lunch,¡± Zeke muttered before shifting his gaze away from the group.


    ¡°Not yet, you aren¡¯t!¡± Josh exclaimed, standing up from his seat. ¡°Not after you pulled that shit with the teacher, making Keith look all dumb and shit!¡± he shouted, walking towards Zeke.


    ¡°Come on guys, knock it off,¡± Keith said, pulling on Ian¡¯s jacket. ¡°Fix this,¡± Keith said to him.


    ¡°Alright,¡± Ian smiled.


    ¡°Why don¡¯t we take this conversation to the bathroom?¡± Josh smiled, with his face inches away from Zeke¡¯s.


    ¡°I don¡¯t want to,¡± Zeke mumbled.


    ¡°You think you have a choice? You contractless bitch!¡± Josh screamed while grabbing Zeke by the collar.


    ¡°Doesn¡¯t that make you one as well?¡± Zeke remarked.


    ¡°Shut up, I¡¯m just a late bloomer!¡± he said, slapping Zeke on the face.


    The slap emanated throughout the auditorium, alerting the teacher, but instead of confronting the delinquents, he simply looked away, shifting his guilty gaze away from the boys.


    It had always been that way, those with power oppressing those without it. It was always true, but in this new world, governed by demons and contractors, it became even more so. Those without power could not hope to stand up to their oppressors. And power was something that Zeke was severely lacking.


    Zeke was dragged to the bathroom by the three boys in front of everyone¡¯s eyes. The teachers, the students, the janitors, no one seemed to care. It was as if his life was worth less than the lives of his abusers. A deep pain filled his head as he stared at the three boys.


    ¡°Not so tough now, aren¡¯t you?¡± Josh said while pushing the boy into a stall.The story has been illicitly taken; should you find it on Amazon, report the infringement.


    ¡°Why do you keep doing this?¡± Zeke asked with a sorrow expression.


    ¡°Because you¡¯re weak and refuse to do anything in retaliation,¡° Ian walked in, interrupting their conversation.¡° The world has no need for people like you, so afraid of hurting others, you rather get hurt yourself, chicken.¡±


    ¡°If I fight back, you win,¡± Zeke scoffed.


    ¡°Well chicken, you might be right,¡± Ian laughed, ¡°But you wouldn¡¯t have to suffer through this.¡± He said as he extended his hand, causing fire to start coming out of his palm. ¡°You see, if I use a small amount of magic, the ordinus system won¡¯t pick it up. It¡¯s because the system assumes that all contractors use magic on a daily basis. To put it simply, even if I¡¯m not breaking the law, I can still use some magic.¡± He finished explaining and placed his burning hand on Zeke¡¯s shoulder, injuring the boy.


    Zeke squealed in anguish, tears began flooding his eyes as Ian¡¯s hand burned right through his uniform. Zeke took a deep breath and closed his eyes, wishing for the suffering to end.


    ¡°You¡¯re really not gonna fight back, are you chicken?¡± Ian laughed. ¡°Do you know what would happen if I were to use my powers? I would get detention! Isn¡¯t it funny that I can legitimately hurt you, and since your injuries are not considered being severe when concerning contractors, I would be fine,¡± Ian smirked.


    He lifted his hand, extending one of his fingers. Using magic, he coated it in fire, condensing the flames until his finger began to glow.


    ¡°Unauthorized, demonic energy detected, the use of magic is prohibited, cease the illegal activity or you will be prosecuted,¡± Ordinus called out, using the bathroom speakers to issue a warning.


    Suddenly, Ian stabbed his finger directly through Zeke¡¯s shoulder, creating a large black burning hole in it. Zeke screamed out in anguish as blood began dripping down to the floor. The other three boys looked on, shocked by Ian¡¯s cruelty.


    Zeke immediately pushed Ian away, stunning the boy and running out of the bathroom while grabbing onto his bleeding shoulder.


    ¡°So you do have a limit¡±, Ian smiled. ¡°Where are you going, chicken?¡± he asked as Zeke ran out of the bathroom clutching his shoulder tightly with his hand, struggling to apply pressure to stop the bleeding.


    Ian grinned as he stormed out of the bathroom, ¡°Hey chicken!¡±, he screamed out, ¡°let me cauterize that for you!¡±, he flipped in a pirouette while channeling a fire spell, using the momentum to propel himself into the air. As he fired off the attack, a shroud of fire enveloped the halls, hastily propelling itself towards Zeke, who was barely able to duck and leap away at the last moment.


    ¡°Illegal use of magic detected. Ian Monteleu, cease all illegal activity. Knights will soon be dispatched,¡± The Ordinus system rang throughout the hallways.


    Zeke took off running as fast as he could. The onlookers stood idly staring at the wounded boy with both pity and disdain.


    ¡°Come back, chicken!¡± Ian screamed as got ready to fire off another spell, aiming it at the boy.


    But before he could fire it off, Keith grabbed him by the arm, extinguishing the spell.


    ¡°Enough!¡± Keith screamed out, with an enraged frown.


    ¡°Hey, you were the one who told me to fix this,¡± Ian smirked.


    Without batting an eye, Keith punched Ian in the face, knocking him to the ground. He clenched his fist tightly, holding back not to punch Ian again, before shifting his gaze to the battered boy running across the hall.


    Zeke continued running, despite the fact that there was no longer anyone chasing him. He ran out of the academy, ignoring the safety checkpoints on the way. For hours he ran. Escaping to the forest behind the academy, climbing up a one-sided slope to a cliff overlooking the city. It got dark by the time he reached the top.


    The moon shined brightly over him as he gasped for air, throwing up onto the grass beside him.


    The brimming silence of the deep dark blue forest contracted greatly by the oval white light emanating from below, contaminating the calm world in its fabricated glimmer. The trees stood tall over the boy, acting as a buffer between the ground and the sky. The green grass shined against the moonlight as the bugs traversed across the ground, unnoticed by anyone.


    ¡°Fuck!¡± he screamed at the sky as tears rolled down his eyes. ¡°Why me?¡± he thought to himself as his life flashed before his eyes.


    He recalled his father that he had not seen for many years. He thought of his mother and the promise he made on her deathbed.


    ¡°Promise me that you will try your best, despite how harsh the world is,¡± he recalled her final words.


    ¡°I lied,¡± he whispered, choking on his tears, ¡°I lied!¡± he screamed as his face contorted in anguish. ¡°I lied!¡± he laughed hysterically.


    ¡°A living corpse with nothing but a room to my name!¡± he continued as he walked towards the edge.


    ¡°Well, you did it! You won! I hope you all rot in hell, humans and contractors alike. I hope you all get dragged down to hell!¡± he screamed out while gazing down at the lawless city while clutching a tree branch in his hands.


    He let go of the branch and screamed intensely at the moon before leaping off the cliff.


    He fell, feeling the wind blowing up in his face, looking down at the lawless city one last time.


    ¡°Yo,¡± a masked figure suddenly appeared, falling alongside him.

 Chapter 8: Eternal darkness of the clouded mind part 1

    ¡°Yo!¡± a masked figure suddenly shouted from over the tree as Zeke found himself standing on the edge of the cliff once more.


    ¡°How can this be?¡± Zeke thought to himself. ¡°I¡¯m sure I jumped off just moments ago,¡± he pondered as he slowly approached the edge, ignoring the masked figure looking down at him from over the tree.


    ¡°Oh, no you don¡¯t!¡± The figure suddenly appeared, standing behind his back and grabbed him by the shoulder, stopping Zeke¡¯s movements.


    ¡°What do you want from me?!¡± Zeke shouted, shoving the masked figure away.


    ¡°What do I want from you? Why are you so eager to die?¡± The figure laughed as he took off his mask, revealing his face.


    The young man was of average height and appeared to be in his late teens. He was wearing a black bomber jacket, a red hoodie, cargo pants, and high combat boots. His face appeared too handsome to belong to a regular teenager. There was something about it, it was too taken care of and groomed. His golden eyes rested relaxed on his face, covered by a pair of hooded eyelids. His expression was calm and welcoming, like a warm autumn breeze. The mask currently residing within his grasp was made out of a substance resembling porcelain. It was white with several blue lines drawn on it, constructing the insignia of a fox.


    Zeke stood motionless, captivated by the easy-going appearance of this mysterious stranger.


    ¡°Why do you care?¡± Zeke pushed the stranger¡¯s hand away and continued walking towards the edge.


    ¡°Because I think I can help you.¡± The stranger approached Zeke yet again, grabbing and pushing him straight off the edge of the cliff. Just as he was about to hit the ground, subsequently losing his life, Zeke found himself softly seated on the ground below, with no sign of an impact, with the stranger seated opposite to him with his legs crossed.


    ¡°Now explain. Why are you so eager to off yourself?¡± the stranger asked while grabbing his chin.


    ¡°Because¡­¡± Zeke timidly trembled, ¡°I have nothing to live for!¡± he punched the ground, ¡°My father died when I was young, leaving my mother with an insane amount of debt. My mother, my poor mother, worked herself to death trying to make ends meet. She never once gave up while her idiot son did nothing for her!¡± The boy wept.


    ¡°Let me guess, you were trying to become a contractor. Training day and night, knowing that if you were to get offered a contract, you could support your mother and she wouldn¡¯t need to push herself anymore.¡± The stranger sighed, ¡°and no matter what you did, no matter how much you tried, you could not become one.¡±


    ¡°How did you know?¡± Zeke asked, seemingly still in a state of shock.


    ¡°A story like yours is a dime a dozen. You put your heart into something only for the world to reject your efforts and dreams trampling over them. That¡¯s just how the world works. You go on thinking that you are the main character in your own story only to end up as a secondary character in someone else¡¯s¡­¡± the stranger explained as he scratched his head.Did you know this story is from Royal Road? Read the official version for free and support the author.


    ¡°Why are you telling me this?¡± Zeke asked with a sad expression.


    ¡°Because I used to be just like you. The way you are, how you act and think goes in line with what I seek,¡± the figure briefly closed his eyes, ¡°I seek the azure king,¡± he remarked, slamming his eyes wide open and gazing directly at Zeke.


    ¡°How is that even possible?¡± Zeke wondered, stumbling over his words.


    ¡°I wish to see it with my own eyes, the nature of the demon who destroyed humanity.¡± The mysterious stranger explained, peering into the panoramic view of the city.


    Zeke sighed, pondering how minuscule his existence really was, how small and inconsequential he was on the grand stage of the world. ¡°I guess we all have dreams and aspirations irrelevant if we¡¯re the main character or not,¡± he muttered.


    ¡°Then what is your dream?¡± the stranger wondered.


    ¡°To become the main character of my story.¡± Zeke clenched his fist.


    ¡°Well, it¡¯s your lucky day! I can easily help you with that much,¡± the stranger smiled.


    ¡°What?! How?!¡± Zeke exclaimed in surprise.


    ¡°Have you heard of the contractor king?¡± The stranger asked.


    ¡°An urban legend about a demon capable of granting contracts to humans residing within the city of Lower Babel,¡± Zeke muttered.


    ¡°Oh, it¡¯s more than a simple urban legend. The contractor king is real. And he can help you.¡± The stranger peered deeply into Zeke¡¯s gray eyes. A strange sensation filled Zeke up from the inside, a feeling of hope, yet he could not cease to be wary of the stranger. There was something about him, something unexplainable that made Zeke feel uneasy.


    ¡°Before Babel was built here, this place was home to another city, Berlin. When the demons escaped hell, the earth shifted, causing violent tremors to go rampant all over the world. Parts of the city became submerged underground. These parts were later discovered, tunnels were dug and connected into a secret underground system of what later became known as the Undercity. The contractor king is the leader of the Undercity. Every year, a competition is hosted for the opportunity to meet this mysterious figure. We, guardians, are tasked with assembling teams to take part in this competition,¡± the stranger explained.


    ¡°And you¡¯re inviting me, a teenager? Doesn¡¯t make much sense,¡± Zeke frowned.


    ¡°Well, to be honest, there¡¯s only one day left, and I have to fill the quota. But what may later become a liability for me might also become an advantage for you, that is, if you can survive the ordeal.¡± The stranger stood up. ¡°Well, what do you say?¡± he asked, extending his hand.


    Zeke firmly grabbed his hand and used it to pull himself up off the ground.


    ¡°Oh, and by the way, when did you get that injury?¡± the stranger wondered, alluding to the large gash on Zeke¡¯s shoulder.


    ¡°What?¡± Zeke asked in confusion.


    ¡°How many hours has it been since you got hurt?¡± The stranger inquired again.


    ¡°I don¡¯t know, maybe six?¡± Zeke replied in an unsure tone.


    ¡°Six eich, I¡¯ll do 8 just to be sure,¡± the stranger said as he placed his hand on top of the wound. ¡°That should do it,¡± he moved his hand away, revealing the injury to be completely healed.


    ¡°How did you do that?¡± Zeke flinched.


    The mysterious stranger positioned his index finger in front of his mouth. ¡°It¡¯s a secret,¡± he said with a wide smile.


    Zeke stared at him with a strange fascination, a complex emotion he himself could not yet comprehend.


    ¡°So, what now?¡± He asked in a shaking tone.


    ¡°You should head home for now. Meet me at the central monorail station tomorrow at 10 pm. You¡¯ll meet your new teammates,¡± the stranger explained while scratching the back of his head.


    ¡°Oh, and by the way, call me Fox,¡± he smiled with a warm, welcoming expression.

 Chapter 8: Eternal darkness of the clouded mind part 2

    Zeke went home thinking deeply about his life. On his way, he took in the deep, congested fragrance of the city that had all but swallowed him whole. The loud hum of pipes pumping contaminated air, circulating it from building to building. The busy roads cluttered by endlessly roaring vehicles. The senseless, empty chattering of people he will most likely never see again. The threat of violence coming from all directions.


    ¡°Contractors are a blight,¡± Zeke thought to himself while looking down at the city through the window of the monorail.


    He alone could see it, the senseless violence poisoning the city, nudged in between tiny alleyways, busy streets, and sidewalks. Appearing both within the shadows and in front of everyone¡¯s eyes. Evil that had been born from the disparity in power between both humans and contractors themselves. He alone was opposed to it, as everyone else had already taken to this new way of life. He alone was not willing to accept it, for it had harmed him more than anyone else.


    The death of his father, or rather his disappearance, Zeke was certain, it had been the work of a contractor. If only his father was able to become one, maybe then he could have survived. His mother¡¯s passing, if only Zeke was able to become a contractor maybe he could have prevented her death. And even if it was much too late for both of these things, ¡°This time for sure,¡± Zeke thought to himself, ¡°I cannot let this chance pass. I will become a contractor.¡±


    Zeke returned home. A small one-bedroom apartment on the 74th floor of the mega-building 17 of Winston alley. There were a few things that Winston alley was known for: drugs and crime. It was a neighborhood designed for humans to reside in, yet it was managed by contractors. Gangs were a huge problem in the neighborhood. They too were managed by contractors. Real estate was scarce within the city. Even within Winston alley, most of the real estate was rented to humans and owned by contractors. The world, too, is said to be designed for humans and ruled by contractors.


    Zeke¡¯s living quarters were dirty and ill-maintained. The walls were covered in a thick layer of grease. The floor had newspapers and posters chaotically scattered across it, covered by a thick layer of grime and dirt. The only remotely tidy area was the desk, and even it had stacks of various books piled up on and next to it. The kitchen permeated with rot coming from the stack of uncleaned dishes haphazardly thrown around in the sink.


    Zeke walked into his home, taking 3 steps towards the couch, and passed out onto it without warning or worry. In his dreams, he felt liberated from the worries of the outside world. Sadly, his dreams did not last. Reality proved to be far crueler.


    After waking up, Zeke took a cold shower. The piercing water dripped down his body, engulfing it in a cold, shocking pain. His muscles began to convulse from the cold. However, his breath was fine, calm, composed, and rhythmical. He looked at his shoulder, towards the place where his previous injury was located, grasping and squeezing it with his hand. He felt no pain, only a sting brought forth by the water touching his skin.The author''s content has been appropriated; report any instances of this story on Amazon.


    When he climbed out of the shower, he looked at himself in the mirror. His gray eyes met their reflection, filling his heart with a deep sense of resolve. ¡°I need to do this. I must do this. I will do this,¡± he thought to himself.


    Zeke put on his clothes, a black hoodie, sweatpants, and sneakers, covered his face with a medical mask, and left his house to the appointed location.


    The central monorail station was a grand Greco-Roman style structure, malformed by its modern roots. Every aspect of the building was constructed out of reinforced concrete. The exterior was beautiful and taken care of, a shameless facade placed upon a void interior comprising hollow catwalks and bland empty walls positioned haphazardly with seemingly no rhyme nor reason. A blatant attempt of imitating and pandering to the nostalgia of the times before the cataclysm.


    Zeke went inside. A bitter dampness clouded the air. A stench of sweat, smoke, and dried piss with a hint of alcohol could be felt by everyone inside. No one, apart from Zeke, seemed to mind. Zeke avoided taking deep breaths and proceeded deeper inside.


    He paid close attention to his surroundings, crowds of people coming in and out of the building. None appeared to be out of the ordinary, other than two strange figures, whose movements, demeanor, and composure appeared to differ from the rest. A young blue-haired woman and a tall bald African man in his late forties, carrying a small urn on his side.


    Zeke stood alone, briefly glancing over towards the other two, who, much like him, stood motionless in a hectic sea of moving people.


    He stared intensely at the girl. She was fairly tall, appearing to be about the same height as Zeke. Her somewhat-ragged baggy clothes failed to hide her well-developed, muscular physique. Her face was rather pale, heart-shaped, adorned by freckles. Her eyebrows were dyed in a different shade of blue from her hair, making her outward appearance odd at first glance. Their eyes met briefly, and she approached him.


    ¡°Why are you staring at me?¡± she asked in an inquisitive tone, making Zeke fall into a rabbit hole of anxiety and nervousness.


    ¡°I¡¯m not,¡± he said as he turned his gaze away from her in an unnatural manner.


    ¡°Stop lying, creepzo!¡± she shouted. ¡°How dare a timid piece of shit like you bare his eyes on a fair lady such as me,¡± she continued, showing great frustration.


    Zeke stood silently, looking at the ground.


    ¡°Hey! I¡¯m talking to you here, you creepy little shit!¡± she suddenly raised her hand to slap Zeke.


    Zeke, however, instinctually shifted his head away from the hit, having noticed the change in her shadow that was being projected thanks to the bright overhead lights directed onto the ground in front of him.


    ¡°Cut it out, Elaine!¡± the tall man shouted from afar as he began to approach the two, accompanied by the mysterious figure from the other day.


    ¡°Ah, I see you two¡¯ve already met! This beside me is Ulmak,¡± the figure retorted, ¡°Now! Shall we go win this thing?¡± he asked, grabbing Zeke by the shoulder.

 Chapter 9: The Undercity feeds

    The group walked through the central monorail station, towards the very back of the building until they reached the bathrooms.


    ¡°After you,¡± Fox said, while gesturing his hand towards the male bathroom.


    ¡°I¡¯m a lady!¡± Elaine exclaimed with visible frustration peeking through on to her face.


    ¡°I¡¯m not asking you to clean the place,¡± Fox replied in a joking manner, something Elaine did not appreciate.


    ¡°Not in a million years,¡± she snarled.


    ¡°Suit yourself,¡± the figure retorted with a scheming gaze, as he walked into the bathroom. Zeke and Ulmak soon followed, leaving Elaine standing confused and flustered. She briefly looked both ways to see if anyone was looking and hurriedly went in after them.


    ¡°Fox, why are we here? Aren¡¯t we supposed to be going to the Undercity?¡± she voiced her frustrations.


    ¡°You¡¯re dumber than you look,¡± Zeke remarked without thinking.


    ¡°What did you say!?¡± She raised her hand with the intention of hitting him.


    ¡°He¡¯s right,¡± Ulmak giggled.


    ¡°The way to the Undercity is through here,¡± Fox explained while pointing to an out-of-order bathroom stall.


    ¡°Now, before we go in. Elaine,¡± Fox cleared his throat, ¡°If you attempt to strike Zeke again, I¡¯ll have to hurt you really, really bad. You¡¯ll likely become a cripple or even die,¡± he remarked while adjusting his mask.


    ¡°Have at it,¡± she replied while confronting Fox face to face. ¡°I¡¯ve been wanting to see what you¡¯re all about.¡±


    ¡°Just kidding!¡± Fox scratched the back of his head. ¡°I¡¯m not much of a fighter. Plus, Zeke¡¯s only here because I couldn¡¯t find anyone else to join our team. I don¡¯t care what you do to him. Just do it after you win the competition.¡±


    ¡°Fine,¡± she snarled while crossing her arms.


    This strange indifference when it came to his safety made Zeke somewhat anxious. However, the boy¡¯s determination did not waver. If anything, Zeke felt even more determined to prove himself.


    Fox kicked the bathroom stall open, revealing a reinforced metal door behind which a deep tunnel was neatly tucked away.


    ¡°Welcome to the Undercity,¡± Fox said and pointed toward the door.


    The group didn¡¯t mutter a word. Each of them simply waved their heads and stepped forth, walking into the damp, dark, mossy tunnel. The crevice descended into a flight of stairs and, as the last bits of light escaped their eyes, the group knew that there would be no turning back.


    ¡°Follow me,¡± Fox said as he suddenly appeared in front of the three.


    ¡°Wasn¡¯t he just behind us?¡± Elaine pondered while feeling a certain unexplainable chill.


    The tunnel led on for miles. It was damp and claustrophobic on descent. Cut out roughly through stones, rock and remains of buildings. It didn¡¯t seem like tools were used for its construction, it was too well-made. This left only one option: the tunnel appeared to be made with magic. Zeke contemplated what kind of earth mage would be skilled enough to construct something so precise. Such an exquisite use of magic would be almost unheard of.


    3 hours later, the group reached an opening, the interior of an office building that had sunk below the ground during the cataclysm. The clearing stood dimly lit by hundreds of glow sticks. It reeked of mold. Fungi of various colors and sizes could be seen dotted around the corners and columns, creating a strange, almost mystical allure.


    Inside, several hundred people were standing in wait. Most of them appeared well equipped, armed to the teeth. Cyborgs, mercenaries and regular dwellers all gathered for a chance to meet the King of contractors.


    Suddenly, a mysterious figure, a man wearing a long black trench coat, emerged from the crowd. His long greasy black hair waved through the air as he slowly made his way towards Fox.If you spot this tale on Amazon, know that it has been stolen. Report the violation.


    ¡°Fredric! I didn¡¯t think you would show up,¡± the man smiled with a wide grin, exposing his jagged, beast-like teeth.


    He looked at Ulmak with a slight smile. He glared at Elaine with a grin, and by the time his eyes reached Zeke, he began bursting into laughter.


    ¡°Is this all you have?! Three worthless parasites from the upper city?!¡± He remarked in a mocking manner.


    ¡°Oh, quit your barking, you old dog! My kids might look weak now, but once the competition starts, it has very little to do with strength and much more to do with other qualities. The King does not seek the strong, he only seeks the worthy,¡± Fox explained with a slight smile on his face.


    ¡°Even so, you only managed to gather 3 people. While my team consists of over 50 challengers,¡± the man replied with a serious expression.


    ¡°Ludwig, there is a saying - quality over quantity,¡± Fox remarked.


    ¡°We will see,¡± the man whispered, diverting his cold, animalistic gaze directly at Zeke before leaving.


    ¡°Who was that?¡± Elaine asked.


    ¡°An ally of mine. Just like me, he is a guardian appointed by the contractor king. However, unlike me, he often lacks common sense,¡± Fox explained.


    ¡°So, your name is Fredric?¡± Ulmak inquired with a stern stare.


    ¡°Yes, quite so,¡± Fox replied while scratching his head.


    ¡°Is it not dangerous to reveal your names to us?¡± Ulmak wondered.


    ¡°Oh, he did that with the assumption that all of you will die during the trial,¡± Fox laughed.


    Zeke stumbled.


    ¡°What do you think?¡± he asked.


    ¡°Good question!¡± Fox enthusiastically replied, before placing his hand atop Zeke¡¯s head. ¡°Let¡¯s get going. Things are about to get started,¡± he said while moving forward to where most of the people had gathered.


    He parted the crowd, taking off his mask and placing it inside of his pocket.


    He climbed on top of a pile of rubble and screamed, ¡°attention!¡±


    Five other guardians assembled behind him, each stranger than the last. There was a tall, muscular man with short crimson hair, a thin nun with crosses tattooed on her eyes, a lanky, pale, slouched over mime with disproportionally long arms, and a white-haired man with red piercing eyes and a bored expression. Ludwig was there too, staring intensely at Ulmak with a strange sense of satisfaction on his face.


    ¡°Listen here, young bloods!¡± Fredric screamed out, ¡°You all gathered here for the chance to meet the King of contractors. As such, you need to win this competition. Once you leave this building, a series of tunnels will open up in front of you, a maze of sorts. To start, you must find your way to the Undercity in pitch darkness. Various demonic beasts inhabit these caverns. It is likely that most of you will die on the way there. For those who survive, you will find out just how the Undercity feeds,¡± He explained with a slight smile.


    The room suddenly became filled with silence. Not a sound could be heard, almost like the entire crowd had immediately stopped breathing.


    ¡°GO!¡± the tall, muscular man exclaimed.


    ¡°Run little lambs!¡± Ludwig screamed.


    These two comments caused a stampede of contestants flooding forward, spilling into the treacherous caverns in front of them.


    ¡°Shall we?¡± Ulmak asked, looking over at Elaine.


    ¡°Let¡¯s go,¡± she replied before rushing forward.


    ¡°Wait for me!¡± Zeke said, trying to keep up with the two.


    ¡°Don¡¯t slow us down,¡± Elaine remarked with frustration, throwing Zeke into a saddened state.


    ¡°Don¡¯t mind her. Just do your best to keep up,¡± Ulmak said in an attempt to reassure Zeke.


    As the group entered the pitch-black caverns, they immediately felt a sudden stench. The smell of death and decomposition permeated the area. And soon after, they heard screams coming from the distance.


    One after another, the contestants were dropping like flies to an unknown, hidden threat. Sounds of intense clicking filled the caverns, echoing throughout, creating an intense melodic rhythm that sent chills down the spines of those perceiving them.


    Suddenly, something attacked the group with a sideways slash. Ulmak blocked the attack with his spear, counter attacking his unseen adversary with a twist of his weapon. But to no avail, his attacks simply bounced off the shell of the beast.


    ¡°What is that thing?!¡± Elaine exclaimed in shock.


    ¡°Judging by the sound and size, it¡¯s a deep ant crab,¡± Zeke said while grabbing onto the back wall of the cavern. ¡°Watch out for its claws. They¡¯re quiet, sharp, but can only strike horizontally, so as long as we avoid a direct line of sight, we should be fine,¡± Zeke explained in a shaky tone.


    After hearing this, Ulmak proceeded to block the creature¡¯s attacks while Elaine kept striking it. But no matter how many times she struck, her attacks could not get through.


    ¡°Zeke! How do we take this thing out?!¡± Ulmak asked, while sweating profusely.


    ¡°I¡¯m on it. Take three steps back!¡± Zeke ordered in a confident tone.


    As Ulmak backed away, the creature charged him, swiping both of its claws directly at him, but just as they were about to reach his body, the beast suddenly stopped moving.


    Its body began to shake violently and as its claws slammed into the walls behind, the creature dropped to the ground.


    ¡°What happened?¡± Elaine asked in shock.


    ¡°I killed it!¡± Zeke screamed from under the creature. ¡°It has a soft sack filled with liquid it uses as an echolocation apparatus. When I asked Ulmak to back away, I crouched down in wait, thinking it wouldn¡¯t be able to track me as long as I stayed motionless. And just as it climbed over me, I stabbed it with my knife,¡± He continued explaining while trying to stand up.


    ¡°But how did you know where to stab? I can¡¯t see anything out here,¡± Ulmak wondered while helping the boy up.


    ¡°I can see well in the dark,¡± Zeke whispered, leaving the two seasoned combatants in shock.

 Chapter 10: Dreams of the two

    The tunnel network below the city turned out to be larger than the group had anticipated. As far as Zeke could understand, the area only had one entrance and exit, however, the territory in between the two appeared to be incredibly vast and complex. A series of tunnels dug out by the monsters inhabiting the caverns of the Undercity, a sprawling ecosystem over a hundred kilometers in diameter.


    ¡°How do the knights not know about this?¡± Zeke pondered.


    As the group continued their travels in pitch black darkness, fewer and fewer screams could be heard in the distance. The deeper they delved, the less alive contestants they would come across on their journey and the more corpses they would find along the way.


    The tunnels were malformed, filled with rubble and twisted, intertwined trees. One would think that no vegetation should be able to survive in such a dark place, but alas, nature always finds a way. After hell¡¯s seal broke, many invasive species of plants made their way into the human world. Seeds were often transferred by demonic beasts. And upon their arrival and injection into the soil, they would sprout, often finding the human realm more habitable than their original home. Here they would nurture making their new homes, joining together into sprawling habitats, creating a diverse new ecosystem, an ecosystem that was not suitable for humans.


    Elaine had glow sticks packed in her bag. The glow sticks the group used to see where they were going. However, soon the sticks ran out and the team once again found themselves submerged in unnerving darkness.


    ¡°How long have we been down here?¡± asked Elaine, wiping beast-blood off her left cheek.


    ¡°About a week,¡± Ulmak answered while cleaning his weapon.


    ¡°Shhhhh, they¡¯re coming,¡± Zeke said, pointing his finger towards a series of tunnels on his right.


    ¡°Do you see them?¡± Ulmak asked.


    ¡°No, they¡¯re underground. I can hear them moving, numbering about 50,¡± Zeke replied with a grim expression.


    ¡°Crawlers?¡± Elaine sighed.


    ¡°No, Creeping Weepers,¡± Zeke replied, tearing a piece of fabric into smaller pieces.


    ¡°What do we do?¡± Ulmak asked.


    ¡°Stuff this in your ears and light that thing on fire. You need to be able to see them to fight,¡± Zeke explained, handing small pieces of rags to Ulmak and Elaine, and pointing towards a twisted dead tree positioned directly behind them.


    ¡°How big?¡± Elaine asked with a worried expression.


    ¡°About the size of a rottweiler,¡± Zeke responded.


    Suddenly, a group of creatures sprung out from the ground, releasing a loud piercing screech, rushing towards the group. They appeared like 8 limbed hounds with 8 large, jagged claws on each on each limb. Their maws appeared large and misshaped, with many teeth pointing outwards. Their skin was gray, hard, hairless, and veiny.


    Their terrifying screams echoed throughout the caverns, reaching even the ears of those who were miles away.


    Ulmak lit a match and threw it at the dry tree, which immediately lit on fire. There were many dry trees in the area, but the tree that Ulmak lit belonged to a specific species. A species that, upon its decomposition, converts its sap into a flammable gasoline-like material.


    In a flash, the tree burst into flames, frightening the creeping weepers. Elaine used their disarray as an opportunity to strike. She charged at the beasts, striking one with her fists, and kicking another in the ribs, taking the two creatures out of commission. Her hand-to-hand combat style proved highly effective against the creatures¡¯ tough hide, which made them almost impervious to bladed weapons.


    Ulmak picked up his spear, the tip covered with a wooden log making it into a makeshift mallet and swung at the Weepers with devout intensity. The beasts growled in anguish, their bodies becoming twisted and mangled in the fight.


    Zeke picked up dry branches, lighting them on fire and tossing them at the Weepers, frightening the creatures of the dark. Elaine would use this opportunity to strike the creatures down, stunning them and throwing them to the ground. Ulmak would finish the grounded creatures off with ease by using his mallet and smashing them until they were almost ground into dust.The narrative has been illicitly obtained; should you discover it on Amazon, report the violation.


    As the group used this method to fight off most of the pack, their muddy blue blood colored the ground beneath, coating the air a certain lightly acidic taste.


    However, the victory proved hard earned. Elaine and Ulmak were left completely drained, covered in blood and sweat, barely able to keep their composure. Even though the danger had already passed, their tired eyes remained blood shot and their hands would not cease shaking.


    Without his companions noticing, Zeke hastily packed their belongings and quietly approached them. As Zeke inched closer, Ulmak, fueled by his instinct alone, raised his weapon without looking, stopping his attack mid-swing just as it was about to hit the boy.


    ¡°Oh, sorry about that, I thought you were one of those rats,¡± he expressed with a tired expression.


    Zeke sighed.


    ¡°Let¡¯s get going. Creatures far more dangerous, often get attracted by their screams,¡± Zeke said while handing Ulmak his backpack.


    The group ventured forth, picking up dry pieces of firewood on their way. Traveling into a barren zone with no vegetation. Filled to the brim with the bitter smell of sulfur which carried with it a certain sense of unease.


    ¡°What is this place?¡± Elaine asked, visibly anxious.


    ¡°A graveyard,¡± Ulmak responded with a somber expression.


    ¡°What?!¡± Elaine stumbled in shock.


    ¡°This place was once filled with Fuego trees. For years, they blossomed here until eventually they all withered away, turning into countless flammable carcasses that eventually caused this entire region to burn. Leaving behind only ash and soot.¡± Zeke explained as he touched the ground, caressing it with his fingers.


    ¡°How do you know all of this?¡± Elaine wondered.


    Zeke turned around and looked Elaine directly in the eyes.


    ¡°I¡¯m just a hopeless nerd,¡± he giggled with a warm smile.


    ¡°I guess you are,¡± she smiled back,


    And even though the two didn¡¯t notice, Ulmak smiled as well.


    The group continued venturing deeper into the Fuego graveyard until they reached a dead end.


    ¡°We can settle here,¡± Zeke said, pointing towards a large open area.


    The group set up their camp. Ulmak prepared firewood and lit a campfire. Elaine assmbled the tents, while Zeke butchered the carcasses of beasts the group brought along.


    ¡°Are you sure that¡¯s safe to eat?¡± Elaine wondered, glaring over at Zeke.


    ¡°Yeah, as long as I cut out the poison glands properly,¡± Zeke replied.


    ¡°And if you don¡¯t¡¯?¡± Elaine wondered.


    ¡°What?¡± Zeke paused, pretending to not understand what she meant.


    ¡°Cut it correctly,¡± Elaine explained.


    ¡°Then we die,¡± Zeke giggled while continued to work.


    Elaine leaped up.


    ¡°I¡¯m kidding,¡± Zeke giggled. ¡°These beasts are susceptible to fire. So, all the poison remaining in the flesh should become neutralized when we cook it. Besides, it¡¯s not strong enough to actually kill you,¡± Zeke paused in thought. ¡°I guess It¡¯d give you some diarrhea for a couple of days,¡± He explained.


    Elaine released a sigh of relief and continued placing the tent covers on top of the metals rods she preciously screwed together.


    Once Zeke finished butchering the beasts, he chopped the meat up into fine pieces. He made a stew by mixing the pieces with water and herbs he had gathered along the way.


    ¡°It¡¯s so good!¡± said Elaine after trying the food.


    ¡°I¡¯m glad you like it!¡± Zeke replied with a warm smile.


    Ulmak¡¯s face took on a serious expression.


    ¡°I don¡¯t get it¡­¡± he said in a serious tone.


    ¡°What? What¡¯s wrong?¡± Zeke questioned.


    ¡°In my life, I¡¯ve met many contractors, yet almost none were as exceptional and knowledgeable as you. I do not understand how you are yet to receive a contract. Demons should be lining up to make you their inheritor.¡± Ulmak explained.


    Zeke¡¯s face took on a sad expression.


    ¡°To be frank, I don¡¯t know. I¡¯ve done everything I could. I trained until I couldn¡¯t stand. And studied until I couldn¡¯t think. But no matter what I did, I never received a contract. Maybe, It¡¯s because I¡¯m weak. After all, demons do value combat ability over all else,¡± Zeke explained, while poking the fire with a sick.


    Elaine gently tapped Zeke¡¯s shoulder.


    ¡°Me and you. We are a lot more alike than I at first would have liked to admit. I have been trying my best to become a contractor. But no matter how strong I got; I just couldn¡¯t do it. I need to become a contractor. I must become a contractor. There¡¯s something¡­ Something that was taken from me and I need to become strong enough to get it back.¡± Elaine said with strong determination in her eyes.


    ¡°You two are exceptional. I¡¯m sure that the three of us will be able to reach the king of contractors together.¡± Ulmak said with a warm smile.


    ¡°What about you?¡± Zeke asked. ¡°From what I can tell, you¡¯re already a contractor. Why do you want to meet the king?¡±


    Ulmak¡¯s gaze became vacant.


    ¡°You see, I am a prideful warrior. Unlike you, I had no issues becoming a contractor. But I have been unable to grow ever since. They say the contractor king is able to see the shape of one¡¯s soul. I want to know what he sees when he looks into mine. What shape will it take? Will I be able to summon it if I know what it is?¡± Ulmak pondered.


    ¡°I think¡­ It¡¯s a spear,¡± Zeke said while looking up into darkness up above.


    ¡°Why?¡± Ulmak asked with a surprised expression.


    ¡°Because you remind me of one,¡± Zeke giggled.


    Ulmak smiled.


    ¡°Maybe you¡¯re right,¡± he said, peering towards the campfire.


    ¡°You see that smoke? The smoke from the campfire. It ends up rising to the top. Passing through various tunnels and crevices, pipes and ventilation tunnels and in the end, in escapes through the manhole covers. And yet no one above seems to notice or mind it, or even wonder about it¡¯s origin. To the people residing up above, the smoke that we create here it simply doesn¡¯t matter.¡± Ulmak said while looking into the distance.


    ¡°Not unless they end up choking on it,¡± Zeke muttered under his breath.


    Ulmak started laughing uncontrollably as tears flooded his eyes.


    ¡°Alright, that settles it. I have decided. Starting from tomorrow, I will teach you how to use a spear.¡± Ulmak looked on as the rising smoke formed a tunnel spreading thin above the expansive cavern.

 Chapter 11: War within

    ¡°The most important element of wielding a spear is distance. The better you are able to feel it, the more versatile you are. It is a weapon best used to keep your enemies at bay. Or so they say in the traditional teachings. However, my way of using the spear is entirely different.¡± Ulmak said, handing Zeke a spear he picked off one of the corpses the group found while treading through the caverns.


    Zeke clumsily grabbed the spear, barely able to grip it tightly. He felt the rough wooden handle digging into his soft skin. Making him even more uncomfortable. As he lifted the weapon, he felt its weight within his hands.


    ¡°It¡¯s heavy,¡± he thought to himself. Something he wouldn¡¯t have expected after seeing how easily Ulmak wields his weapon. A Spear entirely constructed out of metal, making it far heavier than his shabby wooden spear.


    ¡°Familiarize yourself with the weapon, feel it¡¯s shape, memorize it to the finest detail. The spear is long, the handle allows for versatility. But only if you know your weapon,¡± Ulmak explained.


    Zeke felt his spear. Gripping along every crevice and indentation. Every scratch and notch. He thought about every detail of its story. He thought about the weapon¡¯s previous owner as he looked over at his bones.


    ¡°Can I?¡± he asked Ulmak.


    ¡°Do not worry about the dead. They have no important stories to tell. It is only the living who matter,¡± Ulmak responded.


    But Zeke wasn¡¯t convinced. He wished to know what caused the previous wielder to perish. How they fought using the weapon. He wanted to envision their battle experience.


    ¡°Now thrust!¡± Ulmak suddenly shouted.


    ¡°What?¡± Zeke stumbled.


    ¡°The thrust is an essential motion of the spear and its strongest asset. You must carve this move into your mind. It will be the fundamental of all fundamentals. Do it like this,¡± Ulmak said, flipping his spear around into a more efficient grip.


    His mind went blank. Eyes took on a much more serious expression. His gaze reflected a phantom figure as an imaginary enemy appeared in front of him, only visible within his own mind¡¯s eye. With great force, he moved, positioning the tip of his spear away from himself, akin to pointing a gun before shooting it. Anticipation built up. Shivers went down Zeke¡¯s spine as he earnestly watched this display with great anticipation. And by the time Ulmak finally thrust his spear, for a moment Zeke could see it. The imaginary opponent, receiving consecutive strikes to his head, chest and legs.


    ¡°Did you see it?¡± Ulmak asked after once again taking on a casual stance.


    ¡°I¡¯m not sure,¡± Zeke replied with a dazed expression, attempting to replay everything he just saw inside of his mind.


    ¡°Good,¡± Ulmak responded. ¡°That¡¯s the way it should be. Now try it for yourself!¡±


    Zeke, slowly stumbled into position. His hands shook violently as he attempted to grip the weapon in a comfortable way. His legs and feet lacked a certain stability, a quality that he saw Ulmak possess during his display. Despite being able to comprehend the basic concepts, Zeke could not seem to put them into practice.


    This was the same exact situation Zeke found himself in during his time at the Babel academy. While his peers had no issues learning martial arts and techniques, he would often lag behind. Because of this, Zeke focused on building up his physique the best he could. And even though he had much better stamina than average humans, his physical abilities were lacking when compared to the overwhelming powers of contractors.


    Zeke repeatedly moved his body in an attempt to replicate Ulmak¡¯s technique but he failed each time he tried. Sometimes the strikes were too shallow. At other times, they were too weak. And then again, his overall movements appeared to be far too inconsistent for Ulmak¡¯s liking.


    ¡°I see¡± Ulmak, said, pondering.


    ¡°Am I that bad?¡± Zeke asked with an awkward smile.


    ¡°It¡¯s not that,¡± Ulmak sighed, ¡°You see, in regards to learning, there are mainly two types of people. The first type learns with their head. They are able to effortlessly replicate anything they understand and put it into practice. But after watching you just now I¡¯m sure that you¡¯re the second type,¡± Ulmak closed his eyes.This story originates from a different website. Ensure the author gets the support they deserve by reading it there.


    ¡°So What¡¯s the second type?¡± Zeke asked.


    Ulmak took a deep breath.


    ¡°The type that learns with their ass!¡± he shouted. ¡°Elaine!¡± He screamed even louder, calling their companion to his side.


    ¡°What?¡± Elaine replied, coming from the distance, dragging a crawler corpse along the ground.


    ¡°What is that?¡± Ulmak questioned.


    ¡°Dinner. Now that we¡¯re all out of rations it¡¯s best to see if Zeke can cook these guys as well,¡± Elaine approached the two and sighed.


    ¡°Can you?¡± Ulmak shifted his gaze to Zeke.


    ¡°I¡¯m sure I can whip something up,¡± Zeke smiled while nervously scratching his head.


    Ulmak cleared his throat.


    ¡°Anyway, that¡¯s not why I called you over,¡± he smiled, lightly. ¡°I want you to spar with him,¡± he giggled.


    ¡°WHAT!¡± Zeke screamed out in terror.


    ¡°Are you sure about this?¡± Elaine doubted.


    ¡°He needs to learn somehow,¡± Ulmak shrugged. ¡°Help the poor guy out,¡± he said grabbing Elaine by the shoulder and whispering something into her ear.


    ¡°Alright,¡± she sighed. ¡°Okay, Zeke, whenever you¡¯re ready,¡± she signed while getting into a stance.


    Zeke clutched his fists tightly, gripping the spear in his hands. His eyes focused intensely on her entire body. He approached her slowly, anxiously moving his feet one after another.


    ¡°How come you¡¯re this scared of me, but you¡¯re entirely calm when we fight monsters?¡± Elaine giggled.


    ¡°Women are a mystery to me,¡± Zeke jokingly responded.


    The moment he finished his sentence, Elaine rushed in, leaping towards him in a fast dash, lessening the main advantage of the spear ¨C its reach. Zeke attempted to back away, swiping with his weapon. However, Elaine easily blocked his halfhearted attack and struck him in the stomach. Causing the boy to drop to his knees throwing up.


    ¡°Get up, your ass is yet to learn the importance of the thrust,¡± Ulmak retorted with a serious expression.


    Zeke slowly got up, slamming the dull end of his spear into the ground, using his spear as support for his shaking legs.


    ¡°Let¡¯s continue,¡± Zeke expressed with determination in his eyes.


    This determination would not fade away, no matter how many times Elaine would knock him down. For the next 6 hours, the two fought. Each time Elaine would strike the boy down, he would fall to the ground and then, after a brief rest, get up and continue as if nothing happened. This lasted until eventually, Elaine collapsed from exhaustion, unable to continue sparring.


    ¡°How are you still moving,¡± she said while gasping for air, covering her hair with her elbow, before looking up at the boy, whose face was red and blue, swollen and badly bruised.


    ¡°Because I learn with my ass,¡± Zeke remarked, attempting to smile with his battered lips.


    ¡°Yet you were still unable to use the thrust even once,¡± Ulmak stated with his eyes closed.


    After a quick rest, the group set up camp in another dead zone, a place with little to no vegetation. Zeke prepared food, boiling the crawler meat in hot water. Which surprisingly tasted very similar to lobster.


    After dinner, the trio went to sleep.


    Zeke couldn¡¯t stop thinking about his spear. His mind wandering back to the corpse of its previous owner.


    ¡°I want to know how he died,¡± Zeke thought to himself.


    And so, he came to a decision. He snuck out in the middle of the night, leaving the hollow area, coming back to where they had previously trained. He sneaked around, carefully avoiding crawlers and other beasts.


    When he reached the corpse, Ulmak was already waiting for him, standing over it with his arms crossed.


    ¡°He died from a stab wound, killed by a human. A man with a rapier, no doubt. The stabber pierced him perfectly through the windpipe. Whoever did this may in fact be stronger than me,¡± Ulmak calmly stated.


    ¡°How did you know I was going to come here? I checked to see if you were sleeping before I left,¡± Zeke asked with a vacant stare.


    ¡°Only a fool would not be curious of how the previous wielder of their weapon died, what mistakes they made. Truth be told, had you not come here, I would have likely not continued to teach you.¡± Ulmak smiled awkwardly.


    ¡°Chastiefol is the name of demon I am contracted to.¡± Ulmak explained.


    ¡°¡¯Chastiser of fools¡¯,¡± Zeke remarked. ¡°Fits you well,¡± he laughed.


    Another week passed. Zeke continued training under Ulmak¡¯s tutorship. At first progress was slow but after spending his days sparring with Elaine, Zeke obtained the ability to keep up with her movements, he could see them, feel them, he recognized her habits and patterns for what they were. Their bouts would no longer end in a single strike, often dragging on. And although Elaine remained as the clear victor, something within the boy began to gradually change.


    While his companions were sleeping, Zeke would spend his nights imitating Elaine¡¯s movements, copying her stances and practicing her attacks. His moves lacked grace and precision, but with time they improved.


    At that moment, the reason why he couldn¡¯t learn combat-oriented skills at the academy became plainly obvious to Zeke. It was because they were not rooted in real combat experience, he didn¡¯t perceive them as real. He only saw them as some flashy distractions and feints to win fights, and not something one would rely on to protect their life.


    Elaine couldn¡¯t tell, but Ulmak knew. At some point, Zeke started holding himself back during their fights. As by the time he had learned her martial arts, Elaine could no longer pose any real threat to him.

 Chapter 12: Sense the heat

    ¡°I remember that day like it was yesterday,¡± Ulmak said in a serious tone, ¡°The day when the two of us met. He approached me when I was going after a bounty. A strange man whose composure appeared like that of a madman. Everything a about him was strange. He appeared relaxed and carefree yet his gaze was¡­¡± Ulmak paused before continuing, ¡°¡­Not human. From our very first interaction, I could sense it. No, even before that. From the very moment he first laid his eye upon me, he was watching my vitals, keeping track of my heart rate, memorizing my speech and movement patterns, analyzing the way I thought. Had I not felt it with my gut, he would have surely killed me.


    Within the blink of an eye, his harmless, carefree nature subsided, and became something I could not explain. With no warning or telegraph, he attacked me using a standard issue Knight weapon, a Universal grade blade, to strike me. I barely had any time to draw my spear.


    Years ago, I took a vow. I would only use magic against those who were stronger than me. But as soon as he launched his first attack, I used my magic and coated myself in an armor made of stone. Yet it didn¡¯t help me stand up to his ferocious onslaught.


    His movements appeared soppy, yet I could see no flaws in them. Almost like he moved like that, only because he knew that no matter what I did, I had no chance of overpowering him.


    When we dueled, I could sense countless phantom images of him appearing all around me, promiscuous shadows attacking me from all directions. My senses were telling me that I was fighting an army, yet there was but one opponent standing before me. And if I failed to block just one attack, coming from either of the afterimages, it would surely land, causing me a great deal of damage.


    Even after all this time, I can still feel that sensation. The fear of facing a veritable demon,¡± Ulmak said, shivering and clasping his hands in front of him.


    ¡°So how did you escape?¡± Elaine wondered with a worried expression, her eyes wide, paying close attention to Ulmak¡¯s words.


    ¡°I ran, like my life depended on it. For some reason, that man didn¡¯t chase me. He just watched on as I escaped with my tail between my legs.¡± Ulmak lowered his gaze.


    ¡°Enough of that,¡± Zeke stated, standing up and getting in between the two. ¡°We need to discuss our strategy for the next three days,¡± he continued with a great deal of confidence.


    ¡°What do you mean?!¡± Elaine asked.


    ¡°I did some scouting last night, and I determined that we¡¯re three days away from reaching the Undercity,¡± Zeke explained.


    ¡°Look, I¡¯m glad that you¡¯ve been getting more confident after sparring with me for a bit, but don¡¯t you think it¡¯s too dangerous for you to go out on your own?¡± Elaine said with an angry expression, disrupting the topic of the conversation.


    ¡°Elaine, our journey is almost over. Let the guy do what he does best,¡± Ulmak sighed.


    ¡°Fine!,¡± Elaine yelled. ¡°You¡¯re right,¡± she murmured as she crossed her arms.


    ¡°I¡¯m glad to hear that we¡¯re so close to our destination, but I¡¯m guessing there¡¯s something more to it.¡± Ulmak raised his head up towards Zeke.


    ¡°There are two obstacles keeping us away from the Undercity,¡± Zeke explained, ¡°The first is a field of geysers filled to the brim with crawlers,¡± Zeke paused.


    ¡°And the second?¡± Ulmak raised his eyebrow.


    ¡°A den of centipede Drakonians,¡± Zeke stated, causing the eyes of his companions to widen greatly.


    ¡°Fuck,¡± Ulmak covered his face.


    ¡°So, it¡¯s impossible after all¡­¡± Elaine gritted her teeth, on the verge of crying.


    ¡°I have a plan,¡± Zeke sighed, grabbing Elaine by the shoulder. ¡°We fight our way through the field of geysers, after we get past it. Judging by the number of crawlers in the area, there should be plenty of small tunnels where we can rest before approaching the den,¡± Zeke explained.


    ¡°And what are we gonna do when we get to the den? I doubt we take even one Drakonian down, even if all three of were to work together!¡± Elaine shouted.


    ¡°Centipede Drakonians are blind. They rely on their antennae to perceive motion. As long as we move really slowly, we should be able to sneak past unnoticed,¡± Zeke continued with a serious expression.If you discover this tale on Amazon, be aware that it has been unlawfully taken from Royal Road. Please report it.


    ¡°Fuck it! Let¡¯s do it,¡± Ulmak stood up.


    ¡°You can¡¯t be serious!?¡± Elaine exclaimed, visibly frustrated.


    ¡°We have no other choice,¡± Ulmak muttered under his breath.


    ¡°We¡­ Will¡­ Die¡­¡± Elaine stood glaring Ulmak directly in the eyes.


    ¡°Choose. Come with us or we leave you behind,¡± Ulmak whispered in a deep commanding tone.


    Zeke stood motionless, clenching his fist with ferocious intensity.


    ¡°Fine,¡± she said and stormed out of the tent.


    The group didn¡¯t talk much after the incident. Each member was focused on getting ready in their own way.


    Zeke practiced martial arts with his spear. Ulmak spent his time sitting alone, praying silently. Elaine focused on packing her belongings. After about an hour of each doing their own, the group gathered by the campfire and ventured onwards, leaving behind their tents, pots and other things that would only weigh them down.


    They walked for about 6 hours. They could hear the distorted sound of gushing water coming from the distance. The closer they got, the louder the sound grew. There were many times when Ulmak thought to himself, ¡°It must be right here, right beyond this tunnel,¡± yet the geysers remained nowhere to be seen.


    With time, the sound became almost deafening. Ulmak and Elaine covered their ears as they walked, leaving them to wonder how Zeke wasn¡¯t being affected by the sound. He would often press his ear to the ground, listening patiently, checking how far they were from the field.


    And then, suddenly the unbearable sound changed, appearing more coordinated and rhythmic. Like a series of incredibly loud claps. And by the time the group reached a clearing, Ulmak finally saw it, a field filled with hundreds of geysers, violently spitting out boiling water in splashes so strong that they hit the ceiling of the caverns, polishing them into smooth half-dome shapes. Pale blue light could be seen emanating from inside the geysers in a calm majestic glow, lighting up the otherwise pitch-black caves. The light bouncer off and refracted coloring the cavern in a majestic, kaleidoscopic rainbow pattern.


    Ulmak and Elaine uncovered their ears.


    ¡°Fuck! Here we go¡±, Ulmak said as cold sweat ran down his forehead.


    ¡°Shhh,¡± Zeke gestured, pointing his finger towards a group of crawlers sleeping in the outer reaches of the cave, a distant den where they could not be reached by the boiling water.


    ¡°Right,¡± Ulmak whispered, regaining his composure.


    Zeke looked around, strategically planning the route they needed to take. He noted how the crawlers appeared to be dormant, sleeping.


    They seemed to have adapted to the sound of the geysers, making them not susceptible to it. And that assumption gave rise to another idea, a plausible theory: Because the crawlers were normally blind, and relied on their ears and skin to sense their prey their ears must have atrophied because they could no longer rely on sound to hunt. Their other senses improved, making them incredibly adept at feeling motion. And because the crawlers seemed large and well fed, seeing as the group had not stumbled across any creatures on their way to the field. It could only mean one thing - this specific pack of crawlers hunted the Drakonian centipedes for food.


    ¡°We need to move really slowly,¡± Zeke whispered before crouching down as low as he could.


    Immediately, Ulmak and Elaine dropped down on the ground. The group Group started crawling, making their way through the geysers.


    The ground was wet and uncomfortably warm, covered with a green mush made of small pieces of boiled plant matter. Crawling through it was akin to crawling through mountains of leftover tea leaves. Time and time again Zeke, Elaine and Ulmak would be hit by splashes of hot water. Zeke squealed quietly as not to alert the monsters in the distance. Ulmak and Eline proved more resilient, to them, the boiling water seemed more annoying rather than painful. However, it would be an entirely different case if they were to be hit by the geysers straight on.


    Ulmak crawled forward, accidentally inhaling some wet dust and plants, causing his nose to become irritated. His face contorted and his body twitched. Zeke noticed this and approached Ulmak, but before he could do anything about it, Ulmak released a sneeze so loud it echoed through the cavern, resonating and getting louder by bouncing off its domed walls.


    Ulmak gripped his weapon in preparation as Zeke turned his head towards the crawlers. However, Zeke¡¯s theory about the crawler¡¯s hearing turned out to be true, it appeared like they were not agitated by the sound.


    ¡°It¡¯s okay,¡± Zeke whispered, with a slight smile, leaving Ulmak rather confused.


    The team progressed slowly but surely. The crawlers laying on the outskirts of the cavern didn¡¯t seem to notice them sneaking straight through its middle.


    As she crawled, Elaine extended her hand to push herself forward, when suddenly, felt something strange in her hand. She lifted her eyes, gasping for air upon noticing the corpse of a man she recalled seeing three weeks ago at the gathering. It was boiled, chewed, and torn apart. The eyes were missing, seemingly eaten straight out of the sockets.


    In a rush, Elaine moved her hand away from the corpse, jittering away from it.


    ¡°Fuck!¡± Zeke shouted as several crawlers leaped out of their den.


    The group froze, trying to conceal their presence.


    One of the emerging crawlers clung to the ceiling of the cave, frantically twisting its head in various directions.


    Elane breathed heavily, still shaken by the corpse, as several Crawlers walked right past her. Her heartbeat intensified, beating uncontrollably, loudly and rhythmically. Suddenly, the Crawler that had attached himself to the ceiling let go of his grip, crashing down to the ground, launching itself towards Elaine with its horn aimed straight at her.


    Zeke pushed Elaine out of the way, causing the two of them to tumble towards the right, alerting hundreds of other crawlers, who screeched as they sensed nearby prey.

 Chapter 13: Foolish desire

    Ulmak stood up, striking the crawler with his spear, but the creature easily leaped over his attack. It appeared like the beast, once focused, could perfectly sense even the tiniest movements of its target. Its absurd coordination sent shivers down Ulmak¡¯s spine. He moved towards the Crawler, thrusting his spear with furious intensity. Each time, moments before, the weapon was about to strike true, the creature would tilt its head, move its limbs and twist its torso out of the way with little effort.


    More crawlers gathered, slowly surrounding the trio, circling them in a spiral that kept getting increasingly smaller with each turn. These beasts were perfectly coordinated. A trait that gave these creatures the ability to hunt major Drakonians, who could pose a threat even to demons.


    Zeke shifted his gaze in panic, from one side to the other in search of a way out of this predicament. But there were no openings. The creatures continued circling, rhythmically shifting their heads and twisting their necks, looking for the perfect opportunity to strike.


    For a brief moment, Zeke and Ulmak made eye contact. Each nodded, as both knew what needed to be done.


    Suddenly, the two began thrusting their spears one after another, covering up each other¡¯s openings. Attacking the creatures in front of them in an attempt to escape the encirclement. However, this tactic, too, proved to be in affective as the moment one crawler leaped away, another would jump down in its place, holding the position.


    Soon, the crawlers started attacking. Notably, they were being led by a large male. An alpha with red markings covering its entire body, the same one that had previously attacked Elaine. It was noticeably larger and leaner than the rest, its musculature was more defined. It crawled around the back and flanks, directing the other members of the pack and organizing their movements, directing them by tilting its head.


    ¡°See that?¡± Zeke pointed to the creature. ¡°We need to kill that guy first,¡± he said with a scared expression on his face.


    ¡°Easier said than done,¡± Ulmak snarled.


    ¡°Alright! I¡¯ll give it my all then,¡± Ulmak shouted, before closing his eyes.


    Suddenly, stone pillars began sprouting from the ground, ramming themselves into the creatures, forcing them to scatter, if only for a second. Another pillar sprouted directly below Ulmak¡¯s feet, oddly titled, designed to propel him towards the Alpha. Ulmak swung his spear at the beast, but the creature parried by using its horn, pushing Ulmak back, smashing him into the back wall of the cave.


    The horde of crawlers quickly pounced, walling Zeke and Elaine away from Ulmak.


    Ulmak stood up, his right hand broken from the previous impact. He looked at the beast standing directly in front of him as it glanced at him with a strange expression reminiscent of a sadistic smile.


    Demonic beasts have always been known for their high intelligence. They have been rumored to possess the ability to feel complex emotions akin to humans. Yet there was one thing that separated them from humanity. It was their complete disregard for life. They did not fear death; they were driven by a strong primal urge. The urge to hunt, to harm their prey, to slowly torture them into submission. Such was the emotion taking control of this army of crawlers. They were all exuberated at the thought of crushing these weak defenseless humans.


    Ulmak gripped his spear with his uninjured hand.


    ¡°Come, you foul creature!¡± He screamed with all of his might.


    As the creature pounced, Ulmak recalled his youth. He was born in New York in the year 2024. At the time, the city was the largest human stronghold. Back then, those who had walled themselves away from the world inside the city of babel were still viewed as paranoid. Even though the world had ended, people still carried a strange sense of optimism within their hearts. They thought that the demons would eventually disappear just as suddenly as they appeared. This sentiment stemmed entirely from the self-centered nature of humanity, and as time would show, It would be proved to be entirely wrong.Love this novel? Read it on Royal Road to ensure the author gets credit.


    Ulmak¡¯s upbringing was rough. He was born to two immigrant parents. Two tourists from Zimbabwe that were sightseeing in New York when the cataclysm occurred. Even though the fact that they were in New York saved them, it did not make their lives any easier. They became trapped in a society they were not familiar with. Yet that did not stop them from trying their hardest to make ends meet. Ulmak was born from the desperate love of these two people. A love that refused to waver in the face of catastrophe.


    When Ulmak was 12, the contractors scouring the streets of New York badly beat his father, leaving him crippled. His arm was broken, spine shattered, and skull cracked open like it was a walnut. The perpetrators were caught, but they were not punished for their actions. The authorities could not deal with contractors, they themselves feared them. This incident proved as a life lesson for young Ulmak. ¡°Strength is everything,¡± he thought to himself.


    Ulmak¡¯s mother always told him stories about the old times. When men from her tribe, her grandfather among them, would pick up his spear and fight off the approaching infantry. And even though the men they fought against had firearms and modern weaponry in their arsenal, the men did not waver in his determination.


    From an early age, Ulmak picked up his spear and never looked back, following the path of his predecessors.


    A year later, Ulmak¡¯s father passed away. He and his mother were so poor that they couldn¡¯t afford a funeral service. Ulmak had no other choice but to bury his father under a bridge.


    Some time later, a terrifying entity known as the Azure king began destroying human strongholds all around the world, killing millions of innocent people. I lieu of these events, Ulmak, his mother, and many others, gathered most of their belongings and traveled to the city of Lower Babel in thought that the settlement was too small for the azure king to target.


    Their actions proved correct as a year later, the Azure king destroyed the New York settlement, leaving an enormous crater where the city once stood.


    Ulmak¡¯s mother soon passed away, leaving her son alone on the streets in utter poverty. He used the last money he had left to cremate his mother¡¯s remains, carrying them around with him everywhere he went. As a boy, he did what he could to survive. The steadily growing city of Lower Babel became a perfect hunting ground for him, allowing him to become a mercenary. Yet the pain from the past still remained nested deep within his heart.


    He had a dream. One day, he would travel back to New York and gather his father¡¯s remains, then he would travel back to the homeland and put their remains to rest where they were born.


    Powerful demons roamed the world, demons that would surely kill him. Ulmak needed to become stronger, he needed to become a contractor.


    Many years passed. Ulmak grew into a fine young man. He met the love of his life and started a family. But he could not rid himself of the memories of his earlier days.


    One day, when Ulmak¡¯s wife and daughter were returning home, they were assailed by a group of contractors. Ulmak intervened, protecting the love of his life, fighting the contractors with all he had. But It was not enough, he was not enough. He was but a frail human attempting to hold his own against 3 contractors blessed with unbelievable power. His skill proved not enough to counteract the difference in strength.


    One of the contractors struck his wife as he was being beaten by the other two. Ulmak burst into a sudden rage and with it came an opportunity. It was in that moment that a demon known as Chastiefol offered him a contract. Without much thought, Ulmak accepted and slaughtered his opponents with ease. But as his blind rage ceased, all he could see were the terrified eyes of his family, looking at him with utter terror and disgust.


    Ulmak left and never returned, determined to protect his family from the monster he had become.


    ¡°I¡¯m a fool,¡± Ulmak sighed right as the creature¡¯s horn was about to make contact with his chest.


    Suddenly, he heard a voice piercing his mind like a bolt of lightning. ¡°My contractor, you finally did it! You who wished to be the punisher of fools. You are the biggest fool! There is no one more foolish than you, only you are foolish enough to take on such a task! You have finally realized it, and for that, I will reward you!¡± The voice laughed as Ulmak became engulfed by an enormous aura of demonic energy.


    Suddenly, a golden flash filled the cave, reflecting off every crevice in a strange kaleidoscopic pattern.


    ¡°Soul!¡± Ulmak screamed with all his might, binging forth a molten golden spear.


    A weapon appeared in his hand. It felt like the most comfortable weapon his hands ever held. Its grip, with every notch and uneven surface, was made specifically for Ulmak¡¯s hand. Its weight shifted perfectly and without any effort, Ulmak struck the Alpha, piercing it through the shoulder.


    ¡°Huh,¡± he said, in surprise of his attack landing.


    ¡°No fool shall dare to challenge you again. No one will ever outwit you with this weapon in hand. It cannot be perceived by your enemies. They see its length, but they cannot judge it. They feel its shape, but they cannot understand it. They see your strength, but they cannot conquer it. These beasts are foolish beyond belief. Now go! Slay these fools, my contractor!¡± the voice inside his head ordered.


    ¡°Alright.¡± Ulmak sighed. ¡°I will slay all of them!¡± He shouted with a determined gaze.

 Chapter 14: Deep waters’ bloom

    Elaine and Zeke watched carefully as Ulmak manifested his soul. A weapon the exact characteristics of which they could not perceive. It was a blurred existence, something that sliced through the veil of the world and could not be witnessed with the naked eye.


    Ulmak charged through the beasts, cleaving them with his spear as if they were butter. His movements appeared flawless, as if they were the climax of a lifetime of hard work.


    ¡°Get out of here!¡± Ulmak screamed as the beasts swarmed around him.


    Suddenly, without Elaine noticing, a creature snuck up behind her. She fumbled as the beast charged straight at her, trying to dodge out of the way, but it was too late. Just as the beast was about to pierce her with its horn.


    Zeke intervened, embracing the crawler as its attack sunk deep into his gut. He grabbed the creature as tightly as he could and, using all of his strength, he slowly carried it over to one of the geysers.


    He pressed the beast against the ground, pushing it into an opening, hearing it squirm as the ground beneath the two started shaking. The creature clawed, flailing its body, but to no avail, Zeke¡¯s grasp was too tight.


    Suddenly, a jet of hot water blasted the two upwards. Zeke avoided most of the scorching water by positioning the Crawler directly below himself, only suffering burns on his arms and back. The beast imploded; its horn shattered into small fragments.


    Zeke flopped down to the ground, unconscious.


    Elaine looked at Zeke, overcome with terror and desperation. She picked up his body as she turned her head towards Ulmak.


    ¡°Ulmak!¡± she cried in desperation.


    Ulmak glanced over at the two. He extended his hand towards the two, six stone pillars grew out of the ground twisting into a half-spherical shield.


    ¡°Run away, I¡¯ll keep these guys off your back!¡± Ulmak screamed to Elaine.


    ¡°But¡­¡± she mumbled.


    ¡°Take care of the boy, Elaine!¡± Ulmak ordered with an angry expression.


    Elaine put Zeke on top of her back and took off running as fast as she could. Her legs cramped up, but she paid them no mind. She kept repeatedly looking up at Zeke, silently pleading for the boy to be alive. Loud noises of Ulmak¡¯s battle kept echoing throughout the cave, but Elaine didn¡¯t notice.


    She ran until she saw a small opening on the side wall of the cave.


    ¡°Elaine!¡± she heard a voice call out to her, the origin of which she could not identify. ¡°Take him there,¡± the voice instructed.


    She looked down at the tunnel, feeling a strange sensation overtaking her body. A feeling of ease, like her body moved faster than usual.


    She carefully placed Zeke down on the ground, putting one of her arms below his back, and began crawling through the crevice.


    The tunnel was long, cold, and damp. Elaine powered through, pushing herself and Zeke as fast as she could. The skin on her arms and elbows became completely worn off from rubbing against the hard rock surfaces. She treaded on, leaving a trail of blood behind, mostly Zeke¡¯s and partially her own.


    At the end, she saw an opening. An area of about 60 square meters, the majority of which was filled with a strange green bubbling liquid.


    The liquid splashed, landing on one of her wounds.


    ¡°Ugh,¡± she groaned in pain as she felt a strong burn.


    When she inspected the wound, she noticed that it had started to close.


    Her eyes widened.


    In a rush, she examined Zeke to identify his injuries.


    ¡°Broken ribs, fractured spine, pierced stomach, torn intestines,¡± she muttered while inspecting the boy.


    Elaine gathered a small vial of the green liquid into her water bottle and poured it over a scratch on his face. Immediately, the wound closed up.


    She sighed.


    ¡°Alright, let¡¯s see how potent this stuff is,¡± she whispered before pulling out her pocketknife.


    Using the knife, Elaine cut out shards of the shattered horn that were still left in Zeke¡¯s body. With the help of the liquid, she mended the torn parts of his intestines by joining the two ends together and pouring the fluid over them. With the help of the liquid, she healed most of Zeke¡¯s internal organs.If you encounter this tale on Amazon, note that it''s taken without the author''s consent. Report it.


    In the span of the next 2 hours, all of Zeke¡¯s wounds had closed up, leaving behind a large scar where the crawler pierced him.


    In prayer, Elaine set Zeke down while using the nearby dry wines to start a fire to keep him warm.


    For two days, she watched over him, and to her great surprise, he eventually woke up.


    ¡°What happened?¡± Zeke asked upon opening his eyes.


    Elaine looked down at the boy with tears flooding out of her eyes.


    ¡°You saved me,¡± she said, failing to hold back her tears.


    He sat up, placing his hand on his stomach.


    ¡°I seem to be doing okay for someone who got impaled,¡± Zeke smirked.


    ¡°I found this thing, this liquid that was able to heal all of your wounds,¡± Elaine explained while pointing towards the green glowing pool.


    ¡°No way!¡± Zeke exclaimed. ¡°Do you know what this is?¡± he asked with a shocked expression.


    ¡°No clue,¡± Elaine replied.


    ¡°It¡¯s Vita-fluid,¡± Zeke stated while making eye contact.


    Elaine averted her gaze.


    ¡°I still don¡¯t know what that is,¡± she replied awkwardly, turning away.


    ¡°You know all of those Health-tonics they sell at the auction house?¡± Zeke asked.


    ¡°Yeah,¡± Elaine replied.


    ¡°Well, they¡¯re made of diluted vita-fluid. This stuff is so potent it can heal any injury and purify any infection. They dilute it because it¡¯s a waste to use it otherwise,¡± Zeke explained.


    ¡°Then I¡¯m lucky to have come across this place!¡± Elaine smiled.


    ¡°Did you, by chance, hear a voice directing you here?¡± Zeke wondered with a blank stare.


    ¡°As a matter of fact, I did. How did you know what?¡± Elaine asked.


    Zeke gazed into the distance.


    ¡°It was Fox,¡± he stated with a slight sigh.


    ¡°Wait what!? How do you know that?!¡± Elaine exclaimed.


    ¡°He approached me when I was scouting out the path to the geyser field and told me what lies ahead,¡± Zeke explained.


    ¡°Is that even allowed?¡± Elaine questioned in shock.


    ¡°He called it ¡®leveling the playing field¡¯, so I guess not,¡± Zeke smirked.


    He stood up, did a few stretches, and then looked at Elaine.


    ¡°Your hair has grown out,¡± he said, pointing to her dark roots.


    ¡°I¡¯ll need to dye it again,¡± she stated while playing with her hair. ¡°What color do you think would suit me?¡± she asked with a warm smile.


    ¡°I¡¯d keep it natural¡±, Zeke scratched his head and lowered his gaze.


    ¡°BOOOORING!¡± Elaine shouted. ¡°I¡¯ll go with pink,¡± she laughed. ¡°Let¡¯s get you fed,¡± Elaine stood up, pointing towards the campfire.


    The two sat down. Elaine made a stew using some food she had in her bag.


    ¡°You know, for a moment there, I thought you were a goner,¡± She stared into her bowl with a sad expression, ¡°I don¡¯t know what I would do If I lost another teammate,¡± she continued as her hands started to shake.


    ¡°It¡¯s funny hearing you say that, considering your reaction to first meeting me,¡± Zeke laughed.


    ¡°Look! You¡¯re right. It was wrong of me to treat you in such a way. But I¡¯ve been through a lot recently.¡± Elaine cleared her throat. ¡°I used to have a group of friends. Me, Mitch, and Jamie. We grew up together on the streets, we became orphans from an early age, so it was natural for us to stick together. There weren¡¯t many ways for a few children to make ends meet on the streets of this cruel city. So, we began doing odd jobs, anything that would put food on the table. Eventually, on one of our gigs, we met an old man. We didn¡¯t know it at the time, but that guy was a legend on the streets of lower babel. They called him the Bull-headed boxer. He taught us everything about being mercenaries, from fighting to negotiations with clients. Eventually, my teacher was approached by the man known as Phoenix. He offered him a million credits to assassinate the pale reaper. And as you know from your conversation with Ulmak, that guy is untouchable. I begged my teacher not to go, but he didn¡¯t listen. He told me it was a matter of pride for him to fight. There was a knight¡¯s operation aimed at capturing Phoenix. The whole thing was an ambush set up by my master and Phoenix. But it didn¡¯t work. The pale reaper killed my master in that fight. Michael and Jamie swore to take revenge against Phoenix, but they couldn¡¯t even contend with the weakest of his goons.¡± Elaine explained with a sorrowful expression.


    She put down her bowl.


    ¡°That¡¯s why I¡¯m here. That¡¯s why I need to become a contractor. I need strength to avenge my teacher, but as I am now, going there would be suicide,¡± she continued.


    Zeke stood up..


    ¡°I¡¯ve heard a story about someone obtaining regenerative abilities by swimming in vita-fluid,¡± Zeke said, to change the topic of conversation.


    ¡°I¡¯m pretty sure it¡¯s not true, but I think I¡¯ll give it a try, plus it¡¯ll heal any of my leftover injuries,¡± he stated while unbuttoning his shirt.


    Zeke undressed and stepped into the pool of green glowing liquid. Immediately, the scar on his stomach started to glow and disappear, emitting green dust-like particles.


    Elaine approached the pool, taking off her shoes and dipping her feet into the liquid. Green particles started to come off her feet, healing her calluses.


    He looked up at the ceiling of the cave.


    ¡°I wonder if it¡¯s nighttime,¡± Zeke said to Elaine.


    ¡°Yeah, me too,¡± Elaine replied, visibly flustered.


    ¡°I could do with a view of the stars,¡± Zeke sighed.


    ¡°Just imagine them, and pretend that they¡¯re there,¡± Elaine giggled.


    Zeke looked at Elaine.


    ¡°Care for a swim?¡± he said, mowing slightly away from her.


    ¡°I¡¯m good,¡± Elaine averted her gaze.


    ¡°Oh, come on,¡± Zeke said, before splashing vita-fluid at Elaine.


    ¡°Fine,¡± she said, leaving to undress.


    She slowly took off her clothes, hiding behind a stone pillar. Zeke turned around so as not to make Elaine feel uncomfortable as she dropped into the pool. She snuck up behind Zeke and hugged him. As their skin touched, it created a certain squeaky friction that carried unexplainable comfort along with it.


    ¡°Don¡¯t tell anyone about this,¡± she whispered into his ear before gently biting it.


    Zeke blushed. She turned him around, kissing him on the lips. First, she gently caressed his upper lip, and then she playfully bit the lower. Zeke pushed her away, slamming her into a stone wall directly behind them. Elaine groaned in arousement, digging her nails into Zeke¡¯s muscular back.


    Zeke gently kissed her neck, moving up to her lips. Elaine moaned, pushing Zeke back in an attempt to regain some semblance of control.


    She climbed atop a stone protruding from the edge of the pool and spread her legs, pushing Zeke towards herself. For a moment, the two embraced. Elaine dug her nails even deeper into Zeke¡¯s back, leaving behind wounds that closed up almost immediately because of the effects of the fluid.


    Instinctually, Zeke slowly but surely started thrusting his hips, increasing in intensity as he went deeper inside of her, causing Elaine to moan with every ounce of her being. She grabbed Zeke by the chin and kissed him, forcing her tongue into his mouth.


    The two spent a passionate night in each other¡¯s embrace, not getting a single ounce of sleep out of it.

 Chapter 15: Horror of the lost

    Before leaving the vicinity of the pool, Zeke filled a few empty bottles with vita-fluid to use in case of an emergency. He and Elaine crawled through the tunnel, venturing back into the geyser field.


    ¡°It¡¯s a pretty long way. How did you carry me here?¡± Zeke asked.


    ¡°Painfully,¡± Elaine squinted while diverting her gaze.


    The area before them was calm, with no signs of life. Countless dismembered and carved up crawler corpses were dotted all over the area, a bloody aftermath of what came before.


    ¡°Looks like Ulmak took care of the crawlers,¡± Zeke noted.


    ¡°He was finally able to call upon his soul, so I guess doing this much must have been easy for him.¡± Elaine stated, lowering her eyes.


    ¡°I wonder how much stronger he got,¡± Zeke thought with excitement.


    ¡°Who knows? Maybe we¡¯ll meet him near the Drakonian den,¡± Elaine speculated.


    ¡°I doubt that. The battle took place two days ago. He should be at the Undercity by now.¡± Zeke explained, touching his chin.


    ¡°How far is the den?¡± Elaine asked.


    ¡°Close,¡± Zeke replied with a grim expression.


    The two ventured forth, treading past the geyser field until they reached the lair of centipede Drakonians. An area of scorched, molten rock glued together into a massive nest of pathways and tunnels which the Drakonians used for travel. The size of these tunnels dwarfed the previous area. They were constructed with stone pillars holding up the entire ceiling of the nest, shaped by mouths the mouths of giant monsters, reinforcing the structure.


    The two entered the den, slowly creeping through the entrance. Inside, a massive specimen was standing guard creeping over the two.


    It was blind. With a large shield-like shell covering the top of its head where the eyes should have been. Its protruding maw was large enough to swallow any man whole. On the sides of its mouth were two mandibles filled with a corrosive poison that could be used as arms if needed be. Below the neck, the creature had a reptilian torso, with two massive skeletal, bladed claws, growing out of its shoulders. Large bright-red colored spikes were protruding outwards from its spine, down to its waist. Below the waist, the Drakonian¡¯s body was split into flattened segments with a pair of legs coming out of from each segment.


    There were over a hundred segments on this specimen, which was a sign of its great age, the number of segments being an accurate way to determine the age of a centipede draconian. Judging from how large this specimen was and how many segments it had, this creature was hundreds of years old, and most likely traveled to the caves after the gates of hell were first opened. Based on the spikes one could tell that this specimen was the alpha of the nest, or so Zeke assumed.


    The creature hung upside down sleeping right above the entrance, clung to the side of the wall with its legs lodged deep into the rock surface of the cave.


    As Zeke and Elaine passed directly below its mouth, the creature¡¯s drool dripped on to the girl¡¯s head. She almost gagged. It smelled like a citrusy concoction of rotten meat and fish that had been left out to ferment further for a couple of months. Elaine squealed in disgust as Zeke covered her mouth, silencing her, pointing his finger up at the beast and crossing his throat with his thumb, signaling to Elaine that if the creature woke up the two of them would surely die.


    Zeke gathered a lump of the creature¡¯s drool off Elaine¡¯s shoulders and head and covered himself in it to mask his scent from the other Drakonians. Elaine covered her nose, her gaze appeared extremely drained.


    The pair continued making their way through. Eventually, they reached a clearing where many more, albeit smaller, specimens were nesting, sleeping peacefully in small, smooth tunnels molded into the side of the cave. Many bones were left rummaged stacked into large hills. The ground itself was covered in fractured skeletons the centipedes used as pathing as they found them comfortable to navigate.


    Judging from the sheer number of bones and their variety Zeke could determine that the nest must have been rather large with openings to many other cave sub-systems which the centipedes often used to hunt their prey.Reading on Amazon or a pirate site? This novel is from Royal Road. Support the author by reading it there.


    Navigating the nest proved challenging, with many winding pathways, and dead ends making it worthy of being called a maze. Luckily, Fox told Zeke exactly where to go, making the journey much easier.


    The pair continued walking until they reached a molting area. A space filled with empty husks left behind by the centipedes, each cracked and shattered, like statues of a creator who hated his work. They ventured carefully inwards, placing each foot in a way that would make the least amount of noise.


    Suddenly, something started to move within the mountain of molts. It squirmed and rustled before emerging outside. The specimen was large, even larger than the one they saw at the entrance. Its spikes, legs and mandibles were colored bright red, with the tip fading into a pale yellow, almost white shade. It became clear that Zeke¡¯s assumption about the specimen guarding the entrance being the Alpha was wrong. This creature was even larger. It appeared much more skeletal in its shape and had so many segments that Zeke couldn¡¯t even count. The creature shook violently, flailing its body in every direction in an attempt to get out of its old skin that had become too small for it, tossing car-sized fragments of rock-hard shell all over the chamber.


    One fragment flew, tossed by the creature, directly at the two explorers.


    ¡°Run!¡± Zeke screamed out to elaine. ¡°The Undercity is at the end of this chamber!¡± he continued shouting, before grabbing her hand.


    The Alpha sensed them, moving his head in a strange, uneven way. before twisting its jaws sideways and lunging in to bite the two.


    Zeke pushed Elaine out of the way, barely lunging forward, away from the leaping beast. He tossed most of his belongings at the centipede, only keeping his weapon and a few bottles of vita-fluid on him and proceeded to run even faster.


    Both Zeke and Elaine sprinted forth with all of their might. The cave around them shook violently as the massive creature proceeded to give chase, moving hundreds of its legs in rhythmic unison.


    Suddenly, Zeke noticed a small opening within the wall of the chamber. A marker was spray-painted above it¨C ¡°Undercity this way,¡± with an arrow leading towards the hole.


    ¡°We¡¯re almost there!¡± Zeke screamed from the top of his lungs with a bright, outgoing smile.


    However, the Alpha was not going to let them escape that easily. The creature leaped forward again, using its massive, segmented body as a spring.


    Elaine felt like time had stopped. Both she and Zeke were inside the jaws of the massive beast. All the creature had to do was bite down and the two of them would be dead faster than they could comprehend, ground into viscera between its teeth.


    She looked over at Zeke. His warm smile made her feel a certain sense of comfort. And as she closed her eyes, ready to accept her fate, she quietly thought, ¡°It was fun!¡±


    A yellow flash lit up the chamber. The alpha suddenly split in two, cleaved perfectly down the middle, emanating the same glow as countless golden particles swirled around it.


    ¡°Hey guys!¡± Fox greeted the two, stepping forward in between Zeke and Elaine, holding a glass short sword glowing in a warm yellow hue.


    Elaine¡¯s eyes widened, and jaw dropped.


    ¡°I thought you were a non-combatant,¡± she said in amazement.


    ¡°Oh yeah, I am, but this wasn¡¯t much of a fight, was it?¡± he replied with a playful smile.


    ¡°I guess not,¡± she muttered with a shocked and confused look.


    ¡°How did you do that?¡± Zeke stumbled, falling to the ground.


    ¡°Experience,¡± Fox replied.


    Suddenly, the caves before them started rumbling.


    ¡°Alright, I think it¡¯s time for us skedaddle,¡± Fox said, putting his hands inside of his pockets as his weapon disappeared. ¡°The Undercity is waiting for you.¡±


    The three stepped through the opening, entering another tunnel. The cave behind them suddenly closed off.


    ¡°Wait! What if there¡¯s still someone coming?¡± Zeke asked with a shocked expression.


    Fox started whistling.


    ¡°There¡¯s no one else coming. Everyone else either already made it, or died,¡± he explained with a careless stride.


    ¡°Well, then how many made it?¡± Zeke asked.


    ¡°Counting with you two, about 48,¡± Fox stated while scratching his head.


    ¡°Are you serious?¡± Elaine exclaimed in surprise.


    ¡°There were hundreds of contestants besides us!¡± Zeke added.


    ¡°Yep, most of them died,¡± Fox replied.


    ¡°But they were¡­¡± Elaine said before being interrupted by Dox.


    ¡°Trash,¡± Fox smirked.


    ¡°They were people, living, breathing people!¡± Elaine shouted, briefly grabbing Fox by the collar, letting go after remembering what he did to the giant creature.


    ¡°So, you did learn something since I last saw you. Good for you!¡± Fox smirked.


    Elaine tightly clenched her fist.


    ¡°Let¡¯s hurry, everyone¡¯s already waiting for you,¡± Fox directed, speeding up his step.


    The three walked for a while, along the strange tunnel. Zeke would often turn around, looking directly behind him to see a stone wall. The wall would always remain at the same distance behind the three, no matter how far they walked. It appeared almost like the tunnel was sealing itself behind them as they proceeded further down.


    They continued on the same path for about 40 minutes until they reached a vast, open space. It was a giant area filled with underground waterfalls, forests, featuring many types of plant life, and buildings that had sunken entirely into the earth and settled in a rather orderly manner. The larger of the buildings were connected by stone bridges, visibly constructed using magic, creating an interconnected, vertical city.


    Before them was a cliff, a small pad with a few benches, guarded off by an ornate metal rail covered in green vines. Ulmak was sitting on one of the benches, waiting patiently for his teammates, with his spear by his side.


    He immediately jumped up after noticing his friends, running up to them with great enthusiasm.


    ¡°You¡¯re finally here!¡± he exclaimed as he grabbed Zeke and Elaine by their hands.

 Chapter 16: The Undercity dwells

    ¡°When did you get here?¡± Zeke asked.


    ¡°Two days ago. After I cleared out the geyser field, I rested outside the den before continuing,¡± Ulmak explained.


    ¡°How did you do inside the den?¡± Elaine wondered.


    ¡°Oh, I just sneaked past all the centipedes. Luckily, the big and scary one was molting and didn¡¯t notice me.¡± Ulmak continued, repeatedly tugging at his beard.


    ¡°We¡­ weren¡¯t so lucky,¡± Zeke sighed. ¡°The Alpha woke up just as we were about to leave,¡± he stated before being interrupted.


    ¡°What? How did you get out then?¡± Ulmak asked, dropping his hands in surprise.


    ¡°This guy,¡± Elaine pointed her hand towards Fox.


    Fox whispered, ¡°Shhhhhh,¡± with his finger pressed up against his mask, where his lips would be.


    ¡°He saved us,¡± Elaine explained, disregarding Fox.


    ¡°Makes sense,¡± Ulmak stated, glaring at Fox with a certain intensity.


    ¡°Here.¡± Zeke handed Ulmak a bottle of vita-fluid. ¡°Mix this with water and drink it in case you need to heal your injuries faster. I know you¡¯re a contractor, but everyone could use a health tonic now and again,¡± Zeke smiled.


    Ulmak laughed.


    ¡°I take it this is the stuff you used to patch little Zeke back together?¡± Ulmak wondered, grabbing Elaine by the shoulder.


    Elaine blushed slightly. She carefully covered her face with her hand, pretending to scratch her nose, so Ulmak wouldn¡¯t notice.


    ¡°Yeah,¡± she replied.


    ¡°That¡¯s good! You gave me a real scare back there, Zeke,¡± Ulmak said, placing his other hand on the boy and giving him a stern shake.


    Fox suddenly stepped forward.


    ¡°Sorry to interrupt, but we should get going. Now that you¡¯ve arrived, the second part of the competition will begin shortly. Don¡¯t worry, you will have more than 24 hours to rest before then.¡± Fox stepped forward towards the ledge and spread his arms before hastily turning around. ¡°Welcome to the Undercity!¡± he screamed with a great deal of excitement.


    His words echoed throughout the caves that appeared to go on for miles, waking up bats and other flying creatures and sending them off to parade around the underground city.


    ¡°Let¡¯s get you guys some lodging!¡± Fox exclaimed.


    Zeke and Elaine did not appear interested in what Fox had to say.


    ¡°Ulmak, where are you staying?¡± Elaine asked.


    ¡°Oh, I was sleeping on this bench the entire time while waiting for you guys,¡± Ulmak explained.


    ¡°But why? Why didn¡¯t you go into the city? There should be plenty of places to stay,¡± Zeke asked.


    ¡°It¡¯s not that I didn¡¯t want to. I wasn¡¯t allowed to explore the Undercity until you either came here or died,¡± Ulmak sighed.


    ¡°Said who?¡± Elaine asked, visibly frustrated.


    ¡°Me,¡± Fox smirked.


    ¡°Alright guys! Let¡¯s go, I¡¯ll show you around the Undercity,¡± Fox ordered, gesturing towards a bridge on his right.


    The group walked forth. Fox moved in the very front of the pack, leading the way. Zeke was right behind him, not able to contain his excitement over seeing the Undercity for the first time. Ulmak and Elaine were walking in the back, keeping watch, in case someone was about to attack from behind.


    ¡°Relax guys, no one will come after you now. It¡¯s still too early to think about that. Rest while you can,¡± Fox stated. However, his comments failed to convince the group.


    As they continued walking across the elevated platforms, Zeke couldn¡¯t help but be amazed by the crowds of people walking below. Each person, rushing to go somewhere. From up top, the crowds appeared like swarms of small, insignificant insects crawling their way to their nests.If you encounter this tale on Amazon, note that it''s taken without the author''s consent. Report it.


    ¡°Hey, why are there so many people here? Did they all come through the caves to get here?¡± Zeke asked with a confused expression.


    ¡°No, that¡¯s not the case. The caves are only designed to test the contestants. If people had to go through the caves, each time they wanted to go in and out of the Undercity, I¡¯m afraid this place would have been long-deserted. These people are the residents of the Undercity, those who call these caves home. They live here, have children here, and die here. Just like the folks up above.¡± Fox explained.


    ¡°Then do they all already know the king of contractors?¡± Zeke asked.


    Fox sighed.


    ¡°No, they don¡¯t know him. Most of them are human, so how would they? For better or for worse, the residents of the Undercity don¡¯t have to take a test to meet with the king. The king simply tests them on the spot to see if they are worthy.¡± Fox said, before starting to whistle a carefree tune.


    ¡°And how often do they turn out to be worthy?¡± Zeke asked.


    Fox stopped walking.


    ¡°No one¡¯s been worthy yet,¡± he said with visible frustration, before continuing to walk.


    Zeke loudly swallowed.


    ¡°And these people, what do they do? How do they survive?¡± Zeke asked yet again.


    ¡°Well, you¡¯re a curious one, aren¡¯t you?¡± Fox smirked. ¡°They are mostly farmers. Most farm cave beasts for food, some farm Fuego trees. And then there are those who process the food as well. And there are miners. Ahhh and of course, there are those who process materials. I guess, Zeke, the simple answer is: they do everything they can to survive,¡± Fox explained, turning his head towards Zeke with a warm smile.


    The group continued walking. The walkways were structured in a way that, after passing through five or so bridges, there would be a hub of sorts with shops and toilets and a staircase leading down to a lower level, and then there would be another hub after another set of bridges in another direction. This is the pattern by which the top part of the Undercity was structured. On the upper levels, most of the stalls seemed vacant or out of order, but the lower they got, the more people there were and the more stalls there were open.


    The group would occasionally pass people who just moments before appeared small. Now, however, Zeke saw they were completely ordinary. They were the same as those from the city up above. The only exception being that they wore thicker clothes, and most had a flashlight strapped on them.


    ¡°Hey Zeke! I¡¯ve been meaning to ask. Just how old are you?¡± Ulmak suddenly asked.


    ¡°Oh, I just turned 17,¡± Zeke replied.


    ¡°What do you mean!?¡± Elaine screamed out, her face uncontrollably blushing bright red.


    ¡°I figured as much.¡± Ulmak tugged on his beard. ¡°How old did you think he was, Elaine?¡± Ulmak asked, lifting his right eyebrow.


    ¡°A-a-a-t-at least 20,¡± Elaine replied, stuttering.


    Fox suddenly placed his hand on Zeke¡¯s shoulder and looked into his eyes with a slight squint and a smile.


    ¡°Let¡¯s proceed forward,¡± he said, after letting go.


    The group continued downwards. The previously empty bridges and decks have become full, almost crowded. The smell of fresh food permeated the air, making its way from over the food stalls. The mouths of Ulmak, Elaine and Zeke started to water, as the three had fed on nothing but damp crawler meat for the better part of a month.


    ¡°Want some?¡± Fox asked.


    ¡°Yes,¡± they nodded.


    ¡°Alright! Three portions of grilled raptor-mole-rat coming up!¡± he said before turning around and going to the stall.


    ¡°You¡¯re kidding? Right?¡± Ulmak asked Fox, without getting a response.


    ¡°He¡¯s Kidding, right?¡± Ulmak asked again, but this time addressing Zeke.


    ¡°I don¡¯t think so,¡± Zeke replied, looking towards Fox.


    Suddenly, Ulmak grabbed Zeke by his shoulders and started violently shaking him?


    ¡°What the fuck is a raptor-mole-rat?¡± He asked Zeke repeatedly, but Zeke didn¡¯t reply.


    Soon, Fox came back with 4 large skewers of meat in his hands.


    ¡°Dig in, my friends,¡± he said, giving each member of the team a skewer and leaving one for himself.


    The meat appeared brown and juicy, with slight charring on top. As Fox bit into the meat, juices leaked out, dripping down onto the floor below him. Zeke too bit into the meat, without giving it much thought. Elaine soon followed suit, leaving only Ulmak standing in contemplation and doubt.


    Ulmak closed his eyes and bit into the meat with a rush, sending small splashes of juice all around him.


    ¡°It¡¯s good!¡± he screamed out before taking another bite.


    ¡°It tastes like chicken,¡± Elaine said after swallowing.


    Suddenly, a tall gray-haired man with a thick beard approached the group. He was covered head to toe with tattoos, wearing black leather jeans, an orange tank-top and a glow in the dark armband.


    He grabbed Ulmak by the collar and pulled him towards himself.


    ¡°You sullied my clothes,¡± he growled, pointing towards a stain on his shirt.


    But Ulmak pretended not to see him, ignoring the man as he continued chewing.


    ¡°Are you stupid or something?¡± he asked.


    Yet Ulmak still remained silent.


    ¡°Listen here, I¡¯m gonna cut your ass up if you don¡¯t start answering!¡± the man screamed, directing his gaze towards the knife he had strapped to his belt.


    Ulmak swallowed.


    ¡°Hey Fox! Is this guy a contestant?¡± Ulmak asked.


    The man¡¯s gaze widened.


    ¡°Nope,¡± Fox replied.


    ¡°Wait a minu-¡°the man started saying before being interrupted by Ulmak who proceeded to spit into his eyes and punch him in the face, breaking the man¡¯s nose and knocking him down to the ground.


    Ulmak stood over the man, looking around. But the crowd didn¡¯t seem to mind.


    ¡°Serves him right,¡± someone in the crowd said.


    Ulmak stared deep into Fox¡¯s eyes, who had just finished eating.


    ¡°This really is a lawless city, isn¡¯t it?¡± he said.


    ¡°It¡¯s not so different from Lower babel,¡± Fox smiled.


    ¡°I guess you¡¯re right¡­¡±

 Chapter 17: A Legend born part 1

    Eventually, the group reached the lowest part of the city. An area filled with enormous crowds. The streets were relatively well lit by strips of LED lights placed on every corner of every building. They walked along the main street, carefully following Fox, careful to not get lost.


    Being native to the city of Lower Babel, Ulmak, Elaine and Zeke, were used to seeing large crowds trafficking through busy streets. However, the fact that both Elaine and Zeke had never been outside their home city made them feel a certain sense of unease. Something about their surroundings feeling both foreign and familiar put them on edge. Almost like the crowds, walkways, buildings and streets were about to lead to an alley, a park or a vista they¡¯ve seen before.


    As Elaine looked up, she saw the massive buildings disappearing into the darkness above them, fading into a strange, obscure fog, just before her gaze could reach their tops. A deep sense of dread filled her heart. ¡°I have no clue how anyone could call this place home,¡± she thought to herself.


    After walking for about 30 minutes, the group reached a clearing with an opening. It was a hexagonal square paved in solid gold. Four immaculate fountains were shooting streams of water around the perimeter. And in the center, there stood a tall glass building, its upper part disappearing, molding into the ceiling of the cave, where countless windows could be seen peering down onto the city below. On the front of the building, the words ¡°Legend hotel¡± were engraved in golden letters outlined by neon lights with constantly changing hues.


    The group marched forward through the golden square. Their dirty boots leaving footprints on the ground set off a chain of circular golden robots who followed in their wake, cleaning up after them.


    Zeke looked on amazed, as he had never seen anything like this before. This place was everything he imagined the safe zone of Lower Babel to be. Because he was poor, he could never see it for himself. But here he was. This was almost like a dream come true.


    ¡°We¡¯re here,¡± Fox said after reaching the front door of the establishment and taking a step towards the square.


    ¡°Where?¡± Elaine asked. ¡°Where are we exactly?¡±


    ¡°You¡¯ll find out shortly,¡± Fox stated as he started to approach the reception desk.


    The inside of the hotel appeared Grecko-Roman inspired, with large marble statues placed all around the interiors, and decorative marble columns supporting the first floor. Vines were hanging from the columns connecting them, splitting the first floor up into a reception-waiting room area and a restaurant area.


    An Asian female wearing a tidy golden uniform was standing behind the reception desk.


    ¡°Welcome to Legend hotel,¡± she said, while making a slight bow.


    ¡°Hello,¡± Fox waved to the woman, ¡°I have an arrangement with Winston.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m sorry sir, I¡¯m afraid mister Nolan is out of the office, and it is uncertain when he will be back,¡± The woman bowed again.Love this novel? Read it on Royal Road to ensure the author gets credit.


    Fox briefly looked towards Zeke before smirking and resting his arms on the reception desk.


    ¡°Tell Winston that Fredric Lacro has come to see him,¡± Fox whispered to the receptionist, leaning over towards her right shoulder.


    ¡°I¡¯m sorry¡­¡± she said before being interrupted.


    ¡°I am Fredric Lacro,¡± Fox said, visibly angered, ¡°Do not make me wait.¡±


    The eyes of the woman lit up in a blue hue.


    Fox looked over at Elaine.


    ¡°She¡¯s making a call.¡± He stated, pointing his finger at the woman, ¡°Don¡¯t worry, we¡¯ll get you guys well rested soon,¡± he said with a warm smile.


    ¡°Sir! mister Nolan is asking you to wait, is that an option?¡± the woman asked, her eyes still lit up by the same blue hue.


    ¡°No,¡± Fox replied with a serious expression.


    The receptionist sighed.


    ¡°I understand. He will be here shortly,¡± she said as her eyes returned her back to normal.


    Suddenly, an elevator on the right side of the building beeped, signaling that someone had come down.


    ¡°That was fast,¡± Fox laughed.


    A tall, muscular man in a striped suit came storming out of the elevator. He appeared to be in his mid-fifties with gray slicked back hair, a pair of round shades with golden rims and golden teeth that became exposed because of his anger.


    ¡°Fredric,¡± he growled.


    ¡°Winston,¡± Fox smiled, ¡°I thought you weren¡¯t home.¡±


    ¡°I wasn¡¯t, for anyone else,¡± Winston stated, while scratching his head with his eyes closed. ¡°I couldn¡¯t have you tearing the place up again,¡± He sighed. ¡°What do you want?¡±


    ¡°Meet the members of my team,¡± Fox said while directing his hand towards the three. ¡°This is Zeke, Ulmak and Elaine.¡± Fox briefly turned his head towards them. ¡°Winston is the owner of this hotel.¡±


    ¡°Shit, you want them to stay here, don¡¯t you?¡± Winston asked, shaking his head.


    ¡°Yeah, luxury lobby, three rooms¡­ no¡­ make that two rooms,¡± Fox stumbled.


    ¡°Fine,¡± Winston said approaching the receptionist and whispering something into her ear.


    ¡°Here,¡± Winston tossed Fox a keycard, ¡°Top floor, Lobby 508¡±


    ¡°Thanks boss!¡± Fox smiled.


    ¡°Come back after you show them their rooms, something came up and I might need your help,¡± Winston scratched his head while looking down at the floor.


    ¡°Okie dokie,¡± Fox started walking towards the elevator, ¡°let¡¯s go gang!¡± he waved with his hand.


    The group followed suit.


    ¡°By the way,¡± Winston wondered, ¡°Which one¡¯s the leader?¡±


    ¡°Zeke,¡± Fox replied with a slight smirk.


    ¡°He¡¯s a clever kid, huh?¡± Winston smiled back ever so slightly.


    ¡°Yeah, real clever,¡± Fox stated as the doors of the elevator closed.


    The group rode the elevator upstairs to the highest floor. Once the doors of the elevators opened, they were exposed to a blue gilded corridor with dim lights.


    ¡°One singular lady and gentlemen, welcome to the luxury suites,¡± Fox said as he walked out of the elevator.


    He took them to a door with the number 508; he opened using the keycard before handing it to Zeke. Inside, there was a large, luxurious living room area with a kitchen, and a flat screen tv.


    ¡°You think it¡¯s cool now? Take a look at this,¡± Fox said and flicked the switch on a wall, transforming the floor into a see-through surface, opening a beautiful vista of the Undercity.


    ¡°Alright, two rooms, one on the right, the other on the left,¡± Fox explained before stepping out.


    ¡°But there¡¯s three of us!¡± Ulmak stopped Fox.


    ¡°Those two can share,¡± Fox remarked, pointing towards Zeke and Elaine, causing Elaine¡¯s face to turn bright red.


    Fox walked away, leaving the group to sort things out on their own.


    ¡°Don¡¯t worry, Elaine, I¡¯ll share a room with Zeke. You can sleep peacefully on your own,¡± Ulmak said attempting to soothe her, visibly frustrated himself.


    ¡°You don¡¯t have to do that,¡± Elaine whispered.


    ¡°Nonsense! I can¡¯t have a lady sleeping in the same room with a man,¡± Ulmak replied.


    ¡°Fine,¡± Elaine sighed taking her bag into her room. Zeke looked on quietly from the sideline without muttering a word.

 Chapter 17: A legend born part 2

    A couple of hours passed. The team spent some time getting their belongings situated after which they gathered in the lobby to discuss their future plans.


    ¡°I didn¡¯t want to say it in front of Fox,¡± Elaine smiled. ¡°Congratulations on manifesting your soul!¡± she exclaimed in an excited tone.


    ¡°Thanks, but I¡¯m pretty certain he already knows.¡± Ulmak murmured.


    ¡°What makes you say that?¡± She wondered.


    ¡°He hinted at it while we were waiting or you guys,¡± Ulmak sighed. ¡°He said that he would love to tell me more, but I am still far too inexperienced to see the bigger picture,¡± he said, crossing his arms.


    ¡°He has been helping us along the way, so I don¡¯t think It¡¯s a bad thing,¡± Zeke shook his head.


    ¡°Is he even allowed to do that?¡± Elaine wondered.


    ¡°I don¡¯t think so,¡± Ulmak stated.


    ¡°Who¡¯s to say that he is? Who¡¯s to say that he isn¡¯t? Whatever it may be, for some reason he¡¯s going out of his way to help us,¡± Zeke remarked with a thoughtful expression.


    ¡°I wonder what that reason is,¡± Ulmak pondered.


    ¡°Anyway.¡± Elaine stood up, ¡°this conversation is getting nowhere. I¡¯m gonna head to bed,¡± she said while heading to her room.


    ¡°Good night, don¡¯t let the bedbugs bite. Tell us if you need anything.¡± Ulmak waved.


    ¡°I¡¯d do anything for a glass of wine,¡± she muttered with a slight blush and a wink aimed towards Zeke.


    ¡°You wish,¡± Ulmak laughed.


    The three went to bed soon after. Zeke lied in a single bed with Ulmak, patiently waiting for him to fall asleep. He tracked Ulmak¡¯s breathing, waiting carefully until it started to slow down.


    ¡°I¡¯ll wait another five minutes just to be sure.¡± Zeke thought upon hearing Ulmak snooze off.


    He sneakily made his way out of their room, getting dressed and taking the key card out of Ulmak¡¯s bag.


    ¡°Alright, now where do I get myself a bottle of wine?¡± he quietly pondered.


    He checked the fridge, but only soda was available, labeled and tagged with scanners tracking everything taken out.


    ¡°The restaurant is bound to have a bottle,¡± Zeke thought before sneaking out of their room and hurriedly charging towards the elevator.


    As the doors of the elevator opened, a familiar face smiled proudly standing inside.


    ¡°Isn¡¯t it a little late to go out exploring?¡± Nolan asked with a slight smirk.


    ¡°Not when one¡¯s looking for something,¡± Zeke replied, stepping into the elevator.


    ¡°Where to?¡± Nolan asked.Unauthorized duplication: this narrative has been taken without consent. Report sightings.


    ¡°The restaurant, or maybe a bar,¡± Zeke stated in doubt.


    ¡°What do you need?¡± Nolan asked with a slight sigh, visibly frustrated with the boy¡¯s inability to decide.


    ¡°It¡¯s a secret,¡± Zeke replied.


    ¡°And do you have any money to buy this secret?¡± Nolan inquired.


    Zeke turned quiet.


    ¡°I guess not. So how did you expect to get something in the restaurant? Did you plan on stealing it?¡± Nolan asked with an angry expression.


    ¡°No, I was going to put it on Fox¡¯s tab,¡± Zeke stated.


    Nolan laughed, ¡°That wouldn¡¯t have worked,¡± he shook his head with a smile. ¡°Listen, tell me what you need, and I¡¯ll see how I can get it for you.¡± Nolan briefly closed his eyes.


    ¡°F-f-fine,¡± Zeke stuttered. ¡°I need a bottle of wine,¡± he explained.


    ¡°OH! What¡¯s the occasion?¡± Nolan giggled, covering his mouth with the palm of his hand in a mocking feminine manner that contrasted with his gargantuan masculine stature.


    ¡°I can¡¯t tell you that!¡± Zeke shouted.


    ¡°So, it¡¯s for a girl. Alright, come to my office, I¡¯ll give you a bottle of good wine,¡± Nolan said before putting his keycard to the elevator control, forcing it into an overdrive mode.


    Soon, the two arrived. Zeke was welcomed to an office filled with ancient sculptures and paintings, various objects and artifacts from before the cataclysm.


    ¡°Make yourself comfortable,¡± Nolan smirked.


    Zeke sat down on the couch. It was by far the most comfortable couch he had ever had ever experienced. Classical music started playing from the speakers mounted in the ceiling.


    ¡°Have you ever smoked a cigar before?¡± Nolan asked.


    ¡°No,¡± Zeke replied with a shaking tone.


    ¡°Well, you¡¯re going to,¡± he said before dropping something metallic loudly on to the ground, ¡°come with me to the balcony, I have a few things I want to say to you,¡± he said, giving Zeke a shot-glass with a brown, murky liquid.


    ¡°I can¡¯t drink this,¡± Zeke replied.


    ¡°Relax, it¡¯s just coke, and not the fun kind either,¡± Nolan smirked, walking towards the balcony.


    Zeke followed him, and soon, another panoramic view of the city opened before the two.


    ¡°What do you think?¡± Nolan wondered.


    ¡°I¡¯ve seen this view since I left the caves. I¡¯m afraid I¡¯ve grown quite accustomed to it,¡± Zeke explained.


    Nolan lit his cigar, carefully rotating it along the flame of his lighter, distributing the heat evenly along its tip.


    ¡°I¡¯m the same way, really. But the customers they just love this view. They love the luxury suites. Even though they can see pretty much the same thing if they climb just a few bridges up.¡± Nolan blew out a puff of smoke. ¡°That¡¯s just the nature of man.¡± He paused.


    ¡°You know I¡¯ve entered the competition before, won it too. That was years ago now. This place is cruel. It is where legends are made, so it has to be. They will make you kill everyone until you are the last ones standing. And then they will tell you that only one of you can be the winner and they will make you kill each other.¡± Nolan sipped his glass of whiskey.


    ¡°Did you kill the members of your team?¡± Zeke asked with a shaking voice.


    ¡°No, I killed the examiner.¡± Nolan replied. ¡°Fredric was a teammate of mine. A kid from outside the city. He might look young, but he stopped aging a long time ago. I¡¯m guessing he¡¯s as old as the calamity itself, if not older,¡± he explained.


    ¡°So, we should be fine, right? We can win this, right?¡± Zeke asked.


    ¡°I don¡¯t know. There are usually some pretty bonkers people competing. If you meet them, you¡¯re fucked. I can¡¯t say if you¡¯ll be okay or not. I can tell that you¡¯re a bright kid, so your chances are higher than zero.¡± Mr. Nolan blew another puff. ¡°Oh, and one last thing. Stop calling Fredric by that silly nickname. Call him by his name. He deserves at least that much, right?¡± Nolan laughed.


    ¡°Okay, I¡¯ll do that,¡± Zeke laughed back.


    ¡°Sure, kid. You can go. Take the wine from the table on the left. I¡¯ll finish this thing on my own,¡± Nolan pointed to his cigar.


    Zeke stepped through the doors of the balcony before turning back around.


    ¡°One last thing,¡± Zeke swallowed, ¡°What was that thing you needed Fredric¡¯s help with?¡± Zeke wondered.


    ¡°Oh, That¡­ My daughter is getting married, and I don¡¯t know what to do. What presents to give her and all that. Fredrics¡¯ good at those sorts of things, so I asked him to help me out,¡± Nolan explained.


    Zeke went back down to his lobby, bringing the bottle with him.


    He knocked on Elaine¡¯s door.


    ¡°What took you so long?¡± she asked with an angry expression.


    ¡°This,¡± Zeke gave her the bottle, ¡°Now, if I¡¯m not mistaken, you will do anything my heart desires?¡±

 Chapter 18: The Undercity whispers

    The next morning Fredric showed up at the group¡¯s doorstep with 3 cups of coffee neatly tucked into a foam cupholder. He walked in through the door, right past the still-dazed Ulmak, handing him a cup.


    ¡°Large black,¡± he tapped Ulmak on the shoulder twice, causing him a great deal of surprise.


    Fredric walked straight into the lobby, looking towards the door into Ulmak¡¯s room.


    ¡°Ahhh, so that¡¯s how it is,¡± Fredric smirked.


    He walked towards the other side of the lobby and gently nudged the door handle open with his foot as his hands were still busy holding up the tray.


    ¡°Good morning, lovebirds!¡± Fredric screamed, waking Zeke and Elaine up, scaring them beyond belief.


    In panic, Elaine grabbed the blanket, pulling it over her naked body in a haste attempt to cover herself up.


    ¡°Mmmm chardonnay, great pick!¡± Fredric laughed, looking down at the empty wine bottle.


    He approached the dazed pair and handed them each a cup of coffee.


    ¡°A small macchiato for the girl and a medium latte for the gentleman,¡± he smiled. ¡°I¡¯ll be waiting for you on the couch just outside your room,¡± he said whilst walking away as he playfully waved his hand.


    In about 10 minutes, both Zeke and were seated on two chairs opposite the couch. Ulmak stared on with an intense annoyed expression right next to Fredric, who was blissfully sipping a cup of tea.


    ¡°So, how did you guys rest?¡± Fredric asked.


    ¡°Fantastic!¡± Ulmak replied, visibly angry as he gazed over at the two.


    ¡°What about you two?¡± Fredric asked.


    ¡°Good!¡± Zeke and Elaine replied in unison, before briefly looking at each other, blushing, and hurriedly looking away.


    ¡°Mhm, I¡¯m sure,¡± Ulmak retorted with his arms crossed.


    ¡°What¡¯s wrong Ulmy? Feeling left out?¡± Fredric asked, jokingly smacking Ulmak on the back.


    Ulmak turned towards Fredric.


    ¡°My name is Ulmak,¡± he growled with bloodshot eyes.


    ¡°Woah, scary,¡± Fredric giggled.


    ¡°Fox, I ask that you do not disrespect me!¡± Ulmak growled. ¡°I¡¯ve suffered quite enough of that as it is,¡± he muttered under his breath.


    ¡°Alright!¡± Fredric stood up, smacking both of his thighs with the palms of his hands, ¡°Then, shall we go see what the rest of the competition has in store for you?¡± he beckoned, as he walked toward the exit.


    The trio soon followed suit, catching up to Fredric and making their way towards the elevator. Fredric pressed his card against the elevator display, causing it to light up yellow. The number -15 flashed on the display as the elevator started to shake rapidly on its descent below ground.


    The elevator suddenly stopped, its doors opened revealing a gray hexagonal corridor dimly lit by orange lights positioned on its top two diagonals, placed about every two meters.


    ¡°What is this place?¡± Zeke wondered.


    ¡°You¡¯ll find out soon enough,¡± Fredric replied.


    The four walked for about 200 meters until they reached a peculiar structure. A set of railroad tracks with a small trolley that appeared to be over 50 years old. In a flash, the doors opened as the hydraulic pistons squealed for the first time in years.


    Fredric stepped in through the doors.


    ¡°Climb aboard,¡± he said, while reaching his hand out to Zeke.


    Zeke grabbed his hand, hopping into the trolley, then once inside, he gave his hand to Elaine, while Ulmak boarded on his own, quietly admonishing the two.


    The trolley took off, its wheels sparking as they spun in a strong, loud skirr.


    ¡°Where are we you taking us, Fox?¡± Ulmak asked with a serious expression.


    ¡°Relax, relax.¡± Fredric waved with his hand, ¡°We¡¯re going to a special area called the ¡®ring¡¯. It¡¯s where the third stage of the competition always starts. You will be given your objective there,¡± Fredric explained.This tale has been unlawfully obtained from Royal Road. If you discover it on Amazon, kindly report it.


    ¡°Third? What were the other two?¡± Zeke asked.


    ¡°The first was the cave, and as for the second one, you¡¯re in the middle of it right now,¡± Fredric clarified.


    ¡°What do you mean by that?¡± Elaine asked in surprise.


    ¡°You¡¯ll find out soon enough,¡± Fredric smiled.


    Suddenly, Ulmak struck the bench he was sitting on with the palms of his hands disturbing the ride even further, sending a shockwave of sound through the tunnel.


    ¡°Why didn¡¯t you tell me?¡± Umak asked in a deep, raspy, angry tone.


    ¡°I¡¯m sorry,¡± Zeke replied.


    ¡°Are you two even serious about this?¡± Ulmak sighed.


    ¡°About what!?¡± Elaine asked, slightly raising her voice.


    ¡°About what, silly girl? About what exactly you¡¯ve been doing with this young man?¡± Ulmak shouted.


    ¡°And how is that any of your business?¡± Elaine shouted back, leaning forward towards Ulmak¡¯s face.


    Zeke stepped in, positioning himself between the two.


    ¡°Hey, let¡¯s calm down. There¡¯s no need to fight over this.¡± Zeke looked towards Ulmak. ¡°I¡¯m sorry we didn¡¯t tell you. We just felt we needed to wait before we figured things out,¡± Zeke explained.


    The trolley suddenly stopped moving and its doors opened.


    ¡°We¡¯re here!¡± Fredric exclaimed, standing up and hopping out of the vehicle.


    As the group stepped outside, they could see the wheels of the trolley glowing red, sizzling in damp steam coming off the tracks. A great dark unknown opened up before them. A cold hollow void with a narrow unsupported bridge, created and held up with powerful earth magic. The bridge didn¡¯t glow, yet it emitted a certain light. A light the inner workings of which could not be understood by those who walked along the platform.


    The group followed down the path. Everyone apart from Fredric could feel a certain rush taking over their minds, digging deep into their subconscious, creating a perplexing disconnect between their physical and mental states.


    Eventually, they reached a clearing. A large round pantheon-like structure constructed out of floating stone pillars, connected by dozens of roads, all of which led to it. A large, blue, ornate crystal could be seen floating in the middle of the structure. A long black chain, with an ornate knife attached to its end squirmed frantically inside the crystal.


    There were more than 50 people gathered there, most appearing to be extremely tired and mentally drained.


    ¡°You¡¯re finally here!¡± Ludwig screamed out, as he suddenly appeared creeping in from the pitch black darkness, looking completely unchanged from when the contest first started.


    ¡°I see you¡¯re here too! And what of your ¡®Over fifty¡¯ contestants? How many survived?¡± Fredric mockingly asked, making binoculars out of his hands as he peered towards the distance.


    ¡°Thirteen,¡± Ludwig mumbled.


    ¡°What was that? I didn¡¯t quite catch that,¡± Fredric brought his hand up to his right ear.


    ¡°THIRTEEN!¡± Ludwig shouted.


    ¡°Ah, some competitors you picked. You must be getting pretty bad at this. Look at my guys, all still alive and well,¡± Fredric smiled.


    ¡°Well, I have to admit, the bald guy and the girl are pretty good. But the kid is clearly just being carried by those two.¡± Ludwig paused. ¡°Speaking of which, why don¡¯t I show you someone even better!¡± he smiled. ¡°HAZE! GET YOUR ASS OVER HERE!¡± he shouted.


    A man suddenly emerged from the crowd and started making his way towards the group. He was rather tall and lanky with undercut hair. Wearing a black tattered robe and a mask that covered his mouth. The whites of his eyes were tattooed black, making his red pupils appear incredibly sinister.


    ¡°Ulmak right?¡± Ludwig came up to him. ¡°I¡¯ve heard of you. You¡¯re quite famous in lower babel. I¡¯ve heard you had a run in with the reaper.¡± Ludwig smiled with an expression distorted by his sinister under-bite. He growled and moaned as his face itched closer to Ulmak. ¡°And while you managed to escape from him. Haze over here was able to hold his own for about 5 minutes. I¡¯d be curious to see which of you is stronger in a fight,¡± he said while backing away as laughed in a creepy, over the top manner, that from the pure sound of it, appeared more like a cough rather than laugher.


    ¡°Did you call me here just to gloat?¡± Haze asked in a deep, robotic tone distorted my his mechanical mask.


    ¡°Freddy!¡± a nun with crosses tattooed under her eyes emerged out of the darkness.


    ¡°Olivia! How have you been?¡± Fredric asked, visibly excited.


    ¡°Well, I was rather busy looking over all the contestants. I couldn¡¯t bear seeing my darlings die like that,¡± Olivia clasped her hands in payer.¡± At least Phin is okay,¡± she sighed.


    ¡°Phin? Is that the name of the leader of your group?¡± Fredric asked, visibly confused by the woman¡¯s rant.


    ¡°Yes, a sweet, sweet boy, however, I have someone different in mind,¡± Olivia licked her lips. Her expression changed suddenly, her brows twisting, contorting unnaturally into an angry frown. ¡°Freddy, I¡¯ve been watching you too. I¡¯ve seen what you¡¯ve been doing. You can¡¯t hide it from me.¡± she stared blankly at Fredric, her eyes appeared glass, almost transparent. ¡°I can¡¯t believe you¡¯re doing this. The king will not be happy when he finds out. He may kill you for this, he may even kill me for this. What to do? What to do?¡± she said, visibly flustered and with a slight blush on her cheeks.


    ¡°I knew it!¡± Ludwig shouted excitedly. ¡°You¡¯re a fraud!¡±


    ¡°He knows,¡± Fredric replied, lowering his gaze.


    Olivia¡¯s eyes widened. ¡°That¡¯s good then!¡± She smiled warmly, for a brief moment appearing as an innocent, lovely young woman. ¡°By the way. Have you seen Orland¡¯s little one, is quite cruel this time around, how unlike him, how unlike him,¡± she said while touching her chin with her index finger.


    The structure started shaking as Orand entered, jumping up from the darkness below. It soon became clear to the contestants that another guardian had appeared before them.


    ¡°Shall we begin?¡± the tall, muscular giant asked.


    ¡°We shall, Orland¡± Olivia replied.


    ¡°Alright!¡± Fredric screamed, ¡°I¡¯m glad to see that so many of you survived, but as you know, there can be only one team that wins. As such, if any of you wish to step away, you can do so now. Otherwise, your objective is as follows. Our teammate lies somewhere within the city, the man that you have seen before. You must find him. He has the key for your last test.¡± Fredric explained.


    ¡°So, what is it we need to do?¡± Haze asked.


    ¡°That is for you to figure out,¡± Fredric smiled.

 Chapter 19: Hazelnut drowns

    ¡°Now each group will be designated a leader, a person who was able to distinguish themselves during your time within the caves,¡± Orland explained to the group of participants standing before him.


    ¡°That would be me!¡± A man said, screaming out from the crowd


    ¡°What are you talking about?¡± another grabbed the man from the back and pulled him towards himself.


    A commotion started. It appeared like most contenders had only one thing in mind, an idea that the leader will be the most likely to win the competition. And as such they screamed, one after another, each expecting to get their slice of the pie.


    Ulmak, Zeke and Elaine kept quiet. Fox leaned in towards the group.


    ¡°You¡¯re the one,¡± he said, pointing his index finger towards Zeke.


    Haze made note of this. He peered deeply at the boy, releasing a strange growl that appeared to be both cybernetic and animalistic in nature.


    ¡°Soul,¡± he whispered, forcing a whip to appear in his grasp.


    The weapon looked fleshy and jagged. Akin to something constructed out of deformed bones and tumors. When retracted, it looked in distinguishable from a sword made out of 17 vertebrae that would periodically twitch and jiggle in strange unnatural motions.


    ¡°Can I kill him?¡± he growled towards Ludwig.


    ¡°Not yet,¡± Ludwig smirked, ¡°All in due time,¡± he stated with excitement.


    ¡°Haze!¡± A man suddenly screamed from the crowd, ¡°I challenge you for the position of leader!¡±


    In a flash, Haze cracked his whip launching its sharp point into the man¡¯s chest, opening a cavity the size of a golf-ball. Immediately, he retracted his whip. Causing a clap-like sound to echo throughout the caves as he held the man¡¯s still beating heart tightly in his clutch. He looked at it in a deep trance as the beating slowly deescalated. Until eventually, the motion ceased all together.


    ¡°Disgusting,¡± he growled and dropped the heart to the ground. It landed and made a strange squish, a sound so surprising and brutal that the commotion happening all around ceased.


    ¡°Oh my,¡± Olivia said with her hands tightly pressed against her cheeks. ¡°What should we do about this?¡±


    ¡°There¡¯s no rule that says they can¡¯t kill members of their own team,¡± Fredric shrugged.


    ¡°Oh, that¡¯s fine then, I guess,¡± Olivia replied.


    ¡°Enough!¡± Orland screamed out, ¡°The leaders will be decided by Guardians responsible for the teams,¡± he explained.


    ¡°I pick Haze!¡± Ludwig shouted, looking down at the corpse bleeding out on the ground.


    ¡°Hanna!¡± Olivia said with excitement.


    ¡°Stain!¡± Orland smirked.


    ¡°I¡¯m not telling!¡± Fredric laughed.


    ¡°That¡¯s against the rules!¡± Ludwig shouted with visible anger.


    ¡°Well, when you think about it¡­¡± Fredric sighed, ¡°¡­It¡¯s not. Orland said that we must pick the leader, not say their name aloud,¡± Fredric explained.


    ¡°Who cares what he said? You know exactly what he meant!¡± Ludwig continued screaming.


    ¡°Ludwig!¡± Orland called out, before releasing a sigh and closing his eyes, ¡°Let it go.¡±


    Ludwig scoffed and walked off into the darkness. Haze briefly followed him with his eyes before losing interest.


    ¡°Wise choice,¡± Fredric said, appearing almost emotionless.


    ¡°It¡¯s as Fredric explained, your goal is to find the last objective. This task is entirely up to you.¡± Orland estated. ¡°And one last thing. You are now allowed to kill members of other teams. Additionally, I and Olivia will be charged with hunting you thought out the city. We are not allowed to use our magic or weapons,¡± he sighed and shook his head.


    ¡°So, when do we begin?¡± a contestant asked.


    ¡°Now!¡± Olivia smiled, striking the man¡¯s head with the back of her hand, knocking it clean off and launching it into the dark pit below the arena.


    Suddenly the contestants began to frantically panic as Orland jumped down, attacking a few of them at once.This book was originally published on Royal Road. Check it out there for the real experience.


    Haze looked around, trying to spot Fredric. Yet he was nowhere to be found almost like he had vanished into thin air.


    ¡°Damn it!¡± he thought to himself.


    Olivia slowly walked past Haze snapping him out of his dazed state. She flowed gracefully before him turning to face him with a warm smile on her face.


    ¡°Haze!¡± she said with glee. ¡°I¡¯ve heard about you. You have built yourself quite a name on the streets of Lower Babel. Trying to kill everyone you ever face. Standing your ground against the Pale Reaper. Now that I¡¯ve seen you up close. I know you¡¯re just my type!¡± She giggled.


    ¡°Your type? Some nun you are?¡± Haze scoffed.  ¡°Kinky, psychotic bitch!¡± he growled. ¡°Move your monstrous, perverted ass away from here before I tear it into chunks.¡±


    ¡°Oh, my! Oh my! You saying that makes you even more attractive! You know what they call you? The most human contractor, it¡¯s true! They say you can¡¯t even use magic!¡± Olivia giggled in response.


    ¡°Hey, what would happen to me If I killed you?¡± Haze asked, looking down at the ground.


    ¡°You would take my place, as one of king¡¯s aids!¡± Olivia blushed.


    ¡°Yeah?!¡± Haze screamed with excitement. ¡°You should have said so earlier,¡± he took on a low fighting stance.


    ¡°I Invoke,¡± He screamed. Causing parts of his body, his arms and feet, to become enveloped in red fleshy tentacles. Covering them in a hard, red, skeletal armor, that appeared in a jagged spiral pattern, creeping over to his knees and elbows. The right top half of his face was covered by a mask that formed out the tentacles growing from the back of his neck. It too somehow resembled a rectangular spiral, only deviating in the place of his eye, which had now become much more animalistic in both it¡¯s nature and shape.


    ¡°Oh my! Oh my! An invocation already? How sharp of you!¡± Olivia blushed, hastily shifting her weight in a sudden charge towards Haze.


    Haze retaliated, cracking his whip at her face, but she easily avoided, getting into close quarter combat. In a fraction of a second, she struck Haze, slashing along his chest with the tips of her fingers, opening a large gash.


    ¡°Got you!¡± Haze laughed maniacally, securing his whip around her ankle.


    ¡°Did you?¡± she asked playfully, continuing to attack Haze, leaving cuts on his chest with each strike.


    Haze, however, did not appear worried in the slightest. In the moment she was about to land another hit, he swung his fist towards her face, countering her. Olivia paused, easily dodging the attack. She tried to leap away, but just as her feet left the ground, Haze¡¯s whip, still wrapped around her ankle, tightened, pulling her in closer.


    Haze moved well, much faster and sharper than before, striking Olivia on the stomach, launching her into the air. And then, once she flew high enough, he cracked his whip, slamming her into the ground.


    Without hesitation, Haze leaped up into the air, striking down on to Olivia with all of his weight.


    In the blink of an eye, Olivia rolled away, standing back up on her feet. She stood up, gripping her stomach, bleeding out of her right eye.


    ¡°Yes! Yes! Yes! Yes! Yes! Yes! Yes!¡± she screamed extatically. ¡°Give me more!


    In a rush, Haze charged towards Olivia, getting ready to strike her with his fist.


    ¡°Oh, by the way, you know that thing about not using magic?¡± Olivia smiled, ¡°Orland made it up!¡±


    Suddenly, two flashes of bright light shot out from the ceiling. They haphazardly bounced along the ring, piercing Haze through the chest, stopping him in his tracks. Immediately his wounds closed, forming a pair of fleshing tentacles on his chest and back that immediately hardened into small sheets of armor.


    ¡°Time for round two! Time for round two!¡± Olivia smiled, as four flashes of light started bouncing across the cavern.


    Haze rolled away in an attempt to dodge, but before he could land back on his feet, a large bolt pierced him straight through the abdomen. Without delay, he retaliated with his whip, slashing Olivia on the face, aiming right under her injured eye.


    Haze stumbled back on to his feet. The armor coating his arms and legs started to harden, dry out and wither away.


    ¡°Shit,¡± Haze exclaimed in frustration, as the mask covering the upper part of his face crumbled off.


    ¡°Oh, my! Oh my!¡± it looks like you¡¯re done,¡± Olivia smiled.


    Haze looked at his whip.


    ¡°Tru¡­¡± he said before suddenly being interrupted.


    ¡°Haze!¡± a figure screamed from the crowd. A man with a worried expression. ¡°We need to go!¡±


    ¡°Fuck!¡± Haze shouted out in frustration, ¡°Alright!¡±


    ¡°Oh, and how are you going to do that with me here?¡¯ Olivia wondered.


    ¡°You¡¯ll see!¡± Haze chuckled, ¡°I don¡¯t do this often¡±, he said while retracting his whip and sticking it into the ground.¡±


    Suddenly, fleshy, bony tentacles began sprouting from the ground, creeping up Olivia¡¯s legs faster than she could react, enveloping her entire body in a living casket. A tomb that steadily hardened and tightened, squeezing every last bit of air out of her, leaving her completely helpless.


    ¡°Antonio!¡± Haze shouted in a distorted robotic tone, ¡°Let¡¯s go!¡±, he said, leaving his weapon stuck in the ground.


    The pair ran towards one of the many bridges, making their way towards the trolley.


    ¡°What about the others?¡± Haze asked.


    ¡°We agreed to regroup on the bridge near the central market,¡± Antonio replied.


    The two got on to the trolley and took off.


    ¡°How many survived?¡± Haze asked with a tired expression, his gaze slowly drifting towards the ground.


    ¡°9 If you include us,¡± Antonio replied with his hands still shaking.


    ¡°Fuck!¡± Haze struck the bench beside him.


    ¡°And what of Ulmak?¡± Haze asked as he breathed heavily.


    ¡°He and his team managed to slip away in the skirmish,¡± Antonio replied, looking Haze directly in the eyes.


    Haze did not respond.


    ¡°Did you mean it? Are you going through with this?¡± Antonio asked.


    ¡°What other choice do I have?¡± Haze scoffed. ¡°A deal is a deal.¡±


    Meanwhile, back at the ring, Orland smashed open the bony container Olivia was trapped in.


    She dropped to the ground gasping for air with tears flooding out her eyes and a strange sinister smile, her clothes torn to shreds, revealing her nunde body, covered almost entirely by tattoos representing Christian myths and concepts.


    ¡°The little bugger almost killed me!¡± she screamed, punching the ground.


    ¡°How many are left?¡± Orland asked, ignoring her struggle.


    ¡°31,¡± she replied, slowly standing up.


    ¡°That man, what do you think of him?¡± Orland wondered as he peered into the distance.


    ¡°Well, had I not used magic, he would have killed me,¡± Olivia replied.


    ¡°That strong, huh?¡± Orland retorted.


    ¡°Yeah,¡± Olivia replied with a blank expression.

 Chapter 20: Hazelnut festers

    The wheels of the trolley let out a loud clang as it decelerated gradually, taking Haze and Antonio to an abandoned area underneath a bridge. They arrived at a tunnel that led to a balcony-like clearing overlooking an underground river, glowing in a green, luminescent glow. Yellowish-green sparks rose up from the water, dissipating into the air before they had the chance to rise up above the bridge. One spark landed on Haze¡¯s palm. He could feel a certain chill coming off it.


    Haze briefly looked at Antonio, his dark skin and short aquamarine hair and eyebrows appeared strange in this lighting.


    Haze stared into the distance, overcome with memories.


    ***


    As Haze opened his eyes, he found himself sitting in a blank room. The smell of mold and alcohol was permeating the air, forcing it into a strange state of disarray.


    ¡°You need to be more careful,¡± the doctor said while dismantling Haze¡¯s prosthetic face plate.


    ¡°Careful of what? I¡¯m fine,¡± Haze replied with a snarl and a lisp.


    ¡°I¡¯ve been administering the limiter drug through your jaw prosthetic just like you asked me to,¡± the doctor sighed. ¡°But your demonic energy levels have dropped to the point where they are starting to affect your health. I only agreed to this because you asked me. But seeing how much harm the drug does to your body, I can¡¯t advise you to continue,¡± the doctor explained.


    ¡°My body is none of your concern.¡± Haze waved his hand in agitation.


    The doctor stood up.


    ¡°You can¡¯t keep doing this forever!¡± he shouted at Haze.


    ¡°Do not lecture me, child!¡± Haze growled in response.


    ¡°The kids are important, but you have to take care of yourself.¡± The doctor explained, lowering his gaze.


    ¡°Shall I remind you that you were once one of those same kids yourself? If I stop taking the drugs, I can¡¯t keep staying in this city. And what then? Do I just abandon them? Do I just leave them to their own devices?¡± Haze raised his voice.


    ¡°Of course not,¡± the doctor mumble. ¡°Can¡¯t you ask someone else to watch the kids? Someone who could protect them in your stead?¡± he whispered, making biref eye-contact with Haze.


    ¡°Who do you have in mind?¡±


    ***


    ¡°Haze! We need to go!¡± Antonio said to Haze, snapping him out of his daydream.


    ¡°You¡¯re right,¡± Haze stumbled, almost falling to the ground.


    ¡°Hey! Are you alright?¡± Antonio asked, grabbing Haze by the shoulder and helping hold himself up.


    ¡°I¡¯m fine, just a little tired. I overexerted myself while fighting with that psychotic nun,¡± Haze explained, pushing Antonio away from himself and stumbling back on his feet.


    There was a staircase leading upwards, carved into the side of the rock next to the bridge. The two made their way above ground, finding themselves in the most southern region of the Undercity. An area known as the fields of providence. The area did not gain its name because it offered any form of protection to its residents, but because it was the only area of the Undercity that was completely calm, with no crime or disturbance anywhere to be seen. It was a district full of modern facilities. Cylindrical and conical towers were dotted and placed everywhere the eye could see. Inside, they housed animals. Cows and sheep, lizards and demonic beasts, all living on floors designed to appear as the most comfortable environment. A blissful illusion that only broke right before the animals were about to be slaughtered. Over time, those keeping them figured out that this process made the meat taste all that much better.


    Rumor has it that the most prized, expensive creatures were held on the top floors of these spires. Tucked away far from reach.


    To Haze and Antonio, this zone appeared dead, almost soulless. They could hear the transport elevators working overtime all around them, transporting food to be stored, with some of it most likely being taken to the city up above. They could feel the ground beneath their feet shake as countless underground trains continually transported endless supplies of feed and animal byproducts back and forth, from and into the district.


    Haze always found it captivating that although food is never in short supply above ground, no one ever wondered where it all came from, nor did they know about the existence of the Undercity. It appeared like apart from a select few, the entire population of Lower Babel was living in their own small world of blissful ignorance.


    The two went north, eventually leaving the fields of providence and entering the central area of the city. They climbed up, ascending to the higher bridges to get to where they agreed to meet with their allies. Haze looked down at the people at ground level.If you stumble upon this narrative on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen from Royal Road. Please report it.


    ¡°So many, yet so insignificant,¡± he thought to himself while staring into the crowds as his mind started to wander.


    ***


    Yet again, he was transported back to that doctor¡¯s clinic.


    ¡°I know this guy,¡± the doctor whispered, covering his mouth. ¡°He is a subordinate of the King of Contractors.¡±


    ¡°King of contractors¡­¡± Haze mumbled.


    ¡°Do you know him?¡± The doctor asked.


    ¡°Why do you people always see the need to derive royalty from function? That man is no king. I have seen dozens of these so-called kings, yet they are all but fluff and wasted potential.¡± Haze said with a growl.


    ¡°That might be so,¡± the doctor shook his head. ¡°Yet he can protect the orphanage in your stead.¡±


    Haze stared intensely at the ground before looking up at the doctor.


    ¡°Set me up with this contact of yours,¡± he whispered with determination in his eyes.


    ¡°I¡¯ll tell him to come by the orphanage,¡± the doctor replied, handing Haze his prosthetic.


    Haze put the prosthetic on, inserting it into his mouth, releasing a cloud of white steam as the drugs entered his system. He left through the door without saying goodbye, still hurt by the words of one of his adoptive children.


    He scoured the streets of the city, buying two large bags of food, mainly meat and dairy products, and carrying them back to the orphanage.


    It was an old, rundown apartment building left over from way before the cataclysm, covered in wines. Most of the windows on the first floor were broken and boarded up with covers made out of old tabletops. A graffiti of a cartoony version of Haze was painted on the side of the building, standing amongst countless children, all gleefully laughing with a rainbow drawn over them.


    By the time he arrived, it was already dark.


    As he approached the front entrance, he saw a man standing at the front of his door, smoking a cigarette.


    ¡°No smoking here,¡± Haze said in a robotic tone.


    ¡°Whoah, I didn¡¯t know I wasn¡¯t allowed to,¡± the man replied with a wide smile on his face.


    ¡°Now you do.¡± Haze grabbed the cigarette out of his mouth, threw it on the ground and went in through the front door.


    Inside, he was greeted by children of various ages, all of which gleefully surrounded him.


    ¡°You¡¯re finally back!¡± an older girl said, visibly relieved.


    ¡°Where have you been?¡± a bunch of little kids asked in unison?


    ¡°Did you get any snacks?¡± a little boy asked.


    ¡°Now, now, settle down,¡± Haze beckoned in a robotic tone.


    He looked back towards the door, smelling the faint smell of smoke peeking through, making its way in through every opening.


    ¡°Here, put the food in the fridge,¡± he ordered, carefully placing the bags on the ground.


    ¡°Where are you going?¡± a girl asked.


    ¡°To talk to the bad man standing outside the door.¡± Haze turned around. ¡°lock up,¡± he sighed as he went outside.


    The man standing outside was once again smoking, leisurely looking up at the dark sky.


    ¡°What do you want, Pale reaper?¡± Haze growled.


    ¡°I see you know me,¡± X glared towards Haze.


    ¡°I know of you,¡± Haze replied, approaching X, coming mare inches away from his face.


    ¡°And I remember you,¡± X smiled, placing his hand on Haze¡¯s shoulder.


    ¡°Leave,¡± Haze pushed X¡¯s hand off.


    ¡°Make me,¡± X laughed.


    ¡°Not here,¡± Haze growled.


    ¡°Here,¡± X ordered with a blank expression.


    ¡°Just kidding! Listen, I¡¯ve got a favor to ask¡­¡±


    ***


    ¡°Here they are,¡± Antonio pointed, once again bringing Haze back out of his daydream.


    ¡°Why are there only five of you here?¡± Haze asked, his face appearing even more tired than before.


    ¡°James and Linda died on the way here,¡± a wounded woman explained as she gripped her shoulder.


    ¡°What? How?¡± Antonio wondered in shock.


    ¡°We were ambushed by another team,¡± the woman explained, with fear still lingering in her eyes.


    ¡°Ulmak,¡± Haze growled.


    ¡°It wasn¡¯t him,¡± another man stated. ¡°It was Stain. Orland¡¯s team leader.¡±


    ¡°What? What happened?¡± Antonio asked.


    ¡°He appeared alone, seemingly out of nowhere, while we were walking through the city. In an instant, he struck Linda, crushing her throat in his hands. James tried to hold him back while we escaped, but when I looked back, he. He was already being beaten to a pulp,¡± the woman recalled with tears in her eyes.


    ¡°Where did it happen?¡± Haze asked.


    ¡°Over there,¡± another member of his team pointed towards a bridge to levels below them.


    ¡°Soul!¡± Haze screamed, his complexion growing paler by the moment.


    He swung his whip as it appeared in his hand, lodging its tip in the stone bridge and jumping off. Using the momentum to swing across several bridges at lightning-fast speeds.


    ¡°Wait! Haze!¡± Antonio shouted, extending his arm forward, almost grasping at Haze¡¯s coattails as he disappeared into the distance. But Haze could no longer hear him.


    Haze landed on the bridge his teammate pointed to. On the ground, he saw the corpses of his two comrades torn to shreds. A disgusting sight of a pointless perverted massacre.


    He clutched his weapon tightly in his hand.


    ¡°Blood trail,¡± he said, casting a spell that created a thin red lie leading towards a bridge on the side.


    There he saw them, a team of 10 people, laughing, giggling about the outcome of the hunt. Stain a tall, bald giant, wearing a military uniform, standing surrounded by his group, holding James¡¯ head in his hand, gesticulating wildly.


    Haze snapped. He cracked his whip in the direction of the group, dismembering two of their members instantly. Then, with the help of the whip, he stung his way to the bridge. Landing on another member and kicking his head clean off.


    He stared at Stain with an angered expression without uttering a word.


    ¡°What?¡± Stain asked, visibly thrown off guard by the sudden attack.


    ¡°You killed my teammates,¡± Haze growled.


    ¡°So what?¡± Stain smirked.


    ¡°I¡¯ll kill you,¡± Haze replied, cracking his whip and killing two more of Stain¡¯s teammates.


    An explosion was heard coming from over the distance, but Stain didn¡¯t notice it. He was too focused on the enemy in front of him to care.


    ¡°So-¡°, Stain said before being interrupted by Antonio, who came flying over to the platform, smashing Stain over the head with his gauntlet.


    ¡°Fuck you!¡± Antonio screamed. In a flash, he snapped his fingers, causing Stain¡¯s body to erupt into a massive explosion.


    Haze cracked his whip one last time, killing Stain¡¯s remaining teammates in a single strike as blood rained all around.

 Chapter 21: Hazelnut sprouts

    ¡°I¡¯ve got a favor to ask,¡± X said with a sinister smile.


    ¡°A favor? That¡¯s unnerving coming from a madman such as yourself,¡± Haze replied.


    ¡°Don¡¯t worry, I¡¯m one of the good guys!¡± X laughed.


    ¡°There are no good guys inside of this cursed city. Here, in this lawless place, there are only desperate survivors.¡± Haze looked up at the sky.


    ¡°I can help you protect them you know,¡± X exhaled the smoke, ¡°the kids, I mean.¡±


    ¡°The knights would just turn this place into another soldier manufacturing facility,¡± Haze sighed.


    ¡°Would you blame them, considering just what sorts of kids grow out of this place?¡± X retorted.


    ¡°Scholars, doctors, and engineers,¡± Haze replied, visibly angered.


    ¡°Revolutionaries, rebels and terrorists,¡± X smiled with a slightly unnerving expression.


    ¡°Do not blame the many for the mistakes of the few!¡± Haze growled. ¡°Phoenix was long gone from this place years before he became¡ª¡± Haze explained before being interrupted.


    ¡°I know,¡± X stated with a serious expression, ¡°Well, you¡¯re lucky that this offer is coming from me personally,¡± X smiled. ¡°A little birdy told me you were going to seek the contractor shit-head.¡±


    ¡°How do you know?¡± Haze growled.


    ¡°In about 2 hours, a guy named Ludwig is going to come looking for you. I want you to enter the competition and do everything Ludwig asks of you. When you reach the Undercity, I want you to go to the legend hotel,¡± X smiled.


    ¡°So why don¡¯t I just win the competition and ask the contractor king to protect the orphanage instead?¡± Haze asked.


    ¡°Because you despise him,¡± X grinned.


    ¡°What do you want me to do at the hotel?¡± Haze asked.


    ***


    Haze thought back on the conversation he had with X as he walked through the golden exteriors of the Legend hotel. He and Antonio made their way towards the central building, their shoes left footsteps, triggering the small cleaner bots to rummage around them.


    Haze noticed the contraptions, tapping on one of them with his foot, before smashing it into pieces. The pair walked in through the front gate and headed straight into the reception.


    The receptionist greeted the pair with a slight bow.


    ¡°I wish to meet the owner,¡± Haze said to the receptionist.


    ¡°I¡¯m sorry sir, I¡¯m afraid mister Nolan is out of the office at the moment. Would you like to leave a message?¡± the receptionist replied.


    Haze gestured to Antonio, sending him off to do as they had previously planned.


    ¡°Yes,¡± Haze replied, kicking over her desk before leaning in and grabbing her by the neck. ¡°Tell him to let me in,¡± Haze whispered.


    The receptionist¡¯s eyes lit up in a blue tint. But before she had the chance to say anything, Haze snapped her neck, dropping her lifeless body on to the ground.


    Haze heard the elevator arriving, its metal doors releasing a heavy, foreboding clang.


    Haze climbed aboard, and before he had the chance to fully settle, the elevator took off, climbing the tower at breakneck speeds that caused its metal walls to vibrate profusely.


    Soon the doors opened, exposing the interiors of Nolan¡¯s office to Haze¡¯s cold and malicious gaze.


    ¡°Why did you do that?¡± Nolan asked, standing in front of Haze, about five meters away.


    ¡°To get you in the mood,¡± Haze growled, stepping out of the elevator.


    ¡°This will not end well for you,¡± Nolan stated, slowly making his way towards Haze, taking off his jacket and throwing it down on the ground.


    Haze walked up to Nolan and looked into his eyes, standing inches away from his face.


    The two locked eyes for what felt like an eternity.


    Haze heard a strange noise, turning his gaze slightly towards the sound.


    Suddenly, Nolan struck Haze in the face, launching him towards the back wall of his office.This tale has been pilfered from Royal Road. If found on Amazon, kindly file a report.


    ¡°Soul!¡± Haze screamed while flying in midair, summoning his weapon.


    However, this action proved almost useless with Nolan as his opponent, as six long, perfectly square stone pillars emerged from the ceiling. Their tips protruded into blades as they reached Haze, piercing him through his arms, legs and torso.


    Haze stared at Nolan without flinching, unable to move his body because of the injuries.


    ¡°Is this it?¡± Nolan asked, visibly furious.


    He slowly walked towards Haze, rolling up his sleeves.


    ¡°This city was made with my magic. All of those bridges and walkways. Everything was made by me. Yet you show up here thinking you can go against me with this?¡± Nolan spit on the ground. ¡°That¡¯s insulting,¡± he frowned.


    Haze sighed.


    ¡°I invoke,¡± He chanted, covering his body and face in an invocation, constructed out of fleshy spiral tentacles that hardened as they moved across his body.


    A mask now covered the majority of his face, only leaving a small gap for his mouth, in the place of his prosthetic. His body appeared skeletal with a tiny, narrow waist. Many tiny rib-like protrusions covered his body in serpentine patterns, splitting off as jagged spikes. His form appeared bestial, almost inhuman in its design.


    Haze broke off the pillars piercing his body and lunged towards Nolan.


    Ulmak appeared, jumping out from over the corner of the office with his soul weapon in hand, thrusting it viciously towards Haze.


    ¡°Two birds with one stone,¡± Haze growled, narrowly evading the attack, kicking Ulmak in the stomach and smashing him into the opposing wall.


    Before Haze had the chance to do anything more, the ceiling erupted into a sea of square pillars. The windows of the office exploded. A rain of glass erupted, with countless stone spikes protruding out of the windows. The pillars swarmed Haze, encasing his arms, legs and torso into a serpentine binding as Nolan slowly approached.


    ¡°Disappointing,¡± he remarked, grabbing Haze by the throat.


    ¡°Now tell me, why are you here?¡± He asked, coming even closer to Haze.


    ¡°A fellow acquaintance asked me to give you a warning,¡± Haze growled.


    ¡°An acquaintance?¡± Nolan laughed. ¡°Is he as pathetic as you?¡±


    ¡°You have no idea.¡± Haze scoffed.


    Nolan grabbed Haze by his prosthetic, digging his fingers into Haze¡¯s mask, cracking and fracturing it, squeezing his prosthetic further before pulling it out of his face.


    Haze¡¯s face bled. He squirmed, revealing a bone jaw with a surgically cut out nose. His face started healing, with muscle tissue and skin making a squishy noise as they slowly molded together while growing back.


    ¡°Disgusting!¡± Nolan spit on the ground again. ¡°Now tell me your name.¡±


    ***


    A memory of Haze and X sitting by a river under an almost collapsed bridge flooded his mind. The river was cold and green, almost swamp-like. Its banks filled with cattails, pickerelweeds, and weeping willows.


    ¡°How do you live with yourself?¡± Haze asked, calmly gesturing towards X.


    ¡°What do you mean?¡± X wondered with a slight smile, not befitting of his sorrow gaze.


    ¡°You are like this muddy water.¡± Haze touched the mud, gently rubbing it in between his fingers. ¡°People might bathe in it. Children might play in it. Some might even drink it out of necessity. But no matter what they do, no matter how much they like to pretend, it isn¡¯t and never will be good for them. This water, if used without caution, will inevitably kill them.¡± Haze mumbled.


    X lit his cigarette.


    ¡°Years ago, I heard a rumor. A funny story, really! A ferocious demon was seen scouring the wasteland. A terrifying goliath towering over abandoned buildings. Made of flesh and bone, twisted into the shape of a living creature. When the knights approached it, the demon attacked, killing almost everyone who got close. Yet one day, a single knight managed to sneak past it to see what the creature was up to. It was playing with children, guarding them, letting them ride on its back, dangle off its large, exposed ribs,¡± X sighed. ¡°Such a terrifying being, looking after those kids, and all the while, killing everyone who got near. Crazy huh?¡± X smiled as he looked Haze directly in the eyes.


    ¡°Give me one,¡± Haze ordered, gesturing his hand towards the cigarette.


    ¡°Sure,¡± X reached out towards Haze with a pack and lighter in hand.


    Haze took off his mask, grabbed a cigarette and lighter, stuck the cigarette into his mouth cavity and lit it, taking a long deep breath full of smoke.


    ¡°Doesn¡¯t that hurt?¡± X asked.


    ¡°What?¡± Haze questioned.


    ¡°Having your doctor remove a part of your skull every time you run out of drugs. Having those fangs constantly digging into your skull administering poison to your body.¡± X clarified .


    ¡°Oh, that,¡± Haze took another large hit of his cigarette, ¡°It does,¡± he replied.


    X smirked.


    ¡°You and I are a lot alike; you know?¡± X said while looking deep into the river, ¡°I too am but caged animal, chained in an elaborate contraption of my own making.¡±


    ¡°I am no prisoner,¡± Haze coughed.


    ¡°The illusion of choice? Are you sure it¡¯s not a delusion placed upon your free will?¡± X asked.


    ¡°What do I know?¡± Haze replied, blowing out smoke.


    ¡°I¡¯ll do it!¡± Haze growled.


    ¡°Fantastic! I knew you¡¯ll come around!¡± X stood up.


    ¡°So, what now?¡± Haze put on his prosthetic.


    ¡°Now,¡± X scratched his beard. ¡°Now, we erase all signs that this conversation ever happened,¡± he said while pulling out his blade.


    ¡°And how do we go about doing that?¡± Haze stood up.


    ¡°Easy! We go at it,¡± X laughed, dragging his saber across the ground, ¡°One piece of advice before we start. Use your invocation, or I might just accidentally kill you.¡±


    ***


    ¡°Pierrot,¡± Haze replied.


    Suddenly, a sea of fleshy, bony tentacles emerged out of Haze¡¯s body, throwing Nolan I back, and slamming into Ulmak. Another set of spikes emerged, piercing Nolan through the chest. These tendrils detached from Haze, dug into the ground, and immediately began calcifying, becoming a net of bone.


    Haze stood up, picking his mask up off the ground.


    ¡°This is a warning. Should you choose to assist the figure known as Phoenix any further, my associate will come and take your head,¡± He said, attaching his prosthetic back to his face.


    ¡°Now!¡± Haze screamed out.


    The pillars supporting the building on the first floor exploded, crushing the first few floors below its weight. The tower began to crumble, dangling from the roof of the cave with what little support it had.


    Haze kicked away the wall closest to him and leaped out through the hole.


    ¡°Reinforce!¡± Nolan screamed.


    Giant square stone hands protruded out of the ceiling of the cave. They grasped the tower, wrapping their fingers around it, firmly holding it in place, causing the shaking to cease.


    Nolan broke free of his entrapment, breathing heavily.


    Ulmak stood up, looking through the hole made by Haze.


    ¡°What now?!¡± He asked with a scared expression, still trying to catch his breath.


    ¡°Now, I teach you how to deal with that clown,¡± Nolan growled, his face twisted into an expression of pure rage.

 Chapter 22: Hazelnut blooms

    There was an area within the Undercity that offered most discretion from those around. It was called the stone forest. Locals would rarely go there, as monsters could occasionally be seen roaming the area around there. As such, this zone became a hotbed for criminals and vagrants, a place where they could camp out and gather.


    The zone consisted of hundreds of green, stone columns of various shapes and sizes, comprised of stalagmites and stalactites fused together, creating a stone veil that separated the area from the rest of the Undercity. It was dark and damp. Many species of fungus grew clumped up beside the stone structures. The columns themselves were covered in patchy dark green moss, giving them a strangely cozy appearance. This same moss was also clinging to the ceiling and certain areas of the floor, creating a makeshift lawn.


    Zeke stood in wait, hidden within the darkness, behind one of the mossy stone pillars. He gazed from the darkness; the light coming from the campfire illuminated a total of four faces; Haze, Antonio, Zamira and Jesse.


    Haze appeared visibly tired, his face was sunken in and pale, the parts of his face just beside his mask seemed damaged, almost like they were roughly torn and flayed before the mask was placed back on. He sat in a slouched position with his back resting against a boulder behind him.


    This stone was large, with strange spiral markings engraved on each of its sides. It was too big to have been carried there. And too intricate to be carved in such a desolate place. From just one look Zeke could tell; that rock was the only one of its kind.


    Zeke peered in closer to see the stone more clearly, careful so he didn¡¯t get spotted.


    ¡°What are you doing?¡± Fredric asked, placing his hand on Zeke¡¯s shoulder.


    Zeke leaped up, visibly startled.


    ¡°Shhhh,¡± he gestured, bringing his index finger towards his mouth. ¡°What are you doing here?¡±


    ¡°Oh, you know, just seeing what you¡¯re up to!¡± Fredric laughed.


    ¡°Shhhhhhh,¡± Zeke panicked, ¡°Quiet, they¡¯ll hear you,¡± he whispered, keeping his head down.


    ¡°They won¡¯t,¡± Fredric smiled.


    ¡°How come?¡± Zeke wondered.


    ¡°They can¡¯t,¡± Fredric shook his head. ¡°Nothing I do or say reaches their minds,¡± Fredric yawned.


    ¡°Is that some form of magic?¡± Zeke asked.


    ¡°It¡¯s a demon art,¡± Fredric sat down.


    ¡°What? How does that work?¡± Zeke asked, visibly surprised.


    ¡°My domain is time,¡± Fredric cleared his throat. ¡°I can use magic in a 3 kilometer radius. So, I simply affect the brains of everyone who can see or hear me within that radius, changing them for a time, to a reality where I¡¯m not actually there. As such, nothing I do is detected,¡± Fredric explained.


    ¡°Isn¡¯t that overpowered?¡± Zeke remarked.


    ¡°A little, yet there are limits. My magic only works on living things.¡± Fredric stared down at the ground.


    Suddenly, Zeke heard a noise coming from the darkness. Before he could do anything to further hide himself, Ludwig approached him, stepping into the light. Zeke panicked, stumbling down to the ground. Just as he was about to say something, Ludwig went past him without acknowledging that he was there.


    Zeke looked toward Fredric.


    ¡°Are you allowed to do that?¡± Zeke asked with suspicion.


    ¡°Nope, I¡¯m cheating,¡± Fredric nonchalantly replied.


    Meanwhile, Ludwig slowly but rhythmically made his way towards Haze.


    ¡°Well, don¡¯t you look like shit!¡± He said, looking at Haze¡¯s state.


    ¡°You¡¯re one to talk,¡± Haze replied, coughing.


    ¡°Who¡¯d you piss off?¡± Ludwig asked, gritting his teeth.


    ¡°Nolan,¡± Haze growled.


    ¡°WHAT! Are you stupid?¡± Ludwig screamed out.


    ¡°Ulmak was there. Nolan protected him, so we fought,¡± Haze explained, slightly squinting.


    ¡°Well, I¡¯m surprised you survived,¡± Ludwig stated in a deep tone. ¡°Dammit! Dammit! Dammit!¡± he screamed, punching a stone pillar next to him. ¡°Fuck it!¡± Ludwig turned to face Haze. ¡°There is a field filled with spider-lilies and white chapel in an area north of here. It¡¯s small yet taken care of. If you go there, you¡¯ll find the guy you¡¯re looking for,¡± He explained.


    ¡°Are you allowed to tell me that?¡± Haze asked.


    ¡°I¡¯m not. But that Fox asshole is cheating too, so why should I play by the rules!?¡± Ludwig grunted in frustration.Unauthorized reproduction: this story has been taken without approval. Report sightings.


    ¡°See, it¡¯s alright,¡± Fredric smirked.


    Zeke continued listening to what else Ludwig had to say.


    ¡°What of Ulmak?¡± Ludwig asked, tapping his foot on the ground.


    ¡°What of him?¡± Haze questioned in a slightly annoyed tone.


    ¡°You said you¡¯d either get him to join us or kill him. But seeing as you already attacked him, I guess option one is out of the way,¡± Ludwig mumbled while pacing back and forth.


    ¡°You¡¯re wrong,¡± Haze said with a sigh.


    ¡°What?!¡± Ludwig exclaimed, visibly surprised.


    ¡°Know men like him. I¡¯ve seen countless of them. Idealists who act all fair and morally clear. All until they are met with a choice between power and their morality. And as you can expect, in such cases, morality always loses.¡± Haze explained with a grim look.


    Ludwig left soon after, once again disappearing into the darkness. Haze and the team hurriedly packed their bags, masked their trail, hiding the campfire, and took off towards the north. Zeke followed them from the shadows, being careful not to be noticed by anyone. Fredric followed him, in a careless stride, with his arms crossed behind his back, constantly yawning.


    On their way, the group crossed an abandoned region. An area that consisted of carcasses of buildings, torn up skyscrapers built before the calamity. All of the buildings were covered in lush greenery. These trunks and roots spread themselves like a net, engulfing them in the taint of their scarlet leaves. The wines spread wide along the walls of the buildings. This mishmash stood like a like gravesite to the modern world, a requiem of a legacy that people will soon forget.


    The group eventually came upon a stone road paved in rubble that had fallen off the buildings. Each individual component was polished perfectly flat, revealing bits of metal rebar and plastic peeking out from inside the rock. They followed the path until they reached a dark metal archway covered in rust. The words: ¡°I am not afraid of an army of lions led by a sheep,¡± were etched into the structure.


    ¡°Alexander the great,¡± Haze smirked.


    ¡°Someone you know?¡± Antonio asked with a lost expression.


    ¡°¡¯I am not afraid of an army of lions led by a sheep; I am afraid of an army of sheep led by a lion¡¯,¡± Haze elaborated, ¡°Words said by a once great man.¡± He looked towards the distance with a sad expression.


    Haze stepped through the gate, not giving the sign any further attention. Before he had the chance to go further, Haze spotted a figure standing in front of him.


    ¡°Soul,¡± Haze chanted, manifesting his weapon.


    In the blink of an eye, sparks came flying out of the air as Haze¡¯s weapon clashed with the unknown assailant¡¯s.


    ¡°Hey pretty boy,¡± the woman said, revealing her face previously hidden under the hood, revealing herself to be none other than Hanna, Olivia¡¯s chosen leader.


    Suddenly, four more cloaked figures dove from out of the gate. Before the figures could get far Haze took a small step back, separating his weapon from Hanna¡¯s blade. With a flick of his wrist, he extended his whip. The flowing weapon appeared to be enchanted, almost magical, as Haze directed it¡¯s path through the neck and the heart of two of the attackers.


    ¡°How?¡± Zeke looked on in shock at this unbelievable mastery.


    Just as Hannah prepared to strike with her short sword, Haze skillfully shifted his weight onto his front leg, parrying her attack with the heel of his whip, launching Hannah flying back in recoil.


    ¡°Great, another crazy bitch,¡± Haze sighed.


    Meanwhile, Antonio leaped forward, intercepting the two attackers that were not dealt with by Haze.


    ¡°Soul,¡± he called his weapon forward with a wide grin. Summoning a large, black, ornate gauntlet the shape of which resembled a flower.


    Antonio slammed one of the attackers in the stomach with his gauntlet, throwing them to the ground. He grabbed the other attacker by the throat, crushing their windpipe in an instant.


    ¡°How brave of you to attack us here,¡± Antonio smirked.


    Zeke pulled a walkie-talkie out of his pocket and said, ¡°Are you there?¡±


    ¡°We¡¯re in position?¡± a voice replied.


    ¡°Good,¡± Zeke said. ¡°On the count of three, proceed with the plan.¡±


    Hanna stared at Haze. She looked him deep in the eyes, his expression filled with disgust.


    ¡°I love a man who puts up a fight,¡± Hanna said, licking her lips.


    ¡°One,¡± Zeke whispered.


    With no warning, Haze charged at Hanna, kicking her in the stomach, forcing her to crouch down in pain.


    ¡°Shut your mouth, you fucking cunt!¡± Haze screamed out, visibly angered.


    ¡°Two,¡± Zeke counted.


    ¡°You¡¯ll pay for that,¡± Hanna scoffed at Haze, ¡°I invo-¡± she said before being interrupted.


    Antonio rushed in, grabbing her by the mouth, stopping her invocation.


    ¡°He told you to shut your mouth!¡± Antonio exclaimed, visibly angered.


    ¡°Three,¡± Zeke whispered.


    The surroundings lit up in a bright blue light. The bodies of two of Hanna¡¯s teammates, along with her face that was clutched tightly within Antonio¡¯s gauntlet, suddenly exploded. Her teammates were torn to shreds in a blink. As for Hanna herself, her face and tongue became irreparably damaged, making her unable to speak.


    ¡°GO!¡± Zeke screamed from the top of his lungs, charging towards the gate.


    Suddenly, Ulmak and Elaine dashed from out of the shadows, they too started charging towards the entrance.


    Antonio let go of Hanna, letting her lifeless body drop to the ground, as he looked on at the incoming attackers.


    Ulmak stuck his spear into the ground, causing 3 stone pillars to rise from the ground and spiral around towards Haze and Antonio.


    The two dodged with ease, running towards the opposition.


    In an instant, the ground beneath Ulmak¡¯s feet protruded like a spring, launching him towards the two while Elaine engaged with their teammates.


    The stone pillars formed into a makeshift stone tunnel that allowed Zeke to sneak past the two contractors.


    As Zeke ran, his and Haze¡¯s eyes met briefly. He could feel the intensity of Haze¡¯s gaze. The untamed rage and humiliation from being outsmarted sent shivers down Zeke¡¯s spine. From that moment on Zeke knew he was his target.


    Zeke ran past the gate and came upon a large field filled with spider lilies. Just, as Ludwig mentioned, a chapel stood in the middle of the field.


    Zeke approached the stone doors of the chapel. The words, ¡®I am afraid of an army of sheep led by a lion,¡¯ were carved into the doors.


    Zeke pushed the doors open and entered inside.


    The doors closed behind him.


    The interior of the room appeared to be much larger than the exterior. It was filled with immaculately carved stonework, much like the one Zeke saw in the Legend hotel. The room was circular in shape, a golden throne was placed in the middle of the chamber. Sitting upon the throne was the man with white hair Zeke previously saw before departing to the Undercity. Another figure was standing beside him, a member of Hanna¡¯s team.


    ¡°I see another guest has come,¡± the white-haired figure said with a warm smile.


    The other man readied his weapon.


    ¡°Hold on,¡± the white-haired figure said, softly, ¡°You are not allowed to fight here.¡±


    ¡°And what happens if I refuse to conform?¡± Haze growled loudly, startling Zeke from behind while opening the stone doors.


    ¡°You tell me,¡± the figure smirked, resting his head on his right fist.

 Chapter 23: Riddle internalized

    ¡°Do you know what this competition is called?¡± the white-haired figure asked.


    The three kept quiet, entirely motionless, pierced deeply by the figure¡¯s heavy gaze. His red pupils appeared like that of a beast, yet his demeanor was gentle and calm. He was truly a lion in sheep¡¯s clothing.


    ¡°The cradle of fools,¡± the figure explained. ¡°Do you know why?¡± he asked, moving his head forward and opening his eyes.


    The man¡¯s question, yet again, was met with silence.


    ¡°Because every year people come here and do something foolish,¡± The man smirked, ¡°In a way, this very place itself is the cradle of fools!¡± The figure stood up.


    Suddenly, the man looked towards Zeke, forcing the boy to feel a shiver going down his spine. He immediately gripped his anti-demon firearm, the same one he previously picked off a dead contestant, hidden in deep the inner pocket of his coat.


    ¡°Relax,¡± the figure spread his arms, spinning in a light pirouette, ¡°Everything will be fine!¡± he said with his head pointed towards the ceiling.


    ¡°So, what do they call you three?¡± the figure asked, suddenly twisting his head towards the three.


    ¡°Haze,¡± Haze growled.


    ¡°Arik,¡± the man standing closest to the figure said.


    ¡°Zeke, Zeke whispered.


    ¡°My name is Michael,¡± the figure smiled. ¡°You all came here to answer my riddle and find out just where it is you need to go for the grand finale,¡± he explained while pacing back and forth.


    ¡°Allow me to take care of these two fools before we continue.¡± Arik said with an intense look.


    Arik stood, short and bulky, built like a house of bricks. He was bald and had a long beard. His face was covered in a wide assortment of scars, the most prominent of which was the one below his right eye, a ghastly burn going across his cheek.


    ¡°No,¡± Michael replied.


    ¡°I¡¯m not inclined to listen to you,¡± Arik growled walking towards Zeke and haze.


    ¡°Suit yourself, but there will be consequences,¡± Michael shrugged.


    ¡°¡¯Consequences¡¯,¡± Arik smirked, ¡°I¡¯m a contractor, I¡¯m not sure what consequences you wish for me to suffer, but I severely doubt that you will be able to do as well as you think against me,¡± he replied.


    Suddenly, a golden chain emerged from the golden gem encrusted in Michael¡¯s palm. It swirled through the air, piercing Arik through the back of the head with Its bladed, metallic point. The chain retracted, pulling another, gray, chain with a red crimson hammer on its tip, along with it. Arik squirmed, his eyes stated twitching, his body convulsed. The two chains hid within Michael¡¯s palm and a single triangular shape lit up red on it.


    Arik¡¯s lifeless corpse dropped to the ground.


    ¡°I¡¯ll have someone clean that up later,¡± Michael said, brushing his palms.


    ¡°I wonder if I would have been able to dodge that?¡± Haze thought to himself.


    ¡°Now why don¡¯t we get started?¡± Michel gestured with his hand towards the two.


    ¡°Alright,¡± Zeke approached closer.


    ¡°Why have the two of you decided to participate in the Cradle of Fools?¡± Michael asked.


    ¡°Because I want the Contractor King to grant me a contract,¡± Zeke explained.


    ¡°Many come here in search of contracts. What is the reason behind yours?¡± Michael grabbed his chin.Unauthorized usage: this narrative is on Amazon without the author''s consent. Report any sightings.


    ¡°I guess, want to change. I have come to hate this weak and pathetic version of myself. So now, I want to abandon it and become someone else entirely,¡± Zeke explained, deeply entranced in thought.


    ¡°And Haze, what about you? Why did you partake in this competition?¡± Michael asked.


    ¡°I have a disease, a somewhat nasty affliction. Soon I won¡¯t be able to take care of those close to me, so I want the Contractor King to take them under his wing.¡± Haze explained, squinting his eyes.


    ¡°Horse shit,¡± Michael smirked. ¡°Alright, I¡¯ll ask you two one last question. If you lie, I¡¯ll kill you. So you best keep your mouth shut.¡± He said, with a slightly annoyed expression aimed towards Haze. ¡°Alright,¡± Michel pulled out a large golden key with a red incrusted gem from the pocket of his coat. ¡°Now tell me what binds you! Tell me your deepest sorrow, that is the price for obtaining this key.¡±


    Haze¡¯s eyes lit up; his face turned pale. His mind wandered off, filled with memories he¡¯s been trying to suppress. His pupils dilated, and breath shortened. A visage opened up before his very eyes. He looked down at his hands, imagining them covered in blood. His body started shaking, and just as he looked forward towards Michael, he saw a faint, sinister smile adorning his face, making him snap out of his trance.


    ¡°What is it, Haze?¡± Michael asked with a warm expression.


    ¡°Nothing,¡± Haze clenched his fist.


    Zeke stepped forward, clearing his throat.


    ¡°I killed my own mother,¡± Zeke said with a heavy heart. ¡°I was tired of seeing her suffer. Our house was a mess. She could no longer walk. Her frail body had already started to attract flies. Her arm had become so thin I felt like I could see right through it. I held her arm as tightly as I could through it all. I hoped and prayed, but she wouldn¡¯t budge. She wouldn¡¯t move, no matter what I said to her. All I could hear was her heavy breath echoing throughout the room. So, one day I grabbed a rope and suffocated her. Just as she passed on, she finally looked at me. Not with an angry or sad look, but with a warm, loving smile.¡±


    ¡°Ah,¡± Michael called out in shock in shock, ¡°Just as I promised, you can have the key,¡± He approached Zeke and placed the key in his hand.


    ¡°But where do I put this?¡± Zeke asked.


    ¡°Press on the red gem once you leave the chapel. You¡¯ll know what to do next,¡± Michel smiled.


    Zeke turned around, approaching the heavy doors once more. He looked back at Haze, staring at him with clear intent. Zeke ran out of the chapel, and just as Haze was about to follow him, he was stopped.


    ¡°Wait!¡± said Michael. ¡°That kid won the challenge, so I might as well have you wait for a few minutes to let him get away,¡± Michael smiled.


    ¡°And If I refuse?¡± Haze asked, his expression turning angrier by the second.


    ¡°You won¡¯t,¡± Michel smiled on as he approached Haze.


    ¡°Now Haze, tell me. Why did you attack Nolan? Why murder his receptionist? Why kill the residents of his hotel? You know who most of them were, right? Influential figures, celebrities, businessmen. All those who are important enough to know about the Undercity without residing within it,¡± Michael crossed his arms. ¡°Judging from all this, one might begin to think you have some political agenda. So, tell me, what is it exactly that you are doing?¡±


    ¡°Not a clue,¡± Haze growled, ¡°I¡¯m leaving,¡± he turned around.


    Suddenly, a silver chain emerged from Michael¡¯s palm. In an instant, it wrapped around Haze¡¯s neck, gripping him tightly as Michael extended his hand.


    ¡°You¡¯re going to wait,¡± Michel smirked in a stiff manner.


    Haze gripped the chain, feeling it with his fingers.


    ¡°I invoke!¡± Haze screamed out as fleshy tentacles started enveloping his body.


    ¡°I reject!¡± Michael screamed out. The tentacles that started forming into Haze¡¯s armor dried up, turned gray, and within the span of a few moments, crumbledoff Haze¡¯s body.


    Haze¡¯s anger shifted to surprise. He took a moment to process what exactly happened. Haze took a deep breath, grabbed his mask and ripped it off his fac, placing it in his back pocket.


    He grabbed on to the chain enveloping his neck, examining it further.


    ¡°Soul,¡± he called his weapon to his side.


    In an instant, he cut off his own head.


    The chain returned to Michael¡¯s hand.


    Fleshy tentacles sprouted from his neck, forming into muscles, bones and arteries, reconstructing his brain. As Haze turned around to face Michel, his face appeared completely healed, strangely handsome, devoid of any deformities.


    Haze cracked his whip at Michel, by the chain emerged from his palm once again, blocking every attack.


    ¡°I¡¯m impressed! I¡¯m a fan of a good dance, but I doubt that you can make take even a single step,¡± Michel laughed.


    ¡°Is that what you think?¡± Haze smiled.


    Suddenly, Michel felt a rumble coming from under the ground. Something inside him screamed out, ¡°Jump,¡± and so he did, leaping away as a bladed tentacle pierced out of the ground below him.


    A line of blades sprouted out of the ground, following Michael¡¯s movement. Michael weaved out of the way of each attack. Michel pointed his finger and immediately, a bladed chain manifested below Haze¡¯s feet, almost piercing him, as he dodged out of the way.


    The attacks stopped as Haze started to move. A tentacle could be seen detaching from Haze¡¯s leg.


    The two stared at each other as ten chains sprouted from the ground, locking Haze completely in place.


    ¡°Now, be a good boy and wait,¡± Michael said, sitting back down on his throne.

 Chapter 24: Draconic paradox

    Zeke ran out of the chapel as the heavy stone doors once again closed behind him. He could feel the ground around him shake, but he paid no mind. ¡°He¡¯s going to kill me,¡± he thought to himself as Haze¡¯s intense visage was still fresh in his mind.


    ¡°I need to get out of here,¡± He panicked, stumbling towards the gate, before feeling the key in his fingers. It was, rather oddly, symmetrically shaped, appearing like it didn¡¯t belong to any modern lock, but instead an ancient one. Some of its parts, the exterior bits, appeared to be made of gold, others the interior elements were molded out of a black metal. A large, shiny, red gem was encrusted in the object, drawing the eye of those who saw it.


    Zeke touched the gem, and a hologram appeared, projecting itself. It featured a map, a three-dimensional layout of the undercity popped up. The map quickly shifted, revealing a location not far from the chapel and a hidden passage that would only appear to those with the key.


    In a rush, Zeke ran towards the front gate. Fearing that Haze will come out of the chapel any second.


    Suddenly, he heard a loud explosion, coming from the direction of the gate. When he approached, he saw Ulmak and Elaine fighting against Antonio, who had entered into his invocation.


    Antonio¡¯s body was clad in a deep blue shell. It was rather rounded and burly, reminiscent of the exoskeleton of a crab. Some parts were jagged. Sharp enough to cut anyone Antonio would come in contact with. The shell itself appeared soft, the way it moved mimicked the movements of muscles, like a thin membrane had been dragged over them. This, however, was but an optical illusion, the outer coating of the shell was incredibly hard. It could withstand most bladed weapons, firearms and explosive blasts. His head was completely covered by the same shell, leaving two holes for eyes and a mouth with a sharp beak that moved and clamped in a sinister manner.


    The area around the group was dotted in craters. I was clear that Antonio had been using his ability to explode everything he touched. In a fight that appeared more akin to a blind rage.


    Ulmak flanked Antonio from the side, striking him with his spear. The weapon made a sharp metal clang upon hitting the outer shell. Antonio stood unfazed. Like he was aware that Ulmak could do nothing to hurt him. He charged towards Ulmak, attempting to strike him with his gauntlet. Throwing wild outlandish attacks. Ulmak easily avoided the strikes, strafing from side to side.


    ¡°It¡¯s not working!¡± Elaine shouted to Ulmak.


    ¡°I know!¡± Ulmak replied, thrusting his spear towards Antonio in retaliation.


    Zeke approached the two. Suddenly, seemingly out of nowhere, Hanna emerged from the corner, grabbing Zeke from behind, choking him with her forearm. Zeke squirmed, repeatedly striking Hanna in the stomach with his elbow. But she didn¡¯t even budge.


    She slowly loomed over him, her short blonde hair flowing through the air. Her mouth, bearing a large, scar from the injury Antonio left her with.


    ¡°How adorable,¡± she said with a raspy voice.


    ¡°Let go!¡± Zeke whispered with all of his might.


    Zeke looked at his companions as they continued their battle. He dreamed of them noticing him and helping. He waved his hand at them with all his might, but nothing he did helped him get their attention. Zeke¡¯s consciousness slowly faded as his body began to limp. But Zeke¡¯s arms continued to rummage, to fight even after he passed out.


    ¡°Now where is that key?¡± Hanna wondered.


    Suddenly, a loud noise echoed throughout the battlefield. A gunshot fired by the nearly unconscious Zeke directly into the abdomen of his attacker.


    Hanna squirmed. She grabbed Zeke even tighter, determined to snap his neck. But before she had the chance to do anything, Elaine kicked her in the face, tearing her away from Zeke.


    Zeke got up on his knees.


    ¡°Are you okay?¡± Elaine asked, with a worried expression, extending her hand towards him.Did you know this text is from a different site? Read the official version to support the creator.


    ¡°I¡¯m fine,¡± Zeke replied, coughing.


    Hanna stood up, squeezing her bullet wound tightly with her hand.


    ¡°We need to go!¡± Zeke screamed out, standing up.


    ¡°You¡¯re not going anywhere!¡± Hanna screamed out. ¡°Soul!¡± she called her weapon to her side, materializing an ornate silver rapier.


    Suddenly a loud explosion was heard coming from the chapel. Its doors slammed open as Haze¡¯s weapon extended gripping on to the roof of the cavern, launching him forward. Haze kicked off the ceiling propelling himself towards Hanna, striking her on the back of the head, launching her into the distance.


    ¡°HAZEEE!¡± Ulmak screamed, conjuring a stone pillar below his feet, launching himself towards Haze.


    He extended his spear attempting to pierce his opponent.


    Haze frowned.


    ¡°ULMAAAAAK!¡± he screamed.


    Haze shifted his weight onto his back leg, slightly backing away as he avoided Ulmak¡¯s attack. Haze retracted his whip, using it like a short saber, he clashed with Ulmak.


    Ulmak continued trying to strike Haze with his spear, thrusting and slashing at him with relentless force. Although Haze couldn¡¯t judge how long the spear was, or there exactly the attack was being aimed, he knew better than to try to engage close to it. All of his dodges, were broad, keeping him clear of the weapon¡¯s effective range. When he couldn¡¯t dodge, Haze resorted to blocking, using the jagged nature of his weapon to control the spear, rendering Ulmak¡¯s ability almost useless.


    Ulmak shifted his focus, moving his weapon towards the ground. Casting a spell, that thrust two stone pillars at Haze, forcing him to back away.


    Ulmak used this chance to his advantage, as he manifested another pillar below his feet. Using magic, he directed it towards Zeke and Elaine, grabbing the two in a speedy getaway.


    Haze cracked his whip, grabbing Zeke right from under Ulmak¡¯s nose. Before Haze had the chance to pull Zeke towards him, Elaine grabbed Haze¡¯s whip substituting herself for Zeke, getting pulled away instead.


    ¡°Elaine!¡± Zeke screamed out, as Ulmak¡¯s pillar carried the two away from the battlefield.


    Elaine dropped to the ground, standing up as fast as she could in front of Haze. Haze looked deep into her eyes.


    ¡°Move!¡± he said, trying to walk past her.


    Hanna emerged from the back, visibly angered by Haze.


    Antonio ran forward.


    ¡°Go after them! I¡¯ll take care of these two he screamed out,¡± referring to Elaine and Hanna.


    ¡°Alright, ¡° Haze cracked his whip, clinging to the ceiling and launching himself forward.


    He leaped far, using magic to manifest a set of fleshy tentacles on his back, flailing them as an extension of his body, using them as a second set of arms that he used to dig into the rocks and travel across a vast distance.


    He didn¡¯t have to travel far until he came upon Zeke and Ulmak, who were already standing by a massive golden door located within the stone forest.


    Haze compacted his tentacles, using them like a spring to launch himself forward. He cracked his whip at Ulmak, striking him on the back, throwing Zeke to the ground.


    Ulmak groaned, rolling down to the ground. He swiftly flipped over to his feet, but before he had the chance to get his bearings, his and Haze¡¯s weapons clashed, throwing sparks into the air.


    Zeke landed on his feet, losing his metal spear and backpack as he cushioned his landing with them. With the last of his strength, he crawled towards the door, placing the key into the keyhole, falling over on to it.


    ¡°I invoke,¡± Haze screamed, kicking Ulmak in the stomach. He charged at Zeke while manifesting his tentacle armor.


    Zeke panicked. Pulling out his handgun. He immediately fired a shot directly at Haze¡¯s leg, stopping him for long enough to slip in through the door.


    ¡°You¡¯re dead,¡± Haze turned his attention to Ulmak.


    As Zeke passed through the door locked itself behind him. He could see the chamber in front of him light up, revealing a large intricate golden arena. Fredric approached from the middle, with arms spread wide.


    ¡°I¡¯m glad you¡¯re finally here!¡± he smiled, approaching the boy. ¡°Now you¡¯re at the last stretch of the challenge,¡± Fredric tossed Zeke a short sword.


    ¡°So, what¡¯s this about?¡± Zeke caught the sword with a surprised look.


    ¡°¡¯This is the ¡®deciding factor¡¯,¡± Fredric looked down at the ground. ¡°True-soul,¡± he said, manifesting an intricate curved glass dagger filled with sand.


    ¡°Does this mean I have to fight you?¡± Zeke took on a defensive position.


    ¡°No, No,¡± Fredrik shook his head. ¡°Not me, ¡° he smirked. ¡°Him, ¡° he said pointing his blade towards the darkness.


    Suddenly, the chamber began to shake. The atmosphere within it turned heavy, almost unbearable to Zeke. A loud roar was heard coming from the distance. The shaking intensified, getting increasingly more savage, and at its culmination a dragon reared its head coming from the shadows.


    The beast was about 15 meters long, with four limbs that appeared like they belonged to a demon. Its wings were large and black, muscular to the point that they appeared like another set of arms. Its gaze was calm, however, within that calmness was a certain ferocity.


    ¡°There you go,¡± Fredric said, disappearing from Zeke¡¯s field of vision.


    Zeke clenched his weapon tightly in his hand. He charged towards the dragon with intense ferocity.


    The room lit up in a golden light, calling forth a power Zeke was not aware of having. It propelled him in the air, taking over his body and mind, sinking his weapon deep into the dragon¡¯s head.


    But alas, that was a delusion he saw before his death, as the dragon took off his head in one fell swoop of its claws.

 Chapter 25: For a dream

    Elaine stood alone, surrounded by enemies. Antonio was to her right, clearing the shell that was crumbling off after his invocation.


    ¡°I don¡¯t have a lot of time,¡± Antonio said, panting for air. ¡°I need to catch up with Haze.¡±


    ¡°Dream on, pretty boy! You¡¯re not going anywhere,¡± Hanna replied. ¡°I might have lost the competition, but I¡¯m taking a consolation prize,¡± she smirked n a twisted manner.


    Hanna walked towards Elaine, extending her rapier towards her.


    ¡°To be honest, sister, I doubt blackie has a chance to win against Haze,¡± Hanna smirked, ¡°And no matter what I do, I can¡¯t win against either of them, not in this condition. So, the best I can do is kill you and your leader.¡±


    Hanna slowly approached Elaine as she took on a defense stance. Hanna swung her blade, sending a gust of air towards Elaine.


    Instinctively, Elaine moved out of the way. The attack missed, slicing the top off a stone wall located behind her.


    Sweat dripped down Elaine¡¯s forehead after seeing the might of her opponent. Having determined that she¡¯d be at a disadvantage at a range, she gathered her composure and charged forward, unleashing a combination of punches aimed at Hanna.


    Hanna swirled away, avoiding Elaine¡¯s strikes. In a rush forward, she pierced Elaine several times with her rapier, throwing her back towards the gate.


    Antonio looked down at his fallen comrades, both dead, pierced by Ulmak¡¯s spear. He clenched his fist and started running towards where he last saw Haze.


    ¡°Where do you think you¡¯re going?¡± Hanna snapped, delivering a ranged attack, striking Antonio in the back.


    For a brief moment, Antonio collapsed onto his knees.


    He thought back to his childhood. He was an orphan living on the streets, forced to steal food to survive. The people of the lower babel were not kind. Children like himself were often treated like parasites, vermin plaguing the streets. It was commonly thought that food would only be wasted on street kids, as such kids would not be able to survive either way.


    One night, he tried stealing food from a warehouse on the outskirts of the city. He was caught, beaten black and blue, almost killed. The men, frustrated with the child, tossed him down the river. The boy lost consciousness, being carried by the current. When he woke up, he saw a strange, masked figure looking over at him. That was when he first met Haze.


    Haze took care of Antonio. Cleaned him up, gave him food, and a place to stay. Haze taught the boy how to read and write. He showed him kindness and love. Haze became the boy¡¯s father, the only father that Antonio ever had.


    When Antonio grew up, he became a mercenary. Able to make money on his own, he no longer stayed at the orphanage. But he often came back, bringing money and supplies for the kids still living there. Haze always greeted him with a smile. The same loving expression.


    But Antonio could tell that something was wrong with Haze. Although Haze did not age, his appearance changed. He appeared sickly and weak.


    One day, a doctor approached him, a man who he used to know from their time living at the orphanage. He told Antonio about their father¡¯s condition. He told him that he had been taking drugs to suppress his demonic energy, so he could stay in lower babel and keep taking care of the kids. These drugs were slowly killing him and if he were to continue taking them, he would surely die.


    As such, when Antonio heard about Haze entering the cradle of fools, he decided to come along to help his teacher one last time.


    ¡°I guess I¡¯ll kill you two after all,¡± Antonio stood up. ¡°Soul,¡± he murmured, summoning his gauntlet.


    He charged at Hanna as fast as he could, gripping her rapier and striking her with his other hand.


    Stolen novel; please report.Elaine used this opportunity to sneak up behind him and attack, hitting Antonio on the back of the head several times.


    This, however, did not faze him. Antonio kicked Hanna, forcing her down to the around. After that, he grabbed Elaine¡¯s hand, intercepting her attack.


    ¡°Explode,¡± he said, detonating her arm.


    ¡°Ahhh!¡± Elaine screamed at the top of her lungs. A pool of blood flowed from out of her arm, which was now pulverized below the elbow.


    ¡°I invoke,¡± Hanna whispered, using this opportunity to summon her invocation.


    A silver armor coated her legs and arms. A part of a mask started manifesting, covering her face. Hanna leaped towards Antonio, attempting to strike him while he was distracted.


    Antonio deflected the attack, tapping lightly on Hanna¡¯s shoulder with his gauntlet.


    ¡°Give up or die,¡± Antonio growled with a grim expression.


    ¡°Not a chance, pretty boy,¡± Hanna lunged at Antonio.


    ¡°Explode,¡± he said, forcing her shoulder to explode, ripping her arm clean off her body.


    Elaine looked at the two combatants as her consciousness faded.


    ¡°If only I was I contractor,¡± she thought to herself. ¡°Why am I not a contractor? Am I not worthy? Am I too weak? How dare you wretched demons not want me as your vessel!?¡± she called out inside her head, striking the bloody ground with her stump.


    ¡°Ahh, how impudent!¡± a voice suddenly beckoned her. ¡°You who are beaten, bruised and broken. You who are weak and unable to protect the one who matters most to you. You who has love in her hear which she cannot accept. You who even in death, can only feel anger towards my kind. Will you seek the unknown? Will you battle to the very end? Will you seek power beyond the veil of humanity? Will you accept my contract?¡± The voice asked.


    ¡°I accept,¡± Elaine whispered, grinding her teeth together with ferocious intensity, bringing Antonio¡¯s attention to her.


    ¡°Then say my name!¡± the voice screamed out.


    ¡°Ignis! I accept your contract!¡± Elaine shouted from the top of her lungs.


    Suddenly, the air around Elaine began to vibrate. A spark ignited a fiery circle that floated down to Elaine, surrounding her in a fiery tornado. Her blood, too, ignited in a majestic white flame. Het wounds healed rapidly as her dismembered arm formed out of the flames. The fire continued to rise higher, forming into a distorted face.


    ¡°I Ignis, the master of the blooming flames, henceforth establish this contract. All who stand to oppose my contractor shall burn within my flames. All who stand before them will turn to cinders. Now rise contractor, show your enemies the path of thy flames.¡± The demon said, its words forming out of the fire.


    Elaine stood up as the fire began to die down. She looked at Hanna and Antonio, who were visibly shaken by the events.


    ¡°Soul,¡± Elaine called out, channeling a weapon made of pure lames into her hands. The fire formed and hardened, twisting into the shape of a saber. A pale blade that appeared so as the interconnected tongues of fire twisted around it.


    Antonio immediately dove towards Elaine, attempting to strike her with his gauntlet, but before his attack could reach her, she counterattacked, lashing at him, forcing him on the defensive.


    Fire flowed in the wake of her saber¡¯s path, igniting anything it touched. Elaine dashed at the two opponents calling forward a storm of pure fire, causing a powerful explosion that sent both Hanna and Antonio flying hundreds of meters away, incapacitating them. Elaine looked on into the distance, confused at what had happened. And even though she had finally reached her goal of becoming a contractor, an uneasy sensation filled her heart.


    Meanwhile, a series of loud clangs could be heard coming from inside the door. Zeke entered just moments before.


    Haze growled as his invocation formed around his body, twisting into solid armor. He cracked his whip, striking Ulmak from the distance, then using his tentacles, he launched himself towards his adversary, retracting his weapon, striking him up close.


    Ulmak parried, having no answer to Haze¡¯s assault. Sweat dripped down his head, and a worried expression took over his face as a nervous thought seeded deep in his mind too root, ¡°I don¡¯t think I can win.¡±


    Haze shifted his weight, striking Ulmak in the stomach with a kick, launching him into a stone pillar. Then he charged forward, pushing Ulmak further against the structure.


    Ulmak pushed back with all his might, but it was not enough.


    Ulmak swallowed. ¡°I invoke,¡± he growled, calling forth an invocation for the first time in his life.


    Dust swirled around Ulmak¡¯s arms and feet, encasing them in a scaly shell. Ulmak groaned as his body shifted into an unfamiliar state. The pain from his limbs being reformed was intense, it forced him to gasp for air. But then, suddenly, he felt it. His arms were light, almost weightless when compared to before.


    He extended his spear in a flurry of attacks, pushing back Haze¡¯s advancement.


    Just as Nolan taught him before, using his spear as a medium, he touched the ground, casting a spell on it. He kicked Haze with great ferocity, forcing him back, before throwing his spear towards the ceiling of the cave.


    Angered, Haze charged at Ulmak. Just as he was about to reach him, two large stone cylinders erupted from the ground and ceiling. Clamping together on Haze, splattering his body into a red paste.


    Haze¡¯s mask dropped down to the ground, cracked and devoid of its master.


    ¡°That¡¯s what you get, clown,¡± Ulmak smirked, going towards the last challenge.

 Chapter 26: The hazelnut shell and the sad clown

    ¡°I was once known as Pierrot, a being among the most bellowed of God¡¯s children. A cherub who sang praises to God and knew nothing else but his greatness. When I met her, a simple low-ranking angel, I didn¡¯t think much of her. Yet with time, when she and I grew close. I learned of a different kind of love from the one I felt towards our creator. Yet Colombina had no such feelings she could direct towards me,¡± Haze whispered softly.


    For a moment, the pillars shook. Then they spread apart, revealing Haze¡¯s skeletal frame, his flesh spread rapidly on the faces of two rock pillars like bubble gum. And as he stood up, lifting the rock formations with what little strength he had left, his horrific face continued looking forward. A skeletal detached maw, barely hanging on to his skull. Rivers of blood were flowing from in between the rocks, more than any human could ever bleed.


    Haze¡¯s prosthetic lay on the ground, catching Ulmak¡¯s attention. Although he did know it, that contraption was like a cage to Haze, keeping him in control.


    Haze started laughing as increasingly more blood flowed from the rocks. Fleshy tentacles sprouted from the blood, slamming into the top pillar, pushing it upwards in bestial barrage.


    Ulmak pushed on, using all the power he had just to keep pressing down on Haze. But the task had proven itself to be impossible.


    Haze¡¯s form changed, his ragged flesh grew more distorted, his bones twisted, and his eyes turned feral. His head contorted and lengthened, protruding forwards. His arms extended, being engulfed by a mass of fleshy feelers.


    Pierrot emerged, revealing his large, triangular maw, appearing both bestial and knightly in shape. He roared loudly at Ulmak, before slamming him away with one of his of the many tentacles.


    He crawled forward, one step at a time, towards Ulmak, growing in size with each step as increasingly more tentacles continued sprouting from his back, engulfing him in a veil of flailing flesh and blood. He walked low to the ground, a demon emerged prowling in front of it¡¯s prey.


    ¡°Hello darling. Did you miss me?¡± Olivia appeared, leaping up from the darkness with Orland beside her.


    ¡°Bi-ii¡ªch,¡± Pierrot growled.


    ¡°How mean of you!¡± Olivia¡¯s expression turned grim. ¡°I¡¯m sorry darling, the king ordered us to kill you. Nothing personal,¡± she grinned, as tears rolled down her eyes.


    Pierrot shot out his tentacles, flinging them at the walls and pillars of the cave, propelling himself towards Olivia and Orland.


    ¡°I invoke,¡± Orland and Olivia screamed out in unison.


    Olivia grew in size to the height of about 6 meters. Her body became clad in a solid white armor trimmed in golden decorative ornaments. Her helmet appeared to almost completely shut, only allowing her fiery golden hair to drape down from out of it. Two majestic golden wings grew from her back. They spanned about 10 meters in width, glittering even within the darkness. Eyes appeared on Olivia¡¯s wings, taking root on each and every feather.


    Orland¡¯s body became large and burly. His legs took on an unguligrade shape, becoming thicker and stronger. From his back, he sprouted an additional pair of arms. His head grew in size, twisting into a bestial shape, two pairs of horns sprouted from his head, a pair growing forward and one pair growing back. His lower body appeared to be covered in hairlike particles, all of it except for his bony tail. His upper body appeared smooth and muscular, with horns poking out of his elbows, shoulders and spine.


    ¡°Soul,¡± Orland said in a deep demonic voice, manifesting a talisman on his neck, and a bracelet on each of his arms.


    He extended his arms in front of him, creating an energy forcefield that stopped Pierrot from advancing.


    Pierrot extended his fleshy arm. The tentacles unwound like the petals of a flower, revealing a black skeletal arm, covered in an armor-like shell, with his whip held tightly in his grasp.


    ¡°True-soul,¡± Pierrot chanted, extending his retracted whip. The flesh on the blade expanded, lengthening greatly. It cracked away and hardened before shattering into a million pieces, revealing a perfect black blade. A claymore forged into perfection.


    Pierrot swung his sword. A red mist appeared following the blade¡¯s path, smashing through the forcefield in front of him. He charged towards Olivia, smashing her into the back of the cave.If you discover this tale on Amazon, be aware that it has been unlawfully taken from Royal Road. Please report it.


    Olivia groaned, ¡°Soul,¡± she said, manifesting a polearm made of pure light. But it was already too late. Pierrot flew through the air like a mass of fleshy tentacles, gripping Olivia by the throat, biting into her neck with his long-jagged teeth, while charging and spilling out into the undercity.


    ¡°Columbina eventually met a demon, Harlequin. She fell in love with Harlequin and forgot all about sad little Pierrot. I came to confront her for betraying her own kind. But she didn¡¯t care. She chose him over heaven. She chose him over God. She chose him over me!¡± He screamed to Olivia while knocking her around the Undercity.


    ¡°You¡¯re even crazier than me!¡± Olivia shouted, trying to break free of Pierrot¡¯s grip. But he proved too strong, smashing her into bridges and buildings. Piercing her with his tentacles.


    Orland followed the two. Charging at Pierrot, he tried pulling him away from Olivia, but his strength was not enough. He struck Pierrot with his fists trying to insert his forcefield in between him and Olivia.


    Pierrot, snapped, shifting his attention to Orland. He slammed into his body, biting into his arms before backing away and stabbing him in the abdomen with his sword. Orland collapsed to the ground severely wounded. The red mist engulfing Pierrot¡¯s blade was like a poison, eating away at Orland¡¯s body, melting his internal organs into mush.


    Olivia backed away. Using Orland¡¯s distraction, she flew upwards, summoning hundreds of bolts of light, and sent them flying at Pierrot.


    But even that was not enough. Pierrot¡¯s body unwound like a ball of yarn, shaping itself around the projectiles, avoiding them perfectly before shaping itself back into his original form.


    Pierrot once again charged at Olivia. Using his tentacles, he propelled himself into the air, and once he was close enough to reach her, he grabbed her, sinking his teeth into her neck, and his claws into her shoulder. Slamming her down to the ground.


    ¡°Overcome with rage, I found Harlequin and attacked him. He was reluctant to fight, but I made him do it. He was stronger than me, and so I tore off my own wings to gain power. I devoured them like a glutton. I grew a tail and became a demon, all so that I could kill him. And I did,¡± Pierrot whispered into Olivia¡¯s ear as he tore off one of her wings, chomping down on it, swallowing every part like a savage animal.


    His body twisted, becoming more solid, his tentacles grew in size, hardening, becoming more spiked and malformed.


    Nolan appeared, standing atop one of the buildings far away from the battle. He looked on from a distance with a pair of binoculars.


    ¡°Ah shit,¡± he retorted after seeing Orland and Olivia completely beaten.


    He lit a cigarette and slowly rolled up his sleeves. Extending his hands before him he looked thought the gap in between his fingers.


    ¡°Alright fucker, round two!¡± he spat out his cigarette.


    Suddenly, thousands of stone pillars began to erupt around Pierrot. Each pillar stuck him, forcing him back, slowly kiting him into an empty part of the cave.


    Orland summoned his forcefield, pushing Pierrot even further.


    Suddenly, the bottom and top surface of the cave flattened, becoming akin to polished rock. The two faces clamped down like two monolithic jaws, attempting to crush Pierrot, as Nolan pressed his palms together shortening the distance between them.


    This was the same magic he taught to Ulmak, this among the signature moves he used for killing powerful opponents. It was an attack that used large amounts of mana and could only be resisted by a select few. However, Pierrot was one of those ¡®select few¡¯. the same trick would not work on him twice, no matter how skilled the user was.


    Pierrot rolled up into a ball, extending hundreds of tentacles all around him, forcing them into every nook and cranny of rock. He hung in the middle of the cave, almost like a spider, slowly unwinding his fleshy body, revealing his skeletal armored frame hidden beneath the layers of viscera.


    Nolan squirmed, trying to force the two layers together, as they began to slow. Pierrot dropped down from his net, leaving behind a calcified bone structure that stood to combat Nolan¡¯s magic.


    ¡°When Columbina learned of what I had done, she cursed me, calling me a monster. The heavens rejected me, and God turned his back on me. I was no longer a cherub, I was a foul demon,¡± Pierrot mumbled to himself.


    He walked slowly towards the opposition. His hard, angular, scaly body resembled the armor of a knight. His legs appeared digitigrade, in their composition, with 6 long sharp claws protruding from his feet, four in the front and two in the back. His segmented tail flopped around in the air as if it was completely weightless.


    In panic, Orland ran in, placing a forcefield between him and Pierrot to stop the creature from coming out. He closed his eyes in wait, bracing for the impact. But the expected attack never came.


    Pierrot no longer charged like a blinded animal. Instead, he moved gracefully with technique, cleaving the forcefield clean in half with his great sword, cutting off two of Orland¡¯s arms.


    Orland screamed out in agony.


    ¡°How frail,¡± Pierrot remarked, walking past his wounded opponent.


    He looked up at Nolan, seeing him far in the distance.


    He walked past the unconscious Olivia, looking down at her wretched state. He looked up at the ceiling. Imagining lower babel standing proudly above it.


    ¡°Don¡¯t worry, I¡¯ll take care of those kids of yours. I promise,¡± Pierrot thought, remembering X¡¯s words.


    Pierrot turned around, disappearing into the dark, cold abyss.


    ¡°What was that nickname he gave me?¡± Pierrot laughed, ¡°Oh yes, ¡®Hazelnut¡¯.¡±

 Chapter 27: My own reflection

    Ludwig walked slowly, taking in the chaos happening around him. He smiled seeing Haze rampage through the city. Truth be told, he never liked Olivia or Orland, so watching them get absolutely demolished by Haze was something that brought him deep satisfaction.


    He slowly approached Ulmak, who was trying to recover. His ribs and arm were broken. He groaned in pain, leaning on the stone pillar, attempting to get back to his feet.


    ¡°Bravo!¡± Ludwig approached him, clapping slowly and methodically.


    Ulmak readied his spear, pointing it towards Ludwig.


    ¡°Whoa, relax! I¡¯m only here to congratulate you.¡± Ludwig raised his hands. ¡°Well, not you specifically. I mean the victor.¡±


    ¡°Why are they fighting?¡± Ulmak asked as groaned in pain. ¡°Isn¡¯t he one of your guys?¡±


    ¡°Well, yes, he was. But he tricked me. You see, he was colluding with certain hostile powers who wished to bring harm to the Undercity. As such, the king ordered Olivia, Orland, and Nolan to kill him.¡± Ludwig explained. ¡°Frankly, I liked Haze. He was strong, real strong. Strong enough to win this competition,¡± Ludwig sighed, scratching his head. ¡°It¡¯s a shame that you let that boy win.¡±


    ¡°What do you mean?¡± Ulmak asked.


    ¡°Oh, well, there¡¯s only one winner,¡± Ludwig smiled.


    ¡°That¡¯s fine. I don¡¯t care about the victory. I already got what I wanted to achieve here,¡± Ulmak stood up, looking at his spear.


    ¡°Ahh, yes, your soul. Congratulations on that!¡± Ludwig clapped, ¡°Soul,¡± he said, summoning his spear to his side. ¡°I see the two of us wield the same weapon,¡± he stated, flipping around his weapon. ¡°At least, at this level.¡±


    Ludwig grinned.


    ¡°Why do you think we manifest our weapons based on our souls? What do you think determines the shape of our soul? Well, I, for one, think that our manifested weapons represent our ego. Their shape and function are everything we are right now, everything we know and see. Did you know that there is another weapon we contractors can summon? We call it the true soul. What do you think that¡¯s about? Well, to put it simply, it¡¯s the true shape of our soul, our most primal shape, our deepest nature,¡± Ludwig explained, pacing back and forth. ¡°Care for a demonstration?¡± he asked.


    Ulmak reluctantly nodded.


    ¡°True soul,¡± Ludwig called out. His spear turned completely black, its tip melted away, sending drops of black liquid to float through the air. And from these drops, a large crescent blade manifested, forming into a large scythe.


    ¡°Behold, this is the true shape of my soul!¡± Ludwig exclaimed, demonstrating his weapon.


    Ulmak¡¯s eyes widened.


    ¡°How did you do that?¡± Ulmak asked.


    ¡°You could learn it too, but¡­¡± Ludwig grinned.This book is hosted on another platform. Read the official version and support the author''s work.


    ¡°But what?¡± Ulmak asked.


    ¡°But are you willing to do what it takes?¡± Ludwig retracted his weapon, approaching closer to Ulmak.


    ¡°What do you mean?¡± Ulmak asked, visibly shaken.


    ¡°Well, to put it simply, to learn to manifest the true soul, you will need the help of the contractor king,¡± Ludwig smiled, placing his hand on Ulmak¡¯s shoulder. ¡°And the only way that¡¯s going to happen is if you manage to clear the final challenge. And we both know you can¡¯t kill members of your own team,¡± Ludwig whispered.


    ¡°What are you offering?¡± Ulmak swallowed.


    Ludwig spread his arms, ¡°Simple: all members of my team died or quit. Join my team, kill your leader, or simply take the trophy from him. I don¡¯t care. The thing is, you just have to win,¡± Ludwig explained, extending his hand to Ulmak.


    Ulmak looked at Ludwig. He thought about the time he spent with Zeke. He thought about how he taught the boy how to use the spear. He remembered their promise to remain friends after they win.


    Suddenly, a vision flooded his mind. The visage of his parents.


    ¡°I need to bury them,¡± he thought to himself.


    ¡°Alright, I¡¯ll do it,¡± Ulmak shook Ludwig¡¯s hand.


    ¡°Splendid!¡± Ludwig smiled.


    ¡°What are you doing?¡± Elaine asked, appearing seemingly out of nowhere.


    ¡°None of your business, stupid girl,¡± Ludwig growled.


    ¡°I¡¯m winning this competition on my own, Elaine,¡± Ulmak stated, staring coldly at his former companion.


    ¡°So, what¡¯s your next move then?¡± Elaine asked, her gaze as firm as can be.


    ¡°I will go through those doors, and I will take whatever¡¯s in there,¡± Ulmak replied, stepping forward.


    ¡°I¡¯m not going to let you do that!¡± Elaine shouted.


    ¡°Yeah?¡± Ulmak extended his weapon, pointing it at Elaine.


    ¡°Yeah,¡± Elaine charged at Ulmak, detonating a small explosion under her feet, launching herself forwards towards him.


    ¡°Magic!¡± Ulmak thought to himself, with great surprise. ¡°You became a contractor?!¡± he screamed, swinging his weapon at Elaine.


    But Elaine did not reply. Instead, she focused on Ulmak¡¯s movements. She saw how injured he was, barely able to use his weapon.


    ¡°Soul,¡± she called forth her saber and thrust it towards Ulmak.


    Ulmak narrowly avoided, gripping his stomach as he groaned.


    ¡°To think that you were able to summon your soul right after becoming a contractor. It appears that you are far more talented than me.¡± Ulmak said, visibly shaken. ¡°However, talent isn¡¯t everything. There are some things that only come with experience.


    ¡°I invoke,¡± Ulmak said, calling forth an invocation that creeped up his arms and legs, covering them completely in an armored shell. A mask formed on Ulmak¡¯s face, decking the lower left quarter of it with a sharp rectangular jaw.


    Elaine started shaking after seeing Ulmak in this demonic state.


    ¡°I¡¯m sorry Elaine, but there are things in life that you simply cannot overcome,¡± Ulmak said, his voice becoming more distorted by the second.


    ¡°I know,¡± Elaine replied. ¡°I can do this, Zeke!¡± she thought to herself. ¡°I Invoke!¡± She screamed, as her arms and legs, up to her knees and elbows, became engulfed in a warm fire, creating an armor that appeared like the petals of a flower, or feathers of a bird.


    She extended her weapon in preparation to attack, but before she had the chance to make her first move, Ulmak cast a spell, launching himself towards her.


    He struck Elaine with the pole of his spear, knocking her into the wall behind her. In response, Elaine cast magic throwing fireballs directly at Ulmak.


    However, Ulmak did not waver. Fire was the most common elemental type for a contractor. As such, Ulmak had plenty of experience dealing with fire magic.


    Ulmak drew a line on the ground with his spear, raising a stone barrier to block Elaine¡¯s attacks. Then he fired off magic of his own, summoning two stone pillars that he launched at Elaine to break her focus.


    Ulmak charged at Elaine, manifesting an armor made of stone around his body. He knocked her into the wall again, this time using his fist. Elaine punched back, striking Ulmak¡¯s face, but her attacks had little to no effect.


    And just as she squirmed to recompose herself and back away, Ulmak thrust his spear, piercing the girl through the stomach.


    ¡°Ulmak,¡± she whispered.


    ¡°I know,¡± Ulmak said with a heavy heart, ¡°from the very start of this fight, you were not set on hurting me. Yet I could not say the same.¡±


    ¡°I wonder,¡± Ulmak pondered. ¡°Who will I see the next time I look in the mirror?¡±

 Chapter 28: Metamorphosis part 1

    ¡°I stand alone, consumed by the eternal darkness of my clouded mind.


    A dreadful cage, with but a small opening.


    A world of flames exists outside the cage.


    Constantly expanding as it consumes everything within its grasp,


    Sometimes, I dream of the Undercity.


    Of its bridges and alleyways, and of those residing within.


    I see it standing above the lawless city, a monstrosity the likes of which I cannot comprehend.


    Keeping watch over that dreadful tower of lies.


    The world will change.


    And the tower will one day collapse.


    And I too will one day escape this hell, this forgotten wasteland,¡± the darkness whispered. It¡¯s tone soft and gentle, careful not to wake its slumbering child.


    Zeke bit down, straight through his lower lip. His body shaking violently, grasping at the sword so hard that his muscles started to convulse. He opened his eyes. The dragon looked at him. And with a single swipe of its claw, he was dead. His brains splattered on the walls of this ornate chamber.


    ¡°A death trap,¡± he thought to himself.


    Zeke bit down, slightly grazing his lower lip. His body was tense, and his muscles were necessarily tight. He took a deep breath and opened his eyes. The dragon stood tall, looking at straight at him with its grandiose presence. Its body emitting a certain warm, luminescent glow. Zeke raised his sword in preparation for the dragon¡¯s attack. The dragon swiped at him with its paw, disintegrating Zeke¡¯s entire upper body into a red mist.


    ¡°How is that fair?¡± he thought to himself.


    Zeke took a deep breath. His feet were planted firmly on the ground. Zeke opened his eyes. He lowered his sword and opened his mouth.


    ¡°Hey let¡¯s-¡° he said before being interrupted.


    The dragon crushed him with its palm, smashing him into a red puddle.


    ¡°God damn it!¡± Zeke thought to himself.


    Zeke opened his eyes, his gaze visibly angered. In a flash, he leaped back. But the dragon lunged at him, decapitating him with its claws.


    ¡°What can I even do?¡± he thought in frustration.


    Zeke did not move.


    ¡°I have already died over a dozen times,¡± he thought to himself. ¡°With every part of the competition, a different member of the contractor king¡¯s team is sent to serve as the examiner. Fredric was here since before I came in, and he stopped following me after I left the chapel. So he must be here as an examiner,¡± He pondered before releasing a heavy sigh.If you encounter this tale on Amazon, note that it''s taken without the author''s consent. Report it.


    Zeke died.


    ¡°Judging from what he told me earlier, his domain is time. This entire situation is somehow orchestrated by him. No matter how many times this dragon has killed me, each time I return to right before the fight started. Yet I am not able to do much about this thing.¡±


    Zeke opened his eyes. He raised his weapon to defend against the dragon¡¯s attack just as the creature swiped at Zeke. Zeke was split in half and eaten.


    Zeke opened his eyes.


    ¡°This thing is too heavy,¡± he thought to himself, while looking at the sword. He impaled the sword into the ground next to him. The dragon looked on, confused, before smashing Zeke into pieces.


    ¡°It¡¯s pointless,¡± Zeke thought.


    Zeke turned around and faced Fredric.


    ¡°How is this fair?¡± Zeke yelled.


    ¡°Oh!¡± Fredric replied. ¡°How many times has it been?¡±


    ¡°What?¡± Zeke asked.


    ¡°Since you died,¡± Fredric elaborated.


    ¡°About 14,¡± Zeke replied.


    ¡°You¡¯re a quick one,¡± Fredric laughed, crossing his arms. ¡°Oh, and by the way, I won¡¯t remember this conversation,¡± Fredric smirked.


    The dragon swallowed Zeke in a single bite.


    ¡°What can I do?¡± Zeke thought. ¡°I have to fight,¡± He opened his eyes.


    The dragon swiped its claw at Zeke. He attempted to dodge, by ducking past, but the dragon was able to collide with his head. Zeke died immediately.


    Zeke pressed on, trying again and again to evade the dragon. And each time, he died mercilessly. Had someone else, someone more capable stepped into the room, it is likely that they would have been able to dodge the dragon¡¯s initial attack faster. But Zeke was just too weak. He was but a human, weak and frail.


    ¡°Hey,¡± Zeke said, addressing Fredric.


    ¡°Yeah?¡± Fredric replied.


    ¡°Just how many of these restarts do I have?¡± Zeke asked with a worried expression.


    ¡°Good question! Technically, you would be able to keep this up as long as I don¡¯t run out of mana. However, every time you reset, my mana resets along with you,¡± Fredric scratched his chin.¡± So, I¡¯d say, until you either go insane or kill that dragon,¡± He stated just as the dragon attacked Zeke, ending his life.


    Zeke pushed on. Failing miserably, over and over again. Until, eventually, over a thousand lives later. He was able to duck under the dragon¡¯s swipe, twisting his body in a strange way, he accidentally avoided the dragon¡¯s attack, diving below its belly.


    Zeke stumbled, not expecting to succeed. He looked up at the startled dragon as it gently plucked his head clean off his neck.


    The next time Zeke tried, he failed to replicate his maneuver with a sword in his hand. It proved to be a much more difficult task, as the sword forced Zeke to adapt to a new center of gravity, making the task much more difficult than before. This happened many more times until eventually. He did it again.


    He dove towards the dragon, attacking it with the weapon but before the blade reached its body, the dragon impaled Zeke through the stomach with his claw.


    ¡°I can do it- no I must do it!¡± Zeke thought to himself.


    Five hundred more deaths passed until Zeke was able to dodge the dragon¡¯s initial attack every single time. Yet the second strike still proved too much for him to handle. No matter what he did, he couldn¡¯t get away or dodge and seeing as blocking proved impossible it appeared like he wasn¡¯t making any progress. However, with every single try Zeke grew more confident, as he was now able to see the dragon¡¯s movements. And even if he could still only dodge one attack, he was confident that he would eventually be able to figure it out.


    Two thousand more attempts passed. Zeke was finally able to dodge the second strike. At this point, his body had become used to the dragon¡¯s speed. And even if he was yet far from being able to contest it, he could finally see it coming. He felt a great deal of pride associated with this accomplishment. Although his body couldn¡¯t mature or grow, he could feel his brain and nervous system slowly changing molding itself into someone else.


    "I wonder, will I still be myself when all of this is over?"

 Chapter 28: Metamorphosis part 2

    After his successful evasion, Zeke tried attacking the dragon, yet this time, the creature was the one to dodge out of the way. Avoiding every single one of Zeke¡¯s sloppy strikes. He could feel it. His proficiency with the blade was too low. No matter how many attacks he could dodge, he could not land a single strike on the dragon, and thus, winning this bout was still impossible.


    Dragons were known for their ridiculous strength, often being regarded to be just as powerful as demons. However, dragons were widely known as the most intelligent and wise species, even surpassing angels.


    The way the dragon moved after avoiding each of Zeke¡¯s strikes proved its intelligence. Each time Zeke missed, the dragon would counterattack, killing Zeke in a single attack.


    After about ten thousand attempts, Zeke noticed that his body started to change, likely adapting itself to the changes in his nervous system. His movements became sharp and precise, his legs grew strong enough to effortlessly leap over any attack. His body became more flexible, granting him the ability to get out of tricky situations and positions. His eyes grew sharper, able to judge and predict motion and distance more accurately. It seemed like he had begun to slowly adapt and change with only one function in mind, killing that dragon.


    Past this point, with each attempt, his lives got increasingly longer. As the dragon was no longer able to simply swat him away. Zeke flowed gracefully, constantly shifting in and out of the dragon¡¯s reach.


    He moved, weaving from under the dragon¡¯s attack. Until suddenly, he saw an opening. He struck the dragon on the chest with all of his strength.


    The blade shook. Then bent. And eventually shattered. Sending countless metal fragments


    ¡°Your edge alignment was wrong,¡± Fredric smirked as the enraged dragon devoured Zeke in retaliation.


    Zeke opened his eyes. Adrenaline filled his veins. He rushed at the dragon, leaping up towards its head, striking it with the blade. The dragon groaned in anger as the blade shattered. It killed Zeke in retaliation. But Zeke didn¡¯t mind.


    From the moment he opened his eyes, he charged at the dragon and struck it. His sword would shatter, and he would die, over and over and over again. Until eventually, the blade didn¡¯t break. He evaded the dragon¡¯s attack and struck it again, and the blade shattered on the second impact.If you spot this story on Amazon, know that it has been stolen. Report the violation.


    Another fifty thousand deaths passed until Zeke¡¯s weapon stopped breaking. Zeke would strike the dragon repeatedly in the same spot. But the slashes didn¡¯t even leave a single dent in his armor.


    The dragon grew even more ferocious, charging blindly at Zeke. But he did not fret. He weaved gracefully out of the way of the dragon¡¯s ferocious onslaught, dodging his wide attacks, bites, and charges. The dragon froze. It looked at Zeke with its deep blue eyes. Suddenly, its maw opened, and its body unwound, splitting perfectly down the middle. Its scales unfolded and from its body, a majestic humanoid figure stepped out. It appeared as a man who was about 2 meters tall, with long, flowing black hair, and two curved horns peeking out from his head. His body was covered in golden scales, scarcely covering parts of his nude physique in golden armor, a dark robe was dripping from his waist draped down to his knees. His hands and feet were completely covered in the same scales, along with long angular claws protruding from the tips of his fingers and toes.


    The dragon stepped out from his molted shell as it disintegrated into a sea of golden particles.


    ¡°Atman,¡± the dragons said, manifesting a large guard less blade within its hand.


    The weapon appeared crude, rusty and jagged, with one sharp edge.


    ¡°murkh maanvah,¡± the dragon growled, steadily approaching Zeke.


    ¡°What did he say?¡± Zeke stumbled backwards.


    ¡°He called you a fool,¡± Fredric smirked.


    ¡°What language is that?¡± Zeke asked.


    ¡°Sanskrit,¡± Fredric replied as Zeke¡¯s head rolled clean off his body.


    Zeke opened his eyes.


    ¡°How do you say ¡®dragon¡¯ in Sanskrit?¡± Zeke turned to Fredric.


    ¡°Ajgar,¡± Fredric replied.


    Zeke turned around and charged at the dragon with all his might. He once again forced it out of its shell and as the creature stepped out looking at Zeke with its large blue eyes, Zeke opened his mouth.


    ¡°maanvah ajgar,¡± he smirked at the creature.


    The dragon stood, visibly confused.


    ¡°You just called him a ¡®Human dragon¡¯,¡± Fredric laughed, as the dragon stared at the two, unable to understand what was happening.


    ¡°murkh ajgar,¡± Zeke corrected himself, after violently shaking his head.


    The dragon¡¯s eyes turned ferocious. The blood vessels on its crown pulsated as its body took on a savage expression.


    ¡°anaadrpurnah,¡± the dragon growled, striking Zeke through the throat.


    From that point on, Zeke understood the difference in skill he had to overcome. The creature found it difficult to attack him in its draconic form, as Zeke was simply too small and nimble to handle. But once the dragon compressed itself closer to the size of a human, it could now fully utilize its body.


    Each time Zeke came back, he would force the dragon to transform, and every single time, he would be killed in a single strike. No matter what he did, the dragon would stab him through the throat, looking down at his lifeless body with that deep, blue, piercing gaze.


    Until eventually, a hundred thousand attempts passed. Zeke started to lose himself in the fight. All he was before, his past, and future, it all faded away into a trance, a battle with a creature he could barely understand, an intense dance of fates and desires.

 Chapter 28: Metamorphosis part 3

    When Zeke opened his eyes he was finally able to land a blow on the dragon¡¯s chest. Zeke¡¯s weapon bounced off the dragon¡¯s body like it was made of steel, releasing a loud metallic clang that echoed throughout the chamber. That was when the dragon did something strange.


    ¡°n me maansn ten shstren viddhn bhvisyti, ydypi tvn kiytvaarn prytse,¡± the dragon said, slightly raising his head.


    ¡°That weapon will not pierce my flesh, no matter how many times you try,¡± Fredric paraphrased.


    The dragon tuned around, walking back from where it initially emerged. It returned shortly, carrying a golden sword in its hand. The blade of which had been chattered off, leaving a sharp about 6 inch long dagger.


    ¡°smbhivrtte,¡± the dragon whispered, as the blade lit up in a blue light.


    He ran the blade across his chest, leaving a large gash on it, a demonstration that this crumbled sword could indeed harm him. He threw the blade to Zeke, who caught it leaving his old weapon behind.


    ¡°adhunaa aagakchtu, ahn tvaan punah hnisyaami yen tvn tv duahkhn nirntrn krosi,¡± the dragon whispered, raising his sword.


    ¡°Now come, I shall kill you again so you may continue your suffering,¡± Fredric said, softly.


    ¡°What!?¡± Zeke exclaimed in surprise as the dragon decapitated him.


    When Zeke opened his eyes, he saw that his weapon was replaced by the broken golden sword.


    ¡°What is this?¡± He looked at Fredric.


    ¡°He gave you that?¡± Fredric remarked. ¡°Dragons have a unique ability to manipulate magic. Even my magic is susceptible to this,¡± he explained. ¡°That is the only weapon that can harm him. He has never given that weapon to any other contestant. If gave that to you he must really like you,¡± Fredric smirked.


    Zeke looked forth as the dragon stared vigilantly at him. He charged at the dragon, slashing him with the short blade. The moment the dragon saw that weapon, its eyes widened. It immediately transformed into its humanoid form leaping out of its shell and thrusting its blade through Zeke.


    Zeke opened his eyes. The two immediately charged at each other.


    Over their exchanges, Zeke died, repeatedly, getting used to the range of his new weapon. His body slowly changed even further, becoming akin to that of a skilled acrobat. His blade was much shorter, however, because of the difference in length, it was also much lighter. This made Zeke¡¯s attacks faster. And even though they would almost never land, and when they did, they proved shallow, Zeke continued to struggle.


    Over a million lives passed. Zeke¡¯s expression grew stoic and hollow. He moved skillfully around the Dragon, careful not to get killed. The dragon swung its sword savagely at Zeke, barely grazing his cheek with his merciless onslaught.


    A bond was formed between the two a comradery akin to that of a master and student. It became clear that the dragon had the ability to retain some of its memories as the loops continued. Its magic nullification extended to Zeke, allowing his muscles to grow and adapt. He could feel their bond with every swing. With every clash they were having a conversation, redefining each other through an eternity of combat. A conversation between two who have all but lost their purpose.The genuine version of this novel can be found on another site. Support the author by reading it there.


    It was unclear if Zeke still knew why he was fighting the dragon or what his goal was. He was entirely broken and reformed, his mind was a shell for his body to continue moving, to continue fighting. It became clear that Zeke had finally lost his mind.


    Suddenly, Zeke slit his own throat. His goal was no longer to defeat the dragon, but instead to not get hit by its attacks. He often looked into its eyes with a certain admiration. He could feel a warmth emanating from his attacks. As they traded blows, the two would often smile at each other their soles becoming closer each time.


    Just like that, another 9 nine million attempts passed. Zeke moved with incredible grace. able to dodge every single strike that the dragon threw out. The dragon would often shift in and out of his two forms and even use magic. But none of that proved effective against Zeke.


    Zeke charged at the dragon, slashing through its arm, forcing it to drop its weapon. He pointed his weapon at the dragon¡¯s throat, ready to kill it. But then, suddenly, he froze as he looked at the dragon with a sorrowful expression.


    At that moment it became clear that Zeke did not have the heart to slay his mentor. His life before the fight was but a mirage, a distant dream he could barely recall as he tried to think back. Elaine, Ulmak and the cradle of fools no longer mattered to him.


    ¡°I don¡¯t want this to end,¡± he thought to himself as he slit his own throat.


    Zeke opened his eyes one last time. The dragon stepped out of his shell, manifesting its sword. It slowly approached Zeke. But before they had the chance to clash, the dragon stabbed itself in the stomach.


    It collapsed on to the ground, drowning in its own blood.


    Zeke ran up to the creature and lifted up its head. Tears started flooding out of his eyes, landing on to the dragon¡¯s face.


    ¡°maa roditu,¡± the dragon whispered.


    ¡°Do not weep,¡± Fredric translated.


    ¡°myaa bhvtaa sh ktipyaani shsraani vytitaani,¡± the dragon said, placing it¡¯s hand on Zeke¡¯s shoulder.


    ¡°I have spent several millennia with you,¡± Fredric said in soft tone.


    ¡°mm anye srve idaanin aaah bhvnti,¡± the dragon looked up.


    ¡°All of my other selves have now become one,¡± Fredric translated.


    ¡°tvn kshkit vishah asi,¡± the dragon¡¯s gaze grew vacant.


    ¡°You are someone special,¡± Fredric said.


    ¡°prtyekn myaa tvaan maaritn tdaa shighrmev jgat smaaptm¡­¡± The dragon closed his eyes, before turning into a see of white particles.


    ¡°Every time I killed you, the world ended soon after,¡± Fredric said with a smile as he slowly approached Zeke.


    Zeke wept, covering his face with his hands, his mind so tired he was about to faint.


    Fredric placed his hand on top of Zeke¡¯s head. A golden light shot up from Zeke, forcing him into a state of alertness. In that brief moment, he saw his life flash before his eyes. A recollection made for him to remember who he was. He saw his childhood; he saw his parents; he saw his suffering, and in that moment, he remembered.


    Zeke stood up, barely able to compose himself on his feet, still holding the broken sword in his hand.


    ¡°Are we done here?¡± Zeke growled with a ravenous expression. His eyes appeared dead and sunken in.


    ¡°Well, to be honest, I don¡¯t know. You won. Yet you didn¡¯t. This challenge could only be won by those who give up, knowing that there are some powers even they cannot overcome no matter how hard they tried. This trial was designed that way. ¡®No one will ever beat this challenge,¡¯ he said to me. ¡®No one will ever slay that dragon,¡¯ he promised. Yet here you are. A human vessel with no limits. A child who killed his own mother because he couldn¡¯t stand to watch her suffer. Are you a hero? Or a monster hiding within the body of a boy? Will you deny it? For all you have done, all the suffering that you caused, it was all for yourself.¡± Fredric said in a long monologue.


    ¡°No, it was not only for me,¡± Zeke replied.


    ¡°Oh? So, what was it for then?¡± Fredric asked


    ¡°It was all for my goal. I will. One day. Change this damaged world. I will eradicate all demons!¡± Zeke screamed out with determination.


    For a moment Fredric could feel them, the auras of hundreds of demonic souls squirming around the boy. And just like that, another moment passed, and they all disappeared in his stride with a single blue flash.

 Chapter 29: The cradle burns

    The golden doors apart sending a cold gust into the interior of the chamber. Zeke walked slowly, slouching one step at a time. His hair flowed in the wind as his heavy steps collided with the floor of the cave. Fredric stood beside him, admiring the destroyed Undercity from afar.


    ¡°It seems like this year¡¯s competition is pretty wild,¡± Fredric said, scratching his chin.


    Ulmak approached Zeke. His weapon covered in blood, still in his invoked state. But Zeke didn¡¯t notice.


    ¡°Did you get the trophy?¡± Ulmak asked, visibly anxious.


    ¡°What trophy?¡± Zeke wondered, his gaze tired and hollow.


    ¡°I don¡¯t know, there had to be something that would signify that you passed the trial!¡± Ulmak stated with a shaking tone.


    ¡°This was the only thing I got,¡± Zeke explained, showing Ulmak his broken blade.


    ¡°Give it to me!¡± Ulmak screamed, extending his hand.


    Zeke looked into the distance, seeing Elaine¡¯s lifeless body next to a stone pillar.


    ¡°That¡¯s Elaine!¡± he shouted. ¡°She¡¯s hurt! We need to get help here!¡±


    But Ulmak¡¯s expression said it all. In a flash he thrust his spear at the boy.


    Zeke effotlessly evaded, landing on top of Ulmak¡¯s weapon. His body appeared weightless as he stood looking Ulmak in the eyes, with his cold, lifeless gaze.


    Within Zeke¡¯s gaze Ulmak saw something he had never seen before. It was something he felt, coming from Fredric and Haze. A deep sorrow with a certain sense of detachment. Like he was not a person but puppet, a marionette with some unknown entity pulling the string.


    Zeke leaped up rolling overhead as he slashed at Ulmak forcing him to retreat far back. Within that short moment Ulmak, felt it, had he not dodged that attack perfectly, he would have surely died.


    Zeke ran away, sliding towards Elaine in a frantic tumble. He grabbed her hand, checking her pulse. Having felt his warm touch, Elaine opened her eyes. She looked at Zeke, placing her hand on his cheek.


    ¡°Ahhh, you¡¯re here, still alive. Thank goodness,¡± Elaine opened her eyes. Her voice was faint and frail. She looked at him with her longing gaze. ¡°I¡¯m glad you¡¯re safe,¡± She smiled. As her eyes grew dark and eventually extinguished along with the last specs of her life.


    Zeke felt it. Her soul leaving her body. It was a strange sensation like something invisible was being pulled out of her, escaping right through him, pulling something out of him along with it.


    ¡°That¡¯s odd. I seem to be taking this rather well,¡± Zeke though.


    Yet his mind¡¯s eye quivered.


    He felt something cold hitting his cheek. As he brushed it with his hand a certain dampness grazed the tips of his fingers.


    Tears dripped down no to the cold ground below, flooding profusely out of his eyes. Zeke¡¯s expression, however, didn¡¯t change, it remained cold, emotionless and stoic.


    ¡°Yep, I¡¯m fine,¡± Zeke whispered in a slight growl as he stumbled back on to his feet.


    He turned towards Ulmak, extending his arm, and pointing his broken blade directly at him as if aiming down the sights of a gun.


    ¡°Brace yourself,¡± Zeke frowned as tears continued flooding out of his eyes.


    Ulmak¡¯s body became stiff, covered in goosebumps.This tale has been unlawfully lifted from Royal Road; report any instances of this story if found elsewhere.


    ¡°This doesn¡¯t make any sense,¡± he thought to himself.


    ¡°You lying brat!¡± Ulmak screamed, charging at Zeke, casting magic to surround himself in stone armor, and launching stone pillars at Zeke.


    Zeke easily avoided the two attacks by leaping forward and slashing towards Ulmak with his blade. Ulmak avoided his strikes, thrusting his spear in repetition to gain some distance.


    Zeke could not comprehend Ulmak¡¯s attacks. The length of his spear became abstract and uncertain, it appeared ever-changing, almost like a hazy memory.


    Ulmak, thrust his spear, he slashed and swiped with his weapon.


    ¡°You were playing me this whole time! Here I thought you were a beginner. A child who needed guidance. Yet this entire time you pretended to be incompetent, while being able to move like that! I should have known! I should have seen it! You were learning far too quickly to be a novice!¡± Ulmak screamed, his face twisted with anger.


    ¡°You¡¯ve gone mad,¡± Zeke replied in a soft tone.


    He charged at Ulmak, leaping up into the air in an acrobatic tumble. Zeke¡¯s attacks were short and concise, simple in their execution, yet flawless in their nature. He landed several blows, slashing Ulmak on the cheek, arm and leg, but the difference in range became apparent as Ulmak¡¯s weapon stopped him from finishing the job.


    Ulmak grew even more frustrated. He put in all the strength he had to pummel Zeke with magic, but no matter how many projectiles he threw, they proved to be too slow.


    Suddenly, just as Zeke finished dodging the last attack, Ulmak finally saw an opening, a stutter that occurred because of Zeke¡¯s weary state.


    Ulmak charged at Zeke, thrusting his spear towards him. Yet Zeke did not avoid the attack. He dropped his weapon, spreading his arms, embracing Ulmak as his spear dug into his abdomen. He could feel the sensation of the spear vibrating, shifting all across his body, as he itched closed.


    ¡°Goodbye, friend,¡± Zeke whispered into Ulmak¡¯s ear.


    Ulmak looked down, as the barrel of Zeke¡¯s gun rammed itself directly in between his eyes.


    ¡°Shit,¡± he thought to himself, remembering his wife and child as the gunshot echoed through the caves.


    Zeke let go, allowing Ulmak¡¯s body to drop to the ground. He looked at his void expression, reminiscing about how Ulmak taught him back in the caves.


    ¡°What a fool you were, dear friend,¡± he thought, with a smile.


    Suddenly, Ludwig came out from the corner.


    ¡°Bravo! Bravo!¡± he cheered, clapping his hands, and he slowly made his way towards Zeke.


    Zeke crouched down, closing Ulmak¡¯s eyes, framing his body into a more graceful, peaceful position.


    ¡°Fredrick!¡± Zeke screamed, stumbling as blood flowed from the gash on his stomach.


    ¡°I¡¯m listening,¡± Fredric approached from the shadows. He looked down at Zeke¡¯s wound and placed his on the boy¡¯s stomach as Zeke groaned in pain.


    ¡°There you go,¡± Fredric said as he healed Zeke¡¯s injury.


    ¡°Can you do that for Elaine, too?¡± Zeke asked.


    Fredric sighed.


    ¡°No can do,¡± He replied.


    ¡°Why not!?¡± Zeke shouted.


    ¡°Because she¡¯s dead,¡± Fredric explained. ¡°You felt it when you touched her hand, right? There was no pulse,¡± he cleared his throat. ¡°I can only use magic on living things, anything dead is too far gone for me to revert back.¡±


    ¡°But she talked to me!¡± Zeke exclaimed.


    ¡°Yes, you¡¯re right. That girl had become a contractor while you were away. I believe she was contracted to a spirit type demon. Most likely that must have been part of her abilities, to allow her soul to remain in a lifeless body,¡± Fredric explained with a sorrowful tone.


    ¡°I can still revive Ulmak, however,¡± Fredric remarked.


    ¡°No, let him rest in peace,¡± Zeke replied.


    ¡°Hey champ! Congratulations on your victory!¡± Ludwig said, interrupting the two. ¡°Say this, why don¡¯t you join my team when you receive your prize? I promise I¡¯ll make it worth your time,¡± Ludwig smiled.


    ¡°You¡­ It was all you¡­¡± Zeke whispered.


    ¡°What are you talking about?¡± Ludwig asked.


    ¡°You talked Ulmak into betraying us!¡± Zeke screamed.


    ¡°Oh yes, that. Well, I promised that as long as he won the contractor king would be willing to grant him his true soul,¡± Ludwig explained.


    ¡°A baseless lie,¡± Fredric scoffed.


    ¡°What do you mean?¡± Zeke wondered.


    ¡°Even If the king would tell Ulmak how to summon his true soul, he still wouldn¡¯t be able to do it,¡± Fredric remarked.


    ¡°What? Why?¡± Zeke asked.


    ¡°Because a true soul is a more complex, more demanding version of the soul. Besides being difficult to summon, it also requires a large amount of mana to use. Something Ulmak severely lacked, seeing as he only recently started using proper magic.¡± Fredric explained.


    ¡°I did not lie,¡± Ludwig smiled, ¡°The contractor king would teach it to him, eventually.¡±


    Zeke turned around.


    He looked at Ludwig with intense hatred in his eyes.


    ¡°What?¡± Ludwig asked, visibly amused.


    ¡°Fredric!¡± Zeke called out.


    ¡°Yes?!¡± Fredric curiously replied.


    ¡°What happened when you killed the final examiner all those years ago?¡± Zeke asked.


    ¡°I had to replace him,¡± Fredric smirked.


    In a flash, Zeke pulled out his gun and fired 3 shots directly at Ludwig¡¯s face.


    Splashes of a black, metallic fluid floated up into the air, catching the bullets, coating them and crystallizing around them. The bullets dropped to the ground. Ludwig pulled out a pair of leather gloves from the front pocket of his coat and slowly put them on.


    ¡°Well, I guess this year the contest will remain without a champion!¡± Ludwig grinned.

 Chapter 30: Champion of fools

    Zeke rolled on to the ground, grabbing his blade, and hiding himself behind a stone pillar.


    ¡°Soul,¡± Ludwig called his spear to his side.


    A black liquid started rising from the ground, forming around our him in a spherical pattern, its tongues rose from the ground circling his body in rhythmic, dance-like worship.


    Ludwig looked down at Zeke with a wide smile adorning his face.


    ¡°You know, it¡¯s a shame really. I almost liked you. The young, inexperienced, overconfident type. Yet you still won. I¡¯m curious had Haze remained here. How would you have fared? I guess we¡¯ll never find out,¡± Ludwig said, embedding his spear into the ground.


    Zeke strafed to the side, firing another bullet at Ludwig, before charging at him with his blade. The black liquid extended from the ground, forming into a thin membrane, catching the bullet and absorbing it into itself.


    Zeke leaped up to Ludwig, attempting to strike him midair. Ludwig stared, amused at Zeke without flinching as the black liquid protected him, deflecting each one of Zeke¡¯s attacks as Ludwig remained completely motionless.


    Zeke backed away, leaping out of the range of Ludwig¡¯s spear.


    ¡°I guess it¡¯s my turn!¡± Ludwig screamed, pointing his weapon at Zeke.


    The black liquid rose up, forming into a transparent dome surrounding Ludwig. Sharp metal spikes protruded from the dome and charged at Zeke at breakneck speeds. Zeke strafed but was unable to avoid the attack. The blades pierced his body, suspending him in midair.


    As Zeke slashed the blades with his weapon, the blades became liquid, dripping down to the ground, slowly crawling back to Ludwig.


    Zeke collapsed to the ground, slowly gasping for air as the black liquid filled his lungs.


    ¡°You know, I can kill you within seconds if I manifest my true soul!¡± Ludwig laughed, shaking with excitement. ¡°But I just want to play around a bit more. What¡¯s it to you, Right?¡±


    ¡°Soul,¡± Fredric said, summing a golden short sword to his side.


    Suddenly, Zeke¡¯s body started to glow in the same golden light. His injuries mended allowing him to breathe easily once more.


    ¡°Fredric!¡± Ludwig screamed out.


    ¡°What is it?¡± Fredric asked with a smile.


    ¡°You¡¯re not supposed to do that,¡± Ludwig growled.


    ¡°And who is to stop me,¡± Fredric laughed.


    Without letting the opportunity of Ludwig being distracted go, Zeke threw a clump of coarse sand at Ludwig. Then, using the dust cloud as cover he once again charged at his adversary, disappearing into the dust.


    Ludwig launched his metallic, liquid spears, protruding them towards the fog, piercing it with hundreds of spikes.


    Without anyone noticing, Fredric cast his magic, accelerating Zeke¡¯s perception of the world.


    In a flash, Zeke leaped up, revealing himself to be completely unharmed. He positioned himself above Ludwig¡¯s force field, firing a bullet at him. As the force field solidified, Zeke used it as foot hold, to tumble behind.


    ¡°Last one,¡± Zeke thought, holding his gun in his right hand.


    Spikes emerged from the top of the force field, piercing the place Zeke was just a moment ago.


    Because Ludwig materialized so many spikes, the amount of liquid at his feet became scarce, leaving a hole in the force field on his side.


    Zeke charged at Ludwig with his blade, thrusting it towards his waist.


    But Ludwig, in a rash move, pierced himself with his own force field, impaling the two of them with spikes the black fluid.Unauthorized tale usage: if you spot this story on Amazon, report the violation.


    ¡°You didn¡¯t expect that, did you now?¡± Ludwig laughed. ¡°I too, can play the self-sacrifice game.¡±


    Zeke extended his gun, firing a bullet in between Ludwig¡¯s eyes. As the bullet traveled straight through his head, his flesh briefly morphed into the black fluid, avoiding all damage.


    ¡°Surprised? That¡¯s what the likes of you are up against, a demon art that can nullify all damage. Even though there wasn¡¯t any need for me to use it,¡± Ludwig laughed. ¡°My element is metal. My skin is as hard as steel. You could not pierce it with your silly toy,¡± He mocked Zeke.


    Zeke dove in, impaling himself further on the spikes, getting as close as he could. Blood flowed out of his mouth. Zeke pulled out a vial of vita-fluid out of his pocket, pouring it over his wound, placing his body into a constant state of reconstruction and damage as the fluid began rapidly healing him. Zeke thrust his blade at Ludwig, piercing his chest with the broken sword.


    ¡°WHAT!¡± Ludwig screamed in shock that the weapon was able to hunt him.


    He tossed Zeke off, throwing him with a swipe of his spear.


    ¡°That¡¯s it, I¡¯m done,¡± Ludwig growled, throwing up blood, ¡°true soul,¡± he called out summoning a black scythe to his side.


    The black liquid took on a red tint forming into 7 ornate spheres that floated up into the air. And positioned themselves in a circle behind Ludwig¡¯s back.


    Zeke stood up, as his wounds quickly closed.


    Fredric walked forward with one of his hands inside of the pocket of his bomber.


    ¡°Alright, playtime¡¯s over,¡± Fredric remarked, stepping in front of Zeke, ¡°I¡¯ll take this from here,¡± He turned his head back.


    ¡°FREDRIC! WHY MUST IT ALWAYS BE YOU?¡± Ludwig screamed. ¡°From the day we first met, you turned my life upside down. I was here first. I was successful while you weren¡¯t around. It was you! You are the cause of all my troubles,¡± He growled.


    ¡°Then, why don¡¯t you do something about it?¡± Fredric yawned.


    He slowly approached Ludwig, swinging his weapon through the air.


    ¡°I¡¯ll borrow this,¡± he said, pulling his left hand out of his pocket and extending it towards Ulmak.


    Suddenly, Ulmak¡¯s soul manifested itself and floated towards Fredric¡¯s hand. Fredric, charged at Ludwig, trusting the spear towards him. He slashed the ground with the spear, sending a sea of stone bullets flying towards Ludwig.


    A single sphere floated off Ludwig¡¯s back and stood in front of him. It expanded, shielding him from all projectiles.


    Ludwig retaliated by aiming his weapon at fredric, sending a jet of black liquid slashing through the air, aimed at him.


    Fredric avoided with ease, yawning.


    ¡°Alright, I¡¯m done playing around with you,¡± Fredric said, dropping the spear.


    He slashed at the air in front of him with his golden blade. Suddenly, Ludwig¡¯s arm exploded into a rain of blood.


    Ludwig grabbed his shoulder, screaming in agony.


    ¡°How?!¡± Ludwig stumbled. ¡°How did you do that?¡±


    ¡°Confused, are you?¡± Fredric walked closer. ¡°Don¡¯t you remember? Salvadore gave you this injury, six years ago. I healed you back then. But do you even know how my magic works? Did you just assume I simply turned back time? Well, not quite. Instead, I grabbed your injury from that moment and transferred it to the moment before your death. And now I just transferred it onto the present.¡± He explained.


    ¡°Don¡¯t tell me? That is why he¡­ You have him trapped, and he knows it,¡± Ludwig mumbled, as he started to walk away.


    ¡°Stop! You don¡¯t have to do this!¡± Ludwig mumbled, visibly worried. ¡°I invoke,¡± he sneakily said before Fredric had the chance to respond.


    Fredric once again struck the air, placing his blade visually over Ludwig¡¯s face. At that moment, Ludwig¡¯s head disappeared. The metal balls hovering behind his back dropped down, creating a loud metallic clang, followed by his lifeless corpse dropping down right after.


    ¡°That¡¯s what you get for taking a hit from a human,¡± Fredric remarked.


    Zeke stumbled trying to catch his breath as he approached Fredric.


    ¡°So, what now?¡± he asked, visibly shaken.


    ¡°Now, we go see that asshole of a king,¡± Nolan remarked appearing out of the darkness, wearing a white dress shirt, plaid pants and a black vest.


    ¡°How long have you been there for?¡± Fredric asked.


    ¡°A while,¡± Nolan pulled out a cigar, and lit it.


    ¡°So, what do you think?¡± Fredric asked, averting his gaze.


    ¡°Honestly?¡± Nolan asked.


    ¡°Honestly,¡± Fredric replied.


    ¡°That you talk too much,¡± Nolan took a strong hit of his cigar.


    Nolan approached the ledge of the cave. A wide vista opened up in front of his eyes. He looked at the state of his demolished hotel. A grandiose golden structure supported by two stone hands.


    ¡°Those fuckers really did a number on her,¡± he sighed.


    ¡°Nothing you can¡¯t fix. Plus, it looks more like a tourist attraction now,¡± Fredric laughed.


    ¡°Well, I guess you¡¯re right,¡± Nolan scratched the back of his head.


    ¡°However, I feel like things are about to become a whole lot more complicated,¡± Nolan sighed again.


    ¡°What makes you say that?¡± Fredric asked, peering into the distance.


    ¡°That guy, Haze, I hear he was hired by the pale reaper,¡± Nolan took another hit of his cigar.


    Fredric¡¯s eyes widened.


    ¡°I¡¯m afraid Phoenix really did it this time,¡± Fredric covered his face.


    ¡°I know right! If you ask me, that guy¡¯s dead,¡± Nolan blew out smoke.


    He turned around to face Zeke.


    ¡°Congratulations on joining the ranks of the winners!¡± Nolan extended his hand. ¡°For better or for worse you¡¯re one of us now.¡±


    Zeke shook his hand.


    ¡°What now? When do I get to meet the king? It¡¯s been three months since I left Lower babel. I should really come back to school soon,¡± Zeke laughed.


    Both Nolan and Fredric paused.


    ¡°You will not be able to do that,¡± Nolan stated.


    ¡°What?¡± Zeke asked, ¡°Why?¡±


    ¡°It is the law of this wretched city that once you enter, you cannot leave without the permission of that foolish king of ours,¡± Fredric remarked, looking over the ruined streets of the Undercity.


    End of Arc 2: Cradle of fools

 ARC 3: The Undercity

    Hello, my kind readers! This is mora. I''m back again. I''m writing these bits just after I finish editing the parts that came before them. As you can see by the date ARC 2 took me whole two months to edit. Honestly, I didn''t expect it to take so long considering I made sure to put in at least 2-4 hours every single day. But sometimes things are just like that.


    Now, when I initially started plotting this story out this arc was not a part of it. Nor was ARC 3 if I''m completely honest. I''m getting a little ahead of myself here.


    So, just like last time. I would like to give you some background on how this Arc came to be.


    Initially, I had intended for Zeke''s introduction to be this long emotional journey through his life. However, after writing that segment I felt that It didn''t quite fit the fast paced model of the story I wanted to tell. So as a result I scrapped most of it. Many of the characters who I showed in this Arc were supposed to emerge much later. But I feel like giving them a sneak peak introduction before they come up later really worked out.If you encounter this story on Amazon, note that it''s taken without permission from the author. Report it.


    As for the elephant in the room. Haze was not a character I had planned for the story. But he turned out super well, he is by far my favorite antihero/antagonist in this arc. A large part of the inspiration behind him came from the fact that I don''t want to have any traditional villains in this story. I know it might seem a little counter intuitive considering how Ludwig turned out, but I want the characters who we consider to be villains only appear so until we get to know them better.


    I hope to talk more after finishing the next arc. Stay safe.


    Love,


    ~Mora


    30-08-2024

 Chapter 31: All hail the king

    The group walked along a path overlooking the Undercity. Zeke could no longer bear to look at the crowded underground city, even from a far. This city, the vista and all of its residents blended together into a colorful mush, a mush that took so much from the young boy, while giving him something he lacked most, experience.


    ¡°Hey, be honest, are you the King of contracts?¡± Zeke asked turning gaze towards Fredric.


    ¡°I¡¯m not,¡° Fredric smirked.


    ¡°You thought he was the Contractor King?¡± Nolan laughed intensely, grabbing his stomach. He continued for a while until he ran out of air and started gasping, after which, he grabbed a cigar out of his picket and placed it in his mouth. ¡°Whatever made you think that?¡± he wondered whipping tears off his eyes.


    Zeke looked towards Ulmak¡¯s lifeless body.


    ¡°Ah I see? You thought he used his soul, huh?¡± Nolan smirked while lighting his cigar. ¡°Well, kid, I¡¯ll have to disappoint you. Fredric is not the Contractor King. Nor can he use other¡¯s souls the same way the Contractor King can.¡±


    ¡°The King possesses a unique ability to manipulate souls and contracts. It is his greatest strength, and his biggest weakness.¡± Fredric explained in a quiet, almost whispered tone.


    ¡°What is he like?¡± Zeke wondered.


    ¡°Monstrous¡­¡± Nolan scoffed.


    ¡°About as unpredictable as the Pale Reaper and I¡¯d say about a dozen times more deadly,¡± Fredric, said while rushing his pace.


    ¡°I¡¯m not so sure about that last bit,¡± Nolan shrugged.


    Zeke continued walking, attempting to match Fredric¡¯s hurried pace. Suddenly, his legs gave out, forcing him to fall flat on his face.


    ¡°Careful!¡± Nolan laughed. ¡°You don¡¯t want your face getting messed up before you become a contractor or it¡¯ll never heal,¡± He smirked.


    As Zeke raised his head a strange vista opened up before him, the same chapel he had visited before, however this time it was at an entirely different place.


    ¡°Why are we here?¡± Zeke stumbled, ¡°I mean¡­ why is this here?¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s a hub of sorts,¡± Nolan explained.


    ¡°A hub?¡± Zeke wondered.


    ¡°A location that exists everywhere within this city all at the same time. Nowhere is outside our reach because of it. Should the need arise, we can travel to almost any district of the Undercity in an instant.¡± Fredric explained while opening the front doors.


    As the group went inside, the interior of the chapel appeared like it did before, disproportionally large when compared to the outside. A throne constructed out of thousands of intertwined chains found itself in the middle of the room, constantly moving, changing its shape in places where it did not make contact with anything solid.


    Michael slouched seated on the ever-changing throne with an amused expression.


    Both Nolan and Fredric dropped down to a single knee. ¡°I greet the King," they said in unison.


    ¡°Surprised?¡± Michael smirked, standing up off his throne.


    ¡°I assumed it was you,¡± Zeke replied, as Michael approached ever closer.


    ¡°Well Fredric, let¡¯s see just what you have brought me here this time,¡± the King muttered while extending his hand towards Zeke.


    A faint blue light emerged from Zeke¡¯s chest.


    ¡°Interesting,¡± the King squinted his eyes.


    Suddenly, the doors of the chapel opened once again, sending a loud resonating slam along the halls of the building.


    ¡°King!¡± Orland screamed, charging through the doors, dragging heavily wounded Olivia directly behind him. ¡°You must help her!¡±The author''s tale has been misappropriated; report any instances of this story on Amazon.


    ¡°Shhhhh,¡± the King replied while bringing his index finger up to his lips. ¡°You¡¯re interrupting your teammate¡¯s initiation ceremony.¡± He replied.


    ¡°King, the demon, escaped. As far as I know, it could still be rampaging underground.¡± Orland desperately explained, ¡°You need to help Olivia and assist us in stopping that thing!¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s precisely what I intend to do,¡± The King said, shifting his gaze towards Fredric.


    Fredric sighed, ¡°Alright,¡± as he extended his hand Olivia¡¯s injuries glowed in a golden light. Her wounds closed, reverting her body to a time before they occurred.


    ¡°As for the other thing,¡± the King smirked, ¡°I have already captured the demon.¡±


    ¡°What?!¡± Orland exclaimed with a shocked expression.


    ¡°You mean you couldn¡¯t tell?¡± Nolan smirked, ¡°You got your ass handed pretty bad out there,¡± he continued.


    ¡°Not like you did much to help!¡± Orland shouted getting into Nolan¡¯s face.


    Nolan took a deep puff of his cigar and blew the smoke directly into Orland¡¯s face.


    ¡°I used up most of my mana trying to stop that fucker from destroying the city, what¡¯s your excuse?¡± Nolan frowned.


    ¡°Just look at Olivia,¡± Orland gestured, ¡°He was like a savage beast, tearing off her wing. Taking her apart bit by bit. How was I supposed to stand up to something like that?¡±


    ¡°I see nothing bestial in that,¡± the contractor King remarked. ¡°Had he decided to take both of her wings she would have become a demon, but since only one wing is gone, he simply rendered her unable to fight. That is not savagery, its strategy,¡± He smiled while explaining. ¡°As for what were you supposed to do against something like that, well¡­ I¡¯d say¡­ Win by playing it smart,¡± the King remarked as he smiled generously.


    ¡°Is that what you did?¡± Zeke asked seemingly out of nowhere.


    ¡°Oh,¡± the King approached him, ¡°I brute forced it,¡± he said with a serious expression.


    Yet that did not dissuade Zeke, if anything it made him even more curious.


    ¡°So, what did you do with him?¡± Zeke paused. ¡°Did you kill him?¡±


    The Contractor King chuckled.


    ¡°Of course not,¡± he replied. ¡°I offered him to serve under me, something he politely declined. As such, I put him into district 17,¡± the King squinted his eyes.


    ¡°What¡­¡± Zeke said before being interrupted by Fredric, who firmly placed his hand on Zeke¡¯s shoulder.


    ¡°It¡¯s best you do not find out,¡± He whispered.


    ¡°Olivia!¡± the King shouted, ¡°Open your eyes,¡± he whispered closely into her ear. He gripped her by her cheeks, caressing them with his thumb and index finger.


    ¡°Hmmm, she¡¯ll be out for a good while,¡± the King remarked after examining her.


    ¡°Speaking of which, Ludwig is also out of commission,¡± The contractor King paused. ¡°You will take up his post,¡± he said, pointing towards Zeke.


    ¡°What post?¡± Zeke questioned.


    ¡°Within the Undercity of course,¡± the King replied with a warm smile.


    ¡°That¡¯s enticing and all, but I really have to get back to lower babel,¡± Zeke replied.


    ¡°Sure thing! I¡¯ll kill you here and ask Fredric to dump your body up on the surface,¡± The King stated without even a slight change to his facial expression. ¡°The entire purpose of the cradle of fools is to select those, worthy of becoming my subordinates, did you think I would just let you go after you know so much about me?¡±


    ¡°Then,¡± Zeke stumbled, ¡°What about my contract?¡±


    The King smirked with a wide grin.


    ¡°I thought you¡¯d never ask,¡± he remarked while extending his right hand towards Zeke.


    ¡°Here I prepared a special contract just for you, a rare one indeed, bring it here,¡± the King snapped his fingers.


    Suddenly, two figures wearing plain white masks appeared, dragging a severely wounded person with a cotton sack on their head. The person screamed mumbling incomprehensible gibberish while contorting in every direction, attempting to break free.


    ¡°A sorry sight for eyes,¡± the King remarked.


    ¡°You cut out his tongue, I¡¯m surprised you can sleep at night,¡± Fredric retorted.


    ¡°I can¡¯t,¡±  the King squinted in response.


    ¡°What is this,¡± Zeke questioned.


    ¡°In light of your many achievements I have decided to grant you a very special contract, a special present from me to you. An incredibly rare and powerful type of demon, that if you are able to master, will make you a force of nature.¡± the King said extending his hand towards the wounded man.


    A chain popped out of his chest and at the end of this chain was a sharp vial that appeared to contain a dark mysterious substance. The chain swirled around mid-air. As the King directed his hand towards Zeke, the chain followed suit, entering his chest.


    The shackled figure squirmed in agony as his soul left his body. Zeke looked on mournfully, as the person drew their final breath. As he closed his eyes and opened them again, he found himself locked in a massive dark birdcage covered in spiked wires. A blue flame in the shape of a massive incomprehensible beast could be seen peering from the distance.


    ¡°What have you done,¡± The creature growled.


    Zeke once again opened his eyes, immediately finding himself back inside the chapel. Blue flames erupted from Zeke, engulfing his body, as he screamed out in agony.


    ¡°Interesting,¡± The King groaned while grabbing his right hand. Sweat dripped down his temple and his eyes grew bloodshot as countless chains extended out from his hand entering and feeding the blue fire. Countless links disintegrated and crumbled, burning to ash, until eventually the fire ceased, and a black smoke began emanating from Zeke.


    Zeke dropped to the ground losing consciousness as the King wiped the sweat from his forehead.


    ¡°What was that?¡± Fredric asked, his eyes wide with fascination.


    ¡°The boy was already a contractor,¡± the King replied.


    ¡°But how could that be?¡± Nolan asked, ¡°He¡¯s much too weak.¡±


    ¡°Did you¡­¡± Fredric stumbled, ¡°¡­Succeed?¡±


    ¡°Yeah,¡± the King sighed heavily. ¡± No sleep for the weary,¡± he grinned,¡° I just took the lives of 15536 people,¡± the King smiled, yet his eyes carried a great sadness he was, without a doubt, too tired to conceal.

 Chapter 32: Thoughts of her

    Zeke opened his eyes. A dark, endless void expanded all around him. His body was small and crooked. His ribs peeking thought from under his shallow skin. He gazed up towards the sky, as a massive eye peered down at him overlooking his suffering. His existence felt so small, miniscule when compared to the entity standing above him.


    ¡°Do you have any idea what you have done?¡± the creature asked.


    ¡°Who are you?¡± Zeke tried to wonder, but no words came out.


    He grabbed his throat, trying his hardest to put together some semblance of a phrase, but no matter how hard he tried, air would simply pass through his torn vocal cords. Suddenly he felt it, a cotton bag placed over his face. In panic he darted about, trying to take it off, which made him stumble and fall, rolling down a steep cliff consisting of an unsurmountable number of bones.


    As he rolled down, a vista opened up before him. A desert made of billions of scattered bone fragments, a dark stormy sky and an enormous eye where the moon should have been.


    ¡°Open your eyes, look at what stands before you,¡± the mysterious voice commanded.


    Zeke continued rolling down the cliff until he struck something solid, a loud metallic clang run loudly in both of his ears. As he raised his gaze, he could see a tall steel suit of armor standing before him.


    ¡°Do you know what awaits you? Do you know the price you will have to pay for committing such blasphemy? Can you bear the suffering you will have to endure? Oh, the hunger the unimaginable hunger,¡± the creature continued as the suit of armor gazed at Zeke, red eyes peeking through its vizor.


    ¡°My child, I pity you,¡± these words rang through Zeke¡¯s head as he opened his eyes in a cold sweat. He found himself alone in the dark, haphazardly positioned on the bed with his clothes still on and his shoes placed carefully beside the bed. There was a big window to the right of him. The light came into the window through the shutters and submerged Zeke in its stripy blue hue.


    Zeke sat down on the side of the bed and rested his head on his arms, covering his eyes and squeezing them tightly with his palms.


    ¡°Elaine,¡± he whispered as tears rolled down his eyes.


    Many memories flooded his head, thoughts of the times before he entered this damn underground mess. But all of them were scrambled, replaced by his countless battles with the dragon. He could no longer recall what his mother or father looked like. He didn¡¯t know what his childhood was like, all that was left of him, a shallow figure with a single goal of battling a dragon.


    ¡°Who am I?¡± He looked towards the blue light unable to perceive the city outside the window. ¡°Why did I turn out to be so fucking twisted?¡± Zeke calmly stood up looking through the blinds with a tired expression and deep, dark bags under his eyes.


    A couple of hours passed. Zeke continued sulking alone inside his tiny room.


    Suddenly, he heard a knock coming from the door.


    ¡°Who is it?¡± He asked in a mellow tone.


    But instead of getting a response, the figure opened the door, revealing themselves to be none other than Fredric.


    ¡°Hey, I see you¡¯re finally up,¡± Fredric nonchalantly remarked, while stepping in through the door. And placing a bag full of groceries beside Zeke¡¯s bed.


    ¡°Where am I?¡± Zeke asked, visibly distressed.


    ¡°District 7,¡± Fredric replied. ¡°Your new home,¡± He continued while opening two packs of instant noodles and turning on the electric kettle.Support the creativity of authors by visiting the original site for this novel and more.


    ¡°So, what now?¡± Zeke wondered, ¡°I can¡¯t leave the Undercity, but I doubt I will be able to survive here on my own either. Just what am I supposed to do?¡±


    ¡°Regardless of how intricate a trap may be, irrelevant of how fine is its craftsmanship, a trap will always have two things. Do you know what they are?¡± Fredric asked, while pouring boiling water into the two noodle cups.


    ¡°I¡¯m not sure,¡± Zeke replied.


    ¡°An entrance and an exit. These two components are the nature of every trap.¡± Fredric explained, ¡°A trap will always have an entrance because without one the trap wouldn¡¯t work, and likewise it will have an exit because without one, the one who made the trap wouldn¡¯t be able to escape.¡±


    ¡°Alright, then tell me? Where should I look for this exit?¡± Zeke asked, slightly aggravated.


    ¡°Me, I¡¯m your exit,¡± he stated while handing Zeke a cup of noodles.


    ¡°Not very convincing, seeing as you¡¯re the one who got me into this mess,¡± Zeke replied while taking the cup from Fredric.


    ¡°This isn¡¯t much of a mess. This, at most, has 0.5 mess points.¡± Fredric smirked.


    ¡°I need to get to Lower Babel!¡± Zeke shouted, slamming his foot into the ground.


    Almost immediately, the two heard a loud thud coming from downstairs.


    Fredric laughed, ¡°You¡¯re about to piss off your new neighbors!¡±


    ¡°Not gonna be my neighbors for long,¡± Zeke replied while slurping up noodles.


    ¡°Oh, and how so?¡± Fredric asked, scratching his head.


    ¡°I¡¯m leaving the way I came,¡± Zeke replied.


    ¡°You¡¯re going to die, if you try that,¡± Fredric stated shaking his head, ¡°Each entrance and exit, from and to the Undercity is governed by a keeper of that district. To put it simply, if you try to run away the keeper of that district will hunt you down, be it inside the Undercity or the city of Lower Babel. Leaving this place without the King¡¯s permission is a death sentence,¡± Fredric explained.


    ¡°Then what must I do to get back?¡± Zeke asked.


    ¡°Follow his orders for now. I will ensure that you either become strong enough that you can break out of this place or that he allows you to leave on his own.¡± Fredric smiled.


    ¡°Funny thing! I don¡¯t see what you will get out of it,¡± Zeke scoffed with a serious expression.


    ¡°I get to come along with you,¡± Fredric smiled.


    Suddenly, a loud knock could be heard coming from the door. Fredric approached the door opening it. A tall, fat figure stood in front of him, wearing stained ragged clothes and baggy military pants, with his giant arms crossed in front. The man had a green mohawk on his head and a short beard. His right eye was a cybernetic implant, a scope that would allow him to be more accurate while shooting weapons.


    ¡°Yes?¡± Fredric asked with a confused expression.


    ¡°You¡¯re loud!¡° The giant growled.


    ¡°So?¡± Fredric carelessly replied.


    ¡°Don¡¯t be loud!¡± The man said, visibly aggravated.


    ¡°Gotcha!¡± Fredric said, attempting to shut the door.


    The man grabbed the side of the door pressing it with his huge arms, leaving indents in the wood where his fingers made contact.


    ¡°Let go!¡± Fredric ordered while yawning.


    ¡°Listen here you little twerp¡­¡± The man growled before being interrupted by Fredrick kicking the door towards him.


    In an instant his fingers were cut off by the door slamming through its frame. As the door closed it broke into splinters which were sent flying all over the hall.


    The man stood motionless in shock, looking at his decapitated fingers. In a blind rage he swung at Fredric, but he easily avoided the attack while striking him back, smashing his body across the wall straight into a nearby apartment.


    ¡°I think, it¡¯s time for us to go,¡± Fredric remarked while scratching his head.


    ¡°Alright,¡± Zeke replied walking out of the ravaged apartment.


    ¡°Here, put this on,¡± Fredric placed his hand into the pocket of his jacket and pulled out Haze¡¯s mask.


    ¡°It¡¯s different,¡± Zeke replied while examining the mouthpiece.


    ¡°When you passed out, I found it amongst your belongings,¡± Fredric said while putting on his fox mask,¡± I had it modified so you no longer have to chop half of your face off to put it on. Oh, and I also had the injection mechanism taken out.¡±


    ¡°But why give it to me?¡± Zeke wondered.


    ¡°Why?¡± Fredric replied, ¡°There are a couple of reasons. The first would be that you need a mask so people can¡¯t figure out your identity. And the second, I felt like that mask kind of fit you in a strange way, it¡¯s hard to explain, but I feel like it will serve you well going forward.¡±


    ¡°Alright,¡± Zeke replied, bringing the mask closer to his face.


    He closed his eyes, as he put the mouthpiece over his mouth and nose and heard countless metallic contraptions click, he could feel air surging through his nose and filling his mouth.


    Zeke opened his eyes, the world lit up in a new light. He suddenly felt like a predator among prey.


    People started walking out of their apartments to check what the commotion was about as Zeke and Fredric walked across the corridor, towards the elevator.


    ¡°By the way, it seems like your performance in the cradle of fools had earned you a nickname,¡± Fredric explained while pressing the button to call the elevator.

 Chapter 33: Blade-smith

    Every morning at 8:00 AM, a recording of birds chirping erupted through a vast network of loudspeakers installed across the Undercity. This daily broadcast served one vital purpose: to help residents keep track of time. The only natural light source here was the artificial illumination of labyrinthine corridors and murky streets, so the morning bird-chirping became a critical cue for daybreak¡ªat least, as daybreak was measured down here.


    Fredric and Zeke walked side by side through these still, vacant streets. Their footsteps echoed faintly along the metal grates and concrete. The occasional drip of water, condensation from the ceiling overhead, added an intermittent rhythm to the artificial morning. The moment the birdsong started, Fredric¡¯s gaze flicked upward, as if searching for a nonexistent sky.


    ¡°Isn¡¯t it strange?¡± Zeke asked in a measured tone, voice emerging from behind his mask.


    ¡°What?¡± Fredric answered, turning just enough to see Zeke in his peripheral vision.


    ¡°How, of all the sounds, you guys chose bird chirping down here?¡± Zeke continued, his voice carrying the slightest wistfulness. ¡°Even those living above ground don¡¯t have the luxury of hearing them for real.¡±


    Fredric nodded, momentarily contemplative. ¡°It was the King¡¯s idea,¡± he remarked, shifting his posture. ¡°He probably wanted the people of the Undercity to sense some small remnant of nature. We don¡¯t see sunlight or wildlife, so maybe the noise helps us pretend.¡±


    ¡°Don¡¯t you think it¡¯s cruel?¡± Zeke murmured. ¡°Hearing those calls only makes you want to see the birds themselves, which is impossible.¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s the world we live in,¡± Fredric stated, brow furrowing. ¡°Somewhere beyond the city, maybe there are still birds flying free, never touched by the calamity. But here, we can only imagine.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯d like to believe so too,¡± Zeke said, inclining his head in a gesture of agreement. Though his mask shrouded his mouth, Fredric sensed the faint smile behind it and smiled back. Subtle beams of the Undercity¡¯s artificial glow cast elongated shadows of their figures onto the cracked pavement, an eerie imitation of a morning sunrise.


    They continued walking, passing a series of overhead lamps that glowed in different colors at strict intervals. At 8:00 AM, these lights shifted to a crisp, neutral white¡ªanother method for those living in the Undercity to tell time. Every six hours, the hue changed: by 2:00 PM, it became bright yellow; at 8:00 PM, an orange; and at 2:00 AM, a drowsy, pale blue. This rhythmic transformation underscored the Undercity¡¯s constant flux. The place was chaotic and warped, yet it operated under its own meticulous system of order, all tied to the Contractor King¡¯s grand design.


    ¡°So did the King actually create the Undercity?¡± Zeke asked out of nowhere, his mask turning toward Fredric with a measured tilt.


    ¡°Yes and no,¡± Fredric replied, allowing his memory to guide him. ¡°Word has it that years ago, before he became the Contractor King everyone fears and respects, he served with the Knights. During one of their exploration missions, he supposedly discovered what was then just a small community of illegal contractors hiding in these subterranean caverns¡ªdoing what they could to fend off underground beasts. Over time, the King left the Knights and founded what we call the Undercity.¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s insane,¡± Zeke muttered, voice laced with disbelief.


    ¡°It gets better,¡± Fredric added, a hint of a smirk playing on his face. ¡°Another rumor says that when the Undercity was first coming together, the Knights staged a raid to shut it down. It¡¯s said the Contractor King slaughtered the entire strike force¡ªdidn¡¯t let a single soldier get out alive. Then he climbed for days up the tower, reached the city of Upper Babel, and cut some deal with the big shots up there. From that point on, the Knights haven¡¯t been able to interfere with the Undercity.¡±


    ¡°He¡¯s¡­¡± Zeke began, stumbling for the right words, ¡°quite a character.¡±


    ¡°He¡¯s a shattered madman,¡± Fredric sighed. ¡°He holds himself together just enough to keep his empire from collapsing. Every time he wields that damned magic, it tears him apart piece by piece.¡±


    ¡°What¡¯s his power, anyway?¡± Zeke asked.


    ¡°Stop,¡± Fredric abruptly commanded, cutting off their conversation. ¡°We¡¯re here,¡± he muttered, glancing at a cramped, shadowy alley. Its narrow walls made the space feel more like a tunnel than a proper passage.


    ¡°Here? Where exactly?¡± Zeke asked, scanning the claustrophobic path.


    The alley smelled of stale urine and gritty soot. Balconies of welded metal wires and polycarbonate sheets protruded overhead, forming an impromptu ceiling. In some spots, piles of trash lay stacked so high that it was impossible to see the ground beneath.


    Fredric stepped in without hesitation, and Zeke followed, tensing under the alley¡¯s oppressive air. ¡°Where are we going?¡± Zeke asked, his tone betraying a slight tremor.


    He picked his way over heaps of garbage, each step cautious to avoid sinking into the mounds of refuse. Now and then, a small scrabbling noise told him that something alive skittered beneath the trash.


    ¡°Don¡¯t worry. He knows we¡¯re coming. They won¡¯t attack,¡± Fredric remarked, seeming amused by Zeke¡¯s unease.Support creative writers by reading their stories on Royal Road, not stolen versions.


    ¡°Who is ¡®they¡¯?¡± Zeke asked warily.


    ¡°The rats,¡± Fredric replied, lifting his gaze toward the polycarbonate rooftops.


    Zeke followed his line of sight. There, perched on the makeshift ceiling, were large, bald rats with six legs and eerie bloodshot eyes. Many dozens of them loomed overhead, each pair of eyes tracking the duo¡¯s every move like silent sentinels.


    ¡°Fredric, enough already. Where are we going?¡± Zeke demanded, tension coursing through his voice.


    Fredric turned around slowly, his silhouette lit by a faint overhead bulb. ¡°To see the weaponsmith,¡± he said, causing Zeke¡¯s breath to catch.


    ¡°All right,¡± Zeke responded, hustling closer to Fredric.


    They advanced deeper until they discovered a wide circular lid, battered and intentionally rusted. Zeke noticed it was deceptively high-tech¡ªsomething one might find in the safer parts of Lower Babel, not rotting in an Undercity alley.


    Fredric rapped the lid with his fist, leaving a slight dent. ¡°Open up, you old bastard! I know you¡¯ve been watching,¡± he shouted, frustration clear.


    No immediate reply came. Fredric glanced sideways at Zeke. ¡°He¡¯s ignoring me, huh?¡± he snickered. ¡°Guess I¡¯ll bust it open,¡± he murmured excitedly.


    ¡°Maybe he¡¯s not here,¡± Fredric mused, then spun around and lashed out with a harsh kick that left a deeper dent on the metal door.


    ¡°Stoooooop!¡± a voice yelled through a hidden speaker.


    ¡°Ah, you hear that? The smelly-ass, fuck-head-of-a-hermit is home,¡± Fredric hollered mockingly.


    ¡°Who the fuck are you, you peroxide bimbo stripper in a male body?¡± a ragged voice blared from the speaker.


    Fredric applauded sarcastically. ¡°Go ahead, turn the volume up. Maybe they¡¯ll hear us in Upper Babel,¡± he sniped.


    ¡°Fuck you,¡± the voice retorted.


    ¡°Open the door,¡± Fredric said, leaning against the metal with a mocking, seductive gesture.


    ¡°No!¡± the voice snapped back.


    ¡°I¡¯m with the new guardian of District 7,¡± Fredric whispered.


    ¡°Oh,¡± the voice stammered.


    In a flash, the circular lid split open, its mechanical segments rotating like clockwork.


    ¡°Why didn¡¯t you say so,¡± the voice sighed.


    ¡°You didn¡¯t ask,¡± Fredric muttered under his breath, stepping in alongside Zeke as the door parted. They continued along a short passage until they reached a well-lit square chamber.


    ¡°We¡¯re here!¡± Fredric shouted.


    ¡°Patience! Shutting down my security system isn¡¯t so easy,¡± the voice grumbled, sounding clearer now. Fredric huffed, tapping one foot restlessly. As a second set of doors parted, a spotless white facility awaited them inside, separated by at least ten more security doors that hissed open in sequence. At last, a balding old man in a lab coat stood at the far end.


    ¡°So you arrived,¡± he said in a tired, raspy tone. ¡°Hello. You must be the new guardian of District 7,¡± he greeted, barely acknowledging Fredric while extending a hand to Zeke.


    ¡°I¡¯m not sure,¡± Zeke answered bluntly.


    ¡°Give it to him,¡± Fredric whispered, prompting Zeke.


    ¡°What?¡± Zeke asked, puzzled.


    ¡°The sword, obviously,¡± Fredric clarified.


    ¡°Oh.¡± Zeke produced a broken sword from his back pocket.


    The old man¡¯s eyes bulged at the sight. He grabbed it from Zeke¡¯s hand, flung off his lab coat, and unbuttoned his shirt, leaving only a white sleeveless undershirt. He slid the damaged blade into a sophisticated contraption that hummed softly. Zeke followed him into an adjoining workshop: a bright, immaculate space brimming with monitors, advanced machinery, and overhead turrets. The scientist donned a device resembling a monocle over his left eye, scrutinizing every inch of the broken sword, rotating it within his apparatus.


    ¡°Do you have any idea what you just handed me?!¡± the scientist barked.


    ¡°Well, he didn¡¯t really hand it to you,¡± Fredric drawled, removing his mask. ¡°You snatched it and dashed off, half-naked like some twisted pervert. Also¡ªcould you fix this?¡± he asked, offering the mask.


    The old man squinted. ¡°Just pick a spare from the upstairs locker,¡± he mumbled. ¡°Anyway, I¡¯m Professor Cassimyr Bertold, District 7¡¯s weaponsmith.¡±


    ¡°He doesn¡¯t look like much,¡± Fredric remarked, ¡°but trust me, he¡¯s legit. Customized that mask of yours, and he¡¯s the guy who makes weapons for me, Nolan, and even the Contractor King.¡±


    ¡°But why need weapons if you have your souls?¡± Zeke asked, clearly lost.


    ¡°Using your soul can be risky,¡± Cassimyr explained. ¡°Sometimes you¡¯d rather keep that power hidden, so you rely on a weapon that matches your soul¡¯s strength. But that¡¯s not the issue here. Do you realize what this broken sword is?¡±


    ¡°A broken sword?¡± Zeke echoed blankly.


    ¡°A dragon¡¯s will,¡± Fredric interjected. ¡°Legend says each dragon has a powerful desire, a wish so strong it manifests as a physical object with the potential to fulfill it.¡±


    ¡°So that sword was¡­¡± Zeke began, processing his thoughts.


    ¡°Yes, the dragon wanted someone to kill it,¡± Fredric elaborated. ¡°Normally, a dragon¡¯s will is unbreakable¡ªunless the dragon¡¯s wish changes.¡± He paused. ¡°Professor, can you ensure nobody else hears this?¡±


    ¡°Sure,¡± Cassimyr said, pulling a remote from his pocket and pressing a button. A large globe descended from the ceiling, spinning in a peculiar pattern.


    ¡°All clear, no interference,¡± he announced.


    Fredric exhaled. ¡°Right. Here¡¯s the truth: you were never supposed to kill that dragon. It was an impossible task to make you give up, to show you certain deeds can¡¯t be done. But you refused to stop. You fought until you obtained that blade, struggling to match the beast on equal footing. I sensed something else: that dragon canceled my magic, but it also recognized your perseverance. It shifted its desire from wanting to die to wanting you to grow.¡±


    ¡°You¡¯re the one who achieved the impossible, claiming the Cradle of Fools and becoming a guardian of the Undercity. District 7 is now in your hands¡ªwhether it rots or thrives depends on you,¡± Fredric finished, staring momentarily at the polished floor.


    ¡°I don¡¯t want to be a guardian,¡± Zeke said, sounding stricken. ¡°I just want to go home.¡±


    ¡°You don¡¯t really have that choice,¡± Cassimyr answered, matter-of-fact. ¡°The King¡¯s command is absolute.¡±


    ¡°How do I get back?¡± Zeke demanded, anxiety tightening his voice.


    ¡°You¡¯ll have to beat him like you beat that dragon,¡± Fredric concluded with a faint, knowing smile.

 Chapter 34: Alter-ego

    ¡°So where are we going next?¡± Zeke asked Fredric as they walked the streets of the Undercity. Some time had already passed, and it was now 10 AM, a point in the day when most residents headed out to work. The rhythmic hum of machinery in the background underscored the city¡¯s restless nature¡ªa constant churn of gears, vents, and overhead pipes that fed the claustrophobic air.


    The two traversed streets that pulsed with purposeful activity. Men dressed in tailored suits darted here and there, clutching sleek briefcases as though their lives depended on it. Groups of tired workers, their faces numb with routine, trudged to remote destinations. Everywhere Zeke looked, blank and weary expressions filled the streets, suggesting a shared inevitability overshadowing them all.


    ¡°We¡¯re about to get you some work,¡± Fredric replied, leading Zeke past a series of kiosks loaded with cheap electronics and pungent street food. Occasional neon signs flickered overhead, struggling to outshine the artificial daylight.


    ¡°Work?¡± Zeke echoed, adjusting his mask and glancing at a distant security drone buzzing past.


    ¡°Oh, you didn¡¯t think it was all going to be sunshine and rainbows, did you?¡± Fredric said, his tone rife with mockery. A trace of amusement glinted in his eyes as he kept walking.


    ¡°I had my hopes up for nothing,¡± Zeke muttered, stepping around a cluster of office employees who barely acknowledged his presence.


    ¡°By the way, does us wearing these masks in a crowd full of suits not attract attention?¡± Zeke asked, lowering his voice as he surveyed the passersby, all seemingly determined to ignore him.


    ¡°Oh, they simply know who we are,¡± Fredric responded matter-of-factly, ¡°so they keep their distance.¡±


    ¡°They know about me?¡± Zeke asked, visibly puzzled. He couldn¡¯t recall having done anything especially public in the Undercity aside from fighting Ludwig.


    Fredric gave a silent nod. He paused briefly to let a group of frantic workers shuffle by, then continued, ¡°News spreads quickly here in the Undercity, and besides¡­¡± He trailed off, letting the words hang as if not wanting to finish.


    ¡°Besides what?¡± Zeke urged, growing frustrated with the vagueness.


    ¡°This is Ludwig¡¯s old turf,¡± Fredric revealed, a noticeable grin behind his mask. He gestured toward an odd bar that looked out of place in such a busy district, an older building that seemed to repel the glossy modernization around it.


    Its facade included several large windows, all apparently filled in with bricks and poorly concealed under black paint. Between the barred windows sat a rickety wooden door. Above it, a neon sign shaped like a pistol flashed feebly, reading ¡°Gun-barrel.¡±


    They made their way inside, pushing the door open to a thick haze of smoke reeking of burnt tobacco and the acrid bite of gunpowder. The interior¡¯s grimy atmosphere loomed around them like a physical presence. Many patrons sported illegal weapon implants that glinted under weak interior lighting, or so many cybernetic modifications that they scarcely resembled normal humans. Cyborgs with red eyes scrolled through contraband data, while some half-conscious men sprawled under the tables, presumably overdosed on demonic stimulants or cheap chemical enhancers.


    Zeke inhaled, taking in the stale air that reeked of violence and desperation. As he exhaled, his gaze hardened, shifting from the uncertain boy who had once stumbled around the Lower City to a creature who clearly felt more at home with confrontation.


    At the bar¡¯s center stood a long countertop of gilded marble, out of place amid the squalor. Behind it was an elderly, gray-haired woman dressed in a black vest over a crumpled dress shirt, sleeves rolled up. Her hair was pulled back in a ponytail, with stray strands curling about her temples. Latex gloves covered her hands, though red splotches peeked from under the cuffs. Her worn face suggested an existence perpetually on the brink of exhaustion.


    Fredric approached, resting his palm on the smooth, golden surface of the bar. Next to him, a hulking man with messy black hair gave them both a cursory glance. In that look, Zeke sensed silent acknowledgment between the two men¡ªa simple recognition that neither needed to test the other¡¯s patience right now.


    ¡°Calisto,¡± Fredric whispered to the bartender, sliding his mask briefly off his face so she could see it was him.


    ¡°Oh hi,¡± the bartender replied warmly, placing both hands on the counter with a deliberate, slow movement. ¡°What brings you around these parts?¡± she asked, her tone softly resonating above the bar¡¯s cacophony.Unauthorized usage: this narrative is on Amazon without the author''s consent. Report any sightings.


    ¡°I¡¯ve come to introduce you to your new guardian,¡± Fredric said, gesturing to Zeke.


    ¡°Is that him?¡± the bartender asked, a look of sorrow flickering in her tired eyes.


    ¡°Yeah,¡± Fredric smirked. ¡°This here is the one who¡¯ll help you run District 7. Calisto, manager of District 7, as well as the owner of this Gun-barrel. Gun-barrel is basically an info agency that you manage and maintain. This bar¡¯s in every district of the Undercity and even in parts of Lower Babel. Each Gun-barrel has a bartender who reports to you, and you compile all that intel for the King.¡±


    Zeke stepped up, leaning onto the bar with an impassive stance. ¡°It¡¯s nice to meet you,¡± he said in a monotone voice.


    ¡°Frail and lousy,¡± the large man beside them commented, speaking in a gruff undertone that made Zeke stiffen.


    ¡°Huh?¡± Zeke growled, turning a cold stare on him. ¡°Who is that?¡± he asked Calisto.


    ¡°Boar,¡± Calisto answered, ¡°he¡¯s¡ª¡± She attempted to introduce him, but the man cut in.


    ¡°One of Ludwig¡¯s men?¡± Zeke asked, his eyes narrowing as if recollecting past incidents.


    ¡°That¡¯s right,¡± Calisto nodded. ¡°He¡¯s been a fixture here for a while.¡±


    ¡°How¡¯d you know?¡± Fredric asked, tilting his head.


    ¡°Oh? I just figured that someone as brazen as him must be used to getting away with nonsense. After dealing with Ludwig, I know he was the type who saw raw strength as everything. So I assumed this must be his subordinate. Plus, he¡¯s decked out in military pants and a Kevlar vest¡ªhe looks like an enforcer,¡± Zeke explained, rubbing his chin thoughtfully.


    ¡°I¡¯m a gangster, kid,¡± Boar said, leaning down so his face loomed over Zeke¡¯s mask. ¡°I don¡¯t know who you think you are, but don¡¯t expect to do whatever the hell you want in my turf.¡±


    ¡°A gangster, is it?¡± Zeke replied icily. ¡°Then you should know there can¡¯t be any gangs in my territory. Either disband your crew or move out of District 7.¡±


    ¡°No,¡± Boar snarled, standing up from his stool, now towering ominously above Zeke.


    Zeke rolled his shoulders and cracked his knuckles. ¡°You¡¯re beginning to piss me off. I think it¡¯s time I educated you, so we can have a conversation on equal footing.¡±


    ¡°Educate me?¡± Boar retorted with scorn. ¡°That¡¯s real convincing coming from someone who couldn¡¯t even get a contract on his own. The rumors say you only won the cradle of fools because you sneaked around while the stronger contenders took each other out, Prowler.¡±


    He spoke loud enough to catch the attention of every occupant in the bar. Zeke noticed that masked figures now surrounded him and Fredric, forming a circle of silent threat. Zeke stole a glance at Fredric, feeling a moment of anxiety, but Fredric responded with a calm nod. Zeke¡¯s tension faded, giving way to a disconcerting stillness.


    ¡°They say comparing a contractor¡¯s strength to that of an ordinary human is like comparing an adult to a child physically,¡± Zeke stated, edging closer to Boar with a voice that sounded oddly calm. ¡°But even if that¡¯s true, are you saying a child can¡¯t ever defeat an adult? Like Tom Sawyer besting Injun Joe¡ªsome might call that impossible, but I don¡¯t think so. So how about you back off, unless you want to starve in a cave.¡± He slipped both hands into his pockets, turning his head so that only his eye stared out from behind the mask. ¡°Trust me, I¡¯m by no means a defenseless child.¡±


    Right when he finished talking, Boar unleashed a savage right hook. Zeke quickly twisted away, letting the punch graze past.


    ¡°Prowler or not, I¡¯ve already become a contractor,¡± Zeke said. Then, moving almost too fast to follow, he produced a short jet-black blade from his pocket. With a fluid motion, he lodged the blade into Boar¡¯s forearm and released it. Lowering his stance, Zeke spun and slashed another small knife across the inside of Boar¡¯s knee.


    Boar collapsed, stunned and confused, apparently unable to register how someone smaller had disarmed him so handily. Zeke approached him, ignoring the onlookers.


    ¡°Are you a bit too weak to be talking all that trash?¡± Zeke asked, a sliver of mockery in his voice. ¡°Was it all bravado, or do you have something else in mind?¡±


    Boar¡¯s face twisted in agony, sweat beading at his brow. ¡°I invo¡ª¡± he began, maybe trying to invoke his soul¡¯s power.


    Zeke struck again, stabbing a blade directly into Boar¡¯s tongue before he could finish a word. The knife lodged between Boar¡¯s teeth with a sickening thrust.


    ¡°Smart plan,¡± Zeke muttered darkly, ¡°trying to compensate for the skill gap by calling on your contract power. Seeing as I only recently became a contractor, you assumed I¡¯d be powerless if you unleashed that magic.¡± He tilted the blade, pressing it against the roof of Boar¡¯s mouth. ¡°But you obviously didn¡¯t think about the fact that you can¡¯t safely do an invocation if your enemy doesn¡¯t let you. You and Ludwig have that same flaw¡ªno ability to see the bigger picture.¡±


    Zeke seized Boar by the throat, pulling him closer until their faces nearly touched. ¡°Did you really think the Contractor King would give me a contract if I was weak?¡± he growled, his eyes a menacing red. ¡°Even as a normal person, I¡¯d have beaten you.¡± He slipped the knife free of Boar¡¯s mouth, leaving the gangster trembling and bleeding.


    ¡°Listen, piglet¡­¡± Zeke hesitated. ¡°No, that¡¯s not quite right,¡± he mumbled. ¡°Hear this, anyone who doubts my competence,¡± he said, raising his voice so everyone inside the bar could hear. ¡°I am known as the Prowler. Let this be your first and final warning. If any of you disrespect or attack me, or threaten my district, I¡¯ll cut out your tongues,¡± he proclaimed, staring Boar down with unyielding focus.

 Chapter 35: Cradle

    ¡°Well done,¡± Fredric said, slowly clapping his hands. ¡°Quite a show you put on. But are you certain that much was necessary?¡± he asked.


    ¡°Yes,¡± Zeke replied. ¡°That man was a thug, a criminal, an abuser, and a killer. Those types only speak one language, with threats for letters and strikes for symbols. There is no authority that they respect above power. And now I have shown them mine,¡± Zeke retorted, leaning on the bar, lacing his fingers together in front of his face.


    ¡°Most impressive,¡± Calisto remarked. ¡°Boar has a reputation for being quite a sturdy combatant. If I hadn¡¯t seen it with my own eyes, I never would have believed that a freshly minted contractor could beat someone like that,¡± she added, wiping her glass in a steady rhythm.


    Fredric laughed. ¡°You know, he could¡¯ve handled Boar even if he wasn¡¯t a contractor.¡± Leaning in toward Calisto, he whispered, ¡°What you witnessed was an example of what happens when a human as talented as that becomes one.¡± As he locked eyes with her, his gaze was so cold it sent a shiver through her entire body. Though she couldn¡¯t explain it, she knew: in that instant, Fredric was like a fox gazing upon a helpless rabbit. His hunger radiated outward, infecting her thoughts and making her shudder.


    ¡°Now,¡± Fredric cleared his throat, snapping himself and Calisto out of that unsettling moment. ¡°I think it¡¯s high time you explain to our little rookie how District 7 functions,¡± he said with a sigh.


    For a second, Calisto appeared confused, almost disoriented, before quickly regaining her composure.


    ¡°Right,¡± Calisto began, clearing her throat. ¡°As you might have already noticed, the Undercity is a hotbed of industry¡ªprimarily farming and ore extraction. The city depends heavily on corporations based here. In fact, these corporations are the main reason why the Undercity is so densely populated. The odds are, if you see a product on a shelf in Lower Babel, it was either produced here or had components sourced from here.¡±


    ¡°And yet, nobody up top even suspects the Undercity exists,¡± Zeke sighed, shaking his head in disapproval. ¡°It¡¯s treated like an urban legend, even though so many of their needs rely on it.¡±


    ¡°As long as they have comfort, food, and technology, those above ground rarely question where it all comes from,¡± Fredric explained.


    ¡°Isn¡¯t that sad?¡± Zeke wondered. ¡°Like caged animals, unaware of their own limits.¡±


    ¡°Us contractors are already caged animals,¡± Fredric remarked.


    ¡°What do you mean?¡± Zeke asked.


    ¡°Never mind¡ªit¡¯ll make sense to you in time,¡± Fredric replied, clasping his hands and stroking them gently, as if calming himself.


    Zeke shot him an annoyed look, his brow creasing in frustration.


    ¡°Let us continue, then,¡± Calisto interjected, steering the conversation back on track. ¡°There are five primary corporations ruling the Undercity: Koribon, Novatech, Heartmend, Nimid¡¯s, and Harvest. Koribon focuses on mining, heavy machinery, and vehicle production. If a factory¡¯s built, it probably uses Koribon equipment. They also handle firearms and weapon distribution. Novatech handles household electronics and computers. Practically any new technology that appears usually goes through Novatech in some form. They produce Knight equipment, too. Heartmend deals with pharmaceutical products and drugs. Harvest is about livestock and food, housing many smaller companies under its umbrella. It functions more like a trade union or regulatory body than a typical corporation. Nimid¡¯s is an expansive conglomerate dabbling in everything from resource harvesting to medicine, but its primary revenue streams come from banking and information services,¡± Calisto explained.


    ¡°That¡¯s all interesting, but why do I need to know this to oversee District 7?¡± Zeke asked.


    ¡°Because,¡± Fredric mumbled, ¡°District 7 is the hub for all these corporations. Most of their executives live here, and major logistics get coordinated here.¡±Support the author by searching for the original publication of this novel.


    ¡°And it¡¯s not only corporations,¡± Calisto added. ¡°Gangs also shape how these businesses interact, often serving as private armies the corporations employ for leverage.¡±


    ¡°A shame,¡± Zeke sighed. ¡°So down here, it¡¯s basically the same as above¡ªminus the self-righteous posturing. Gangs, corporations, militias: they¡¯re all trying to outdo each other in violence. I find it sickening.¡± He clenched his fist. ¡°The nauseating sight of mothers and children crying, hungry and abandoned. The world placed them here, then ignored them. I don¡¯t see any reason to hold back, so let me say it clearly,¡± he declared, standing and glaring toward the far corner of the pub. ¡°From the moment I take over, there will be no gangs left in District 7,¡± he shouted, then strode away from the bar, his expression fixed.


    ¡°So, what do you think?¡± Fredric asked, and though his face was partially obscured by his mask, his voice carried a hint of a smirk.


    ¡°He¡¯s better than I expected,¡± Calisto muttered, wearing an unnaturally rigid smile that looked almost plastic.


    Zeke kept walking, eyes locked on two figures seated at a table in the dimmest corner of the place. He recognized them immediately: two former enemies and contestants in the Cradle of Fools tournament¡ªAntonio and Hanna.


    ¡°Look who it is,¡± Hanna said, noticing Zeke as he neared.


    Antonio glanced up, pupils dilating. For a split second, he thought he saw Haze standing there. But it was just his mind playing tricks. Instead, he saw someone he had recently viewed as an enemy, wearing his parents¡¯ mask.


    ¡°Where did you get that?¡± Antonio growled at Zeke.


    ¡°I wonder,¡± Zeke replied in a cold, robotic voice, glaring back at him.


    ¡°Give¡­ give it back,¡± Antonio stammered.


    ¡°I will not,¡± Zeke said flatly, staring down at both of them.


    Antonio tried to lunge, but before he could stand, Hanna grabbed his shoulder and whispered, ¡°Not here, not now.¡±


    She studied Zeke, scanning him from head to toe.


    ¡°Besides, can¡¯t you tell?¡± she asked, easing Antonio back into his seat. ¡°He¡¯s become terribly troublesome.¡±


    ¡°Troublesome,¡± Zeke repeated, pausing in thought. ¡°How disappointing that you see me like that.¡±


    ¡°Why? Would you rather kill us?¡± Antonio asked.


    ¡°No, I don¡¯t hold any grudge against you,¡± Zeke said.


    ¡°That¡¯s a surprise!¡± Hanna piped up with a smile. ¡°Even though we never really talked, you always seemed the vengeful type. And sure, the two of us didn¡¯t directly kill your friends, but we definitely helped bring about their deaths.¡±


    ¡°None of that matters now,¡± Zeke murmured, eyes tinged with sadness.


    ¡°How so?¡± Hanna inquired.


    ¡°Because, no matter how many times I tell myself some arbitrary revenge will fix everything, I know it won¡¯t,¡± Zeke groaned. His voice grew heavy, his gaze turning cold and emotionless.


    ¡°Well, how can you know?¡± Hanna teased with a flirtatious undertone. ¡°I¡¯m sure it¡¯d make sense in your twisted logic¡ªor does it have something to do with Ludwig?¡± She smirked, leaning toward him.


    Zeke backed up a bit.


    ¡°It does,¡± he said, eyes briefly drifting to the bar¡¯s exit.


    ¡°Did you really¡­¡± Antonio muttered, ¡°kill him?¡±


    ¡°No,¡± Zeke replied, smiling faintly with his eyes. ¡°But I took my useless revenge more than once,¡± he added, his fist unwittingly clenching.


    He looked at the door again, and for an instant, it felt like someone walked in¡ªmessy, outgrown, faded-blue hair wafting in a nonexistent breeze. Yet that, too, was nothing but another empty mirage. The ghost of regret pulled at him, gnawing at his heart with relentless force.


    ¡°So¡­ what next?¡± Hanna asked, her smirk faltering. As she lifted her gaze to Zeke, her face showed worry, as though he were a wild beast unpredictable enough to snap at any moment.


    ¡°Nothing,¡± he said, sorrow darkening his eyes as he gazed at Hanna with a broken, exhausted look overflowing with hatred and self-loathing.


    ¡°Don¡¯t pretend to be a sheep, wolf!¡± Antonio hollered, jumping to his feet and drawing the attention of onlookers nearby. ¡°It won¡¯t take you long to get over this, and when you do, you¡¯ll go back to killing without a thought, like the monster you are!¡± he yelled. ¡°I see it in your eyes¡ªeven now¡ªa savage brutality only briefly held in check by guilt and pity,¡± he growled. ¡°So cut the bullshit and give me that mask.¡±


    ¡°You might be right,¡± Zeke admitted softly, ¡°yet I don¡¯t want to be a monster. I¡¯d rather be a hero, on my own terms. And so I¡¯ve decided I will no longer treat human lives as disposable. I¡¯ll value them and let them grow, even if their owners don¡¯t,¡± Zeke said quietly, staring back at Antonio¡¯s rage-filled eyes.


    ¡°And about the mask,¡± Zeke continued, gripping it in his hands. ¡°I can¡¯t give this to you. But I will give you something else.¡± Stepping closer, he leaned near Antonio¡¯s ear. ¡°Your master still lives,¡± he whispered.


    He backed off, leaving Antonio standing numbly, a single tear plopping onto the grimy floor.


    ¡°What now?¡± Zeke asked.


    ¡°I¡¯m not sure; it¡¯s not like we can just leave,¡± Hanna answered.


    ¡°You should stick around in District 7,¡± Zeke suggested.


    ¡°Oh?! And why would we do that?¡± she asked.


    ¡°Haven¡¯t you heard? I¡¯m the new boss,¡± Zeke said, walking back toward the counter. ¡°I¡¯m sure you¡¯ll love what I do with the place.¡±

 Chapter 36: Wandering stranger

    Isaac Witz was no coward. Yet even he trembled while making his way through a series of dark, maze-like tunnels he had stumbled upon. In the streets, he heard a rumor¡ªan unlikely tale of an entrance leading into the notorious Undercity. Being a contractor of some growing reputation, Isaac resolved to investigate.


    The entrance lay beneath a bridge, hidden by a rusty manhole that, in theory, granted access to heating and water systems in need of repair. But instead of leading him to a tangle of pipes, the hatch took Isaac into a bizarre, dark tunnel. Glancing up at the ceiling he had just dropped from minutes earlier, he realized the manhole had vanished behind him, leaving only one direction to go: forward, deeper into unknown darkness.


    Isaac had come prepared. Predicting a scenario like this, he carried a week¡¯s worth of food, two flashlights, and extra batteries. But soon after descending, he checked his phone¡ªonly to find that it had powered off the moment he entered the cavern. The same happened with both flashlights. No matter how he tried to fix them, they remained dead.


    He wandered alone in total blackness for three days. Without light or external sound, Isaac¡¯s senses dulled, his mind clouded by the unchanging stone walls around him. Eventually, though, he felt something soft crunch underfoot¡ªmoss, and plenty of it. Elation filled him; he hoped this meant an exit from the damned tunnels.


    Gradually, faint noises began to register: small tremors, the gurgle of running water, and the distinct echo of human voices. Those tiny hints roused a spark of joy in Isaac, who mustered his last reserves of strength to run, pressing on until, abruptly, the world lit up around him.


    Emerging from an old passage, Isaac squinted under the flicker of a malfunctioning lamp¡ªhis eyes not yet adjusted to the harsh light. As his vision settled, a mesmerizing view met him: an underground city built atop the skeletal remains of sunken skyscrapers.


    He stood there in awe, a tall young man in his early twenties with long brown hair tied in a ponytail, his dyed-blonde tips streaked here and there with neon-green strands. His tan complexion suggested Middle Eastern heritage, and his sharp facial features drew attention. He wore black boots, cargo pants, a black tank top, and a dark-red bomber jacket, while multiple piercings and bits of jewelry caught the artificial glow in glints of reflected light.


    ¡°I finally made it,¡± Isaac thought, gazing upon the sprawling metropolis unfurling before him. As his eyes adapted, he glanced behind to see that he¡¯d emerged from what looked like a metal pipe¡ªyet inside, it had in no way resembled a mere pipe, contradicting the cave-like nightmare he had just endured.


    A single, flickering lamppost stood nearby, and perched atop it was a hooded figure. The man wore a ragged black shroud held together by haphazard stitches, revealing a muscular build. A sleek black mask concealed the lower part of his face.


    ¡°Yo,¡± the figure said in a robotic tone, sending a chill along Isaac¡¯s spine.


    ¡°Who are you?¡± Isaac demanded, reflexively shifting into a combative stance.


    ¡°They call me,¡± the figure paused, ¡°Prowler,¡± he stated, remaining almost entirely motionless.


    Isaac instinctively began backing away, inching toward the tunnel behind him. ¡°That¡¯s not gonna work,¡± Prowler murmured.


    ¡°Why?¡± Isaac asked, pulse quickening.


    ¡°I cannot say. But believe me, it won¡¯t,¡± Prowler replied, clearing his throat before leaping down from the lamppost. Immediately, the lamp kicked back to life in a steady glow. ¡°We best be going,¡± he said, looking toward the city.


    ¡°Where?¡± Isaac asked, more guarded than ever.


    ¡°Where else¡ªbefore the King,¡± Prowler answered, locking eyes with Isaac. In that single glance, Isaac sensed how formidable the masked man must be, though he couldn¡¯t put his finger on why Prowler¡¯s presence rattled him so deeply.


    ¡°Fine,¡± Isaac replied, stepping closer.


    They set off into the city. Isaac marveled at the bustle of the legendary Undercity, once thought mere rumor. He saw well-lit streets and swarms of buildings, some reconstructed, others integrated with modern floors and makeshift bridges. The entire district pulsed with a gritty life.A case of theft: this story is not rightfully on Amazon; if you spot it, report the violation.


    ¡°Where the hell are we?¡± Isaac accidentally said aloud.


    ¡°District 7, my domain,¡± Prowler stated flatly.


    ¡°What do you mean by that?¡± Isaac asked.


    ¡°In the Undercity, each district has a designated guard. This one is mine,¡± Prowler explained. ¡°It¡¯s a splendid place run by gangs and corporations. Ever since I rose to power, it¡¯s grown more restless, but time changes everything. Eventually, District 7 will outshine the rest.¡±


    ¡°Yeah, right. How do you plan on doing that?¡± Isaac taunted with a grin, hoping to provoke the masked figure.


    ¡°Oh?¡± Prowler turned his head. ¡°I¡¯m going to beat every gangster,¡± he said, smiling with his eyes.


    Before long, they arrived at the Contractor King¡¯s chapel. ¡°Bigger on the inside,¡± Isaac muttered, appearing underwhelmed as they ventured indoors.


    There, perched upon a golden throne in the center of the room, the Contractor King reclined in a slouched pose. ¡°Your posture doesn¡¯t suit a king,¡± Zeke remarked while entering, removing his mask. Isaac¡¯s face twitched with unease¡ªhe hadn¡¯t expected the Prowler to reveal himself so casually.


    ¡°I¡¯m only a king by name,¡± the Contractor King answered. ¡°If people weren¡¯t so obsessed with royalty, I might have called myself something else,¡± he continued with a faint smile.


    ¡°Hard to imagine you as something like ¡®contractor boss¡¯ or ¡®contract dealer,¡¯¡± Zeke quipped, drawing nearer. ¡°I salute you, King,¡± he said, bending one knee.


    ¡°Good! Looks like you¡¯ve finally picked up on protocol,¡± the King chuckled, leaning forward to rest his chin on his right hand.


    ¡°Condescending prick,¡± Zeke muttered under his breath.


    ¡°What was that?¡± the King asked in amused tones.


    Zeke rose, ignoring the query. ¡°I brought you the trespasser like you wanted. May I leave now?¡± he asked with a resigned sigh.


    ¡°Oh, you¡¯d abandon me here without a guard? How heartless,¡± the King teased.


    Turning his attention to Isaac, the King said, ¡°And you¡ªwhat led you to the Undercity?¡± He sounded lethargic, though there was a commanding edge beneath.


    Isaac, without hesitation, stepped forward and dropped to one knee. ¡°I greet the King.¡±


    ¡°How courteous,¡± the King responded, his smirk broadening. ¡°Now answer me,¡± he demanded, voice tinged with a sharper authority.


    ¡°I came because I want power,¡± Isaac stated, his head bowed.


    ¡°Seems you could learn from him,¡± the King told Zeke, mockingly.


    ¡°You say bark, I bark,¡± Zeke replied, voice taut with annoyance. ¡°What else do you want?¡±


    ¡°Nothing! You¡¯re far more entertaining this way,¡± the King sneered.


    ¡°What¡¯s your name?¡± the King asked Isaac.


    ¡°Isaac Witz,¡± he said.


    ¡°Well, Isaac Witz, how do you suppose your little escapade will end?¡± the King asked, lacing his fingers in front of his face.


    ¡°You¡¯ll either fulfill my request, for something in return. Or¡­¡± Isaac paused.


    ¡°Or what?¡± the King prompted.


    ¡°Or you¡¯ll have Prowler kill me,¡± Isaac admitted, eyes fixed on Zeke.


    ¡°Smart kid,¡± the King mused, standing up. ¡°How about this: if you can hold your own against Prowler, I¡¯ll make you one of my faceless,¡± he announced, pacing calmly.


    ¡°A faceless?¡± Isaac echoed, slowly rising to his feet.


    ¡°They¡¯re my personal corps,¡± the King elaborated. ¡°Men and women who show up here willingly, surrendering their identities by wearing white masks. Most are ordinary humans, but some are contractors, like you. They serve me for three years; if they survive, I grant them a contract. A few of my guardians once served as faceless.¡± He paused. ¡°What do you think?¡±


    ¡°I don¡¯t have to win, right?¡± Isaac asked, casting a wary look at Zeke.


    ¡°No, and Zeke won¡¯t be using magic. You just have to hold out,¡± the King replied with a crooked grin.


    ¡°Fine,¡± Isaac said, steeling himself.


    Suddenly, with no warning, Isaac went hurtling face-first into the chapel wall. Gasping for breath, blood trickling from his nose and eyes, he realized Zeke had attacked him in the blink of an eye. The echo of Zeke¡¯s footfalls approached him in the background.


    ¡°To even try this,¡± Zeke murmured, replacing his mask so that his voice took on a robotic cast, ¡°when facing an unknown foe is beyond stupid.¡±


    Isaac wiped at his nose, shrugged off his jacket, and hurled himself at Zeke in desperation, mustering all his might. But Zeke barely hesitated, landing a blow across Isaac¡¯s face to disorient him and then sweeping his legs, causing him to crash to the floor.


    ¡°Enjoying this? Is he holding his own?¡± Zeke asked the King, frustration simmering.


    ¡°He¡¯s doing fairly well,¡± the King remarked, smirking as he watched.


    ¡°Blade,¡± Isaac whispered hoarsely, trying to summon magic.


    Sensing the tactic, Zeke ducked as a sonic clap reverberated, a razor-sharp blade of water swishing over Zeke¡¯s head, slicing off a single hair.


    ¡°Sly,¡± the King commented, eyeing Isaac, who lay collapsed and bloodied.


    ¡°And you still didn¡¯t secure a retreat,¡± Zeke said, stepping closer. ¡°You¡¯re a novice.¡±


    ¡°Bring him here,¡± the King demanded, conjuring a golden chain from his palm.


    Zeke looked at Isaac, making note of his terrified expression, his breath shallow and fast, his heart marched like a macabre drum beckoning the end of his life.


    ¡°How about you give him a chance?¡± Zeke signed, peering deep into the king¡¯s cold, sadistic gaze.

 Chapter 37: Negotiations flow part 1

    ¡°Do you remember where we¡¯re going?¡± Zeke asked.


    ¡°Some place called the Gunbarrel,¡± Isaac replied.


    ¡°What are we going there to do?¡± Zeke asked again.


    ¡°Meet some fella named Nolan,¡± Isaac answered.


    ¡°Why?¡± Zeke asked.


    ¡°How should I know? You never told me!¡± Isaac exclaimed.


    ¡°Good. I was just checking if you knew something you shouldn¡¯t have,¡± Zeke retorted, approaching a metal ladder.


    He climbed, reaching an old fire escape attached to the side of a building. Climbing the metal structure like he was an orangutan in a steel jungle, he moved his body weight gracefully upwards towards the top of the building.


    ¡°Hurry up!¡± he shouted to Isaac.


    Isaac shook his head. ¡°Jet,¡± he whispered as two jets of water shot out from his feet, propelling him up towards Zeke, who suddenly sped up his pace and scaled the walls of the building at an even faster rate, leaving Isaac behind. Isaac leaped up to the top, barely able to keep his composure, briefly kneeling down to catch his breath.


    ¡°Still using verbal incantations?¡± Zeke asked, peering into the distance.


    ¡°Yeah,¡± Isaac barely replied.


    ¡°You shouldn¡¯t,¡± Zeke snarled.


    Isaac frowned.


    ¡°You¡¯re one to talk. I¡¯ve never even seen you use magic,¡± Isaac angrily replied.


    ¡°Because I don¡¯t need to,¡± Zeke said, looking up towards the ceiling of the cave. ¡°You saw it not too long ago. How was it? The night sky¡ªwas it damp? Was the air chilly and the wind cold?¡± he asked with a strange longing.


    ¡°It¡¯s going to be winter soon, so yeah, the air has gotten pretty chilly recently.¡± Isaac paused. ¡°You really want to leave this place, don¡¯t you?¡±


    ¡°Very much so,¡± Zeke replied with a sorrowful expression.


    ¡°Then why save me? Aren¡¯t I a bother?¡± Isaac asked, visibly frustrated.


    ¡°I couldn¡¯t watch you get killed because of me, because that lunatic wanted to provoke me. I don¡¯t want to kill anyone anymore. I¡¯ve had enough. All I ever wanted was strength to defend the weak, to defend myself. And look what I got. I¡¯m trapped in this underground maze. I¡­ I really want to go home,¡± Zeke explained.


    ¡°Won¡¯t that be harder now that I¡¯m around?¡± Isaac wondered.


    ¡°Well, now I owe that asshole a favor. So, I guess getting out of here will take longer,¡± Zeke explained.


    ¡°But why not just leave, escape into the caves? I¡¯m sure out there no one would be able to find you,¡± Isaac asked.


    ¡°I tried. Didn¡¯t take him long to bring me back. This entire place is built like a magic pocket. Eventually, you reach a space where the fabric just keeps stretching without actually leading anywhere. When that happens, if you¡¯re important enough, the King himself comes and brings you back. And if not, one of the Guardians is alerted. This place is a perfect fortress. No one can get in or get out,¡± Zeke explained.Enjoying this book? Seek out the original to ensure the author gets credit.


    ¡°Well, I got in,¡± Isaac said, visibly surprised.


    ¡°Yes, as you know, the city has a lot of export. Simply put, whenever someone or something has to leave or enter the city, a tunnel of sorts is created. A magical space made for the purpose of transportation. Its length and shape depend entirely on the reference point above ground and only those selected can enter it on this side,¡± Zeke smiled. ¡°However, the same cannot be said for those entering from the outside,¡± he explained.


    ¡°Okay, but how do you get permission to leave?¡± Isaac wondered.


    ¡°Get on that shithead¡¯s good side. Part of my deal is to do something amazing without using magic.¡± Zeke sighed.


    ¡°Well, let¡¯s get you out of here then,¡± Isaac stood up straight.


    ¡°Let¡¯s,¡± Zeke replied, leaping across to an adjacent rooftop. ¡°Come,¡± he waved to Isaac.


    ¡°Oh god, this shit again,¡± Isaac shook his head and closed his eyes. ¡°Jet,¡± he whispered, launching himself across the roof.


    The two traveled, leaping across rooftops until eventually, they reached the Gunbarrel.


    ¡°Welcome back!¡± Calisto greeted Zeke and Isaac as they entered the bar.


    ¡°Any news from Bertold? Did he tell you when he will finally have my weapon?¡± Zeke asked.


    ¡°Oh, you know him, he said it¡¯s ready when it¡¯s ready,¡± Calisto replied. ¡°But who¡¯s this?¡± she asked with an intrigued expression.


    ¡°My new subordinate,¡± Zeke replied, visibly frustrated.


    ¡°Nice to meet you,¡± Isaac said to Calisto.


    ¡°Likewise,¡± she smiled warmly.


    ¡°Is everyone here?¡± Zeke asked, leaning over the bar counter.


    ¡°Yes, Mister Nolan just arrived. And the other two have been waiting for about 30 minutes now,¡± Calisto explained.


    ¡°All right,¡± Zeke said, hopping over the bar, coming into the back room. Isaac anxiously followed, opting to go around instead.


    The back room appeared completely renovated, clad in marble and expensive stone, with a glass table in the middle. Four people were seated on two of the eight couches positioned around the table.


    ¡°My boy! How have you been?!¡± Nolan shouted, leaping up immediately after seeing Zeke arrive.


    ¡°I¡¯m doing relatively good. How was the wedding?¡± Zeke asked.


    ¡°Ahh, the wedding,¡± Nolan pulled a cigar out of his pocket and clipped off the tip, ¡°Well, it was nice and all,¡± he mumbled.


    ¡°He botched his speech, got drunk, and embarrassed himself in front of the groom¡¯s entire family,¡± Fox explained.


    ¡°Shut up! None of that¡¯s true! I didn¡¯t botch shit! But those prissy, stuck-up bastards think they¡¯re so much better than me. ¡®Look at us. We were rich all our lives.¡¯ If not for my gentle daughter, I would have skinned them alive!¡± Nolan lit his cigar, visibly frustrated.


    ¡°Who¡¯s that beside you?¡± Hanna asked, leaning on Antonio¡¯s shoulder.


    ¡°His name, Number 73. He is your new colleague,¡± Zeke replied. ¡°The woman there is 71 and the man 72. Together, the three of you make up the Three Faceless of District 7,¡± he explained.


    ¡°You took on a pup!¡± Nolan retorted while intensely looking over at Isaac. ¡°However, this one looks awfully sickly. Are you sure this was the right call?¡±


    ¡°Only time will tell,¡± Zeke replied with a smirk.


    ¡°Damn right it will,¡± Nolan laughed, placing his hand on Zeke¡¯s shoulder. ¡°I heard from our mutual acquaintance that you¡¯re going to meet Corp representatives,¡± Nolan said with an intrigued expression.


    ¡°It¡¯s why I called you here. They say you have a good relationship with Koribon,¡± Zeke replied.


    ¡°Me and their representative, Jason Del, have a working partnership. Why do you ask?¡± Nolan wondered.


    ¡°Because I plan on pushing a few buttons,¡± Zeke replied.


    Nolan¡¯s eyes widened.


    ¡°Buttons, you say?¡± he smirked. ¡°But why?¡±


    ¡°Have you seen the streets? People barely living, doing their best to survive within this stale cave. The Undercity is ruled by gangs¡ªvicious thugs using whatever means necessary to assert dominance,¡± Zeke clenched his fist. ¡°Without the funding of the corporations, the gangs would cease to have so much power.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m sure you¡¯re aware that once the gangs learn that the corporations are no longer paying them, it¡¯ll be an all-out war. So, what¡¯s your solution to that?¡± Nolan asked.


    ¡°They pay us,¡± Fox replied, stepping forward.


    ¡°So let me get this straight. You plan on starting an all-out war and, in the process, usurping control over the corporations and gangs running rampant within the Undercity?¡± Nolan clarified.


    ¡°Yes,¡± Zeke replied.


    ¡°Perfect,¡± Nolan cleared his throat. ¡°I¡¯ll support you in whatever you need.¡±

 Chapter 37: Negotiations flow part 2

    Of all the buildings found within District 7, none could match the sheer scale and grandiose magnitude of the trade center standing at its core. A towering monolith of reflective glass and steel, it loomed over the surrounding structures like a silent colossus, its vast surface catching fragments of light that danced across its polished exterior. The structure cast an immense shadow, stretching in all directions as if swallowing the city beneath it.


    The ground floor featured four grand entrances, each leading into a vast lobby bustling with movement. The air was filled with the hushed murmur of executives in tailored suits and the rhythmic clicking of polished shoes against marble. A reception area and caf¨¦ catered to visitors, while towering glass elevators lined the walls, designed to transport guests to any of the 101 upper floors.


    Originally, the building had been a hub where industry representatives gathered to negotiate, trade, and establish lucrative agreements. But over time, as industries fell under the grip of the five mega-corporations, the trade center became less of a neutral ground and more of a battlefield of influence. Corporations now competed not with contracts and deals, but through dominance over the very structure itself. Floors 2 through 101 were no longer offices of independent trade but instead prime real estate constantly bought, sold, and fought over. The higher the floor, the greater the status. Only floor 102 stood apart¡ªreserved exclusively for the most elite meetings, its access restricted to those who dictated the very foundations of power within the district.


    Zeke, Nolan, Fredric, Antonio, Hanna, and Isaac stepped inside the trade center, their presence drawing subtle glances from passing executives. Isaac trailed anxiously behind, his eyes scanning the towering glass ceilings and immaculate d¨¦cor. Zeke and Nolan led the way with unwavering confidence, cutting through the sea of workers and bureaucrats with the assured strides of men who belonged. Fredric walked just behind them in stark contrast, his hands lazily folded behind his head, a leisurely swagger in his step. Antonio and Hanna followed closely, their movements precise and deliberate, their expressions betraying a quiet tension over what was to come.


    ¡°Good afternoon,¡± a receptionist greeted them as they approached.


    She was a tall, pale woman draped in a sleek, black ornamented suit. Her dark hair was pulled into a flawless bun, not a single strand out of place. Sharp features and piercing eyes lent her an air of quiet authority, as if she had long since learned to mask any reaction to the dealings of powerful men.


    ¡°Do you have an appointment with one of the five corporations?¡± she inquired.


    ¡°Yes,¡± Nolan replied, offering a wink.


    A faint flush of color dusted her cheeks, though her expression remained composed. Clearing her throat, she continued, ¡°Currently, of the 100 floors: 26 belong to Koribon, 23 to Novatech, 19 to Heartmend, 15 to Nimid¡¯s, and 12 to Harvest. Which floor would you like to visit?¡±


    Nolan leaned in, resting his elbow against the counter with practiced ease.


    ¡°We have an appointment on the 102nd floor,¡± he murmured, his voice barely above a whisper.


    The receptionist stiffened slightly, her fingers gliding across her tablet with renewed focus. ¡°I see,¡± she said, her blush deepening as she scrolled through the records. ¡°Ah, here you are. Prowler, correct?¡±


    ¡°He¡¯s the Prowler,¡± Nolan gestured toward Zeke. ¡°And I, my darling,¡± he reached out theatrically, taking her hand in his own, ¡°am Winston.¡±


    The receptionist quickly withdrew her hand, clearing her throat once more. ¡°You may proceed to the elevator.¡±


    ¡°Sure thing, sweetheart.¡± Nolan threw her a wink before turning on his heel and following the others toward the waiting elevator.


    The group stepped inside a circular glass elevator, its transparent walls affording them an unobstructed view of the floors they passed. Encased within a gold-rimmed frame, the elevator climbed at a steady pace, revealing the empty offices claimed as trophies by the mega-corporations. These floors were not used for practical business¡ªmost remained unoccupied, purchased solely as a display of dominance.


    ¡°Some things never change,¡± Fredric muttered, his smirk barely visible beneath his mask.


    ¡°What are you talking about?¡± Zeke asked.


    ¡°Big old smelly perv has a thing for Asian women,¡± Fredric quipped, idly tapping the elevator glass.


    Hanna chuckled softly.


    ¡°Oh, you think this is funny? Just wait. He¡¯s gonna try to hire her, and the worst part is¡ªshe¡¯s gonna accept,¡± Fredric muttered.


    ¡°I doubt that,¡± Hanna said, arms crossed.


    ¡°Oh?¡± Fredric arched an eyebrow. ¡°And why¡¯s that?¡±


    ¡°She doesn¡¯t seem like the type,¡± Hanna replied coolly.


    ¡°She seems like the type that likes money,¡± Fredric shrugged.


    ¡°I¡¯ll bet you 100 credits she won¡¯t,¡± Hanna challenged, her gaze fiery.This story has been taken without authorization. Report any sightings.


    ¡°Alright, bet. But I¡¯m telling you, stinky perv will have his way,¡± Fredric sighed, waving his hand in front of his nose.


    ¡°Do you have any idea how much my cologne actually costs?¡± Nolan scoffed, clearly annoyed.


    ¡°Who cares how much it costs if it smells like shit?¡± Fredric shot back.


    ¡°It does not smell like shit!¡± Nolan clenched his fists. ¡°Does it?¡± He turned to Zeke.


    ¡°I can¡¯t smell it with this mask on,¡± Zeke replied, avoiding confrontation.


    ¡°Then take that thing off your face and smell me!¡± Nolan barked.


    Isaac watched the three Guardians bicker, feeling a strange sense of disbelief. These are some of the strongest contractors in the Undercity? He shook his head, barely suppressing a smirk.


    The argument continued until the elevator was suddenly plunged into darkness.


    The group fell silent as the elevator jerked to a halt. A moment later, the doors slid open, revealing a vast, circular chamber bathed in artificial daylight. The oval-shaped ceiling above them was lined with hundreds of LED screens, displaying a flawless simulation of a morning sky.


    Zeke stepped forward, his breath catching slightly as he gazed upward. For a fleeting moment, he allowed himself to believe it was real. The longing within him, the aching desire to see the true sky, pressed against his chest like a weight. Lowering his gaze, he forced the emotion down as his eyes locked onto the five figures seated at a grand glass table. Each one was flanked by at least two bodyguards, their presence casting an unspoken warning.


    ¡°I greet the corporate representatives,¡± Nolan announced, raising his right hand.


    Jason Del, the representative of Koribon, stood first. A towering man in his early sixties, he exuded authority in his dark gray suit and scarlet tie. His graying hair was cropped short, his square jaw lined with deep wrinkles and battle-worn scars.


    ¡°About time you arrived,¡± the Novatech representative sneered. He was a balding, overweight man wrapped in an oversized brown-striped suit, his fingers drumming impatiently against the table.


    ¡°I¡¯m glad to finally meet the infamous Guardians,¡± the Heartmend representative added, his voice smooth and deliberate. A man in his late thirties, his tailored white suit fit him perfectly, his blonde hair and piercing blue eyes lending him an air of calculated confidence.


    Nimid¡¯s representative remained silent. A man with slicked-back black hair and square glasses, he barely moved, his presence measured, his gaze unreadable.


    The Harvest representative leaned forward, resting his elbows on the table. A man in his seventies, his thick white mustache curled slightly over his lips. He wore jeans, a yellow plaid shirt, and a white cowboy hat, his expression one of sharp skepticism.


    ¡°Why have you called us here?¡± he asked gruffly.


    Zeke stepped forward.


    ¡°The Guardian of District 7 greets the representatives.¡±


    The tension in the room thickened as the meeting began.


    The Novatech representative scoffed, his pudgy fingers drumming impatiently against the glass table. ¡°Why have you summoned us?¡±


    Zeke took another step forward, his stance unwavering. ¡°I am here to establish a change in leadership within the 7th District.¡±


    The air in the chamber tensed, the subtle shift in posture from the guards behind each representative betraying their silent readiness.


    ¡°We are well aware that Ludwig died during the Cradle of Fools,¡± the Koribon representative stated, his expression unreadable.


    ¡°I hope you intend to uphold his arrangements,¡± the Novatech representative interjected, his tone sharp, as if daring Zeke to disagree.


    ¡°I¡¯m afraid not,¡± Zeke replied, his voice steady. ¡°New arrangements must be put forward.¡±


    A hush fell over the table, eyes narrowing, the weight of his words sinking in.


    ¡°What do you mean by that?¡± the Koribon representative asked, his voice carrying a note of caution.


    Zeke exhaled slowly, allowing the moment to stretch before answering. ¡°From this day forward, all gangs within the Undercity will cease to exist. Your corporations will no longer fund them. Instead, you will pay us for protection.¡±


    The reaction was instantaneous.


    ¡°What?!¡± The Novatech representative shot to his feet, his chair scraping against the polished floor as he slammed his palms onto the table.


    ¡°Where did this come from?¡± the Heartmend representative questioned, his blue eyes narrowing.


    ¡°The people of the Undercity are hostages to the gangs,¡± Zeke continued, his voice unfaltering. ¡°They live under the constant threat of violence. We will put an end to that.¡±


    ¡°How touching,¡± the Novatech representative sneered, his upper lip curling with disdain. ¡°But I can tell you right now¡ªnone of that is going to happen.¡±


    The Heartmend representative leaned back in his chair, studying Zeke carefully. ¡°Our corporations have invested far too much,¡± he mused. ¡°Cutting ties with the gangs means surrendering all influence over the city. That would leave our fate entirely in the hands of the Contractor King.¡±


    The Harvest representative tilted his head slightly. ¡°Does the Contractor King even know about this reckless plan of yours?¡± he asked, his voice cool, testing.


    ¡°Winston Koribon cannot support this initiative,¡± the Koribon representative added, shaking his head.


    At the far end of the table, Nolan remained motionless, his face unreadable, as if lost in deep contemplation.


    And then, a shift.


    Nimid¡¯s representative, who had thus far remained silent, slowly pushed his chair back and rose to his feet.


    ¡°Nimid¡¯s will support this initiative,¡± he declared, his voice smooth, unwavering.


    The reaction was immediate.


    One of the gang enforcers standing behind the table stiffened, his expression twisting in fury. ¡°What did you just say?¡± he hissed, his hands curling into fists.


    The Nimid¡¯s representative remained composed, his eyes glancing toward the enforcer with a detached coldness. ¡°I said exactly what I meant,¡± he replied. ¡°Your services are no longer required.¡±


    The enforcer took a step forward, his jaw tight. ¡°You think you can walk out of here alive after saying that?¡±


    The Nimid¡¯s representative barely moved, only turning his gaze toward Zeke. ¡°I assume I will, considering that from this moment forward, I am under the protection of the Guardians. Isn¡¯t that right?¡±


    Zeke stepped forward, his stance unwavering. ¡°Exactly so.¡±


    Silence gripped the room like a vice.


    The enforcer glared at Zeke, nostrils flaring. ¡°Don¡¯t you think you¡¯re overstepping?¡± he snarled.


    Zeke did not blink. ¡°No.¡±


    The enforcer¡¯s lips curled into a sneer, but before he could speak, the Novatech representative slammed his fists against the table.


    ¡°Who do you think you are?¡± he roared. ¡°Without the five corporations, the Undercity wouldn¡¯t even exist! Now call your foolish king here so he can answer for his reckless subordinates!¡±


    A beat of silence followed his outburst.


    Zeke merely tilted his head, watching the man carefully, unshaken.


    ¡°I am the one answering,¡± he finally said, his voice calm, firm, absolute.


    Another silence fell over the chamber, but this one was different¡ªcharged, waiting, ready to explode.

 Chapter 37: Negotiations flow part 3

    Zeke stood face to face with the gang member¡ªa tall, bald man clad in a cheap, wrinkled suit that barely fit his broad frame. His posture was relaxed, but his sharp eyes glinted with arrogance.


    ¡°I advise you to leave peacefully,¡± Zeke said, his voice calm, steady.


    ¡°Why would I?¡± The gangster scoffed, cracking his knuckles. ¡°All I have to do is beat a few overrated nobodies.¡±


    The smirk had barely formed on his lips when Zeke moved. His palm struck the man¡¯s temple in a single, fluid motion, faster than his opponent could even react. The gang member dropped like a sack of stones, collapsing onto the ground with no resistance.


    ¡°Help him,¡± the Novatech representative commanded, gesturing to his guards.


    As the guards moved toward Zeke, Nolan¡¯s voice thundered through the chamber.


    ¡°Enough!¡±


    A deep tremor echoed above, and then, in an instant, hundreds of perfectly square stone pillars erupted from the ceiling of the cavern, driving down like spears through the building¡¯s dome. They twisted and coiled like living creatures, ensnaring the guards in an unbreakable grip, locking them in place, unable to move.


    The Koribon representative¡¯s face drained of color. ¡°How did you¡ª?! This building was designed out of reinforced metal, and the ceiling of the cave was calculated to be far enough so that your magic wouldn¡¯t be able to reach here!¡± he stammered in disbelief.


    ¡°I improved,¡± Nolan replied, his voice low, his expression dark with barely restrained fury.


    Fredric sighed.


    And then, before anyone could react, he was gone from his spot¡ªappearing suddenly atop the table directly in front of the Novatech representative.


    The representative¡¯s breath caught in his throat. Around them, thousands of LED screens shattered in unison, sending sparks cascading through the air like a dying constellation.


    For a fleeting moment, the man was awestruck. The figure before him seemed unreal, divine¡ªan embodiment of something greater than human. His heartbeat slowed, the sound distant, fading, as if he were ascending toward something celestial.


    Fredric¡¯s hand moved.


    ¡°One rotten fruit spoils the whole bunch,¡± he mused, plucking the representative¡¯s head clean off his shoulders.


    Blood splattered in every direction as Fredric lifted the severed head, holding it at eye level. The dim, glassy eyes stared into his own as their fading consciousness flickered. He studied it for a moment, tilting his head.


    ¡°What a foul thing,¡± he muttered before letting the head slip from his fingers. It rolled across the pristine floor, leaving behind a thick crimson smear.


    Zeke inhaled sharply.


    And then, the past returned.


    The head rolling across the marble blurred in his vision. For the briefest of moments, he saw something else entirely.


    Elaine.


    Her head.


    Zeke¡¯s breath hitched, his hands trembling. His body froze, locked in place as his mind reeled.


    "Zeke!"


    The voice pierced his thoughts¡ªa grotesque, screeching weep of agony.


    His eyes snapped shut, the hallucination vanishing in an instant.


    Elaine... why must you torment me, even now?


    His fists clenched as a tremor coursed through his body. His breathing grew erratic, his chest tightening. And then, from deep within, something cracked.


    A shift.


    A response buried in the deepest recesses of his mind¡ªone forged in the impossible battle against the dragon.


    Rage.


    It bled into him like molten iron, saturating every nerve, every vein. It was a fire both suffocating and invigorating, expanding and contracting with the beat of his heart.


    His hands curled into shaking fists.


    ¡°What the fuck do you think you¡¯re doing?!¡± Zeke roared, his voice raw, ragged.This story has been unlawfully obtained without the author''s consent. Report any appearances on Amazon.


    Fredric cocked his head, blinking. ¡°Me?¡± He pointed to himself, feigning confusion. ¡°I¡¯m teaching these arrogant Corpos a lesson.¡±


    ¡°Why did you kill him?¡± Zeke¡¯s voice trembled with fury.


    Fredric flicked a droplet of blood off his fingers. ¡°Because it was within my jurisdiction to do so.¡±


    ¡°Zeke¡­¡± Nolan whispered, his voice low, warning.


    Then he snarled.


    ¡°You are too soft!¡±


    The room shook.


    A stone pillar twisted and slithered down from the cavern¡¯s ceiling, its smooth surface spiraling downward with a dreadful grace.


    And then it struck.


    Like a snake sinking its fangs into prey, it passed straight through the heads of every restrained guard, popping them like overripe fruit. Blood splattered the walls, painting the room in grotesque streaks of red.


    ¡°No!¡± Zeke screamed, his arm outstretched.


    But there was nothing he could do.


    The bodies sagged, lifeless, as the crimson pooled beneath them.


    The Koribon representative¡¯s face had turned pale, his lips trembling. ¡°Do you not understand what you just did?¡± he demanded, his voice sharp with fear. ¡°If you continue this path, you will start a war between the corporations and the Undercity! Is that what you really want? It¡¯s still not too late to¡ª¡±


    ¡°Jason,¡± Nolan interrupted, his voice cold, unrelenting. His fiery eyes locked onto the Koribon representative. ¡°You don¡¯t understand.¡±


    He took a slow step forward.


    ¡°The war has already begun.¡±


    A storm raged within him, years of pent-up fury clawing their way to the surface.


    Fredric chuckled darkly, crouching beside the Heartmend representative. ¡°You representatives made a mistake when you assumed the Guardians were powerless.¡±


    Across the room, Isaac, Hanna, and Antonio stood frozen, their eyes wide, their breaths shallow.


    Terror.


    That was what they felt.


    This wasn¡¯t just violence.


    It was something beyond.


    Fredric and Nolan¡ªthese were men who had long since abandoned their humanity.


    Zeke moved.


    With a guttural growl, he lunged at Fredric, aiming to strike.


    Fredric sidestepped effortlessly.


    ¡°Ah, right,¡± Fredric mused, grasping his chin. ¡°The two of us never actually had the chance to fight.¡±


    Zeke¡¯s eyes burned with fury. ¡°I will not let you kill anyone else!¡±


    Fredric sighed. ¡°You¡¯re barking at a wolf, pup. But fine.¡± He cracked his knuckles. ¡°Let¡¯s see how long you last.¡±


    Zeke attacked again, his strikes coming fast, precise, but Fredric moved like a whisper in the wind¡ªalways just out of reach, never fully retreating.


    Zeke grit his teeth, swinging again, only for Fredric to counter in an instant, sending Zeke crashing to his knees.


    Before he could rise, Fredric grabbed him by the hair and tossed him effortlessly to the back of the room.


    ¡°Now be a good boy and wait until we¡¯re done.¡± Fredric sighed.


    Nolan exhaled deeply. ¡°My boy,¡± he muttered. ¡°Your intentions are true.¡±


    His fingers curled into a tight fist.


    ¡°But what you lack¡­¡±


    He inhaled sharply.


    ¡°Is conviction!¡±


    His fist drove straight through the Koribon representative¡¯s head, crushing it in an instant.


    The Heartmend representative jolted upright, panic overtaking him. He turned, sprinting toward the elevator.


    Too slow.


    Fredric blurred into motion.


    A flash of movement.


    A sharp crack.


    The representative¡¯s leg shattered as Fredric¡¯s kick connected, the sheer force tearing the other clean off. The severed limb flew across the chamber, hitting the floor with a sickening thud.


    The representative screamed in agony.


    Fredric didn¡¯t give him the chance to breathe.


    He stepped down.


    The skull caved in like a crushed fruit.


    ¡°How brutish,¡± the Harvest representative murmured, his voice calm despite the carnage around him. He made no effort to move, his hands resting idly on the table.


    Fredric tilted his head, intrigued. ¡°Well, you seem rather composed, considering what just happened.¡±


    The old man exhaled slowly. ¡°What can I do? If someone like you has decided I must die, then I will die. Whether I cry, beg, or sit here in silence, the result remains the same.¡±


    Fredric chuckled, but it was Nolan who stepped forward, his gaze steady, piercing. ¡°What you can do,¡± he said, lighting a cigar, the flickering ember casting a brief glow against his face, ¡°is give us a reason not to kill you.¡±


    The Harvest representative leaned back slightly. ¡°By agreeing to your demands?¡±


    Nolan took a slow drag of his cigar before nodding. ¡°Mhm.¡±


    The old man sighed, his gaze unwavering. ¡°I¡¯m afraid I can¡¯t do that. To you, they may just be punks and gangsters, but to me, they are colleagues. They may be brash, reckless, and sometimes foolish, but I have seen them grow. Some have chosen to change, to become farmers, to contribute in ways beyond violence. If I were to comply, I would be discarding that potential entirely. I cannot allow it.¡±


    Nolan exhaled a thick plume of smoke. ¡°Then you will die.¡±


    A stone pillar twisted downward like a serpent, its surface grinding as it coiled toward the old man, its intent unmistakable.


    The Harvest representative didn¡¯t flinch. Instead, he posed a single question.


    ¡°You can kill me,¡± he said, his voice steady. ¡°But what will you do when Harvest stops supplying the Undercity with food?¡±


    The room fell into silence.


    Then, Nimid¡¯s representative adjusted his glasses, a smirk playing at his lips. ¡°I have a solution to that problem,¡± he said smoothly. ¡°Seeing as war is inevitable, how about this? When you reclaim a piece of land or a factory from the other four corporations, you sell it to us. That way, we will be able to provide the Undercity with whatever it needs.¡±


    Nolan¡¯s lips curled into a grin. ¡°Deal.¡±


    And with that, the pillar surged forward.


    ¡°Fuck!¡± The old man¡¯s hand shot toward his coat, retrieving a silver revolver in one fluid motion. He fired¡ªa single desperate shot aimed directly at Nolan¡¯s head.


    The bullet struck true.


    And did nothing.


    The round flattened against Nolan¡¯s skin as though it had struck an immovable wall. The old man barely had time to register his failure before the pillar reached him.


    A sickening crunch echoed through the chamber.


    The Harvest representative was reduced to nothing but a smear of blood and crushed bone.


    Isaac felt his stomach twist, barely able to swallow as the tension in the room shifted. His gaze darted to the side, where he saw Antonio and Hanna, both struggling to maintain their composure. Hanna had a hand over her mouth, her skin pale, her breaths shallow.


    The room smelled of blood, gunpowder, and death.


    The meeting was over.


    Without a word, the group turned, lifting Zeke¡¯s unconscious form and carrying him toward the elevator. The air was thick with unspoken thoughts, with the weight of the decisions made here.


    As they exited, Nolan paused just long enough to slip a small card into the receptionist¡¯s pocket, a smirk tugging at the corner of his lips.


    He was in need of a new one, after all.