Day 9 Part 2

"Well, who would've thought," I muse aloud, not really expecting a response. I reach into my pocket, my fingers closing around the apple I'd been saving for a special occasion. "Catch," I say, tossing it to her.

Her eyes practically water as she takes a bite. Must be hungry, poor kid. I suppress the pang of sympathy that threatens to bubble up, instead focusing on the sweet tang of my own half. I close my eyes, savoring the crunch and the juice.

"Unfortunately, that's the last one," I say, eyeing the now-empty spot in my pocket. She freezes mid-chew, the apple in her hand looking all the more pathetic. For a moment, I consider offering to share my half, but then I remember how desperate I am for this sweet slice of normality. "You can have the rest," I wave it off, popping another bite into my mouth.

I can practically see the wheels turning in her head, and for a moment, I feel a twinge of guilt. But then she takes a determined bite, and all I can do is laugh. "I don't need it," I assure her, "I'll eat something when I get out of here."

A burst of confidence seems to shoot through her at my words, and I find myself grinning at her resilience. "Will you be okay?" I ask, watching as she dusts off her tattered uniform and gets to her feet.

"It'll be...painful...I really don't want to run," she admits, her face pale. "But I'll manage."

She takes a few steps towards the exit before turning back, a quizzical look on her face. I beat her to the question. "Oh, by the way. If the professors ask any questions, please don't tell them about this room in particular," I say, wincing inwardly at the thought of all the trouble I'd be in if they saw the traces of my fight.

She tilts her head to the side, her expression confused. "Why?" She asks.

I let out a long sigh, rubbing the back of my neck. "It would be a real pain in the ass if they bothered me about...the two monsters that fought here."

"But..." She starts, but I cut her off.

"And as a thank you," I say, a sly grin tugging at my lips. "I'll enroll Ash in a private school. You know, so he can get that top-tier education he deserves."

Her eyes widen in surprise, then narrow in suspicion. "W-why would you do that? I'I can't afford to pay you." She asks, her voice wary.

I shrug, trying to look nonchalant. "Hahaha, don't worry about it. I won't charge you. What can I say? I'm a softie at heart."

She studies me for a moment longer, her gaze intense. Then she nods, a look of determination on her face. "Okay."

I watch as she runs off into the darkness, a faint smile playing on my lips. This was easier than I thought. She must have a brother complex right? "Well, that went well," I say to myself, not really expecting an answer.

Ilka snorts from her perch on my head. "Ugh. Why do you keep playing the good Samaritan? Don't tell me...you like her? No that wouldn't make sense, you definitely know your ugly ass is out of her league"

"Shut up, Ilka," I grumble, rubbing my temples. This isn't even my body! I was handsome you know? And you know what. Honestly, this body isn't that ugly, it just looks normal.

[Beuty bead]

[Price: 3000 points]

[Eating this bead will naturally make someone beautiful.]

[However, because of how ugly you are, it might end up being useless. Just accept your fate]

Shut it you fucking bastard!! I don't need your shitty opinion!

Ilka snickers. "Oh, I've missed this. Your discomfort is truly the highlight of my day."

"I'm glad you're enjoying yourself," I retort, rolling my eyes.

I groan as I pull myself to my feet, the worn stones cold beneath my hands. "Time to leave this shithole," I mutter under my breath.

I glance around the room, my gaze landing on the faint glow of a mana stone sticking out from the wall. With a sigh, I trudge over, transforming Umbra into a pickaxe with a wave of my hand.

As the stone comes loose, I examine it, rotating it in my hand. "Not bad," I comment, stuffing it into my pocket. The cool weight of it is somehow comforting.

Lifting my hand, I summon my beloved gun, the magnetic pull drawing it into my grasp. "Ugh, I hate working," I mutter, even as I admire the intricate runic pattern on the side of the weapon.

Using Umbra, I start to carve the mana stone, reshaping it until it fits perfectly into the gun. Once it's done, I let out a sigh of relief. "Better safe than sorry."

With that taken care of, I focus on the next step - getting rid of my mana traces. I channel mana into my eyes, the room lighting up with traces of my magical presence. "Oh shit, they're everywhere," I murmur, "This is definitely not good."

I get to work, rushing around the room and using Umbra to absorb all of the traces. Ilka, watching me from her perch, seems amused. "What are you doing, Kael?" she asks, her voice dripping with mockery.

"Just cleaning up, don't mind me," I retort, continuing my frantic scrambling. The last thing I need is someone tracking me down.

Once I'm confident that I've erased all traces of my presence, I finally exit the room. Not before using Umbra one last time to turn the door into rubble. "Wouldn't want the professors getting nosy, would we?" I comment, grinning at my handiwork.

"Alright, finally," I say, stretching my arms over my head. "Let's get moving, Ilka."

She snorts, but doesn't argue. Good. I don't think I have the energy for another round of bickering. Despite my words, I can't help but feel a pang of regret as we leave. As much of a dump as this place is, it's been my home for the past few months.

"Good riddance," I mutter, shoving my hands into my pockets and trudging away. I can finally leave this fucking island. I hope Isadora has delt with the damn Ghoul by now.

"I hope the yacht has some good food," I say, my thoughts already drifting to the next meal I'll get to savor. I hope she hasn't drank all the wine...

Ilka's laughter cuts through my daydreaming. "Dreaming about food again, Kael? You're such a pig."

I smirk, rolling my eyes. "Shut it Ilka. You're just jealous you can't taste anything."

I let out a heavy sigh. Ugh, how am I supposed to get out of here? I murmur, frustration gnawing at the edges of my patience. Oi, you shitty system, can you lead me to Isadora?

[No]

You fucking bastard! You said I can use the map until this survival test is over! Why are you such a dick!?

[Exit the same way you entered]

My teeth grind together, my hands balling into fists at my sides. "Tch," I click my tongue in annoyance, trudging forward, the thought of leaving this place being the only thing propelling me forward.

Ilka, perched on my head, grins as she takes in my frustration. While she can't see the system window, she doesn't need to in order to appreciate my annoyance. "Something wrong, Kael?" she asks, her voice saccharine sweet.

"Shut up, Ilka," I mutter, choosing to ignore her baiting. I continue my journey until I find myself in a familiar hallway.

The last time I was here, the stupid trap in the hallway had closed the exit, but now it seems that it's been opened back up. Not that it makes this situation any less frustrating. This was not the leisurely walk I'd been hoping for.

The hallway is long and dreary, but I force myself to focus, careful not to let Ilka distract me like last time. After what feels like an eternity, I finally make it to the end. I'm greeted by a large pool of water with a small gap above it, the very same one I'd entered through. Ugh, what a pain.

"Hehe, just how are you going to get up there?" Ilka asks, her voice filled with glee.

I shoot her a glare, crossing my arms over my chest. "If you're going to laugh, you could at least offer a solution."

She simply shrugs, her smile never faltering. "Where's the fun in that?"

Ugh, damn bird. No help whatsoever. Looks like I'm on my own again. like always...

Grinning at my eureka moment, I stare down at the expanse of water beneath me. Ilka's curious gaze bores into my head as she asks, "Just what the hell are you doing?" Her voice is as grating as ever, but it does nothing to wipe the smirk off my face.

"That seems to be about enough," I mutter under my breath, practically giddy at the thought of pulling off my plan. Ignoring her confused squawk, I focus all my attention on Umbra.

I channel more mana into the weapon, and it begins to transform. Ilka watches, bemused, as Umbra shifts into a long, thin rope with a sharp grappler at one end. My grin only widens at the sight. It's perfect.

I twirl it around once, twice, the metal glinting in the dim light of the cavern. "I am inevitable," I declare, my voice echoing in the vast space. I take aim, and throw.

My celebration is cut short when the grapple falls short of the ledge, plunging into the water with a disappointing splash. Silence stretches out in the cavern, punctuated only by the echoing sound of my failed throw.

Unable to contain herself any longer, Ilka bursts into peals of laughter. The sound echoes off the walls, multiplying until it feels like the whole cavern is laughing at me. With a low growl, I reel Umbra back in and try again. And again. And again. And again. Each failure further inflates Ilka's amusement and my irritation. By the time I finally get it right, veins are throbbing on my forehead, and my patience has worn thinner than a thread.

"Dont fall~" Ilka teases as I tug on the rope to test its hold. I shoot her a glare, but it's wasted. Before I can react, the grapple comes loose, sending me toppling into the water below.

Coughing and spluttering, I emerge from the water with an ungraceful gasp. Seething, I reach for Ilka. My fingers close around her as I attempt to drown her in revenge. Of course, it does nothing. She's a magical bird, after all. But the effort makes me feel slightly better.

"I hate you," I growl, but Ilka simply laughs again.

With a huff, I brace myself, ready for another toss. But just as I'm about to release Umbra, Ilka's voice cuts through the silence. "Will you be able to climb that high to begin with?"

"Watch and learn," I retort, a triumphant grin spreading across my face as I give a strong tug. To my surprise, the rope doesn't fall this time. Umbra shortens, pulling me up along with it.

I laugh gleefully, only to realize a moment too late that I'm not rising, but falling. Into the water, to be specific. I land with a resounding splash, Ilka's mocking laughter echoing in my ears.

"Shit," I grumble, dragging myself out of the water. I'm drenched, cold, and my pride's taken a major hit. Not to mention, the grating sound of Ilka's laughter is starting to give me a headache.

One more try, I tell myself, summoning all the remaining shreds of my dignity. One more. I throw Umbra yet again, but my hand slips, sending me tumbling back into the water. This is it. I've hit rock bottom.

With a groan, I pick myself up, my clothes clinging to my skin uncomfortably. I fall to my knees, the taste of defeat bitter in my mouth. It can't get any worse than this, can it?

As if on cue, my foot bumps against something hard. I'm too worn out to bother checking what it is. But when the ground begins to rumble, I scramble back, falling onto my butt in surprise. I watch in disbelief as a staircase slowly rises from the water, leading straight to the exit.

You've got to be kidding me. A staircase? Really? All this time, the universe was sitting back with popcorn, watching my pathetic attempts to throw a magic rope and climb out of here? I can't believe it. I refuse to believe it.

Ilka's laughter shatters my disbelief, her voice echoing around the cavern. "Oh, Kael!" she howls between fits of laughter. "You absolute dumbass!"

With a hollow chuckle, I drop to my knees, the cold seeping into my bones. I can't even muster the energy to get angry. I'm just... just... I don't even know. Dumbfounded? Astounded? Or just a plain old dumbass.

"Gods, you're such a klutz!" Ilka crows, her glee apparent. "Who would've thought? The stupid Kael, bested by a staircase!"

Her words are like a punch in the gut. I groan, burying my face in my hands. I've had enough. This is the end. Not a glorious battle against a terrifying monster, or an epic standoff with a rival. No, I, Kael- no, I a dumbass, have been defeated by a damn staircase.

"Alright, alright," I mutter, my voice muffled by my hands. "You've had your laugh. Now can we please just get the hell out of here?"

For once, Ilka falls silent, and I'm almost thankful. In the deafening silence, I pick myself up, dragging my body towards the staircase. Each step is a punchline to my embarrassment, but at least it's taking me out of this damned cavern.

Staircase - 1, Kael - 0. Who would've thought?