A Staircase Leading To Darkness

His goal is to defeat Zhao Laohu.

But not just to defeat him. He wants to test his strength against a rested Zhao. A Zhao that has fully recovered from the Trial of Solitude.

He's an honest and earnest guy... At least for the most part.

His corrupted Sect got in the way, sending Assassins. Did they believe that he wouldn't be able to beat Zhao? Was there another reason?

In any case,

'The more I look at him... The more the title of Hero fits.'

"The fuck did you say? Are you accusing me of something??" The Young Master of the Flamboyant Vermillion Tiger Sect stepped forward repeatedly, cracking the ground with each step. "Accusations like that can cost dearly. I hope you're ready for the consequences of-"

"They attacked on my way back from the Trial of Solitude. Wearing these." Zhao showcased the dark clothes that covered his body. "Do they look familiar?"

"Are you fucking with me or something?" The Young Master shouted as he reached to grab Zhao from the collar.

The back of the latter's hand swatted the former's away.

"They said that they were sent by your Sect."

"There's no proof that this even happened. And even if it did, trusting the words of Assassins is as foolish as it gets. Of course they would blame someone other than their employer."

"Then you don't recognize these clothes? You mean to tell me that you have no idea about what is going on inside your Sect? About forty Assassins were sent my way, and you had no idea? What kind of lousy Young Master are you?"

For a moment, the Young Master of the Flamboyant Vermillion Tiger Sect remained silent.

He had only heard of it in passing.

Thirty-eight new Disciples had left the Sect at once.

Many do leave, unable to keep up with the strict training regimen and lifestyle. But thirty-eight leaving at once...?

This wasn't enough to prove anything. It was just a rumor that he had heard in passing anyways. But how would Zhao Laohu come to learn of that rumor? Of that number...?

It made the Young Master curious. Curious and enraged.

"Whether I knew or not doesn't change anything. Since when am I supposed to look out for the person I aim to defeat?"

"They would have taken it from you, huh? Your opportunity to prove yourself against me. Well, no matter-"

"When?" The Young Master interrupted.

"Mm..." Zhao Laohu scratched his chin as he thought for a couple of seconds. "How does in two weeks sound?"

Is he the Hero or not? If he is, then we would meet in two weeks anyways...

"Two weeks? No. Too long."

"You want me at full strength, don't you?"

"Fine. Where?"

"Let's say... I'll knock on your Sect's doors."

The Young Master of the Flamboyant Vermillion Tiger Sect stared for a bit, before turning away.

"I'll be waiting."

Lei thought silently while staring at the Young Master who was getting further and further.

'I wonder if he's going to look for answers about the Assassins... Maybe make him doubt his Sect? He's an honest guy so... No, probably not. Still...' Zhao Laohu started walking in the direction to his Sect. 'He could become a useful piece.'

The Young Master clenched his teeth and fists seconds later.

'I'm too fucking weak. Had this guy attacked me... I need to find a way. A way to get stronger. Quickly. Two weeks. Two weeks...'

***

'Is the Hero someone from this world with a grudge... Or someone from Earth like me, or even from some other world? There's no way of knowing. But the System did say that the game-like thing was...'

The Young Master's eyes narrowed.

"Didn't I tell the three of you to leave?"

"Oh, Young Master! We were about to, but it was just that-"

"Shut up, no need." Zhao Laohu interrupted the Disciples, lacking any shred of interest in their excuse. "Let's go back. Now."

"Of course, Young Ma-"

The Disciples jaws dropped suddenly as,

Splash-

"Hey! You fucking... You blind or something... You... Stupid or...? Son of a bitch!" A drunk man barely able to stand shouted between burps as his body swayed from one side to the other.

"Y-Y-Y-Y-Young Master! Please forgive the poor idiot!"

Zhao Laohu was silent. His gaze was stuck on the side of his robe, which had been splashed by half a glass of what smelled like beer.

"Y... Y... Did you say... Young Master?"

Instantly, dozens of eyes turned in their direction.

Zhao Laohu took his time, studying the different look.

'They're scared. I'm pretty sure even the random people there weren't scared of... I'll have to find what his name is somehow.'

The Disciples seemed just as frightened as the rest.

"Young Master, we will punish him and make sure that he learns his lesson!"

They shouted as they grabbed the drunk man's body. He was instantly lifted off the ground.

"Sure." The Young Master said coldly. He wanted to simply shrug, but could tell that doing so wasn't the expected reaction. "Make sure he learns his lesson."

***

The Young Master and the Disciples went on their way towards their Sect. Lifted by the Disciples, the once-drunk man, who was now weeping, apologizing and begging for his life.

"Shut the fuck up."

The man immediately obeyed the Young Master's order. It was common knowledge that the Young Master was in the habit of spilling blood for less after.

"We'll take him to the dungeons, Young Master." The Disciples said with a polite bow once the group had passed through the Sect's backdoor and was standing on the training court at the center of the Sect.

"Good."

The Young Master started walking away.

He stopped three seconds later.

"The Dungeons you say?"

"Um... Yes, Young Master?""

"I'll accompany you."

The Young Master would, about ten minutes later, realize that the night was only about to get even more productive.

In front of him, a staircase that seemed to lead to an underground area.

A staircase shrouded in darkness.