Chapter 14

"If you are not marked then it can only mean that either you are new or you have not been branded yet"

The words echoed in his mind.

'The city has started to unravel its dark aspects.'

He thought while taking random turns. The information he got from the blue Daemon was interesting yet probably a bit dangerous.

'However to think those markings represent slavery...' But almost everyone has it in this city.

'Wait Aria didn't have any? or probably it was more hidden... ' taking random turns, he didn't realize that he had wandered to the dark alleys of this city.

Safe haven for the poor population, for the ones in power, were too disgusted to enter this area themself.

Similar to human culture, the idea of noble bigotry has started to prevail in the lawless city of Daemons

Acquiring slaves became a symbol of status for them.

'However, that is to be expected... After all, it suits the theme of that stadium.' He thought but soon he was forced out of his stupor by a raspy voice from behind.

"Spill out everything you own otherwise get ready to be gutted alive" Holding a club bigger than his head, the lesser daemon threatened this new intruder.

This alley was his territory, and today someone trespassed on it.

'Ohhh A kind helper' Cale thought while looking at the ugly daemon happily. He found a new source of information.

"But how are you going to Gut me with that thing ???" he questioned while trying to rile him up.

"Hahahaha... I'll first smash your head then tear apart your ribs to take out-"

"But if you smash my head then wouldn't I just die~" Cale amused his new guest by making lame jokes.

"Ohh, Then I will- Shut up you Puny rat eat my club!!!" Realizing that the other party was making fun of him he grabbed his club and swung hard at Cale's head.

"I'll just rummage from your dead body rat."

However, the gory scene that the lesser daemon was expecting did not happen. Realizing how badly he failed in his endeavor, the lesser was horrified. He used his entire strength to smash this rat's head but it was for naught. The difference in strength was too much.

Stopping the incoming strike with nothing but a finger, Cale smiled and muttered

"Let's have a talk Daemon-san..."

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*Aaarrghhh*

The painful screams of the lesser resounded throughout the alley for a while followed by a dreadful silence. None dared to approach the scene for they feared the unknown.

The dark alleys that are usually avoided by these people now looked even more daunting and desolate.

Sitting on the dead body of the daemon Cale was digesting the information he extracted from the lesser.

<Extra Skill: Fear acquired>

'Another skill huh... been a while.' he muttered under his breath. Looking at the body he remembered his last words.

"My master would not leave you alone... he will find you!" Smirking Cale raised his hand and created a red orb made of magicules. It was growing continuously.

However, after reaching the size of a football it started getting compressed to finally form a dark red orb a size of a golf ball

'Well looks like this is my current limit' Cale wanted to reduce the size even more. However, he still needs more practice.

Letting the orb of destruction float in the air he decided to leave.

Getting up and clearing all the blood from his hands using magic he moved toward the exit.

Post his departure, the floating orb of destruction finally came down, into contact with the body.

That day many people noticed the crimson light in the alleyway, however, when they researched about it they found nothing.

The alleyway was as it is with no change at all.

No one cared, no one found, for even the ashes were erased.

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[Extra skill: Fear=> As the name suggests it generates fear in the opponent if he/she is in the radius of 15m. It directly impacts the will of the opponent.]

After traversing for while he was finally near the Colosseum. He intended to take shortcuts in between but the rush was just too much.

And it was increasing with the decrease in the distance b/w him and the Colosseum.

'That is to be expected. After all, it is the most important thing in this city.'

The Arena of Dispute and Desires

If it exists within the walls of the city then it can be desired. However, the desires are nothing but empty words. In order to truly achieve it you needed a conflict, a dispute.

Hence the name-- The Arena of Desires and Disputes.

'This stadium is basically the reason behind the mass act of slavery. '

So as to not get themselves implicated they enslaved people to desire in their stead.

Weaker Daemons became a form of currency for the stronger ones. With their very lives in hands of others, their resistances matter for naught, for they are stuck forever in this dirty game of desires.

The powerful force the weaker to struggle in their place while relinquishing the sweetness of their results.

'Moreover, the number of markings represents the level of enslavement... The higher the amount lower will be the status of such a monster...'

With no markings present he could be considered a free soul according to this city.

'However, that also means I am now a target that shines in red within this dark settlement.'

With a height of at least 100m, the stadium stood tall with an appearance that resembles the roman colosseum.

The arena that holds the key to liberation.

The arena that holds the chain of enslavement.

The arena gives as well takes at the same time.

For it decides the woes of the defeated.

For it decides the ecstasy of the victor.

"My key to the material world may also be present over there. " Cale said with determination in his eyes. The shortest path now stood tall in front of him.

The gigantic colosseum.

The arena of Disputes and Desires...

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The settlement is slowly revealing its true nature.

If you have some interesting ideas about the city say them in the comments.