Chapter 10

The tavern was silent, it was so quiet that a pin being dropped could be heard. The others looked at the elf in pity, they knew she had been trying to discourage youths from the crystal tribe for years. So far none of them taken her advice and lost their lives because of it. Ruby's breath hitched, ofcourse she knew she wasn't ready but atleast she could have said some encouraging words before she left.

"... I know," After what felt like hours she murmured a response, Annie's gaze became colder, "You will die before you even get into the fifty first floor," Ruby didn't meet her gaze but stared at the table, she stayed silent making Annie slam the table and grab her collar.

"FOR YGGDRASIL'S SAKE, WORRY FOR YOUR OWN LIFE FOR ONE SECOND!! YOU ALWAYS DO THIS, YOU DON'T CARE IF YOU ARE HURT, YOU DON'T CARE IF YOU'RE STARVING OR THIRSTY, NO MATTER HOW MANY TIMES I TELL YOU TO STAY AWAY FROM DANGER, YOU CHARGE HEADFIRST INTO IT" Annie's sudden shout made Ruby flinch, Ruby knew what she was doing was suicide but she had something to prove and Annie knows it too.

Because of this every time she comes and delivers something from her tribe she goes and wander the surroundings trying to find strong monsters to fight, and everytime she does she always comes back with a wound somewhere on her body. Annie had told her multiple times to stop such behavior but she did not.

Ruby's eyes started to water but she was able to weakly say, "I know that I'm reckless, I know that I'm suicidal but please... Big sis Annie, I need to know what I'm going to face up there, I have to prove to Tyrone that he didn't just pick up a stray in the forest. I want to make him proud, I want him to look at me and say 'That's my daughter'. I know you care for me a lot but please trust that I come back alive."

Annie stared at Ruby for Gods' knows how long and then sighed, "I can't stop you, can't I?" Ruby shook her head but didn't look into Annie's gaze, Annie sat back down as the pressure from the tavern was erased but nobody made any sound. They continued to look at the odd pair but mostly on Annie in sympathy.

"Fine, I'll tell you but you absolutely cannot back down once I tell you." Ruby nodded as Annie began telling her about the upper floors.

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Ruby sharpened her sword as she waited by her tribe's gate with three other kids, it seems that she wasn't the only one having their thirteenth birthday today. It's sad to know that one or two of them will not make it back alive, she looked towards the village square and saw the adults standing there waiting for their departure.

Children below thirteen were forbidden to watch them leave because if they do watch, they would have second thoughts about leaving the confines of their homes, she spotted Tyrone in the crowd as she sent him a smile to which he returned it twofold. His smile was so bright that she had to squint her eyes to see.

"I'll be back" She mouthed to Tyrone as he nodded, "We'll be waiting for you" He mouthed back, she felt something wet drip down her cheek to which she touched. She was crying? Ofcourse she was, this will be the last time she would see Tyrone for years.

The sound of bells being rung was heard throughout the village, Ruby already knew what it signified. She and the other children her age turned back towards the gate and walked away, "First up, Dire Wolf Forest"