34 Ch. 34 Arie Oteria

( Ashborn Pov )

" Where to next?!" I asked Seung, who is guiding us through this maze, we needed to make it through the end before the other team does.

But it wasn't just a maze. It had puzzles we needed to solve to make a key while being chased by a horde of monsters.

For now, I was blocking them off as Seung is solving the puzzle with the help of Yui.

I felt Seung tap my shoulder as he managed to solve the puzzle and get the part.

I nodded as I focused the shinsu in my palm before relaxing it towards the eel like monsters destroying them.

" Move!" I shouted as we needed to move fast before they started regenerating again.

We had Seung lead us to the next puzzle as he was the guide that gave him an instinct to where everything was as we managed to grab the last puzzle.

" This is pretty easy." I spoke as Seung priced the puzzles together to male the key.

" Alright, now to get out of here." I said as I picked up Yui, and we ran to the end of the maze.

We managed to reach the end quickly thanks to Seung, but it seemed the other team made it first.

' Did they already create their key?' I thought but immediately threw thay idea out as I didn't see any key, and if they did, they would've left already.

' Which means they're trying get ours.' I thought as I gripped my sword.

" Out of the way." The sword hummed, scaring them as the whispers started to have effect.

They froze in fear as I quickly knocked out while Seung rushed to the doors to unlock them.

" Uhm, they're back!" Yui shouted as we all looked to see the eels rushing towards us.

Seung unlocked the doors as we all pushed them open and closed it behind us as the eels rammed into the door.

" Lock it." I said to Seung as me and Yui held the doors.

Seung locked the doors again as we all relaxed.

" Congratulations!!" The test Administrator shouted from down the hall.

" You passed and managed to get the key! Now it's time to choose your door! But be careful! A door could lead you to your death." He smiled.

We looked to see many doors down the hallway.

" Welp, looks like luck is a huge factor in this, guve me the keys." I held my hand towards Seung, who gave me the key.

" If I die, I'm haunting you." Yui muttered as I picked a red door.

I looked at Seung and Yui's reaction to see that they trusted me, and I decided to unlock the door.

I opened it to see a hallway.

" Ding! Ding! Ding! You win!" The test administrator shouted as he pushed us through the door.

" Wah!" Yui yelped as she fell to the floor, but I managed to catch her and started following Seung.

" To the 13th floor!" I shouted.

( Arie Lilith Pov )

" You want me to join?" I raised an eyebrow as I looked at the man in front of me. His silver eyes and hair made me wonder if He's from the Arie Familiy as well.

But the way he held his sword told me he didn't learn any of the family's swordmanship, which means he is not from my family.

" Sorry. But I'll have to refuse." I refused the man's offer thinking they would be dead weight in climbing the tower.

" Then, why don't we make a bet?" The man asked.

I sighed and turned around as he looked at me with a serious expression.

" And what would that be? A date? A..."

" A duel." He spoke, interrupting me.

' A duel...?' I frowned, and I held my sword around his neck.

" Do you think I'm a fool? I am from the Arie Family, one of the great ten families!"

No signs of fear or nervousness as he pushed my sword away.

" That's great and all, noble lady. But I asked for a duel, not your information." He replied.

He's serious.

" Fine, I'll indulge you." I replied as I swung my sword around him.

He easily dodged it, but I kept attacking him.

The Arie Family's swordmanship is unparalleled in the tower. But to see this man easily dodging and blocking my attacks was a shock.

I didn't want to believe this as I increased my strength into my sword.

Clank!

" What are you doing?" I muttered as I watched this man observing my swordmanship, and in the second, he started countering them.

' Is he? No, that impossible!'

" I'm learning..." he replied as he parried my next attack before increasing his strength into his swings.

There were only two ways to defeat an Arie swordsman, it was by overcoming them with strength or attacking them before they were ready.

It didn't take long to realize I am defending myself against him. A faint whisper emits from his blade. Voices calling me to join them.

Clank!

I fell back to my knee.

' I couldn't even fight against this man. How am I supposed to surpass my sister if I can't fight back!!' I shouted at myself as I tried to stand up, but the man's sword was pointed at my neck.

I knew I was defeated. It would be shameful of me to act like a child. I closed my eyesband and accepted my fate.

" One day... I'll defeat you." I vowed as I looked at the man's eye, who nodded and took back his sword.

" The names Ashborn. That's Seung, and this is Yui." He introduced his team.

" Welcome!" The little girl shouted, wagging her tail. I nodded in response and looked at the red-haired man known as Seung, who nodded, which I returned as well.

" Let's explore the floor for now and get some more supplies. " Ashborn spoke as he looked at everyone who nodded before following him.

I sighed and followed behind them.

We're inside a clothing shop and the little girl with her father Ashborn started to show off their new clothes.

Even the silent man Seung joined.