Chapter 8 - Arie Arisha

Buzz!

A black ray came out of several black fragments and shot toward Urek. His body was slowly engulfed by the black beam, an excited smile could be seen on his face. A short time later, his body was completely covered by the black ray and he climbed up to the 2nd Floor of the Tower.

"These two are indeed very impressive."

Headon swung his staff with a smile looking at the test site. Huge craters covered the ground and blood and flesh were scattered all over the place.

Headon's eyes shone with a mysterious light.

'Especially the first one. Him having that much power really surprised me.'

'Ilya...'

Headon put a hand to his chin and a gleam faintly flickered in his eyes. His eyes moved in a certain direction and he slowly opened his mouth.

"Ilya's child has entered the Tower."

"..."

"You must have watched from beginning to end, right?"

"..."

"He is quite interesting."

"..."

"The other child, Urek Mazino, is also quite impressive."

"..."

"..."

Headon smiled slightly.

'What changes will these children bring to the Tower?'

His gaze turned to the ceiling and anticipation could be seen in his eyes.

***

I, Arie Arisha, am a direct descendant of the Arie Family—the most famous and strongest Family of the 10 Great Families! I am a direct descendant, daughter of the Head of the Family. Since my birth, my talent surpassed that of other people by many, even among the direct descendants it was rare to see someone with great talent like me.

The first time I held a sword was when I was only a few months old.

It wasn't long before I could swing a sword with a mastery that would put those older than me to shame.

Rumors that I would have been a Princess of Zahard if I had been born just before the competition could be heard all over the Tower.

I was admired for my great talent and beauty. I was always superior to others. No matter where I was, people would look at me with admiration and envy, even those Rankers couldn't hide the envy in their eyes as they looked at me.

Many were sure that I would become a High-Ranker in the future.

However...

Why?

Clang!

'Damn...'

Wasn't I someone who surpassed even those direct descendants?

Clang!

'Damn... Damn...'

Wasn't I someone who invoked envy even in the great Rankers?

Clang!

'Damn... Damn... Damn...!'

Wasn't I a future High-Ranker?

Clang!

'Damn...! Damn...! Damn...! Damn...!'

Then why?

Clang!!!

"Damn...!"

Why am I being suppressed by someone else?

No matter how anyone looked at him, he looked very ordinary. He wore a hood that covered his head and entire body, hiding—this is the attitude of the weak and cowardly.

A guy like this, someone who looked so weak and cowardly, how could he keep blocking all the blows of my sword with only a small dagger? How can someone like him have such mastery that surpasses mine?

'I refuse to believe it!'

Clang!

There was no way. It was impossible. I refused to believe such a thing. It had to be a dream. I had to be in a long nightmare and I would wake up soon.

However—

Claaaang!

The sound of colliding metal, my sword flying out of my hand, and the fresh smell of blood splashing from my hand made me unable to believe that this was only a dream.

Thud!

"Argh..."

My body fell to the grass.

My left hand quickly moved to stop the bleeding from my right hand, when...

Crack!

"Hickkk...!"

"What are you trying to do?"

A foot appeared and stopped the movements of my left hand.

'Damn...! Who is this guy?!'

When I looked up, I saw it. A pair of sharp, cold golden eyes staring straight at me. A shiver ran down my spine. I realized. He was going to kill me. Those eyes that showed coldness and contempt for everything, were glowing with killing intent as they looked at me.

"Goodbye."

He raised his small dagger and pointed at me.

'Going to end up here?'

No, there was no way...

'This is only the 2nd Floor of the Tower, there's no way someone like me could end up here, right?'

It was only the 2nd Floor and still on the first test, there was no way someone as talented and amazing as me could meet her end here.

'It must be a dream, a nightmare... Yes, hehehe... There's no way this is real, I'll wake up from this nightmare soon.'

My mind tried to deny it, but I knew. This was not a nightmare, not a dream, that little dagger that kept coming closer was going to be the end of me.

'Do I have to do this?'

I bit my lips hard.

'Damn... This is the only option. There's nothing else I can do...'

Enduring the great humiliation deep in my heart, I looked up with watery eyes. With a sweet, sad voice, I slowly parted my red lips.

"Can't you let me live? Please?"

'Humiliating...'

This was very humiliating, I was one of the only direct descendants of the Arie Family and here I was begging for my life, but if I wanted to get out of here alive that was the only alternative.

"Oh? You're begging? What a pathetic thing to do."

'Damn...'

He didn't seem to mind my pleading and lightly twirled the small dagger in his hand.

"I'm from a Great Family, you can't kill me!"

"..."

"I am from the Arie Family, the Rankers of my family will take revenge for me and you will not get out of this alive!"

"Arie Family? You're from the Arie Family?"

He stopped the movement of his dagger slightly and looked at me doubtfully.

'Hehe, great!'

As expected from my family! My confidence soon increased and I put an obvious smile on my face.

"I am not only from the Arie Family, I am a direct descendant and daughter of the Great Head of the Family! So if you kill me—"

"Oh, really? That's cool, since you're from the Arie Family, your sword must be really good, I was really in need of a good sword."

'What? Isn't he scared? Shit...'

"I can give it to you if you let me live."

"Isn't it simpler if I kill you and take the sword from you?"

'Fuck...!'

"If you let me live, I can be your companion and accompany you as you climb the Tower..."

"You? Why would I desire such a weak companion?"

'This guy...!'

"I have several contacts and..."

"I don't care about that. You have nothing that can interest me, just accept your end peacefully."

Cold sweat dripped from my body as I saw his dagger approach me again.

'Maybe...'

Suddenly, an idea came to my mind. But, I soon shook my head, that would be too humiliating, I would rather die than do that.

'However... This will only be temporary... Yes! I can do that for now and, stab him in the back when I get the chance!'

I wasn't sure if it would work, but I could at least try.

If there was one thing I was absolutely sure of, it was that I was without a doubt extremely beautiful! Besides praising my talent, everyone praised my beauty. Immaculate, silky white hair, snow-white skin as soft as a baby's, beautiful red lips, and a perfect face. Even though my breasts were not that generous, I was still only 14, there was still room to grow. I also have extreme confidence in my curves.

There's no way he could resist that!

My eyes moved upward and I gritted my teeth holding in the great humiliation, my mouth slowly opened again.

"Slave..."

"Slave?"

My eyes closed tightly. I opened them again with determination.

"I will be your slave... I will do whatever you want, be it fighting your enemies or even s-s-s-sexual relations... My life will be completely yours, what do you think?"

"Mmm..."

'As expected...'

I saw him pondering over this. There was no way anyone in their right mind could deny something like that.

"Very well, I will let you go."

Just as I expected, he slowly put away his dagger again.

'Whew...' I sighed with relief.

This was a risky thing to do. I swallowed dryly as I slowly stood up and stanched the blood on my right hand. Finishing tying a bandage on the bruise, I knelt lightly on the floor.

"Your servant is at your service, m-master."

His cold golden eyes turned to me.

"Hm, first give me your sword."

'My sword? Urgh...'

I didn't want to give it away. It was a very precious sword, yet I couldn't deny his orders.

'Damn...'

"Here you go, master."

I reluctantly handed over my sword. He took the sword and began to look at it, before nodding his head in satisfaction.

I stared at his back with great hatred as I secretly gritted my teeth.

'Just wait, when I get the chance, I'll go—'

Swoosh!

"Huh?"

A confused expression appeared on my face. I felt an intense burning sensation in my body. My eyes turned to the place where I was feeling this burning sensation and what I saw was...

'Eh? My arm...? Where's my arm?'

Splash!

Blood splashed wildly.

"Aaaahhhhhhhh...! My arm...! My arm...!"

Tears fell uncontrollably from my eyes and I screamed in intense pain.

'Why...?'

Despite the intense pain, I could only think of one thing—why? I raised my head and looked at the hooded man.

"Why...?"

"Do you take me for a fool?" He answered me with a question.

'Did he find out?'

"Oh yes, don't worry, as my first servant I will at the very least bury your corpse."

Ah, how did I believe such a silly plan would work? I felt I could see him smiling over the hood as if he was ridiculing me.

"Don't kill me... Please I beg you... Please... Please... I will do anything for you... Please..."

I was desperate as I mumbled the same words over and over again.

However, it didn't seem that he could hear my pleas, no, he was just ignoring them. He held up a sword, my sword that I had given him, and swung it in my direction.

"Nooooo!!!!"

A flash of white flashed in my vision.

"Please don't! Please don't! Don't kill me! I beg you! I swear I'll do anything you ask me..."

Cheeeeong!

'No...'

Blood spurted out and I felt my body being split in half.

"No! Nooooo! Please, no! No!"

"No what?"