A fate worse than death

A ginormous grassland seeped through the largest area. So much so, it was difficult to concur whether it has an end or not.

However, the scene in semblance was in no way pleasant or beautiful to look at. Considering how the whole scope of the surface was covered in an ominous fire. The apparatus in every direction churned reclusively, never stopping for a second. 

Even though now there was nothing left to burn.

By the time the sun was down, darkness loomed above the great pit, in the middle of it all. Apart from the sounds of the blaze, there was nothing but a deafening silence in the city. The only place still unaffected by the great conflagration. 

About 10 or a dozen of men and women stood in the heart of the said city. Their expressions were strained and their bodies and clothes were littered with crimson blood.

Nonetheless, not even a single one of them had the eyes of the survivors. Instead, it was hollow and dark, enveloped deeply with dread. All of their hands clenched a weapon in a dire way while drifting gazes were lurking all around.

Still, the oddity of the situation remained baffling. 

None of their gazes were focused on the great fire outside or the seeping darkness of the night. Instead, they looked at each other suspiciously, filled to the brim with malice and fear.

AAAAAHHHHHHH

A shrill scream again suddenly echoed throughout the metropolitan. Turning the numerous wide eyes to the door of the basement.

Since the day of the faithful news, it had almost remained the same way. 

The joyous revelation of the caught invigilator and his ongoing interrogation had sent a wave of hope among them. The people of the city believed it was only a matter of time before they could overcome the arduous trial of the stairs.

However, that hardly turned out to be the case. 

On the contrary, for the past week the screams and pleas just never stopped echoing from the mangled place. And the worst part of it all was…. It probably belonged to a kid.

At the moment, even the eyes that only held contempt and dread in them turned sober. All of them focused on the gate of the seemingly nether. The one common emotion that swirled almost inside every single one of them, as they stared at it. 

Pity.

Huff Huff

"Tell us! How do we stop the trial!?"

A buff man with a long metal rod in his hand shouted, seemingly out of breath. He staggered and plunged into the chair inside the dark cellar. His eyes swam with uncertainty and regret, staring at the figure in front of him.

By now, even he was confused if the boy really was, who their leader expected him to be. After all, in his whole career. He never saw a person, a kid, of barely 15 or 16 hold out for this long.

The ground was splattered with an uneven amount of blood marks and trail. The long whip of barbed wire was filled to the helm with the amount of blood it held, similar to every other tool in the room.

"....I want a chat with the chief"

The chains rattled and the second man in the cellar, who was very skinny in comparison, got up. His expression held a grimace before he stormed out of the cell. Leaving the buff man alone with the intruder.

"....Why are you being so stubborn?"

The buff man gritted his teeth, slowly letting go of his metal rod. His eyes swam with uncertainty, looking at the naked figure in front, cladded in chains from the wall.

The white porcelain skin of him, which now has turned completely pale and red, tore away from every single inch of his body. His shallow breath was feeble and uneven, as though it was a matter of time before it stopped.

His black hair was shaved in different patches, all splashed with ghastly blood clots. The wounds were as clear as they looked, it was not healing at all. 

The scarlet, pensive eyes of his, which were burning in the past now looked completely sunken, slowly scanning through the prison cell.

Sig's lips quivered a little, his battered body drowned in his own blood, along with his visible bones gave a little jerk. He stared hollowly at the buff man.

His lips trembled again, before parting slowly.

"W-Wat….er"

The soft voice echoed a little in the silent basement before the buff guard shot him an expressionless look. Replying in a serious yet contemplating tone.

"Sorry…. But you are not getting any water today."

The gate of the basement rattled suddenly and two people worth of footsteps resounded in the empty basement.

"You look on the verge of death, my friend."

A loud yet serious voice again resounded in his ears. Prompting Sig to slowly try to raise his head.

Sig held his breath letting his horrified eyes meet the tanned, charming man in front of him. The man had a little smile on him, his white canine on the right peeking out.

"W-W..ate.."

He tried to repeat his request, only to be completely ignored by the charming man. Instead, the man turned to look at the two guards in the back of the cell.

"So? What did you find?"

The guards looked at each other reluctantly, before the buff man started.

"N-Nothing sir…. The bastard hasn't said a word about the trial apart from pleading and apologizing. He kept repeating 'I know nothing about any goddamn stairs' since the very first day."

The charming man's smile ceased, and a thoughtful expression slowly made its way. He was silent, his eyes turning between the dying Sig and the guards.

"Have you tried everything?"

The buff guard shuddered and nodded.

"...Yes sir, we did. From the first degree to the third. Also, for the past 2 days, we didn't give him any amount of rest or food.

"....However, I am afraid if this continued, he is not going to survive."

The charming man shook his head in response. He stepped unnaturally toward the guard, suddenly his hand moving at terrifying speed. 

The hand connected to his face, smacking the guard with an unreal amount of force. The guard turned at the moment and flew into the wall, coughing a mouthful of blood.

"He is going to die!? He!?"

Pointing a finger at Sigurd, the charming man shouted at the guard on the ground.

"MORON! This is a mythical being called an invigilator. Do you believe this thing can even die!?"

The tanned man flashed to the table and picked up a dagger from it. Without a moment's delay, he rushed at Sig and grabbed his hand.

Sig's eyes dipped in horror as he tried to pull his hand back. All the same, it proved to be futile. His strength failed him utterly and completely. He tried to move his hand even if an inch, his lips trembling with the same few words.

"...N-o…No….N-No. Pl..lease"

The man met his eyes with glee, before smiling menacingly. His hand moved at an unbelievable rate and the sound of something falling resounded in the prison compartment.

HHAAAAAAAAAAAAAA 

An indescribable amount of pain rushed to Sig's senses, nothing like he had ever experienced before. The wave of blood flooded out from where all of his fingers used to be. 

He jumped but failed due to the chains, and rolled on the ground, screaming. 

The guards gulped in apprehension looking at their leader. As the tanned man threw the dagger on the ground and shot them a warning look.

"See? He did not die, did he? 

"Now! Stop wasting my time and get to work. Do whatever you have to, just make him talk by tomorrow."

The tanned man stepped out of the cell, moving toward the entrance of the basement. Slowly, in the end, the last of his harrowing words resounded and echoed in the wretched prison cell.

"....Even if you have to kill that thing a few times."