Dealing with the Traitors. (95)

[ Participant parameters 137 have been updated.

Participant 137 has ascended from the position ofGeneral of the Third Battalion to become the Leader of the Infernal Legion Alliance.

New Abilities Unlocked:

1. Summon Energy Fields: Can conjure energy fields capable of subduing over 1,000 members of your Alliance simultaneously:

Obedience - 10,000 Endurance Points, total area of effect - 1 km, duration - 5 minutes.

Submission - 25,000 Endurance Points, total area of effect - 5 km, duration - 3 minutes.

Humility - 50,000 Endurance Points, total area of effect - 7 km, duration - 1 minute.

2. Absorb Experience Points: Can absorb the experience points of your fighters as you progress through battles. Currently: 5,972/200,000 points.

You can allocate points to enhance side skills. Presently, 2,250 Alliance fighters are engaged in battle, distributed across various levels.

600 - at the first level.

350 - at the second level.

100 - at the Third Level.

1,100 - at the Fourth Level.

50 - at the Fifth Level.

25 - at the Seventh Level.

Total passing score for the 36th floor: 1,800/10,000...]

"Leader." The henchman halted, bowing his head. "We have uncovered a deserter, attempting to flee to the upper Levels."

With a forceful kick to the knees, the henchman caused the stout fighter before him to crumple awkwardly to the floor. He ripped off the black sack covering the knobby head, revealing a trickle of blood oozing from the tightly clenched yellow beak. Mark stared at me blankly, clutching a pile of High-Grade Spiritual Stones in his hands, a rather comical sight given the circumstances.

Seated on a decaying leather throne that emitted a nauseating odor, I casually glanced at my betrayed comrade.

"It's been a while."

Smirking, I rose from my seat and descended the steps.

A lightning bolt streaked across the sky behind me, its brilliance dwarfed by the fiery fury in the eyes of the enraged high-ranking fighters.

Every step I took sent jolts of pain coursing through my body, courtesy of the numerous open wounds. While the artifact's energy assisted in replenishing my strength and endurance, it simultaneously wreaked havoc on my physical form.

Gripping the creature's broad neck, I heaved the heavy body off the floor.

"Where is Yuna?"

Cough.

Warm blood splattered onto me. Curling my lips, I peered down at the torn abdomen teeming with ravenous maggots.

"Who conducted the interrogation?" I couldn't conceal my irritation.

"I did," Mina stepped forward, her fist clenched. "I am prepared to accept the appropriate consequences."

"Do you believe now is the time... Ha-a. Bury Greg and the others so that there won't be any further insubordination this time."

A substantial pool of blood had collected beneath the body bag.

I tossed Mark into a corner and cast a scrutinizing gaze at the skeletons, declaring, "Based on reliable evidence, you were outwitted by the former Leader and General Mark. I request that you treat the circumstances with understanding and punish this fighter in accordance with all Arena rules."

The winged skeleton seized Mark by the collar, cutting him off from the outside world. He was no longer a threat or an asset to anyone.

The skeletons wordlessly filed into the open portal.

I couldn't fault the Caretakers for this negligence, but delving deeper into the matter would only lead to my own grave, complete with a prepared tombstone.

I let out a sigh.

Time to return to business as usual. Six creatures stood behind me, each seemingly brimming with questions.

The solemn atmosphere momentarily subsided, giving way to an air of condescending comprehension regarding the unfolding events. I detected no traces of hostility or defiance in their expressions.

"Uchi, you shall remain here. We must tend to the aftermath of the battle, compensate the owner of the skyscraper for the incurred losses, and apprise me of the Alliance's current projects."

The old turtle bowed obediently, placing a hand over its heart. "I shall adhere to your directives."

"Gena, Madeleine, gather all the Alliance fighters. Do not touch the deserters. Assemble them within the next few weeks to this Level. Those on the Fifth Level and above need not be contacted. Announce my authority and invite everyone to the impending feast. And... one more thing. Locate Yuna; she may be stranded on the lower levels. Spare no expense, and rest assured, I anticipate positive results."

"Yes." Both creatures nodded and stepped forward.

"Gosha, you will remain with me to welcome the newcomers. Undoubtedly, there will be those who wish to meet the new ruler of the Third Level."

"As you wish, Leader." The creature curtsied, offering a pleased smile.

"Chang Qing." I directed my gaze toward the wounded beast. Among those assembled, he appeared to harbor doubts. "If you desire to spar with me, I shall always be ready. However, it would be wiser for us to prepare for the coordinated deployment of as many fighters as possible to the uppermost Levels."

"I... I'm simply astounded by your... your might," the beast stammered, taking a cautious step forward, reluctant to speak further.

Of course, I was well aware that things were not as straightforward as they seemed. These fighters lowered their heads before me for one simple reason.

Absolute power. Triumph over someone they once considered invincible.

But none of them suspected that I possessed a rare artifact. Those energy fields that had subdued us before the battle had absorbed a significant portion of Shorty Joe's power.

[System, what happened to Joe's soul?]

[The imprisoned Primordial Essence of the Leader is currently being digested by the Lamp of a Thousand Dreams. Would you like to view the activity window?

Yes. No.]

I selected "Yes."

The blue screen revealed a lamp that was already lit, emanating a dim flame that seemed to materialize from the dark miasma of Joe's Essence.

[Thousand Dreams Lamp Artifact Activity:

28%]

[How much strength can it bestow upon me?]

[Approximately restore half of your Endureance.

The majority of the energy will be absorbed by the artifact itself until the Lamp unlocks new abilities.]

[Understood.]

I dismissed everyone except Gosha and ordered the throne to be cleared of debris.

As I had mentioned earlier, guests began to arrive, and along with them, battle-hardened veteran fighters. Many brought offerings and gifts to strengthen the newfound alliance. In return, I welcomed their gestures with open arms.

The island became a bustling hub of creatures for several days, and, frankly, I grew weary of the extended reception.

Sitting in the same spot on the hard throne, I found myself increasingly bored.

Over the course of two days, many fighters had ascended to the Fourth Level. Since there were fewer generals now, I turned my attention to promising creatures and beasts in the hopes of recruiting the strongest among them.

Five days later, the festivities drew to a close.

Margot was the last to arrive, extending her congratulations. She inquired about the fake artifact's origin, particularly where I had obtained it.

Prepared for such questions, I shifted the blame to the Second-Level black market. I had already conducted a thorough sweep of the floors, uncovering a seedy shop that had been peddling counterfeit artifacts for years, duping unsuspecting newcomers.

Ha-ha.

Thankfully, knowledgeable informants (thanks to my contribution) had already sold the external data of the Lamp of a Thousand Dreams to enterprising merchants. Thus, the era of deceived creatures and beasts was nearing its end.

However, I couldn't escape the nagging guilt of this blatant lie. After all, I owed Margot for saving me. Though I may not have been on the brink of death at that moment, my resistance would have been prematurely crushed, and Joe, poised to absorb my strength, might have found a way out of the predicament. This situation left me somewhat bound.

Nonetheless, the Leader of the Winged Ones had found an ally in me, which could have ripple effects on other Alliances. The main forces were rallying – wasn't this a grand response to kickstart our campaign?

[Purchased 200 Automatic Takeover cards for 440,000 points.]

I spent a week behind closed doors, and with 100 cards, I managed to substantially raise my attributes.

[Participant 137′s Parameters Updated:

Race: Dark Elf.

Rank: 14.

Strength: 59,100 (+29,800).

Dexterity: 56,900 (+29,800).

Endurance: 63,200 (+42,500).

Magic Resistance: 51,400 (+29,800).

Cursed Welfare: 2.

Mana Perception: 54,150 (+31,850).

Intelligence: 62,160 (+42,500).

Mental Strength: 56,300 (+33,900).

Regeneration: 53,000 (+40,500).

Skills:

Spectral Familiars (Level 17), Spiritual Weapons (Level 35), Poison Arrows (Level 34), Shadow Steps (Level 31), Shield Of Light (Level 7), Breath Hypnosis (Level 25), Steel Claws (Level 24), General Armor (Level 29), Aura Enhancement (Level 5).]

My battle with Shorty Joe had earned me considerable experience, enough even to enhance my secondary skills.

"Leader," a voice called from beyond the door.

Opening my eyes, I looked down at myself. During training, I had unconsciously shifted from my Dark Elf form to a humanoid one.

My skin bore a silver hue in some places, while sharp scales protruded in others. The room's light cast a shadow on the wooden floor behind me. The curved horns atop my head felt weighty, and my leather-clad wings, stretched wide, nearly grazed the side walls.

"Leader..." There was a cough. "Yuna... she..."

I hastily threw on my cloak over the General's Armor and swung the door open.

Before me stood a trembling figure.

Observing my disheveled demeanor, they recoiled in terror and stammered, "She's... down below."

Their words sounded mumbled.

Ah, the moment of my triumph was drawing near.

Casting a final glance at the neatly arranged sheets and the made-up bed, I broke into a smile, my lips tingling with the strain.

Everything was in place. I had taken the seat of power, and now, without a doubt...

With every step I took, I noticed the minions scattering. The creatures and beasts dared not meet my gaze.

As I clenched my fist, approaching the exit with somewhat less enthusiasm, a prickling sensation enveloped my heart. It felt as though...

For a moment, I didn't feel like descending at all. A foreboding of something dreadful gnawed at my gut.

Swallowing hard, I made out the solitary silhouette of a girl standing in the blackened doorway. Mina turned to me, shaking her head in disappointment.

With each step, my body seemed to turn to lead until I finally came to a halt.

I watched a procession of fighters bearing a flat wooden board draped with a white cloth on their shoulders. In some places, purple blood was already seeping through, resembling the toxic beauty of oleander flowers – captivating yet perilous.

My ears rang, and I hardly noticed as the wooden board was set down near my feet. I failed to register the words of mourning escaping the pallid lips of the creature.

It couldn't be true.