The dead. (96)

The scene was painted in dread as the creature's paw, covered with short, coarse hair, was mere moments away from unveiling the shrouded figure. My heart pounded like war drums as I forcefully pressed the brush holding Poisonous Arrows onto the unyielding stone floor.

"AARGH..." the beast before me fell to his knees, but his gaze remained lowered, steadfastly avoiding the gruesome sight.

I wrestled with a tempest of emotions. My gaze wandered aimlessly, fixating on the shifting sky, the eerie trees, but I couldn't bring myself to lower my eyes back to the lifeless body lying before me.

"Kai..." Mina's voice tried to reach through the emptiness that had engulfed my mind.

Taking a hesitant step forward, I struggled to control the tempest of emotions that raged within the depths of my being. Each breath felt trapped within my lungs, ensnared in a vacuum.

[Participant 137, your emotional state may lead to unintended consequences...]

In a surge of impotent fury, I released my entire aura, causing the nearest fighters to crumple to the ground.

The once-white cloth that veiled the form before me now bore dreadful splotches of blood, a stark canvas for the creeping dark purple that refused to be concealed.

Clenching my fangs to stave off a primal scream, I knelt before the enshrouded body. Afraid to confront the painful truth, I gingerly lifted the wrapped body into my arms.

A deathly pale hand slipped from beneath the fabric, settling on my knee. The spatial ring on her finger gleamed, so familiar that it stole my breath away.

I coughed up blood.

It couldn't be.

IMPOSSIBLE!

"Kai... Please... Stop... It..." A faint voice came from behind. I struggled to regain my composure, but reining in the torrent of madness proved nearly impossible.

Ha.

You couldn't do this to me. I refused to believe it. I didn't want to.

With an inscrutable expression, I rose from the ground.

"Uchi," I turned to the beast beside me, my voice a hoarse whisper, laced with horror. "The fighters await their reward. Handle this matter in my stead."

The defeated creatures remained bowed, their necks trembling with undisguised dread.

As I took a few measured steps, the fabric that had concealed the tragedy fell away. Involuntarily, my gaze descended upon her.

I fixated on her thick, unyielding eyelashes, resting placidly above eyes that refused to flutter open. The setting sun cast haunting shadows across her sunken cheeks, lending an illusion of vitality. It was almost convincing, as if she were merely in slumber after yet another grueling day of battle. But the cruel reality lay bare in the cadaverous hue of her skin, the grotesque bulging of her veins.

My gaze drifted lower to the stump of her left leg, a remnant barely concealed by a long-faded red robe.

"Also, report where you found her and under what conditions," I instructed.

"Y-yes," the messenger stammered.

Who had the audacity to take you from us?

And why hadn't I placed a Spectral Familiar on you, to protect you as I should have?

Perhaps you're somewhere beyond, laughing at my negligence.

Her slight form rested securely in my arms. As I held her close, my conviction of her presence grew stronger.

Why was it so painfully easy to lose someone?

The joyous welcome gathering had tragically transformed into my own personal torment.

As I made my way back to the top floor, memories of our time together flooded my mind.

I recalled the sound of her laughter, the soothing cadence of her words. Yet, I knew all too well that these exchanges had been orchestrated by Joe's orders. Nonetheless, even fabricated warmth can become a crutch, a comforting habit. Unaccustomed to the warmth of such close companionship, I had absorbed every moment spent with her like a parched desert absorbing elusive moisture.

I had always been the one looking ahead, fixated on the future, rarely taking the time to truly grasp the past.

But now...

Ha.

It almost seemed as if fate reveled in sending me further into the crucible of suffering, determined to see me survive this harsh world at any cost.

The door creaked open, slicing through the once-cozy atmosphere with harsh reality. Darkness settled like an unwelcome guest, casting a deeper pall over my already wretched state.

With the gentlest care, I placed her on the bed, my fingers brushing against her black strands, matted and crusted with battle's residue. I kissed a solitary strand and whispered to the unmoving figure.

"You never kept your promise. Did you plan all of this from the start?"

Silence remained her only response.

I couldn't keep my eyes fixed on any one thing. My gaze kept shifting, as if drawn to fresh wounds, each one a heavy anchor dragging my soul deeper into a sea of remorse.

If only I had spoken sooner, if only we had settled our differences and stood side by side. I would feel the warmth of your hands, cherish the sweetness of your words.

With a trembling finger tracing the sharp contours of her face, I took one last lingering look at her beloved features. Then, I rose from the bed and sealed us within a protective barrier.

Hobbling over to the nearest chair, I lowered myself into it.

I wished I hadn't sought you out.

It might have been better if we had never crossed paths.

Yes, that would have been better...

But...

"I'll be waiting for you."

"My lord, I will protect your back!"

"My lord, smile; you've grown stronger!"

"My lord, now is the time for rest."

"My lord..."

My heart ached with longing.

Fiery threads of the Abyss ensnared her, winding around her ankle, hips, waist, arms, shoulders, neck, and head.

They gently lifted her body from the bed.

A blue flame, as indifferent as I once was to her warmth, engulfed Yuna. It consumed her flesh with relentless power.

I stared at the disintegrating dust, my gaze locked on a single point, attempting to acclimate to the void that had taken root in my heart, leaving me with an overwhelming sense of loss.

A crooked smile tugged at my lips as I whispered through tear-blurred eyes.

"Goodbye, Yuna Kawakami, the right hand of Participant 137."

---

"Leader." My slumber was interrupted by a persistent knock on the door. For a while, the shadow cast beneath the door's crack remained motionless, until a familiar female voice called out my name once more, "Kai."

I rose without uttering a word. The bed and most of the furniture had succumbed to the relentless decay; only a lone armchair displayed its scarlet interior, resembling a bleeding human heart.

My armor bore the weight of black dust, which crumbled with each step I took.

When I swung open the door, a concerned Mina awaited me:

"Everything is prepared." she bit her lip, her fiery hair framing an anxious countenance.

"What exactly?" I asked, my parched lips parting with effort.

"It's for Yuna's funeral... The fighters have gathered everything required... If she remains here, then it's likely..." Mina's voice trailed off, and she exhaled heavily, bowing her head. - My deepest condolences.

"Death is the sole escape from a painful existence," I muttered, my lips curling into a wry smile. I left the room, "...it's no longer here."

"What?" Mina stared at me, now genuinely surprised.

Her pupils narrowed, like those of a startled feline, and as I peered into their depths, I recognized the approximate reaction to my words:

"I devoured her," I continued, wiping the corners of my mouth. "Took her to bed and tore her apart with my fangs until there was nothing left."

Mina recoiled, shaking her head, her fur bristling, and her ears drooping. She still couldn't fathom it, and I needed to eliminate all her doubts.

"If dragons covet treasure, we Dark Elves crave love," I explained. "From the very beginning, I had no intention of parting with her and giving her body to the unknown lands."

In the Arena, exceptional fighters, whether fallen at the Redemption Plaza or the Survival Crossroads, were granted a chance at burial if anything remained of them. But given the risk of sending the bodies to the Lower Arena, extensive searches would have been undertaken, requiring significant time and resources.

Subsequently, a ceremonial burial was performed, honoring the body. The soul lingered in the void, while the physical remains were preserved to forever immortalize the deeds of the creature. A magical circle transported the corpse into a confined space devoid of time and oxygen, preserving the muscle tissue indefinitely. An eternal sleep for an empty vessel, devoid of soul and consciousness.

How many such graves had there been?

I wanted to obliterate Yuna's body with my own power, so I could be the last to witness her end.

I looked at Mina, a mirthless grin curling my lips.

Killing Joe and Mark had been to my advantage, allowing me to seize leadership of the Alliance, but the added complexity of appearing virtuous wasn't in my plan.

One sentence could shift the course of events. This would suffice to keep them vigilant, always ready to replace me at a moment's notice.

Devouring one's beloved?

A bitter taste flooded my mouth, and I grimaced as I made my way to the throne room.

---

"Everything is prepared. The alchemists and blacksmiths have crafted over 700 artifacts, elixirs, and talismans to fortify the army's formation," Uchi reported, exhaustion etched across their features.

These days had sped by unnoticed, leaving behind fatigue and monotony.

Being a Leader was still a thorn in my side, with information pouring in incessantly. Besides simply gathering the energy from the fighters' experiences, I also had to learn Shorty Joe's primary strategies. He had expertly managed an army exceeding a several thousand, swiftly eliminating the weaknesses of The Infernal Legion, primarily inexperienced newcomers who couldn't adequately adhere to the Arena's rules.

Tapping my fingers on the armrest, I surveyed the fearless warriors assembled, all chosen by Gena and Madeleine.

Before them stood a long table adorned with dozens of space rings, brimming with treasures. Joe's treasury was now depleted, every resource spent in a short span on outfitting our army.

"Very well," I acknowledged.

"Members from the disbanded Alliances have also arrived, seeking an audience," Chang Qing, our foreign policy overseer, reported.

"Allow them in," I replied, closing my eyes briefly as I listened to the thunderous footsteps of several creatures.

"Leader of the Infernal Legion Alliance," they announced collectively, dropping to their knees and fixing their gaze on the floor.

Many among them were formidable beasts, exuding a dense aura of bloodlust.

"What brings you to my doorstep?" I addressed the foremost speaker.

"We wish to join your forces," they replied in unison, their eyes ablaze with genuine enthusiasm.

"I see. Your fate rests on your shoulders," I responded, then turned to Gosha. "Gosha."

"Ahem." Clearing his throat and adjusting his puffy sleeves, he stepped forward, extracted a scroll, and began to recite:

"On behalf of Kai Teran, the newly appointed Leader of the Infernal Legion Alliance, I hereby declare a competition for positions under my patronage. Over the course of a week, sparring sessions will be held for those who seek to join our ranks. Your resolve and strength will determine your entry into the campaign..."

The Bloodthirsty Alliance was never short on combat prowess, valuing power above all else.

The Winged Alliance excelled in knowledge, compensating for any deficiencies with rare artifacts and extensive intelligence about creatures within their grasp.

And the Infernal Legion Alliance, under Joe's reign, had established a modicum of stability. Joe had played the role of a cunning mastermind, amassing wealth while providing the appearance of consistency in his subordinates' numbers. Statistics didn't lie; a significant portion of his forces consisted of weaker fighters who exploited the Alliance's name for their own gain. Yet, even they had a limited lifespan.

Now, it was my intention to purge the ranks of the weak and take command of the strongest. The demonstration battles acted as a launching pad for the talented and a precipice for the indolent.

I had decided to trim the army down to 750 creatures to maintain better control. Allowing external forces into the system was still a possibility, but it needed to be done cautiously. Spies and envious individuals could easily sow discord at the most inopportune moments.

"It's an honor," a large-eared creature raised its head, gratefully accepting the offered scroll.

Now, all that remained was to wait three days and embark on the quest to conquer the Bosses of the Third Level.

The last time, I had significantly boosted my strength, aided by the use of cards. There were still untapped reservoirs of energy within my muscles.

"Leader." My thoughts were interrupted by a soft voice. It was guest, the critter Madeleine had invited. She removed the hood of her hoodie to reveal her face, partially concealed by a mask adorned with intricate patterns. "My name is Varga, a 5th-ranked mage. Greetings, my Lord," she began.

With a swift motion, her tree staff emitted a yellow glow, revealing a colossal, 10-meter-tall creature within the hall.

Massive chains entwined the creature, restricting its movement.

"GRRR," it growled.

Its pink skin bore the marks of deep wounds, a tapestry of fresh scars overlaying the old ones.

"I am a summoner mage. I discovered this creature in an abnormal zone, where it had endured countless battles. It was so weakened that I was able to ensnare it with binding spells."

The voice behind the mask sounded youthful.

I fixed my gaze on the matte surface of the mask.

"Please accept it as a gift to mark the dawn of a new era for The Infernal Legion," the creature implored.

The monstrous being glared at me with immense eyes, within which smoldered a fiery blend of anger and resentment.

Surviving against all odds...

[System, initiate a bloodline analysis on this entity.]

[Confirmed. Commencing detailed analysis of the provided data.]

"Very well. I shall accept this beast and your genuine intentions," I consented, though the word "Lord" stung my soul, unraveling the threads of my spirit.

I strived to immerse myself in the prospect of new beginnings, yet even the faintest allusion to the past sent my spirit plummeting into melancholy.

It remained an enigma who had ended Yuna's life. She was discovered in the portal corridors, seemingly lacking the strength to reach her intended destination.

What experiences had she endured?

[Analysis complete:

Artificial lifeform identified.

Over a hundred DNA samples, including instances of direct inbreeding.

The Void Creature: 0.0009%

Marsh Liana: 0.0007%

Six-Fingered Lunatic: 0.089%

...]

I jerked upright from the throne, my brow dampened with a cold sweat.

Artificial lifeform?

What had they done?

Descending from my throne, I reached out and touched the creature's frigid skin.

Superficially, no signs of such an abnormality were evident, but...

It lacked the faintest trace of a vital pulse. There was no coursing blood in its veins. It stood before me like a sentient stone, devoid of life.

My hand ventured towards its assumed heart.

"Leader?" Uchi approached me, concern etched across its features.

Swallowing hard, I ordered the creature to be taken to an empty chamber.

Its heart didn't beat, and my mental tendrils probed its internal organs. Everything appeared normal, but they remained entirely inert.

"Where did you find this creature?" I inquired.

"We discovered it in a desolate cemetery of sorts. The area was strewn with bones of various sizes and shrouded in an impenetrable fog that concealed the surroundings," the creature replied.

A forsaken cemetery filled with bones. It made me think back to three years ago when high-ranking skeletons dispatched the corpses of creatures and beasts into abnormal zones. Was this what they intended to achieve?

I was familiar with reanimated corpses, mere puppets manipulated by summoners. I knew of zombies, where the overindulgence of the malevolent essence led to the body's decomposition before the soul's eventual dissolution.

However, a cadaver that moved of its own volition, devoid of any signs of decay? This was an entirely different enigma.

I clenched my fist and stood in contemplation, scrutinizing the newly updated database detailing the enigmatic creature's lineage.