Chapter 23

The Massacre at the Art Theater

“This trial won’t be as difficult as the last one.”

“Somehow, I doubt that.”

“Hmm.”

My heart nearly stopped when the royal guard turned to me. For a moment, our eyes met. Thankfully, he didn’t seem to hear me. Quietly, the armored royal guard scans the theater.

“There are three hundred and sixteen people here. Kill each other until there’s only ninety-nine of you remaining.”

“Catherine, can you repeat what he said? I think I might have misheard him.”

“Sorry, Aaron. I think I might’ve misheard him too.”

“Why the hell are you guys standing around for? Did you not understand me?” The armored royal guard slammed his war hammer on the ground and shouted. “Fight and kill and each other until only ninety-nine of you are remain!”

“Harden!!” The double doors behind me suddenly kicked open. A petite woman stood by the entrance, wearing a jacket that went all the way down to her thighs, nearly covering her shorts. Multiple gold bangles were wrapped around her ankles and tail.

“Another beastman,” I said; my eyes were naturally drawn to her giant white fluffy tail, which was almost as big as her body. And her fox-like ears that had multiple piercings in them. Unlike the beastman that was fighting Emma, her skin was pale, and she didn’t possess any noticeable tattoos that show she was a warrior. However, despite her dainty appearance, anyone who glances at her can tell she was strong by simply looking at the crimson dog tags that hung on her neck, which proved she was one of this country's elite warriors.

“You were trying to make them slaughter each other, weren’t you?”

“Of course. This is the fastest and easiest way to thin out the weak.”

“Honestly.” The new royal guard shook her head in disappointment. “This is the exact reason why you’re not allowed to be near the new recruits. You’re too extreme.”

The new royal guard stomp down the steps barefooted. The bangles on her feet jingle, and her pigtails bouncing as she walks.

“Wait one second.” Emma step in front of the stairs, blocking the royal guard’s path.

Don’t tell me Emma is trying to pick a fight with a royal guard now. I know she’s strong, but I can’t imagine her beating someone like Bella. Let alone Dante.

“Could it be you’re, Sky?”

“Yup, that’s me~” The royal guard wink and threw up two peace signs. “Are you perhaps a fan of mines?” Suddenly, without warning, Emma threw a punch at the petite royal guard. While still holding her pose, the royal guard easily catches Emma's punch with her two fingers.

“Hmm?” The petite beastman cutely tilts her head. “Do you have a grudge against me?”

“No, not at all.” Emma quickly back away. “I’m sorry I had to see if you were the real deal.” Emma bows her head deeply. “You’re an inspiration to me. if it weren’t for you, I would have never made it this far.”

“Who exactly is Sky?” I ask no one in particular. I kind of figured she was someone important due to the red dog tags, but she must be really special to have Emma's respect.

“Sky is said to be the father of martial arts.”

“Father?” Scar simply nodded his head at me and continue his explanation.

“During his younger years, he popularized Aura. A technique many at the time believed to be impractical in combat. He also travels around the world teaching martial arts to the weak and defenseless. Apparently, Dante was one of his disciples.

Wait, she trained Dante?! Just how old is she? She got to be over a hundred years old, but she looks like she’s around seventeen.

“Please, there’s no need for the praise.” Sky bashfully scratch the back of her head. “The person you should be praising is yourself. I can tell by looking at your body. You worked hard to become strong.”

“Th-thank you very much!” Emma bows her again. I’m not sure if I were seeing things, but I swear she’s blushing.

“The same can be said about you. Big guy.” Sky suddenly turns her attention to the beastman. Her blue eyes focus intently on the muscular frame in front of her. “A steel body forge from countless battle. Those scars on your body are proof you faced death countless times, which only made you stronger, and a bit cocky.”

“Hmph. I have nothing to say to a markless beastman.”

“Going by that response and those tattoos, I’m going to assume you hail from the Thousand Isles, right?”

“…” Keeping his word, the beastman gave Sky the silent treatment.

“My, my, my. You tribesmen never changed, but I guess that’s to be expected since you guys are obsessed with your old tradition, even though those tattoos don’t mean a thing.”

“Watch your tongue, or I’ll rip it out!” The beastman practically growled. Sky giggle unbothered by the man towering over her, baring his fangs.

“I like to see you try, little boy.” Sky’s voice deepens. Suddenly, the room felt colder. Both Emma and beastman back away from Sky, who had a bright smile. “Anyway,” Sky clapped her hands together. Instantly, the tense atmosphere she created dissipated like it never existed. “let begin the second trial.”

Sky jumped onto the stage and spun around before striking a pose and shouting, “Hello everyone, my name is Sky! And the blockhead next to me is Harden. We will oversee the second trial. Harden, you mind explaining the rules.”

“I already did.”

“Like hell you- oops.” Sky, quickly covering her mouth like it would hide her voice that was becoming deep again. After a split second of awkward silence, she cleared her throat. “Harden~,” She said, in an amorous tone. Can you please explain the rules? Properly this time.” Sky flirtatiously flutter her eyelashes at Harden.

“If it’ll make you stop doing that, fine.” Harden shook his head before turning to everyone. “This trial is an elimination round. You will fight each other until only ninety-nine of are standing.”

“Standing, meaning you don’t have to kill each other. You just need to knock your opponent out or make them admit defeat.”

“Thank goodness.” Relieved, I place a hand on my heart.

“However.”

“Oh great.” I clench my teeth, preparing myself for the worse

“Murder won’t get you disqualified; accidents happen, we understand that which is why Harden and I will be actively taking part in this trial to stop as much bloodshed as we can. But there’s only two of us and over three hundred of you. We won’t be able to save you all. So if you’re not willing to risk your life, then please step onto the stage. You’ll be safe up here, but you’ll be disqualified from the tournament.

“You hear that? This is your guys’ last chance to quit.”

Right, I almost forgot about the noble brat. As much as I would love to ignore him, I get the feeling he’ll only become more annoying. So, I decided to speak my mind.

“I doubt anyone going to quit. We all came too far just to give up now.” I look at Scar, who was silently watching me. As always, his expression was unreadable. I can’t afford to back down. The only thing waiting for me at home is The Crooked Man. Perhaps that’s why Scar is here. They somehow found out I’m trying to leave the gang, so they sent Scar to sabotage me. No, wait, if that was the case, Scar wouldn’t be helping me, would he?

“Nobody going to quit, huh?” Sky scanned the room. As I expected, no one got on the stage.

“Good.” Sky’s smile widen. “Looks like you all have spirit.”

“Now, let’s see who has the strength to overcome this trial.” Harden steps up and begins to speak. “I will now explain the rules. Listen and understand. I will not repeat myself.

I focus intently on the armored royal guard. Making sure I won’t miss any details.

“If you step on the stage or leave the theater, you’re disqualified. If you attack anyone that’s on stage or has surrender, you’re disqualified. If you ask for our assistance or are rescued by us, you’re disqualified. And if you attack us. Well, there’s no penalty for that. In fact, if you manage to defeat one of us, you won’t have to participate in the rest of the trial since you’ll have a free seat in the tournament.”

“Ooooh!” I could practically feel the excitement in the air. However, I knew better. After seeing a royal guard action and getting my butt handed to by one, I knew full well taking one down was impossible. In fact, I go so far as to say this is a trap.

"Attention!" Sky claps her hands to silence everyone. “We will be shutting the lights off for a few seconds. When the lights come back on, the trial will begin. Use the little time you have in the dark to reposition and prepare yourself.

“Looks like it’s about to begin.” I stretch my body, making sure it was ready for whatever was coming next. My heart was beating so fast it felt like it was trying to break out of my body. Unlike the first trial, which began the moment I enter the city. This one gave me time to prepare, which made me realize I was seriously competing with some strongest people in the world to get in one of the most famous tournaments ever created.

“Look like we won’t be able to work together anymore.” Aaron’s shoulders dropped as he looked at me with puppy dog eyes.”

“We may not be working together, but that doesn’t mean we can’t root for each other. So, good luck.” I place my hand on Aaron’s shoulder.

“You too!” The moment Aaron’s face brighten, the lights shut off, plunging us into the dark.

Thankfully, I can see clearly in the dark. While everyone was shuffling around adjusting to the darkness. I quietly move far away.

I’ve already created a plan to get through this trial. It was quite simple. Hide until the fights over. I know this isn’t honorable or cool, but I don’t care. I’ll do whatever it takes to win.

I sat down in a corner of the theater, which gave me a good view of everything. And it looks like everyone's eyes finally adjusted to the dark. Most spread out trying to get as far from each other as possible, while others group up near the stage.

I guess ganging up on the royal guards is about the only way to take them down. Wait, are they allowed to work together? Now that I think about it, they didn’t mention any penalty for working together. Maybe I can work with Aaron. Where is he?

“!” Suddenly, the theater was flooded with bright light forcing me to close my eyes. The first thing I notice was a head flying in the air. The head looked down, confused at the man in rusted old armor.

Seemly not satisfied with just taking his head, the man in rusted armor swung his badly chipped blade, cleanly cutting the headless body in half and somehow cleaving the person behind him too. Panic consumes the entire theater as the man in rusted armor continues to swing his sword. Every time he swung, people near and somehow far away from him were cut into pieces.

“I told them killing was necessary.” Sky shook her head and let out a disappointed sigh. “We should go help them, is what I like to say, but unfortunately, we got problems over here too.” Directly in front of the stage, a group gathered, waiting for the two royal guards to come down. “Why did you create a rule that allows people to attack us again?”

“Because the only people who have the right to judge a warrior is another warrior that been through the same ordeal.”

“Wow, you almost convince me with that lie, but I can tell your smiling underneath your helmet. Be honest. You just wanted to fight.”

“Hmph.” Harden let out a small grunt. He easily lifts his hammer which was almost the size of his body, over his shoulder. “Don’t talk like you know me, old Man.” Harden casually swung his hammer sending five people flying.

“They’re killing each other for no reason at all.” I hugged my body tightly to stop the trembling. I saw death before. I even saw people murder each other, but never like this, never with such indifference.

“I tried to warn you. This isn’t a place for kids.” A boy in a gaudy red suit climbs the step towards me.

This is the last person I want to deal with, but I figure it was going to be either him or Scar. I really wished it were Scar. At least he doesn’t give me a headache when he talks.

“If you want to quit. I’ll personally escort you to the stage.”

“I’m tired of repeating myself and I’m tired of your voice too. So, do me a favor and shut up and fight me.” I took a fighting stance which had my left arm extended and my right tucked to my side, my right hand balled into a fist ready to strike anyone who got close.

“Very well, but don’t blame me for what happens next. The noble’s eyes begin to glow brightly. I immediately jump backward, sensing something big was coming. A ball of fire formed in the palm of the noble’s hand. The flame quickly spread to his arm.

This could be bad. No, this is bad.

“Please don’t tell me you can control fire.”

“No, what you see before you is Prometheus’ Gift. The primordial light that crafted are very stars and chased the demons back to their Dark World.”

“Oh… Cool.”