Tower of Endless: Death Granted Entry

Dave let go of the girl, now completely focused on the face he hated, maybe the most in his life.

His life had always been an easy one; he joined the Knights of Azure Flame as a child cadet, and was talented enough to get close to one of the younger generation’s main line, Colten.

His desires were always fulfilled, always sheltered, always shielded...

Never once did he suffer poverty for as long as he could remember, but now, this person had blocked him twice in a single day.

He completely took the attention his master had given him, and even got him humiliated by the very master he clung onto.

His master even doubted his ability to win against him—someone of the first floor who didn’t even know what echo was until recently, a brute by nature and upbringing.

But he was also talented when it came to provoking others.

Even his master, Colten, had advised him not to think about anything but blocking the first attack; if he managed to do that, it was their win regardless of anything.

This was the most humiliating moment of Dave’s life.

Block once? This was nothing but wishful thinking, for he had made up his mind... He was going to kill this savage. His mind was already set.

His bloodlust was evident, but he had yet to completely lose his mind to release his echo and use his sword on Moon.

He caught this girl in passing to release his frustration, but she was noisier than he thought she would be, and the sound echoed further than he expected... He had to smash her entire mouth to keep her silent, but now that this very noise had brought Moon himself to his fists, it was time to teach him a lesson.

A lesson he would never understand for the next few hours of his life, for he was already a dead man.

Dave’s frustration was already beyond the point of containment, not for an extra second; he looked at the girl he jerked to the ground, for he would return soon for her.

He didn’t gather the slightest echo, nor did he unsheathe his sword... It was still thrown somewhere with his pants to begin with.

He dashed at Moon with all the strength he could muster, throwing a punch squarely at his face.

Moon shrieked, ”Don’t touch me with these dirty hands!”

Dave, who moved like a released arrow, found himself hitting nothing by the time he should have... He even lost sight of his opponent.

Slam~

”AUGH!” Dave’s head slammed into the ground. He tried to understand what just happened.

He looked at the sky, panting heavily.

He tried to remember what had hit him, but all he could remember was a foot, a foot that hit his face and forced his head all the way down to the ground.

There wasn’t any pain, but he felt warmth running down his nose, and the taste of iron filling his mouth.

His vision was suddenly obscured by the face he tried to hit but failed.

”Seems like a comfortable sleeping spot, don’t you think?” Moon was leaning forward, looking him into the eyes.

Dave couldn’t react, he didn’t know what to do... to a certain extent, he was also afraid.

”Now, now, don’t make that face. I tried not to hit you too hard anyway... For now, I think it would be better for you to head to bed, sleep for a while...” Moon advised. ”You sissies tend to play victim whenever possible,” he also clarified.

”I don’t want my duel to get affected by what’s happening now, so I tried not to hit you too hard...” Moon straightened his back, looking at the pitch-black sky. ”You might say I’m not in a perfect condition and try to ditch it, wouldn’t ya?”

Dave was still trying to process everything slowly; he was defeated with the first hit.

Without being able to fight back, block, or even see how he was hit... He was utterly helpless against him... He only now understood why Colten avoided fighting him without echo or weapons... It was impossible for them to win.

He understood now how wise his master was, but his hatred for Moon had not in the least receded.

”If only I had—” Dave tried to speak.

”Shut up bitch, tomorrow use them,” Moon cut him off. ”I’ll count to ten. If you stay pantless and sleeping, I’ll just bash your head enough to kill you here and now,” Moon threatened.

”Maybe Colten will pick someone who feels more like a good future underling than you,” Moon added before he started counting.

”Ten.”

”Nine.”

”Eight.”

”Three.”

Dave, startled by the sudden skip, forced himself to sit up.

He looked at Moon, finding him smiling excitedly.

And Moon didn’t disappoint him.

”One.”

Dave rose to his feet, grabbed his pants, along with his sword, and started running away.

Now that he left, Moon stood in place for a moment, a very long moment...

He wasn’t sure of what he had just done, or aware of many things in this world... He was conflicted, but he also felt like this was something he had to do.

But the fact that he couldn’t find the reason didn’t sit well in his heart... but in the end, he looked back at the girl who was trying to stand with difficulty...

He didn’t attempt to help her, nor did the thought cross his mind in the least; she looked too weak, and he never bullies the weak.

Maybe preventing a weakling from getting bullied was the right thing to do, or so he thought, letting the matter off his mind for now.

But that wasn’t the end of it; the girl who had finally stopped crying suddenly started crying again, and maybe... it was worse.

He didn’t understand what was wrong with her. He wanted to say something, but before he did...

”Shank yoooh.” Amidst her cries, and her ruined mouth and broken teeth, she forced these words that should have been normal, but they felt different to Moon.

He forced his face away from her. ”Hurry to the medical ward, your face is a mess,” he said, as he started walking away feeling even more conflicted than he was.

Further away, on the top of a distant building, Samuel and Ed were standing side by side, watching everything that had taken place since the beginning.

”What exactly are you trying to prove?” Samuel asked.

”Bruh, isn’t that obvious?” Ed placed both hands in his pockets and straightened his back, looking into the sky.

”Is it?” Samuel spoke in evident dissatisfaction.

”I woke him up with echo,” Ed clarified.

”And nearly gave him a concussion.” Samuel was not convinced.

”I also prevented you from interfering,” Ed said, taking credit.

”The child was nearly raped,” Samuel retorted.

”That’s why I directed her screams to Moon.” Ed was seemingly prepared.

”What are you trying to do?” Samuel’s patience was starting to run thin.

Ed took a hand out of his pocket, rubbing his forehead. ”Everything. Are you really trying to act stupid or being ignorant for real... Can’t you see that this kid is weird...” Ed paused, gathering his thoughts. ”Don’t you think something doesn’t sit right with him?”