Tower of Endless: Death Granted Entry

On a distant seat of the deep arena, a girl with blacker-than-night hair slipping through the white, tightly fixed bandage over her head. It was Lexie of the Thorn clan, the one who had been slapped or punched, depending on how you looked at it, by Mishu.

She had just been discharged and heard of a duel starting in a few minutes. Having missed the speech and the commotion from the previous day, she wasn’t entirely aware of the current situation, but she decided to take a look regardless, even though her head was still throbbing with pain.

But as soon as she stepped into the area, she almost bolted for another entrance. She saw the demon that had made a mess of her head. And for some reason, it was sitting quietly next to another fresh ascender.

She wasn’t sure who that person was, but she felt an immediate surge of hatred toward him by association. She even suspected he might have been involved in the attack she suffered. In the heat of the moment, it was impossible for her to remember that he was actually the one who had warned her. Skipping that small detail, she watched him with a burning gaze, but he didn’t seem to look her way.

”Are you interested in him?” someone spoke. She turned around and saw an unfamiliar face, but the axe-and-hammer emblem on his gear was one she recognized.

”Who are you?” she asked in a sharp tone.

”Dorbish,” he answered nonchalantly.

She pointed a finger toward the distance. ”And who is he?”

”That guy? His name is Moon,” Dorbish stated.

She turned her face to look, and suddenly, the boy started stripping. ”Whaaaaa?” she startled, a small scream escaping her lips.

Dorbish couldn’t help but laugh lightly. ”He’s the one fighting the duel in a few minutes.” He paused for a second, taking her in. ”Actually, he’s from the first floor. If you’ve heard of the people there, you might be able to understand.”

”Savages,” Lexie stated, her hands curling into fists.

”Well, in a way. He’s strong, though... people are even betting on it now,” Dorbish spoke casually before pointing ahead at something shiny. ”See? That guy there is his opponent.”

Lexie squinted her eyes. ”No way!”

”You don’t believe me?” Dorbish asked lightly.

”No, not that. There’s no way that weak guy would win. Look at his opponent!” Lexie felt the duel was a complete mismatch.

Dorbish nodded. ”Many actually agree with you.”

”Many agree?... Only many, and the rest are blind?” Lexie waved her arms angrily. ”And they’re even betting?”

”Can’t you believe it?” Dorbish asked sarcastically.

”I don’t.” She shook her head.

”But I think Moon will win, actually,” Dorbish said nonchalantly.

”Are you stupid?” Lexie pointed at the center of his face.

”Wanna bet?” Dorbish suggested.

Lexie squinted but didn’t answer. Dorbish let out a light laugh before adding, ”See? Even you believe he would win regardless.”

Lexie looked back at where Moon stood, and the fluffy monster by his side. ”Fine. What are you betting?” she finally accepted.

Dorbish smiled softly, sliding his arm behind his back and pulling the war-axe from its mount. ”How about this? Is this enough?”

Lexie looked at the axe. It was a fine product of his clan, a very fine product that was nearly impossible for outsiders to get their hands on. even if she couldn’t use it, selling it would be immensely profitable. She came from a family that survived through commerce rather than brute strength. She looked suspiciously at Dorbish; she knew he wanted something in return and likely had something specific in mind.

”So, what is it that you want?” Lexie was now calmer, acting like a proper businesswoman.

Dorbish matched her gaze with an unwavering smile. ”Nothing much. What I want is—”

Down in the arena, the key players were already assembled, including Ed, Samuel, Lucen, and even Mishu. Uon stood in the center. He traced a circle in the air with his finger, and a small arcane circle appeared next to his mouth.

”The duel we all have been waiting for now commences!”

His voice echoed loudly in everyone’s ears, and the crowd erupted in cheers. They had been betting on different scenarios, and everyone had something to win or lose. Thus, the masses were far more cheerful than they usually would be for a one-time duel.

”Both parties, please make your way to the ring,” Uon invited.

On one side, Moon started walking down toward the center. He was shirtless and without his sheath; he had carefully placed his belongings where he had been sitting. He was afraid they would get stolen, but seeing Mishu nearby, he figured they were safe enough.

From the right, Colten made his way down as well, with Dave closing in to meet him before they reached the ring. Before long, they were all standing face-to-face.

”On one side, we have Colten of Azure Flame, with his proxy, Knight Dave!” Uon introduced, causing the cheers to erupt again. He didn’t wait for the excited crowd to quiet down. Instead, he turned toward Moon, nodding slightly. ”On the other side, we have Warrior Moon, a mercenary from the Mountain of Gru.”

Another round of cheers erupted, though these sounded far more scornful. Moon pursed his lips. The entire ”Mountain of Gru” thing was a lie he had made up, and he realized now that it might have been a mistake. The first floor was vast, and he had hoped to use the ambiguity of uninhabited regions to his advantage, but it had backfired. Now, everyone was cheering for a lie.

In obvious scorn at that.

’This yellow bastard really knows how to fuck me over,’ he lamented inwardly.

Uon turned to Moon first. ”Do you wish to say something?”

”Nothing,” Moon stated flatly.

Uon turned to Colten. ”Do you wish to say something?” Repeating the question.

Answering confidently ”Yes.” Colten stepped forward to the middle of the arena by Uon’s side. ”I wish to first thank everyone who trusted my knight with victory. But out of respect for a renowned warrior like Sir Moon, I wish to ask something of the esteemed teacher.”

Uon moved his hand, and the arcane circle appeared next to Teacher Samuel’s mouth. ”Speak,” he permitted.

Colten nodded. ”Teacher, I happened to get my hands on a rare pill through a fortunate encounter. It is of the lowest grade, but it is a potent one.” Colten began another round of ranting that started to grate on Moon’s nerves.

Colten opened his hand, and a box appeared, crafted from soft fabric and dark wood. ”This is an Ambient Pill, produced by Ramras Productions.” He opened the box to reveal a colorless, nearly transparent orb with a vivid strand of white flowing inside.

The crowd screamed once they heard Ambient Pill, but ”Silence” Samuel’s let his echo radiate slightly, crushing all chattering.

He looked down at Colten, ”And?” Samuel didn’t look particularly patient.

”Warrior Moon is an exceptional talent. I found my knights, and even myself, lacking when facing—”

Colten’s speech was heading in an obvious direction, but Moon, having already decided he would kill Dave without fail, found his eyes moving toward the narrow slits of Dave’s helmet. As he looked, he saw those eyes, filled with the same familiar malice— but at this very moment they were staring intently at him, and smiling.