Tower of Endless: Death Granted Entry

”My apologies, I should have properly introduced myself first,” Talia said, before adding, ”My name is Talia of the Knights’ Realm.”

Moon blinked twice; he wanted to introduce himself as well. Yet a certain memory prevented it.

Rowa.

’What if I get caught again?’

’What if I give myself away?’

’What if it leads to everyone knowing I was a slave?’

’What if everyone realizes that the one who was fighting, the one they call Boss, the one they cheered for, that person is just a dead slave?’

Moon’s mind raced; he was afraid.

Afraid of being looked down on, afraid of the shackles that might chase after him once again if his past were to be known.

”Kid, say whatever you want, a lie or not, repeat it as many times as needed, repeat it until it becomes a fact, repeat it until it becomes a fact... I promised you a foothold to carry your weight as an independent person, so don’t you dare question it again!” Ed’s voice came, seemingly both angry and firm.

Moon looked around, trying to find the source of the voice... But not a trace of Ed could be seen.

Talia watched him, along with everyone else in the arena.

”Stop looking around, I’m in the kitchen.” Ed’s voice came again, making Moon exhale and relax a little.

He was afraid everyone else had heard it with him, but more importantly, he realized Ed could force Moon to hear his voice all the way from the kitchen.

’That old man sure is amazing.’ He extended his hand and took Talia’s.

Moon remembered his conversation with Ed that time... The promise of giving him everything he needed to gain a foothold as an independent person.

He felt warmth in his heart; maybe he had been overthinking everything.

He raised his face to meet Talia’s. ”Moon of Gru Mercenaries,” he introduced himself firmly and confidently.

Talia nodded before supporting him to his feet gently. ”Nice to meet you, Warrior Moon.”

Moon exhaled slowly, figuring out how to properly reply. ”Likewise? Knight Talia,” he said, his voice somewhat uncertain.

”Make yourself comfortable; you don’t have to force unfamiliar formalities,” Talia assured.

Moon stood slightly shorter than her, yet he was staring intently at her face, which he couldn’t properly see.

He wasn’t sure, but he felt like she was smiling.

Moon snapped out of whatever was running through his head. ”You certainly didn’t come here just to help me stand, right?” he asked in a different tone all of a sudden.

Talia was taken aback for a moment. ”You are indeed insightful,” she nodded, before adding. ”I came here to invite you to work...”

”I don’t work for others. I’m my own boss,” Moon cut her off.

’What did I expect, damn idiot... Of course she came to make you one of her men,’ Moon lamented inwardly.

Talia exhaled slowly. ”I expected this response.”

”You were watching me?” Moon raised his eyebrow, letting go of Talia’s hand.

”We watch all talented individuals more closely.”

Moon pointed a finger at Zera, who was watching the entire scene from outside the ring in a daze and absent-mindedness. ”Are you that bastard’s young master?” he asked.

”No, we belong to opposing groups,” Talia explained.

Moon nodded in understanding. ”So you want me to be in your group against him?”

Talia nodded. ”Yes, I’d gladly welcome you on my side.”

”Are you worthy of becoming my boss?” Moon suddenly asked. ”Building a group to face another is fine, but what makes you think you can order me, control my actions?” His attitude changed once again, becoming more aggressive and defiant.

Talia was very calm; she was not offended. ”First, the one who plotted this mess has a very large number of supporters; we are fewer than him, even with you on our side.”

”Second, I don’t think you would be willing to work for someone like him.”

”Third, my supporters sent me intel regarding one of his current members, someone from the first floor like you.”

Moon’s eyes widened. ”What did you say?” He couldn’t believe his ears.

Talia frowned; she couldn’t understand what had triggered Moon so aggressively.

”Who, which one from the first floor?” Moon urged.

Talia opened her mouth. ”I...”

”His name isn’t important if you don’t have it, features are enough. An Ashspawn or not, height, hair color... anything.” Moon leaned closer to Talia, his voice full of urgency.

Talia exhaled. ”Everything I know about him is that he’s a 175cm Ashspawn, uses two curved blades, and has a roundish scar on his right cheek.”

Moon heard this, and his mind rang like a war drum... He wished, dearly wished, for one of his brothers to have made it like he did.

He wished for any of them to have made it out and survived... Even if their condition was bad, if he made it, maybe they also would make it.

Yet everything she said pointed to an Ashspawn, not one of his dear brothers.

He suddenly remembered the day the new wave of ascenders began, the time Mishu broke into his room and smacked his face.

That day, Samuel had warned him... warned that this wave would be different and that the eyeball would bring someone from the first floor.

He hadn’t thought much of it once he saw those in the branch; since then, his mind had eluded this piece of information.

He didn’t know how Samuel guessed it, or why he had warned him.

Talia wasn’t aware of the inner turmoil Moon was going through; she proceeded with her intel.

”We also found out that he’s very talented with Echo up to now; he’s training and handling it well,” she said, before adding, ”As for his name, it was...”

”Korr,” Moon said, and with it came something else.

Something that stole everyone’s breath in the arena. Even Talia, who hailed from the very peak of the known floors of the Tower, took a step back.

Killing intent, worse than anything they had ever experienced in their lives, suddenly erupted, bringing shudders and absolute silence all over.

Everyone waited in silence.

”Brat, don’t go crazy... I mean, last time was a lot worse.” Ed’s voice rang in Moon’s ears, snapping him out of his dazed mind.

Moon blinked a couple of times; he felt like his blurry vision was getting worse, stained by flowing blood.

He inhaled deeply before exhaling very slowly.

His killing intent disappeared like a lie; as suddenly as it came, it was gone.

Moon asked, ”Why are you telling me this now?”

Talia shook her head. ”I really didn’t know you had any ties to this person,” she spoke apologetically.

”It’s fine, yet again, why are you telling me this?” Moon asked again.

”Those of the first floor are usually Ashspawns. They are problematic individuals and their reputation is anything but prideful.” Talia’s tone held the utmost sincerity.

”But you are different from them, that’s why...”

”I appreciate it, but I won’t work under anyone,” Moon cut her off and declined again; he wasn’t going to trade intel for his freedom.

Talia also sensed his intent.

Talia suddenly took off her ring, the one bearing the emblem of the Knights’ Realm.

Her very own proof of authority.

”Teacher Samuel, I’d like to challenge Ascender Moon on this skirmish ring one against another, under the strict rule of no Echo, no weapons, no armor... Only physical combat mastery.

The one to lose becomes the subordinate to the other.”