Tower of Endless: Death Granted Entry

While Moon was going through a déjà vu conversation with Dorbish, similar in more ways than one to the one he had just had with Talia a few minutes ago...

In the Western Branch, Enzo was watching the recorded round after losing his chance to watch live, unfortunately.

Next to him, Korr was watching as intently as he was.

One had the face of a fanatic fan; the other looked like he was watching educational material rather than a match.

They watched until Moon finally snapped the thick, short neck of Dara.

”Damn, at last!” Enzo laughed loudly and cheered.

Korr, on the other hand, felt his face twitching at his reaction, but he didn’t say anything. Instead, his eyes were glued to the screen.

Specter and Havoc were both clans allied to Enzo right now, which made his reaction more of a threat than anything else to Korr’s ears. Yet, he still managed to somehow hold a straight face.

He kept watching for one simple reason.

He of all people knew best that Moon wasn’t done.

”I guess the match is concluded then,” Enzo said, his finger about to speed forward to check if there was anything he should see now that the combat was finally over.

”Lord Enzo, please wait,” Korr suddenly spoke. ”Watch what he does now that it’s finally over.”

Enzo blinked at the screen but didn’t decline Korr; he kept watching, though not as intently as Korr was.

Moon began by sealing his wounds first, before turning back to Dara.

Moon twisted the dead Dara’s neck back and forth, trying to take off the armor, before it finally returned to its compact state.

Then, he proceeded with his looting ritual.

”Oh well, sadly we won’t be able to bring him to our side now,” Enzo stated casually. ”There isn’t anyone who can fight him any longer in the branch from our side,” he commented.

Korr’s eyes were still glued to the screen. ”How did you convince the teachers to agree to this?” he asked.

”I didn’t. Look at these guys and how proud they are,” he said with a smile. ”These two old men have a long history with my clan, let’s say...” His face turned to Korr and his smile widened. ”...bad blood.”

Korr swallowed hard. ”Someone had bad blood with Lord Enzo’s clan, yet is still alive?” he questioned.

Enzo nodded. ”That’s how amazing they are.”

Korr didn’t know how to respond. He looked again at the screen. ”What about these sets of armor?” He pointed. ”How did they get so many?”

Enzo shook his head. ”If, over the years, our affiliated groups kept leaving items and armor they could not use or have capacity in their inventory for, this is the result.”

Enzo smiled at Korr. ”For many years, we established an inventory in every branch, and these teachers never gave a single shit about it.”

Korr went silent. Only now did he understand what it meant to have a clan with a long history and heritage, preparing for the future when such miscellaneous items would one day be needed.

Enzo pointed at the dead Dara. ”Though this guy’s armor was his very own, I already explained his universal armor to you.”

Korr nodded again; Enzo had explained what universal armor was once Dara made his first appearance.

Before long, the match was finally concluded, and they saw Talia in the ring.

”What’s she doing?” Enzo squinted, not expecting her approach.

Soon, their conversation was magnified for the two of them to hear. ”I hired a useful one,” Enzo nodded, satisfied.

”Korr,” Moon’s voice rang through the screen.

Enzo and Korr watched the suddenly frozen faces, Talia’s step backward. Everyone was too frozen in place all of a sudden.

Even the screen shook, indicating the effects reached the one recording the fight...

”What... What’s going on?” Korr asked.

Enzo chuckled. ”Not only did he name you instantly, he also released enough killing intent to stun everyone.” He laughed it out.

”Korr, my friend, I expect him to hate your guts, but never to this extent.”

Soon Talia announced the next round’s challenge.

Enzo smiled deeply before clapping a few times. ”Admirable by all means,” he nodded in approval.

Korr frowned. ”How so? They will be on the same side regardless of the result,” he questioned.

Enzo nodded. ”Of course they will, which is why I like her move.” He made eye contact with Korr. ”Winning against strong and intelligent people is what makes one great. Fighting useless scum was never my aim, remember this well, Korr.” His tone hardened.

Korr nodded readily.

The recording was finally over.

Enzo’s hand extended and opened; a ring appeared in it. ”This is yours now,” he said, handing it to Korr.

Korr accepted it gratefully. ”Thank you.”

”Now, Korr, tell me... what did you learn from this round?” Enzo leaned back in his seat and asked.

Korr took a deep breath. ”Sir, I think, Sl... I mean... Moon has a gift that allowed him to negate the damage that Havoc warrior inflicted with his Echo.” A few droplets of sweat beaded on his forehead at the error he almost made.

Enzo nodded. ”What else?”

Korr closed his eyes for a moment. ”Sir, I think the two of us, myself and... Moon... only the two of us out of everyone here are familiar with killing.”

Enzo once again nodded. ”That’s true indeed,” he agreed.

Enzo looked at Korr, expecting more, but Korr didn’t say anything else.

”You might not have realized it yet, but his strength is not very high... also, his Echo seems to have an issue,” Enzo added to what Korr had concluded.

Korr blinked. ”What kind of an issue?” he inquired.

”Watch this.” Enzo started playing another video.

One where Moon was walking around with a bouncy-ball-like object. ”What’s that thing?” Korr asked with a frown.

”His Echo,” Enzo said before laughing lightly.

Korr opened his mouth to say something, but Enzo spoke first.

”Now leave, you know everything you need to know.” He waved his hand before adding, ”We won’t be able to recruit him until the second round starts. Until then, prepare well.”

Korr nodded and made his way out. ”Korr,” Enzo suddenly called.

”It seems like you were more like a noble on the first floor, Korr. Everything I’m teaching and giving you might not be worth it if you keep playing noble on the battlefield. That’s his true advantage. Your Echo, no matter how strong, may not work, and your strength will become meaningless if you keep failing to land a hit,” he reminded him before waving his hand.

”Now leave.”

Korr gritted his teeth and walked away. He squeezed the ring he was holding tightly as he walked away.

”Yeah, you are indeed right, Lord Enzo,” Korr whispered. ”A master failing to control his slave multiple times, being challenged and losing his subordinates.”

”Nobility means nothing on the battlefield... it only means incompetence if anything.”

Korr closed his eyes, recalling the sudden moment of rage. How he instantly recalled him...

”Since that day I first found you years ago, I knew you would be my greatest possession, but looking at how things turned out for us... how I lost any way to restrain you... I am now left with no other choice.”

Korr continued on his way, while Moon was still chatting with Dorbish.

”Shouldn’t we go eat? Wanna visit the eatery where I eat?” Moon suddenly offered.