Deathmatch Invitation

Broken Lake Prison, Dining Hall.

"I won 45 Contribution Points, and I still have to take part in the Blood Moon Judgment in a few days!?"

Ash looked up blankly from his meal, wearing the expression of someone who had been swindled. "Didn't you say that the more Contribution Points someone had, the later their Judgment Sequence would be!?"

"That is indeed the case."

Lang Na took a sip of milk. "But there is one prerequisite—no prisoner may miss their first Blood Moon Judgment. Only a very small number can escape it due to amnesty or similar reasons."

"Only those who survive a Blood Moon Judgment will have their later Judgment Sequence arranged according to their Contribution Points."

"What if I die in my first Blood Moon Judgment?"

"If you have such concerns, why not throw the match against me and give me all your Contribution Points?"

"In your dreams!" Ash grumbled. After thinking for a moment, he asked, "You said before that only one person dies in the Blood Moon Judgment?"

"Yes. There are eight participants, but only one dies." Lang Na said, "The chance of dying is only 12.5%. That's actually pretty low—under normal circumstances."

"Am I normal?"

"Clearly not. As the leader of the Four Pillar God Heresy, you are not. Murder, kidnapping, imprisonment, bloody sacrifices... at least a thousand civilians suffered because of you. Your notoriety has become widely known during this time. Unless something unexpected happens, you will definitely be a major focus of the Blood Moon Judgment."

Hiss had flown bravely, leaving Ash to carry the blame... Ash's resentment toward Hiss was boundless. If he had brain damage, he should have drunk Six Walnuts! Why start a cult? And one so infuriatingly vile that people hated it more than predatory lenders!

"So, what do you think? If you're giving up, why not give your Contribution Points to me?" Lang Na said. "I'll remember your sacrifice and live happily with my boyfriend..."

"Get lost!" Ash snorted. "Maybe I'll survive it. I'm not giving up!"

"Fine." Lang Na apparently did not care much about Ash's 95 Contribution Points. "Someone wants to challenge you. Will you accept?"

"So that's why you were waiting for me in the Dining Hall?"

"That's right." Lang Na said frankly, "As for why, you'll understand once you see how many Contribution Points they wagered—37."

Ash narrowed his eyes. "Someone who has fought 36 deathmatches is challenging me? I only wager 2 Contribution Points, you know."

Lang Na shrugged.

"That's why I came specifically to inform you."

"Generally speaking, newcomers challenge veterans in deathmatches, because newcomers can make a big gain with a small stake. Veterans can challenge newcomers too. Even a mosquito is still meat, but they usually wait until after five matches. Otherwise, veterans don't even have the interest to earn Contribution Points."

"So when a veteran took the initiative to challenge you, I was rather surprised. I wanted to ask whether you had some kind of grudge with them."

"Who is it?"

"Valkas Ul."

Ash shook his head. "Never heard of him."

Of course he had never heard of him. He did not even possess Hiss's memories. Even if Valkas really had a grudge against Hiss, Ash could not possibly know.

"Xilin Dor."

"Hm?" Ash blinked. "Who?"

Lang Na waved his hand. "Nothing. I just remembered an acquaintance."

"So, are you willing to accept Valkas's challenge?"

"What weapon does Valkas use?"

"A sword."

Ash's heart stirred. He glanced sideways and saw Sword Maiden sitting cross-legged on the dining table, her arms folded over her chest as she watched him calmly. The black silk stockings on her legs were especially eye-catching.

She shot Ash a sidelong glance. "Is it fun, sneaking looks at me?"

"Sorry." Ash turned and stared wide-eyed at the black silk stockings. A thought suddenly occurred to him. "Come to think of it, since you can touch me, does that mean I can touch you too? Ahem, Sword Maiden, wash yourself clean when you get back..."

Clang! Sword Maiden drew her ornate decorative sword. Ash immediately sat upright and said to Lang Na, "Tell Valkas to wash his neck and wait for me tomorrow!"

"Then come to the Deathmatch Club tomorrow morning. I won't disturb your meal any longer. My boyfriend is waiting for me. Goodbye." Lang Na departed like a gust of wind after saying that.

Ash had thought Lang Na's boyfriend was waiting in a Couple Room with the room prepared, but after looking twice, he realized Lang Na was not heading toward the Couple Rooms. Instead, he was heading toward the Deathmatch Club... Maybe people were still fighting deathmatches late at night and wanted the Healers to work overtime until they dropped dead, Ash thought.

"Let's go back to the Dormitory." Sword Maiden jumped down from the table. "You'll be busy tonight. I'm taking you to explore a world you've never understood."

Ash's face instantly flushed red with anger—what did she mean, a world I've never understood!? Did I look that much like a virgin!?

This woman was going too far with her words. If I let her keep acting so arrogantly, wouldn't I lose all status!?

"Why aren't you coming over?"

"Coming~"

At 8:45 p.m., an unknown deathmatch was taking place in the Deathmatch Club, with no other spectators present.

"Ash accepted, but not because of the name you gave me. He was looking forward to an opponent who used a sword—he only made up his mind when I told him you used a blade."

"Thank you. I owe you a favor this time, Lang Na."

"Valkas, you can repay that favor right now by telling me why you suddenly set your sights on little Ash. Does it have something to do with that name—Xilin Dor?"

In the dim spectator stands, a lean middle-aged man was watching the feeding on the arena.

Yes, feeding. There was probably no better word for it. Though the food moved, fled, screamed, and begged for mercy, it was ultimately still food being gnawed upon.

"I don't mind telling you, as long as you don't regret it."

"Then forget it. My boyfriend and I are deeply in love, and I'm satisfied with my life. I don't want to get involved in the games of important people."

Lang Na tore off a strip of warm flesh and slowly chewed it in his mouth. "But is Ash really the leader of the Four Pillar God Heresy? I think I'm pretty good at judging people. He seems more like a student who has only recently started working. I thought he was innocent."

The middle-aged man snorted coldly.

"Everyone who enters this shithole is far from innocent. The only difference is whether filth has merely stained their skin, or whether they opened their mouths and willingly swallowed the stench themselves."

"I'm eating, Valkas. Could you not talk about shit?"

"Then I won't disturb you any longer. Enjoy your meal."

When the doors of the Deathmatch Club rumbled shut, the faint, lingering wails vanished into the ink-dark night.

Valkas walked through the Prison corridors. Every prisoner and Prison Guard he encountered kept their distance from him with Apathy.

Occasionally, he encountered a new prisoner who had only recently arrived. When they saw Valkas's ears, their faces naturally revealed gloating expressions.

Because Valkas's ears were pointed.

When Valkas returned to his Dormitory, he saw a Prison Guard waiting outside his door.

He had expected it. As he opened the door, he said quietly, "Ash Hiss has agreed to a deathmatch with me."

"You must completely crush his brain, heart, and spine, reducing him to a state even a Two-Winged Sorcerer cannot heal," the Prison Guard said.

"I will do what you asked. What about the matter you promised me?" Valkas opened the door but did not enter. He turned and stared at the Prison Guard.

"As long as Ash Hiss dies tomorrow, you will disappear from this Prison after the next Blood Moon Judgment ends," the Prison Guard said. "However, you and that child may not remain in Kaimeng City. That is Mr. Xilin's demand."

"I have no interest in continuing to breathe the same air as Xilin either." Valkas revealed a disgusted expression.

"Free activity time is nearly over. Stop standing outside and get into your cell."

Valkas's mouth twitched. He stepped into his room and allowed the automatic door to close.

The Prison Guard turned and left, the corners of his mouth curling upward as he let out a cold laugh.

"A mere Elf death row inmate, yet he still clings to the pride of a born noble... Heh!"