Shattered Lake Prison, dining hall.
"I won 45 contribution points, but I still have to participate in the Blood Moon Judgment in a few days!?"
Ash, who was eating, raised his head in a daze and looked as if he had been deceived. "Didn't you say that those with more contribution points would be further down the judgment sequence?"
"Indeed."
Runner said as he drank his milk, "But there's a premise—all prisoners are not allowed to miss their first Blood Moon Judgment. Only a very small number of people can escape because of reasons like special amnesty."
"Only those who survived the Blood Moon Judgment will have their judgment sequence arranged according to their contribution points afterward."
"What if I die during the first Blood Moon Judgment?"
"If you have such concerns, why don't you fix a match with me and give me all your contribution points?"
"In your dreams!" Ash muttered. He thought for a moment and said, "You said before that only one person will die in the Blood Moon Judgment?"
"Yes, there are eight participants, but only one will die," said Runner. "There is only a 12.5% chance of death, which is actually quite low—this is under normal circumstances."
"Am I a normal person?"
"Obviously, as the leader of the Four Pillar Deities Cult, you are not. Murder, kidnapping, imprisonment, bloody sacrifice… There are at least more than a thousand people who have suffered because of you. Your reputation is known by everyone during this period of time. If there are no accidents, you will definitely be an important target of attention in the Blood Moon Judgment."
Heath could do as he pleased, and Ash would be his scapegoat… Ash was filled with endless resentment towards Heath. If he had brain damage, he should just take supplements! Why did he have to form a cult?! And he caused such a huge uproar too. He's even more hated than online lending!
"How about it? If you give up, why don't you give me your contribution points?" Runner said, "I will remember your sacrifice and live on happily with my boyfriend…"
"Get lost!" Ash snorted. "Who knows, maybe I'll survive. I won't give up!"
"Very well, then," Runner said, as if he didn't care about Ash's 95 contribution points. "There is a man who wishes to challenge you. Do you accept?"
"That's the reason you waited for me in the dining hall, right?"
"That's right," Runner said frankly. "As for the reason, you'll understand once you look at the contribution points that the other party bet—37 contribution points."
Ash narrowed his eyes. "Someone who fought 36 deathmatches previously challenges me? I'll only bet two contribution points, you know."
Runner shrugged.
"This is why I specifically came to inform you.
"Generally speaking, it's always the deathmatch newbies who challenge the experienced ones, because the newbies can win big with small bets. It's not impossible for the experienced ones to challenge the newbies. After all, a win is a win, however small. However, that basically happens only after five matches. Otherwise, the experienced one wouldn't even be interested in earning contribution points.
"That's why I'm quite surprised that someone experienced would actively challenge you. I wanted to ask if you had any grudges with him."
"Who is he?"
"Valkas Ur."
Ash shook his head. "Never heard of him."
Of course Ash had never heard of him. After all, Ash didn't even have Heath's memories. Even if Valkas did have a history with Heath, there was no way Ash would know.
"Silin Dore."
"Huh?" Ash blinked. "Who?"
Runner waved a hand. "Nothing. I just remembered an acquaintance. Then, are you willing to accept Valkas' challenge?"
"What weapon does Valkas use?"
"Sword."
A thought struck Ash, and he looked to his side out of the corner of his eye. He saw Sword Maiden sitting with her legs crossed at the dinner table, her arms folded across her chest, watching him calmly. The black silk stockings on her legs were rather dazzling.
She looked askance at Ash. "Do you find it interesting to sneak peeks at me?"
[Sorry.] Ash turned around and stared at the black silk stockings with wide eyes. A thought suddenly popped up in his mind. [Speaking of which, since you can touch me, can I also touch you? Cough cough, Sword Maiden, go back and wash yourself later…]
Clang! The Sword Maiden pulled out her gorgeous decorative sword. Ash immediately sat upright and said to Runner, "Ask Valkas to wash his neck and wait for me tomorrow!"
"Well then, come to the Deathmatch Society tomorrow morning. I'll leave you to your meal. My boyfriend is still waiting for me. Goodbye." With that, Runner left quickly.
At first, Ash thought Runner's boyfriend was waiting for him in the couples room, but after a quick glance, he realized that Runner wasn't walking toward the couples room. On the contrary, he was heading toward the Deathmatch Society… 'Maybe there are still people participating in deathmatches in the middle of the night, trying to get the medics to die suddenly from working overtime,' Ash thought.
"Go back to the dorm." Sword Maiden jumped down from the dining table. "You'll be busy tonight. I'm going to take you to explore a world you've never known before."
At once, Ash was so mad that his face turned red—what did she mean by the world I've never known before!? Do I look that much like a virgin!?
This woman is too much. If I let her arrogance be, wouldn't I lose all my status?!
"Why aren't you following me yet?"
"Coming!"
…
…
At 8.45 PM, in the Deathmatch Society with no other audience, there was an unknown deathmatch going on.
"Ash agreed, but not because of the name you gave me. It's because he was anticipating for an opponent who uses a sword. He only made up his mind when I told him you use a sword."
"Thank you. Consider this a favor I owe you, Runner."
"Valkas, you can return the favor now, as long as you tell me why you suddenly set your eyes on the little cutie Ash. Is it related to that name—Silin Dore?"
In the dim audience stands, a thin middle-aged man was watching the dining process in the arena.
Yes, dining—there was probably no better word to describe it than that. Although the food would move, flee, scream, and beg for mercy, it was ultimately just food to be gnawed on.
"I don't mind saying it, as long as you don't regret it."
"Then forget it. I have a loving relationship with my boyfriend, and I'm very satisfied with my life. I don't want to get involved in the game of people in high places."
Runner tore off a warm piece of meat and placed it in his mouth to chew. "But is Ash really the leader of the Four Pillar Deities Cult? I think my ability to read people is not bad. He seems more like a student who's only been working for a short time. I'm even under the impression that he's innocent."
The middle-aged man harrumphed coldly.
"Everyone who steps into this pit is far from the word 'innocent'. The only difference lies in whether only their skin is tainted, or whether they open their mouths actively to swallow the filth."
"I'm eating, Valkas, can you not talk abou sh*t?"
"I won't disturb you then. Have a good meal."
…
…
When the door of the Deathmatch Society slammed shut, the faint wail disappeared into the thick darkness.
As Valkas walked through the prison passageway, every prisoner and every prison guard he met coldly distanced themselves from him.
Occasionally, he'd meet a new inmate who had just come in. When the latter caught sight of Valkas' ears, his face would naturally take on a gloating expression.
Because Valkas' ears were pointed.
When Valkas returned to his room, he saw a guard waiting at the door.
He had expected that. As he opened the door, he said in a low voice, "Ash Heath has agreed to a deathmatch with me."
"Make sure to crush his brain, heart, and spine to the extent that even a Two-winged sorcerer cannot treat him," said the prison guard.
"I will do what you request. What about what you promised me?" Valkas opened the door but didn't enter. He turned his head and stared at the guard.
"As long as Ash Heath dies tomorrow, you will disappear from this prison after the next Blood Moon Judgment," the prison guard said. "However, you and that child cannot continue to stay in Kaimon City. This is what Mr. Silin requested."
"I have no interest in breathing the same air as Silin." An expression of disgust appeared on Valkas' face.
"Free time is almost over. Don't stand outside. Go into your cell."
Valkas grimaced and stepped into his room, letting the automatic door close behind him.
The prison guard turned and left. His lips curled slightly into a cold sneer.
"An elf that is merely a death row criminal, yet he still has the arrogance of a born noble… Ha!"