Val made his way to the Terrace of Corruption.
It was located several miles behind the Manor and encased within imposing, obsidian walls, far removed from the hustle and bustle of daily life.
It was a place as menacing as its name suggested.
The entrance to the Terrace was blocked by stern-looking guards who stood vigilant.
As Val approached, one guard stepped forward, his stern gaze examining Val with a discerning look. "This isn't a place for normies," the guard snorted, unaware that Val was no longer a powerless individual but a Bloodline User.
Inwardly, Val felt a sense of satisfaction. It seemed that Joshua had kept his word and maintained his secret well. Then he proceeded to face-slap the guard that had dared to block his way.
Reaching into his pocket, Val drew forth an emblem – a silver insignia adorned with the Whitemore family crest. The emblem was a symbol of authority within the IronSpire stronghold, allowing its bearer free passage anywhere.
"If you dare to hinder my path again, it would be considered treason," Val warned, his voice cold as ice. "And you would be punished according to the family law."
In the Whitemore family, the punishment for treason could be as little as getting caned till you're crippled and as worst as getting executed on the spot. It depended on the severity of the crime committed!
The threat hung heavy in the air.
The older guard, a man who seemed to be in his thirties, paled at the implication, stepping aside promptly. However, a younger guard, in his twenties, lunged forward, reaching for the emblem in Val's hand.
"You thieving brat!" he accused, "You must have stolen it!"
Val's eyes narrowed at the insult, a sharp glint flashing in her inky, black eyes with immeasurable depths.
How can a normie steal something from the Ruler of the IronSpire Stronghold?
Even a level 3 bloodline user wouldn't be able to do it!
After all, that's just how strong Joshua was. He could easily suppress level 3 bloodline users.
Even though he was an Outlander, he could be compared to the well-fed Bloodline Users of the Inner Region!
Yet, this guard was accusing Val of stealing something from someone like Joshua.
It was a ridiculous accusation!
It was clear that this bastard of a guard was intentionally troubling him.
He must've thought that he could bully Val as he was just a normie.
Oh, how wrong he was!
"You lack judgment," Val bit out, swiftly intercepting the younger guard's outstretched hand. "And judgment-impoverished fools ought to face their reckoning."
Without a shred of hesitation, Val executed a swift, brutal twist of the guard's wrist.
Crack~
A sickening crunch echoed off the walls as the guard's wrist snapped like a brittle twig, the bone fracturing and protruding through his flesh, creating a display so grotesque that the onlookers' stomachs churned.
Uuuugggghhhh!
The guard wailed like a pig being slaughtered, his cry bouncing around the desolate area like a misplaced echo. He folded onto his knees, his hand drooping like a sad, wilted flower from his arm.
The air became heavy with the distinct smell of fear and... was that? Yes, that was definitely pee.
Poor fellow had had quite the fright, it seemed, as a dark puddle started to form around his trembling knees!
+20 Mad Points!
The older guard, whom Val recognized as Guard Richard, swallowed audibly, felt scared for his life when he saw how maniacally Val acted in self-defense. His eyes widened to the size of saucers with fear and shock.
+10 Mad Points!
Richard stuttered, "Master Val, our intentions were not to disrespect you. We were merely... carrying out our duties. I hope you can forgive us."
Richard's gaze flickered nervously between the writhing form of his fallen comrade and Val's chilling expression. The young man on the ground was a slave that was recently purchased by the Whitemkre family, a green recruit named Terry. He had been tasked with the unenviable job of guarding the ominous Terrace of Darkness as soon as he was taught a minimal amount of etiquette.
The Terrace was known to exert a corrupting influence on the minds of those who stood guard. There have been cases of guards being driven to madness by the force of corruption emanating from the terrace, their minds fractured by the malevolent power.
To combat this, the guards stationed there were rotated monthly, and only the greenest recruits or Level 1 Bloodline Users were assigned here - the reasoning being that if they were to be corrupted or driven insane, the loss to the family would be bearable.
A tense silence followed the guard's plea.
Val's frosty gaze rested on Richards whose usually stern expression was now replaced with fear.
"Carrying out your duties?" Val said after a moment, his words as sharp as a blade. "Tell me, does your duty involve hurling unfounded accusations and launching attacks without any evidence?"
Val's eyebrow arched in a silent expression of his displeasure.
Richard replied, "I admit that Terry's conduct was...unacceptable. But you've already taught him a harsh lesson that he will never forget. So I hope you can find it within yourself to overlook this incident. It would be a gesture of immense kindness." He paused, then added with a small, almost imperceptible bow, "Of course, the final decision rests with you. Your command is our law, Master Val. If you deem it necessary for further punishment to be enacted, we will carry it out immediately."
As he spoke, Richard's gaze was locked with Val's. A silent plea was reflected in his eyes. It was a quiet request for leniency in a situation that had escalated beyond their control.
"I see no reason to end a life over such a trivial matter. Crippling him should be punishment enough. Consider yourselves fortunate. This matter ends here, but you best not speak a word of it to anyone else."
His gaze bore into Richards' as he laid out his condition, a silent warning reflected in his stern countenance. The older guard could only nod in acquiescence, relief flashing across his weathered features.
Val then turned his attention back to Terry, his chilling gaze meeting the injured guard's tear-streaked face.
"Remember this well, Terry," he said in a voice colder than the wind blowing outside. It was May, but it was still cold in this area of the outer region stronghold, with rain and sometimes even snow falling from the sky. "You are but a slave to my family, and I am your young master. Showing some respect when you see me would do you well. Had you not attempted to belittle me, you wouldn't have ended up in such a state. Take this to heart as a life lesson."
"I-I will, Master Val," Terry said through gritted teeth, his piss pooling beneath him.
To that, Val only had one thing to say.
Fucking disgusting!