Clap, clap, clap!
I looked up at the sound of clapping echoing in my ears, my vision tinged with red as I matched gazes with Ivan, who came forward clapping.
"Huff...Huff..."
I took deep breaths to calm my trembling heart, ignoring the agonizing pain still running through my back from the knife.
"I am surprised, Azariah," Ivan commented as I looked up.
"You took care of eight people on your own, even though they are only above average. It's still an achievement only a few can accomplish."
I just glared at him, refusing to reply.
"What happened to you?" He asked as he picked up my axe-hammer from the ground. "Where did the coward and whining Azariah, who hid behind his mother, go?"
"Huff...Huff.."
I still ignored him, focusing on my irregular heartbeat.
"Tell me, Azariah." Placing the hammer below my chin, he asked, "How did you become so strong?"
