The 11th trial was no different from the others.
It consisted of Arthur being brutally beaten around back to back with a commendable chance at fighting back.
Though it was small, Arthur started to notice small changes in how he moved.
At the slightest twitch of Agoth's shoulders, he would move back in an attempt to dodge, but still to no avail.
Whenever Arthur went in to attack, he'd quickly either try to retreat or follow up with another.
And though he had still yet to land even a single hit on Agoth, Arthur smiled at his feeble accomplishments. Because though others may think of it as a small growth, he believes it's something. A start.
Now in the 13th trial.
"You're getting better, still trash, but better," Agoth said in a calm voice.
Arthur chuckled, and in a winded tone he said:
"Are those...meant to be words of encouragement?"
He had just taken a strong punch to the liver and was now clutching his side with his knees touching the floor.
"It's me showing you my respect for your growth."
[You have accumulated months' worth of experience in just a small amount of time.]
[EXP has reached its utmost limit.]
(EXP) - [1000/1000%]
[Your combative stats have grown.]
(EXP) - [1000/1000%]
—| [Dark King's Guide] |—
—[Title: Dark Prince]
—[Job: Dark King's Heir]
﹂[Exp: 3/1200]
﹂[Attack Power: 1 > 11]
﹂[Agility: 1 > 11]
﹂[Endurance: 2 > 12]
﹂[Charisma: 10]
[Skills]
﹂[Rift] LVL. 2
﹂[Dark King's Authority] Lvl. 1
"I was wondering what would happen when that bar maxed out."
Arthur smiled, clenching his fist as he felt the new-found power course throughout his bones and muscles.
"I sense something has changed within you. Your face also seems to express your confidence. Did something big happen to you?" Agoth asked.
"Yeah, something like that. I just feel like I have a much better chance against you now."
With a serious smirk, Arthur rushed at Agoth, throwing fist after fist.
BAM!
A strong knee met Arthur's chin, and then a kick to the abdomen sent him flying just a moment later.
"You'd be wrong."
Spitting the blood from his mouth, Arthur then wiped the remaining streak of blood on his lip away with the back of his hand.
"...You just couldn't let me be happy once?"
"Reality is often disappointing. Get used to it, young master."
..
Crack.
Crunch.
Snap.
The brutal sounds of bones and limbs being crushed spread throughout the domain.
Yet standing his ground with a broken and swollen arm, a broken and swollen leg, and multiple crushed fingers was Arthur.
The pain was agonizing. Not even he knew how he could deal with it.
After going through it so many times, forced to fight the fear of it all, he managed well.
He limped forward, still trying to hit Agoth with a slight sob in his winces.
[Trial has ended.]
[The Next Trial Is Starting...]
Rinse and repeat, Arthur goes to fight against Agoth, he fails, and then he is beaten in unimaginable ways.
"I think that'll be it for today. I feel if we go any longer, your mind will break."
"...Finally. That must have been like 12 hours of back-to-back battling."
"Not at all. That was only 140 minutes in total. 2 hours and 20 minutes in all."
"W-What...? I was thinking that it's at least been half a day. But only a little over 2 hours? My mind Is completely fucked."
"Yes, and that's why I'm choosing to end it for today. Come back to tomorrow to continue, perhaps we actually can reach half a day of battle."
"Hey, Agoth. I have a question."
"Yes, young master?"
"Why are you so loyal to the Dark King? I mean, how did you even meet the guy?"
"...Well, I suppose I can tell you."
--
[PAST]
Rain poured.
Resting under a thin metal sheet to shield away from the pouring rain was Agoth.
He didn't have long hair, and his crimson eyes were devoid of any light.
A young teen living in a cursed world, the underworld.
He spent his days using his vampiric powers to gain a footing for himself.
It all paid off in the end when the 4 Kings noticed him.
They said his powers were of use to them, and that if he followed them, he would be set forever.
Their words were full of deception and lies, yet he was so happy to just be of use to someone and be recognized by the 4 Kings that he didn't even notice the malicious intent in their words.
After stripping away one of his abilities, they sent him away empty-handed.
And this is where he found himself, devoid of anything.
Then a man appeared before him.
His dark hair and cloak were not even being touched by the pouring rain, as if a thin barrier surrounding his body stopped it.
[Do you need help?]
Agoth didn't think of trusting anyone ever again.
[Do you want revenge? Do you despise them? Follow me, and I promise to give you all you want. All I ask for is your loyalty.]
And though he swore to not trust again, the sincerity in his words drove him to grab the hand of the man.
As time went on, Agoth quickly rose to power, reaching heights he never imagined.
Agoth could only guess the man was a [Singularity]. Also known as newcomers, the scourges that possessed powerful wills and talent beyond the norm.
Yet he swore his loyalty because Agoth knew the man earned it and never once betrayed him or his word.
Though he never managed to intact his revenge upon the 4 Kings, at least he had made the step toward the goal.
...
[Present]
"There, now you know why."
"Wow, I didn't know the Dark King was so benevolent. I imagine some all-evil guy that wanted everything in his grasp."
"Well, he was benevolent in a way, but mostly to those he trusted and held dear. But he was also a guy that wanted everything in his grasp."
Arthur then got even more curious about him, "Agoth, do you also know his name? His real one?"
"I'm sorry, not even I can answer that one. I just called him Lord all the time, and because he never told me, I never asked."
Arthur sighed, lowering his head.
"Bummer. I was eager to know."
Agoth nodded, "Now that you mentioned it, I am too."
Arthur began to think even further.
"Also, the underworld. It's so odd, I mean for every hour here only a minute passes back home. If I spent a year here, how much time would pass on regular earth?"
"Yes, it can be confusing at first, especially to newcomers. But, a year? I believe a month or so would pass." Agoth explained.
"Only a month? That's insane. I could spend ten years here, and what, only 10 months would pass back home? This all still feels unreal, just a few days ago I was some loner sitting in the corner."
"I guess fate has had other plans for you then, young master."
The darkness that enshrouded us both vanished and the mystical library that Arthur once stood in was back.
Anya was asleep on a nearby couch.
Arthur looked at her, watching her chest heave up and down in rhythmic breathing.
"She seemed to have gotten bored waiting," He said.
Agoth nodded, "Yes. It would seem so."
"Back when he first came in here, she showed you something on her hand and whispered something to you, didn't she? What was that?"
"You want to know? It's not some hush-hush secret, but I'll tell you."
Following up with his last statement he said:
"On her left-hand palm, there's a triangular mark created through dark energy. It contained a vast amount, yet was still sealed away. It's the fragment, showing she is a real fragment of the Dark King's true power. And then she told me that you're the Dark King's heir, his successor. And of course, I was shocked by that, I didn't expect to see anything lingering of my lord, yet who you are."
"Oh, I was maybe thinking it was something incredibly big. But, that's still useful I guess, I never noticed a mark on her hand."
"Arthur, as I said before. Since you are the one who will succeed my lord, I am willing to do anything in my power so that you gain the power you must. But, that is if you are willing. So I ask you now, are you fully committed to taking over as the next Dark King?"
Arthur paused, actually thinking and considering his words.
'I hadn't given it any thought. I don't even know this "Dark King" guy, yet he's chosen me as his successor and Heir. But, I feel indebted to him in a way. If not for him, I would have remained as I was. Still stuck in the corner, away from others, remaining the loser I was. But now, I've met people who are willing to do anything for me to succeed. They need me just as much as I need them. Who am I to just put it down and say no? What am I even thinking so much for? I know the answer I need to give.'
Arthur walks over to Agoth.
"I fully accept the Will of the Dark King. I will work my all to achieve what I can, so, will you loyally follow me? Agoth."
Agoth smiles, seeing the true determination in Arthur's eyes.
He bends his knee, lowering his head as he speaks.
"I promise to loyally follow you, as the lord would have wished me to. Thank you for accepting me, young master!"
Arthur places his hand on Agoth's shoulder.
"No need for all the bowing. Just continue being the ruthless trainer I'm still getting to know."
Agoth chuckles, regaining his balance on his feet.
"Alright, I'll continue as I have been."
Meanwhile, Anya had already woken up.
She saw the whole thing.
"You two formed a bond quickly. Even after he was probably throwing you all over the place you can still see him as a normal person."
Anya got up, walking over to Arthur.
She started massaging his shoulder slowly.
"What...are you doing?"
"What else? Feeling up on my man~" She cooed.
"Y-Your man? What's up with you all of a sudden?!"
She giggled, "Nothing. I was just teasing as usual."
"Of course..."
"Anyway, how was the training?" She asked.
"Fruitful."
"Agonizing..."
Arthur said his statement just as quickly as Agoth did, nearly in unison.
"I see! Sound's like it was fun! I hope you're ready to go back in tomorrow."
His devoid of any real happiness as he spoke with a weak smile.
"Yeah...so..happy."