Kaden didn't have the time to mourn as he wished, his master's body dissolved into filaments of light and surged into him.

The surrounding space trembled, shook, as though it would collapse at any moment.

The corpses scattered across the ground bounced against the stone, yet Kaden's feet remained steady, unbreakable like the chains that once bound his master.

He stood tall, shoulders heavy with grief.

He raised a hand and wiped away the lingering tears from his eyes, his crimson gaze glowing fiercely like that of a seasoned killer who had walked through endless battlefields.

The space around him fragmented like fragile glass.

The Will chimed.

{It was a magnificent sight.}

{You have defeated the whisper of Will of a being never defeated before. Your potential is immeasurable.}

{You have taken as master the one destined to be Slave. You are phenomenal.}

{You managed to make him accept you, to acknowledge you, and thus, Kaden Warborn, you gain something special.}

{You have received the blessing of one of the Seven Wonders of Worlds: The Undefeated Slave. Your path is glorious. Your path is unique.}

{Your path is a Wonder. But also, your path is crushing.}

The Will paused briefly. At that point, nothing was visible around Kaden except darkness, void, and silence. But his mind was locked on the words, each piece clicking together.

His master was a Wonder.

That realization made his chest swell with pride, though he didn't the meaning behind, but before he could linger in that feeling…

The Will continued its judgment.

{Your performance was glorious.}

{You have obtained additional rewards.}

{First information: A Mythic Stone can only be used when you find the vestige of a myth.}

{Second information: The Hero is watching you.}

{You have obtained a title: The Disciple of The Slave.}

{Brace yourself, Slave's Pupil, you are ascending to Master.}

Instantly, Kaden's knees buckled as the transformation began.

Soon, he would be a Master.

And the worlds… were not ready for a Master like him.

The Harvester was coming.

And he was starving.

…

Fokay — Underground Game of Freedom

It was heavy.

The atmosphere suffocating. The granite floor beneath him seemed eager to swallow him whole. The sky above, usually so comforting, now looked ready to fall and crush him like the worm he was.

Zaki was lost.

He didn't know if what he saw was true. He didn't know if his mind was playing games with him.

But no, this was real.

The spectators shouted as always, their eyes filled with madness that made his skin crawl. The ground shook with their feet stomping in rhythm like war drums as they urged the presentator to start the duel.

He prayed inwardly that he wouldn't.

But he should have known better. Begging never gave you what you wanted in this loathsome world.

After the arrival of the Master representatives of each House, the presentator didn't hesitate.

His voice boomed across the arena, "LADIES AND GENTLEMEN! WE ARE HERE ONCE AGAIN FOR ANOTHER EXCITING GAME!"

"A SIMPLE ONE, BUT DREADFUL NONETHELESS."

Zaki's body shook as he looked at his opponent. His head grew hazy.

"THIS IS A DEATH DUEL. TO WIN, YOU MUST KILL YOUR OPPONENT."

"OHHHHH!!!"

The crowd roared. Some drooled in anticipation of what was about to come.

Then the presentator, Antsy, lowered his voice…yet it still echoed loud across the arena.

"For this first duel… we have the honor to watch the famous and loved Sky against the Healer, Maryam of his own team."

At those words, the world collapsed on Zaki's head.

Then mercilessly:

"BEGIN!"

The duel started.

Zaki didn't move. Neither did Maryam.

They stared at each other, eyes trembling with fear and horror. Emotions the spectators relished.

In their room, Tristan, Saul, and Azad watched the scene through a vision projector, faces pale.

"W-What is this? How? This is not allowed! We are not supposed to fight our own team! Why must Zaki fight Maryam?" Tristan asked, his voice breaking.

Neither Saul nor Azad answered.

They knew well why. Even Tristan knew, but refused to acknowledge it.

This was punishment. Retribution.

Because they had beaten Sharky's team. Because they had crippled Sharky himself.

And now… and now…

"A Master is targeting us…" Azad muttered, his voice breaking.

None of them said anything more as they watched the shattering sight before them.

…

In the arena, Zaki watched Maryam.

Still, neither moved.

The spectators grew restless.

"You have five minutes to finish the duel. And no suicide is allowed." Antsy declared, bowing to the demands of the Masters.

Now they had no choice but to act.

But Zaki's eyes were blank, his body frozen.

Maryam bit her lip until it bled, then walked toward him.

The arena fell silent. A graveyard silence.

Only Maryam's unsteady steps echoed, her ragged breathing audible as she tried not to break into sobs before millions.

She reached him, an inch away. Zaki still didn't move. At that distance, she could have killed him a thousand times.

But she didn't.

Instead, she raised her trembling hands and cupped his cheeks. The warmth of her touch jolted Zaki from his spiraling haze. His eyes dilated as he looked at her.

Maryam smiled woefully.

"We don't have a choice. We have to do it." she whispered. She tried to sound strong, but Maryam was never that girl.

She was shy, soft. The girl who always blushed. The girl who smiled awkwardly when she hogged the bathroom too long. The girl who always carried the brightest smile…the morning star of Zaki's team in a world of monsters.

The girl they had all sworn to protect.

Their light.

And now…

"You have to kill me, Zaki." she said, clutching his cheeks harder, her face inches from his.

…that light had to be extinguished.

"M-Maryam… I-I cannot. I cannot Maryam. No no no." Zaki's heartbeat thundered, body shaking, his voice a cracked plea.

Maryam wanted to hold him, to say it was fine, to remind him he was their leader, the one who had to guide them out of this hell.

She was only a healer. Valuable, yes, but not enough to destroy the Underground, not enough to free them.

They needed more. They needed the Sky.

"Tell me… who are you?" Maryam asked, her voice breaking.

"W-what?" Zaki stammered. His mind fractured under the weight of it all.

"Tell me who you are, Zaki. Are you a worm?"

Zaki froze. He understood what she wanted him to say. But he lacked the courage. He felt unworthy.

But time was running out.

SLAP—!

Maryam's hand cracked across his face. The crowd gasped, then roared with excitement.

Zaki turned, stunned, and saw her crying. Tears streamed down her cheeks in torrents. Her green eyes were clouded with pain, fear…and unbearable love.

"Who are you, Zaki?" she demanded again.

This time he answered.

"I… I am the Sky."

Maryam smiled through her tears. A sorrowful, radiant smile.

She drew a dagger and pressed it into his trembling hands. He didn't let go. He couldn't.

Maryam guided the blade to her chest, then leaned forward.

Tearing sounds echoed through the arena as she embraced him, the dagger driving deep into her heart. Blood spilled freely.

Her lips bled. Her eyes wept. But she smiled still, weak and trembling.

She whispered in his ear.

"You didn't kill me. You didn't kill me, Zaki. They did."

"You are innocent. You are not guilty. Never forget…you are a victim, just like me, Sky."

She coughed blood, her warmth fading.

"Don't forget who you are. You are the Sky. You cannot be nobody."

Her voice faltered.

"Y-You have to live. Tell Tristan to stop being a coward, tell Saul to stop sleeping, and tell Uncle Azad to stop rambling about the mysteries of life…"

Zaki's body wavered under the weight of her words.

Maryam smiled one last bloodied smile. The cameras fixed on her face.

"B-But tell them… tell them thank you. For protecting me. For giving me your meals. For fighting for me. For hurting yourselves. Thank you, Zaki. Thank you, Tristan. Saul. Uncle Azad."

"Thank you… but now it's my turn."

Her breath weakened. Her body tightened around him, clinging to his warmth.

"Zaki… Sky… show them, please… show them the sky is not always bright. Show them the wrath of heavens."

Her final whisper broke.

"S-Show… them…"

Silence.

Her body went limp in his arms.

Maryam was dead.

Tristan, Saul, and Azad fell to their knees, sobbing. Their light was gone.

And Zaki… oh, Zaki… his eyes wept too.

But not with tears.

With blood. Crimson streams flowed from his eyes, cascading like rivers down his cheeks.

He knelt, laying Maryam gently on the granite ground. The dagger still pierced her chest. Her face still bore her unsullied smile.

Bloody tears fell faster.

He said nothing. He didn't cry injustice. He didn't rage. He didn't scream.

He only caressed her cold cheek, his head bowed low.

No words were spoken.

But the sky spoke for him.

Above the Underground, the heavens turned crimson, streaked with red lightning that split the earth like the wrath of gods.

The Masters of the Underground did not yet know.

But that day…

…their worst nightmare was born.

—End of Chapter 239—

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