CHAPTER 18.

My essence absorption and refinement rate shot up significantly, and my refined and aligned essence had become purer. I decided to look at my stats and get a qualitative handle on my progress.

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Biometric Profile.

Name: William Izu

Race: Human

Age: 24

Height:6 feet 8 inches

Weight: 302 pounds

Cultivation Rank: Essence Absorption Stage (Rank F)

Essence Affinity.

Earth (15%)

Fell (0.40%)

Dark (0.01%)

Unknown essence types combined total (0.01%)

Soul Awareness: Conscious (Primal)

Essence density: Air

Attributes.

Strength: 160

Dexterity: 100

Agility: 100

Perception: 140+(120)

Reflex: 110

Resistance: 45

Regeneration: 40

Constitution: 90

Intelligence:?

Charisma:?

Skills.

Utility

Improvisation

Combat.

Hand to hand Combat (Basic)

Melee weapon proficiency: Sword (Basic)

Melee weapon proficiency: Knife (Basic)

Melee weapon proficiency: Pickaxe (Basic)

Professions.

Mechanic

Engineer (Computer, Electrical)

Programmer (game developer)

Essence Techniques.

Seismic-sense

Ultrasonic cutting technique

Cultivation Technique.

Vibration refinement technique

Mission.

Escape Blòtvarda

Gain Power

Objectives.

Get rid of slave collar

Learn more about cultivation

Find the other enslaved humans

Protect Zalla.

Get the f**k out of Zomyr

Optional Objectives

Kill Avery

Kill Ivelina

Kill Astrel (slowly and painfully)

Kill Tinuviel

Destroy blòtvarda

Save Suu, Melody and Minnie.

Inventory.

1 Woven shirt (Poor Quality)

1 Woven Trousers (Poor Quality)

1 Iron sword (Low Quality)

1 Small knife

1 Mining Pickaxe

4 Water skins

1 Bottle of corrosive drillworm stomach acid

Rations

Drillworm meat

Currency.

Points: Undetermined

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Although I had absorbed a lot of essence both from the worms and the earth, dark, fell and other essence types I had refined, I had not gained any increase in rank.

It seems that my desperate vibration technique had used a large amount of my accumulated refined essence.

But I could feel my essence density had marginally improved and although it was still at the air rank, I felt that soon it would advance to a higher density.

My implant also now listed the various essence types I had cultivated and my level of affinity to them. Earth was the highest as it was the easiest to cultivate, followed by fell which was the most elusive to cultivate.

Dark was not just difficult to cultivate, but almost impossible. I didn't really pull it in, I didn't know how. The little I had came from what little was trapped in the fell ore I used to cultivate. The other essence types, even the unknown types, had a measure of tangible substance that dark essence simply lacked. I was beginning to understand why not having a fundamental affinity for either light or dark might be a problem.

But while I did not gain a new cultivation rank, it seems that my stats still improved.

I queried my implant for a reason, and after a moment of analysis, I was informed that successfully absorbing and refining essence of an unaligned type had a qualitative effect on essence body infusion, and in turn, my attributes.

I knew from my little experience that earth essence had a qualitative effect on my strength and physical stability, so I wondered how the other essence types I was forcefully absorbing would affect not just my body, but my cultivation as a whole.

I trembled in deep exhaustion, my idea of experimenting on core formation designs had been a severe setback. I had exhausted much of the essence I had assigned on my experimentation staying alive, and now that I was back at my previous rank, the strain from my previous struggle with corruption and the application of the vibration technique had worn me out.

Exhausted beyond measure by everything that had happened to me so far, my eyes drifted close as I slowly faded into unconsciousness.

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I woke again and this time my instincts were blaring warning alarms of danger and death.

I tried to force my body to react accordingly and take up some kind of defensive position, but to my utter horror, I found that I was physically restrained, wrapped up in an extremely strong but flexible substance.

Thankfully, my head was not covered in the same substance.

I was about to thank God for small mercies, when I remembered where I was and restrained myself.

"Yes, you must give thanks to your god, your lord and master. The one whose restraint preserves your life."

I froze in shock and terror, who was that and what did they mean by "god"? I tried looking around, fear making me flail about uselessly in my cocoon.

Wait a minute, why was I in a cocoon? Why would any of the guards or the Mistresses need to cocoon their slaves.

Just as I was about to go crazy from all the unknowns, I heard some movement to my right,

I turned my head to see the largest spider thing I had ever seen slowly approach my ensnared form.

Jesus!!!! I screamed in my head as it came closer.

"Who is this Jesus you call to, you dare to call another in my presence?"

The spider was massive, over ten feet tall, with several eyes numbering in the dozens and two pairs of glistening fangs.

The hair on his massive legs looked thin and sharp and each of his eight legs ended in sharp gleaming points.

It's body glowed softly in the dark, highlighting all its extra horrible features.

I was unable to access any of my techniques and abilities for some reason unknown to me, it felt like the essence within me no longer responded to my commands.

And while that was terrifying, as it was probably the work of my captor, what really terrified me was that this being could somehow read my thoughts, with no resistance from my implant.

I tried not to think of my implant, but just the act of trying to avoid the thought, made it obvious that I was hiding something.

The giant spider bristled and I saw the gleaming hairs on its body glisten. I really did not want to agitate the giant possibly divine spider, that could turn me to minced meat just by brushing against me.

"Your attempts to hide your thoughts are admirable but inevitably futile. Why did you pray to me if you were going to treat me with such Ill regard."

Shit, I knew my brief bout of faith was going to bite me in the ass.

"Your soul is an interesting one, I have never encountered a mortal with such an active well of authority."

This was the second time I have come across that word, "Authority."

And while I was curious to know more about my awakened soul, I was forced to face the possibility that it was the oddity that my soul represented that had caught the interest of this horror, severely limiting my chances of talking my way out of this situation.

Clearing my throat, I decided to make a moving case for my continued existence.

"Sooooooo, about the entire praying thing, that was a moment of weakness that was meant in no way to attract your attention. As you can see I have clearly recovered on my own and while I am grateful for your swift response on my behalf, it is no longer necessary to further exert yourself."

I said all this in the calmest voice I could manage, trying my damnedest best not to soil myself.

But the giant spider remained still, his oppressive bulk taking up most of the space in the cavern.

Wait a minute, how did it fit into the far smaller shafts to get in here? What was this entity and how powerful was it?

Clearly from his rhetoric, and I assume it is a "he," and he was intelligent and was clearly powerful enough to consciously control essence in the local environment and within me.

"There seems to be a failure to properly communicate our respective positions "outrealmer", but these little misconceptions will be cleared up shortly."

"Your intellect and composed thoughts, while a refreshing change from dealing with the mostly illiterate worshipers that occasionally come my way, has not negated your responsibility to show reverence and devotion in the face of the divine."

"And while your unique soul interests me, your predicament on the other hand means little or nothing to me."

It stepped closer to it's sharp fangs, almost touching my face. I squirmed, trying to ensure my body didn't touch the extremely sharp, possibly poisonous hairs on his body.

Another thing that was still bugging me was how a spider without the necessary vocal appendages can speak crisp and clear english. It's mouth never moved each time it spoke to me and regardless, I was still able to hear its voice without the use of my mind bridge.

Whatever this thing was, it was clearly leagues beyond me in power.

"Still no reverence in your thoughts, and while you're an interesting specimen, it has been centuries since I've had such a wonderful meal, interesting conversation notwithstanding."

"But before you die, at least satisfy my curiosity, how did you gain your unique soul? Clearly, you were not forged this way and you are too weak to make an alteration such as this yourself. You must serve an entity of great power and might."

"Use your last moments to raise your standing in my eyes and reveal all you know?" [ Divine Command ]

This being was truly terrifying.

I could feel no mental coercion, no warning from my implant, and even my soul did not feel threatened.

And yet, I was about to reveal all my secrets to a monster that had plans to eat me shortly after I had completely spilled my guts.

This was the same bullshit that Avery, Astrel and Tinuviel tried to pull with me. Everybody wants to tamper with my mind and take my agency from me.

Before coming here, I was a broke, debt laden, ex-convict, working two jobs to clear a debt that grew faster than my meagre income could keep up with it."

I had no family, no friends, save for online friends on some gaming platforms. All I had at any given moment were the clothes on my back and my mind.

And here was another all powerful asshole trying to take the only thing I had of value from me.

I felt my blood boil in anger at this pretentious prick demanding fealty in one hand, while informing me I would be eaten shortly after said fealty had been provided.

Ensure your favorite authors get the support they deserve. Read this novel on Royal Road.

I felt my secrets on the tip of my tongue. They were more or less about to fall out of me when something occurred to me.

"If you're some all powerful divine being that can read my mind, why do I have to tell you anything, give you anything," my voice had lost its previously patronizing tone, now that the asshole had shown me who he was.

"If you want what I got, come and take," I sneered contemptuously, "if you got the balls." I said with a false sense of bravado I did not feel.

"Foolish child, to presume that all that you are is beyond me. I have restrained myself due to my respect for your patron whose artistry and skill is clearly reflected on your soul."

"But you have defied me for long enough, all your secrets will be mine, I will simply find a way to appease your benefactor."

This time I actually felt the coercive pressure on my mind, but this now, I also felt it on my previously subdued center, my spirit, my soul.

Just as I was about to resign myself to my fate, I heard the spider-god thing scream in fear and horror.

"What are you?" For the first time since our encounter began, I could hear fear in his voice.

"Let me rephrase, what will you become?"

His second question confused me, because it felt subjective to me, but I had a feeling that he had somehow glimpsed an answer to its own question.

"I have never encountered karma like this, what kind of monster has been let loose on Zomyr, and how many will be left when you're done?"

I had no idea what he was talking about, so I just stayed still, hoping deeply that whatever had scared the spider about me was sufficient to dissuade it from eating me.

"I see that you're confused, perhaps I had better explain."

"First introductions are in order."

The spider god thing folded its bulbous self on the ground next to me, and I could sense a lecture of some sort in the wings. "Outrealmer, I assume you’re from the planet earth, there may know me as Kwaku Ananse, the great spider-god, but here on Zomyr, I am known as Nan, he who sits at the center of web, lord of knotted fates"

He said all this with a lot of pride and self preening, but this time it felt different.

Instead of trying to compel obeisance from me, it seemed he was trying to impress me.

Just what did he see that caused this change in attitude?

"I assumed when I tried to consume you that the only consequence of doing so would be the displeasure of your patron, but your karma clearly shows otherwise."

He paused for a bit, and I had a feeling we were reaching the part of all this that terrified a freaking god.

"In all honesty, I may not be the most powerful of the divine or the most revered. But I am the god of the underling, the oppressed, the downtrodden. I have stayed one step ahead of the others by studying the fate of all things, what the Daoist call karma."

"And if I do say so, I am most proficient in the art."

Though he still looked massive and intimidating, I still received a feeling of nervousness from him.

"Your karma, your fate, is one of suffering and pain, death and despair. But also one of unconquerable strength, strength not just to destroy, but to overwhelm and completely subdue even the gods and beyond. I see a karmic path like no other, where the gods themselves kneel at your feet, where the true purpose of essence is revealed, where the heart of essence finally comes into play."

My ears perked up at the mention of the “heart of essence”, but his other words were mostly gibberish to me.

I heard him sigh while I pondered his words, "but it is only a karmic path, one that is unlikely to come to fruition."

Then he shuddered, "but a karmic path this devastating, no matter how remote, is enough to stay the hand of the wise."

"But be informed, I cannot vouch for the wisdom of the other divine, their ability to perceive karmic paths and their capacity for restraint when they do."

"Unless you find a way to obscure your awakened soul, you will be forced to face them before you are ready."

"Your coming may be what the rest of my world bound brethren have been waiting for, I see within you a chance to break the oppressive grip of the celestial pantheon on the first pillar, a chance to undo the status quo."

Getting into a pissing contest with gods powerful enough to suppress the overwhelmingly powerful monster before me was a big no no in my book.

"Ahmmm, thanks for not eating me and all, but I have zero interest in being caught up in the argument of deities and other divine entities, if you can just unwrap me, then I'll be on my way."

He laughed a deep hearty laugh that vibrated across the entire cavern and made my brain pulse with pain.

"If you understood what a karmic path is, you'll know that the choice of getting "caught up" may not be one within your power."

I'll be the judge of that, I mumbled to myself.

"I can protect you, from all enemies except for the higher divine. If you swear a binding oath to become my herald and give yourself to me mind, body and soul."

I was about to make an instant rejection of his request when he continued speaking. "Regardless of what karmic path you take, your life will be hard and fraught with peril. I can mitigate much of your future sufferings."

This time, I paused to really think of my answer. As much as I wanted to pick the path of least resistance, I couldn't get over one simple fact.

Growing up on the streets, you learn to spot when some drug pushing bastard is trying to peddle you bullshit.

Telling you that your options were limited, that the only way to survive was to stand on a street corner and take the heat for his cowardly ass while he uses you to rake in profit.

Looking at the giant spidergod, filled with self satisfaction, content in believing that I would fall over myself to take his offer.

But my fear of this being had diminished somewhat since waking up and clearly he was afraid of attacking due to some kind of karma that I did not understand.

But the real reason I was going to reject his offer was the same reason I gave the finger to every drug pushing asshole that thought he was doing me a favour by peddling a similar offer.

If he was so powerful, why did he require my consent for anything? Does the hunter ask the deer for permission to hunt, kill and eat it?

It was for this same reason that I was an atheist.

For me, a god must be inevitable, a god would not need my fealty, because if it wanted something, it should be able to take it from me.

While Nan might be a god on Zomyr, even on Earth, I failed to see sufficient reason to bend my neck to him.

After a while I said, " I am grateful for your most gracious offer," I said carefully, even though I felt no reverence for this being, I had no need to piss him off without cause.

"But I'm afraid I'll have to decline, there is still so much I don't know, what I can offer you is my friendship, for whatever it may be worth in an uncertain future."

Nan stayed still in contemplation. I suspect he was weighing the gains he would receive from consuming my unique form now against the nebulous, highly unlikely karmic path that could possibly be his undoing in the future.

"Very well I accept your decision, but in return, you must make an oath to me to follow the karmic path that undoes all others, you must swear an oath on your soul to become Godsbane."

I didn't even have to think hard to answer, "I'm afraid I'll have to refuse. Like I said, I have no interest in pissing off gods that have done nothing to me"

He rumbled with another deep hearty laugh that made the sharp bristling hairs on his massive body pulse dangerously.

"You will learn Godsbane, that while choice is infinite, freewill is an illusion. Whether you know it or not, accept it or not, you have already chosen. Time has merely not caught up with the act of your choosing. The karmic paths do not lie. The end of the age of hierarchy draws nigh"

I tried to tell this being, that there was no way I was becoming whatever it was he thought I was going to be, but I stopped myself, coming to the conclusion that I would be wasting my breath doing so.

I would just have to prove him wrong by taking a different path.

"Now that you have chosen, I must impart some measure of wisdom to you. Can't have my new champion dying before he serves his purpose."

I ignored half of his last statement, focusing on the part where he was about to give me information. Maybe insight on a powerful cultivation technique or the location of a powerful weapon. My mind travelled through various medieval fantasy games I'd played, where the hero encounters a powerful entity that gives them a new power up or divine weapon.

"You're not going to survive long out there without rising along the "limited path" that is cultivation."

What did he mean by "limited path"?

"You need a core to begin to properly cultivate. Again I ask that you become my servant and I will give you a core to rival all mortal cores."

"My unseen web cultivation core is a karmic core that will allow you to discern the future and keep you one step ahead of your growing list of enemies."

I see, I thought to myself. His offer of advice was just another ploy to sell me on his previous offer.

Regardless I was willing to endure, if it would improve my chances of survival.

I decided to ask him what building a cultivation core entails.

He answered easily, clearly enjoying his role as a teacher. Something told me that Nan was kind of lonely and really appreciated having someone that understood him to talk to.

"As you have already observed, a core is a partly mental, partly essence based construct shaped by a cultivator's will, designed to refine and store essence." I ignored how he was able to glean my stance on core constructs and continued to listen with rapt attention.

"But you may not be aware that a core does so much more than that."

"Your core design determines that direction your cultivation would follow. Most are unaware of this but one's essence can gain properties unique to their core and depending on its design."

"It is one of the reasons why there are gulfs between cultivators of the same rank and even essence density."

"The most basic core designs are spherical in nature, with refined essence spun rapidly and drawn inwards. This is the basic core design allowing for the basic functions of a core This is the basic core design."

"Cores designed as overlapping concentric spheres with opposing rotations are considered higher than the basic design. This core design favours those who have or seek massive qi pools and high essence output. These are usually accessible to lower nobles and the scions of the wealthy merchant class."

"The next tier of known core design is the gyroscopic model, with concentric and geometrically balanced gyros rolling across one another. This core design is difficult to create and sustain and favours those with multiple essence affinities and large essence volume. It is used by upper royals and top tier nobility and while this is usually a highly guarded secret, near limitless access to information is one of the perks of being a god."

Even as he was speaking, my implant; which I now had access to again, now that he wasn't trying to restrain me with his power, was cycling through the various core designs he mentioned, at least, the best approximation of them.

I was a bit confident I could create any of them, even the gyros design, I was trembling in anticipation to start testing out what I had learnt.

But as if he was aware of my excitement, the giant spider-god quickly burst my bubble.

"For a core design to be stable enough to handle various stresses, including strain and feedback from your technique, it requires a sufficient investment of refined essence. You will need to reach your body's storage capacity for essence at the peak of the absorption stage before you can begin tinkering with your core formation."

That did put a damper on my enthusiasm, but now that I had a direction, I'm sure with the advantages my soul and implant offered, I would be at the peak of my current stage in no time.

"A young fellow like you would not be interested in a basic core. No, I'm sure your eyes are set on the multi-spherical core or even highly complex and mysterious gyro design."

"Those designs require insight into the physical structure of similar devices and higher understanding of geometry, a knowledge lost with the fall of the ancients."

Really, spherical geometry is considered lost ancient knowledge in this world?

But unaware of my internal musings, Nan continued, "Most nobles imprint a copy of their core onto their scion's cultivation. An ability that is possible at the peak of the core compression stage."

"But there is a fourth core design type, ranked as the highest in all the lands. It is the core design used by ruling monarchs of most divine aligned kingdoms and the highest clerics of most religious orders.

"This is the divine core design. This core design is created and supported by your chosen deity, endowed with the attributes and traits of your gods mantle."

"Accept my offer, and I will grant you a divine core to surpass every mortal core in existence, a core that would elevate you to the rank of a ruling monarch on the first pillar."

There it is, the underhanded offer couched as advice. I would be lying if I said I wasn't tempted, but I was still going to decline.

Not just because, I did not want to be indebted to an entity with so much power, that I could easily become overwhelmed in the bargain, but seeing as this kind of core was only found in the centers of monarchs and the highest of priests, I may simply be painting a big target on my back if I formed such a core.

Then there was the obvious lack of information on this core's actual design, I'm sure it was not a coincidence. As long as the cultivator has no idea regarding how the core that they relied on for power worked, all the leverage would lie in the hands of their "benevolent" god.

"Forgive me Lord Nan, but I'm afraid I'm going to have to refuse you again. I believe I can forge a core just with the knowledge you have provided me."

He stared at me in silence for a while. I had no idea how to read the change in emotions on the faces of an alien spider thing, so I had no idea what he was thinking.

"You seem learned, but only the greatest scholars of the great mage guilds and sects have been able to glean sufficient insight to forge a multi-spherical core and this core design insight is a closely guarded secret even amongst their own order. I doubt an outrealmer slave such as yourself and a darkblood to boot would be given access to such complex core insights "

Nan may not know it, but he just gave me a big clue regarding the social structure of Zomyr above ground.

The fact that knowledge of simple geometry was lauded as a great insight, clearly hinted at the possible level of illiteracy amongst the populace, if the structure of concentric spheres was the height of mathematical acumen.

He also showed me that knowledge is strongly hoarded on Zomyr and class demarcations were clearly defined and rigorously policed.

But most importantly to me, his comment about "darkblood," made it clear to me that even in what was possibly another reality, racism still held sway amongst humans and I would most likely have a hard time navigating this world's version of "polite" society due to the colour of my skin.

I did not refute his statement, merely looked inward for the solution to my core's design problem.

As much as I wanted to select a gyroscopic core design, I was still hesitant. With all the challenges I was sure to face, I needed an edge over any of the locals. Therefore I needed a core that was unique to only me, one that would grant me the power to rise above the class bullshit of this world while I sought a way home.

Then there was the problem of essence to support whatever crazy design I finally settled on.

If my botched experiments with core designs have taught me nothing else, it is that the more complex the core the more essence it consumes to support it.

I was leaning towards the gyros, but hopefully something better would come up when the time came.

Finally satisfied with the decisions I'd made and the knowledge I'd gained, I focused on the spider-god to ask another cultivation question, but before I could do so, he interrupted me.

"I can sense that your mind's made up with regards to becoming my herald, but since I was unable to convince you, I can no longer provide further advice to you, lest I become further ensnared in your karmic path."

I snorted sarcastically in my head, sure that's the reason for cutting me off and not because I didn't fall hook, line and sinker for his BS.

I nodded my head respectfully and said in a calm voice. "Thank you Lord Nan for all your generous offers and your wise advice. I hope to one day repay your generosity by wielding a strong arm of friendship, one that would benefit all our allies and crush our enemies."

For the life of me, I had no idea where the smooth words coming out of my mouth were coming from. Maybe it was the qualitative effect of having my center in my head, or I may have to review that charisma attribute on my next look at my profile.

Now the only thing left to do was to free myself of my bindings and find my way out of the mind.

"And who says you're still inside the mine," the large spider's voice boomed at me, but this time inside my head.

My eyes widened in realization as I looked around me.

I had assumed I was still in the cave due to the fact that the only thing visible to me was the giant spider, but I had not questioned why he was the only visible presence in the entire space and the webbing ensured that I couldn't feel the ground beneath me.

Suddenly the light surrounding Lord Nan flared, and I could see the area around him.

And what I saw was absolutely nothing.

We were not in the cave, as far as I could tell, we were not anywhere.

How I hadn't plummeted into the void, I'll never know.

Because as far as I could tell, there was to ground either.

"You do not understand, young one, I am divine and every divine carries around their mantle, a piece of reality unique to their fundamental truth."

The idea was mind boggling, and I struggled to comprehend the reality of such a being while looking around this empty pocket reality, the power that such an ability implied.

A piece of reality tailor made just for a specific being and that was one with the entity.

I wanted to ask Nan if there was such a thing as divine ranks or if the gods have always been, or if they were forged from sapient need and desire.

But clearly I'd overstayed my welcome as I suddenly found myself standing on my own two feet and unbound.

As far as I could tell, I was still standing on nothing. This personalized reality thing was an interesting perk to enjoy.

"Remember during the moments to come that I made you several generous offers to escape the horrors of your fate."

"It is even possible that the trauma you are about to experience will compel you to make the right choice. Farewell William, I'm sure our paths will cross again, the karmic paths tell no lies."

I opened my eyes to find myself still lying on the floor of my small cave within the mine.

I was lucky that no drillworm or another monster had come across my prone form while I was being visited by a god.

Or was I even here the whole time, instead of being in a pocket alternate reality.

My body still throbbed from the pain of my previous failed experiments at designing a core.

I managed to get up halfway, when I felt the slave collar tighten on my neck.

Fear lanced through my spine; I knew my time was up.

The compulsion tightened around my mind, and all I had time for was to pack my supplies and hide my recent mining gains, before the pain became near unbearable and I was forced to find my way out of the mine.

I quickly queried my implant for directions and using my seismic-sense, I was able to find my way out of the mine. Marc, the asshole that led me to the mine and a couple of guards were waiting for me at the entrance, as if they were already expecting me.

He stepped towards me and I felt the familiar sting of the collar's punishment function. With that same pompous smirk I'd come to expect from him and without saying a word to me, he turned around and started walking towards the exit of the mine.

The foreman who left me in the mine tried to intervene, insisting that I had yet to deposit my extracted ore for the day, but one look on Marc's face and he immediately shut up. I was beginning to suspect that Marc was so much more than an ordinary guard.

Maybe it was my 21st century upbringing that made me unable to detect the subtleties and differences in medieval fashion, but I should have noticed that his clothing was much better than that of the other guards.

In fact while the guards wore similar uniforms with worn leather armor, Marc's armor although made from leather, was clearly far superior in material and design, it was polished to a shine and the same went for the rest of his clothing.

But what should have really clued me in was the fact that he was the only person in the mine as far as I could tell that could manipulate my collar.

Even the quartermaster said nothing when we passed her office. She just watched us with an inscrutable look on her face.

As soon as we were far from the view of the mine entrance, he turned around and backhanded my chest.

I felt air leave lungs as my feet left the ground and I was catapulted several feet away.

Pain filled my thoughts and I had trouble breathing. I tried standing, but my legs refused to work and each attempt at breathing felt like fire in my chest.

Marc walked slowly up to me, his usual smirk absent from his face.

"You filthy darkblood, what were you doing down there? Were you hoping you could escape your fate by taking your chances with the feeble beasts found in the mine?"

Then he placed his studded boot on my chest and put his weight on it.

My eyes bulged out and I tried to scream but nothing would come out of my mouth. My vision began to darken at the edges as the pain tried to overwhelm me.

"Your mistress nearly destroyed me when she was informed that you had yet to return from the mine. My father was nearly demoted as master of servants. My house would have been put to shame if that happened, all for a useless pouch-warming dark blood."

He punctuated that last statement by kicking me in the sides and I grit my teeth holding my sides in agony. If he was supposed to bring me back alive, why was he doing his utmost best to kill me?

"Don't worry, you're not going to die, haven't you wondered why a common slave has been given a path to cultivation and ascension? A slave that can cultivate essence will not only be able to work harder, they'll also require less food and most importantly be able to take a lot more punishment than a lesser mortal slave." He said the words "lesser mortal," like it was an insult

"I'm sure you'll be fine in a couple of hours, but if word reaches the mistress of how you actually received your bruises, I'll make sure that the next time you enter the mine, you disappear for good. Do you understand?"

I nodded quickly, afraid I would receive another "punctuating" kick if I did not reply in time.

Marc easily dragged me to my feet like I weighed nothing and when he was sure I wouldn't slump back to the ground, he turned and continued towards the direction of the market, confident that I would follow.

Every breath was agony and I tried to actively cultivate on the move, but my mind was unable to get past the pain.

As we passed the market, I remembered Siobhan and shame filled me. Lost in my fear of another encounter with Astrel, they had not even crossed my mind. I'd left Siobhan to grieve her little girl alone and who knows where they took Dr Zubyr and if he was still alive.

I vowed to find a way to reach the others. Living for myself alone had no meaning and if I was to not only survive but also escape, I needed people I could trust around me. Like Zalla and maybe Aelia.

Finally, we reached my room, I froze in fear of what was on the other side of the door. From the light reflected from under the door, I knew someone was in there.

Bile filled my throat as my mind flashed to the last time I was in this, forced to face my own powerlessness.

The smirk on Marc's face simply confirmed the dark thoughts ripping through my mind and filled me with the absolute and complete terror that I was about to be violated again.