Aeryth's heart thumped in her ears. Her shoe ground on the dusty road with a 'shik' sound, as she backed away.

Sera's fiery red hair hid Ritcher Tresmine's face from her sight. Her hand clenched on her sword. "Aeryth, step back."

Sera needs time to cast spells... she's a mage, not a close combat fighter.

"Bitch," Ricker Tresmine hissed. "Where's all the gusto from that day?"

"You will keep your distance," Sera took a step forward, "Or, you all won't be able to find a healer to stitch back your minced fate."

If all seven of them fight, will she win?

Aeryth glanced at Sera's hand, holding tightly. She was not this tense even when she stood against Guard Captain Truman.

What should I do? Aeryth asked herself.

Ricker grinned lecherously, as he looked at Sera. Aeryth's stomach twisted in revulsion.

"Sera, give me my sword," Aeryth said. Her revulsion morphen into anger. He had antagonized her for far too long.

This trouble has festered for far too long, I'll weed him out this instant.

"No," Sera said, without looking away from the group of drunk. "Just step back. You'll escalate the situation."

"I said give me my sword." Her voice dropped. "This is the third encounter. There won't be a fourth."

The hatred and revulsion that she felt inside her skin, for herself, for how weak she was, suffocated all the rationale and reservations. Sera, a stranger, had already saved her more than once. Aeryth was willing to let Sera save her one more time, not when Aeryth herself was at fault for this situation.

Ricker grinned. "Get her, boys!"

Sera sighed, undoing the sheath's strap. The sword fell from her back.

Aeryth dropped the shopping bag and extended her hand. Caught and unsheathed it the sword.

Sera stepped forth drew her sword, and defended against the first man's strike. They both staggard equally back. The second one took the chance to attack her, but Sera parried his strike. The third attack from another side, and Sera's stance broke. She shot a fireball at him, but he defended it with his guarded arm.

"Hot!" He hissed.

The fourth smiled victoriously. His blade glowed in the silvery arc under the moonlight.

Aeryth stepped forward in a frenzy. The sword clashed, and metal rang. She felt her arm quiver, her muscle contract as her foot dug into the ground, and every ounce of energy in her body rushed to overpower him. Her opponent was thrown backward, stumbling. Another one caught him.

"Hey, Fatty Piggy," she pointed the tip of her sword at him. "Are you man enough to settle it one-on-one with me?"

Her face grew hotter as he grinned, two men at his flank.

The crowd formed, circling them, watching the show—erupted in cheers.

"Wooh! That's some guts for a frail little body."

"Fatty's had his ass handed to him from a little girl, hahaha," another one laughed.

"If I were him, I'd die in shame."

Along with the chorus. "Get in The PIT!"

"PIT!"

"PIT!"

Their words worked in her favor. Her anger ran colder as moments ticked by. It didn't slither into the slumber as always. Ricker's face swelled like it would explode, vein in his eyes pulsing.

"I'll make you my bitch," He screamed, pointing his massive sword at her.

"Get in the PIT!"

Aeryth glanced at Sera. "What's PIT?"

"Aeryth. Step back. If you fight him in a Pit, I won't be able to help you. They would get involved if I tried anything." They in question seemed to be every face

"I can handle a thin-skinned orc," She said aloud. She had no intention of backing out. She was trained to hunt monsters who were smarter than this guy. "Don't worry about me."

Sera shook her, eyes desperately begging her to stop.

The crowd parted. Ricker to the front, his drunken friend surrounded him as they walked toward an unnamed place. A shabby-looking, fallen building. Though, now that she focused on it. She could feel the air quivering around it.

"Are you sure?" Sera asked again. Picking up the bag that Aeryth had dropped.

"Yeah. I can win," Aeryth assured her.

"Fine. I always go to Pits to watch people fight. Didn't think I get my karma repaid like this," Sera sighed. Then she grinned, "It's a place where people fight, sometimes to the death, mostly until one is passed out. We, the audience, bet on one of the contestants, and get our money back multiplied."

"Gambling?" Aeryth muttered.

"No. I mean, in a way. But it's pretty clear to tell who's going to win, so not really. Like in this case, you're likely to lose. So putting the money on him is quite the safe bet."

"I am most likely to lose," Aeryth muttered.

"Your presence is hidden by the bracelet, after all," Sera muttered quietly. "Everyone thinks you're just a normal human and all," Another grin split her face, "He'll get a one point three to one point five times multiplier, while you get three times. So, If I bet my money on you, we get three times back."

Aeryth shook her head. "And if I lose, you'll lose all of it. It's gambling."

"Anyways, give me your money too. I'll wager them as well. Think about the returns," Sera seemed as if she might grow a pair of wings and fly into the air from excitement.

Aeryth handed Sera her purse. She needed the money. "But, I won't lose."

I am gambling with my life... I am falling farther and farther away from the ideal version that I was supposed to be. To be the village chief, fighting to keep our village prosperous and safe. Now, I am fighting a drunk man to triple my measly change. Why did this happen?

Even now, she couldn't just let go of what those undead knights had done. At least, she knew there was someone who did this, someone she could exact her revenge on.

Inside, the dingy place turned into a stadium. Stands all around them, and in the center was a caged ring, dug into the floor, with barbed wire. The floor was made of one piece of rock shoved into the ground.

"Good Luck," Sera waved, not at all worried. After she got over her initial apprehension, she was all in on the betting mode.

Ricker had already jumped into the pit. Taken off his shirt. He was a well-built man, despite his deceiving appearance outside. Definitely not a fat pig.

A wooden ladder worked as a ramp to enter. Slanting down. Aeryth took a deep breath, cautiously stepping on each plank.

The blare of people above her, their excitement for the fight, was humiliating.

But she would solve this issue today, and she couldn't have thought of a better way to do it, not after seeing how low the guards were.

He also had a long sword, though much broader compared to her slim one.

"Fight!" A buzz rang.

Ricker rushed at her like a wild beast.

She stayed in her place watching him. There was no roof on this establishment, neither much light. The moon is the primary source of light right now.

She remembered the death knight's blade, as it had cut her. The pain and despair it had brought.

Ricker slashed. Aeryth met his swing head, to assess her strength against his.

The metal clashed. She stumbled back, her arm raced in pain. 'He's using his entire body weight on the swing in hopes of overpowering me.'

He hardly seemed to have minded the clash, a twisted smile on his face. He lunged, swinging the massive blade like it was nothing.

Aeryth moved to the side. The sword slammed into the stone. Sharp shrill echoed through the stadium. Aeryth lurched forward, sword straight, tip stinging at his shoulder.

He flicked his sword back with ease at her head. Aeryth's forward knee bent, hovering an inch above the stone floor, as the sword caressed her bouncy hair.

Aeryth tightened her elbow, tilted the sword at his knees. Ricker slapped the side of the blade with his leather boots before it could harm her.

Aeryth scrambled aside as his broad sword changed direction, crashing down.

"I never could've imagined... For a waste of space, you're good at the fight." Aeryth mumbled.

However, the crowd was stunned and silent.

Perhaps, according to them, I should've died by now.

Ricker grinned. "Boy, am I blown by your strength?"

"Must be hard to fight someone who isn't a baby, for once, right?" Aeryth asked.

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The crowd chuckled. Buzzing started once more.

Their sword clashed again. Aeryth stepped to the side, angling the sword to the side as soon as their sword met. Sparks flew as his sword slid away, his strike with his whole body weight working against him.

Ricker stumbled forward. Before Aeryth could get a chance, he planted his left foot and swiveled on his heel.

Aeryth arched her spine, as the massive blade swished above her nose, air brushing it ever so slightly. Her arm still thrust the sword at him, grazing the side of his underarm.

He hissed. The unrelenting flurry of swings from his blade pushed her away.

If not for her dexterity and strength, he'd have diced her into pieces.

"Hey Lamaass! use a skill or something. This is getting boring," A boy shouted.

Ricker growled at the boy, zipping his head back at her. "Didn't think, I'll need to use a skill."

Aeryth stepped back. A skill would make a lot of difference.

He slashed, and an arc of wind blade rushed at her.

Aeryth jumped hurriedly. The barbed cage behind her shook violently.

I cannot give him distance.

She rushed in after dodging another arc of wind blades. He bulldozed at her. Her eyes widened at his increased speed.

The sword pointed at her like an arrow as he glided on the rough stone floor like there was no friction, and something was pulling forward.

Aeryth barely managed to move away from her shoulder. Still, the vertical blade grazed her upper arm.

Aeryth scrambled back. Jaw clenched as the pain throbbed in her arm.

She kept her eye on him.

That's a second skill. How many people usually have? He didn't pursue so he mustn't be able to change the direction, or it must have drained his stamina rapidly.

"Seeing the reaper?" He grinned.

Aeryth clicked her tongue, "If only goddess had given you a mind capable of putting that tenacity to make your life better."

"Beg for your life, bitch!" He dashed, and in a blink, he was upon her. She had seen adults in her village use this power during the hunt. Even in practice bouts against her.

She raised her sword to defend herself, not having enough time to move.

Their swords clashed.

Her stance broke upon impact. She stumbled back. It was not his strength that overpowered her, but the velocity that skill created.

He's creating a wind blade around his sword to create two impacts.

He continued to swing relentlessly. His eyes were drunken by the power reeling through his body.

Aeryth barely managed to stay on her feet with each strike, losing her ground. She glanced back, she wouldn't have any place to move after another two clashes.

She planted her foot and took a deep breath. He came in with another overhead swing. At this point, he had become reckless by the self-assured victory.

The blades clashed. Aertyh tightened both her arms and slightly bent the blade. His sword slipped. She moved aside quickly. He stumbled. Again, he swiveled. That must be the counter he had developed for his recklessness. Wounds on his body alluded to the battle he had fought.

Aeryth kicked his knees, raised the blade to take the brunt of the strike.

He grunted in pain, stumbling a step back. His expression grew severs, as he stopped and hit the side of his knees as if to shake away the pain.

That solves the skill issue.

Ricker desperately hurled a wind blade at her. "Bitch! Die Goblin Whore!"

Aeryth stepped closer, stepping away from the downward swing at the last moment, and stomped at the tilted blade with enough strength force that even her stomach felt the recoil. It snapped down at the ground.

Adrenaline rushed through her veins. Her heart thumped in excitement as she watched his desperate attempt to feebly win.

He Jerked back, pulling his sword back. Aeryth had already moved away from it. He swung.

"Bitch, how you keeping up with me..." He breathed haggardly. Outside, people were roaring.

Winds coiled around his arm. She could hear the hiss, but failed to see anything. He punched the air. Aeryth didn't even see anything, but something crashed at her injured arm. Her sword fell.

"Ah!" Aeryth clenched her jaw, moving closer.

He punched again. She ducked, flicking out the blood-covered knife under her sleeve. He swung down the sword with only one hand.

Aeryth straightened, stepping aside. She stabbed the knife into his outstretched arm.

Ricker staggered. The sword fell from his arm.

Aeryth grabbed Ricker's sword. It was heavy. Her shoulder wailed and throbbed in protest. Her teeth creaked, her face red from the effort. But in one swift motion, she swung down her blade like a lance coming down from heaven—the metal shone in his eyes, terrified at the thought of death, he dropped to his knees, lifelessly.

Her mind burned. Kill him. He was just a piece of shit, trying to make her life harder.

But his eyes, pale face—pained like those people that night. Like villagers.

Her hand clenched on the hilt clenched. The blade stopped an inch above his head. He dropped on his back, heaving.

His eyes rolled in his skull. He passed out.

"I won..." she breathed.

"Did you see that?!" Someone shouted.

"The fuck was that."

"My savings are fucked!"

The whole crowd cheered. There was an underlying hissing, most likely from people who had made a safe bet.

Her breath was haggard, her face was covered in sweat, but she won.

The adrenaline left. The blade fell from her injured hand, sleeved damp from blood stuck to her quivering arm. Aeryth hadn't even realized that. She felt hollow.

The ward vanished, and Sera rushed to her side.

Then the chant began.

"kill him! Kill him! Kill HIM!"

The voice grew and became more unified and powerful. Like the hoofs of marching undeath, their voice echoed.

"We need to get you a healer," Sera said.

Aeryth fixed a look at Sera. "No. We need to leave."

Sera nodded to her suggestion with a wide grin. "Holy mother, you are even more dangerous than you seemed."

"I am nothing special." Aeryth tried to drift the conversation. She wanted to get away from everyone's eyes as fast as possible.

"I cannot lift my hands," Aeryth muttered her breath. Sera took the cue and picked up the blade that still had not an ounce of blood.

"What about your injury?"

"It's going to be fine," Aeryth assured her. Sera nodded in understanding.

"No more challenging people to a duel. Understood?"

Aeryth nodded.

"I could've taken care of them," Sera said. "You are reckless."

"You were going to lose."

"I was worried that people around me would get caught up in my magic, that's all."

"Really?" Aeryth asked.

"Yeah. My magic is better suited to hunt hordes of monsters or titans, rather than thugs. I'm not a knight, after all."

"Right..." Aeryth nodded. It made sense. "Are there knights in this place?" She looked around. She didn't want to see a knight, of course.

A man crouched next to Ricker, checking his pocket. He tossed it at them. Sera caught it and gave it to Aeryth.

"If you win, you can kill your opponent or let them leave and live, but taking their wallets is tradition. Otherwise, there wouldn't be a wager in the duel." That man answered.

Aeryth looked around, and sure enough, everyone stared at her.

"We are in a hurry," She said to the man and looked at Sera, who understood the meaning and turned. They kept walking for a while, eyes peeled in search of a store that sold round and smooth balls.

"I'll go and collect my winnings," Sera went up again.

Aeryth followed behind her. Exhausted. All the eyes were on her. The mortifying coldness held her heart in its clutches. Those were the eyes of people who loved the idea of killing. The kind of people who would die and become undead. A death knight. She didn't want to do anything with them.

Sera was by her as soon as they made their way out.

"How did it feel, your first pit fight? Even I don't like the atmosphere, and fighting is a no-no for children of the house of the hearth. So, don't do that again. I'll cover for you this time."

"I have no intention of ever coming back here," Aeryth replied. "I am not an entertainment for them."

Sera nodded. She gave her half of the stack that had received this. "This is your piece."

Aeryth looked at the jade notes. "It's not five hundred and seventy."

"Of course, that's half of what I wagered. You did the winning, so you get half the money." Sera said with a grin.

Aeryth shook her head. Her arm throbbed with pain. She was even more exhausted than a minute before.

"No. I'll not take any of it. Just return the money I gave you initially. I have no intention of using the money from depraved gambling of life."

"Hey, you're making me look bad." Sere pouted. "There's nothing wrong with me. All money is good money."

"Will you say the same if you have to pull it out of a dead man's ass?" Aeryth snapped.

Sera fell quiet. "Okay. We can work about the money later. What should we do about your injury?"

"I will heal on my own. There's no need to do anything."

"Fine..."

----------------------------------------

"Did you count the money you got from him?" Sera asked.

Aeryth again surveyed her surroundings as pulled out a stack of crumbled notes, dropping the ragged purse on the ground. It fell open. There was a picture of a little girl in it.

"Six hundred and twenty jades." She said.

"Woah. That's a lot."

"Maybe it was for his family..."

"Stop," Sera cut her. "He was trying to kill you. You don't think about his life. It will keep you alive. A threat, an enemy, that's all he is. A drunkard, add that to the list, but not a person. Never a human who has a family. That question will lead you to an early grave. Your hands will hesitate."

"That's what we were taught about monsters," Aeryth whispered. Her mind swirled, and she felt lightheaded. I am even more exhausted than before. Why?

"Come on, I think that's our destination."

Sera pointed at the massive door that read—Serenity Paradice.

It was a three stories high building. The front wall had hand-drawn carvings of flowers, leaves, and eyes, that were filled with silver-like metal but it shone in the darkness of the night. It was obnoxious, screamed of their value.

"What do you need Colibom for?" Sera asked.

Aeryth looked at her.

"What? That name is too big for my dumb head, so I shortened it."

Sighing, Aeryth answered her question. "Because of an incident, I wasn't able to go through the awakening ceremony."

"Right, that happens?"

"It happened."

But they walked in. The floor was made of lustrous jade. Two guards stared at them as they went in.

Each step made Aeryth more conscious. Like back in the cloth store, but a hundred times worse.

There were gold frame paintings of monsters on the walls above their mana cores that were on display.

Aeryth watched them with her mouth gapped.

In the center of the hall, there was a glass display with hundreds of condensed mana cores of different grades and different monsters. A name and price under each sphere.

"Wait, they have another store like this in the fifth district," Sera said as she confidently hurried inside.

Aeryth felt the gazes of people around her, both inside the store and outside.

She scrambled to catch up to Sera, glad to have her along. Entering this place would've been a nightmare alone.

"Excuse me," Sera waved at the man on the main counter. He wore a butler suit, with gold-framed glasses.

He assessed them. His brows twisted into a frown. "What can I do for you?" He didn't sound friendly, or rude. Aeryth had half expected him to say get out.

This place perfectly encapsulated what she imagined the city to be like. Grand and uncomfortable, filled with people who were unwelcoming and rude.

"We are looking for a Lightning Bone Marrow, you got one?" Sera asked.

"Serenity Paradise has everything a mage or warrior may require. Please go to the First floor, right, you'll find Elemental stones in that place."

"Thanks." Sera gestured her to follow. Aeryth followed half a step behind her, looking around the store like a scared duck. Not scared, just very uncomfortable. Wandering around a store, knowing you probably won't be able to afford anything was the worst feeling.

----------------------------------------

Sera didn't stop to look at anything. As if this place was nothing of interest to her. She had shown greater interest in the bazaar outside.

"Excuse me," Sera tapped on the counter to get the goblins' attention, who were busy waving away at the system-like device.

His red eyes glared at them. He flicked his eyes up and down and stopped at Aeryth's bracelet. His pupil dilated. Pointy ears flapped like bird wings.

"Dear Customers," He grinned menacingly, cooing as he spoke. "What can I do for you?"

"We need an elemental bone marrow, Lightnin variant," Sera said.

Aeryth mustered up the courage. "Grade Four, Concentrated Lightning Bone Marrow."

Goblins eyes shone. He rang the bell on his table. Another goblin in a suit came out from the deeper room. "Lightning Bone Marrow, Grade Four. Get it from the top shelf."

"Uh, how much will it cost?" Aeryth asked.

"Please wait," The Ggblin said. "I'll have to see the price tag. Those things rarely ever get called in this part of the country, so I have no recollection of it."

Aeryth waited patiently. Her nerves tense. At least, he has it. No matter the price, I will probably be able to get it, sooner or later. Sooner, if I start going hunting starting tomorrow. I just need to find nimble rabbits, they are high in demand in this place and are comparatively safe to hunt. I will sneak out of the wall if necessary.

Her mind raced. Ever get called in this part of the country? He says it like he does not have it here. Wait, there's no space to have another storage room here.

They were at the front of the store on the first floor. This room was all the width the front of the store had.

Her thoughts were cut off when the smaller goblin returned with a box on a silver platter. That was enough for her to feel even smaller and hesitant.

Please just turn us away. I know I cannot afford it..

And then, there was the price tag, which she wasn't able to see, even as she craned her neck.

"Let me see." The goblin stared at the price tag. "Hundred and Three Ja- I mean, Hundred thousand jades."

For a moment, Aeryth had felt the price was only one hundred and three jades. Her chest had grown lighter. But now, her heart dropped into her stomach and down into her bladder.