Chapter 23 - King to the rescue

"HELP! HELP! HELP!"

A scream of terror leaves a teen girls mouth as she was being dragged by her legs through the slums. Everyone looks at her but does not dare to help, this is the way things are around here.

For if they were to extend a helping hand it would be cut off... Along with the rest of their family, no one helps as they would just quicken their turn.

With the power of the Mercenary guild backing the scum who reside here, everyone and everything seems to be free game to them. They are the Kingdoms only fighting force so they deserve anything they want, the people here understand that even if they can't understand the cruelty of their saviors.

"Would you shut your trap! No one is gonna help you so stop resisting and start thanking us!" A old man said coldly to the frightened girl.

"She sure is pretty Ralph, we ought to get a good amount of coin for er."

Upon hearing the fox like mans words, the girl couldn't help but scream more as she knew what her fate was. She would inevitably be sold to a noble as a sex slave where she would spend the rest of her short life in abuse and torment. Never having the chance to earn her freedom it is nothing more then a death sentence...

"Help me...." The girls voice is starting to fade as her throat dries from the excessive yelling.

The outer ring of the Beast Kingdom is known as the slums, riddled with crooks and bandits who claim to be mercenaries. Everyone knows the atrocities that go on there but no one is willing to waste their time to fix the situation.

Even the King has written them off as their own city, he would rather let them govern themselves then be forced to face the reality of the situation...

But someone can't just see this and let it go, he has no place in this Kingdom but he would rather make everyone here an enemy then watch this go on another second!

"Keep up girls they are just around the corner!" Yelled the small boy who is boiling with anger.

The people can't help but look at the trio with pity as they see them running after the mercenaries. They wish they would stop as the moment they interfere their fate is sealed...

As if not being able to read the room, Onyx just keeps pushing forward. To him everyone's faces just further cements his predictions of the slums... They are all living in fear, too scared to even look their abusers in the eyes.

A two story house comes into view as Onyx and the girls make the last turn following the girls screeching. The quality of the house seems to be higher then the rest of the town or maybe even the rest of the kingdom.

He can see six people guarding the perimeter before spotting the older man dragging the girl through the front door but she is no longer screaming as this is now her reality.

"Onyx shouldn't we wait until night? They will see us coming if we just barge in there."

Sophie would normally be correct, but the girl they captured is young... He couldn't live with himself if he let those crooks taint her purity while he waited for safety.

"Not possible"

"I figured..."

As if reading the room Abby refrains from speaking, now is not the time to hesitate.

"Girls I will go ahead, after I clear the guards I wish for you to take their place. Don't allow anyone to escape, if they are too much for you to handle just yell I will come to get you."

"Y-yes"

"Understood master... Please be safe"

Without anymore delay Onyx makes his way towards the six enemies, he uses his spatial jumping to quickly get behind them and slit their throats.

None of them ever stood a chance as their lives were forfeited to the kid Swordsman, even their lifeless bodies weren't safe as the little monster absorbed each of them. Not allowing them to have a peaceful life even in death.

The town folk who were standing around watching just stare in shock, the one who they figured was doomed has inspired a little hope into them... But it's not over yet for they know how strong the boss of the men he killed is.

As almost on queue Abby and Sophie take their positions around the house, they had known how strong Onyx was but they never seen him actually take a life before... And the way he looked as he did it scared them, there was no emotion as the lives Infront of him were garbage to him.

"Scary"

"Remind me to stop teasing him..."

The two girls share a quick word of shock then go their separate ways, Sophie was tasked with guarding the front door as Abby patrols the back exit.

The door is cracked open as Onyx approaches it, he can hear the men inside laughing and bragging about how much gold they will make off the girl they captured.

"Before we sell the little princess, why don't we test her out boss?"

*SLAP*

A large crash is heard as the man hit the floor before the boss.

"Have you lost your mind rookie? We don't touch our merchandise that would only decrease their value."

The Boss scolded him as if he lacked any common sense, but he couldn't deny the princess they captured was definitely beautiful...

"I'm sorry... it won't happen again." The rookie looking shocked that he was just slapped, this is the first time his Boss has ever told him no to using the slaves.

"You made sure you weren't followed? This isn't a normal kidnapping I hope you two took the proper precautions as I have instructed."

"Y-yes sir, no one saw us bring her here!" The old man salutes the boss knowing he is lying, but he knows no one will do anything to them.

"Good I will be in my room, make sure you properly secure the girl and feed her. We leave in the morning when the slaver get's here he seems to be running late."

Onyx enters the house after over hearing the conversation, he knows not how strong the boss is but this is a good time to separate him from his men.

"Hey rookie take her to the basement, don't you even dare touch her or I will kill you personally!" The old man yelled at him in a scolding tone

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"Yes sir, lets go princess."

The man grabs her by her hair and pulls her out of the room as she yelps in pain.

Onyx seeing this as an opportunity suddenly appears behind the man thrusting his sword through the old man's chest penetrating his heart and internal organs.

"Hahaha, looks like we were followed."

The old man's last words weren't in fear, but just accepted his lack of discipline. He knew he has gotten sloppy over the years, but he truly believed no one was dumb enough to do anything to them.

"Gluttony"

Now Onyx has two choices he can either take care of the rookie first or the boss. He risks the rookie harming the princess, but he also is not confident in fighting their boss while protecting her...

No I have to protect her that's why I came here... He knows it's the harder choice for him, but he knows the rookie is up to no good.

"Let go of me scum!"

The princess yells at the man pulling her hair, how dare such a man touch her... She was finally allowed to leave the palace after months of convincing her father, he assigned her two guards to make sure she was protected at all times.

Unfortunately for her the guards took bribes and allowed the mercenaries to capture her without any commotions. Inflicting themselves with a couple of wounds they sold the princess to the old man for a few gold coins.

She swore if she ever escapes from her kidnappers, she would see to it that the two men's heads fly from their shoulders.

"Shut up brat, it's already to late for you... Just be happy the Boss told me I can't have my way with you."

"As if I would ever let scum like you touch me!" The princess spits at the man as he forces her into a cage before locking it.

"You wouldn't have a choice little one" The mans smiles creepily as if he could just eat the princess where she stands.

He goes to turn around as he feels the cold touch of a sword touching his Adams apple.

"Everyone has a choice... How can someone so pathetic take another persons life?"

Onyx scolding the man as he slowly adds more and more force to the blade, the man's throat starts to bleed as he just stares at the child in shock.

He tries to go for the dagger at his waist but Onyx already sees his every move, nothing this man can do will change his fate.

"DIE!" The man swings the dagger sloppily at Onyx but he does not bother dodging, as the Dagger isn't even in reach of him it just glides through the air touching nothing.

"Wow you couldn't land a hit even if your life depended on it... literally." Onyx almost feels bad for the filth Infront of him but proceeds to glide his sword to the slide slitting the mans throat.

"N...no why me?" The man gets out a few words before falling to the ground bleeding out slowly.

The princess sees her kidnapper die before her but that only intensifies her fear, she does not know the human boy Infront of her... And it has been way too soon for father to take notice to hire help, so why is this boy here?

"Don't kill me..." The princess falls to her knees knowing she can only beg for her life now.

"Gluttony" Onyx ignores the princess and proceeds to consume the man laying below his feet.

"You're not safe yet, I still need to take care of their boss... Do you wish to stay here or follow me?"

"May I ask your name?"

"You can call me Space King"

Onyx was contemplating on giving her his real name, but he does not wish to get mixed up with the king as of yet. His first impressions of the king here so far has not been good ones.

"King? well I must say that makes me feel better... I will go with you."

Almost annoyed that she will be coming, Onyx just braces himself for the upcoming battle after he leaves this basement.

"Very well, be sure not to get in the way. Stay back and don't do anything stupid"

Onyx cuts the lock on the cage releasing the princess, she bows to Onyx showing her respect before slowly making her way behind him.

She can't take the chance of the Space King losing and her still being trapped down here, this would be the most logical move in her escape.

"Yes"

The two of them make their way up the stairs, they can hear yelling coming from the back of the house.

"GUNTHER! Come here for a second!" The voice of the man carries power raising the hair on Onyx's neck.

Gunther? Could that be the old man I killed recently?

"IM NOT GOING TO CALL YOU AGAIN!"

The door slams open as the burly man kicks the door open, to Onyx's surprise the man is a human and beast-kin.

They make eye contact, the man looks almost shocked to see the two kids just standing there looking at him.

Behind the boy is the princess... What the hell happened to Gunther and wasn't the rookie suppose to be securing her? Did they sell me out?

The man starts to panic as he does not know the current situation.

"They sold me out huh... You think I'm just going to give up? Now you must all die with me!"

Onyx not understanding what the man is talking about readies his sword.

{Be safe master, please use me}

(Time to finally see the kid hero in action!}

They usually never talk to me when I fight, so they must know the current situation is not ideal. I can't lie and say the man Infront of me is weak, but I also don't think he is strong... Maybe I'm missing something?

"Princess go hide for a bit, I need to have a talk with the boss here."

"She wont be going anywhere child"

The man darts towards Onyx at an almost indescribable speed, something that is not expected of a man his size. He does not have any weapons, it looks like he fights with just his body... How disappointing Onyx thought.

With a swift side step Onyx hits the mans back with the hilt of his sword.

The man starts to wheeze trying to catch his breath as the small child made contact with his lungs, how did he dodge me?

"Nice trick but it won't happen again!"

"Princess I do not wish to repeat myself, I said go hide."

"Y-yes King... Sorry"

The princess was shocked by the mans speed but she is more scared of the child before her... Taking the hint she runs towards the kitchen away from the battle.

Onyx's attention diverted for a second to watch the princess and it cost him a blow.

*Crash*

Onyx flies through the wall of the house as the man lands a perfect punch to his torso... But Onyx does not feel anything, no pain or pressure has entered his abdomen.

{I can take a beating young hero, but please do not overdue it being hit like that multiple times. Our blood link is not strong enough yet for repetitive damage.}

"Understood, thanks for protecting me... I wont slip up again"

The girls see Onyx stand up from a pile of debris, they want to run to him but they know they will only be in his way.

"You got this master!"

"Please be safe Onyx!"

They can only give him words of encouragement...

"So you got up from that huh kid? I gotta say you aren't half bad but that's it for you"

The man walks from the hold in the wall meeting Onyx in the middle of his yard.

"I lost focus for a seconds, do not expect to land another cheap punch"

Onyx takes a few steps forward locking on to the man Infront of him... He licks his lips as he finally sees someone worth going all out on.

"Now please become my food"

Onyx launches himself like a bullet towards the man, upon seeing this he raises his guard to block the oncoming sword strike. The man takes pride in his durability to the point swords can no longer cut his skin... Or so he thought.

"W-what?" The man said anxiously as his left arm was removed from the shoulder, for a strike he thought was directed at his chest was shifted last second avoiding his guard.

Onyx is not surprised in the slightest, if anything he is disappointed... He wishes to find someone who would push him like his old master had done... But the man Infront of him can not grant his wish...

"Your strong, but that does not win fights"

"You just got lucky kid..." The man still holding the wound where his arm use to be.

"I wish that were the case, but unfortunately you are just fodder for my growth... Now please die."

Onyx space jumps behind the man and slices the back of his neck so cleanly not a single drop of blood spilt. You would think Onyx missed his swing but that thought only lasted for a few mere seconds before the mans head gently slid off his neck.

"When will I face someone worth my time? Is this all Gaia has to offer?" Onyx stares at the man Infront of him, he was physically stronger then him but lacked skill...

"Gluttony"

{Good job master}

{The kid is a monster...}

"Do not congratulate me for such a disappointing fight, how can I get stronger if this is all there is to offer?"

{Don't be too hard on yourself kid, the enemies you are destined to face will make this the equivalent of squashing a fly.)

"Right... I look forward to them"

Onyx soon sees himself laying on his back, he was distracted for a second and he was taken down what happened?

"IDIOT! You had me worried..." The crying Sophie has crawled over his face while punching his shoulder...

Since when have these girls gotten so strong...

"I'm sorry... but we aren't done yet, the girl they kidnapped was a princess"

"P..princess?"

"Seriously? So master has bagged a princess huh?"

"Don't speak nonsense, now lets go get her before more mercenaries show up."

They walk through the hole in the wall completely disregarding the front door.

"Princess you can come out!"

"Y-yes King..." The teenage girl peeks her head out from the kitchen door to verify it is actually him.

"Come lets get you home, your father must be getting worried."

"Thank you... You are truly my savior, one day I will repay your kindness" The princesses cheeks start to flush with a light crimson

"You are truly evil master..."

"Are all Kings players?"

The girls just scold Onyx but he is completely oblivious to it. He doesn't think of the princess as liking him, she is just showing her appreciation... What's so wrong with that?

"I... I will lead the way I know the city like the back of my hand" The princess walks to the front of the group and steps out the hole in the wall...

Seriously does no one see the door right Infront of them? If they door had an ego I wonder if they would be sad at their uselessness...

"I guess I finally get to meet the King... Hopefully my opinions are wrong about him." Onyx just sighs as he has no choice but to meet the greedy king...