Nangua and Ness looked at each other from the side while remaining in position as they awaited Jin's words.

He asked them: "Just in case, am I allowed to give up?"

Ness laughed.

Nangua sighed as he got up and stated: "You could, young master. But then we would all be hunted down? Might not even end with a simple 'death' if we consider that you're nominated by The Nightmare..."

Ness got up while nodding and adding: "He's right. There could be nothing worse than that. At the very least, as a participant, you will be able to die in battle"

Jin continued with his inquiries: "Do I even have a chance to win?"

Both Nanqua and Ness shook their heads negatively as they both quickly told him it was impossible.Perplexed by the answer, Jin then asked them: "Then, why are you two even here?"

They awkwardly looked at Jin before they both spoke, Ness first: "The Nightmare ordered me to make you win, you see. My fate is sealed to yours."

Nangua second: "This is a gamble for me, young master. Greatness or nothing. Even a pumpkin can dream."

They continued to discuss for a while but the content did not deviate too much from what was expected. He had to participate whether or not he wanted to and, according to those two, he had absolutely no ways to win.

However, was he, Jin, someone who would die without a fight?

Was he someone that would simply allow his fate to be decided by another? Again?

Strength, in this world, is what matters. He was going to remain continuously used until his death unless he managed to grow stronger. Strong enough that no one could ever contest him. Once again, he needed to reach The Peak.

He had to be The Peak.

Unfortunately, dreaming was easy but realistically, he was not in the best situation. He was still only at the 30th stage. And he was quite poor compared to all those monsters that were turned into his rivals.

What could he do?

He pondered over the question for a while with his two 'new vassals'...

Enjoying the story? Show your support by reading it on the official site.

And could not find a solution.

...

The morning came.

Everyone was reunited around a table inside Nangua's house to discuss this new problem.

Gen clearly expressed himself: "You need to leave. And go far away."

They all looked at him with different expressions. Ame was shocked while the others mostly looked at him awkwardly. He was blunt, that was certain. There could have been many other ways to say it but he simply had to pick that one.

Ame berated him harshly however, as she looked for support she found none. Even Jin remained silent with a sad smile upon his face.

He told her: "There are not many other options."

He understood at least one thing: staying here would endanger everyone.

Ame could not accept it: "What the hell are you even?!"

Risa interrupted her: "Ame, we need time. To recover. To return to what we once were. If he stays here, he will put us in danger. But if he leaves and survives out there..."

Gen finished: "We will be there to support him. Once the time is right."

Ame screamed: "And when would that be?! How many centuries would it even take for you two to reach that kind of level?!"

Ness coughed and began: "It will certainly take a long time however there is no better options. If he stays here, the other contestants will easily find him and end his life. They will also end all of yours while at it. But if we leave, you all will be safe and should be able to grow without much worries."

Ame furiously rebuked him as she got up from her seat: "What's the point of growing stronger if you're alone?!"

They all remained silent as she glared at each one of them.

For the sole reason that this question hit them deeply.

They were all beings who had to give up on many things in the pursuit of power. It was a question that was difficult to answer. Was there even one?

However, while not an answer, Jin told her: "We are not alone even if apart. This is only a 'see you later' even if that later is in a very long time. I won't be able to protect you if I stay. I...I can't lose you."

Ame sat back down silently as tears fell down her cheeks. Even though she hated it, she understood.

The most rational choice was for Jin to run away so as not to implicate them in this.

Not yet.

They were not ready yet.

But would they ever even be ready for that?!

It was about fighting for the pinnacle of power in this world. Could they even survive and reach that point?

Gen and Risa reached such a point once so, maybe, they might stand a chance but her? Could she?

And Jin? Would he live long enough while being tracked like that?

She felt like this was no 'see you later' but a 'final goodbye' instead and she hated it.

She even hated herself for not being able to believe in him.

So, she cried silently.

And the decision was taken.

...

Nangua watched as the giant Pumpkin was being burnt.

Next ot him was Ness. He asked the cat: "Is it really necessary to burn it all?"

Ness nodded: "People could make a link. Can't risk it."

Nangua agreed but he still sighed. He thought that he might have finally found a way to stay in a peaceful place for a while but... How unfortunate.

Such was his fate. Since he made the decision to link it to Jin, he could only follow with it. That being said, he never thought it would turn out this way. He hoped that Jin was being groomed into a successor for the Nightmare, not as a Throne candidate.

The two watched the pumpkin as it turned while waiting for the moans to end in the other house and for Jin to join them.