Marcus POV

“So, they aren’t despairing?”

“It seems as though the new leader got them to strike quickly to prevent being destroyed.”

“So, they took out their distress on us.”

“Yes sir.”

“And Lord Gethel canceled the meeting?”

“Yes, I’m sorry, but apparently he’s negotiating with a middle-class faction for aid.”

The middle class.

Their 500s were like our 400s. Not common, but a lot more common.

Their commanders are typically 600s like Lord Gethel. The Leaders are typically 700s.

“I’m going to torture Heather some more.”

“Understood sir.”

I went back to my room and froze. The dinner I prepared for myself was gone with a note reading,

“Thanks for the hospitality jack***.”

I ran over the the chains and saw the maid that cleaned up my room with a slit throat.

“She killed a level 460 before she could make a noise. Did she pull a ****ing Tokyo G*oul?!”

This was bad.

“ALERT EVERYONE! HEATHER HAS ESCAPED CONTAINMENT!!!”

“YES, SIR!!!”

How did she get out? There is no way she should’ve gotten stronger; those cuffs restrict both physical power and magic.

Wait, didn’t Damien say that the deities of that world trained with those kinds of cuffs? Could she have figured out how to use magic in them? That’s impossible.

“If she can use magic inside, her magic outside must be nigh unstoppable.”

“Sir?”

“Keep caution, she may be able to use magic inside the cuffs.”

“But sir, you’d have to be at least a 500 to even attempt that.”

“I know, but that’s the only way I think she could’ve escaped.”

400 to 600 was the middle class of higher beings. Only beings in that range could use high magic, but she wasn’t even a 200 yet, so if she could escape the cuffs with magic…

I could only imagine her strength once she becomes a higher being.

_

I needed to stay quiet and reflect. Kala had a message for me. I look into it and see her sitting on her throne, a sad smile on her face.

“Hello Rose. If you received this, then my worst fears were realized. I am dead, and it is likely that the other shards are too.”

Why did you do it?

“I spoke to the other shards, and we came into full agreement. I suspected that we would be put into a position like this ever since our defeat at Sal’s hands. So, I took the risk and used system override to swap our names.”

Unauthorized tale usage: if you spot this story on Amazon, report the violation.

Why?

“You are needed. Despite what you like to think, everyone respects you. If you die, the entire faction would be without a proper leader. Remember, you singlehandedly resurrected me, and gave me a reason to live.”

Then…

“And I know you can do more. You gave Luma her individuality. You taught Dallel how to be strong, can’t you see? You are important. So, I decided to create this failsafe, you always have them. Live the life I couldn’t. Win the war, then find someone and settle down.”

I...

“Please… Goodbye Rose…”

The message faded. She tried to hide it, but I saw the tears dripping down her face. She had a second message, but that isn’t for me.

My only goal is to escape, and I heard Marcus’s yell. They noticed I left.

“Crap, I have to keep moving.”

I used a lot of energy, so I was tired.

“How do you even navigate this massive thing?!”

The castle of the God Slayers was massive. I could see why they were that confident with this many materials.

“Goodness, even Regala wasn’t this self-absorbed…”

I just walked into the gallery… There were thousands of paintings depicting Gethel in various uniforms and poses.

“*snort* No way…”

The Mona Gethel sat before me.

“I am so tempted to take this, but I can’t hold it and move fast.”

“SIR, SHE’S IN THE GALLERY!!!”

“Oh, crap!!!”

I spent too much time looking at the *ahem* majestic painting.

“GET HER!!!”

I started running as fast as I could. I could see Marcus running behind me with a furious expression.

“Hey, how are you?”

“You *****. I don’t know how you did it, but I’m ****** off.”

“Good to hear. Now, I’m just going to be on my WOAH!!!”

He struck right next to me. I barely dodged. I knew that I still couldn’t win despite my power up.

“Come one, really, the little Gethelmaid?!”

“I’ll end you!!!”

“How about we calm down and admire the Mona Gethel?”

“DIE!!!”

I kept dodging, and he kept striking.

A whole hour passed before he managed to hit me.

“OOF!!!”

I launched into the wall and looked up to see Marcus standing over me.

“You are going to die.”

I smirked.

“Nah I don’t think so.”

He grabbed my throat and slammed me against the wall.

“Goodness, aren’t you fun.”

He froze, blushed, then punched me.

“Shut it!!!”

“I think I saw this in a roma- GRK!!!”

“Shut UP!!!”

I definitely got him flustered.

“I got you now, Heather.”

“That’s not right.”

“How? You are stuck.”

“That’s correct, but my name isn’t Heather.”

“What?”

“Rose Hood at your service.”

His eyes widened and I took the chance.

“GAAH!!!”

He dropped me and I began running again.

“Good luck having children after that!!!”

I ran as fast as I could. A man stepped in to block my path.

“Hello, Rose.”

“It can’t be… You are the mole?”

“I always knew you were a smart one.

“Now I see.”

“What?”

“It made sense, but I didn’t want to believe it was you.”

“How did you know?”

“Well, you always stood out, but back at the same time. You never did anything significant, but always made it clear that you were strong, and you also were far calmer than others initially, and you were one of the few that never swore loyalty to me.”

“So, I did my job too well. Is that what you are saying?”

“Yes, so, I assume you are going to try to kill me?”

“No, but I can’t exactly let you tell the others about me.”

“Then let’s fight.”

“I suppose that would be fun.”

Then I got into a fighting stance and prepared to fight the man who helped name me. Vice-Captain of the Kingsguard, Damien.

“Come on, Rose. Just give up and go back to your cage.”

“I’d prefer to not.”

“Ah. Well, I suppose I gave you the easy way out.”

He struck me. I went flying and crashed into the wall.

I didn’t even see him move.

“Don’t underestimate me just because you know me. I am a 604 after all.”

He way surpassed my predicted level. He could rule his own faction.

“Why…”

“Why do I serve Gethel? Well, it’s quite simple. I used to rule a faction, Dominion. Then Gethel gave me an offer. I wanted to leave being a ruler for a long time, and then a job offer and a powerful upstart came, but you… you destroyed my faction. Conquered my native world.”

He smiled, but it didn’t reach his eyes.

“You act like a good person, but you are a beast, nothing more. I will capture you, then I will butcher all of your pitiful group in front of you, and watch you beg for mercy. Then I will kill you.”

“What?”

“You locked the worlds, but now they are under Dallel’s control, and he doesn’t know who I am, so I’ll go back, kidnap all of the strong, and even some weaker ones.”

“No…”

He couldn’t. I wouldn’t let him.

“Amanda and Amy will learn that their friend died a fool’s death that was wasted, before I butcher them slowly.”

“I won’t let you.”

“And the child, Erica… I think I should put her in a cage with the mutt, Darsen. Then let them starve until he finally snaps.”

Then my vision blurred, and the world spiraled away from me.

I was furious.

[The Requirements have been met. The skill, Savage Beast has evolved.]

[You now possess the Ultimate Skill, FEAR. The system needs to update to react to this skill.]

[Restrictions: IFEB*A(F*HUBC@(]]

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