Chapter 200 (2/2)

Randidly just sighed at the other’s shamelessness. “...I cannot.”

“You covet the reward that much? That you would be willing to kill me? I suppose such an action is all too common…” Orangey muttered, but Randidly shook his head again. Taking the moral high ground now, Orangey? Really?

“No, it is not the prize. It is a promise. I gave my word, so I will achieve the top 8 in this regional tournament. That is the reason.”

Orangey blinked. “Are you aware of how unlikely that is? It is comment worthy when an individual from the qualifiers makes the top 50 of the regional tournament; it is completely dominated by those from the larger Styles. That is our fate. Why should you be any different?”

“Because I need to be… to keep my word.” Randidly said, breathing out softly. But his resolve was firm in this regard; it was necessary, so he would. That was all he could do.

Sighing, Orangey lowered his shoulders and stepped to the side, allowing his exertion to fall below -10%. Then he began to walk away.

“Thank you.” Randidly said quietly, although it was more for the man’s benefit than his own gratitude. Afterall, all Orangey had done was prevent himself from dying needlessly. But what surprised Randidly was that Orangey spun around and spat on him.

“I have no respect for fools like you who don’t understand their place in the world. Look at yourself. You are pointlessly holding a giant rock for the amusement of others, while the chosen wait ahead, refreshed and informed of your capabilities. If you truly had any hope of reaching the top 8, would you really be here, struggling under a rock?”

Randidly was silent. The red hot Aether in his chest demanded violence for the insult, but he ignored that. His arms trembled, and his body was covered in lines of sweat. He was exhausted, of all of this. It had gone on for too long, and he had to finish the 24 hour period still to finish. But for a split second, Orangey’s words caused him to waver.

Shaking his head, Randidly slowly spoke to reject Orangey’s worldview. “It is true that I won’t simply find the strength to accomplish my goal just by seeking it…. But I will surely never find the strength to be more if I don’t push myself to reach higher.”

“Mere platitudes.” Orangey hissed, turning away. “They will be a small comfort when you fail.”

Randidly allowed his head to drop and he sighed. He refocused, checking in on his Mana and Stamina, finding both to be extremely low. He smiled lopsidedly. It would certainly be a hard trek, this last part, which he didn’t really know the time of. He had no idea.

But he would do his best, because-

“If you make it to the top 8…. I will buy you a drink.” Orangey said without turning around, standing at the edge of the apparatus. Then he left, the attendants escorting him away.

The Aether in Randidly’s chest ignited. His grin was wide and vicious.

With eyes filled with brilliant emerald flames, Randidly whispered. “And I’ll use the trophy of this whole fucking tournament to sip and savor that drink.”

****

Far away, a pair of eyes slowly opened. Finally, the Yeti had located the target. He had become aware that the target had fled from the temporal dimension that it was isolated in, but that wasn’t a problem. It gave the Yeti time to build his strength.

Judgement would follow the Heretics to the edge of the world, and beyond.

There was something extremely strange about this Heretic, in that the holy weaponry appeared to have no effect. The Yeti was still struggling to come to terms with this information, but he set that to the side. There was no redeeming sinners. They simply must be punished. That was his role.

His gaze drifted outward, at the sea of chittering minions the Yeti had already summoned. Initially, the prisoners had put up a good fight, slowly driving the Yeti and his minions backwards. But against those that interfered in the Yeti’s Judgement quest, he received a larger portion of his strength; the restrictions were somewhat lessened.

When he took the field, he broke their strongest, and overwhelmed the rest. Now, he hunted the stragglers and spawned more minions, waiting.

And now he finally had the signal he had been waiting for.

The Yeti’s face twisted in a smile.