Return Of The Strongest Player

As Arthur's eyelids fluttered open, the eternal darkness waned, revealing the pleasant light that–at that moment–seemed blinding. A wave of pleasure swept by, and it seemed as if all the fatigue had vanished.

Even the exhaustion he didn't notice he had disappeared, leaving him at his peak.

'Although, I do feel a bit lethargic,' Arthur muttered internally, somehow standing up while clutching the side of his bed to maintain his balance. The room in which he stood was dim, illuminated solely by a few rays of sunlight that squeezed through a narrow crack in a window at Arthur's bedside.

The room in which the crimson-eyed man resided was not particularly vast. With a single bed, a drawer, a tiny table, and a fan, it was how one would expect a minimalistic person to live. There was also a rather displeasing smell in the air.

Ignoring that, Arthur exited the room with Skofnung strapped at his waist. He slowly headed to the couch before collapsing atop it, sinking as the cushion bent to accommodate his body. It felt truly pleasant.

While he was enjoying the softness of the couch, the door to the hotel room suddenly swung open.

"He said that? Really?"

"Of course! Do you think I would lie to you?"

"That's amazing…"

"All right, guys, let's not be too loud. Arthur is sleeping. Oh? Never mind, I guess."

Arthur suddenly spotted Kai, Matthew, Ferhill, and Diamond enter the room, expressions of joy plastered over their faces. It seemed as if they were discussing something interesting, but Arthur found it best not to pry.

"You're awake," Ferhill stated, approaching the crimson-eyed man while narrowing his eyes. "Are you sure you're Arthur… The Arthur that I know?"

"It's early in the morning. Can you shut up?"

"Are you sure you're the stick-up-your-ass Arthur that blackmailed me into becoming a slave?" Ferhill joked, but Arthur didn't respond accordingly. The latter remained silent, gazing blankly at the window.

"How long has it been?"

"Since you slept?"

"Yes."

"3 days," Ferhill replied casually, plopping down beside Arthur. "I wanted to kick you awake, but Diamond stopped me. Anyway, how're you feeling?"

"I feel good," replied Arthur, reverting to his original self. "Ferhill, did you contact the Saint Sealing Devil? Diamond and Matthew, how is training going? Kai, did you… uh, turn normal again?"

"I contacted him and got the materials. I also asked for precious materials."

"Why?"

"Because Diamond and Matthew successfully refined an artifact capable of being used by high Elite Rankers. Their talent is quite shocking if I do say so myself. They've already become experts."

Arthur raised an eyebrow. "Is that true?"

Diamond and Matthew nodded.

"Elder Brother, we've already made a revenue of 25,000 Tokens," Matthew announced, puffing out his chest in pride. 

"...Seriously?" Arthur asked, his eyes wide. Although he expected much of Matthew and Diamond, he hadn't expected such growth in only three days. It seemed things had gone well, even without his supervision.

He felt as if his subordinates were quite reliable. 

'I felt the same way about Heaven's Challengers,' Arthur muttered internally as a bitter expression appeared on his face. With a melancholic expression, he recalled his former life, suppressing the urge to spit.

'But look how that turned out.'

However, as he looked at his four subordinates, he felt as if something was different about them. Instead of chasing power, three of them chased familial safety, while one of them was devoid of ambitions.

They were vastly different than the recruits of Heaven's Challengers. Instead of raising them himself, Arthur simply brought them into the clan when they were already established, resulting in them treating the clan as disposable.

It was different in this life.

But was it truly different?

Arthur released a sigh, dispelling such dark thoughts. Instead, he nodded. "Good job."

Ferhill snorted, but one could discern his slightly red cheeks. Diamond and Matthew were all smiles, while Kai remained expressionless. Suddenly, Arthur stood up, looking at the Child Of Fate.

"Kai, come with me. Ferhill, make sure to teach Matthew enough so that he can pass the tutorial."

Ferhill nodded, leading Matthew outside. Kai and Arthur headed towards the ninth floor, arriving there within minutes.

*

"Where are we going?" Kai inquired, following Arthur as he traversed through the abandoned streets of the ninth floor. 

The chilly winds swept past the two, causing Kai to shiver as his teeth clattered. In desperation, he hugged himself to protect himself from the biting cold. Arthur remained silent, calmly traveling.

Noticing he didn't receive an answer, Kai swallowed his saliva. He could sense danger in Arthur's gaze.

A few minutes passed, and the two arrived before a certain downward staircase that led to a tunnel. "I'm going to train you to survive the tenth floor. You need the power to fight, especially when I'm away."

"What do you mean?"

"Kai, you need to understand your responsibility. Ferhill, Matthew, and Diamond are talented in their field, while you are talented in your field. They do not have the same ability as you, and vice versa."

Silence.

"You can see the strings of fate, but you are talented in another aspect. That is your quality to adapt."

"Adaptation is the sole reason humans dominate over the tower. No other species is as talented as humans when it comes to adapting to their surroundings and making the best of it. And you are special, even in that case."

"What are you implying?" Kai inquired, cocking his head as he narrowed his eyes. Arthur's words seemed indirect, which was somewhat unusual, considering his personality. "Are you trying to console me? Is this what consolation is like?"

"I'm saying you need to become strong enough to protect the others. The other three can't fight."

Kai nodded in understanding. "Yes, I understand. You could have just said that."

Arthur nodded, but did not respond to Kai's words. The two slowly descended down the staircase, entering the first space, where the dark cube lay. Arthur stood in a corner, motioning for Kai to step forth.

"What am I to do, exactly?" Kai inquired, shaking his head as he viewed the rather unpolished place. 

"I'm not really sure. I put a sword into that thing, and it sucked the life out of it."

Kai and Arthur locked eyes for a split second.

"That's not what I meant. What has Ferhill been teaching you?" 

Kai let out a chuckle, to which Arthur shook his head. 'He won't be so lighthearted in a few minutes, that's for sure.'

"Go in there," Arthur commanded, pointing to a certain opening that led to the next space, where the swords were. Arthur threw Kai a regular sword, motioning for him to walk as he plopped down on the floor.

Kai glanced at Arthur before picking up the sword and inspecting it. It was a thin long sword with a sleek, dark blade. It seemed to be just an ordinary sword, as per inspection. Kai nodded before heading into the tunnel.

He traveled through the dim area, arriving at the second space.

Immediately, as soon as he stepped into the second space, a sword came flying, attempting to chop his neck off. Kai's eyes widened, and he swung his long sword aimlessly. The sword collided with Kai's sword, creating a loud, unpleasant noise.

Clang!

Suddenly, another sword flew towards Kai. 

Clang!

Another sword.

Slice!

Kai felt the world spin, and he wondered why it seemed as if the tunnel had turned upside down. However, it didn't take long for him to realize it was simply his head that had detached from his body.

Thud!

Kai attempted to scream, but not a single voice escaped his sealed lips. His eyes were bloodshot as his body fell to the ground. He remained conscious for a few seconds even after his head landed on the ground.

A few dark thoughts lingered in his mind before everything turned blank.

'Please.'

A single tear streamed down his face as his body vanished into particles, suddenly appearing before Arthur.

As Kai's eyes opened, he shot up, his breathing erratic, and his hair on end. "What the fuck!?" 

His traumatized screams engulfed the space, causing Arthur to plug his ears while expressionlessly watching. Kai's state was pitiful, but it was needed to strengthen his resolve, and to turn him into someone respectable… Someone capable.

It was only after a few minutes that Kai's screams dimmed. However, his breathing remained erratic.

"Kai, try again."

Kai's head violently turned to face Arthur. The latter could see the pain in his eyes, the tears at the corners, and his lips, which seemed to droop. Arthur felt a hint of pity for the boy, but he suppress the feelings, burying them beneath everything else.

Kai needed to become self-sufficient. He needed to become a respected warrior, and needed to pass the tenth floor. Although he was on such a high floor, he had yet to receive any power, for some odd reason.

That's why he needed to train.