NOVEL NEXT WORLD Chapter 6: Chapter 6: Trust
Granger managed to leap away from Steven's attack.
Blood dripped from his chest.
Granger touched the wound, his fingers trembling as he stared at Steven in shock.
"You have impressive reflexes," Steven said with a smirk. "You've got potential, but it's too bad we have to get rid of you."
"What's the meaning of this? I thought we were friends."
Steven chuckled. "You really believed that? What a naive boy."
In a blur, Steven lunged toward Granger.
Granger quickly activated his barrier and unleashed a Pulse Wave.
The attack did nothing. Steven barely slowed down, his movements slicing through Granger's defenses like they didn't exist.
Granger raised his sword, hoping to block the next strike, but Steven's dagger sliced it in half. The blade continued its path, slashing across Granger's torso.
Blood seeped through Granger's clothes, a crimson line stretching from his stomach to his shoulder.
He collapsed onto the ground, coughing up blood.
[Master, your HP is at critical level.]
Granger's shaky hand reached for a Small HP Potion. His vision blurred as he struggled to open it.
A soft hand brushed against his fingers and took the potion from his grip.
"You won't need this anymore," said a familiar voice.
Granger looked up, his eyes widening. "Cynthia..."
[Master, your HP is at critical level.]
[Warning.]
[Warning.]
"It's a shame," Cynthia said, inspecting the bottle. "You had such promising potential." She tossed the potion into the dark abyss beside them.
"Nothing personal, kid," Desmond added, his voice cold beneath his helmet.
Granger's fading vision caught sight of someone behind Cynthia. His heart leapt with hope.
Eily stood there, her innocent eyes fixed on him. Her gentle, sympathetic gaze seemed to offer a sliver of salvation.
"Eily..." Granger thought. Maybe she could convince them. Maybe she could save him.
"Steven, should I burn him?" Eily asked in her soft, almost monotone voice. "It'd be nice to hear his screams as he burns alive."
Steven laughed. "You say such horrible things so innocently—it's terrifying. But wasn't that what you did to Edrina's last champion? It's Desmond's turn now."
"Oh... shame," Eily said, her tone indifferent.
Granger's hope shattered. Tears welled in his eyes and rolled down his cheeks.
It was over.
Desmond grabbed Granger's body and lifted him effortlessly, holding him above the gaping abyss.
"Look at him. He's already broken. A lot weaker than I expected," Desmond said, laughing.
Steven smirked. "At least put up a fight. This is just pathetic. You're almost making me feel bad. Almost."
Granger's fading strength allowed him only to turn his head toward the group he once called friends. "I... trusted you."
Steven shrugged. "That's on you."
"Farewell, last of Edrina's champions," Desmond said before letting go.
Granger's body plummeted into the darkness below. His lifeless eyes, filled with rage, were the last thing visible before he was consumed by the void.
"Not even a scream? How boring," Desmond muttered, shrugging. "At least I'll be paid in Agrasia Coins for this. Totally worth it."
Eily gazed into the abyss. "Are you sure the fall killed him?"
"He was half-dead already," Steven said, turning toward the exit. "That hole leads straight to the 9th floor. Even if he survives the fall, the monsters down there will finish the job. Weaklings like him don't stand a chance."
He walked toward the teleportation circle. "Let's head back to the 32nd floor."
"Finally, something exciting," Cynthia said, following him.
The group walked away as if nothing had happened.
•••••
Meanwhile, on the 9th floor of the dungeon.
[Warning.]
[Warning.]
[Warning.]
[Master, your HP is at a critically low level. You need to heal immediately.]
[HP: 1]
Cold water flowed over Granger's body.
He was being carried by the underground river's current.
He opened his eyes but saw only darkness.
The only thing he could feel was pain.
He was familiar with the sensation, and oddly, it brought him a sense of comfort.
It meant he was still alive.
[Huge rocks ahead, Master.]
The monotone voice reached his ears, faint and fading, as his consciousness began to slip away.
[Your current condition does not allow you to perform any skills.]
Granger's eyes closed.
[Initiating system emergency automatic barrier creation. Mana levels are sufficient.]
[Barrier activated.]
[Barrier activated.]
[Barrier activated.]
[Barrier activated.]
The icy touch of the water on his skin faded.
Granger felt his body being shielded by the familiar force of the barrier.
The barrier trembled as it collided with boulders along the river.
[Warning.]
[Hold on, Master.]
The gentle pull of death came again, trying to claim him.
But unlike before, Granger didn't welcome it with a smile or open arms.
He clenched his fists.
"I won't die."
His voice echoed faintly.
"I will get my revenge."
Rage burned within him.
"I'll kill them all."
[Your HP has regenerated by 1 point.]
[HP: 2]
Hours passed as the river carried Granger's body. It eventually brought him to a desolate area on the 9th floor.
The sound of splashing water echoed through the dark chambers as Granger crawled toward the riverbank.
Struggling, his body teetered between life and death.
The only thing driving him forward was the rage that burned inside him—rage he had never felt before.
It fueled each agonizing step.
He reached the riverbank and collapsed onto the stone floor.
Breathing heavily, he forced himself to move.
[Your HP has regenerated by 1 point.]
[HP: 7]
"Steven... Cynthia... Desmond... Eily."
He repeated their names, staring into the dark void of the cave's ceiling.
"Steven... Cynthia... Desmond... Eily."
The chant stopped when he heard a slithering sound.
With the last of his strength, he staggered into a small crevice behind a pile of stones.
He activated his barrier twice, masking his scent in case the approaching monster had a sharp sense of smell.
The creature emerged, just as Granger anticipated. It followed the scent of his blood.
[Cave Racer: Level 9]
A massive black snake with thick, impenetrable scales.
The Cave Racer searched the spot where Granger had been lying, trying to track him.
Unable to find his trail, it lost interest and slithered away.
Granger remained hidden, motionless. He had no weapon, low HP, and was mentally shattered.
Fighting a high-level monster in his state was a death sentence.
For now, all he could do was exhale a shaky sigh of relief.
•••••
NAME: Granger Reiner.
PATRON: EDRINA
ASCENSION RANK: Weak.
LEVEL: 4/10.
NEXT ASCENSION: Level 100.
[STATUS]
HP: 7
MP: 4
[STAT POINTS]
STRENGTH: 4
CONSTITUTION: 4
INTELLIGENCE: 3
DEXTERITY: 3
AGILITY: 3
CHARISMA: 1
AVAILABLE STAT POINTS: 0
[Abilities]
SKILL: WEAK BARRIER.
HP: 10% of the user's HP.
RANGE: 1 Meter Radius.
[Barrier Special Effects]
—WEAK—
ACTIVE: Pulse Wave,
PASSIVE:
AVAILABLE SPECIAL EFFECT: 0
•••••