Grand Lust Sovereign

"Kill people!?"

"Yeah?" Jackie tilted his head in confusion. "Is that a problem?"

Julien had a problem. Killing people was different from killing monsters. He did not know whether he was mentally ready to take on this task. 

"We should not do that…" Amelia shook her head. 

"Well, if you don't kill them, they'll kill you instead. And in the Tower, the strongest fist rules. If Sister Amelia can somehow disqualify them without killing, then by all means, please proceed." 

Surviving as a nun in a world where the strongest fist ruled was not easy. It was challenging and almost impossible, given how people would keep coming back to kill if they weren't finished in the first instance.

Julien understood that, and Amelia did too. 

Having no other choice, the poor nun joined her hands and prayed. 

"Lord, you who know all hearts, guide my hand in this dark hour. I seek neither vengeance nor glory, but only the preservation of life—the life You have bestowed upon me. If there is no other way, grant me the strength to do what must be done."

"I ask for Your forgiveness, not for defying Your will, but for treading this path to protect those who cannot protect themselves. Let my actions be just, and let me remain in Your light, even as I step into shadow."

Amelia made the sign of the cross and finished her prayer. Turning to Julien and Jackie, she said, "We must act swiftly. Time is running out—let's move."

The trunk opened up and the branches wrapped around their bodies once again, putting them down on the ground. 

Julien looked at his two subordinates and said, "Stick close to me at all times. When I shout 'Gather', quickly hold onto my body. Understood?"

"Yes, Master." The two said in unison. 

Julien then turned to Jackie. "Have you killed anyone before?"

Jackie's eyes flickered and he looked down, fidgeting nervously. He hesitated and was unsure how to respond.

Julien patted his shoulder gently. "I'm not here to judge you. I just need to know because I haven't taken a life myself. I might hesitate when the moment comes. If that happens, can you be my sword and deliver the final blow?"

"Oh." Jackie realized why his Master had asked him that.

He sighed in relief and said with a small smile, "Yes, of course. I was made for that, I'll do that, Master."

"Thank you." Julien said. 

Meanwhile, Amelia turned to face Jackie. Though her eyes were hidden beneath her blindfold, the weight of her gaze was palpable. Had the boys been able to see her eyes, they would have felt the intensity, as if she were silently unearthing some hidden truth within Jackie.

Julien turned to Amelia, grabbing her attention.

"Amelia, you'll focus on healing us. If you have the means, then do participate in combat, otherwise stay passive and keep an eye on me and Jackie." 

"Understood." Amelia nodded in agreement.

"Thank you." Julien expressed his gratitude to her as well.

"Let's leave now."

….

[00:21:59_59]

[The safe zone is shrinking.]

[Stay within the safe zone to avoid disqualification.]

Inside a dimly lit tent, a boy clad in full body armor stared at a map, his eyes narrowing as he studied it. 

As the notification rang out, he circled a particular area and said, "Tell everyone to move 10 kilometers northwest."

"At once, Sir." Two men with a bulky build replied, bowing before turning to leave. 

They turned around and barely took a few steps outside when another system notification rang out.

+

[The Player Brett Wensteen is eliminated!]

[The Player Kristian is eliminated!]

[The Player Meztli is eliminated!]

[The Player Tlaloc is eliminated!]

.

.

.

[The Player Ensar is eliminated!]

[One team member of The Pact of Champions has been eliminated!]

[Two team members of Track of Success have been eliminated!]

[Two team members of High Rise Pact have been eliminated!]

[Four team members of June's Juniors' Pact have been eliminated!]

[All team members of Track of Success have been eliminated!]

[All team members of Five Mystical Gears have been eliminated!]

[All team members of Pact of Neverwinter have been eliminated!]

[All team members of Unsolicited Player Pact have been eliminated!]

[Pact — Track of Success has been dissolved!]

[Pact — Five Mystical Gears has been dissolved!]

[Pact — Pact of Neverwinter has been dissolved!]

[Pact — Unsolicited Player Pact has been dissolved!]

[Teams left: 59]

+

"What the fuck!?!" The commander stood up and smashed his hands on the table, breaking it in half.

"What just happened!? What the fuck just happened???!!"

His scream alerted the bully men outside and made them rush in the tent to see him.

"You—"

[The Player Kirabati is eliminated!]

[All team members of June's Juniors' Pact have been eliminated!]

[Pact — June's Juniors' Pact has been dissolved!]

[Teams left: 58]

"Ahhhh—!"

The boy picked the books on the table and threw them, kicking the table with the map on it, destroying it completely. 

"All tactics are useless! That fucker is toying with us!" The boy screamed while running out of the tent. 

"Commander! Wait for us!" The bulky men shouted as they ran behind the boy.

"Ask everyone to be together! Warn them to not split apart! Recall anyone who's outside! Go! Go! Go!"

The boy instructed and ran towards the team alliance in the northwest direction.