Chapter 3
Vilin saw that Hunter's stamina had been completely drained.
He immediately prepared to counterattack.
But the moment his focus relaxed just a fraction,
a deep wave of exhaustion surged through him.
Only then did Vilin realize his own body was nearing its limit.
Gritting his teeth against the fatigue,
he slowly walked toward his fallen longsword.
No choice—
without a weapon, he couldn't inflict meaningful damage on Hunter.
Seeing Vilin head for the sword,
Hunter panicked.
But he was already spent, muscles trembling.
He could only watch helplessly as Vilin reached down and picked up the blade.
The instant the sword was back in Vilin's hand,
Hunter's eyes turned savage.
With every ounce of remaining strength,
he raised his cleaver high
and swung it straight toward Vilin's head.
Just as the blade was about to connect—
Hunter's despairing eyes widened.
Vilin froze for a split second,
then stomped the ground and sidestepped in a blur.
Hunter's final desperate strike cleaved nothing but air.
He let out an unwilling roar.
"Impossible!"
"How the hell are you dodging everything?!"
Vilin exhaled in relief.
If he hadn't sensed that burst of murderous intent rising from Hunter's heart,
he might have died to that cheap shot.
Now Hunter was truly finished—he couldn't even stand.
Vilin's gaze turned cold and ruthless.
He raised his longsword
and thrust it straight through Hunter's heart.
With a muffled grunt,
Hunter collapsed to the ground, eyes wide with unwillingness.
On the circular stands,
the nobles who had bet heavily on Hunter exploded in chaos.
"Vilin actually killed Hunter?!"
"What an unbelievable upset!"
Even the host looked stunned.
"Worthless trash!"
"Complete garbage!"
Curses rained down from the stands.
Vilin soon spotted a richly dressed middle-aged noble,
eyes bloodshot with rage,
rushing down the spiral staircase.
The man stormed over to Hunter's corpse
and unleashed a furious barrage of kicks and punches.
"All because of you, you useless dog!"
"You cost me ten million Berries!"
In a fit of fury,
he drew a gleaming pistol from his waist
and emptied round after round into the already-dead body.
Eventually, two soldiers escorted Vilin back to the dungeon.
As the heavy metal gate slammed shut behind him,
he vanished from the arena.
Back in the dark, damp dungeon,
Annie huddled in the corner of their cell,
propping her cheek on her small hand,
waiting anxiously for Vilin to return safely.
But as time dragged on,
her heart filled with dread.
The sleazy prisoner in the next cell kept leering at her small frame,
an obscene grin plastered on his face.
When Vilin still hadn't returned,
he finally couldn't hold back.
"Heh heh heh..."
"Little girl, looks like your 'Vilin' got chopped up by Hunter.
If you know what's good for you, come over here and help me relieve some stress.
Otherwise, without protection... your fate's gonna be real ugly."
Hearing him claim Vilin was dead,
the usually timid Annie shot to her feet.
"You bastard!"
"Big brother Vilin is fine! He's coming back!"
Their argument quickly drew the attention of the other prisoners.
None of them believed Vilin could beat Hunter.
They joined in, mocking and taunting Annie.
Hearing everyone trash-talk Vilin,
Annie shrank back into the corner,
tears welling up as she sobbed.
"Wuuu... I don't believe it!
"Vilin-oniichan won't lose!
"He's going to take me away from here!"
Just as the prisoners prepared to torment her more,
a tall, lean young man was escorted in by two armored soldiers.
It was Vilin.
He stepped back into their cell
and immediately saw Annie curled up, crying.
His heart ached at the sight.
The moment she spotted him,
Annie couldn't hold back anymore.
She threw herself into his arms.
Feeling his solid embrace,
tears streamed down her face.
Vilin didn't need to ask—he already knew what happened.
He shot a cold, piercing glare across the dungeon at the other prisoners.
Then he gently comforted the girl in his arms.
"Little Annie, don't cry.
When I get the chance later,
I'll make every one of them pay for this."
The other inmates heard his dismissive tone
and bristled.
A scar-faced prisoner snarled,
"Kid! Don't get cocky just because you beat Hunter!
There are plenty here stronger than him."
"Yeah, wait till you meet me—
I'll show you real cruelty!"
The whole dungeon erupted in shouts.
Vilin ignored them completely.
Strength would prove itself in time.
With his heightened perception,
he at least had some means of self-defense here.
But thinking back on how close that fight had been,
he knew he needed to get physically stronger—fast.
The thought of what would happen to Annie if he died
made him clench his fists.
He had to become much, much stronger.
Only then could they escape this dark cage and live freely.
After a long while,
the cell door opened again.
A guard approached carrying a large tray piled with food and fruit,
heading straight for Vilin's cell.
When the door swung open,
Vilin stared at the generous meal before him.
Tears welled up uncontrollably.
Seeing Annie swallowing hard,
he chuckled softly and ruffled her hair,
then handed her a big drumstick.
She devoured it messily, cheeks stuffed.
The delicious aroma finally hit Vilin too.
He tore into the food with gusto.
As nourishment flooded his body,
the exhaustion from the fight melted away.
The surrounding prisoners watched with naked envy
as the tray emptied at visible speed.
"Ahh... so full!"
When everything was gone,
both Vilin and Annie wore contented, happy expressions.
As they savored the peaceful afterglow,
the outer iron gate creaked open once more.
Ten soldiers marched in, escorting over a dozen new prisoners in striped uniforms.
These newcomers looked vicious—clearly dangerous men.
The existing inmates grew wary at the sight.
The empty cells quickly filled again.
One burly giant was locked right into Hunter's former cell.
Vilin watched the new arrivals with curiosity.
He desperately wanted to understand this world.
The original owner's memories only covered this single kingdom.
He had no idea where exactly he was in the broader picture.
Vilin was not the type to rot in a cage forever.
Once someone has tasted sunlight and freedom,
they can never return to chains.
He clenched his fists tightly.
He would grow strong—strong enough to take Annie and escape,
to live freely in this vast world.
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