He had a gentle face, though one could see a grim history lying underneath it. A thin rapier was on his hip, its sheath matching its master’s black butler outfit. His grey hair, trimmed and styled, gave the illusion he was someone who cared about his physical appearance.

“My dear master loves to collect weaponry and armor he has no use for. Besides, this is a room that is most suited to my skills,” he answered. Llamare and Liealia readied their weapons, but the old man put his hand up like he didn’t want to fight. Not yet, anyway.  

“Master? You mean Parrel?” Servi asked.  

“Yes, I do. May I ask a question?” 

“Sure.” 

“Are you the one who killed Axel, Mossi, and the others?” 

“I am.” 

The old man bowed down, completely surprising the three invaders. Liealia and Llamare were flabbergasted.  

“Explain!” Liealia ordered.  

“They were a most rambunctious group, and I hated them. I know that’s wrong of a head butler, but it’s the truth. The way they went around doing whatever they wanted as if the consequences didn’t matter to them always put me in a terrible mood.” 

“That’s exactly why I killed them. Mossi and her gaggle of idiots tried to mess around with my friend.  Later that day, I killed them. Here’s the proof.” 

Servi dropped the corpses of Mossi and her group in front of her. They landed with a splattering sound as blood soiled the intricate pattern on the floor.  

“Blue?!” Liealia was taken back by their sudden appearance. Llamare stayed silent, talking in the disgust of the corpses.  

“And did you kill Rowan?” asked the old man.

“I did not. Rowan killed himself by drinking a glass of Elemental Nightfall.” 

“How foolish, but I suppose it’s for the best. May I ask another question?” 

“I suppose,” Servi said. She absorbed the corpses she dropped to the floor, leaving nothing but a pool of blood.  

“Are you the cause of those massive red domes that appeared in the city earlier?” 

“I am.” 

“Do you realize where you put them?” 

“I do. Is there a problem?” 

“I suppose you rescued the slaves that were being held?” 

This time, it was Llamare who answered. “We did. They’re currently being led to safety by our friends.” 

The old man bowed his head once again as he thanked them.  “I assume that was your objective?” 

“It was,” Llamare kept answering.  

“Then why are you here?” 

“Parrel and the slaves he owns. Do you know where they are?” 

“I do. Go through the door behind me and up the stairs. You’ll see a big door. Master Parrel is behind it. Be warned, though, the rest of the guards are up there. If you look behind the foolish throne he has set up, you’ll find a gold door. Inside that door is the treasury, and inside the treasury is a black door with a bloody handprint. The slaves are inside that room. I thank you in advance for rescuing them."  

“I don’t understand. You’re working for Parrel, yet you’re thanking us for destroying the markets? And why does it sound like you want to die?!” Liealia asked  

“Because it’s my plan. My foolish pride won’t allow me to run away and abandon my duties. And I can’t bring myself to kill my master or myself.” 

“But why?!” Liealia whined.

The old man began to tell a story. “A long time ago, I was just a young ruffian on the streets trying to survive. A girl about my age, a Singi, rescued me from being beaten by a stall owner. I had tried to steal some food. You see, I was poor, and my mother had just died.  With no one to look after me, I had to do it. She took my hand, and we ran away together. We spent ten wonderful hours with each other. But it wasn’t until later I realized that bracelet on her hand meant she was a slave. And her so-called ‘master’ was the stall owner. She helped me, even though she was going to be punished.

"You’re probably asking why we didn’t run away. Well, Victoria, the one who saved me, had a sister who was very sick. I don’t know what she had, but she killed herself the hour before. Victoria wanted to do one last nice thing before taking her life. She said she didn’t have a reason to live anymore, and she wanted to try to find one. I remember crying my eyes out when she said she was going back to that horrible man. Eventually, my crying put me to sleep."

“…” The three stayed silent as the man continued his recollection.  

“When I finally woke up, I ran like the wind to where I knew she would be. Unfortunately, I was too late. Once I heard and felt that explosion when I was just a block away, I lost myself to anger and picked up a rock.  The next thing I know, I’m standing over her half desecrated corpse. The sight is ever so vivid in my memory. Victoria's organs and blood were blanketed about all over the area. Her soft hands that once held mine sat black and burnt in a bloody pile. Her beautiful head wasn’t attached to her body and laid half caved in. I looked down and saw a bloody rock. The head of the stall owner was lying right beside it with his corpse."

“What happened?” 

“I was arrested and was to be put to death, but I was rescued by a young noble by the name of Virin Keywater.” 

“The emperor?!” Liealia muttered in disbelief.  

“That’s right. Virin wasn’t the emperor yet, but he was a member of Warden.  Rank 4. I’m not quite sure if you know the imperial family tradition, but it states that the firstborn son shall join Warden and do good in the world. Only then shall he be allowed to take the throne. Though I say that, it isn’t really tradition anymore. Just take a look at Master Parrel... Regardless, he had built up some trust with the guards and somehow made a deal, so I was let go. I thanked him over and over again. He asked me to join his party, and I did so immediately.” 

“And then what?” 

The old man continued. “I ended up joining Warden and found out I was blessed by a Major God of Earth. Virin helped me nurture and grow my skills. We went on many adventurers and made quite a bit of money, but I only took what was necessary for my daily expenses. The rest I donated to a few Demi-Human-only orphanages. Victoria was my one and only love, and I miss her every day.” 

“It’s obvious you’re a friend to us, so why are you allowing Parrel to do this shit?!” Llamare barked out. Anger filled his voice, but that wasn’t all. A hint of sadness for a love that died way too quickly was in there as well. Though he hated Humans, Llamare felt for the old man.  

“Because I swore my loyalty to the first-born son, which is Master Parrel.” 

“But an honorable man like yourself shouldn’t be loyal to Parrel. Have you ever visited the slave markets?! The first one I destroyed was full of naked children!!” Servi hollered out.  

“Demi-Human children at that!” Liealia added on.

“I know, and I spoke to Master Parrel many times about it, but he wouldn’t hear of it. I hope you can forgive me.” 

“You humans confuse me so much!! An Elf would never pledge their loyalty to a despicable man!” Liealia yelled.

“I know that, too.” 

The room went silent as Servi’s group stared against a lone old man who lost his one love before it even had a chance to blossom.  

“I suppose you aren’t going to let us pass?”  

“I’m afraid not. Even though I wish to die, I must try my best for my master. Please forgive me,” the man drew his weapon. It was sleek and black, but Servi could spot red flames dancing from the tip. “My name is Albert Crysalerek, and I stand as your opponent. Earth Puppets, to me!”  

Albert thrusted his blade high in the sky as ten colorless lights flowed from its tip. They scattered about and collided with the various colored armor hanging around the room. Then the colorless lights changed hue to match the armor they touched, twisting and stretching as they all fell to the ground. The lights soon morphed until they were taller than a large man. Then they shattered like glass, revealing ten humanoid-like figures that were all a different color. They all walked to the wall and grabbed a weapon before returning to their master’s side.  

“Different elemental Earth Puppets? At the same time? Is such a thing possible?” Llamare loudly wondered as he readied his naginata. He tossed the bow back and arrows he had borrowed to Servi, who absorbed them. He knew they were too weak to help in a fight like this.  

“Blue?” 

“Yeah?” 

“Let us handle it. I know you’re super strong, but if you fight for us, it’ll feel like our conviction is weak. We hate that. Right, cousin?” Liealia said.  

“That’s right. Sorry, Blue, but let us handle it. After all, this is our mission.” 

“Very well,” Servi walked back a bit and sat down in a chair she pulled from her ring. A short second later, the large door to Albert’s back opened up, allowing nearly a hundred guards to pour through.

The one at the front, dressed in bright purple armor, was a woman with short black hair. Standing tall and resolute, she saluted Albert and spoke.  

“Sir Albert, Master Parrel sent us to help you.” 

“Stay out of the fight,” He said in a tone that felt like it had more force in it than necessary.  

“But sir, we were sent here to help you.” 

“The answer is no. This isn’t just a life or death battle. If you intervene, I will kill you myself,” the way he said those words so coldly and without tone shook the woman in purple armor to the core.  

It was about that time Servi walked up.  

“If you’re looking for someone to fight, then fight me. I need something to do.” 

“I believe that’s a splendid idea. Casa, if you want to help, then do so by fighting her. In fact, to make it so we won’t interrupt each other...” Albert sheathed his rapier and said two words.  “Glass Wall.” 

 A giant glass wall started to rise up from the ground, dividing the already massive room into two halves.  

The ground rumbled, shaking and stirring as if it was in a blender. Servi suddenly found herself becoming taller, but that wasn't it.  It was the glass divider rising from the ground. She acted fast, hopping off to the side as the growing object picked up in speed. In just a few seconds, the preparation was done, and Servi couldn't help but be amazed.

“Oh man, I can’t even do that….” Servi uttered. Considering how big and wide the room was, to create such a thick wall of glass would require such precision that not even Servi had.  

But I believe if we were to fight, we would win. Itarr said.

Servi saw Llamare and Liealia through the glass, so she waved. Only Liealia waved back.  

“I do too, but that kind of precision is something I don’t have. And did Albert use that skill without chanting?” 

That he did. He definitely has the power equal to a Rank 1. That's what I get from him, at least.  I do hope Liealia and Llamare can handle him.  

“Me too.” 

A moment later, a small door appeared in the glass, and Servi walked through.  

“So I’m guessing that this side is for you three, and the other side is for me and the rest?” Servi asked Albert, who was sweating and panting. Summoning a wall like that took a lot of Skill Energy, nearly draining the aging warrior to the point of unconsciousness.  

“That is what I had in mind.” Albert took out a blue potion and drank it. Suddenly, the sweat that dripped from his face disappeared, and he looked younger and more relaxed.  

“Casa, you and those you brought go through the door and fight on that side. I will not have any interruptions, understand?” 

“Sir! I will dispose of this harlot posthaste.” She saluted once more and walked through the door.  Her gaggle of guards followed her. As they went to the other side, Servi spoke with Albert.  

“You do realize that you’re sending them to their deaths, right? Even if I was to take it easy, there’s no chance I’ll lose."

“Whether they die here or later is of no concern. If Casa had stayed up on the top floor, they would've met their end by your blade.” 

“It sounds like you want them to die.” 

“I do and quite violently at that. It’s funny, isn’t it? I actually want you to win and slaughter them without remorse. I want you to become a holy flame that punishes them for the death and hardships they brought to so many young Demi-Human children. Yet, I can’t bring myself to kill myself, who was also a cause of such hardships. Since I want to betray those who are supposed to be my comrades, why can’t I betray Master Parrel? It’s something that I’ve thought about for years and years, but I imagine I have to die if I want to be free,” he lightly chuckled sadly as the last of the backup Casa brought with her entered through the glass door. It closed gently.  

Albert was a man of many different and complex emotions swirling around his mind. That itself resulted in living a complicated life surrounded by a series of paradoxical events. It was no wonder that he became who he was

“…..” Servi put her hand on the glass doorknob. An idea came to her.  

“Why do you have to die to redeem yourself? Why not go with those two and help out? Even I can tell that you’re a good man at heart,” she said.  

“Other than the debt to Virin, I have done a lot of shameful things. Things that I cannot take back. Even if I were to turncoat and join you, the dark stains on my past could only be forgiven with my death.” 

“But what if there was a way to bring you back?” Servi thought back to the previous night, where she had read about two particular skills in the Necromancy section of her ID.  

Are you talking about Resurrection and True Resurrection? 

“I am. Look, if there was a way to bring you back from the dead, would you consider your debt paid and your past cleaned?” 

“It is impossible to bring someone back after they’ve passed on. Trust me, I’ve tried every possible way and listened to the smallest rumors,” Albert pictured his first love in his mind and smiled, giving him a hint of melancholy air that surrounded him.  

“Even so, would it be paid?” 

Albert put a wrinkled hand to his chin. “I suppose so.” 

“Good. I don’t know what death is like, but you better remember this conversation,” Servi opened the door and went inside. She watched as it shut behind her. The seams and glass hinges Albert made disappeared. Now, it was just one solid wall of glass with absolutely no openings. It was either thick enough to take a beating, but it could have been enchanted. In either way, no sound could pass through.  

Servi watched the other side for just a moment. Albert’s ten different colored golems started to move as the two cousins prepared some sort of skill. He stayed back and used his rapier as some sort of baton to control the puppets.  

The moment before they started the battle proper, a voice interrupted Servi’s watching. “I feel bad for you,” Servi turned around to find Casa taunting her. “All of the men you see behind me, as well as myself, were trained by Albert.” 

“And? Just because someone was trained by a strong person doesn’t mean they’re strong themselves. Look at me, for example. Never been trained, but I have more than enough strength to create massive domes where the hottest fire rages on within. Of course, I assume you’ve seen them?” 

“I know you’re lying. Not even Albert could do that, and here I am to assume you can? A woman who can’t even wear fitted armor and hides behind an eye color-changing mask?” 

“I’m not going to get angry like you want me to, so let’s just figure out how we’re gonna do this,” Servi pulled out a sword, but it was one she had never used before.  

“That sword!! What did you do with my father?!” Casa yelled out, her face so strained and angry that blood vessels were visible on her forehead.  

“Did he have red armor with a jewel in the middle?” 

“Yes! What did you do with him?!” 

“But I thought Rowan owned this sword?” 

“You bitch! You killed my brother?!” 

“Ah, so you’re all related?” Servi took out the red armor and floated it around with Telekinesis. Then she took out the corpse that used to own said armor. It flopped to the ground with a thud. Casa's eyes focused only on the deep emblazoned across his chest.

“DADDY?!” Casa screamed out and rushed like a bat out of hell towards the corpse. She crouched down and tried to shake him awake. 

“Sorry, but he’s dead. But I didn’t kill him. That Elf did.” Servi pointed to Liealia, who was currently engaged with one of the ten puppets. Green wind flowed down the blade of her naginata as she acrobatically dodged backwards, barely avoiding a red puppet’s attempt at thrusting its spear. As she weaved, she waved her naginata around so that it would slice off the puppet’s arm as she recovered.  

Meanwhile, Llamare took on two at once; a blue and yellow golem that held an axe and a bow, respectively. Perhaps Servi had underestimated him. He dodged arrows left and right while managing to fend off a constant barrage of axe swipes. But he wasn’t doing it with his skill alone. Servi could see that an aura of green energy radiate from him. She wondered if that increased his strength and speed.

Albert remained at the back, waving his rapier around and controlling the puppets. From what Servi could tell, he hadn't moved even a single millimeter.  

Servi, I sense a self-enhancement skill coming from Llamare, but I don’t know what it is. It certainly doesn’t look like one we could learn through the Warden system. Perhaps there are skills exclusive to a God that can only be used by the individual they blessed? Yes, I think that’s it.  

“Why are you killing my family?!! What have we ever done to you?!!!!” Servi turned back to a wailing Casa. Tears escaped from her eyes as reason depleted her mind. The soldiers she brought with her could only stare.

“Rowan gave a slave to Brick. That’s why I wanted him dead. Your father, on the other hand, was just in my way. You see, he was downstairs. That meant he was an enemy.  Just someone who was on the other side.” 

“But they were my family!!!!” she yelled at Servi.  

“Shut the fuck up, you brat! Have you ever realized the slave your shitty brother sold to Brick could’ve had a family?! How would his parents or sister or brother or cousin or grandparents feel if they knew what happened to him?!! How his fate was to be nothing more than a temporary plaything for some fucked up man who had a whip fetish!!” Servi yelled back.  

“You’re doing the same thing!! The people you’ve killed all had families. YOU KILLED MY FAMILY!!” 

“I know I did,” Servi calmly replied.

“I loved them!!” 

“I’m sure you did.” 

“How many lives have you taken tonight?!” 

“Too many to count, but at least 150.” 

“ALL FOR ONE STUPID SLAVE?!” 

“No. It was for all of the slaves so they could live and learn to love again. You people broke up helpless families with your stupid need to put your wallets over lives.” 

“Aren’t you a hypocrite? Just think about how many lives you’ve destroyed!” 

“I’m well aware I don’t practice what I preach. If it helps you, feel free to call me a monster. But don’t you fucking dare think for a moment that I’m the only one at fault here.” 

She absorbed the armor and corpse that Casa leaned on, and she fell to the ground. She got up, filled up with tremendous anger, and gave an order with tearstained eyes.  

“KILL HER!!!!!” 

All at once, the massive group of guards behind Casa swarmed Servi, forming a circle with the black-haired girl in the middle. Then at the same time, they all attacked her in different patterns.

“Itarr,” Servi spoke and gave instructions to her trusted friend as she activated Soul Essence of Primal Combat. “Do not interfere. This is a good chance for me to practice my swordplay.” 

Of course. I wish you the best.  

Servi nodded and allowed her body to move. She did nothing but follow her newly gained knowledge of combat, now accumulated from over 150 souls.  

Gripping her newly acquired sword with a sharp red blade decorated with a blue jewel, Servi began to follow the afterimages, but she discovered a problem. Even though she saw the afterimages and avoided the attacks, the sheer amount of them overloaded her brain, and she froze for a split moment. That instant was all it took for a guard to sleuth around Servi, kicking her in the back. She fell forward, sliding on her chest while screaming out in pain.

“Look, men, this bitch isn’t as touch as she claims to be!!” Casa’s voice echoed in the back. “Have fun with her. Break her legs, and rip her nails from her fingers! Rip her hair and gouge out her eyes! But don’t kill her. She’s mine!” 

Servi!! Itarr screamed out within her mind.  

“How much Potential do we have, and how much is it for the next level of Soul Essence of Primal Combat?!” Servi demanded, standing up. Her attempts at dodging were useless. She received glancing blows to her arms and legs as metal scraped against metal, producing yellow sparks that danced the night away. Now she realized just how much she took her skills for granted. It allowed her to wield incredible power and adapt to almost any situation. However, Servi's brain was that of a mere Human. She was unable to analyze as quickly as she wanted to. But she figured that if she leveled up Soul Essence of Primal Combat, her ability to process information would be improved dramatically.

We have enough to upgrade it seven times. That’ll leave us with 4 Potential left.  

“Do it. We’ll get some back after I slaughter these fools,” Servi turned tail and ran away some distance to prepare for the second round. 

Very well. It’s done. 

Perhaps that was all it took. At its base level, Servi could only follow and process one set of images. But at level 7? She could handle up to eight at once.  

“You won’t get lucky again. Come on!” Casa yelled at the guards, who raised a hellacious battle cry before they all resumed attacking.  

"Then fucking bring it!" Servi shouted as she felt her blood run hot.

The first half of the battle came to a close with Servi on the losing team, but now it was about to enter its second half. Servi yearned for the chance to go wild. She saw enemies-- prey-- standing in front of her, gazing upon the red-eyed girl like children would at a petting zoo.

But Servi wasn't a goat or a sheep. She was a beast waiting to be unleashed-- a sort of Mad Dog wanting to be left off its chain.