NOVEL NEXT Chapter 674: What is Trust?
Waddle's laugh was short and bitter. "Probably not. But that doesn't matter. What matters is that I still recognize them."
Before Ya-Mi could respond, a new presence filled the room. The sound of measured footsteps drew every eye as the King entered, dressed in surprisingly casual attire that only seemed to heighten his aura of authority. Whispers rippled through the audience as he approached, his gaze fixed firmly on Waddle.
Waddle stiffened slightly, his carefree demeanor faltering under the King's piercing stare. The monarch took a seat opposite him, resting his chin on a hand as a faint smile played on his lips.
"So," the King began, his voice smooth and deceptively calm. "The man from nowhere. Tell me, Waddle, do you believe you belong here?"
The question hung in the air, heavy with implication. Waddle met the King's gaze, his own eyes narrowing slightly.
"Belonging's a funny thing," Waddle replied, his voice steady. "Does anyone really belong in a place like this?"
The King's smile widened fractionally. "A fair point. But you've made an impression, haven't you? Enough to make me curious. Tell me, what drives a man like you? What's your endgame?"
Waddle hesitated for the briefest of moments before leaning forward, his hands clasped together. "My endgame? Survive. Everything else is just noise."
The King's eyes gleamed with interest. "And what if survival isn't an option? What if the only path forward is through me?"
A tense silence fell over the room. Waddle's grin returned, though it lacked its usual warmth. "Guess we'll cross that bridge when we get to it."
Ya-Mi smiled warmly as the last contestant, Waddle, exited the stage amidst a wave of murmurs and applause from the gathered spectators. Her sharp gaze swept over the audience before she addressed them directly. "Well, there you have it, ladies and gentlemen. The brightest and boldest contenders of the Arena of Life have shared their thoughts, dreams, and challenges with you. Let us honor their bravery as they continue to fight for the ultimate prize."
The audience erupted into cheers, their excitement palpable as Ya-Mi bowed slightly, signaling the close of the evening's session.
But as she turned to leave, the hall fell eerily silent. Heavy footsteps echoed through the grand room as the King emerged from a side corridor. His attire was markedly different from his usual battle regalia; today, he wore a dark, unadorned tunic, his expression unreadable as he approached the center of the stage. His very presence seemed to drain the air of warmth, the weight of his authority silencing every murmur.
Ya-Mi's brows furrowed in confusion but she quickly stepped aside, gesturing respectfully. The King's gaze swept over the crowd before settling briefly on the contestants who lingered near the edges of the room. When he finally spoke, his voice was calm yet laced with an unsettling undertone.
"You have been entertained," he began, addressing the audience. "You have learned their stories, their wishes, their weaknesses. But do not let their words deceive you. This is no mere competition. It is a proving ground for the strongest among us—and the elimination of the weak."
A collective shiver ran through the room as the King continued, his voice growing colder. "The next stage will be unlike any other. One-on-one battles, where strength, cunning, and resolve will be pushed to their limits. But that is not all." He paused, letting his words settle like stones in the still air.
"The demon you all fear, Ty, will make his return. And with him, new chaos." His lips curled into a faint smile, but there was no mirth in his expression. "A traitor among us will be revealed, and the so-called Black Bulls will dwindle. Their rebellion is futile, their end inevitable. Mark my words—this stage will not merely test their strength, but expose their failures."
Gasps and whispers rippled through the crowd, and the contestants' faces grew tense. Before anyone could respond, the King raised his hand, his form dissolving into golden light. His parting words lingered ominously in the air. "Prepare yourselves. The end is closer than you think."
As his presence faded, the hall buzzed with uneasy chatter. Contestants exchanged glances, each pondering the King's cryptic words. Ya-Mi, ever the professional, stepped back into the spotlight, her composed demeanor betraying none of her own unease.
"Thank you for joining us this evening," she said smoothly, regaining the audience's attention. "We'll see you all tomorrow for the beginning of the next stage. Until then, may fortune favor the bold."
The King chuckled softly, the sound as unnerving as it was genuine. "Indeed. I look forward to seeing how far you're willing to go."
With that, the King rose, his casual demeanor a stark contrast to the tension he left in his wake. He glanced once more at Waddle before walking off, leaving the room buzzing with whispers and speculation.
Waddle exhaled slowly, leaning back in his chair. Ya-Mi, ever the professional, quickly stepped in to wrap up the segment.
"Waddle, any final words for the audience?" Continue reading stories on My Virtual Library Empire
He flashed a lopsided grin. "Yeah. Don't blink. You might miss something."
The audience erupted into applause as Waddle stood, his towering frame commanding attention even as he exited the stage. For a moment, the room felt a little emptier.Ty and JJ froze as the faint voices in the passageway drew closer. Their hearts raced as they tried to decipher the murmurs, but they were unmistakably closing in.
"We need to move," Ty said in a low voice, motioning for JJ to follow him up the stairs. They ascended quickly, their footsteps as silent as the tension between them.
Emerging into the dimly lit hallway, they were immediately confronted by a familiar silhouette blocking their path. Yun-Jin stood there, her posture rigid, her eyes brimming with unshed tears. Her trembling hand rested on the hilt of her blade, the light catching the intricate patterns etched into its surface. Her expression was a storm of anger, betrayal, and heartbreak.
"So it's true," she began, her voice cracking. "You've aligned yourselves with the Black Bulls?"
"Yun-Jin…" JJ's voice wavered. She instinctively stepped forward, but Yun-Jin's blade shifted slightly, warning her to stay back.
"Don't," Yun-Jin snapped, her eyes narrowing. "After everything we've been through, JJ? After all the promises we made to each other? How could you?"
"It's not what you think," JJ replied, her hand clutching her chest as if to steady her own emotions. "You know as well as I do that the kingdom—"
"Don't you dare speak about the kingdom!" Yun-Jin interrupted, her voice rising. Tears streamed down her face now, her fury unrestrained. "The kingdom gave us everything! Training, purpose, a chance to avenge those we lost. And you… you throw it all away for them?"
Ty's eyes darted between the two women, unsure whether to intervene. His grip on his weapon tightened, but he held his tongue, knowing this wasn't his battle to mediate.
"The kingdom gave me nothing but pain," JJ shot back, her voice trembling but resolute. "They let my parents' killers walk free, Yun-Jin. Free! While we were told to stay loyal, to serve without question. How could you defend that?"
"Because it's our duty!" Yun-Jin shouted, her voice raw with desperation. "We don't get to choose our path, JJ. We were born to serve, to protect. That's what Daemon believed. That's what he died for!"
JJ flinched at the mention of Daemon. She swallowed hard, her fists clenching at her sides. "And what did that loyalty get him? A grave. The kingdom used him, Yun-Jin, just like they've used all of us. You think they care about you? About your honor?"
"Shut up!" Yun-Jin screamed, her composure breaking entirely. She lunged forward but stopped just short of striking. Her blade wavered in the air, her hands shaking as she fought the impulse to lash out. "You don't know what you're saying. You don't understand what it means to believe in something greater than yourself."
"I believe in justice," JJ replied, her voice soft but unyielding. "Real justice. Not the kingdom's version of it."
"And what about him?" Yun-Jin turned her fiery gaze to Ty, her voice dripping with contempt. "You trust this… this demon? After everything the Demon Clan did to our people? How could you align yourself with that bloodline?"
Ty's jaw tightened, but he refused to look away from her glare. "I'm not my ancestors," he said, his voice low and steady. "And you're not yours. If you can't see that, then maybe you're the one who's blind."
Yun-Jin's blade faltered, her breath hitching as Ty's words hit her like a blow. For a moment, the hallway was silent except for the distant echo of dripping water.
"Yun-Jin," JJ said softly, stepping closer. "I know you're hurting. I know how much Daemon meant to you. But we're not your enemies. The kingdom is."
"You're wrong," Yun-Jin whispered, her voice trembling. "You… you've been poisoned by them. The Black Bulls. Ty. All of it."