"I don't understand."
"Why was the video cut off all of a sudden?"
"It is as if the Tower lost control over its own floor."
"Something locked the entire floor turning it into a restricted zone."
"What?"Herman screamed in bewilderment.
"Is that even possible? The Tower of Miracles in itself is a high-grade artifact so how can it be interfered with by others?"
"You might not know but beyond 9-Star or SS rank, there are Legendary-grade artifacts and beyond that comes Divine grade. This knowledge is restricted so many might not know it but the Tower Of Miracles is a Divine Grade or used to be but after most of its functions were restricted and erased by a God, it dropped down to Legendary Grade after which it was handed over to humans by Gods."Josh paused for a moment and stared at the screen.
Adjusting the angle, Josh played back the video.
The screen replayed the scene where Safrina dug her nails into the chest and tore her skin apart, broke her ribs after which a bloody chalice near her heart appeared that sucked her life and then formed a huge invisible barrier evading the whole floor turning into a restricted place which can't be accessed from outside.
Josh pointed at it and his eyes glowed with an inexplicable expression.
"That chalice...I am afraid that is a Legendary-grade artifact and as far I remember this is the same thing that was excavated from the ruins of Hera by house Leonhart and was stolen from them the previous month."
"And that girl, I fear she is either brainwashed or hypnotised to behave as a lifeless puppet as there isn't a single change in her expression as she tore her chest."
"Now, what should we do? Is there a way to break this space?"Herman asked hurriedly.
"I don't know about this much but as per the records this Blood Chalice is a deadly artifact that kills the one who uses it. The area might be restricted but it doesn't restrict the ones from inside to coming out using escape magic talismans or portals created by special means."
Josh summoned his staff and spoke sombrely"I will try to break the third floor with the Tower access and Ordeal Helper. Meanwhile, apprehend those 23 students who had been admitted before the tournament and are eliminated now. There is no need to show mercy, kill them if you notice any abnormality."
"And then send a notice to Chief Brian to take care of these children's noble families and imprison their houses."
Seeing Herman's receding back, Josh closed his eyes and started sensing the flow of the world
Under the peaceful and tranquil flow of the world, there was subtle chaos and panic.
To those who were at 9-Star or can feel or see through the world can sense the underlying crisis that the world is going through currently.
It seems to be scared.
For some reason, it seems to be afraid of something or someone.
The certain someone that can break laws and mess up the order.
"Just who is this person that can make the world fear?"
"Does this feeling correspond to the current situation?"
"Was this an indication of the thing going inside the Tower? But from a broad perspective, the problem in the Tower is just a minor thing."
Taking a moment to ponder the severity of the situation, Josh's image disappeared leaving a blur.
....
Inside the Tower Of Miracles.
The time seems to have ceased.
The shock was evident on everyone's faces.
None of them knew when David sneaked in and stabbed Ezekiel from behind; however, Ezekiel's situation was completely ignored and overlooked.
David betraying Ezekiel was one of the least things they expected however they weren't focused on that rather they shuddered seeing Safrina's ruthless behavior.
She had been too low-key.
From the beginning of the tournament, her presence was so frail that it was barely discernible.
Though she was ranked in the top 10 before, after her disappearance, no one bothered to keep tabs on her.
If one didn't see her, they wouldn't even remember that there was a girl named Safrina who had shined splendidly before.
Seeing Safrina's wounded look, Monica at the side closed her wide lips with her palm and staggered on her steps.
Her orange eyes almost became blank and her heart almost jumped out of her mouth.
While Humphrey supported her, his face wasn't that good. His heart was quite messed up now.
Safrina was one of Monica's closest friends since childhood. Though she had lost contact with her still she had to try to reach out to her during the days of isolation and felt that she was turning normal from her depressed lonely self.
However, the reality was too harsh and too cruel.
They couldn't understand just what came into her mind to do this.
"Safrina why are you doing this?"Monica shouted at Safrina with trembling lips while stepping forward but Safrina turning a blind eye towards her, shouted in a monotonic voice.
"If you dare to come near me, I will explode myself and take everyone around me with me."
The students near Safrina backed away with pale expressions while Safrina with a blooded hollow expression just stood there staring at everyone with a lifeless gaze making them shudder in fear.
Monica's body froze and she stood stiffly with her vision becoming blank hearing Safrina's declaration.
The bloody chalice pulsated with an influx of energy and the blood from Safrina started getting sucked in.
Amidst the panic, all of them stared at Safrina with a confused expression wondering what the hell is this all about.
Did she want to commit suicide?
Didn't she know that you won't be killed if you die?
So what is her objective or is it a protest against her house who forced her to enter?
Seeing everyone focusing on Safrina instead of him, Ezekiel's heart burned in fury.
"David!"Ezekiel roared while coughing blood that drew everyone's attention
He looked at the wide sword coming out from the chest after piercing his heart and turned his head towards David.
"Traitor, is this how you repay my house's favour?"
"You dare to sneak attack on me."
"Son of a bit...Gurgle!"
Ezekiel's words stopped as blood gurgled over his throat and his eyes widened as he turned his head and saw the faint sneer on David's face.
"Hehehehe! Did you think you are quite special Sir Ezekiel? You think you held my reins."
"You blind yourself in fantasy too much."
David leaned forward and whispered in David's ears.
"Asshole….."Ezekiel screamed while trying to struggle and break free but he felt the strength slowly leaving out of his body.
"Don't try to take the high ground. We have given you enough. Let me correct you."David laughed and then changed his voice.
"You misunderstood Ezekiel. It was never a favour from the beginning, rather it's an exchange."
"Damn you! David, I swear I am gonna kill you after I get out. I will wipe out your whole family."
"Hahahahhaahhaahahh!'
David placed his hands over his eyes and laughed like a maniac as if he heard a great joke.
The entire crowd just stood there bewildered wondering whether they should interfere or just watch the drama as if even none of this was making any sense, it didn't involve any of them.
More than that, many were secretly ridiculing Ezekiel for being a fool and helping David to get back.
Some were in support it Ezekiel whispered"Should we help?"
"Shut up and stay here.It not good to mess tpsychoysco guy."
"You want to wipe my family. It's a pity."
"Huhh … what do you mean?"Ezekiel screamed with his dimming vision.
"You can if only you can get out."
"But let me tell you something interesting."
"You...Can't get out of here, Ezekiel."
"What...What do cough..."Ezekiel felt his vision turning dark but he gritted his teeth to remain conscious however he felt a shiver down his spine and all of his hair stood up in fright.
David then raised his chin and eyed the solemn expression on his fellow participants who were watching the scene.
"No one...No one can get out of here 'cause you are gonna die as this place is sealed.''
As soon as his words fell, a short silence prevailed that was broken by a scream.
"What?!"
"Is this a joke?!"
"Stop uttering rubbish!!"
The remaining students shouted with faint trembling voices as for some reason, the current David looked quite frightening.
What replied to them wasn't David but the loud shriek coming out from Ezekiel.
"Arghhhhhhhhhhhhhh!"
A tearing pain as if something was being snatched away from him assaulted him letting him scream in pain.
And it was then.
Under everyone's astonishing eyes, the sword stuck in Ezekiel's chest glowed as if being sucked in, and Ezekiel's skin shrank.
His skin dried up, moulted and soon became lifeless.
David then turned towards Safrina who stood there like a puppet and shouted.
"Begin!"
BOOM!BOOM!BOOM!BOOM!
Safrina's body exploded with a burst and before anyone could react, six students among the crowd who were watching the show quietly suddenly stabbed the people standing beside him and all their power was sucked in followed by an offset of bloody explosion.
Before anyone could understand anything, David laughed and tore his shirt displaying countless blood tattoos that appeared suddenly and made a few hands sign.
The blood mist formed due to the blast was suddenly sucked in and moved towards David and the tattoos over his body flickered.
Frederick's eyes widened, noticing symbols over David's body and running forward, he screamed.
"Kill him! Don't let him complete the ritual!!"
Many reacted and dashed towards David but it was too late.
"Heavenly Spirit Rakshaa, please take these offerings and help me form the Nether portal."
David pressed his palm over the ground creating a large explosion that pushed away those who tried to get close.
A mist of blood condensed that was sucked from the people who exploded at them and soon a bloody portal appeared.
An ominous chilling sensation permeated the air with the appearance of a blood portal.
The aura of death flashed over everyone and a deadly aura encased the whole place. A cold languid voice came from the other side of the portal that carried a terrifying and menacing might that made one's heart skip a beat.
"Kids, May I come in?"
Speaking in a hoarse voice, a humped-back man stepped out.
Visit freewe𝑏nove(l).𝐜𝐨𝗺 for the 𝑏est n𝘰vel reading experience