Building My SSS-Rank Universal Empire: From Trash to Cosmic Overlord-Chapter 142: Grim

Two days later, Vale wanted nothing more than to tear Wolf apart, one limb at a time. It had been a repeated hell over those two days. He couldn’t even tell what the time was, except that he knew Wolf only gave him potions once a night.

Pain blurred everything into one long stretch of screaming into a rag soaked with sweat and saliva. The only thing he was proud of so far was that he hadn’t soiled himself.

But his body bore marks. His chest already had two knots of flesh where it didn’t heal properly after his skin had been peeled. Worst of all, his body reeked of sweat and blood.

The only thing that gave him hope was that he wasn’t dead yet. That meant the Flagbearer still wanted him alive. That thin, silver thread in the darkness was the only chance he held on to.

It was the morning of the third day when he heard the clanging sound, and his body tensed involuntarily. As usual, two sets of footsteps echoed, one light, the other dragging on the ground.

"You’re awake! You must have missed me so much, poor boy," Wolf said as he opened the prison bars and sniffed loudly. "Ah! The smell of anticipated pain. I can’t wait to create such art today."

Frexon stared at Vale for a long time in silence. "You’re stubborn, but I’m not surprised. All Elemental Knights are like this."

Wolf chimed in, "Don’t worry, Errant Frexon. I’ll get all the information you need, and those you don’t. His stubbornness is like a raw material that can be used to create any work of art."

"No need," Frexon said.

Wolf blinked in confusion. "No need?"

"I said no need. He’ll be going to the Below," Frexon repeated.

Wolf looked as though someone had just snatched the only food he’d managed to acquire in three days during a time of famine. He seemed on the verge of tears as he glanced at Frexon. "But the Below isn’t functional again. How can this...?"

"It is now," Frexon replied with a smile. "We brought in a lot of slaves, and not all of them can be used. Even the Borderland has standards, there are just some that can’t be let loose like that.

"Besides, we’ve been so hung up on the increase in Rift activities. What we need is something to let us relax," Frexon added.

Vale listened intently. Whatever Frexon was saying meant he might not be tortured further in this prison. He tried not to let his relief show, but then he thought about it again.

’Whatever they’re doing must be just as dangerous because this ’Below’ they talk about can’t be so simple. Otherwise, they wouldn’t be sending me there’

Wolf let out a whine and then looked at Vale as if his favorite toy had been taken away. Vale didn’t appreciate that look and added it to the list he’d created in his mind.

They released him from the chair, and he stood, stumbling as he had to use the wall for support. Not only was he weak from everything his body had been subjected to, but the lack of essence was driving him insane.

Something fundamental had been torn away from him. He needed essence, his core, to be back. He needed that rush of power.

Just then, Frexon loomed in front of him. "You want to meet the Flagbearer, right? Then do well in the Below. If you can win, you’ll meet the Master."

"Do well?" Vale had to wet his lips and swallow the remaining saliva his mouth produced before he could speak properly.

Frexon’s eyes glinted. "Yes. My money’s on you. I’ve seen your powers, after all. Do well, and you’ll meet him. He will also be watching."

Vale was given a pair of trousers to wear before being led out of the prison. He followed them, trying to keep up with his tender body. Each step sent pain shooting through him, and he gritted his teeth.

’The potions aren’t strong enough to heal me completely since my body isn’t helping, and it’s been repeated over and over. I need my body to regain essence to heal well’

As they walked down the hallway toward the exit, Vale’s hand suddenly lifted and rested on Wolf’s shoulder.

The man looked up in surprise at the green fire burning in Vale’s eyes.

"I will find you," Vale said, a casual promise. Then, he walked through the door.

Wolf stood rooted in place, his mind flipping over. "This... this has never happened before! No work of art has ever escaped my hands before, but this..."

Fear filled him, and he took a jerking step forward, reaching out, but his hand suddenly froze and dropped by his side. "There’s no way I can kill him. Not with Frexon there. He won’t survive anyway... he won’t."

Outside the door, Vale heard Wolf muttering, as if trying to convince himself of something. But he ignored him because, right then, something was unfurling in him after so long.

Essence! A trickle of it entered his body, and he groaned. His dried-up core vibrated, and his entire being came alive.

But he didn’t get the chance to savor it, as Frexon placed a firm hand on his shoulder, and the two disappeared into a portal that opened beneath them.

They appeared in what looked like an underground tunnel system, with pillars holding up the stone ceiling.

"Your job is to find the exit door and pass through. That means you win. You can use any weapons or means to do so, just make sure you’re the first to pass through. Only then can you see him.

"The event hasn’t started yet, though. You’ll know when it does, as the main tunnels will open. This is a chance to gather everyone who’s going to participate. Don’t forget, my money’s riding on you." 𝙛𝒓𝓮𝒆𝔀𝒆𝙗𝓷𝒐𝙫𝒆𝙡.𝒄𝓸𝓶

Before disappearing into the portal, Frexon added, "At least don’t die early."

Dozens of unfriendly eyes turned to Vale, as though blood-hungry monsters had smelled fresh prey. But Vale didn’t care. He was too happy to be gathering essence again. Finding the nearest wall, he leaned against it and smiled grimly.