The room was in utter silence as they all stared at the centre of the raised platform while the automated voice echoed over the room.
[Last Trial: Sacrifice]
They stared around with confused expression, hoping maybe one of them would be able to explain clearly.
"What's this? Sacrifice?"
"What does that mean?"
"What the hell do you want? Just fucking take my life!" One screamed in frustration, collapsing on his knees.
[Sacrifice: The last trial, a sacrifice is needed to conclude the trials...]
[Sacrifice one candidate in the raised platform to pass the trial]
And then it came. The room was drenched in silence for a minute.
"H-haha. I was just joking back then, I didn't really mean what I said earlier." The guy who had screamed out to for his life to be taken said with a nervous laugh.
"Who should it be then? Who do we get to sacrifice to put an end to all this." The room soon converged in murmur as they thought about the strange quest.
It was simple to understand. Just one person needed to be sacrificed for their survival.
Blake and Kent settled down in one of the corners in the room. "Things will soon get rowdy. How's your injuries. Are they getting better?"
"Better. I don't know what to say..." Shaking his head, he leaned on the wall with a tired sigh. 'The effect... I don't know how long it would last...'
'My body is beyond damage. Lifting a dagger is quite an impossible task even now.' Although he had made it out alive, the damage he took was mostly internal, and the gaping hole below chest was another problem.
[User body is too damaged... damage empowerment skill will now come to an end]
"Ughhh," Blake felt the pain slam into him like a sledge hammer. He felt his breath coming out in wheeze. Vomiting a blob of blood, he crashed to the ground, feeling his body getting heavy with each moment. The hole below his chest began to spill out blood.
"Blake! Dammit! Your injuries! What happened?!!"
"I... can't... die..." Even in pain, he managed to utter out his thoughts. He felt the darkness swirling around him, yet he held on. He kept on fighting, knowing if he passed out, that would be the end of him.
His action had caught the attention of the others present in the room. Their gaze landed on Blake, and as if on cue, they all came to a conclusion.
"He's about dying, right? Why don't we just sacrifice him? One finally said with a strange smile.
The others nodded in agreement yet didn't make a move. The guy who spoke before slowly made his way towards Blake and then stretched his hands forward in an attempt to grab him.
SPLATT! ARGHHHHH!
"You bastard! You'll pay for this!" The guy screamed as blood spurt out of his hand. His hand had been cleanly cut off, causing the guy to stumbled backwards.
"No one is touching him! He remains with me!" Kent said, standing before Blake.
"Damn it! Can't you see he's about dying! What good would it be if he were to die now?! It's better he sacrifices himself for our life!"
"To hear you speak..." Spitting to the side, he glared at the group. "I'll kill anyone who comes close!"
The threat had sunk in, and a few had moved backwards while weighing the outcome if they were to clash. They couldn't risk it now they've made it this far.
"Do you think you can take us all...? You're also injured no matter how hard you try to hide it. We're gonna give you time to think about it... there's no need for further bloodshed."
With that, the rest moved to the back of the room. An alliance had been formed within the twenty, and they slowly bid their time for the perfect moment to strike.
Staring at Blake, Kent realised he was struggling to speak out. "What's it?" He said softly, coming closer.
"You... don't have... to risk... your... life... for me. I don't think... I'll be able... to make it... out... alive."
"Don't say that. Remember what we promised back then, we're gonna get out of this place together and meet up with Miriam. Also, your family is waiting for you! You can't give up when you're this close."
Mustering the bit of strength, he let out a soft chuckle. "My family... yeah. I promised never to abandon them." He said with a conflicted look.
"Don't stress yourself further. Keep your strength. You'll need it when we get out of here."
[Consequences of not providing the required sacrifice: Death to all candidates]
[Time left: Ten minutes]
The automated voice rang loudly, causing a spur of action. "You heard that, right? We just have ten minutes to provide a sacrifice!"
Arghhh. "What are we waiting for? We can take him out!" The one who had his hand cut off said in fury. "Do you wanna die after coming this far?!"
His words had sparked a reaction, causing the others to head towards Blake's direction. "Five of us will get him... The remaining make sure to keep that guy off our backs."
With that, the much expected battle began. A lady stepped forward and raised her hands. Slowly, a sphere of water was beginning to form. Swinging her hands down, from the sphere, spikes shot forward, streaking towards Kent.
Clenching his hammer, Kent slammed it to the ground, causing the earth to rise, blocking off the water spike. "You guys should take a look at yourselves! Fighting just to kill a kid!" Swinging his hammer down, the ground trembled, causing those charging forward to stumble in their steps.
Placing his hammer by his sides, he waited for the first person to come close. He knew charging forward would leave Blake defenceless. Also, he was aware of the small group slowly advancing from the side. It was a well thought up plan which would spell trouble to him if not handled properly.
"Dammit!" Blake muttered in pain having to watch from the ground. "Why? Was it really worth it?" He thought, gritting his teeth. Ever since entering the tower, he had fully realised the true extent of the cruelty of humans. Amidst his silent fury, he couldn't help but cast a appreciative look towards Kent.
Meanwhile, Kent was ready, activating his skills, he struck forward. The guy charging at him was shocked by the crude yet powerful attack heading his way. Raising his hands he prepared to block the attack but instantly felt the world turning dark with speckles of blood escaping it's mouth as he skyrocketed back to his group.
"This guy..." One muttered stepping to the side and avoiding the first guy that landed hard on the ground, eventually out of the battle.
"No one is touching him!" Kent exclaimed before retracting back to his position.