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 ti. It had been a repeated hell over those two days. He couldn’t even tell what the ti 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 ant 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 so much, poor boy," Wolf said as he opened the prison bars and sniffed loudly. "Ah! The sll of anticipated pain. I can’t wait to create such art today."

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

Wolf chid 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 soone had just snatched the only food he’d managed to acquire in three days during a ti of famine. He seed 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 so 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 sothing to let us relax," Frexon added.

Vale listened intently. Whatever Frexon was saying ant 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 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.

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

Just then, Frexon lood in front of him. "You want to et the Flagbearer, right? Then do well in the Below. If you can win, you’ll et 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 et 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 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 sothing. But he ignored him because, right then, sothing 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 ca 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 ans you win. You can use any weapons or ans 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."

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 slled 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.