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Chapter 14 - An unforgettable slap

SPLASH! FSHHH~

Arion woke to the shock of a bucket of cold water crashing over his body. He opened his eyes to find the world upside down. It took him a few seconds to realize he was hanging—half-naked, his arms raised and tightly bound above his head. He wore nothing but his undergarments, and every muscle in his body screamed in agony.

He forced his gaze upward and saw a bloated face with a pig-like nose and a soft, egg-shaped body, blinking slowly in front of him. It was Prince Malakai.

"Oh, the wretch finally wakes up!" Malakai cackled hoarsely. "How delightful to see you like this, my filthy servant!"

Malakai spat on Arion. "Did you think you were clever? Skipping your duties, you filth?" He stepped closer, his eyes gleaming with cruel delight. "That stunt you pulled at the market—killing my guard, injuring the other—did you really think that wasn't part of the plan, you fool?"

Malakai threw his head back and laughed. "How could a worthless servant like you disappear for days without punishment? We were waiting. You were meant to learn a lesson, but you chose stubbornness. Now you pay the price!"

Despite the pain and humiliation, Arion couldn't hold his tongue. "You pampered pig! Do you really think I'll kneel before you, you degenerate? You're just a fat, spoiled brat who knows nothing of life!"

Malakai's eyes widened with rage. "What did you say, slave?" He raised a leather whip, the snap of it through the air enough to send a chill down anyone's spine. "You dare insult me? I am Prince Malakai! You're nothing but a slave—and you'll stay a slave! Just like your worthless parents who died because they didn't know their place! They couldn't handle the humiliation—just like you, dog!"

FSHOO!

The whip cracked across Arion's back.

[HP: 9 / 200] (-1 from the strike)

Arion grunted in pain but didn't yield. "Dog? You should be the dog! A pampered, worthless mutt!"

FSHOO! FSHOO!

The whip lashed across his back again.

[HP: 7 / 200] (-2 from the strikes)

"You'll regret every word, filthy beast!" Malakai roared, savoring each blow. "You're nothing but a worm—wriggling in the dirt! I'll whip you until you beg for death!"

The whipping continued mercilessly. Each strike drained a point of Arion's health. His body twisted from the pain, but not a single scream escaped his lips.

[HP: 2 / 200]

[HP: 1 / 200]

Arion was at his limit. His body was barely holding together, blood pouring down his back. Dizziness blurred his vision, black spots dancing in front of his eyes.

"And now, you wretch," Malakai hissed with a vile grin. "What about your pretty sister? Leora, isn't it? I'll make her my concubine—a whore at my feet! And your sniveling brother—he'll crawl like a dog before me every day!"

A blind rage exploded inside Arion, burning hotter than any pain. His veins felt like they would burst. "No!" he tried to scream, but it came out a broken rasp. He strained to move, but his body wouldn't obey—completely helpless, dangling like a carcass as Malakai relished his humiliation.

"What a fool you are, slave!" Malakai laughed. "You can't even protect your family! They'll serve me, forget you, and die like you—worthless!"

Arion tried to trigger a basic healing spell—again and again. FSHOO! FSHOO! FSHOO!

(Each cast when the cooldown ended)

[5 Mana used.]

[HP: 7 / 200] (Regained 6, lost 1 from bleeding)

[5 Mana used.]

[HP: 12 / 200] (Regained 6, lost 1 from bleeding)

[5 Mana used.]

[HP: 17 / 200] (Regained 6, lost 1 from bleeding)

The points rose painfully slowly, but the constant bleeding from each lash made it hopeless.

---

The Moment of Vengeance: An Unforgettable Slap

In that desperate moment, while Malakai basked in Arion's ruin—

Ding~

[New Quest: Punch of Rage]

Description: Still furious? Want payback? The system shares your fury—slap Prince Malakai. Humiliate him without killing him.

Reward: Full health restoration, stop all internal and external bleeding, plus a random B-rank skill.

Failure: Nothing.

Accept? (Yes/No)

Arion stared at the window. A chance. A chance to strike back. A chance to survive. A chance to save Leora and Kalin. His tormented eyes flickered with a spark of rage mixed with hopelessness—and hope.

Without hesitation, he accepted in his mind—

Ding~

Quest accepted.

An idea flared in Arion's mind. "The ropes—Fire Spark!"

He focused every drop of mana he had left. He couldn't move his body, but he could trigger a basic Fire Spark spell inside, aiming it at the ropes binding him.

FSHOO~

A tiny but fierce spark ignited from Arion's hand, burning into the ropes above his head. Malakai didn't notice it at first. Thin wisps of smoke rose as the thick, dry fibers began to weaken.

"What are you doing, filth?" Malakai snapped, finally noticing the faint smoke.

Before Malakai could understand, the weakened rope snapped.

BOOM!

Arion crashed to the floor with a harsh thud. He hadn't freed his wrists—they were still bound behind his back—but he'd severed the rope that held him to the ceiling.

"You fool!" Malakai snarled, lunging at Arion. "I'll kill you!"

But Arion was faster. Despite the agony and bindings, he rolled on the ground, using the momentum of his fall. In a sudden move, he lifted his upper body and slammed it forward—like a headbutt, but really a vicious slap with his bound arms, channeling every ounce of strength he had left.

CRAAASH!

The sound of the slap echoed through the torture chamber. Malakai's pig-like face snapped sideways, turning purple on impact. He crashed to the ground, nose gushing blood, eyes shut in pain and shock.

"That's for you... pig," Arion rasped, collapsing next to Malakai, barely able to breathe.

Ding~

[Quest Completed: Punch of Rage!]

[Reward: Full health restored, all bleeding stopped!]

[Reward: Random B-rank Skill unlocked!]

[HP: 17 / 200 → 200 / 200] (Fully restored)

[Mana: 80 / 100] (Fully restored)

[Bleeding stopped—internal and external!]

A new window flashed.

Ding~

[Skill acquired: Body Memory (Rank B)]

Type: Support Skill (Adaptation)

Rank: B

Description: Each time the user takes damage to a specific body part (from physical attacks, cold, non-lethal poison, or trauma), the body memorizes the experience. The next time the same area is struck, the body adapts to that damage type, reducing its impact by a percentage (increases with skill level). Does not apply to direct fire or magic attacks.

Mana Cost: None.

Cooldown: None (Passive).

A rush of energy surged through Arion's veins. The pain vanished. The bleeding stopped. He was fully healed—and he had a new skill.

"Body Memory..." Arion whispered, eyes gleaming. "Perfect. Every beating I take will only make me stronger!"

On the floor, Malakai groaned, face swollen and bleeding. But Arion had no time to savor it. The guards would surely hear Malakai's screams and the commotion.

---

An Impossible Escape… and the Final Decision

There was no point trying to stay and talk his way out—this place was under the full control of that pig's father. Arion looked down at Malakai, squirming in agony. If he ran now, the pig would come for him—and might carry out his vile threat against Arion's siblings.

"If all roads lead to death, then I'll choose death—after killing you, filth!" Arion snarled.

He gathered the last embers of his fury and fired a Basic Fire Spark straight at Malakai's face.

FSHOOO!

The spark struck Malakai's face. The prince howled, writhing in pain. The smell of burning hair and seared flesh filled the chamber. Arion could see the terror in Malakai's eyes—he knew this pain would haunt him forever.

"This is just the beginning, Malakai," Arion rasped, his voice hoarse but dripping with menace. "I'll be back to kill you—but next time, there'll be no mercy. Your nightmare has only begun, you pig!"

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