Chapter 36
A Tight Circle
Einver examined the title that had appeared before him once more, his eyes studying it carefully as though he wanted to carve it into his memory. Then a calm smile drew across his face before he slowly closed the screen, as if folding away a chapter of his life.
He turned his body and walked back with steady steps toward old Mai Na's tavern, from which he had borrowed the Void Ring. He hadn't wanted it in the first place, nor had the thought of possessing it ever appealed to him, but circumstances had forced him to carry it. Now, after obtaining his own storage space, he no longer had any need for it. He believed it was better to return it to its rightful owner—if he needed such an item in the future, he could buy it himself with his own strength, not by anyone's favor.
Einver walked for nearly fifteen minutes through the city streets, crowded and noisy as always, until he finally reached the worn-down tavern he knew so well. Yet something strange stopped him at its entrance.
The sharp stench of blood struck his nose, so strong it roused all his senses at once. His heart clenched, and a chill raced through his limbs. He rushed to the door, pushing it open with force—only to be confronted by the scene before him.
The place was in ruins: tables shattered, chairs overturned, the walls stained with the marks of a violent struggle. Blood streaked the floor, its metallic scent suffocating the air.
Einver shouted from the depths of his chest:
"Mai Na! Mai Ko! Where are you?"
His voice was loud, raw with worry, echoing through the tavern's walls. Yet no answer came.
He searched every corner, overturning broken tables, opening doors, staring into the shadows—yet nothing. No trace of the old man or his daughter. But he did find something that shook him: a long, slender, terrifyingly sharp needle.
He recognized it instantly. He had seen one before, on the corpse of "Mo Ba." Back then, when he had inspected the body before burying it, he had found several items, among them these small needles—assassins' tools meant for swift kills. And now, an identical needle lay here amidst the blood.
And it wasn't just that. The man who had tried to kill him earlier had also carried the same kind. After stabbing him, the attacker had pulled out a similar needle, intending to drive it into him and end him once and for all. But the man's neck had been broken before he could.
At that moment, Einver was certain this was no coincidence. The spy who had shadowed him, recording his every move since leaving the palace, had been acting under the prince's orders. He no longer had any doubt.
"After I killed Mo Ba, someone must have discovered the body missing. Naturally, suspicion would fall on Mai Na and his family… and on me as well. Everyone knows Mai Na has knowledge of the palace and the princess. With my current strength, no one would believe I could kill that bastard alone. Of course they'd assume Mai Na and his daughter helped me."
Anger flared inside him, growing like a wildfire through dry grass. His fist clenched so tightly his knuckles turned white.
"Those bastards… they don't know that my current strength rivals someone at the high stage of the Earth Realm. Damn them! Because of me, the old man and his daughter were dragged into this mess, though they are innocent."
He rushed out of the tavern, his face darkened with fury, his heart burning with grief and guilt. He went straight to the palace, entering his room in haste. He grabbed his bow, arrows, and sword, storing them all in his newly acquired storage. He placed his clothes and other belongings there as well. As he did, a new note appeared in the storage interface:
> | If you wish to retrieve a weapon or item quickly, without any effort, all you need to do is think of the object and summon it in your mind, and it will appear in your hand instantly. |
He read the message with sharp eyes, then closed the inner window in his mind.
"Fine… but what do I do now? If I go to the princess and tell her everything, she'll deny it of course. Worse, she might twist it and accuse me instead. I could end up the enemy of the entire city… or worse, executed."
He sat on his bed, head in his hands, thoughts crashing like storm waves.
"Yes, I'm strong. I can fight those at the high stage of the Earth Realm. But I cannot face anyone above that. If I recklessly challenge the princess, I'll surely die. Damn it… what should I do?"
He lifted his eyes, scanning the room for some escape, but found only silence pressing against him.
"If only I were stronger… Why do I always act so recklessly? Haven't I learned from my past mistakes? Damn it!"
Weakness and helplessness suffocated him, ropes tightening around his throat from all directions. He couldn't face the princess. He couldn't flee the city either.
"The princess has surely discovered I came from the Little Moon Village. If I escape now, the village will be their next target. Damn it… they've trapped me. A tight circle choking me so I can't even breathe."
He exhaled heavily, cursing his luck over and over. He glanced at the window, where the first rays of dawn slipped into the room. Morning had come, and he hadn't closed his eyes all night.
Dragging himself up, he washed his face with cold water. Exhaustion showed in his features—bloodshot eyes, pale skin, a scattered mind, thoughts in turmoil with no clear path.
Suddenly, a voice called from outside:
"Honored guest, are you awake?"
He froze, then opened the door. A soldier stood there respectfully. The man looked at Einver and said:
"The princess summons you to breakfast—it has been prepared. Please, come with me, honored guest."
Einver closed the door behind him quietly, his voice low:
"Lead the way."
The soldier walked ahead, Einver following with steady steps though his heart churned. After several minutes, they reached the royal assembly hall. But the soldier did not stop there—he led him further, until they arrived at a grand hall. He opened the door. Inside, the princess sat before a lavish table brimming with food and drink. The soldier bowed and withdrew.
Einver approached the table. The princess gazed at him with a confident smile—the smile of someone who believed she held all the strings.
She said:
"Sit down, Einver."
He pulled out a chair and sat. At once, the princess began to eat calmly.
Einver's eyes wandered, studying the spacious hall adorned with priceless treasures and artifacts, sunlight pouring through a large window. But soon his gaze returned to the princess, and his fist tightened hard at his side.
Sensing the heavy threat radiating from him, the princess raised her head to meet his eyes. But instead of the fury she expected, instead of the shouting she had prepared for, she saw something that unsettled her: a faint, calm smile across his lips. His eyes half-lidded, gleaming with a smoldering blood-red light, a quiet, killing calm that sent chills through her body.
A bead of sweat formed on her brow, though she quickly regained composure. She asked cautiously:
"What makes you so happy, Einver?"
He smiled again and replied:
"Well… I'm excited for today's tournament. I can't wait to join it."
A small, sly smile crossed her face. She said with a hint of malice:
"Very well. The tournament begins after breakfast. Perhaps you should finish your meal and go train a little."
Einver answered with a broad grin, his hand resting on his sword's hilt:
"No need for that… I'm always ready."
They finished their breakfast in silence, while the princess explained the tournament's rules and its location. Once he had eaten, Einver stood to leave—but her voice halted him:
"I heard you were drinking in an old tavern last night. Why didn't you tell me you enjoyed wine? I could have served you the finest drinks in my city, not that filthy, decrepit brew."
Einver's body stiffened slightly at her venomous words, but he revealed none of his anger. Instead, he turned toward her with a cold smile and said:
"No need. That old brew was the finest I've ever tasted. And I'll return there again… after I crush everyone in the tournament."
He ended his words with a confident smile, staring straight into her eyes, before turning away and leaving the hall with steady steps.
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