Freddy stood, wearing what could generously be called tattered rags. He didn’t exactly have the time to change before coming here. He was caked in so much filth that he left a trail behind him as the rain washed off the years of grime that had gathered on his body.

  He eyed the crowd of visitors, squinting at the six people standing right before Travis. He recognized every single one of them. They were the faces of their respective factions.

  While he didn’t know everything about their powers, he knew enough from rumors to at least know what to expect.

  Standing before the rather tense scene, he couldn’t help but find himself hesitating. Not because he was afraid. More because he just felt annoyed. For him, it had been over a hundred years since he was last directly involved with this conflict. Caring about anything for that long was a tall ask. But it was surprising just how much he didn’t give a shit. In fact, he was bordering on simply turning around and walking away.

  However, some of those old feelings were still there, faint as they were. His eyes glanced across the nervous mass of Valhalla members, their fear and expectation evident on their faces. Their grim determination. He couldn’t help but sigh at the sight.

  Is this my fault…? he wondered, thinking of what Insanity had told him about his fate.

  How it would always, eventually, lead him to bloodshed. And bloodshed had arrived, indeed. Plenty of blood would be spilled in the forest today. So was it really him? His fate, his sick desire for an opportunity to stand out, was that what brought this to their door?

  He had no idea. He didn’t know a single thing about how this fate thing even worked.

  Regardless, he felt some degree of responsibility for this situation. The longer he stood there, the more his seemingly frozen memories thawed, and the less distant he felt from the whole ordeal.

  Well, it wasn’t like anyone would let him walk away, not anymore.

  Besides, he could hardly ignore an opportunity to build up some juicy latent aura.

  He smiled at the people present, waving at them. “‘Sup motherfuckers! Long time no see!”

  “Oh, dear,” the leader of the Lapis Clan said as she covered her mouth. “Can someone please get rid of this beggar? I can smell him from all the way over here.”

  Travis stared at him with an utterly bewildered expression. “Freddy?” The man appeared lost for a moment, then he gestured at the beard and hair with a quizzical expression.

  Long story, Freddy mouthed.

  Once the six resident head honchos heard Travis address him, they immediately changed their attitude.

  “Ah.” The leader of the Umbra Clan scoffed. “So you must be Slave. Welcome. You’re just in time for the negotiation.” The man looked him up and down with a quirked eyebrow.

  “Before we continue,” Keagan Gem said as he stepped forward, slowly approaching Freddy. “I have a few questions for you.”

  Freddy leaned his head to the side and waited for the man to speak.

  “I have done my investigation and I’m almost certain that I am right,” the man declared. “But I still want to hear you admit it. Tell me”—his voice got raspy—”are you related to the deaths of my sons?”

  Freddy maintained eye contact for a long moment. Then, he grinned. “Related? Nah, man. I killed them myself.”

  The man snarled. “If you’re trying to take all the blame to save your little friends, don’t bother. They’ll get their dues, too.”

  “Valhalla had nothing to do with it.”

  “I’m not talking about these people,” the man said.

  “Huh?” Freddy blurted. “Then who the fuck are you talking about?”

  “Stop playing dumb. The one who goes by Skull and the assassin.”

  Freddy’s brain froze for a long moment. While his memory was exceptionally good, it still took some effort to recollect stuff that had happened over a century ago. They seemed to have connected him to his Skull pseudonym somehow, which he wasn’t too happy about. At least they didn’t realize that he and Skull were the same person. But—

  The assassin? What is this guy smoking?

  Then it hit him. The man was talking about Bloodshed.

  Once he realized it, he couldn’t hold back a laugh.

  The man’s scowl deepened. “Something funny?”

  “I just remembered something my buddy uh… Skull said this morning. But don’t worry,” he said, waving a hand dismissively. “Me? Defend those guys? Come on, Skull is out here constantly trying to ruin my life, and I have a bone to pick with the other guy. So don’t worry. I’m not gonna embellish anything.” His grin grew sinister. “I really did kill your sons.

  “I ambushed Lucas in the woods and crushed his skull.” He chuckled. “You saw that much yourself. But Shawn? Man, I’m proud of that one. He was on his way to Fortress Dungeon. I approached him with a friendly wave. We’d met before, you see, during a run. He probably thought we could become friends.”

  The man’s jaw clenched.

  Freddy kept provoking the man. “He didn’t see it coming. Spear, right in the head,” he poked his temple with a finger. “Then I folded him up like a doll and put him in my storage ring.” Then, as if suddenly remembering something, he added, “Ah, and of course, his organs sold for a pretty penny.”

  Keagan was breathing heavily at this point. “I see.” He raised his hand and snapped a finger. One of the suited men walked over to the SUV, then dragged someone out. Whoever they were bringing over had a bag over their head. Once they got close, they removed the bag, revealing a young man underneath.

  Freddy slowly sighed at the sight, shaking his head.

  Lucas stared at him, pale as bone.

  Freddy looked him in the eye. The emotions he felt towards the young man were still there, but they were distant, faded, like a gray picture on a wall. “This is why I told you not to let her go anywhere, Lucas. I knew this would happen. You should have known better.”

  The young man hung his head in shame, unable to meet Freddy’s gaze. “I’m sorry, man.” He laughed sadly. “I’m an idiot. I can’t believe I”—he choked—”I…”

  For his part, Freddy looked over at Keagan and shrugged. “If you’re here to use him as a hostage, you might as well kill him right now. I’m not gonna surrender.”

  The man chuckled darkly. “Surrender?” He pulled his coat off and threw it to the ground. Then, he tore the shirt underneath, revealing a layer of tight, black, synthetic armor. He slowly took the vambrace off his left arm and then put it away into his storage ring. “I don’t want you to surrender.” He took off the other vambrace. “No abilities. No weapons. No armor.” He took off his vest, then unzipped his body suit, revealing his chiseled upper body, then took a threatening step forward. “I challenge you to a brawl. If you win,” he said with a mocking grin, “I’ll let your buddy go.”

  “You want a fist-fight?” Freddy snorted. “No abilities? Really?”

  The man smashed his fists together. It sounded almost as if two rocks were colliding. “I want to take my time beating you to death!”

  “And how do I know you’re not gonna cheat?”

  “Cheat?” the man sputtered with a disbelieving chuckle. “You think I have a reason to cheat? Well aren’t you confident…?”

  “That would be my job,” an assuming man said from the side, and Freddy noticed him for the first time since he arrived. “Nice to meet you, Mr. Cliff. I am your local adjudicator. Feel free to set the terms of your fight as you please. It is my duty to ensure that the losing party upholds their end of the deal. Naturally, this also pertains to the rules of the match.”

  “Not that it makes any difference,” Keagan said while loudly cracking his knuckles, “but my talent only works on my abilities. So what do you say?”

  Freddy frowned. He was more than glad to let this moron kill himself via Freddy, but that didn’t mean he trusted the adjudicator to be the judge. He looked over to Travis.

  Travis for his part looked white as snow, but as he noticed Freddy looking at him, he walked over. “Okay…” The man said as he took a deep breath. “Thank you for coming. Really. Just ignore him. He’s trying to provoke you into a fight to get you off the negotiation table. With you here, we might be able to eke out better terms.”

  “The adjudicator,” Freddy said, moving his gaze between the unassuming man and Travis. “Will he do as he says?”

  Ensure your favorite authors get the support they deserve. Read this novel on the original website.

  Travis seemed confused for a long moment. “What do you mean?”

  Freddy leaned in. “Will the adjudicator be a fair judge?”

  Travis’s lips trembled and he breathed heavily through his nose. “Don’t. Please don’t. I know you’re strong, but you’re not his match. He’s a martial artist, and he is specialized in defense. You won’t even be able to hurt him. This is a trap.”

  “Will he? Or won’t he?”

  “Freddy, please.” Travis grabbed him by his long beard. “Thor is dead!” He pointed at the crowd of people in front of Valhalla’s headquarters. “Every single fucking person there is betting on us. This isn’t the time to be stupid.” He released Freddy’s beard and tried to force a smile. “Look. I can tell you did… something. But you’re also still just a two-star.” His forced smile died. “I am happy you’re here. I am glad to know you’re a man Thor was right to trust.

  “But it will be a goddamn miracle if we can even make it out of here alive. So please. Cooperate with me.”

  Freddy sighed. He raised his hand and gestured with his index finger for Travis to come closer.

  Travis frowned and leaned it.

  Freddy slapped him across the face.

  Travis reeled and then glared at Freddy. “What the fuck, man?”

  “Just shut up and answer my question.”

  For a long moment, the man stood there holding his face, which was cycling through a frenzy of conflicting expressions. Eventually, he settled on anger and growled. “Yes! You can trust the adjudicator!”

  “That’s all I needed to know,” he said as he pushed Travis aside and stepped forward.

  Travis’s face twisted in despair as he cried out, “You won’t win!”

  Freddy paused and turned around. Whatever look he had in his eyes made Travis freeze. Then he turned around and stepped before his opponent. He conjured a small, razor-sharp blade in his right hand and cut off most of his beard and hair, shortening them enough to not pose a liability in the fight.

  Several people snickered at the sight of him. With the crude way he cut his hair, he probably looked like a plucked chicken at that moment.

  The adjudicator stepped forward. “The rules of the duel are as follows: there will be no use of abilities, weapons, drugs, medicine, or any kind of equipment bar civilian clothing; the fight will continue until the death of one party or mutually agreed upon surrender; no third parties will get involved. That being said”—he looked at Freddy—”Mr. Cliff, please remove the blood-affinity cursed ring from your finger.”

  Freddy nodded. He completely forgot about his ring.

  Thankfully, during his hundred years of boredom, he had figured out a way to easily take it off. He focused for a moment, feeding it a bit of his blood. It seemed to almost purr in satisfaction, and then it released the grip on his bone, allowing him to take it off without losing a finger. He stored it in his storage ring.

  The adjudicator nodded. “Mr. Gem. What are your demands in the scenario of your victory?”

  Keagan sneered. “I’m happy enough seeing this bastard die.”

  “Mr. Cliff, do you agree to these terms?”

  Freddy nodded.

  “All right. Mr. Cliff. What are your demands in the scenario of your victory?”

  Freddy pondered it momentarily, his eyes lingering on the tied-up Lucas. Then, he eyed the adjudicator. He smiled, raising his finger and pointing it straight towards Gina and Tanner Gem, who were standing not too far behind Keagan. “If I win, I’m going to kill them, too. Just the way I killed Jason and Shawn.”

  Keagan’s expression darkened. “What did you just say?”

  “You heard me.”

  The man growled and then chuckled. “You must be one hell of a fucking masochist. You’re going to suffer for this one.”

  “What?” Freddy took an intimidating step forward, getting right into the man’s face. He was a little shorter than the man, but he showed no fear as he whispered, “Scared you might lose?”

  “Should I remind you that I’m holding your friend’s life in my hands?” the man said, pointing a thumb over his shoulder at the tied-up Lucas.

  “You’re also going to free him.”

  “No. I’m going to kill him unless you take your stupid joke back!”

  “Then do it!” Freddy said, getting even closer, close enough to kiss the man. “But you won’t get your damn duel. And you won’t get your satisfaction.” He grinned. “It shouldn’t matter what I bet if you’re gonna win anyway… unless you think you won’t.”

  The man met his gaze for a few agonizing moments. Then, he broke into laughter and stepped back, wagging a finger. “You have a talent for pulling people’s nerves. In a different life, we’d have been friends.”

  Freddy shook his head. “No we wouldn’t.”

  “Whatever you say, sweetheart.” He turned around and waved at his kids. “Accept the terms. It’s fine.”

  The adjudicator turned to face them. “Gina and Tanner Gem. Do you agree to these terms?”

  Looking rather shaken, the two of them swallowed and, with agonizing reluctance, nodded their agreement.

  The adjudicator nodded and shouted, “Everyone else, please step back. I will not be responsible for anyone who gets accidentally injured. And you two, get into position. Get at least twenty paces away from one another. When you both declare you’re ready, I will begin the countdown.”

  They both stared at each for a long moment. Keagan raised his thumb and moved it across his throat in a threatening gesture. Freddy blew him a kiss and smiled. Then, they turned around to get into position.

  “Are you ready?”

  “Yes,” Freddy said.

  “I’m ready,” Keagan said.

  “On the count to ten!” The adjudicator started counting down. “Ten! Nine! Eight! Seven! Six! Five! Four! Three!

  “Two!

  “One!

  “Begin!”

  The adjudicator leaped back to make space for them.

  For their part, Freddy and Keagan slowly approached one another, raising their guards and carefully observing their opponent.

  Then, they leaped.

  Freddy threw a straight, and Keagan ducked, throwing a punch at his midsection, which Freddy dodged by fluidly twisting out of the way.

  Keagan kicked Freddy’s shin, and Freddy chose to tank the hit in return for a punch to the side of the man’s face. Both strikes landed almost perfectly. Neither did any damage.

  They disengaged, raising their guards and charging at each other again. This time, Freddy leaned harder into it, taking a risk to throw a hook. Keagan dodged, jabbing in turn, which Freddy tanked in turn for a kick to the man’s ribs. Neither strike did any damage.

  They both backed away for a moment and then charged again. Their fists met mid air, almost sounding like a giant log smashing into a boulder, and on the rebound, they threw a hook right at each other’s face, landing both strikes. Neither did any damage.

  They backed away, Freddy looking a little surprised, and Keagan looking utterly bewildered.

  1% Lifesteal came with the subtle but significant advantage of feedback. Freddy could always tell how much damage his strikes were doing. Keagan wasn’t pretending to be untouched. He really just didn’t suffer any damage.

  Keagan, meanwhile, looked shocked as hell. “Bastard.” He spat. “What the hell are you made of?”

  Freddy chuckled. “I could ask you the same thing.”

  “No the fuck you couldn’t!” the man shouted. “I’m a three-star. Water, earth, metal. It’s not a mystery why I’m durable. What’s up with you?”

  Water, earth, and metal. At the second star onwards, that was likely the single most common combination of three affinities. Water and earth were by far the most common among the basic affinities, and metal was the more likely advanced affinity than ice.

  Although common, this was a powerful combo that was often referred to as the “golden trio of durability.”

  Stone Skin.

  Metal Bones.

  Turbulent Waters-slash-Hundred Wet Hells.

  It was the whole package when it came to defense.

  For Freddy to be able to rival him without a dedicated talent, and at a star below the man at that, was a testament to just how much heavy lifting his Ten Thousand Wet Hells was doing. It was technically Hundred Thousand Wet Hells now, but he hadn’t yet used it even once, so he was still only at the peak Ten Thousand Wet Hells level of durability. And it was already monstrous.

  Freddy simply smiled at the man and raised his guard again. “Don’t tell me you’re getting scared.”

  The man chuckled. “I bet you’re taking more damage than you’re showing.”

  “I guess you’ll have to find out.”

  They charged at each other again.

  The crowds were looking on with bewilderment, especially Travis.

  Nobody had expected this fight to be anywhere near this close.

  And it was one thing for Keagan’s defense to be impressive. But Freddy’s show of force was making some people very, very nervous. Especially Gina and Tanner.

  While Freddy could match the speed of the man’s attacks, he wasn’t nearly as nimble due to the difference in body density. Keagan jumped and leaped around, and as he warmed up, he got fancier with his attacks, dashing behind Freddy’s back and throwing kicks from odd angles. For his part, Freddy defended and redirected while looking for ways to counterattack. All those fights against the shadow monster thing hadn’t gone to waste.

  He had become vastly better at fighting.

  His defense was nigh-impenetrable. He picked good moments to counterattack, catching the man off guard but still failing to do any real damage. There was no point in going hit for hit. At this rate, the fight would come down to who starved to death first.

  Keagan tried picking away at Freddy, but with every strike, his expression grew more serious.

  They pulled away again, and as if reading each other’s minds, they unfurled their fists.

  Cautiously, like two snakes, they slithered closer to each other and sent out probing grabs while slapping the other man’s hands away. From an outside perspective, it looked a bit ridiculous, almost like they were playing some sort of game. But this was no game.

  The outcome of the fight would likely come down to who grabbed who first.

  And while Freddy had plenty of practice with the shadow, the man clearly had an upper hand here. He caught Freddy by the wrist, and thankfully, Freddy immediately reacted with a frontal kick to his chest, tearing himself out of the man’s grip. Suddenly, Keagan changed his whole strategy, roundhouse kicking Freddy’s chin, and the unexpected blow landed perfectly, dislocating Freddy’s jaw.

  Freddy stepped back and Keagan pressed the attack, to which Freddy responded by keeping his cool, reasserting his guard and pushing the man back. When he found a moment, he pushed his jaw into place, and it cracked with a horrifyingly loud sound. “Got me good with that one,” he said.

  “Cracks are starting to show,” Keagan declared, grinning like a wild animal. He launched another attack, seemingly pushing Freddy to the limit. Although it was raining, obscuring sweat, it was evident that Freddy was struggling to maintain his defense. Punch by punch, kick by kick, his guard appeared to whittle away.

  Travis looked on with a broken heart. His eyes slowly closed and he sighed in despair. He had known this would happen. But seeing it slowly play out before his eyes was like a nightmare.

  Keagan was cautious, but obviously eager to jump in and grab a hold of Freddy.

  Then finally, Freddy failed to raise his arm in time, and Keagan leaped in to grab it. He got hold of Freddy, and a sympathetic wince washed over the whole crowd. They were about to watch a massacre.

  Keagan’s grin widened rapidly as he twisted to knock Freddy off his feet and get him in a chokehold on the ground. But he couldn’t pull hard enough. The man’s alarm was apparent, and he looked at Freddy with wide eyes as he realized that was completely losing the contest of strength.

  And then, Freddy suddenly grabbed his wrist. In an instant, Freddy’s panicked, desperate look vanished, replaced by a grin of pure mockery. “Thought you had me, huh?”

  Thomas Lowe was destined for a life of mediocrity, working a dead-end job in rural America. But fate seemed to have other plans for him.

  Reborn in a new world, he's gifted a rare soul card that grants him a power beyond imagination. The name of the card is simple...

  [Card Name: The Fool]

  [Rank: Ephemeral/ Legendary-Unique]

  Mastering his new ability is the key to thriving in this new life. But the card also unlocks a prophecy that puts Thomas in the crosshairs of Ancient Clans and Noble Houses that have existed since the dawn of the first era.

  GO CHECK OUT THE LEGENDARY FOOL BY DAOIST ENIGMA!

  specificallly posted this chapter early to give the shout earlier. :D