Chapter 365: Releasing information
Ty nodded. "Sounds good to me. How far am I going anyway?" he asked as he got up. Noticing all the other prisoners also outside their cells, each accompanied by a guard, he realized the gravity of the situation.
"That's none of your business, just get a move on already," a guard snapped, grabbing Ty's shoulder and shoving him forward.
As Ty walked down the corridor and out the exit, he spotted the guard he had once given advice to. The guard was sitting at the center of the room, controlling a panel that unlocked doors and opened the exit.
Ty mused silently, I suppose they had to get stricter after what happened. This world seems to be a huge mess...
Stepping outside, Ty was greeted by the sight of two suns hanging heavy in the sky. A massive vehicle, accompanied by six others, all lined with dark black metal and blue lines swirling around them, rolled forward. As the metal doors slammed onto the ground, a man in a silver suit adorned with emblems stepped out of the driver's seat.
"Everyone file on one at a time, six per vehicle," the man commanded. "Demon, you first and sit down in the far corner."
Ty, not in the mood to talk, climbed in as instructed and settled into the far corner. He felt a sharp pain as the seat transformed, binding him down further.
As the other prisoners filed into the vehicle, Fernando slammed down next to Ty, breaking the tense silence. "Hey buddy, glad to see you again," he said, his voice dripping with sarcasm.
Ty sighed, irritation clear in his voice. "What do you want?"
"I want you to suffer, of course. I still feel the pain you caused me and you made a fool of me," Fernando spat, his anger palpable. "After everything I've been through, I was supposed to win that match and ride off into the sunset. That was the promise I was given."
Ty, who had been lost in thought preparing for the upcoming selection, snapped to attention. "Wh-what do you mean promised?" he asked, his curiosity piqued.
Fernando paused, as if considering whether to divulge more, then shrugged dismissively. "Yeah, screw it, screw him too. Some old man and the rebel forces paid me good money to attack and assassinate strong people within the kingdom with the promise of being able to leave after killing someone in that arena.
But you took that person's place, and well, yeah, I was cut off after that. They acted like I didn't exist," he confessed, bitterness lacing his words.
Ty considered Fernando's hostility, the weight of his words hanging in the air. "I see. Well, I might have an idea of who that person is," Ty mused, not fully engaging with Fernando's anger.
"I don't care," Fernando snapped back, his voice harsh and bitter. "You're the reason why I will be dying in this damn arena. Before I die in the first round, I want to ensure you bite the dust also, be damned with all these rules or whatever process they design."
Ty sighed, a hint of pity creeping into his tone. "I see. Well, for what it's worth, I don't imagine you have much to redeem in this world... But what if I told you there was much more than this world, that there can be a life beyond all of this, and I think I know where people who win these things actually go?"
Fernando chuckled derisively. "And why do you think I care about any of that? I bet it's as messed up as this world is also, if whatever you say is true."
Ty's voice was calm, almost philosophical, as he responded to Fernando's bitterness. "Well, in some ways for sure, it really is that messed up of a place even beyond this world, realm, or universe."
He leaned in slightly, his tone earnest. "But don't you realize we were both just dogs on a leash, attacking each other while the master watched, laughed, profited, and had none of the pressure that was hoisted on our shoulders?"
Fernando frowned, his gaze hardening as he processed Ty's words.
"You are mad at me for surviving but not mad at the person who put both of us in this situation to start? I think that's who you should focus your anger on," Ty continued, hoping to shift Fernando's perspective.
"Well, I don't see myself surviving this damn arena, so all my hopes in life and my pleasure for destroying will end with this. The least I can do is take out one person who was a roadblock for me," Fernando retorted grimly, his resolve hardening.
Ty chuckled, a sound that echoed slightly in the confined space of the vehicle. "I guess in a situation like that, it does make sense, but you're thinking with a cup that's broken and near empty.
I plan on ensuring that I live to the very end, though I am also trying to plan to leave this arena sooner than later because I have found where the Titanis Goddess is."
At the mention of the Titanis Goddess, Fernando's eyes widened, a spark of curiosity breaking through his hardened exterior.
Oh, do tell me unless you are telling me a lie to try and win over my favor?" he challenged.
Ty chuckled lightly, unfazed by the suspicion. "I accidentally found one of the Demon King's daughters in the sky, locked away designing weapons for the world a while ago. And for the longest time, I had surmised that this world would have something similar, and it would probably surface during the arena to watch and inspect of some kind."
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"I don't care about any of that. Where. Is. She!" Fernando demanded, his voice sharp, the intensity of his desire to confront whatever haunted him evident in his tone.
Ty's chuckle softened as he recounted his experience. "When we were being transported here, I was instructed by Rusuf to go and distract the serpent creature that attacked. And as I was drowning, I saw it clear as day—the same exact designed structure as the one the Demon King's daughter had."
Seeing Fernando's rapt attention, Ty leaned forward, lowering his voice as if sharing a great secret. "I have much more information I can give you, and if we both make it out alive, maybe there is more in the universe for you..."