Destruction King (1)
The duel event was over. The results weren't much different from what I remembered. The only real change was the flood of challengers who signed up against Luna. They'd seen her get utterly crushed by Kara, so they thought they had a shot. Of course, she wiped the floor with them all. Kara was just too damn strong—Luna wasn't weak by any means. It made for a pretty easy set of matches for her.
"So, how do the points work? I don't give a shit about points, but you do, right?"
"Sister probably has more than me, don't you think? Losing that badly probably tanked her score."
After the duels wrapped up, we got some free time. It was only a day, but since the next day was the weekend, it felt like a nice long break either way. That's when I met up with Kara—to take her to Lord and get his permission. From now on, she'd share responsibility as my guardian. Not that it meant much; as long as she didn't throw punches recklessly, it'd be fine. And even if she did, they'd only land on scumbags worse than beasts.
"Oh, and you should grab some candy for him."
"Candy? You mean that scorched rice flavor Sivar gave you back then?"
Kara made a face like it was the weirdest thing, clearly still haunted by the scorched rice candy. It was definitely a love-it-or-hate-it taste.
"No need for anything fancy. He'll eat any sweet stuff."
"Really? I thought he loved that one."
"Good. One."
I nodded. I'd eaten so much of it that my taste buds were wired for it now.
Kara gave me a weird look. To reiterate, it wasn't that I hated the scorched rice flavor.
"...Fine, sweets it is. And meals—you gotta hit the buffet every day, right? I saw you pack it away."
"Yeah. Otherwise, the food bill would bankrupt anyone."
"I'll treat you to something nice now and then. My responsibility."
"You sure about the money?"
Luna's question mixed surprise and worry. Totally understandable, given my eating habits. I already devoured insane amounts on a normal day, and after using mana, it skyrocketed. Lately, I hadn't needed mana much, but that'd change soon enough. Food costs would pile up.
Kara waved it off like it was nothing, flashing her signature bright grin.
"Don't sweat it. I might not look it, but I'm a princess. Money's no object."
"How much we talking?"
"Enough to rot away unused. Tatar makes bank."
As I'd explained before, Tatar leveraged its geography for trade dominance. Sandwiched between the Matra and Granada Empires, it was the shortest route—but crossing Tatar lands meant getting raided by Tatar tribes. After forming a nation, they turned that into a savvy trade empire, escorting caravans themselves. Booming business.
"So no worries about cash. If you need a loan once or twice, I got you."
"Sister..."
"But you pay it back."
"Huh?"
Luna's touched expression twisted into something adorable at the payback clause. Kara, having anticipated it, chuckled and laid it out clearly.
"Sorry, but Tatars—me included—are sticklers about money. Nothing erodes trust faster."
"What if someone borrows and doesn't pay?"
"We write it off as a donation. But trust? Gone forever."
It happened in Soul World too. Borrow from Kara and ghost her, and her affinity plummeted like a rollercoaster. One reason she wasn't the go-to sugar mama like Elvin. Money matters? Ironclad.
"Sivar."
"Yeah?"
As I pondered that while walking, Kara called out. I turned to her with a questioning look.
"You don't even know what money is, do you?"
"Money?"
"Yeah. Like this."
She held something up between her thumb and index finger. A round, silvery coin with numbers and a portrait in the center. One of the global currencies in Soul World.
Guess I need to start saving some.
Never really spent any myself—everyone else covered it—so my sense for it had vanished.
"From that look, yeah, you don't. Hoard this stuff; it'll make life easier later. Got it?"
"Yeah."
"Heard you can earn it hunting or gathering herbs?"
She glanced at Luna, who nodded.
"Yep. I head into the forest most weekends for herbs. That's how I ran into Sivar by chance."
"Guy like him must bag some prime prey, right?"
"Hm..."
It was a solid point, so Luna's eyes flicked to me, thoughtful. Even the monkeys I killed saving Ellie fetched a high price, I knew that much.
"We'll figure it out slow. He doesn't even grasp money yet."
"Cool. I'll spot you till then. He can pay me back... with his body."
That phrasing screamed misunderstanding. She meant through hunting, but the vibe was all wrong. Luna caught it too, nodding before freezing with an "Eh?" and staring at Kara.
"...Sister?"
"What?"
"That last thing you said... it's kinda..."
"What thing...?"
Kara reacted like she'd slipped up, then stiffened as realization hit. Her face flushed; she sneaked a glance at me. I just blinked blankly. Best to play dumb in these spots. She'd buy that I didn't get it.
Still embarrassed, she cleared her throat and clarified quietly.
"...Not like that, so don't get ideas. Got it?"
"Sivar probably doesn't even know what it means."
"Then why say it like that! You're making me panic!"
"Someone's listening."
"Who!"
"Me."
Luna's bold response left Kara speechless. That side of her was one of a kind. Kara flapped her mouth, then laughed in defeat.
"Whatever. Talking's pointless. Where's Sivar crashing, anyway?"
"Almost there. Right up ahead."
Perfect topic shift as we reached the residence—now my official spot, not just the president's office. Lord's office was in the main building, but he worked here too. Our classes kept us from crossing paths much.
"President lives here too?"
"Yeah, eats and sleeps here as far as I know."
Knock knock knock.
Luna rapped lightly. Footsteps approached from inside.
Creeeak.
"Ah, you're here."
"Yes. Anyone else inside?"
"No. Ellie's in class right now."
Lord himself opened the door to greet us. No secretary, so he handled it personally. Kara looked surprised he'd come out himself.
"You're the Tatar princess, then. Name...?"
"Just call me Kara."
"Got it, Miss Kara. Come on in."
He swung the door wide. A thick, distinctive scent hit us immediately. Two guys living here meant incense to mask the bachelor stink.
"Anything to drink?"
"No, thanks. We're just here to talk and go."
Kara politely waved off the offer, not wanting to overstay. Lord didn't push, instead setting out tea and light snacks. The Sword Saint himself prepping—Kara had to tread carefully. When she tried to help, he held up a hand.
"This is my home with Sivar. Hosting guests is on me as the owner."
"Still..."
"Tatar has guest customs too, no? Sit."
His smiling insistence left Kara no choice but to settle in. The bold guardian wannabe turned meek lamb before him.
"So, you want to be Sivar's guardian?"
Once everything was set, Lord sat and cut to the chase. Kara, mid-biscuit, shoved it in hastily.
Gulp! "Yes. You heard— I want to be his guardian too."
"I've heard you're helping with his training. Want to keep that up post-guardianship?"
"Exactly."
"Mind if I ask why?"
Kara answered steadily, like an interview, as if she'd prepped for it.
"Started as curiosity. Didn't care if it worked out. But after dueling him? Changed my mind."
"How so?"
"That power's too precious to swing wildly."
"..."
Pure Tatar logic. Most would've said it was too dangerous, teach restraint. Kara flipped it: maximize it.
Lord, unsurprised, stayed neutral.
"Charging in relying on that tough body is inefficient. You'll get hurt bad later. You need ways to subdue too."
"Teach control so you don't accidentally kill? That it?"
"Close enough."
"No 'don't use force' from you."
Spot on. She offered control, not abstinence. Steadfast, violent mindset. She nodded, aware.
"You know it too, President. It's just a matter of degree—using power's the same."
"Agreed. But civilization doesn't tolerate violence easily."
"I get it. I won't swing wildly. Noted."
"Good enough. Hector taught you well."
"..."
At Hector's name, Kara froze briefly but didn't deny. Most of her philosophy came from him. Advice not to waste power—also why she resented him. He'd taught her one way, then forced a change.
"...On this, at least, I agree."
"Understood. Then..."
Thud thud thud.
Before Lord could continue, rough knocks interrupted. Not Ellie's light taps or a professor's. Aggressive.
"I'll get it."
"...Go ahead."
Luna rose and headed over. Lord's low tone approved. He knew who it was—Sword Saint senses. I felt it too. Not who, but huge.
Creeeak.
"Who... gasp?!"
Luna gawked, stumbling back in shock. The visitor's build was absurd—two adult men stacked.
He eyed her curiously, then spotted us inside. Politely: "Mind if I come in?"
"Long as you don't break shit."
"Might be tricky."
Kara's father, Tatar's king. Destruction King Hector—crashing the president's residence unannounced.
"...Father? Why are you..."
Kara muttered, stunned. Hector bowed his head entering—door too short for his height. He scanned our home, nodding approval.
"Not bad. Living here with the old man and the kid?"
"That's the setup. Stop looming—sit."
"Don't mind if I do."
Thump.
He plopped next to Kara—opposite me. Our eyes locked. Still intrigued, but today? Provocative. Daring me.
"Ditch the axe on your back. Looks like you're here to fight."
"Cut me some slack. Heading back to Tatar soon."
"It flies back from the ocean fine."
"Feels empty without it."
His arrival tensed things, but it flowed okay. Luna dragged a chair, sitting gingerly by me.
"...So, why're you here?"
As Hector bantered with Lord, Kara spoke up, annoyed. Her dad barging in? Infuriating.
But he had words.
"Not for you—for him. Got something to check."
"Sivar? Why?"
"His power, sure. But those blood-red eyes bug me most."
Blood-red eyes. I touched mine unconsciously. Glowing crimson—symbol of berserk, fit for monsters. Triggered near death. Used to happen constantly; Resilience fixed that, but danger lingered. Flared in the Porori fight too.
"Understands speech, huh? Gotta ask. Sivar, right?"
"..."
"Beast pretending to be human? Or human with a beast's power?"
Dead serious. Nailed my existence. Truth: I couldn't answer. Wild Instinct made me beastly; low Faith crippled speech. Beast in human skin.
"Anyone else close to my daughter? Wouldn't bat an eye. But... you're too dangerous."
"Dan. Ger?"
"Yeah. Dangerous. If those eyes are real, you can't blend into civilization. You'll lose reason in crisis, turn beast. Every time."
"..."
Spot on. Porori said similar. Fix the eyes or problems brew. Beasts prioritize instinct over reason—berserk guaranteed it.
"What the hell... popping in out of nowhere, saying this crap? Red eyes—what's the big deal?"
Kara sounded baffled. Hector ignored her, staring me down. I met it, puzzled.
Was the event always like this?
Beating Kara triggered a Hector meetup in Soul World—dorm, cafe, wherever. Dad talks: get along with daughter, but not too close.
"Old man."
"Speak."
"Nearby spot to wreck? Forest around here, right?"
I stayed silent; he asked Lord. Who frowned, firm.
"Absolutely not. This is the academy. Accident happens, even you won't walk away clean."
"Let him be? Just checking. He could cause worse than me later."
"Hm..."
Valid. Lord eyed me, deep in thought—eyes like still water. Turned to Hector calmly.
"And if confirmed? Then what? Fix him?"
"Nah. Can't stick around long, you know."
"Then no..."
"Instead."
Cut him off. Thud! Axe from back to desk. All eyes on it. Axe-like, but too big for handaxe, too small for battleaxe. Fire axe size. One side blade, other hammer-flat.
As stares locked, he declared:
"To keep his beast side in check, I'm lending him this."
"...Have you lost your mind?"
"Lost it? Why the hell..."
Lord and Kara gaped. Luna confused; I schooled my face but reeled inside. Hector's weapon: top-tier in Soul World.
Ragnarok.
His signature, endgame gear. Needs stacked Faith for full power—just a sturdy axe for me. Might not handle red mana. Huge gesture. Overkill.
But Hector's tone was resolute.
"For safety, curb his rampages best I can. This is it."
"..."
"I just need confirmation. If he's normal human, I'll kneel, apologize. Swear to Gulrak—no meddling with you."
Gulrak oaths bound tight—lightning for breakers. He meant it. Sacrificed his baby for Kara's sake.
Lord pondered the loan, stumped. After a heavy sigh:
"...Forest at 6 o'clock from me. 300 meters out."
"Can smash?"
"Farther if possible. Debris flies."
"Perfect. You game, kid?"
Asking me nicely. Event escalating to duel.
I glanced at Kara—shocked, feeling his resolve. Luna too, sensing gravity.
"All. Good."
Short, firm to reassure. Eyes on me.
"Fine. No idea who, but they taught you manners."
Hector smirked, rose, grabbed Ragnarok, headed out. Follow him, I figured. I stood, fixing on his broad back.
"No time to waste..."
Grip tightened.
"Let's start."
Hammer side upswung hard.
"Fuck..."
Fuck. Wait—
BOOM!
My body punched through the ceiling, rocketing skyward.