Martial Arts Worlds

Chapter 171 Endgame

The lantern flickered across the stone cave walls. Discover more content at empire

The cold wind of the incoming night drifted through the cracks in the rock, bringing chill with it.

Chained against the wall, Raquel's eyelids fluttered open, and as she woke up, she felt pain in her wrists and tried to shake the chains off, but it was impossible.

"W-where am I?"

She asked fearfully and looked around the dark room, her eyes adjusting to the dim light.

Creak!

The heavy door opened up, and through the doorway stepped a tall figure dressed in all black.

Her lips were trembling as she tried to stop her tears.

"What a pretty face you got there." The person's hand touched Raquel's cheek. "Truly beautiful."

Raquel's face turned pale, and she said, "P-please, let me go."

"No... no..." the person laughed sinisterly, "I have other plans for you."

"I want to go back home!" Raquel pleaded with tears welling in her eyes.

"Don't cry."

The person wiped her tears with his thumb.

"When I showed my friends your picture, they became quite excited. I will also let them have some fun before the ceremony. You shall be my last sacrifice before my advancement to Martial Legend."

"T-there's more of you?" Raquel asked fearfully, and bit her lips in fear. "Why would you people do this? Why are you so evil?"

The person grabbed her by the face and then whispered into her ear.

"You don't know what the word evil means. Prepare yourself; I will be coming to get you shortly!"

With that, he left and slammed the heavy door shut.

He arrived at the cold cave hallway, and as he stepped deeper into the hallway, his hood fell back, revealing his disfigured face that had lumps, moles, and scars covering every inch of his skin.

That face was a face that not even his mother would love.

"Kikikikiki..."

He laughed sinisterly, and with that, he disappeared into the cave's immense darkness like a shadow.

"I came here for you. Let's get you the fuck out!" Julian tried to rip the chains, but couldn't. "Shit, get off!"

"He is coming shortly!" Raquel panicked. "It has soon been ten minutes since he left!"

"Kiernan, help me!" Julian shouted.

Kiernan ran towards Julian and grabbed the chains.

"Iron Fingers!"

With a strong squeeze, he broke the chains, and one of Raquel's arms got freed.

He immediately moved to her other arm and destroyed the chains with his steel-like fingers.

Raquel fell into Julian's arms, and she sobbed uncontrollably.

"Let's go!" Julian helped her to walk and left the dimly lit room.

And as Kiernan followed after him, they all heard footsteps behind them, and as they turned around, a disfigured-looking man looked straight at them.

"N-no..." Raquel whispered in fear. "We must run!"

"This is the fucker?" Julian narrowed his eyes coldly.

"Julian, remember, saving Raquel is a priority." Kiernan said and touched him on the shoulder. "Take Raquel back to her father."

"What about you?" Julian asked.

"Me?" Kiernan pulled down his mask and turned to the disfigured-looking man. "I will make sure that he won't escape."

"Alright..." Julian patted him on the shoulder. "Kill that fucker!"

"Wait!" Raquel touched Kiernan's arm and said, "Come with us. He isn't alone. He told me that he has friends with him."

"More?" Julian's expression turned ugly.

"Do not worry." Kiernan said and shook Raquel's hand. "My name's Kiernan—I don't think we've spoken before. Follow Julian's lead, please—he will bring you back home."

"A-ah..." Raquel looked into his eyes, and she didn't know why, but she felt very secure.

Those weren't the eyes of some suicidal fool, but someone who was calm and in control.

Julian nodded at Kiernan, and then grabbed Raquel by her hand as they began running away.

"You've made a mistake," the disfigured-looking man said. "She was supposed to be a sacrifice, but now I will have to change my sacrifice. I won't enjoy it, but you must become one, then."

"I don't like the look in your eyes." Kiernan said and flexed his fists. "What is your endgame?"