Chapter 70: end of the game

After we finished eating, I glanced at the vampires before walking over to Nyx.

“So, do you really think those guys will help us get that object from the elves?”

“The Elven Tear,” Nyx corrected.

“Yeah, that thing.”

I crossed my arms and thought for a moment before offering what I considered a brilliant solution.

“I say we kidnap an elven princess and demand the Elven Tear.”

Azera’s eyes twitched.

“What kind of twisted logic is that? How can you even think like that?”

I shrugged. “What’s wrong with it? We kidnap a princess, demand the item, and get what we want. Simple.”

“That’s kidnapping, not negotiating!”

“Details.”

Azera stared at me in disbelief, while Nyx casually added, “It’s pretty normal for Asher, so don’t be surprised.”

Azera’s eyes twitched violently, but she eventually nodded as though accepting that arguing with us was pointless.

Nyx turned back to me. “We don’t need to trust anyone completely. If they help us, we’ll owe them a favor and repay it later. If they don’t…” She left the rest unsaid.

I grinned. “Hmm. That’s why I love you so much. You’re so smart. Almost as smart as me.”

Nyx rolled her eyes. “Yeah, yeah. Almost as smart as you.”

I nodded in satisfaction before taking a seat.

At least she knew her limits.

However, before I could get comfortable, the barrier surrounding our area suddenly disappeared.

I immediately looked up.

The invisible wall that had separated the groups was gone, revealing the wider battlefield. Only five thrones remained.

The vampires reacted almost instantly.

The moment they noticed the opening, they rushed toward the beastmen’s throne like hungry wolves, determined to claim it before anyone else could.

I watched them for a moment before turning to Nyx.

“Look at that. They look like me when I’m searching for food in the slums. They won’t leave a single opening for anyone else.”

Nyx didn’t smile. Instead, she lowered her gaze.

I paused before realizing what had bothered her.

“Hey, cheer up. That’s my past, and I’m not ashamed of it. I’m proud of it.”

She raised her eyes toward me.

“I survived in this world alone. Those places made me who I am today, so I don’t want anyone pitying me for it.”

I had no reason to hide where I came from. The slums had been harsh, but I had survived them without anyone’s help. There was no shame in that.

Nyx looked into my eyes before giving me a warm smile.

“I understand.”

Azera also stared at me, her expression unusually serious. Even someone like her knew what the slums represented. Her eyes widened slightly, but she didn’t say anything.

I didn’t need her sympathy, anyway.

Instead, I turned toward the captured angel.

“Hey, chicken guy. Don’t you want to go and conquer a throne?”

He looked at me cautiously.

“If you want to go, then go ahead. I don’t mind. But if you try to back out of your promise about the Elven Tear, I’ll kill you regardless of where you hide.”

The angel gulped.

“Thank you! Thank you! I’ll do my best to find the Elven Tear for you!”

I nodded. “Good.”

He hurried away, and I watched his retreating figure until he disappeared into the distance.

Hopefully, he would keep his promise. Otherwise, I would have to find another way to obtain the item.

My gaze then shifted toward a beastman who was watching us from a distance.

Unlike the vampires, he hadn’t rushed toward another throne. He remained where he was, studying us as though waiting for the right opportunity to attack.

Nyx noticed him too.

Neither of us moved.

I simply summoned two blades into my hands and stared at him.

Come on. I dare you.

The beastman hesitated, clearly unwilling to approach without knowing what we could do.

Azera glanced between us and our opponent.

“Are they going to attack us?”

I smiled.

“Hmm. Let them try. If they attack, they die today.”

Her eyes widened.

“You two really are a bloodthirsty duo!”

I turned toward her with an evil grin.

“Oh? You’re only figuring that out now? We were planning to make dragon soup out of you. It must be delicious.”

Azera’s expression changed instantly.

“What?!”

She looked at Nyx with pleading eyes, silently begging her to stop me.

Nyx sighed before stepping closer.

“Asher, stop bullying her.”

I raised a hand innocently. “What? I’m just making a small suggestion. Think about how delicious dragon soup must be.”

I gave Azera an exaggeratedly hungry look.

A shiver ran down her spine, and she nearly jumped away from the throne.

Nyx immediately caught her.

“Don’t get up from the throne.”

“How can you be so calm?! He’s talking about eating me!”

“I’m sure he won’t actually do it.”

“Are you sure?!”

I chuckled. “Of course. Finding a good cook for dragon soup would be troublesome.”

“ASHER!”

I burst out laughing as Nyx shook her head.

Once I had finished teasing Azera, I returned my attention to the battlefield.

Jokes aside, we still had a challenge to complete.

We only needed to protect the throne for ten minutes. As long as we held our position until the time ran out, we would be fine.

Nyx stood beside Azera while I guarded the opposite side.

The beastman finally made his move.

He approached cautiously, seemingly hoping to find an opening in our defenses.

I wasn’t interested in letting him get close.

Slime flowed through my hand, transforming into a bow. I formed an arrow and pulled the string back, then augmented the weapon with Aura.

Black flames gathered around the arrowhead.

The beastman noticed the change and tried to react, but I had already released the string.

The arrow shot through the air and struck him before he could reach us.

His body collapsed.

A notification appeared before my eyes.

[You have gained 0.01% Bronze Power.]

I frowned slightly.

Bronze Power again?

I still didn’t understand what it was or why killing certain enemies granted it. However, this wasn’t the first time I had received such a notification on this floor.

I made a mental note to investigate it later.

For now, we had other problems.

The remaining beastmen had witnessed what happened to their companion. Their confidence faltered, and several stopped advancing.

I looked at them and raised an eyebrow.

“What happened? Changed your minds?”

Nobody answered.

I shrugged and returned to my position.

Their hesitation gave us some breathing room, but I wasn’t foolish enough to assume they would leave us alone for the rest of the challenge.

Soon, another opponent attempted to approach from the side.

Nyx intercepted him before he could get anywhere near Azera. Her movements were precise, forcing him to retreat without finding an opening.

I dealt with anyone who tried to approach from my side.

Whenever one of us engaged an opponent, the other remained alert, preventing anyone from slipping through our defenses.

The beastmen tried approaching from different angles, but neither Nyx nor I gave them an opportunity to reach the throne.

Azera remained seated, watching us fight.

“How are you two so relaxed?” she asked.

I glanced at her while keeping my blades ready.

“Because we’re amazing.”

“That’s not an answer!”

“It’s the only one you’re getting.”

Nyx let out a quiet sigh, but I caught the faint amusement in her expression.

The minutes continued to pass as we drove back every opponent who approached us. I occasionally switched Slime’s form to suit the situation, while Nyx handled the enemies who tried to exploit the openings created during my attacks.

We didn’t need to discuss every movement. We had fought together enough to understand when the other needed support.

Not a single opponent reached Azera.

I glanced at the remaining time and smiled.

We were getting closer.

“Just sit tight, Azera. Your amazing bodyguards have everything under control.”

Azera stared at me with an expression that suggested she regretted ever meeting me.

Nyx simply shook her head.

I grinned and turned back toward the battlefield.

“What’s that look you should be horned to gat such amazing person like me as a bodyguard.”

“Don’t be ungrateful.”

Azera jusa rolled her eyes she now used to my nonsense a little.

“Yha yha whatever you say.”

The challenge wasn’t over yet, and I wasn’t about to become careless. Anyone who wanted to reach our throne would have to get past us first.

And I had no intention of letting that happen.

The time passed slowly as only few minutes left before the end.

And i look around vampires conquer a throne to themselves and my eyes caught a human grope as well they too conquered a throne.

My eyes narrowed but i decided to ignore them for now.

In the last few minutes no one dere to come towards us i just simply watched the surroundings as swords healed.

Then finally the time is ran out and we secured our position as winners.