The SSS Beast King: Rebirth of the Legendary Predator
Chapter 51: Shattered Trust

Chapter 51: Shattered Trust

An endless shower of snow pierced my eyes with its beauty. The mist blocked out the sun, leaving the snow as the only light. This light was as good as not having one in the first place.

A wooden bridge rested in front of me, beyond the cold snow that had grown to reach my ankles. On the other side, a cabin. Its wooden walls seemed brand new, ready to withstand the cold weather. On my side, there were only trees that towered over, destroying what hope was left for the sun.

The bridge was the only thing keeping us from the warm cabin. But with the wind dragging it and the missing steps, there was no way it could hold both of us; only one could pass. A sacrifice must be made.

[Welcome to the second game The Bridge of Sacrifice.]

’Let’s see if you’re a man of your word, Dusk.’ I laugh, making the cold breeze penetrate my lungs, making a shallow cough escape my body. This was my first time experiencing a cold atmosphere without my scales, it was terrific.

My nose had completely changed its color, it made me feel like I should grab toys and roam the world, making children happy alongside my brothers and an old man with a white beard.

I rubbed my hands together, trying to heat up my body, but at this time my hands were already numb from the endless flakes of snow polishing my skin.

Around me, I couldn’t hear a sound except the wind. It wasn’t like those stories were birds sing in your ears, no, the only thing was you, your teammate, and the bridge.

I let out the air I had unintentionally been holding and observed as it condensed almost instantly. This game, was about to test if you could really believe the one closest to you. I looked at Anri, who like me, had been ruthlessly attacked by the cold weather.

[In this game, only one will succeed. The bridge in front of you has been here for eternity now, under the pressure of your not-so-patient nature, it has worn down, so only one of you can pass. You could try to both pass, but it only has a slim chance of succeeding.]

Slim? The system has always had its way with words. Impossible, that is the true meaning of its words, it is impossible for both to pass. It uses this trick to make those who aren’t themselves at the moment, captured by fear, make a bad decision.

[The game is simple, you must have one person on the correct side of the bridge, while the other sacrifices themselves. But fear not! Your teammate will not be eliminated, as the next elimination round will consist of those of all of them, and so they have a chance to redeem themselves. But if you feel bad enough, the fastest team gains immunity for their teammate. And keep in mind, skills are not allowed!]

If you were asked to choose who goes to heaven, you or the person closest to you, what would you do? Are you going to going to be good or bad? It is funny though, that being the good guy gets you to hell, and being the villain to heaven.

I sense an excited smile appear on my face, this was a game where the brain wins over the muscle, a game where I can beat Dusk. To me, this wasn’t just a game for survival anymore, but to not let that trash hero devour me.

I can’t say I didn’t get frustrated by his comment, even if I didn’t instantly show it to him. I didn’t want him to see my vulnerable side.

[The game, begins, Now! I wish you all good luck.]

Luck? Is that really a factor in this? Of course not, it sure another trick of the system, trying to get people to get more comfortable around it.

In a place like The Core, it’s nice to have something wishing for your best, and the system knows this. Using it in the most disgusting ways possible.

It isn’t a friend, a companion, or just a helper. It doesn’t want your survival, it doesn’t want you escaping The Core. It wants you trapped here forever. Tutoring you in ways so horrible my past selves seems like child play

A way of torturing focused on the mind, and not the body. A damaged body can survive with a strong mind, but an invincible body is just a mindless beast without a healthy mindset.

"So um... Destiny, that’s what you told me to call you. What do you think?" The child approached me, with her face burning in the ground, and her hand behind her back like she was embarrassed to show herself to me.

What do I think is the right answer to the system question? Do I want to waste my life in heaven, knowing I caused the death of a little shy kid? Or do I want to play the hero, and go down below to the place known to kill you from the inside?

I was hardly able to raise my legs, it felt like the snow had traped with its cold body. I whined as the cold got inside the booths I was wearing, gently touching my feet. I walked to the end of the cliff and looked straight down into the abyss.

Maybe it was because of the thickness of the mist, or because of the length of the drop. But I couldn’t see anything. But what I knew was that there was no way of surviving a fall. There were no loopholes.

I felt the cold touch of the wind breeze on my face as I turned to face Anri. She understood why I had left to examine the abyss. It was to see if there was a way to save the both of us. But there was... right? Even if there was no way of cheating, we could try to be the first.

The game had just started, so there was a high chance being first was still possible.

But was that a risk I was willing to assume?

I had to be the one who stayed back. As much as Anri followed my orders until now, I felt like it was the time for her true nature to come out. It would take less time for me to let her pass, but at the same time, it meant putting myself at risk.

Plus, that cabin had to have a reason to be there. Maybe because after our decision we had to wait for the others? So did I want to have the opportunity of waiting the time in a place where I can rest while not paying any attention to the cold weather? But could I really live with myself if I took it? Knowing that outside, a pure soul was freezing while a tyrant like me lazing around like a pig?

I turned around making sure Anri couldn’t see my laugh. Was this really a decision I could find an answer to? Or was I going to get stuck like always? Wasting precious time on a useless question. I had to risk it, even if it meant that I would have to take part in the elimination, at least if I did I wouldn’t regret anything. But... but... but... there were so many buts.

There were too many possible outcomes. I felt overwhelmed, and it didn’t help that the flakes of snow had started to fall slower and slower. My passive was coming into play, and slowing time even more would only drive me even more crazy.

So what could I do? I had to stop thinking like myself and ask what Dusk would do...

’Hey, Anri... pass the bridge already would you.’ I could see her flinch as my words reached her. They most likely seemed crazy coming from me, and I get it, as they technically weren’t even my words, but those of a hero, something I was not.

She looked back to the ground and stained silent. But after some seconds, she back at me with a hint of confidence, something rare coming from her. I was used to her being submissive and more included in following orders, so why now?

"I-I can’t do that!" This... was a whole new person. Why was she messing everything up? I went against myself just so I could clear this fast and save the both of us... to win against that bastard, it was infuriating, why now, why did she care so much for me all of a sudden? Earlier she couldn’t even look at me, and in the elimination round, she didn’t even speak to me. So why damn it.

’What do you mean you can’t do that? You have your feet don’t you, then go already, who knows how much time we have before Dusk makes another reckless decision and wins’ I couldn’t hold my anger in, something I regret. Maybe if I had been more calm I could have confined her, but I was too furious and let my wrath take control.

"I see, so you didn’t choose this for me, but to not him win. You don’t really care for me, do you? You don’t care for anyone in here. I’m just another pawn in your guy’s game. Fine, I’ll do it, but don’t expect to ever hear a word from me again. Well if you even survive." She stormed past me, and with her showing me her shoulder, she slowly crossed the bridge, not looking back for even one second.

...

Don’t care for anyone here? Well to care for one you first have to know how it feels to have someone who cares for you. Something I’ve never had... so what do you know?

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