The Useless Prince Is A Gangster
Chapter 102. Challenge accepted

Chapter 102: 102. Challenge accepted

On the eighth floor of the Pillar of Treachery’s prison, a huge, dark cell sprawled out, built for a hundred but now holding forty skinny prisoners. Their bony bodies, weak from hunger, glowed faintly in the light of two flickering torches.

The air was thick with sorrow, interrupted by snarling growls as inmates fighting for morsels of food or the creepy noises of those so starving they resorted to eat other inmates.

A clang of metal echoed above as the ration dropper kicked in. A heavy crate crashed onto the stone floor, lighting a spark in the darkness.

Every prisoner’s eyes locked on it, and they rushed forward, a wild crowd pushing and scratching for the small scraps inside.

On the fourth floor, Vivien sat against the cold stone wall, her third day locked up. The slave collar rubbed her neck raw, the skin red and sore, but the sharp hunger in her belly hurt worse.

The cell’s stench didn’t bother her as much anymore, but her messy auburn hair and tired crimson eyes showed how hard it was. She leaned back, her voice a soft whisper, full of longing. "I miss my mother..."

Lysa, sitting beside her, turned with a sympathetic glance, her own drawn face still kind. "Do you love her?" she asked softly.

Vivien nodded, making a faint smile through her exhaustion. "More than anything. She loves me so much, and I feel it every day."

Lysa’s lips made into a bittersweet smile. "Does she tell you stories?"

"All the time," Vivien said, her voice warming slightly, a spark of happiness in her eyes. "So many."

Lysa’s gaze softened. "Did she ever tell you about the Shining Star?"

Vivien tilted her head, puzzled. "The Shining Star?"

Lysa’s smile grew, colored with hope. "Myr told me that every night. She said the Shining Star would rise and set us free, reduce this prison to ash." Her gaze shifted to the other prisoners, their suffering a silent connection.

Vivien leaned in, her voice laced with curiosity. "What’s that story?

Lysa’s voice turned soft and steady, like she was sharing a treasure. "When everything falls apart and chaos takes over, hearts will break, and cries will fade into darkness. But from the deepest shadows, a light will shine—a flame that never quits. This light will call the Ruler, chosen by fate. With fear as their sword and sadness as their shield, the Ruler will rise, breaking the chains of terror and stopping the Destroyer for good."

She stopped, her voice quieter. "I believe that Shining Star will come... and make things right for Myr."

Leo’s world was pitch black, the mask strains his breath. Hours had dragged by since he was kidnapped in Grenfall, his wrists sore, tied tight behind his back with knots so good he’d need to lose a finger to break free.

He’s Kneeling on wet stone, his senses fuzzy, he focused hard on sounds—cries and screams echoing around, telling him he was in a prison or dungeon.

Heavy footsteps came closer, and an iron door squeaked open. Leo counted six new people, plus the two who’d grabbed him.

A rough voice snapped, "This the Ruler? Looks like a kid."

A woman’s smooth voice, sharp and doubtful, spoke next. "You sure you got the right guy?"

Then a calm, slick voice, almost amused, said, "Let’s see." Footsteps neared, and the mask was removed off Leo’s face.

Bright light stung his eyes, making him squint. Slowly, he opened them, seeing a tall man in white priest robes, just like Salvek had said. His amber eyes sparkled with excitement, a mocking smile on his lips.

Leo scanned the room—a damp stone office with a big desk and old books. A woman with black hair and a huge guy, both in white cloaks, stood out. Three others in rough gear looked tense, out of place. Leo deduced them as the Wolves.

The black-haired woman, Sylo, smirked. "He’s kinda cute for a ’Ruler.’"

The big guy, Warden, grunted. "He’s just a kid."

The robed man stepped closer, smiling wide. "Leonhardt Caulem, finally I able to see you. Nice to meet the Prophesied Ruler."

Leo let out a breath, his voice steady, a bit sarcastic. "You could’ve just asked me to come. I’d have followed you guys. Why all this drama?"

Draven chuckled, like it was a game. "You’re funny."

"Get that a lot," Leo said, leaning back a bit, even with his hands tied. "So, can you give me my little sister? We got a birthday party to attend in two days."

The bald Wolf leader, shaking with rage, lunged forward, grabbing Leo’s collar and yanking him up. "You think we brought you here to hand over the kid?" he growled. "We’re here to avenge our brother!"

Leo’s smirk stayed put, his red eyes sharp. "What, that moron who messed up for three days and fell into my trap?"

Another Wolf charged, punching Leo’s cheek, splitting his lip. "How dare you mock him!" he yelled.

Leo spat blood, staring right at him, cool as ever. "Was he a hero or something? Thought he was just a creep chasing women."

The Wolf’s face twisted, his fist rising again, ready to kill. But a loud voice boomed, "Silence!"

The Wolf froze, trembling, as Draven’s anger filled the room. Leo glanced at the robed man, whose eyes narrowed. Draven waved a hand, and the Wolves backed off, grumpy but listening.

He stepped up, grabbed Leo’s chin, and tilted his face up. Their eyes locked, Leo’s eyes showing no fear, instead hiding a flicker of something deeper.

Draven’s voice was smooth, almost sorry. "I Hate the noise, Leonhardt. Let’s start over. I’m Draven, Or... Treachery, if you prefer names with meaning."

Leo smirked, taunting. "Are you with that weird cult obsessed with the Ruler’s Prophecy?"

Draven’s smile grew, amused. "You’ve done your homework."

"Tortured one of your goons to death for info," Leo said, casual but sharp. "Didn’t get much, but now I’ve got you. I’ll get what I need."

Draven laughed, loud and echoing off the wet walls. He stepped back, arms wide. "Big talk for a guy we could kill right now. Why so confident?"

Leo’s smile was cold. "I see the future, Draven. Want yours?"

Draven’s eyes lit up, curious. "Tell me."

"Begging me not to kill you," Leo said, voice like ice.

Silence followed. Even the Wolves didn’t breathe.

Draven’s smile dropped, his face turning hard. "Bold, but stupid. I could’ve killed you already, but I didn’t. Why? You’re perfect to test my weapons. You want your sister? She’s in this prison. Find her, take her, only if you can."

Leo’s smirk sharpened, eyes glinting. "Challenge accepted."

Draven’s lips twitched, and with a flick of his finger, the floor under Leo opened. A trapdoor swung wide, and Leo’s eyes widened as he fell into the dark.

Follow current novels on freewe(b)novel.c(o)m

Search the lightnovelworld.cc website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.