The Lord Of Blood Hill-Chapter 59: Fragments of Skin
As Flying Ant and Michelle near their sixteenth birthdays, they finally prepare to leave the Bloodhorn Arena. After paying off their debts, they still have over ten thousand gold coins. Seeing their determination to leave, Henwell offers them some advice.
He suggests they refrain from leaving Yinxin City hastily and instead find a faction to align with. Michelle could consider joining Fun House—not as a means of selling herself, but because Fun House lacks combat strength, especially female fighters.
The upper echelons of Fun House are all women, accompanied by male bodyguards, which often proves inconvenient. Moreover, they don't trust men.
Thus, Michelle, being a skilled female warrior, would quickly become indispensable there. Her youth and potential make her a worthy investment for them.
Don't underestimate these women's resources and networks; they can certainly provide Michelle with the legacy of becoming a knight. A female knight would be a significant asset to their organization, both in terms of prestige and practical benefits.
Therefore, Michelle's inclusion in their ranks would not only offer her several years of protection but also enable her to use Fun House's influence to exact her revenge.
As for Flying Ant, Henwell advises him to choose between the Brotherhood and the City Lord's mansion. Both factions could serve as a catalyst for his growth. Flying Ant and Michelle, both renowned young gladiators, have earned the approval of the nobles in various aspects. If they seek a patron, many factions would welcome them.
After bidding farewell to his two companions, Henwell continues his journey of earning money to pay off his debts.
In just a year, Henwell manages to earn nearly seventy thousand gold coins. Bloodhorn generously hands over the contracts of the young gladiators to him.
As long as Henwell stays, Bloodhorn doesn't mind; those young gladiators are no longer useful.
After a year of training, a new generation of local young gladiators is about to debut at the Bloodhorn Arena. Bloodhorn is quite satisfied with Henwell's training efforts. Although this new batch doesn't match up to the first generation, it also doesn't provoke hostility from other arenas.
As for the remaining debt, Bloodhorn isn't worried about Henwell's ability to repay it. He has a new plan in mind and won't discard Henwell once the debt is settled. Nor will he exploit Henwell's last bit of value before he buys his freedom.
Bloodhorn plans to cultivate Henwell into a champion gladiator. In another year, when the next gladiator tournament comes around, he intends to have Henwell compete. A record-breaking, youngest champion gladiator would be an excellent promotional tool.
Henwell realizes this and feels somewhat confident about becoming a champion gladiator.
Approaching his fourteenth birthday, he has lost track of how many body-strengthening potions he's consumed. By now, even a pig would have become a super pig with such a regimen. Although Henwell still hasn't sensed any Fighting Spirit, his physical strength continues to grow seemingly without limit.
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His body's toughness increases endlessly, and he's now strong enough to tear through steel with his bare hands, though he still can't match the prowess of Scarface Archie.
Henwell feels as if he's mastered some form of iron body technique; when he exerts himself, his skin becomes as tough as leather, and his bones are nearly as sturdy as steel. Having witnessed battles between knights, Henwell believes he could hold his own against one in a direct confrontation.
Originally, Henwell wants to communicate with the "split personality" in his mind to figure out what's going on with him.
After all, they say people with mental issues can have unique insights! However, he finds himself unable to speak in the chat group, with a message indicating insufficient permissions.
This strikes Henwell as odd, suggesting he might not be mentally ill after all. Perhaps it's some kind of special ability that he hasn't yet unlocked.
Henwell frequently checks the chat logs. It seems that not everyone can speak every day, and each person's speaking quota varies. Some can only say a single sentence, while others might manage more than ten. Only the girl in the group can send voice messages. The criteria for these permissions remain unclear to everyone.
Shortly after Henwell turns fourteen, following a particularly brutal gladiator match, he receives a private message from the chat group: "User has completed the achievement of defeating a thousand opponents, earning the title 'Thousand Slayer.' Reward matching in progress... Reward confirmed. Would you like to accept?"
Why hesitate? Bring on the legendary weapons, unparalleled skills, extraordinary talents, and hidden bloodlines!
"Basic Law Fragment Defensive Skin has been delivered!"
Defensive skin from a law fragment? What on earth is that? Is it some kind of skin upgrade from the system? Or just fragments of skin?!
Soon, Henwell experiences an intense wave of pain. Despite considering himself quite tolerant of pain, he doesn't even manage a scream before blacking out from the agony.
As Henwell lies unconscious, a multitude of blood-red spirits begin to emerge around him. They scream and transform into beams of light, merging into Henwell's body. His skin turns a fiery crimson, emitting such intense heat that his clothes are reduced to ashes. It takes two to three hours before Henwell gradually regains consciousness.
Finding himself stark naked on the ground, Henwell is bewildered for a moment before recalling what happened. "Damn it!" he exclaims. It really is some kind of special ability!
Excitedly, Henwell examines his body. But after half an hour, his mood turns sour, like a dark storm cloud. This so-called special ability feels like a letdown. No personal space, no inherited skills, no extraordinary talents. Not even the basic data panel that travelers usually have! And there's certainly no wise old mentor accompanying him.
His physical attributes have only increased slightly, hardly noticeable. Could it be that he received an expired reward?
Despite the disappointment, Henwell quickly adjusts his mindset. Life goes on, and whether he has a special ability or not, he must continue to survive!
Henwell still hasn't bought his freedom; instead, he has given all his money to the young gladiators as seed money for their plans.
Two months later, someone challenges Henwell to a bloody wager match. The opponent is a newly-turned sixteen-year-old "adult" with quite impressive skills. Trained as a retainer by a great noble family, he's not far from reaching the rank of a knight. Yet, he lasts only ten minutes against Henwell before Henwell pierces his heart with a battle spear.
Henwell initially thinks it's just another ordinary wager match, given that the stakes weren't particularly high—only a few thousand gold coins. It doesn't seem like the opponent was anyone significant.
However, a few days later, Bloodhorn approaches Henwell and takes him to a VIP room where an influential figure awaits: the second son of Duke Raymer, a powerful duke in the kingdom.
The duke's son scrutinizes Henwell and remarks to his companion, "So this is the one who killed your man. This was my oversight. He's yours to deal with now!"
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Chapter 59: Fragments of Skin
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