Level Up Legacy

Color drained from Matt's metallic face as he saw the room, which was covered with a metallic luster before, turn bloody. He turned around to get a glimpse of the growling monster, and almost screamed when he found the feline's claws trying to cut through his face.

Clang!

Sparks flew as Matt quickly raised his hands, but this time he grimaced in pain. As the silver gauntlets with sharp blades covering its fingers dug through his metallic skin, Matt stared at the beast's eyes.

"Who are you?" he asked once again, this time with a different emotion filling his voice. Whisker did not answer him, but instead opened his jaw with a sinister grin as his fangs grew larger. This time, Matt realized that he needed to escape.

***

Dorian had to admit that the suit these tailors made was the best thing he had ever received. Its black silk fabric was both soft to the touch and strong enough to define his frame. His cuffs were adorned with golden threads, which Dorian suspected to be actual metal. As he fastened his golden tie, the doors were suddenly thrown open.

"My husband!" exclaimed Lady Margery in a crisp and ecstatic voice as she saw his figure. Her giant frame wobbled toward him with stars in her eyes, and she clapped his shoulders together. "My handsome husband!"

"It is bad luck to meet before the wedding, ma'am," said Dorian as he winced in pain. In reality, he was concerned about whether he would have time to escape. "Is there an urgent matter?"

"Nothing of the sort, but I forgot one important tradition!" said Lady Margery, her uneven teeth forming a sweet smile. "As taught by my mother and her mother before her, we always give dowry to our husbands before the wedding!"

"There is no need for such formalities between us…" said Dorian with surprise as he raised his hands. An unfamiliar feeling bloomed in his chest, which Dorian was acute enough to recognize as guilt. Although forced into this marriage, he was still deceiving her to steal her artifact.

"Nonsense!" said Lady Margery as she pounded her chest. "A man who is set to become my husband must be given the highest amount of dowry possible! Therefore, I present you with this!"

Lady Margery still had the sweet smile as she reached into her bosom and pulled out a key tied to a necklace. The key was made of gold and lined with countless gems, signifying what kind of treasure it locked.

"What is this, ma'am?" asked Dorian with confusion as she offered him the key.

"This is the key for my family's treasury," said Lady Margery with a blushing face. "Please accept it as my husband! You are destined for greatness, young Lord Dorian. May this gift be what it takes for you to build an empire filled with our children!"

Dorian was shocked as she shoved the key into his hand, looking like a bashful maiden who did not know any better. He was speechless as he stared at the key, feeling its immense weight in his hand and on his conscience.

"How can you trust me with such a thing, ma'am?" asked Dorian with genuine shock as he raised his eyes toward her. "Have you not heard my notorious reputation as a swindler, womanizer, and an arrogant prick?"

"Don't talk about yourself in that way, Dorian," said Lady Margery with surprise. "Those rumors are not enough to deceive me! The moment we met outside this fortress, I saw kindness and sincerity in your eyes. Furthermore, there was wisdom and desire!"

Dorian stared at her with a pained expression, his brows furrowing as he averted his gaze toward the key. The desire she spoke of was not toward her, but toward the artifact that she possessed. Furthermore, he didn't know how she saw kindness in him when he was trying to deceive her.

"I cannot accept this, my lady," said Dorian, changing the way he addressed her as he gave her the key back. "In truth, I came to this fortress for a selfish reason."

"I know that you came to take revenge on your father," said Lady Margery as she refused to take the key from his hand. As she shook her head, she continued with an empathetic expression. "I knew Marshal since he was young, and he managed to hurt us both."

"All he did to hurt me was not being there," said Dorian with a shake of his head. "I grew up with everything I wanted or needed. I have no need for your treasure, my lady. As I was saying…"

"This is the pain we share," said Margery as she patted his shoulder. "Marshal was not there for our wedding, and he was never there for you as a father. Take my dowry, Dorian. I trust that you will bring fortune and happiness to my life."

Tears glistened in Lady Margery's eyes, and Dorian could feel his heart and resolve shatter. If he told her the truth behind his arrival, he would forever change this kind person. He had never thought he would see someone in such a way, but she had been nothing but gracious to him.

As he opened his mouth for one last time, seeking words to alleviate the harm his actions had brought, a bestial cry echoed through the castle. Chaotic guards rushed about as there seemed to be something rampaging outside their room.

"Stay here, Dorian," said Margery with a frown as she walked toward the door. "I will investigate what's happening and come back."

Before she could reach the door, a giant beast burst through the metallic doors with a terrifying cry. As the monster rushed toward Margery, who shielded Dorian, it raised its giant claws to cut through her.

Dorian needed only a single glance to realize that this was the feline he knew. The silver claws, yellowish eyes, and black fur made him recognize his identity. Thus, he rushed to stand between him and Margery, giving him a small shake of his head.

"Dorian!" shouted Lady Margery as the monster clawed at Dorian and pushed past her. As she was knocked off her feet, the monster carried Dorian like a toy before rushing toward the window.

Boom!

Shatter!

The entire fortress shook as the beast broke through the window, making glass explode in every direction. Dorian looked back at Margery, who had a panicked expression on her face, and closed his eyes in pain.

Her feelings were transmitted to him. His heart filled with heartache, worry, and betrayal by the world for losing the person she desired once again. Although her feelings stemmed from irrational origins, Dorian could sense her sincerity.

Whisker blended into the night as he landed outside the fortress and rushed toward the nearby woods. Several soldiers, and possibly Margery herself, chased after them. However, a feline's home was the night itself, and they soon disappeared without a trace.

After half an hour of running, Dorian could feel the feline grow tired. The two hid in a grove as the feline fell to his side, hyperventilating with a dazed expression. His eyes had lost focus as he began to grow smaller.

"I didn't know you had such capabilities," said Dorian as he crawled out from beneath him. Whisker did not answer him as he tried to catch his breath on the ground. "Is there anything I can do to make you feel better?"

"Not talking… would be great…" said the feline in a hoarse, unfamiliar voice. Dorian nodded as he pulled away, sitting in a far corner of the grove. He sat there with melancholic eyes that seemed to bother the feline. After a while of recovery, Whisker seemed better. Thus, he asked, "What is wrong?"

"As I knew that I was an arrogant, self-absorbed bastard all my life, I never felt guilty over hurting someone else's feelings. My awakening of such feelings does not feel good."

"Hurting someone's feelings? Are you talking about the Lord of Ironspire?"

"Although she seemed to force the marriage in hopes of rekindling a lost dream, I might have been her only chance to live the life she always wanted. Unknown to her, I lied just to stall for time."

"And we achieved our mission," said Whisker as he raised his hand, taking out a giant box from his spatial pouch. "Check out this artifact."

[Utility Box]

[Category: Event Item]

[Level: Max]

[Usages: 9000/10000]

[Skills: Gathering ¬– Replication – Refinement]

Dorian stared at the box with a lack of interest as he sighed and rose from his seat, heading outside. Whisker was confused as he watched him leave before sighing and taking the box back into his storage pouch. Then, he followed after the white-haired youngster.

"In the journey to pursue peace, many will be hurt or lose their lives," said Whisker from behind Dorian, who seemed keen on walking into the forest. "You can be the savior of thousands but the enemy of a few."

"It does not help that the suffering I inflict upon others is retransmitted to me," said Dorian as he turned toward the feline slightly. "I need some time alone to process through these emotions. If you feel like I'm wasting your time, then feel free to return to Ascent with that artifact."

Then, Dorian walked into the forest alone. His white hair seemed to be the only thing illuminating this dark and lonely place. Whisker sighed and started following him, choosing to believe in the man his leader admired. At the very least, this man had a heart that bled for others, even those he hurt.