After the blood rushed back down from my head, I saw my mistake.
A mistake that had left me in absolute ruin.
I felt my expression crumble—and the others noticed immediately.
—What's wrong, Tris… not enough? —Rachel asked.
—I'm broke… I bought it.
—Then you finally have a weapon worthy of your name, Tris. You'll recover—
—If I die… I'll be expelled from the system. Not only that, I have no way of getting Gobann's money… I messed up.
—You're exaggerating —Saladin said, patting my shoulder—. How much do you have left?
—70K…
—HAHAHA! —Roberts burst out laughing—. Kid, that's at least two respawns. What are you crying about?
—My… sponsor —
They all fell silent.
—I don't know what kind of "One" it is, but… as part of my space-time abilities—probably for scaling purposes—my return costs 100K. And every reset adds another zero.
Silence fell.
It was as if they either couldn't understand… or didn't want to.
Rachel was the first to react. Panic flashed across her face before she tried to compose herself.
—I'm sorry… I didn't know, damn it… —She ran her hands violently through her hair—. Wait for me. I'll throw my next match and support you in Leo. If Sir Tristan used Lancelot like that, why can't you use me?
—HAHAHA. If you do that, Princess, I'll wait and challenge Leo with you two. Guaranteed victory —Roberts chimed in, sitting on the edge of the table.
—I wouldn't ask you to do that. You just reset—it wouldn't be fair —I tried to reason, but Rachel cut me off.
—It's fine. It's not my first reset. I can handle it. Just wait for me and together—
—Rachel —Saladin interrupted—just look at his face.
The great sultan pointed at me, arms still crossed.
Rachel stopped.
She looked at me.
Really looked.
Pity.
Disgust.
Frustration.
I had been carried through every previous floor.
And after fighting for my survival against Paul—after earning a weapon worthy of battle—I didn't want to.
No.
I couldn't keep dragging others down with me.
My resolve was so obvious that Rachel apologized for the third time.
—This will be the last time. I'm sorry. Sometimes I forget what it feels like to be a man—proud and stubborn. Fine. I'll wait for you. I'll wait in Gold, and we'll climb to Platinum together.
She paused and glanced at Saladin, who offered her a calm smile.
—I hope you don't mind waiting a bit longer.
—I would wait for you until the Catholics reclaim Jerusalem —he replied.
She smiled back, brighter than ever.
—So… we won't have the Princess? —Roberts asked.
—Looks like it —I said—. But I have a bigger problem. I need credits. I don't want to risk dying again.
—Understandable —Saladin said, closing his eyes briefly before reopening them—. Hey, Roberts.
The pirate straightened with a mischievous grin.
—Your rotten little project. The one you run with "That One"… is it open?
—The Pit always waits for desperate souls, my dear. I could talk to my contacts and see if—
—NO! —Rachel snapped—. It's unnecessary risk.
—Princess, let's be fair. It's the only path left for Mr. Nobody if he wants credits without risking his pretty little rear. And he won't die. Worst case? He'll just sink deeper into ruin.
—From the way you're talking, it sounds like a betting house —I said.
Roberts leapt in front of me, arms spread wide.
—Not just any betting house, my dear boy—the best one. Where the big players watch fresh meat. Silver, Gold, and Platinum bet as reckless Metal, Steel, and Bronze try to earn their respect—and some credits. You've got friends already. You'll have people betting on you.
—Would you?
—Maybe 30% in your favor and 70% against you… but yes, I would.
—How much could I win?
—If you bet 50… and you exceed rookie expectations… maybe 200. Very likely.
—Sounds like a safe bet.
—As long as you win.
I closed my eyes.
If I bet 50, I'd be left with 20.
Practically nothing.
But 200 would mean I could pay Gobann… and secure my resurrection.
And that "Pit"…
It intrigued me.
I lifted my gaze.
Roberts was grinning from ear to ear.
Saladin stood stoic.
Rachel looked more worried than I felt.
"This will be my first real decision since arriving at the Nexo."
"The first step toward stopping being carried."
"I will stop being a Nobody."
—Put me in the Pit.
—Well said. You won't regret it.
—Oh, Tris… —Rachel whispered.
—I'll explain how it works —Saladin said—. The Pit is designed for lower ranks. It isn't publicized. It's entertainment for "The One Who Enjoys Crushing Dreams." Only his affiliates can organize it. Like Roberts.
—Present.
—As Bronze, you're at the limit. You'll have to face at least three emissaries from the Nexo across seven possible rounds. Think of them as weakened versions of incarnations you already know.
—Minor constellations. Pegasi, Swans, even Dragons —Rachel added.
—There are seventy-five creatures that could make your life hell —Roberts grinned—. Bets are placed per round. If you win, those who bet on you earn 30% of their wager. If you lose, they lose everything.
—You'd earn 50% of all wagers placed, both for and against you, if you win. If you lose… you get nothing —Saladin completed.
—The remaining 20% goes to the organizers. This isn't charity —Roberts added.
—You must survive at least four rounds, Tristan —Saladin continued—. That will secure over 200k credits, earn you respect, and attract the attention of "Those Above."
—Though since Heracles, no one's cleared the seventh round —Roberts said, glancing at Saladin.
—Sal participated —Rachel added—. He reached the fifth and fell in the sixth. You only need to reach the fourth and surrender.
—Though I'd love to see you try the full run —Roberts smirked.
—No thanks —I cut him off.
—Very well. Enjoy the rest of the cycle. I'll send a notification when everything's ready.
Roberts dissolved into particles before us.
—I'll take my leave too. I'll speak well of you among the Platinums—get you some bettors —Saladin said.
—Thank you.
—You can do this, Tris —Rachel said, finally glowing like usual, even in pajamas and messy hair—. Let's go, Sal.
—Take care, boy.
—Thank you… both of you.
I watched them walk away, smiling and joking, until they disappeared beyond the golden wall.
For some reason, my heart felt heavy watching Rachel beside Sal.
Nostalgia.
Envy.
Jealousy.
…
With all my strength, I slapped myself.
There was no pain.
But it cleared my head.
"I need to stop seeing Ale in Rachel."
"I love someone else."
"And I will return to her."