Chapter 100 Silent Crescent

Words : 742 Updated : Sep 12th, 2025

*** {Outside The Projection} The moment the number popped up, nearly the entirety of the hall lost its mind. "A hundred thousand?!" "He's lying, right? That has to be broken." "It's a Holy Relic, idiot. It doesn't 'break.'" "Oh... ohhhhhh." They all stared at the projection, watching as Malik tilted his head at the glowing number hovering above his hand, then casually grinned like he'd just knocked over a merchant's stall and found it funny. "Even though it's undeniable... I still can't believe it." "The Sultan really offed himself that many times." "A hundred thousand deaths... just to get here." That number wasn't just terrifying. It was ridiculous. A whole new level of what the fuck. And worst of all? Malik didn't even seem to be bothered by it. Rather, he appeared to find the number a little less than he expected. ...Perhaps it truly was broken. *** {Inside The Projection} Malik leaned against the cold wall of his cell, staring at the ceiling, his thoughts drifting back to that moment. The sheer panic on their faces when the number appeared—it was hilarious. He hadn't even done anything, not really. It was just a cruel joke from whatever divine force was watching over him. Apparently, his subconscious considered every single time he killed himself, every blink, and every failure that led to his own death to be murder. Malik let out a dry chuckle, shaking his head. He didn't even know what to think about that. Did it really count? If he was dying, but resetting, was it even death? '...Whatever.' He exhaled, closing his eyes, letting exhaustion pull him under. Sleep didn't last long, though. Footsteps approached, stopping right in front of his cell. Malik opened one eye, gaze flicking to the cloaked figure standing before him. The man wore a scarf wrapped around his head, covering most of his face, revealing only a familiar pair of dark eyes. "Make a choice, Malik. Stay here and die... or escape with me." His voice was familiar as well. And because of that, Malik didn't hesitate. He pushed himself up, stepping close without a second thought. "Get me out." The man nodded, pulling out a key. The lock clicked open, and the door swung wide. "Let's go." He led them away and gestured for Malik to follow. "What about the others?" Malik looked at his neighbors, who he had barely heard a peep from since coming here. "AAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHH!" In an instant, Malik was on top of the figure, a hand wrapped around his throat, shutting him up. "You scream like a girl." He turned to Khamal. "Should I kill him?" Wiping a hand down his face, Khamal sighed. "Please don't." He nodded, released his grip, stood up, and dusted himself off. Meanwhile, his attacker coughed, struggling to rise. "So?" After a second of silence, Malik crossed his arms. "Who is he?" Khamal, rubbing his temple, looked at the man still on the ground wheezing, trying to catch his breath, and then answered: "This is the son of a wealthy noble. Trying to make a change." Malik raised a brow. "So a golden spoon and a young master. Great." The young man finally managed to stand, wobbling slightly before lowering his head. "I-I'm sorry! I didn't know you were a new member! I swear I'll compensate you for this!" Explore stories on My Virtual Library Empire Malik studied him for a moment before nodding. "I'm not a new member, but sure. Let me get my compensation now." "H-Huh?" The noble barely had time to blink before Malik's fist crashed into his face. Hard. Bone met flesh. His head snapped back, blood already spilling from his nose. "Don't fight back." Another punch. A sickening crunch. Another. Then another. And another. Malik didn't stop. He buried his knuckles into the noble's face over and over, turning it into a ruined mess of blood and swelling. The once-noble-looking young man now lay on the ground, barely conscious, barely breathing. Malik exhaled sharply, flexing his fingers, rubbing blood off his knuckles. Finally, he turned. Khamal and the others just stared. Eyes wide. Mouths slightly open. Malik's expression? Blank. Like he had just swatted a fly. "Now..." He rolled his shoulders, shook out his hands, then looked them dead in the eyes. "Let's talk."@@@@

Chapter 100 Silent Crescent

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