Chapter 24 - first strike
"Why is that? Are they just gonna kick us fun or give us more work?" Auran asked while taking a sip from his cold soup.
"You... guessed part of it. But there’s more. The whole section is an arena—a body-crushing arena where the newly arrived fight to earn a place for themselves in the prison. If they fail, they’re treated as slaves and have to do whatever the other prisoners say," Marian explained.
"But that’s awful! How could the officers let someone treat another being like a slave?" Henry said as he looked around the cafeteria and eyed the officers holding mana blasters.
"This isn’t a place run by democracy, Henry. This is a place ruled by strength—and strength is the only thing that matters here. Even in the short time I’ve been here, I can understand that," Auran added in response to the question.
"Yes, the quicker you understand that, the better," Marian muttered with concern.
"Yeah, listen to the beast woman," Auran winked as he finished his cup of soup and placed it on the table.
"I do not like that word," Marian said, showing her dislike. But Auran casually ignored it and continued.
"So, I assume you guys planned what would happen sooner, so I can go ahead with my own plans?" Auran asked.
Marian nodded and answered with a similar tone while also glancing at Nimuk. "Yes, tomorrow we’ll show you what we’ve prepared."
Afterward, when the day came to an end, Auran and Henry were led back to their prison cell, while Marian and Nimuk went to their own cells. Auran didn’t ask when they would meet again—he had a feeling it would be sooner than expected.
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