I nod. “Everything points to that. As you said, you earn points but you must spend them on subsistence. That already makes it harder to save up the points. If you cannot level up, that means you’re stuck at fighting against the same low-point opponents. It’s a vicious cycle.”
“There must be a way we can crack this. I keep thinking of the words the wraith used: system. It means someone designed this. By virtue of that alone it’s not infallible. We just need to find a loophole and exploit it,” Moe says thoughtfully.
“You’re right. We’ll be able to learn more tomorrow.”
“You plan to sign up for a fight in the morning?”
“Yes. I’ll look for a weak opponent so I can test the ground.” I pause, thinking about everything the wraith has explained to us so far. “In the beginning, I was surprised by how much information we were being given. But now I’m starting to wonder if it’s not a guise for...”
“For not asking more questions?” Moe completes my sentence.
I nod, smiling at how well we complement each other. “On the surface, it seems we’ve been given a thorough tutorial to be successful here. But the more we question each aspect of this realm, the more we find issues with it.”
“I agree. I think that’s why a wraith delivers the information instead of an actual being. With how coldly and logically the wraith spoke, it’s hard to find fault with anything he says.”
“Not only that, but the term ‘soul extinction’ doesn’t sit well with me.” I add thoughtfully. “I may not be the most knowledgeable when it comes to immortal affairs, but even I know the soul is the most potent source of energy in the world. It’s almost impossible to kill it completely.”
“Then how would they do it?” She frowns.
“The only way I know through which a soul is destroyed is consumption by a Son of Tenebreis, but even then, it’snotdestroyed per se. The energy housed within it merely changes and becomes a source of power for that individual.”
“What you’re saying is that energy cannot be destroyed. It canonlybe redirected, no?”
“Yes. It’s a law of nature. You can’t just destroy something so strong.”
“And yet this realm is doing it,” she adds skeptically.
“I’m having a hard time believing that to be true,” I say hesitantly—mostly because I recognize my own shortcomings when it comes to such knowledge.
“Let’s assume it isn’t true. And let’s further assume, as you said, that energy isn’t destroyed but transformed instead.”
A glint appears in her eyes. My own chest fills with excitement as ideas run through my head.
“What you mean is that, if we assume that,” I speak slowly, “then the souls of the individuals who die aren’t immediately destroyed. They are instead transformed somehow. And if I can find a narrow window between the moment in which they are extracted from the body and transformed?—”
“You may be able to siphon some of that energy. Youcanlevel up,” she says, her voice giddy.
“The only issue is to make sure I’m not found out.”
“Then tomorrow’s match is all that much more important.” She stands up and walks around the room. “You will need to pay attention toeverything.”
“Uhm, Moe…”
She stops and glances at me, her brows raised.
“I’m a wretched fighter.”
“But you beat up Mr. Denos and all those guards,” she says with a frown.
“I was also pumped up on Zantrax. Not only did I have those awesome abilities, but it helped my confidence too.” I press my lips together. “I’ve never fought anyone without Zantrax.”
She stares at me. Then she stares some more. Coming over, she plops herself on the bed, exhaling loudly.
“Icouldfight in your stead? Since I do have some strength and speed from that mythical beast and?—”
“Stop right there!” I burst out. “What?? Allow you to fight for me? Who do you take me for, Moe?”
“Well, you can’t fight so?—”
