Chapter 113\u00a0<\/p>\n
Selene\u00a0<\/p>\n
191\u00a0<\/p>\n
55 vouchers\u00a0<\/p>\n
I had never owned a weapon that truly resonated with me in any of my past lives. No matter how powerful the blade or how rare the material, it always ended the same way, cracked, shattered, and dulled beyond repair by the end of a battle.\u00a0<\/p>\n
The stronger I became and the more formidable my opponents grew, the faster my weapons met their demise. I would replace them again and again, each one promising strength, each one failing me when it mattered most. It was almost cruel how predictable it became, like a curse following me from one lifetime to the next.\u00a0<\/p>\n
In every life, I wanted a weapon that could stand beside me as I grew stronger, something that could endure the same battles I did and come out whole. Not because I needed it to define my power, I had never lacked strength, but because I wanted something that could match it.\u00a0<\/p>\n
A weapon that wouldn\u2019t break no matter how brutal the fight became, something that felt like an extension of my own will rather than a fragile tool destined to fail. Yet no matter where I went or how far I searched, I never found such a thing. Eventually, I had accepted that perhaps it simply didn\u2019t exist for someone like me. But this lifetime was different.\u00a0<\/p>\n
I had travelled in almost every pack across countless lifetimes, yet never had I been in the Crimson Pack. This place felt different from the others, not just in strength, but everything around it was different. Even the energy around her was strong and clean, as if there were many opportunities to get stronger.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Everything about it carried a dangerous feeling, from the people to the air itself, and for the first time in a very long while, I felt something close to anticipation stir inside my chest.\u00a0<\/p>\n
So maybe, this would be the place where I finally found a weapon that suited me.\u00a0<\/p>\n
The thought alone made my heart pound faster, excitement curling through my veins as I licked my lips without even realizing it. Before I could second-guess myself, I reached out and caught the woman\u2019s soft hand, leaning forward until my face was only inches from hers. Her eyes widened instantly, her breath hitching as her face flushed a deep red at the sudden closeness.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cY-you-\u201d she started, clearly flustered.\u00a0<\/p>\n
I smiled, my expression bright and curious, my eyes twinkling with genuine interest as I spoke. \u201cAbout the Crimson Warrior Rite,\u201d I asked. \u201cTell me about it. What exactly is it? Can anyone participate?\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
She stared at me for a moment, clearly trying to gather her thoughts, before swallowing and nodding.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cY-yes,\u201d she said slowly. \u201cAnyone can participate, as long as they can fight. But it\u2019s very dangerous. The battles. are gruesome, and if someone is weak or careless, they can be killed.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
I barely reacted to that part. The danger meant nothing to me; it never had. I wasn\u2019t weak, and I didn\u2019t intend to be careless. That information was irrelevant.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cWhat about the winner?\u201d I asked instead. \u201cWhat kind of weapon do they receive?\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
11:07 Wed, Jan 21\u00a0<\/p>\n
Chapter 113\u00a0<\/p>\n
91\u00a0<\/p>\n
55 vouchers\u00a0<\/p>\n
She hesitated, thinking. \u201cIt depends on the winner\u2019s choice. There are usually three main winners, first, second, and third place. All the weapons are of the highest quality. The first-place winner chooses any weapon they want, then the second, then the third. The remaining warriors who participated can choose from what\u2019s left.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
I nodded slowly, my expression thoughtful as I finally stepped back, releasing her hand. My mind was already racing, calculating possibilities, imagining rows of weapons forged.\u00a0<\/p>\n
The woman took a deep breath, clearly relieved by the distance, when another voice chimed in. One of the women tilted her head at me. \u201cWhy are you asking all this, Lady Selene?\u201d she said cautiously. \u201cDon\u2019t tell me you\u2019re thinking about participating?\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
I looked at her and let a harmless smile curve my lips, the kind that made people lower their guard without even realizing it. \u201cParticipating?\u201d I said lightly, as if the idea itself amused me. \u201cOh, don\u2019t be ridiculous. Why would I participate in something as crude as that? I\u2019m a lady. Things like that are dangerous.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
The woman immediately nodded in agreement, clearly relieved by my answer. \u201cYes, you\u2019re right,\u201d she said earnestly. \u201cEven as a warrior myself, I don\u2019t want to participate. There are many powerful people there, and I know my limits. It\u2019s better to be safe than sorry.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
I studied her quietly, my smile still in place, though my thoughts had already drifted far from the room.\u00a0<\/p>\n
There was truth in her words, sometimes it was wiser to know one\u2019s limits instead of charging blindly into something that could get you killed. But then again, how did anyone ever truly know their limits if they never tested them? If you kept telling yourself there was a line you couldn\u2019t cross, you would never move beyond it.\u00a0<\/p>\n
That was something I understood better than most. No matter how painful things had become in my past lives, no matter how many times death had taken me, I never gave up. I refused to accept that dying and being reborn without memories was my limit. And because I refused, I finally broke through it. In this lifetime, I remembered everything. That alone was proof that limits were meant to be challenged, not obeyed.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Another woman spoke up casually. \u201cAnd you also need an entry payment to participate,\u201d she added. \u201cMost warriors don\u2019t join because it\u2019s expensive.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
Expensive?\u00a0<\/p>\n
The word echoed in my head, and my fingers twitched slightly at my side. I didn\u2019t have money with me, and asking for it outright would raise too many questions. That was something I couldn\u2019t afford right now. I was still weighing my options when a sharp knock sounded at the door, cutting through my thoughts.\u00a0<\/p>\n
I turned toward it just as the door opened, and Yara walked in with that familiar lazy grin resting on her lips, as if she owned the place.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cMaster!\u201d The women immediately brightened, excitement flashing across their faces as they rushed toward her, but Yara barely spared them a glance.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Her attention snapped to me instead, her grin widening as she bowed her head slightly. \u201cLady Selene,\u201d she said smoothly. \u201cI see you\u2019re still as radiant as always.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
I looked back at her with an unimpressed gaze, my expression cool and unreadable. After what happened the last time we met, after she had casually thrown a dagger at my head, I found her friendliness more irritating\u00a0<\/p>\n
11:07 Wed, Jan 21\u00a0<\/p>\n
Chapter 113\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u0e17\u0e23\u00a0<\/p>\n
191\u00a0<\/p>\n
55 vouchers\u00a0<\/p>\n
than charming. I wasn\u2019t exactly angry, anger wasted too much energy, but I was certainly not fooled. At the moment, my thoughts were focused on something far more important, how to get my hands on money.\u00a0<\/p>\n
When I didn\u2019t respond, Yara\u2019s amusement only seemed to deepen. She clicked her tongue softly and turned to the women. \u201cCome on, ladies,\u201d she said. \u201cThe Crimson Warrior Rite will be starting soon.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
The women nodded eagerly, already moving to follow her, when something sharp flashed through my mind. My eyes narrowed slightly, and before I could stop myself, I stood up.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cWait.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
The single word cut through the room, and everyone froze. All eyes turned toward me. Yara paused mid-step, then slowly looked back over her shoulder, one eyebrow lifting with interest.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cIs something wrong, Lady Selene?\u201d she asked, her tone calm, though her eyes were anything but.\u00a0<\/p>\n
I smiled and shook my head slowly, as if whatever was about to happen was perfectly casual. I walked toward her without another word, my steps unhurried. Yara watched me, her brows knitting together in confusion, clearly trying to read my intentions.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Before she could open her mouth, I moved.\u00a0<\/p>\n
In one smooth motion, I leaned forward, my hand pressing flat against the wall beside her head while my other arm slipped around her waist and pulled her firmly against me. Her back hit the wall, my body effectively caging her in place.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Yara\u2019s eyes widened in shock. For a moment, she froze. And so did everyone else in the room.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Gasps rippled through the women behind us. Their hands flew to their mouths, eyes darting between Yara and me in disbelief. None of them must had never seen anyone act this boldly or dominantly toward their\u00a0<\/p>\n
master.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Yara snapped out of it first, her brows drawing together sharply. \u201cWhat are you doing, my lady?\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
I tilted my head, lips curling in a lazy, nonchalant smile. I leaned in just enough that only she could hear me, my voice soft.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cWhat else?\u201d I murmured. \u201cI\u2019m getting paid for the emotional distress you caused by throwing a dagger at\u00a0<\/p>\n
me.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
Her gaze flickered down instantly. I felt her stiffen as she realized something was missing from her belt. When her eyes snapped back to mine, instead of anger, a wide grin spread across her face. She let out a loud chuckle.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cCrazy,\u201d she laughed. \u201cI was right, you\u2019re really crazy.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
Behind us, whispers broke out.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cWhat is going on?\u201d one woman hissed. \u201cDo you think our master is\u2026 interested in the Alpha woman?\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
Another whispered back in panic, \u201cI hope not. I don\u2019t want our master to lose her life.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
I\u00a0<\/p>\n
11:07 Wed, Jan 21 d\u2026\u00a0<\/p>\n
Chapter 113\u00a0<\/p>\n
:\u00a0<\/p>\n
91\u00a0<\/p>\n
65 vouchers\u00a0<\/p>\n
I leaned back, releasing Yara, and turned toward them calmly. \u201cIt\u2019s fine, she and I were just having a conversation. We\u2019re done now. You can leave.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
They hesitated, glancing between me and Yara.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Yara rolled her shoulders, still grinning, and waved them off. \u201cHahaha, yes, we can leave now.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
She walked to the door and held it open as her women filed out with confusion, and curiosity written across their faces. Before stepping out herself, she turned back to me, inclining her head.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cGoodbye, Lady Selene, I hope I\u2019ll be fortunate enough to fight you today.\u201d She paused at the doorway, then added casually, \u201cOh, and before I leave, be careful. Alpha Damien will be there.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
With that, she disappeared, the door closing behind her.\u00a0<\/p>\n
I stood alone in the room, staring at the door for a moment. Then my lips curled upward. My fingers tightened around the small pouch of coins now resting discreetly in my palm, the one I had lifted from her belt without her even realizing it in the moment.\u00a0<\/p>\n
I won\u2019t hesitate, or second-guess myself.\u00a0<\/p>\n
I was going to the Crimson Warrior Rite. And not even that demon of the West was going to stop me.\u00a0<\/p>\n
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AD\u00a0<\/p>\n
Hope Is Not Optional \u2014 Manuel Flores 113 Chapter 113\u00a0 Selene\u00a0 191\u00a0 55 vouchers\u00a0 I had never owned a weapon […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"site-sidebar-layout":"default","site-content-layout":"","ast-site-content-layout":"default","site-content-style":"default","site-sidebar-style":"default","ast-global-header-display":"","ast-banner-title-visibility":"","ast-main-header-display":"","ast-hfb-above-header-display":"","ast-hfb-below-header-display":"","ast-hfb-mobile-header-display":"","site-post-title":"","ast-breadcrumbs-content":"","ast-featured-img":"","footer-sml-layout":"","ast-disable-related-posts":"","theme-transparent-header-meta":"","adv-header-id-meta":"","stick-header-meta":"","header-above-stick-meta":"","header-main-stick-meta":"","header-below-stick-meta":"","astra-migrate-meta-layouts":"default","ast-page-background-enabled":"default","ast-page-background-meta":{"desktop":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-5)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"tablet":{"background-color":"","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"mobile":{"background-color":"","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""}},"ast-content-background-meta":{"desktop":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-4)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"tablet":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-4)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"mobile":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-4)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""}},"footnotes":""},"categories":[82],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-27907","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-the-ruthless-tycoons-obsession-novel"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/kezpres.xyz\/novelreading\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/27907","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/kezpres.xyz\/novelreading\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/kezpres.xyz\/novelreading\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/kezpres.xyz\/novelreading\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/kezpres.xyz\/novelreading\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=27907"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/kezpres.xyz\/novelreading\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/27907\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/kezpres.xyz\/novelreading\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=27907"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/kezpres.xyz\/novelreading\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=27907"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/kezpres.xyz\/novelreading\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=27907"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}