The Ashen Dominion Chapter 12 - A Peaceful Day

After getting back to the cell—

"What happened?"

Damian was the first to greet , stepping forward and asking that question.

Behind him—

"..."

The three won stood too, their eyes fixed on , waiting for an answer.

"..."

I paused at the entrance, staring at them in silence for a mont.

Then, without a word—

'h... Not in the mood.'

Tap— tap— tap—

I walked past them and headed toward the corner of the cell.

And there—

"Haaa..."

Pat—

I sat down, resting my back against the cold stone wall.

"Wha—?!"

Damian looked genuinely surprised that I ignored him.

But before he could speak again—

Tap— tap— tap—

He and the three won followed after and sat down beside .

'Man, they're like little ducklings following their mother.'

I thought to myself, a bit amused.

"Hey, what happened?"

Damian asked again, now seated on my right.

"..."

I turned my head to glance at him.

The persistence in his eyes was clear—he wasn't going to let it go unless I said sothing.

I frowned slightly.

Then, reluctantly—

"Haaa..."

I sighed and finally opened my mouth.

"There's going to be an event in three days. As punishnt, I've been assigned to fight in the opening match."

I said it plainly, without much weight, like I was just sharing the weather.

But the mont the words left my lips—

"?!"

Damian's eyes shot wide open.

"What?!"

He exclaid.

And it wasn't just him—

"..."

The won looked just as shocked.

"Hmm?"

I glanced around and noticed that even the other people in the cell were staring at now, expressions of disbelief on their faces.

And seeing all of them react like that—

'...Looks like I'm the only one taking this casually.'

I thought to myself, calm and detached.

But their reactions sparked sothing in —curiosity

Fwish—

I turned back to Damian and the others.

"I have so questions."

I said.

I wanted to know more. About this world. This place. The coliseum. Anything.

And so—

I started asking them things.

*****

"Has this place been around long?"

I asked, referring to the coliseum.

"The Crimson Pit? Yeah, it's been operating for nearly a decade now."

Rose, the woman who was the leader of the trio, answered.

"Gladiator fighting has existed for a long ti. It began during the Blood Age, over two hundred years ago—back when war was everywhere. Prisoners of war were thrown into cages and forced to fight. Eventually, it evolved into a form of entertainnt for nobles. That's how the modern coliseum was born."

She added, explaining.

She spoke clearly, without stuttering, her tone firm and informative.

"..."

I stayed silent, absorbing her words.

'So this kind of thing is normal in this world.'

I thought.

"Then why were you all so shocked when I said I'd be fighting in three days? We're all in the gladiator section, aren't we? Wouldn't it be obvious that we'd be forced to fight sooner or later?"

I asked.

"Well... it's because we just arrived today."

Rose explained.

"Fresh batches usually get about a week before their first match. They try to train us a little so we don't die instantly. Unless if you know how to fight."

She added.

"Ah, makes sense."

I nodded my head at her words.

'So my situation really isn't ideal.'

I muttered internally.

'I don't even know how to fight.'

I just know how to brawl and ambush my enemies.

"The boss must've been pissed at you."

Jenna said, frowning.

"Yeah. He's basically sending you to die while using your match to make money off the crowd."

Then Jhamillah added.

They were the two won with Rose.

"..."

I fell silent again.

'So he is trying to kill ... just in a more benefitting way for him.'

My brows furrowed at that thought.

Then—

"You're oddly ignorant about a lot of things... even basic common sense."

Rose noted, eyeing curiously.

"Ah, well... I was just a beggar trying to survive before I got caught and sold off as a slave. I didn't have ti to learn about these shits."

I answered casually, brushing off the comnt.

She's quite sharp, really.

And then, at that mont—

Fwoosh—

Damian suddenly stood up, fists clenched.

"Don't worry! I'll train you! I'll make you stronger!"

He declared with a fiery grin.

"..."

I frowned, looking up at him.

Then, opening my mouth—

"I smashed your head in not long ago too. Don't go acting like you're stronger than ."

I said flatly.

"...?!"

Rose, Jhamillah, and Jenna were visibly stunned when they heard that.

Damian just scratched the back of his head.

"Ah... right. I almost forgot about that."

He said.

'Huh, so he actually forgot.'

Maybe I hit him too much in the head that it made him stupid.

"Wait, what?! He really bashed your head?!"

Rose exclaid.

"Haha..."

Damian laughed.

"Yeah. I was being a dick because I was starving. I punched him, and he slamd my head into the wall of that wooden cage we were in. Then he tied up and left like that until we got here."

He said it so casually, like it was just another normal day.

"...?!"

Everyone nearby turned to stare at like I was so wild animal.

'Bruh... he started it.'

I thought to myself, feeling a bit wronged.

...

...

Anyway—

I spent the next hours asking a lot more questions.

And to my surprise, they all cooperated well—especially Rose.

Her knowledge and intelligence are above average too.

Moving on—

They answered everything they could, telling about the world, the politics, the hierarchy of the pit, the fighters, the rules... everything.

I must've looked like a kid discovering the world for the first ti.

We talked for a long while. It was weirdly entertaining, learning new stuff.

And before I realized it—

Night had fallen.

It was ti to rest.

"..."

Pat-

I closed my eyes and leaned back against the wall, finally letting my body relax.

Damian, Rose, Jhamillah, and Jenna all slept close by, keeping near .

Nothing notable happened after the incident with the three idiot.

The entire cell was peaceful and quiet the rest of the day.

And with that—

'Well, this was a good day, I guess?'

My first day in this place ca to an end.

It was a peaceful day.