Ascension Protocol: From Trash to Tyrant

Chapter 16: Secrets of the Third Degree

Heavy iron doors slammed shut behind Kai after being pushed to the prison by the enforcers, and the clanging of its gate itd frame echoed like war drums in his ear. 

Kai Draven sighed as he looked around the prison. He had only heard about the third degree cell, ‘What’s so special in this cell that made the academy give it that name?’ As he continued to ask the questions, his eyes fixed into dark and it seemed the cell was deeper than where he was placed.

Kai heightened his gaze, ‘This wasn’t just a prison,’ He whispered inaudibly, ‘It is a fortress.’ His eyes widened upon realization.

The third-degree cell sprawled like an underground labyrinth. Cracked stone walls lined with ancient runes and each crack pulsed with faded energy. The air inside of the cell seemed a little different - It was thick with forgotten dust. Torch Lights stamped on some towers inside the cell flickered in unison, casting the long shadows of objects within the cell.

The system pinged as Kai continued to watch what was going on,

‘New System Mission: Explore the Third Degree Cell.

Reward: Ascend to Level 2 – Immortality Tree.’

Kai’s lips thinned into a grim line. “Even here, you want me to move?” He raised his eyebrows with surprise after the system gave him a mission to soar higher in the prison. 

Kai exhaled. His body was weak from the stress he had undergone for some days now. Since the system gave him a mission, he decided to rest for a moment. Even though he unlocked the immortality skill tree, his body wasn't hundred percent free from the poison. He still felt aching from the poison.

Minutes passed and Kai slept off. A few minutes later, he opened his eyes. Then, with a deep breath, he stood up and stepped forward to explore the third degree cell depth.

Elsewhere, beyond a hidden wall under the third degree cell which was sealed in runes and wasn't exposed to light. Councilor Vane stood before the chained giant.

The Giant’s eyes were shut even though he knew Vane was present. As he breathed, Vane could see his  muscles layered in runic scars.

“Open your eyes, Karly Ray,” Vane spoke with forced calm. His eyes peered into the giants as he expected him to open his eyes. 

Finally, the giant - also known as Karly Ray opened his two burning red eyes. And the giant growled with a fierce force, “Why have you disturbed me?” His face burned with rage. 

“I bring an offer,” Vane said. “I am ready to offer you freedom but it comes with a price.” Vane raised his eyebrows.

The giant’s laughter shook the chamber. “I don’t care for freedom. I care only for power and submission. The entire academy will bow or burn.” He spoke with a spark of pride.

“I'll give the whole academy to you,” Vane replied with desperation and he continued, “But you must help me kill a student - Kai Draven.” He echoed fiercely.

At the name, the giant’s eyes narrowed. But Vane wasn’t done.

“You are not to step out of this cell until I summon you. And you will remain submissive to me until the deed is done. Do you accept it?” There was an immediate silence as the giant gave it a thought.

Then, with a deep breath that shook the chains, Karly Ray nodded. “So be it.” He responded.

Behind a cracked wall near the chamber, Kai held his breath. He had followed the echoes of Vane’s voice through the twisting tunnels in the third degree cell. When Kai found a crack in the stone, he didn’t hesitate to look through it. And what he saw sent cold chills down his spine.

‘A giant bound in divine chains making a deal to kill me?’ Kai's eyes widened and his heart pounded. ‘Could that thing had once been a student? His eyes gleaned thin. He knew fully well that no one in the academy makes his way to its prison unless he is a student. 

As Kai thought with his mind troubled, the system suddenly pinged.

‘System Mission Complete: The third degree cell exploration is successful.

Reward: Immortality Tree Level 2 Unlocked’ After hearing that, power surged through him. A soothing warmth flowed down his veins and it cleared the poison’s lingering effect. His muscles steadied, and his spirit hardened.

But then, the system pinged again. ‘New Mission: Defeat Karly Ray -the Giant

Background Information: Karly Ray was once a student, mocked and labeled trash. He was stuck at Level 0. Ray was forced into hard labor and humiliated. One day, as he tried to find his way through the system, he entered the forbidden section of the academy library and uncovered the Dark System Book. It is a relic that was so corrupt and it was sealed for centuries. After using it, in one night, he rose to Dark God Level. His body, unable to contain the surge, mutated and grew massively monstrous, almost immortal. He became the Giant. 

Reward: Ascension Protocol Boost. +1 Divine Tier.’ Kai released his breath slowly. 

Kai leaned back from the crack in the wall. His thoughts are heavy. “So he was just like me…” he whispered. “Mocked, humiliated and abandoned.” His eyes blinked as he thought about it.

For a brief moment, Kai’s heart ached out of empathy for the giant. He knew what it meant to be stuck in the trash level. He knew how it felt to be discarded by those who had never known struggle. But he also knew one thing clearly.

‘Karly Ray had lost himself to vengeance. He shouldn't have chosen this part.’ He raised his brows as he thought. 

‘Even though I pity you, but I can't allow you to destroy others for the pain you couldn’t let go.’ Kai clenched his fists with self-determination.

“I won’t pity you when it comes to a close combat, Karly,” Kai murmured. “And I’ll stop you no matter what it takes.” Kai made up his mind and he looked through the crack in the wall again.