My SSS-Rank Class Is Blood Monarch!

'Exo-Burst… This skill might be truly the last missing piece of my puzzle.' Arthur mused to himself as he rubbed his chin gently. 'I am getting strong very quickly. However, I am far from strong enough, and I doubt I can truly become strong enough by the time I start executing my plan. What I need is an element of surprise, a skill that can give me that moment of upper hand against my opponent… No matter how strong they are, all I need is a second to end it all.'

As much as Arthur knew power mattered, he also learned through his journey that battles are akin to a chess game, one can be smarter than the other and have an advantage, but all the other person needs is one single mistake, one wrong step, and they could seal their win.

The boy has accepted the reality that he won't be able to win every battle he gets into unless he becomes a God. So, for now, Exo-Burst has become one of the most important tools he has.

'I have to use it while making sure none of my enemies know about it. No matter what, I can't disclose this skill.' For a moment, Arthur's eyes flashed with a hint of menacing coldness. However, that glint vanished as quickly as it appeared and he was back to normal.

With that, the boy walked away from the group and for the next hour or so, he experimented with Exo-Burst, trying to learn as much about it as he could. Even though he had already learned it and could use it, he was far from actually mastering it.

He was still wasteful when it came to mana and it caused a lot of problems to him. The skill required a level of precision he simply didn't have yet. However, as he attempted to use the skill again and again for an hour, his body started learning and understanding the skill naturally.

Sadly, he didn't get a Level Up because of that which annoyed him a little, but he didn't let it bother him too much as he had too much else to focus on.

'An hour of practice should suffice, I can at least use it a little more comfortably now. I'm getting accustomed to the feeling of moving this fast.' He thought to himself.

Wiping the sweat off his face, Arthur chugged down another mana potion before he turned around and walked back to the shelter. There, he found Yonathan and a group of people standing around him, hearing orders from him.

Arthur stood there to the side, not saying anything as he waited for the old man to finish so he could speak to him.

The boy watched as the old man kept talking, his voice very clearly tense and serious. He didn't understand a single word which made him a little apprehensive.

'I'm mentally ready to see all kinds of horrors, but I'm still afraid that I might actually witness something even I can't imagine.' He thought to himself. 'I guess this is what I must face in order to leave this place.'

"Arthur."

At that moment, amidst the boy's deep conflictions, he heard Yonathan's voice calling for him. Arthur looked up before he approached the man slowly.

"You must've given them a long list of orders. Hopefully, they don't forget any of them." Arthur joked slightly, trying to make the mood a little lighter. This was Arthur's method of trying to cope with problems and really tense moments. However, all of that desire was thrown right out of the window once he heard the man speak.

"I'm staying behind."

"... Excuse me?" Arthur was frozen for a moment before he asked.

"You will be leaving with all of my people while I'm going to stay here," Yonathan repeated the same words he said.

"Wait, what?! Are you crazy, old man?! Of course, you're coming with us! I'm not leaving you beh-"

"Calm down, boy." Yonathan cut him off. "I don't have the strength to yell. So, listen carefully. I am a very sick old man, Arthur. I can barely move on my own for extended periods of time. Forget about traveling, I'm not even able to move for a few minutes without falling."

"But, our agreement was that you will bring me to the island. Are you trying to pull out of the deal now, Yonathan?" Arthur retorted. He was not having any of this old man's excuses and he certainly had no intention of leaving him behind.

"My intentions… My intentions have changed after seeing what you're capable of, Arthur. At first, I simply wanted to send you to your death as you clearly wished for that and I was ready to see for myself that you realized your mistake. However… After seeing your conviction and your God-given talent, I have felt it."

"What did you feel?"

"That you're the hope I was looking for. If there is one person who could lead my people out of this hell, it is you." The old man explained. "You are the one capable of achieving the impossible."

"What does that have to do with you staying here?"

"I'm but a burden, boy. If I stay here, your chances of escaping will increase tremendously. I know that if I decide to go with them, they will try to prioritize my life over theirs in dangerous situations, and I… I can't afford to see more of my people die before my eyes. I would rather not even imagine that."

Yonathan had already been tortured enough by the regrets of his life, if he saw his people die so that he could survive then he didn't even know if his sanity would remain.

"So, lead them out of this place, Arthur. Find the exit and let them feel the light of the world for the first time." The old man said.

"... Why are you so certain I can do that? What if I lead them to their deaths, huh? How are you so certain I won't be another failure?"

Arthur would be lying if he said that he wanted such a responsibility on his shoulders. This is the lives of countless people he's talking about, any mistake and their deaths will be on his shoulders. He didn't understand why Yonathan was so certain that he had what it took to do this.

"I just know… I can see it in you, Arthur." The old man's eyes flashed with a glint. "That aura of divinity… It's all around you… It is so bright."

From Yonathan's perspective, the boy was basically a divine child. Everything about him looked like it was born out of the purest forms of matter. His aura especially felt so pure, so superior, akin to true royalty.

'Not those old devils. If there is truly one worth calling 'Divine' then it is this kid. I do not know what the Higher Being is planning for this kid, but he is certainly going to tread a path to greatness… May it be a path that keeps him on the right side.' He prayed in his head.

"Yonathan…"

"This is the last thing I will ever request from you. Please, fulfill this wish of mine. I cannot leave the void anymore… I have become so linked to it that I know the moment I die, it will be in this place. It had already claimed me like it claimed my companions."

'This cursed place had eaten away whatever was left of my lifespan. This darkness, it sucked all the life out of me. I'm glad I could at least give enough for these children so that they can grow up to be ready.'

With that, silence took over the place for a good few seconds as Arthur contemplated the man's words. His eyes were closed and he looked calm, but he was having an inner turmoil. He could see that Yonathan really wanted this, and he wouldn't agree to compromise either.

"I see." In the end, he sucked in a deep breath and replied. "You have already planned to do it, didn't you?" He asked as he opened his eyes.

The two made eye contact and their eyes flashed with weird glints. One seemed like he just realized something while the other was simply acknowledging that realization. However, Yonathan didn't reply at all.

"Hahahaha…." However, Arthur's reaction to that was to simply laugh loudly. His laughter was that of amusement and sadness. "You have really put all the trust in the world in me, didn't you? I don't even know if you're too foolish or too smart, Yonathan."

"I'm neither." The old man shook his head. "I'm simply a believer."

"A believer? I like the sound of that. Believer are usually the ones most ready to make the toughest choices for their belief. Pray for it, old man." Arthur stepped forward and tapped the man's shoulder. "You better pray harder than you ever prayed before."

Then, he turned around and walked away, leaving Yonathan alone. As he moved, the boy's smile vanished slowly and his expression turned into a deep frown, filled with regret.

"... What a shame." He whispered under his breath, vanishing into the darkness.

A//N: Thank you all for the gifts, golden tickets, and PS. Let's keep it up!