Life Of A Nobody - as a Villain

Chapter 86 Hellish Days - Physical Training (Beatdown)

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With a loud thud, Rio's young body hit the ground, his body aching, his breath heavy and sweat dripping down his forehead. Bruises marked his skin as a testament to the intense training he had endured. Determination burned in his eyes as he struggled to rise to his feet once more, his small hands trembling as he reached for his wooden sword, the weight of it familiar in his grasp. He charged towards his master, hoping to finally land a successful strike. But alas, his swing missed its mark, leaving him vulnerable and exposed. In an instant, his assailant swiftly countered, their wooden sword connecting with Rio's stomach, causing him to double over in pain. As if that wasn't enough, a sharp slap landed on the back of his head, sending him crashing to the ground once again. The impact jolting through his body. He winced, feeling a mixture of physical pain and frustration welling up within him. As he struggled to catch his breath, he heard a single word escape his assailant's mouth, "Again."

Rio pushed himself up, and ran towards his assailant, swinging his sword with all his might, he aimed to strike from different angles, hoping to catch them off guard. However, his young and inexperienced movements proved futile as his assailant effortlessly dodged and parried his attacks. As Rio swung his sword at his assailant's hands again, his assailant moved a little backwards and pushed their sword down, hitting Rio's hands so hard that his sword fell down, his wrists turned red, starting to swell a little. But fueled by anger and determination Rio ignored the pain, and started to throw punches and kicks at his assailant, yet his assailant showed the gap they had in their agility and skills, as she dodged everything and while Rio's right leg was in the air, they kicked his left leg, making him fall down again. 

Pushing through the pain, he summoned all his strength and stood up once more, hoping to get his revenge, even a little bit of scratch would give him happiness, But just as he rose to his feet, his assailant, cold and heartless, delivered a powerful kick that sent him tumbling across the ground. The impact rattled his body, his spirit wavering for a moment. The word "again" reverberated in Rio's ears, a constant reminder that he had to endure this torture. 

 Exhausted and disheartened, Rio let out a frustrated breath. "Fuck, I give up," he muttered under his breath, his voice barely audible. He needed a break from the relentless beatings he was receiving. As he lay on the ground, he gazed up at the evening sky, even the floating clouds looked less reddish than his skin. 

'What kind of heartless monsters beat a 10 year old kid like this.'

Amidst his fatigue, he caught the sound of laughter and chatting from two girls nearby. One voice stood out—his sister's.

"Attack her from the left, brother, her left! You'll definitely be able to scratch her," Amelia exclaimed, her voice filled with encouragement. Rio turned his neck toward her, wincing at the pain radiating from the slap he had just received. He wanted to retort, to remind her that she wasn't the one getting beaten, but the exhaustion left him wordless and drained.

With a mix of exhaustion etched across his face, Rio remained silent as Amelia continued her pep talk.

 "Come on, brother, one more time. This is the last. And then I'll win."

Her voice dropped to a soft whisper towards the end, almost as if she didn't want anyone else to hear her words. But sadly for her Rio who had recently awakened and had heightened senses caught wind of her faint whisper, causing a flicker of curiosity and suspicion to dance within him. 'Did she bet on how many times I could get beaten?'

He looked towards his sister with a weak smile, hoping to find a confirmation that would put his doubts to rest. However, Amelia, sensing her brother's thoughts, deliberately avoided his gaze..

 "Wow, look at that tree! It's so green!"

Her voice held a forced enthusiasm as she pointed toward a nearby tree. Rio's heart sank as he realized that his sister was intentionally evading the topic, 

 "Yes, it really is." Rio looked at the other girl who was standing there with his sister. She had the expression of someone who was trying her hardest not to laugh, but still kept failing. 

It was clear that she was complicit in Amelia's act of betrayal too, they were both part of the betting scheme. 

He looked at the girl, his eyes saying - 'Is this why I saved you? What a great way to repay your debt.' 

She was Erza Scarlett. Esme's little sister. The character who was supposed to be working as a slave in mines, someone who should've turned into a zombie and died - he saved her life, and this is how she's thanking him. 

His assailant, who was feeling ignored, spoke - "Come on, master. One more time. This is nothing."

Rio's gaze shifted towards the voice, he glared at the person speaking to him, who's been beating him senseless till now and had an annoying smile plastered on their face. She was Esme, his 'training instructor'. 

After he fooled Artemis with that fate and future story, she somehow went easy on Esme, seeing that I was still willing to trust her even after seeing my fate. Ever since then Esme's back at being my shadow again. 

This is what makes Rio even angrier, someone whom he freed from prison, helped them avoid death penalty and also saved her sister's life, is beating him daily. Hell, she was even enjoying it. 

Just looking at all 3 girls around the arena, only one thought was left in his head -'traitors, all of them.'

He felt anger and frustration but he was helpless. Gritting his teeth, Rio slowly got up again, he wiped the sweat from his brow, his body trembling from exhaustion and the pain. He looked at Esme, who still had that sly smile on her face, 

'Damn this child's body, if I met you back on earth I'd show you what's what.' Rio thought as he remembered the time when he used to be the one beating others senseless. 

[That's your delusion host. She would still beat you back on earth. But you would get some hits in, unlike now when you can't even touch her.]

'Fuck you system. If you were somewhat useful, I wouldn't be in this situation.' Rio cursed this useless system who's been doing nothing for the past few days. 

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A/N - So I just read some comments that say MC is a psychopath whose only solution to problems is killing them, I get why they would think like this - but I wanna say that it's because he has no other option. When I tell you about the future plot and their actions you'll understand why killing them now was better, instead of letting them be and befriending them, hoping they'll change, the risk of it is far too great. Plus he only killed Noah, and exposed those traitors - everyone would do the same to save themselves and their families, if they were in his place. Put yourself in his shoes and just think for a second.