Monster Eater Episode 3: Crimson Blade

The guild hall is a stage, and Bayer, Rick, and Sasha are performing a tragedy. They paint a picture of Ludo as a victim, lost to a Minotaur, with Sasha even shedding fake tears. The Guild Master announces the closing of the New Maze, believing their lies, and the crowd murmurs with sympathy for the 'fallen' porter. This initial deception sets up the coming storm.

The heavy guild doors swing open, casting a bright rectangle of light onto the somber scene. In steps Ludo, battered but very much alive, silencing the hall with his unexpected presence. Bayer's face drains of color, his well-constructed lie crumbles before him. Ludo walks forward, ignoring the gasps, a cold, piercing gaze fixed on his former teammates.

Bayer attempts a false embrace, a desperate charade, but Ludo is unmoving, whispering a chilling threat. To the entire guild, Ludo declares his betrayal, detailing how Bayer stole from him, how Rick lured the beast, and how Sasha ensured only they escaped. Black-and-white flashbacks punctuate his account, stripping away any doubt. Bayer's trembling hands belie his attempts to claim Ludo is traumatized.

The Guild Master calls for an Inquisitor, a rare figure whose 'True Skill' can discern absolute truth. A robed figure enters, staff glowing, her very presence a judgment. The members of Hero's Sword immediately panic; they know this power cannot be fooled. The Inquisitor's eyes glow blue, her gaze sweeping over them, and then she declares: Ludo's story is the truth, and Hero's Sword are liars.

The Guild Master's expression hardens as he invokes the adventurer's sacred law: never abandon a comrade. He reveals his prior suspicions, a string of 'accidental' porter deaths linked to Hero's Sword. Bayer, Rick, and Sasha collapse as their fate is pronounced: stripped of qualifications, all assets seized, sold into slavery. Sasha screams in ugly denial, while Bayer's internal monologue seethes with hatred for Ludo.

Driven to madness, Bayer lunges at the Inquisitor, a desperate, foolish act. Ludo intercepts him with blinding speed, a testament to his new capabilities. A single, powerful punch sends Bayer flying not just across the hall, but through the exterior wall itself. Ludo stands calmly over the wreckage, his warning clear: such behavior will not be tolerated.

In the quiet of the Guild Master's office, a genuine apology is offered. The Guild Master hands Ludo a heavy bag of 200,000 legin, a life-changing sum that belonged to the disgraced party. Ludo is momentarily stunned, realizing his financial woes are over, at least for now. The Guild Master's respect is evident, acknowledging Ludo's resilience and talent.

Ludo leaves the guild, clutching his wealth, a smile playing on his lips as he plans for new armor and a magic bag. Other adventurers keep their distance, wary of the raw strength he displayed, acknowledging his new status. He decides to keep a low profile, at least initially, to avoid unwanted attention. This is not just wealth; it is freedom.

Ludo returns to the Labyrinth of Corrupt Spirits, his former hunting ground. He easily dispatches Cave Rats, noting his improved physical capabilities. Using his 'Appraisal' skill, he confirms his stats are vastly superior to these common monsters. A brief flashback to his Minotaur encounter reinforces the source of his growth: his 'Monster Eater' ability, which has propelled him far beyond his previous limits.

Opening his status screen, Ludo is shocked to find himself at Level 42, a monumental leap from Level 7 just two days prior. The consumption of high-level monsters in the New Maze has granted him unprecedented experience. He scrolls through a long list of new skills, from poison resistance to enhanced physical strength, marveling at the sheer power within him. Feeling overqualified, he decides to delve deeper, seeking a true challenge.

Deeper in the labyrinth, Ludo encounters a lone Soldier Lizard, a level 25 monster. His heightened senses, however, alert him to further movement in the shadows behind him. Two more lizards drop from the ceiling, cutting off his escape, leaving him surrounded in a narrow corridor. He realizes this is a trap, a situation that would have been certain death just a week ago. As the lizards hiss and click, Ludo's shock transforms into a confident, predatory grin, ready to unleash his new skills.