Chapter 108: The Unsolvable Loop (1)

The old colosseum of Old Ashvarn was a historic landmark of immense significance,

constructed countless years ago… back in the age of the first heroes, as some claimed.

The arena buried deep within the city held a strategic position,

built atop a relatively high elevation that allowed it to overlook most of the old city from above.

This vantage point granted the hunters who seized it a wide field of vision,

allowing them to detect danger the moment it approached.

Among those standing watch was the massive figure of Jackson Heart,

who had left his cell and climbed to the highest tier of the stands, observing the distant city of Ashvarn with quiet appreciation.

The towering buildings—dark, Victorian architectural masterpieces—glimmered beneath a sky strewn with stars.

Even if that sky was nothing more than a false construct beneath the earth,

it did nothing to diminish its haunting, breathtaking beauty.

If one were to ignore the horrors and monsters that infested it,

Old Ashvarn might well be counted among the most beautiful and mysterious cities ever to exist.

Jackson understood that better than anyone,

which was why he spent long hours simply gazing at it … after centuries spent imprisoned, having long abandoned his freedom.

The giant with serpent-like eyes was a true monster,

one who struck fear into both beasts and hunters alike.

Not a single soul dared approach him as he sat upon the edge of the colosseum—

No one… except Ethan Heart,

who came to him without hesitation after spending some time alone.

“Mind if I sit with you for a while?”

he asked. Jackson replied with a faint smile.

“Not at all. I have no right to stop you—I don’t own this place.”

“Then I’ll help myself.”

Ethan sat beside him, and together they looked out over the city from the towering edge of the colosseum.

“To think a view this beautiful exists… in a city filled with nightmares.”

Ethan spoke honestly, preferring this quiet perch over the suffocating cells below.

“Back then… when humans still lived here,

you could see the entire city from this point.”

“The buildings, the bridges, the clock towers…

people moving through the streets, back and forth…”

Jackson lowered his head slowly.

His expression still held that same faint smile …

yet his voice carried no trace of joy.

“Now… no matter where I look…

all I see are monsters.”

Ethan watched him for a moment, then turned his gaze back to the city.

They were deep within Ashvarn now—

where the strongest and most terrifying creatures resided.

Through the Eyes of the Crow,

Ethan could clearly perceive them.

Towering, mutated beasts roamed the bridges and buildings,

their bodies covered in dense black fur, bearing animalistic traits.

Some had goat-like heads with twisted horns,

massive arms ending in terrifying claws.

Others were smaller … ghost-like figures with pale, coagulated flesh,

dragging blood-soaked weapons fused to their arms.

He even spotted that same shadowy creature

he had once fled from during his early days.

“I’ve been wondering…

is it really safe to watch them from here?”

Ethan asked, curiosity evident in his tone.

They were, after all, sitting openly at the very edge of the colosseum …

fully visible to anything below.

Jackson smiled slightly.

“You’re a smart boy, so think about it …

do you really believe hiding behind a few walls would be enough

to conceal you from creatures like those?”

“They know we’re here.

Make no mistake about that.”

Ethan frowned faintly.

“Then why… haven’t they attacked?”

It was a valid question.

If those creatures were aware of their presence,

why had they not struck … even after hours had passed since the battle that freed them?

Jackson turned his head toward Ethan,

fixing him with those narrow, serpentine eyes.

“What do you think the reason is?”

“What could possibly keep them away…

even when they know we’re here?”

It was a leading question.

And Ethan grasped the answer almost instantly.

“…Because you’re here.”

Jackson nodded.

“That’s right.”

He turned his gaze back toward the monsters,

making no effort whatsoever to conceal himself.

“Those creatures aren’t stupid, Ethan.

They can measure the strength of their prey.”

“And even they… keep their distance

when they encounter a predator stronger than themselves.”

“If you observe carefully,

you’ll notice each group of monsters has its own territory.

They don’t invade each other’s domains recklessly.”

Ethan nodded in understanding.

“So… this colosseum is your territory now.

That’s why they haven’t tried to take it.”

In other words …

without Jackson, the colosseum would have been overrun long ago.

Once, Jackson had submitted himself without resistance,

having lost all hope of saving Ashvarn.

But now, that had changed.

His willingness to fight—

his killing intent, his presence—

had become something the monsters clearly understood.

“My presence keeps them at bay,”

Jackson continued.

“But understand this, Ethan Heart…

this is nothing more than a temporary calm

before the storm.”

“Yes, we’re safe—for now.

But a stronger predator may appear,

one that doesn’t care about me.”

“Or mindless beasts might come—

ones that ignore the hierarchy of strength entirely.”

“In other words…

I’m merely buying time for you.”

“Delaying the inevitable.”

Ethan listened to every word carefully,

still trying to fully understand the man before him …

a man who had lived for centuries.

Then, after a brief hesitation…

he asked, quietly curious:

“Why… are you going out of your way to buy time for me?

For what purpose?”

Jackson Heart’s smile widened in response.

“Because I want to see what you’ll do… how you’ll act.

You possess abilities I’ve never witnessed before.

So I figured… you might at least put on a show worth watching.”

“A show?”

Ethan Heart let out a quiet chuckle.

“You’re telling me you’re doing all this… just for entertainment?”

Jackson nodded without hesitation.

“That’s right. I don’t believe you can change anything.

But after all these years I’ve spent alone…

at the very least, you might keep me entertained.”

In truth, Jackson held no faith in Ethan.

Not even a sliver of belief that the young man before him could alter anything.

Helping him had been nothing more than a whim—

sparked by curiosity toward his strange blessings and unnatural power.

Ethan understood that clearly.

And yet, it didn’t bother him in the slightest…

he had expected nothing less.

“Then look forward to the show.

Because I believe… I’m more than capable of giving you one.”

“We’ll see about that.”

For a while, the two remained silent,

their eyes fixed upon the monstrous city below.

Until Ethan’s gaze was suddenly drawn …

to a single structure.

It stood out unmistakably,

shining faintly in the distance,

wrapped in thick mist, exuding a dark and ominous aura.

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