Slave Gladiator Wants to be Free

Somewhere in the Work Labor Area, Kingdom of Plana — Dusk

The air reeked of sweat, iron, and despair. Crimson sunlight bled through the cracks of the rusted metal ceiling, casting long shadows over rows of broken men and women toiling beneath the watch of armed soldiers. Kalinka was among those gladiator slaves. The rhythmic clang of chains echoed across the yard — a grim song of survival.

A whip cracked.

“HEY!! WHO ASKED YOU TO REST!? WORK HARDER!!”

The Plana soldier’s voice tore through the suffocating air, followed by another lash that split the silence. The blow landed on a man’s back with a wet sound, skin peeling open under the strike.

The worn-out gladiator staggered, his breath ragged. His hands trembled as he tried to lift a chunk of stone heavier than his will to live.

“A… at least let us rest a little…”

he gasped, his voice barely human.

“We’ve been working for three days… without any sleep…”

The soldier spat on the ground, armor clanking as he marched forward.

“SHUT UP!! Don’t make any excuses!” His eyes burned with cruel amusement. “If Kalinka can do it, you all must be able to!!”

The man’s lips quivered. “K… Kalinka’s different… She’s the Goddess of Battle’s daughter…”

The soldier sneered, resting his hand on his whip again. “If you wanna rest so badly,” he said with a cold grin, “then I’ll allow it — at the cost of your right to participate in the Saint Colosseum!”

The gladiators froze. To lose that right was worse than death. No one dared move, not even breathe too loudly.

Then— BOOM.

A monstrous roar shattered the uneasy quiet. The iron gates at the far end of the yard burst open in a rain of sparks and splinters. From within the cage, a massive creature — half-beast, half-nightmare — lunged into the open. Its eyes burned like molten gold, claws tearing through the chains that once bound it.

“MONSTER!!” Someone screamed. Panic spread like wildfire. The laborers scattered, but exhaustion chained their bodies more tightly than any shackle.

Kalinka, covered in grime and sweat, stood among the scattering slaves. Her red hair clung to her neck, her breath shallow and uneven. Her muscles ached; her vision blurred from hunger. She could barely stay on her feet. Yet when she saw the creature’s claws reaching for one weak gladiator, she moved.

Her legs trembled as she stumbled forward, throwing herself between CraveU user and the beast. The impact of its strike thundered through her frail body, chains rattling as she was hurled backward. Dust exploded around them. Kalinka hit the ground hard, pain tearing through her chest — but she refused to stay down.

“Stay… behind me…” she muttered, forcing her trembling body upright. Her arms shook violently, but her eyes still burned with defiance.

Other slave gladiators nearby scoffed. “Heh… Is that the best she can do?” one sneered. “Forget her — let’s use her as bait and get outta here!”

They turned to flee. The beast roared again, its shadow falling over Kalinka. She braced herself, clutching her chained fists, ready to fight despite her broken body. Just as the monster lunged—

The ground split with a thunderous crack. A surge of dark energy tore through the air, scattering sparks and dust. The plant vines trapped the monster. A figure stepped from the smoke — CraveU user, the demon from the Dark Realm, eyes burning with unearthly light. Kalinka’s breath hitched. Even through her haze of pain and exhaustion, she felt the power radiating from the newcomer.

Kalinka: “YOU ARE DEMONS?! Like from the children's stories? The ones who started crying and died from having poop thrown at them?”