"Another tankard of mead!"

"Here, too!"

"Where's my ale?"

The tavern, as usual, was both busy and noisy. Although it was located in one of the deepest corners of the Underground City, poor peasants flocked to the poorly-lit wooden structure and emptied their almost empty coffers to drown themselves in beer, ale, mead, or any drink that would make them forget the harshness of the city without sunlight.

"Coming!" a thin, pretty waitress replied to the waiting customers. She had been busy all night but it was almost dawn. She would soon finish her shift and retire to her small house just a few paces from the old tavern. Spacing out while thinking of her bed, she accidentally bumped into someone. "Oops! Sorry. Oh!" A splash of ale stained the shirt of the man. "I am so sorry, sir," she immediately apologized as she placed the tray with drinks on the bar and proceeded to use her handkerchief to wipe the stain.

But the man, obviously angry, grunted and took the young woman's thin wrist. The enraged middle-aged man was tall with thick red hair kept in two long braids. With a force that could break her bones, he squeezed the young woman's joint.

The waitress was not able to contain her voice. She screamed while in pain.

"Hoi, that's too much. Release her!"

"That's enough."

Other customers in the tavern stood up and tried to stop the man. The waitress sobbed and tried to escape the angry man's grip. But he was strong. Some of the men forced to take away his hand from the young woman and others tried fighting against him.

But he was indomitable.

With a wide grin displaying yellowed, crooked teeth, he hauled the good samaritans, kicked, and punched them.

"Stop that!" The tavern's owner finally showed himself. He was Henry and rumor has it that he was almost as strong as the popular Captain Levi of the Scout Regiment. His big build approached the man.

Surprisingly, the customer released his grip on the young woman's wrist and then exhaled. He faced Henry and readied himself for a fight.

It didn't last long.

Within a few strikes, the crazy man had planted wounds and bruises all over the tavern owner's face and body. Soon, the customer was able to put his strong hands around old Henry's neck and squeeze it so hard until the owner could not breathe anymore and his life left him.

The other people inside the wooden establishment could not do anything but watch the murderer laugh loudly.

+0+0+0+0+

"It says here that there's been a series of murders in the Underground City. Killings are not new there, but this time, the death toll is higher. Almost ten murder cases in less than a week! This is alarming, indeed! Isn't it, Andy? Andy?"

"Huh? Yeah," she replied as though she was listening to Proteus. Andromeda did not properly hear a word from the boy. Right now, they were inside the dining hall. Proteus and she were both eating with the Fourth Squad. But the vampiress did not join the merry conversation among Hange's squad or listen to whatever news Proteus was sharing. She just plain didn't care.

Andromeda's eyes were pasted on the table next to them. Where Levi was talking too comfortably with Petra. Mostly, he would just listen, but sometimes he would say something that would make Petra smile and blush.

What in Aurum's name were they talking about?

The newborn prince? The celebration? Mitras? Their future together?

Andromeda's grip on the crystal glass tightened, the force so strong it broke in her palms.

"Andy!" Barbara shrieked. "Are you hurt? Are you okay?"

Yes, she was hurt, and no, she was not okay. But the vampiress did not say any of these. Instead, she stood up and told her squad she would clean her wounds and bandage them properly in their room.

"But you'll participate, right?" Moblit asked.

"Participate in what exactly?"

It was Barbara who answered, "The melee. You'll face strong opponents there. Knowing you, you'd love the challenge."

Oh, the melee. She knew what that was: a group of strong people would fight each other until only one emerged as the victor. The champion. The strongest inside Mitras, or maybe in the whole walled world. She was sure Levi would participate in it. He was Humanity's Strongest Soldier, after all. He should defend his title. Andromeda did not doubt the Captain's skills. He would win the fight easily. Unless a stronger opponent appeared. Like her.

The vampiress' eyes swept over the table beside them. Levi was staring at her, his gaze intense and unwavering. They didn't see each other last night because Levi ate supper inside his room. The last time they met was during the play when the Captain made her feel that she should not be close to another man.

And then, now...

Now!

Andromeda tore her eyes away from Levi's gray orbs. How could the man act possessive of her and then entertain another woman the next day? She felt betrayed. Utterly betrayed.

Or was it a misunderstanding on her part?

Maybe Levi wasn't jealous at all. Maybe he acted that way because he didn't want to hear her noise. And he would like to erase Andromeda's existence in his world. Then after he had proved his point, he was ready to choose someone else.

What a heartbreaking realization.

Andromeda bit her lip. She shouldn't break down anymore for a man she hardly knew. She shook her head and once again acted like she didn't care about the Captain.

"Andy?" Hange's squad was still waiting for her answer.

The melee, huh?

She would definitely face Levi there.

Petra leaned closer to the vampiress' former lover.

Damn it, Andromeda thought and then finally said, "Of course, I'll be there." Never mind Levi and Petra's budding relationship, the warrior within her was itching for a fight.

So she went back to her room, cleaned her wound, and started preparing for the melee. No one was allowed to have an armor. No weapons should be used. Everyone was to fight with bare hands.

When afternoon came, Andromeda did a series of stretching and warm-ups. Her body was agile, and her strength was immeasurable, but she could not underestimate Levi's prowess. The man was almost as strong as she. Any wrong move and he could outpower her. She needed to be ready.

She was sure only Levi would be her worthy opponent later. She could not imagine someone else having equal power as them.

+0+0+0+0+

The melee would start at any minute. All the fighters were gathered inside the waiting room, ready to enter the arena.

Levi had his arms crossed near his chest. He leaned his back on the wall and solemnly watched the thick crowd gathered in the area. The challengers' ages ranged from late teens to seventy. There were around a hundred of them there, making the large room seem narrow. A chest of gold was tempting enough to bring all the best fighters from all over the walled world here.

He saw Mike walk toward him. "Darn Levi, why'd you have to join? Now I'm pretty sure I won't win." The tall man sniffed, a habit of his. "Erwin put you here, didn't he?"

Levi grunted. "He said I should defend my title as the strongest soldier. I don't see the point though. I don't care, and this game's bullshit anyway."

"I can understand him though. He just wants to gain the respect of Mitras. The Capital should be confident in the Scout Regiment's abilities. We need their support." Mike looked around. "No one here seems to equal us. It'll be an easy win for your part. I'll definitely land second place."

It was the first time that the tall man's nose failed him. The Captain replied, "I won't be so sure about that." His eyes had seen Andromeda pass by minutes earlier. That vampiress was strong enough to knock Mike down and spar with Levi with ease. It would be one damn fight.

Where was the woman now? Levi left Mike and walked around. At last, he saw her in the middle of the room. Three warriors were surrounding her, hitting on her like they were in some fucking tavern. After a few seconds, Andromeda finally got pissed off and attacked the three in swift moves. The idiots lay unconscious on the floor. He fought the urge to smile.

He had long admired Andromeda. She was strong, smart, sure, and powerful. But those were not the only reasons why he liked her. The vampiress' mere existence seemed to speak to his soul. She was breathtakingly attractive. No one had ever made Levi feel this way. One day, Andromeda just meant the whole world to him. And beyond. Way, way beyond. He was aware that his heart wasn't his anymore. It only belonged to the Bloodbitch.

And now they had to fight...

Argh! Fuck his damn heart.

He should remember that the vampiress was evil. She had killed those who were precious to them. She was filled with malice and he should not think of her any longer. Their relationship had ended. It was gone with the wind, never to come back again.

The doors opened and bright sunlight filled the room. All warriors entered the spacious arena. Around the circle were raised seats where the eager audience waited to watch them knock each other down.

"Good afternoon, ladies and gentlemen! Welcome to the Royal Melee! This is a fight in honor of the newborn prince!" A bald man was speaking loudly in the middle of the ring. "All will fight until only one man or woman is standing! Weapons are forbidden and killing will lead to disqualification! The King has ordered that no one shall intervene in the fight. I hope we all keep that in mind." He paused dramatically then continued to say, "Who will be the sole victor and bring home the chest of gold? Let the melee begin!"

The audience roared, and the participants ran around the arena looking for someone to beat. Chaos commenced.

Levi just stood within the mess. For a long moment, no one had the balls to strike him head-on.

Mike was already wrestling against two bulky brats. Another joined in the fight against the Scout. It appeared that groups automatically formed to attack stronger opponents. Still, no one dared fight Levi.

Until someone stupid enough did.

"You remember me, don't you, you pipsqueak?"

The Captain looked behind him and saw a middle-aged tall man with red hair in twin braids. He grinned widly and exposed yellowed teeth. No. Levi could not remember who he was.

And he didn't care.

He faced the opponent, slightly jumped, and then quickly chopped the man's nape, aiming to knock him down immediately. But, to his surprise, the tall man remained standing.

"Tsk." The Captain clicked his tongue. Looks like this one was a tough nut.

"I came from the Underground. Because you, little runt, took away my freedom. Forced me to live without the sun."

"I can't remember any of that shit."

The man spit on the floor. Disgusting. He aimed a dirty finger at Levi. "You were a thug, too, but look at you now. A Scout Regiment Captain. You fucking became Mitras' dog and acted all high and mighty. All I did was pimp girls. You killed. But I was the one stripped off of my citizenship and dumped into that fucking city of garbage."

Oh.

Now Levi understood who he was. The man was a criminal he arrested with Erwin. He couldn't remember who he was exactly, but he had a vague recollection of someone they forced to live in the Underground after knowing about his illegal business. He must've smuggled his way to Mitras just to exact his revenge against the Scouts. This melee was the perfect stage to kill Levi and his comrades. He would be disqualified but his wish would be granted. He would have the Scouts' head on his plate.

That won't happen though. Levi wouldn't let him. He should defeat this guy and make sure he doesn't hurt the others.

When the criminal aimed his fist at Levi's face, the Captain dodged, took the man's arm, and saw something weird.

Around the tall man's pupil was a thin line of scarlet.

What the fuck was that?

The criminal twisted and successfully planted a solid kick on Levi's gut.

The bastard was fucking strong. Too strong, in fact.