700 Demon Abyss

Demon Abyss was a world of its own.

Home to more than a billion abyssals, its size was roughly equal to that of earth.

The hierarchy of this world seemed simple at a first glance.

There was a Demon King at the top of the pyramid. He had four archdukes—peak level 9s—to lead his kingdom.

The ones below archdukes were dukes: Level 9s, but significantly weaker.

Dukes managed duchies and archdukes managed Dukes.

Then there were princes and princesses.

Just like how only outstanding level 9s could be termed Dukes and Archdukes, only the most outstanding level 7s and level 8s were called princes and princesses.

If Demon King was the foundation on which the entire demon abyss exists, Archdukes were the main pillars holding the weight, dukes the pillars helping them.

Princes and Princesses were the future pillars.

No matter how great an abyss ruler was, if they don't have proper princes and princesses, the abyss would eventually weaken.

Every abyss took the selection of princes very seriously.

It was decided through a short but intense competition conducted throughout the major cities of the demon abyss. It was more akin to a ritual.

'Dawn Of The Warrior'.

It was conducted every ten years and even then, only a few dozen were selected. Princes and princesses were just that rare.

However, after the 'One-Hour War' with humanity due to Valos, Demon Abyss lost a significant amount of level 7 princes and princesses.

The low number filled the demon abyss with a gloomy atmosphere and the vacancy made it harder for Demon Abyss to maintain their military operations on planetoids.

For both of these purposes, Demon King decided to conduct 'Dawn Of The Warrior' ahead of time.

He also intended to raise a force against the human princes and exploit the current situation.

Like in every major city, the competition was also beginning in the city of Teran.

As the brightest city in Yukon Duchy, Northern Province, Teran was home to an astounding ten million abyssals.

For 'Dawn Of The Warrior', more than a hundred level 7s came forward in Teran alone.

The competition was about to begin in the city's colleseum. The competitors were in the waiting rooms, preparing themselves for the most important challenge of their lives.

In one such room…

Varian stared at the abyssal reflection in the mirror and compared it to the unconscious abyssal hung next to the mirror.

"Hm, eight feet two inches, a thousand pounds, a rather indifferent face."

Varian's current appearance was the same as the unconscious abyssal, down to the bulges in the muscles and the length of the dark hair.

With a wave of his hand, the abyssal's neck twisted and he died. Then, Varian injected lightning mana into his body to destroy his defenses and threw him into the ghost ship.

"Boo, cremate."

Saying those words, Varian stepped out of the waiting room and walked through the corridor.

With each step he took, Varian got more and more accustomed to actions for this height and weight.

Abrax's mask didn't just alter his appearance, it also changed his body structure, as long as it was within its limits.

Varian saw a curtain of bright light at the end of the corridor.

"Finally,"

Passing through the light curtain, Varian found himself in the arena along with ninety-nine abyssals.

Fifty thousand abyssals were seated in the audience, gazing at the participants with anticipation.

'It's similar to gamma expo…how similar.' Varian eyed the 'aliens' with a complicated heart.

He hated to admit it, but they had way more in common than he thought.

"Teran city wants to send its princes and princesses to war!" The abyssal seated on the highest position, the lord of the city and the Duke of Yukon, a low level 9 awakener, began.

"Our princes and princesses will bring the heads of human geniuses and increase the glory of our city!" He raised his hands and stood up.

"Yes!"

"Honor!"

"War!"

"Kuruk!"

The fifty thousand abyssals stood up at once and roared in excitement.

Varian, following the other participants also raised his hands and roared. But inside his mind, he was cursing.

'Lousy system, I didn't understand what that word meant. Don't tell me your translation sucks this much?'

Abyssals spoke in their own language and since he dropped out, Varian never learned it. So, he decided to use the system's translation services.

It was far superior to his comm and Varian was able to understand and talk the language without trying. The System did the work for him. A wonderful service indeed.

Of course, such service didn't exist but...after a bit of cajolement and shameless threatening, the system relented.

But Varian began to express his doubts about its quality since he didn't understand what the 'Kuruk!' meant.

[Shameless host, you're using this system's translation services for free and you still have the cheek to complain?

Anyway, 'Kuruk!' is just a form of expression. Used by abyssals for battles. Like a war cry. It has no meaning.]

'I see. My bad for suspecting you. Don't worry, I'll give you five stars.'

[….]

"…and out of the hundred warriors here, we'll have our princes and princesses!" The Duke roared with a burst of laughter.

Following his words, an abyssal wearing expensive yet formal-looking white clothes floated above the arena and said.

"You'll be split into ten groups. Knock out the nine others in your group and you'll be selected from this city and sent to the capital. There will be one last test there and if you win, you'll ascend to the noble status of a prince or princess."

Then, the host began to split a hundred participants into ten groups, calling out their names one by one.

"Draok."

"Kuruk!!!"

"Bursh."

"Kuruk~"

"Hoal."

"Kuruk! Kuruk!"

"Anda-"

Whenever a name was called out, the supporters of the participant cheered with battle cries.

"Var."

The host called out the name and pointed him to the ten groups, asking him to pick one.

Varian's eyes flashed and he walked into a random group.