704 The Test
Varian, along with his 'fellow' abyssals was on his way towards XE-32, a space region.",
It was a space area encompassing five planetoids whose highest commanders were low level 8.",
This specific region was picked because--",
"If something happens, inform me through your bracelet. I'll try to rescue you as fast as I can." The abyssal in charge of them, a low level 8 prince declared.",
Varian touched the bracelet on his left wrist and wondered how similar it was to a comm.",
'It's more war-centric while comm is for general use.'",
Glancing at the two hundred level 7 abyssals seated with gleaming eyes, the professor continued. "I can't help it if your signal is late and if you're too far away, but as long as you're within my range, rest assured, you won't die."",
There was unabated confidence in his words that let the nervous abyssals let out a sigh in relief.",
"U-Uh, Prince Ron, while I appreciate your consolation, I'd rather you be honest." An abyssal woman said through her gritted teeth. Her expression was of one who's prepared to die.",
The crowd hissed at her words as if she said something blasphemous.",
The people beside her hurriedly whispered something to her and with embarrassment apparent on her face, the abyssal woman sat down and shut up.",
Varian didn't understand why they were having such radical reactions. But the abyssal seated on his left and the one on his right both showed shocked faces.",
Seeing his stoic face without any reaction, the abyssal on his right whispered. "Oi, you don't feel she's a nutjob?"",
"..." Varian stared at the abyssal and didn't even try to open his mouth.",
"He doesn't speak. I don't know why, but he's always been like that." The abyssal on his left, the one from the same city explained.",
What was his name again...",
Jax!",
"I'm Wan from Etrac city." The abyssal introduced himself.",
"Jax, Teran city. And he's Var." Jax nodded.",
"Var, is it?" Wan mused and asked. "Do you know why everyone is outraged at her words?"",
Shake. Shake.",
Varian shook his head.",
"Tsk." Clicking his tongue in shock, Wan pointed to the professor who was now glancing out of the glass window.",
"Prince Ron is about the same age as us. And his level? He's already a low level 8. He's like a whole generation ahead!" The more he spoke, the more excited he turned.",
Varian narrowed his eyes at the information.",
"With his talent, he should be given special facilities and training...too bad, he wants a rare treasure and is devoting a lot of time to gain contribution points for it." Wan shook his head like it was a pity.",
"I heard he's almost done. It's been two years, no?" Jax joined.",
"Well, I guess. Still, man. I don't know why they couldn't just give him the treasure and let him focus on training." Wan gruntled.",
"...Careful with what you say. The treasure is too precious and too rare. We need to treat geniuses with it every year. On the other hand, Prince Ron wants it for his little sister who is close to talentless." Jax hissed.",
'A rare treasure...' Varian's face showed a trace of interest, but before he could signal his intent to the two, Prince Ron's voice rang out.",
"You have six hours. Bring proof that you killed the human level 7s, head is preferred, other methods are also fine. Your performance will be decided based on the number of your kills and the humans you killed."",
Varian's eyebrows furrowed.",
Humans you killed...",
That meant abyssals could identify humans that were killed and give an evaluation based on how strong the humans were.",
...They really had more information on humans than he imagined.",
"Go."",
The floor of the spaceship opened and the two hundred abyssals was thrown into space.",
However, the next moment, their chair morphed into a tiny spaceship and shot them into the distance.",
Unlike giant spaceships, these mini-ships were used for individual patrols. It was similar to a group of soldiers patrolling versus a single soldier patrolling.",
Varian looked at the spaceship's interface as it showed him approaching a specific region.",
Like land, space was also divided between humans and abyssals.",
They each patrolled in their own regions. If one side transgressed, then it'd result in a short fierce battle akin to a border conflict.",
Now, Varian would have to 'kill' the humans who were patrolling on boundaries.",
Clasping his hands and resting his head on them, Varian thought of a few things.",
He definitely had to get the title of the prince and enter the 'Hunting Teams'. Only then would he get information about Xanders and be able to hunt them down.",
'But to qualify, how many do I need to kill...?' It weighed on his conscience.",
When he entered the demon abyss, Varian knew he'd face this situation. There's no way he could become an abyss prince without killing humans.",
But...",
'Is there a way out...I don't want to kill unless I can't help it.' Varian wasn't indecisive or gentle, he just felt that it was shitty to kill soldiers who were performing their duties all for his revenge.",
If push came to shove, he'd swing his sword without hesitation.",
But after seeing Vin losing her brother, he was fully aware of just how much a single death could affect a family.",
It was tragic.",
Yet...",
[Day 1]",
Her tears.",
[Day 10]",
Her pain.",
[Day 100]",
Her suffering.",
'I can't forget them. The only way I can calm down myself is when I see the Xanders pay with their bloody lives.' ",
Varian was doing this as much for himself as he was doing it for Sia.",
This hatred was too much for him to swallow and wait until he got stronger. He couldn't do it.",
He needed blood. And he needed it now.",
'It's not your fault, Varian...' Sia said with a smile.",
"But it's my responsibility."",
Varian's eyes slowly turned cold and he gripped his sword.",
[Approaching the boundary region...]",
Ting! Ting!",
On the radar and in the distance, a spaceship appeared.",
[Enemy ship foun--!]",
Varian shot into space and transversed dozens of miles in an instant.",
As he raised his sword to strike down the bus-sized spaceship, a human rushed out and shot a fire beam at him.",
With a swipe of his sword, Varian sliced the fire beam.",
Like a river splitting into tributaries, the fire beam split apart in the dark space.",
"Filthy creature! You're dying today!" The man's body lit up in flames and he dashed toward Varian at lightning speed.",
A huge fire enveloped him and took the shape of a dragon. At the head of the dragon was the man in his fire elemental form.",
'I need to finish this quick before other patrols come in.'",
This man's spaceship must have already noticed the nearby patrols. Since this was human's side, they'd arrive in a few minutes.",
'Killing enemies of the equal level quickly...so, this is also a part of the exam.'",
"Roaaar!"",
The dark and empty space shook violently as the fire dragon accelerated to a great speed and clashed with Varian.",
The bright red light from the dragon that shone in the dark space flickered for a moment before it abruptly went off.",
"A-Arghhh..." The man groaned in pain as the sword dug deeper into his chest.",
Glaring at Varian with hate-filled eyes, his body lit up in the final flames. "I-I'll take you down with m--gaah!"",
Varian's fist punched him in the stomach and caused his flames to go off.",
The man collapsed onto his knees as he coughed out blood.",
Varian raised his sword and his eyes flashed.",
'Should I...'",
