['The Trial'
Soul is damaged. Needs immediate repair in order to function completely.
Find a living object and extract their soul.
Energy: 0%
Time limit: 41:29:09
Reward: 'Host' Title
Penalty: Death]
Raven was confused. The percentage was still at zero but he clearly felt something earlier flowing to him when he extracted the plant.
"Is the system broken? No... that can't be, for someone who can design something like this, such mistakes wouldn't be possible, I might've missed something here."
As a top-notch assassin himself, being meticulous in every way was a given. Precise grasp of every details are what made him the "Reaper".
Concluding, a system of such scale can't be broken because of some petty mistake.
'Wait... plants of course are living beings, but it seems...'
Enlightenment dawned upon him as he pondered deeply.
"System, do I need human souls for the task?"
{A human soul would grant the highest energy input for the task.}
"Right." Raven nodded after hearing the confirmation from the system.
'So that means the energy from that flower earlier wasn't enough to move the energy percentage, huh.'
Thinking more deeply, of course a tiny flower from somewhere won't be enough to move the percentage, because that would mean Raven only needed a hundred-some wild flowers to complete the trial.
That won't be called a trial anymore, but instead gifting a fortune to someone.
"Then how many do I need to fill it up to 100%?"
{Due to the 'Hidden Reward' for being the chosen, your soul's spirit capacity was boosted. To calculate the amount you need is not possible at the moment. Must unlock the general control over the system.}
Raven's eyes twitched after hearing the explanation of the system, as if rewarding him with something so troublesome was the best thing in the world.
"Huuu... good. Now that a bunch of stuff were cleared, my priority should be bandaging these wounds so it can't affect me in any way later."
Preparing to move, Raven checked his current stuff. He has something like a cloak, an old cotton shirt underneath it and crude pants made from an unknown fabric.
"I might as well go wash myself thoroughly to avoid infection."
Removing the clothes, he then washed his entire body in the river.
Feeling the cool rush of water hitting him, Raven lost himself momentarily as waves of comfort washed through his body.
After washing himself, he washed his clothes next to get rid off the scent of blood that can possibly attract danger later. He also tore the only shirt he had in order to make some makeshift bandages for wrapping up the serious injuries from his chest and arms.
He also checked of course his lower body for serious injuries, but besides from small cuts on his feet, nothing was found.
Finished tending to his concerns, he then decided to take the next part of the plan.
'Although it's already dark, extracting souls was possible along the way while finding a nice resting place. Resting early was my priority right now so that I can operate at much efficient rate after.'
Raven knew that moving in his current state while achieving remarkable results was wishful thinking.
Sharpening the knife won't delay the work, so he might as well recuperate well for the night and operate early tomorrow.
"Okay... let's fucking go then."
***
Whoosh~
Whoosh~
Multiple shadows can be vaguely seen darting through the woods.
A group of people wearing black, tight-wrapping outfits were chasing a pair of a man and woman ahead.
Multiple flashes of distinct abilities lighted up the dark forest, as they confronted each other while running.
"Princess... I think... I can't endure any longer. A minute... is probably my limit... so you must not look back and... run as fast as you can with... t-the child... Urrgghh..k!"
An old but robust man wearing tattered armor spoke with ragged breaths as he deflected an incoming wave of dense energy coming towards them.
His face was pale and he was full of injuries, his left hand dangling on his shoulders.
They've been running for three consecutive days and were tired beyond belief. The piled up fatigue and injuries were now taking a toll to the old man.
The woman was just silent while running beside the man, but looking closely, tears were threatening to burst forth on her face as she listen beside the old man. She was holding something in her arms that was wrapped in thick clothes.
"I u-understand general."
The woman stutteringly spoke, preventing her tears from bursting forth for that very moment.
"I'm... glad you understand Princess. Then... let this old bag of bones... protect you 'til... his very last breath."
The man abruptly turned around and pounced towards the front most pursuer.
Swish
There's no suspense.
Splurt
Splurt
Splurt
Turning around swiftly while brandishing his sword to the rapidly incoming pursuer resulted in a kill.
Caught off guard, two more pursuers had no time to react due to the sudden turn of events and died by the old man's blade.
"Unit 7, follow the Princess! We can't lose her now!"
The man at the middle of the black-clothed squad ordered, he looked to be their squad leader evident from the different embroideries in his black outfit.
Four streaks of shadow ran past the old-man to follow the woman running behind him.
But then..
Roaaaaarrr!
An earth-shattering cry resounded throughout the forest.
The atmosphere suddenly felt hot and heavy, forcing all the black-clothed people gasp for their breath while fighting the urge to kneel.
The man in front of the black-clothed group was the only exception.
A blazing, blue phantom of a huge bull with long, curved horns emerged behind the old man.
As the bull's eyes snapped open, murderous intent oozed out from it giving birth to countless tongue of flames, threatening to burn everything in the area.
Gleaming eyes that matched the old man's, thick smoke came out of its nose. Bathed in blue flames akin to a demon that came straight out of purgatory.
"Now, now. It seems you're completely looking down on this old man, eh?"
The old man chuckled as he appeared completely calm.
The bull roared loudly to the sky at it stomped towards the ground with it's front legs.
The ground broke and boiling hot energy gathered towards its hooves.
"Unit 7! Be careful!"
The leader of the pursuers hurriedly shouted.
Fwooooommm!
Four pillars of flame came bursting forth from the ground beneath the four people that ran past him, burning them into oblivion.
Even their ashes weren't spared!
"Shall we start round sixteen then? Or is it seventeen? Hmm... whatever. You'll all die soon anyway."
The old man grinned malevolently, eyeing the people in front him like a predator seeing its prey.
***
Explosions rang from afar but the woman ran without looking back, afraid that she'll become hesitant into running if she see looked back at the figure fighting for her.
Tears were now running down her cheeks, as she bit her lips hardly that blood was leaking out of it.
The old man wasn't just a measly general for her, it might be right to say that he was a father-like figure for her than her true father, the King of Infernal Kingdom.
Yes, she was a princess of a kingdom. The second princess of Infernal Kingdom, Princess Andarielle Len Suzueb Fuegonia.
The old man with her was one of the four, famed-general in the Twilight Empire; General Vulcanus, the fiercest and greatest general of the Infernal Kingdom. Renowned for his fiery temperament and his undisputed swordsmanship.
He may not be a genius arcanist, but his swordsmanship, wits, and fighting experience definitely made up his flaws regarding combat efficiency.
Countless wars he have won, battles and skirmishes he single-handedly claimed victor of.
He was a legend in the heart of the people from the kingdom.
But that very figure, was sacrificing his very own life for her. A woman who didn't even have his blood.
'Princess, punching people just because your annoyed at them is wrong... although I would've done it too.'
'Princess! I heard you passed as a Senior Arcanist! Congratulations!'
'Princess, like a sword, you must never bend to adversaries. You can only cut, stab and chop at the fog clouding your mind.'
'Princess, the flames of our kingdom will not fade out as long as there's one kindle of soul that burns along with it.'
Memories of being with the old man, surfaced through her mind. From the time when she was just a brat, to being a refined lady fit to be called as a princess.
"We will not fall.."
She murmured to herself, a streak of determination flashed through her eyes as she looked at the distant, desolate horizon.
< Chapter 3 > Fin.