"Piak!"
Eagle's kick landed squarely on Kian's stomach, sending him flying through the air from the sheer force of the blow.
Eagle could have ended him right then and there, but the rules forbade killing newbies. The punishments from above were severe, and he dared not cross the line.
"Ahh! The pain... Why is this so painful?"
Kian, who had endured endless torment in his past life, was no stranger to suffering. Yet the intensity of this pain made his soul vibrate violently, as if it might shatter at any moment.
He guessed it was because everyone's Soul Form was exceptionally sensitive.
Ben and Silvy trembled, imagining the agony Kian must have been feeling.
"Bro, hang in there. I'm coming to save you!"
Ben and Silvy rushed forward to help, drawing their swords at the precise moment, catching the Blood Moon members off guard.
They quickly took defensive stances opposite the Blood Moon Group, their powerful swords gleaming with magical radiance.
Ben held the Golden Excalibur with both hands, though his posture was slightly awkward and unbalanced, a telltale sign of his inexperience in combat.
Silvy, on the other hand, exhibited the grace of a seasoned female warrior, gripping her dark Man-Slayer Sword with precision. Its sharp edges gleamed, deadly and ready for battle.
"Haha... Are you playing the savior, little ones?" Eagle mocked, his underlings bursting into capricious laughter.
"Hey, don't get any closer, or else we'll report this to the authorities. I know you're trying to forcefully recruit us into your group before the Virtue faction members arrive... Am I right?"
Silvy's sharp observation made their smug expressions falter.
She had hit right in the mark.
"Too much intelligence and promise aren't good for you, sweetie... Don't you understand?" Eagle stepped forward, his menacing aura growing heavier.
"Silvy, what did you do? He's getting serious! You should've bought us more time if you knew all this," Ben muttered in a panic beside her.
"Just shut up..." Silvy said slowly, her tone sharp.
Ben clicked his tongue in wonder.
"And just where are the other groups from the Virtue faction? Don't they have any punctuality or compassion for their jobs like the Sin faction?" Ben grumbled.
Kian stood up, leaning on his leg for support, gasping for air as if everything inside him had been emptied out by the kick.
He stared at Ben and Silvy's backs, realizing his gamble had paid off in earning their trust. Now, the only thing left was the intervention of the Virtue faction. With their help, he would have a firm foothold to begin his journey with some measure of safety.
It was shameful that he had to rely on others or using them, but if there had been a better choice, he would have taken it without hesitation. Without protection, he could easily be crushed like an ant—and no one would care.
"Swoosh!"
"Huh, what's that?"
As Eagle approached them, he suddenly looked upward, sensing something.
"Boom!"
Before he could comprehend what was happening, he was struck square in the face by the massive figure in size of an elephant's butt.
"Ah, sh*t, is that a giant human?"
Ben and the others instinctively backed away, watching the massive figure land directly on Eagle's face.
"Oops... You're so unlucky, Eagle...heh heh..."
The giant human stood up awkwardly, his massive frame towering over them while Eagle's face remained comically plastered to the ground.
He was 7-8 meters tall, with explosive Soul Force that materialized as hardened, muscular layers across his body.
"Hello, juniors! Your hero is here!" The giant leaned closer to the trio, a broad smile on his face.
"That was an incredible entrance, Sir! Are you from the Virtue faction?" Ben asked eagerly, his eyes fixed on the giant's large, expressive eye.
The giant's smile widened.
"Yes, of course, little guy. I am Xuan, from the Imperial Golden Vanguard group."
Bang!
Suddenly, a stunning woman landed beside him, clad in a shiny gold-plated battle outfit that exuded dominance and power.
In her right hand, she held a spinning, dangerous flower resembling a Chrysanthemum, its sharp edges glinting ominously. Resting on her left shoulder was a massive axe, her posture radiating the aura of a battle-hardened maiden of the moon.
"And she is Apotheosis, my superior," Xuan introduced after a pause, his tone respectful.
Apotheosis was a normal human, but stood taller and was far more beautiful than Silverlina. Her presence commanded attention, a perfect blend of elegance and strength.
Ben's eyes widened in awe, stunned by her sheer grace of the matured beauty. She was breathtaking—too beautiful, too alluring, and overwhelmingly domineering.
"Apotheosis, you shouldn't have hit me like that. What if Eagle had been killed? I'd have to bear the punishment alone," Xuan grumbled, glancing at her with mild annoyance.
Apotheosis frowned, her expression sharp, and without warning, she threw the massive axe at the giant.
"It's because we were late because of you, stupid. And show me some respect as your superior," she said in a melodious yet commanding voice.
"Okay, miss. And look, this damn Eagle is still alive..." Xuan exclaimed as, feigning surprise as he caught the axe.
This remark infuriated Eagle to no end, but he dared not to speak before Apotheosis' present because she was that dangerous. He couldn't understand why a superior aspirant like her doing here?
"They're all trash. Just ignore them," Apotheosis said dismissively before turning her attention to Ben and Silvy.
"So, Benjamin Wilson and Silverlina Goenia, you two are the promising talents? Interesting," Apotheosis muttered in an amused tone, her piercing gaze scanning the duo.
She seemed intrigued as she observed their Soul Talents.
"So, both of your Soul Talents are Weapon-class. That's even more interesting."
"Y-Yes, miss, we are..." Ben stammered, clearly dazzled and struggling to speak coherently.
"Thank you for saving us, Miss. Can you please take us away from here now?" Silvy requested, her voice steady but filled with disgust as she glanced at Eagle and his group.
"Ohh, You're welcome anytime, Silverlina, Benjamin. But who is this behind you?" Apotheosis asked looking toward Kian's bruised figure.