391 - 397
Chapter 391 - Stop Screaming!
The shockwaves of the explosion swept through the area, making the small rock fragments shatter into fragments.
Some four hundred meters away, behind a boulder, Sophia, and others stared at Zed.
"You call this as taking precautions?" Sophia asked, her cute face filled with obvious shock.
She has a feeling this was what Zed has in mind when he gave them those items, but the scale and power of explosion were far beyond her imagination. Even a level IV mutant would have a hard time surviving such an explosion, much less youngsters like them who were only Gammas.
"Yes," Zed answered innocently. "Have I did anything wrong?"
Sophia was left speechless by his question.
Had she not known his kind and honest character, she would have thought he was pretending to be oblivious to his actions.
Regardless, she couldn't fault him. In fact, she was secretly relieved that he wasn't overly kind, and someone who would spare every person with antagonistic thoughts.
A few days ago, outside the core region, he has spared Launcelot and many others. While she was impressed by his character and was happy he wasn't killing her acquaintances, she was worried as well.
Her mother has always said kindness should have a limit. One shouldn't let kindness become a weakness.
Now seeing him killing a group of twenty who obviously had bad intentions, she was both happy and impressed.
"He is fierce when the situation demands! No wonder he survived slums!" Jenina thought while glancing at the fading explosion.
"Let's go before more people target us!" Divya said.
She didn't think joining Zed and Sophia would make them the target of jealous competitors. She regretted her decision but then she looked at Zed, and then recalled the miracles he has pulled off. The thoughts of regrets instantly disappeared.
She knew he was the most trustable and reliable person in the entire core region!
"I don't think anyone would dare move after us for some time," Jenina said with a smile.
The explosion has fully smashed the two boulders, leaving behind a crater. Such a sight should be more than enough as a warning.
Jenina has just completed saying this when she felt fire energy fluctuations from Zed.
"In this world, there are two things you should never underestimate," Zed said as flames erupted all over his body. "Greed and envy."
He stretched a hand towards his right, and a fireball hurtled out of his palm. With a whistling sound, the fireball rushed forward, and after crossing a distance of thirty meters, suddenly, it was sliced into two. The severed portions of the fireball crashed on either side, creating a dent over the ground.
"What?!" Sophia was startled.
She checked the place the fireball was sliced apart but could see nothing. But knowing what has just happened, it left no doubt there was some person standing in that area.
"Invisibility?" Jenina wondered while wrapping her body with a glistening liquid. A rope made of the glistening liquid formed into her hand.
"Duck!" Zed warned and others instantly crouched down. Just as they did, they felt air above them slice apart.
Zed, on the other hand, propelled himself high into the air with streams of fire exploding below his feet. As the attack passed, he shouted, "Jenina! Create a barrier!"
Jenina quickly created a barrier of glistening liquid around her and others. But Zed was out of her range, and she felt it must be intentional otherwise he wouldn't have leaped high into the air.
As Zed began moving down, he muttered, "Firestorm."
Instantly, the temperature within a radius of a hundred meters crossed boiling point. Heat haze appeared for the briefest moment of time before turning into a raging firestorm.
The blistering heat threatened to incinerate everything.
Some distance away from Zed, a scream came out.
"Argh! Bastard!"
The speaker of the voice seemed to be shocked by this attack. It was like he never expected such type of attack or even thought that Zed was capable of such a method.
At this moment, Zed landed on the ground. His face was pale and blood was trickling down from the corners of his mouth.
"Times like this I miss being Kiba," Zed mused with a wry smile.
The firestorm vanished just as soon as he reached the ground. It didn't even last for four seconds but it has done the task Zed wanted.
Some distance away, a man was extinguishing flames on his body armor. If not for this precious armor, he would have been burned to ashes.
By the time the flames extinguished, the armor was glowing red from heat, forcing the man to discard the armor. As he did, his face became visible.
"Willard!" Sophia called out.
Even if not for Zed's help, she would have survived Willard's attack thanks to her protective charm, but that didn't mean she appreciated a sneak attack.
She gazed at him with anger.
Before the start of first trial, he has tried to spend some time with her but was unsuccessful due to Zed. After this, Willard has tried to provoke Zed by saying that he was trying to flatter Sophia to gain her beads.
Sophia was happy when Zed gave Willard a virtual slap by passing the trial in no time. She didn't think he would try to kill both her and Zed.
"You want our beads just like that group?" Sophia asked while snapping her beautiful teeth.
Willard's expression was unsightly.
He was behind the group of twenty when they were obliterated. As he was invisible, the group didn't notice him.
When the explosion occurred, he was terrified as he avoided death just by his decision of maintaining a safe distance from the group. He never thought this decision would save his life in such a manner.
While the explosion was still going on, he took a different route to find Zed. He felt the launch of such a move by Zed and others would give him a perfect opportunity as their attention would be on the explosion.
By the time he found Zed and others, the explosion has ended. And just as he thought he would kill to take beads, that damn slum dweller shot out a fireball in his direction.
He couldn't understand how he was caught.
Wasn't his invisibility perfect?
He has even covered his body smell! So how could a fire elementalist find him?!
Even that was fine to a certain extent, but then that punk summoned an overpowered attack that forced him to show himself.
"Willard! Answer me, you ugly toad!" Sophia shouted, her voice filled with anger. "Are you so ashamed of your ugliness that you have to turn invisible?"
"You!" Willard was both incensed and shocked by her insults.
"No! Now is not the time to give in to her provocation! I have to kill them now otherwise if she survives, I would have to live the life of a refugee!"
He knew the power of aristocrat families. There was no way the World Government would intervene and stop the family from targetting him if they learned of this.
Willard snapped his teeth and decided to attack again by turning invisible.
After seeing how Zed was bleeding from his mouth, he was sure that overpowered attack couldn't be used again.
"Ugly toad!"
Sophia was not really waiting for his answer.
Her mother has said that one must learn from opponents to advance further. Insulting an enemy was something she learned from that shameless villain. She hasn't really used the art but she felt it could be used to create a distraction.
By the time Willard decided, she has already charged at him, her fist wrapped with streams of energy.
Willard's pupils rapidly shrank and he turned invisible. Sadly, he was not quick enough as by the time he turned invisible, the fist has rammed into his chest.
Along with a loud cracking sound, blood splashed out. Willard felt as if he was smashed by a hammer instead of a girl's small fist. His internal organs were in a complete mess, and as he coughed up blood, chunks of flesh also streamed out.
"Damn! She is a monster!"
Willard rapidly backed off to create distance. Alas, even though he was invisible, blood was leaking out of his orifices, and as blood fell down, it gave more than enough clues to Sophia.
"Don't even think about escaping!" Sophia closed distance by launching multiple fist attacks.
The entire air was filled with hundreds of fist afterimages, and they brutally landed forward, resulting in tragic screams.
"Don't force me!"
Willard was on backfoot but that was mostly due to advantage from surprise factor. A sharp knife stretched out of his hand and he sliced it forward.
The air cut apart, resulting in sharp ear-piercing sound.
Sophia couldn't see the knife but could hear the sound. Energy enveloped her feet and she leaped into the air, narrowly missing the knife.
As she was in mid-air, Willard didn't stop and he changed the direction of knife.
The knife was modified, embedded with energy crystals capable of destruction. A bright flash erupted from the knife and rushed at Sophia like a sword.
Sophia snorted coldly and somersaulted in the air while punching at the flash.
Her body was more flexible than a gymnastic, and her movements were filled with grace and elegance even as she attacked in middle of a somersault.
As the fist made contact with destructive flash, ripples of energy swept out, creating strong vibrations.
The flash was destroyed and Sophia landed on the ground. Her fist was covered with scratches from which blood dripped down.
By now, Willard has created a safe distance and consumed a healing pill. He was just sighing in relief when a rope made of glistening liquid wrapped around his hand.
"How?!" Willard couldn't believe he was caught again despite being invisible.
He raised his knife to cut the rope and just as he did, a smashing sound ringed out, and he let out the most heart-wrenching scream a man could ever.
His invisibility disappeared and everyone could see how his eyes were filled with blood threads. Tears were streaming down his cheeks and his face has turned deathly pale.
Willard was hastily flapping his hands as smoke trailed off from his lower body with a ghastly stench.
His pants have literally caught fire! What's more, the fire has attacked neither region.
"Oops! Sorry!"
Some distance away, resting a hand on Jenina's soft and smooth shoulder, Zed lowered his other hand covered with flame.
A few seconds ago, he has launched a fireball, and it smashed just below Willard's belt.
"I apologize," Zed made a bow with his free hand while taking support from Jenina. "Please forgive me."
Forgive?!
Bastard!
I will rip you to pieces!
Willard wanted to shout curses, but when he opened his mouth, all he let out was cried filled with despair.
Jenina felt fine hair on her body standing up as she heard the violent screams from him. Even a man on deathbed wouldn't wail like him.
While Jenina was a female, even she could well understand the type of pain a man in Willard's shoes would feel. So she wasn't that shocked by his cries but still, she felt he must man up and accept the pain.
He shouldn't make a kind and honest man like Zed feel he has done something cruel!
Zed gripped Jenina tightly as more tragic screams reverberated in the area.
"Did I went overboard?" Zed asked as Willard collapsed on the ground; rolling to extinguish fires and save remains of his lost treasure.
Jenina placed an arm around him to offer him more support. With a smile, she said, "No. You could never do that."
Knowing his character, Jenina was sure it was an accident. After all, Willard was invisible and Zed was exhausted so there was nothing strange for a shot landing on a forbidden area.
Besides, in brutal fights, attacks don't have eyes so she felt Willard should have no right to complain.
Sadly, Willard continued to howl.
"Willard, stop screaming!"
Sophia ruthlessly kicked him.
"You are making an innocent man like Zed feel guilty for nothing!"
Chapter 392 - Everyone Is Crazy!
On the end of a cliff, a group of four youths was standing. Three of them were looking at the final youth. His eyes were glowing red and twisting like a whirlpool as he gazed far away.
"Edolas, have you discovered anything about that explosion?" A youth named Oboro asked.
Like most of the contestants, he has just passed without receiving a single bead. This naturally put him under great stress.
When the announcement about this wasteland came, and he guessed on its role, he regained hope. He felt there was still a chance so he recruited three of his friends who hasn't fared any better than him.
All of them decided to target Zed and Sophia instead of going after Alistair, Leonardo, Solomon, and other top geniuses. They lacked confidence to face the top geniuses and Chosen as they were well aware of their background and powers.
Compared to them, Zed was a very easy target. He has at least lived ten to twelve years of his life in slums based on the memories from the first trial and this meant he didn't have any good training nor he has powerful connections. Furthermore, while Sophia was talented, she was the youngest so chances of overpowering her were high.
This deep thinking brought them to the present. By the time they decided to go after their targets, the prey has already fled into a distance.
Thankfully, the group wasn't worried as they had Edolas who has ocular powers, including clairvoyance.
A few minutes ago, they heard the ear-piercing sound of a chain explosion, and they felt it was from the same direction as the one where their targets had fled.
As such, Oboro asked Edolas asked about the explosion. He was waiting for an answer when his eyes turned wide in disbelief.
Not only him, but the other two youths around him were the same as they looked at Edolas. Without speaking anything or even making any sense, Edolas has tightly planted his hands on his crotch.
He was even trembling and sweating with his face losing all traces of colors. That was shocking enough but then he closed his legs and crouched on the ground as if to guard his crotch.
"What the hell!?" Oboro was stunned.
"Disaster!" Saliva dripped out of Edolas' mouth as he shouted. "There is a disaster going in that area! And everyone there is crazy!"
What crazy?
You are the one who is crazy by spouting such nonsense out of nowhere! At least, make some sense!
Edolas couldn't control his shaking. He was perceiving everything in the area where the explosion occurred through clairvoyance. He has even noticed Willard targetting Zed and others by being invisible.
Edolas was happy with the turn of events. He felt if Willard was successful then he and his group can just hunt him. And if Willard failed, he would at least have forced Zed and others to exhaustion.
He was brimming with happiness but then his heart sank. The fine hair on his body stood up as he perceived the new developments.
Willard's nether region was smashed beyond any recognition by a fireball. Even though he was just using clairvoyance, he felt as if he could actually experience the terrifying sensation and the unpleasant smell of flesh getting roasted.
This was something he could accept no matter how uncomfortable he felt. But then the women in Zed's group began thrashing Willard.
They were blaming him for being noisy and making the culprit - Zed - feel bad! Whether it was Sophia or Jenina, they kicked and punched Willard violently, without any mercy as if to stop his tragic screams!
What the fuck!
Obviously, Willard would scream!
How could you expect him to be silent when his most precious belongings were fried out of existence!? You, women, don't know how sensitive and treasured that area is! Stop shaming the victim!
Edolas couldn't react for a long time. He has witnessed many cases of victim-blaming but nothing like this.
This was just too tragic!
And as a man, he could very well understand Willard's suffering. Despite him not having any good intent towards Willard, Edolas wished him well so that he could survive the disaster.
While this was frightening enough, he then further observed the developments and he got the shock of his life.
Sophia grabbed Willard and tossed him in front of Zed. She appeared before him like a cute fairy, her body wrapped with streams of energy.
"Zed! You weren't at fault!" Sophia pinned Willard to ground even as he protested with mournful cries. "This ugly toad is a crybaby! He is blaming you for nothing!"
"Really?" Zed asked, his voice filled with doubts.
There was still guilt on his face as if he has carried out a cruel act.
"Yes!" Jenina reassured him on Sophia's behalf.
She has seen all his kind acts and knew his character.
Just a few days ago, after his fight with Launcelot, even though Launcelot was at fault, Zed has apologized for hurting him. He even gave Launcelot healing pills out of guilt.
As for the group of twenty, while it was true that Zed has been fierce, but she felt it was justifiable and a sign of strong character. Not to mention, instead of torturing, he has given them a quick death.
This could tell just how much he hated acts of cruelty.
"Zed, I have known this toad as well," Divya said while pointing to Willard. "He would cry even when he got a scratch!"
Zed nodded but the guilt on his face didn't disappear.
"Let me show it to you!" Sophia decided to take matters in her hand.
Willard was having a bad premonition and while he was in the middle of thinking, he heard a whistling sound. The next moment, his eyes nearly popped out of sockets and he wailed like a dying dog.
"AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!"
Sophia has given him a savage kick in his neither region. Willard wished he could lose consciousness instead of experiencing this brutality, but sadly, the raging pain made it impossible. Fainting was a privilege the pain didn't allow him to have!
"See? There is nothing there!" Sophia pointed her pinky finger down to his non-existent neither region. "And yet he is screaming just like when you accidentally shot the fireball there!"
Sophia sported a smile as she explained further, "He is only pretending so that we would take pity and spare his life!"
"Oh!" Zed's expression changed and he nodded in understanding. "So he was really fooling me with his extreme reactions!"
"Yeap! Just like I said!" Jenina added while whipping the rope made of glistening liquid down. "Now that he knows we know, he would no longer use this method! Let me prove it to you!"
Willard's internals twisted in horror.
He wanted to tell her that they were misunderstanding him! He really was not pretending! The pain was as real as his reactions!
Alas, the rope was lightning fast, giving him no time to explain. As the rope swept downward, the air tore apart with violent fluctuations.
The moment the whip made contact with Willard's neither region, foam streamed down his mouth. He no longer cried or even make any sound. He just writhed on the ground like a fish on the chopping board.
"See?" Jenina pointed at Willard while looking at Zed.
She felt really good to vent her frustration on Willard while also getting a chance to elevate Zed's mood. She knew it wasn't good to take pleasure from others' misfortune, but she felt it didn't matter if the victims were people like Willard.
She believed she was taking justice on Zed's behalf!
How dare Willard target Zed to steal his beads?! He deserved far worse but he was lucky that he met a kind man like Zed.
Otherwise, the world has many cruel people. They wouldn't hold back like Zed in a fight!
Sophia studied Zed's face carefully. He has lost all traces of guilt and was back to his cheerful self.
Sophia and others smiled in relief while ignoring the pitful Willard.
A few miles away, when Edolas witnessed this moment, he collapsed on the ground to protect his treasured region.
As Oboro and others asked him for an explanation, he only gripped his neither region in deep fear. After some time, with a hoarse voice, he shouted:
"You can do anything! But don't go after that Zed guy! The women around him are crazy!"
Chapter 393 - Being Zed Is Difficult!
Willard's internals organs tightened and squeezed as he writhed on the ground. Even though only one part of his body was badly injured, every cell of his body felt a burning pain. He felt nauseated and dizzy.
Through his barely open eyelids, he saw the blurry images of the culprits responsible for his current situation. They were having a relaxed discussion, almost as if he didn't exist here.
Sophia patted the dust off her skirt and said, "Zed, tell me something."
"Sure," Zed replied after consuming a vitality-boosting pill.
Even though he didn't use Firestorm for even four seconds, it has consumed a lot of energy. Thankfully, he has pills to revitalize his exhausted body.
"How did you know about this ugly toad following us?" Sophia pointed at Willard and asked.
From the start, Willard has been invisible and has left behind no traces of his existence when he first arrived in this area. Yet, just after the explosion that killed the group of twenty, Zed has launched a fireball in a seemingly random direction without making any sense. But this random attack was cut apart by Willard, making others realize there was a mutant with the ability of invisibility.
Zed thought for a moment before answering, "Let's say I'm extremely sensitive to killing intent... and when I felt killing intent, I knew someone was targetting us. I just had to sense the area by using the basics of science related to the fire element."
What he said was only partly true.
The moment Willard showed killing intent, Zed's premonition ability warned him. The warning was rather at the final moment since as per Zed's instincts, Willard couldn't be considered a life and death crisis. Yes, for Zed being sneak attacked might lead to a fatal injury but that would only force his instincts to transform him into Kiba. As such, his premonition ability didn't deem Willard worthy enough to warn Zed till the final moment.
But even though the time window was small, Zed has enough experience to use it to its full potential. As he was a fire elementalist, all he has to do was find an area with heat disturbance. After all, every living organism both absorbs and emits heat. This would naturally create fluctuations people consider as heat signals.
Willard might be invisible but since he was only a Gamma-rank mutant, he couldn't mask his heat signatures or hide the heat disturbances. Perhaps, if he was a higher-rank mutant, his invisibility ability would have evolved, and as such, these flaws would not be present.
Alas, advancing to Beta-rank was easier said than done...
"Ingenious!" Sophia remarked with a soft smile.
Most people would restrict the ability of fire manipulation to just destruction, but he used it for reconnaissance.
It might seem simple but how many mutants could come up with this use in such a short time when an opponent was about to launch a sneak attack?
Besides, was it really as easy as he spoke? To use fire manipulation for purposes other than destruction would mean a great understanding of elemental laws. Something which can be only understood at a higher level.
Advancing to the next level not only meant further mastery over own's ability and growth in strength, but also ensured the ability can be used in various ways.
Like in the case of Willard, had he advanced further, he could have turned the entire area invisible or make specific things invisible as per his wish, and thus creating chaos. Had he such powers, then even a powerful group of mutants would be troubled. After all, he could make specific group members invisible which would create confusion and increase the risk of hurting a companion through friendly fire. And if he made certain environmental and geological factors invisible, then the situation would turn even worse.
So evolution to the next level was not just an arithmetic increase in strength or mastery.
"What should we do with Willard?" Jenina asked.
"Kill!" Divya, Rita, and even Sophia answered simultaneously.
Women especially younger ones were considered as faint-hearted and peace-loving but not them. They had no sympathy for a guy like Willard who planned to loot and kill them.
Zed remained silent with his expression turning complex.
"Another guinea pig died before serving any use," Zed thought as Jenina beheaded Willard with a sharp thread of glistening liquid.
Zed silently prayed for the safety of other contestants. He really wanted them to fare well in the upcoming trials so that they could advance further into the central zone and share his burden when the time comes.
If the geniuses and others came to know what he has in mind, they would turn around and flee for their lives. The enticement of the treasure vault wouldn't stop them for a moment...
...
An hour later.
Zed, Sophia, Jenina, and others reached the end of the wasteland. It was a rift that was circular in shape, spanning for god knows how long.
Since this region was circular, no matter what direction one steps in, they would find this rift at the end.
"We are going to the next trial zone!" Sophia said before jumping into the depthless rift. Zed and others followed without any concern for their safety.
The announcement earlier has explained to them how to leave this region to proceed to another trial zone. It was by jumping into the rift!
The moment they jumped, a bright glow engulfed them and they were transported to a new area.
It was another hall similar to the one where the first trial took place.
Zed looked around and when he saw hundreds of youths, he sighed in relief. He was truly happy to see very few casualties.
As he checked others, they did the same.
Many shocked visions landed on him as if they couldn't believe he would arrive here. Most likely, they knew about the group of twenty or Willard chasing after Zed. In a minute, almost half of the hall broke into discussion.
"He survived?!"
"That group didn't find him?"
"Most likely!"
"Obviously! If that group had found him, he would have been dead!"
"You guys might not know but in the slums, everyone is a fast runner! They always have to flee for their lives!"
"Haha, no wonder he survived!"
"Slums insects are always clinging to their poor life! That's why the first trial even gave him so many beads!"
Many insulting remarks came from various corners of the hall. There were jeers, taunts, and mocking laughter.
The voices belonged to those who were jealous of Zed's achievements. Knowing that he was originally a slum dweller, the jealousy has turned into hatred. They lacked means to steal the beads in this area so they decided to vent their envy and hatred by insulting remarks.
Sophia's face fell as more abusive remarks were directed at Zed. She gripped her fists tightly as she thought of how unfair this was.
Why should his non-privileged background deserve so much condemnation? He was far greater person than everyone combined!
"See that insect! He is still hiding behind a woman!" Another taunting remark came.
Sophia has enough of this. Energy waves exploded out of her body and she tapped a foot on the floor to charge forward.
"Sophia, don't give in to their provocation," Zed gripped her shoulder and said in a calm tone.
Sophia stopped as she contemplated his words. Had she launched an attack, she would have broken the unwritten laws since this area belonged to the trial section! It was a protected area unlike the region she has just passed!
She swept her glance at those who taunted Zed earlier and realized what they had in mind. They wanted to provoke Zed so that he would give in to anger and make a mistake. If he did such a thing, he might even face death as a punishment!
As she thought of this, she felt she has lacked calmness. He wouldn't have harmed, but she sure would have died given she was the one taking action at his behest.
"Ugly toads!" Sophia muttered before sitting down to calm down.
Zed smiled at her cute behavior.
He didn't find those earlier remarks by other contestants insulting, but still, given his true personality, he wanted to retort with vicious statements that would make them cough up blood in anger.
Sadly, those types of statements were reserved for Kiba...
"Being Zed is difficult!"
Zed now disliked the self-control and restraint he has designed for his current form.
Chapter 394 - Second Trial!
Inside the enormous hall, Zed ignored the abusive remarks of fellow contestants. Internally, he couldn't but marvel at their good luck. Had he been Kiba, they would have learned what it means to face insults that could make blood boil in anger.
As he thought of this, he eyed the abusive contestants with a peaceful smile.
"Maybe some of them have beautiful girlfriends, or at least gorgeous sisters and mothers," Zed mused with a pondering expression. "If things move as per my plan... then many mothers and sisters would be shedding tears at loss of their precious children.
"Those mourning ladies would be in need of shoulders to cry! How troublesome... Who would be there to offer them a shoulder and tissue? Who would help them feel warm when fangs of loneliness target them?"
Zed sported a very happy smile.
He gazed at the contestants as if they were not insulting, but rather offering him a valuable opportunity. Sure, it was a heavy burden to carry, and it would make his alter ego sweat a lot, but he couldn't back away.
Now, he finally understood the meaning of famous quote: With great power comes great responsibility.
When the contestants cursing him saw his smile, they were incensed. Here they were busy insulting him, and yet, he was smiling!
Angered, they began adding more provoking and abusive remarks. They wanted to make him lose his cool but his smile didn't disappear!
Sophia sat beside him, her eyes narrowed. She was having a hard time controlling herself and not give in to their provocation.
Just as she was on brink of lashing out, the announcement for the next trial came.
{{In the next round, you have to tread the second trial zone to pass. The rewards would be based on the collection of Life Source Shards.}}
Along with the announcement, images of Life Source Shard and the rules of the trial were embedded in everyone's mind. Hardly anyone was surprised to learn that the rule of protection still existed.
Whoosh~!
Following this, hundreds of portals appeared throughout the hall.
The top geniuses and Chosen locked their eyes on the portals with firm determination. Alistar was the first to leap into a portal followed by Leonardo Benjamin, Solomon Fuentes, and others.
The young assassin from Mystic Dark Hands - Kieron - swept a glance at Zed. Looking at his indifferent and calm expression, Kieron muttered, "This round, I will definitely surpass you!"
He rushed into a portal...
"We should also go!" Sophia rose to her feet and said.
Jenina, Divya, and others nodded. They stepped into the portals made of white light and disappeared.
Like a gentleman, Zed followed the concept of ladies first. He walked behind Sophia into one of the portals, and felt himself falling through a space tunnel made of twisted stripes of color.
When he regained his sense of direction, he was standing on a ground covered with frost. The moment he appeared in the new land, he was forced to shut his eyes as strong light beams flashed in front of him.
A few moments later, he opened his eyes and looked in front. He realized the light beams were not really light beam, but rather a reflection of light on the objects in front of him.
As far as his eyes could see, the new land was filled with these objects reflecting glittering lights.
Crystals.
There were plateaus of crystals upon which spikes made of crystals protruded out. On the ground, crystals similar to icicles raised out.
The crystals were of myriad colors, even colors that Zed has never seen on Earth. It was like the light here was made of a different spectrum.
"A world of crystal!" Sophia's voice appeared from behind him.
Zed nodded without saying anything.
"Aren't these Profound Energy Crystals?!"
A shocked gasp came from some fifty meters away.
Zed and Sophia turned around to notice a group of five standing some six hundred meters away from a cluster of spherical crystals emitting a vibrant yellow glow.
"It is really Profound Energy Crystals!" Sophia blurted out in surprise as she gazed at the glittering and translucent crystals.
Alongside her, Jenina and other females were similarly stuck in shock.
Profound Energy Crystals were a form of mineral deposit storing natural mutation energy. This energy was special and something rarely available as it was made of Divine Particles - the particles responsible for the mutation on Earth!
For centuries, scientists around the globe wanted to find items containing Divine Particles to uncover secrets to strong powers and immortality. So it could be imagined the allure these particles had for the mutants and research community.
Naturally, the presence of a single Profound Energy Crystal could result in a riot. Even the World Government would not let an opportunity go if they learn about these crystals.
In the present era where everyone lusted after power and long life, Profound Energy Crystals were a source of hope!
Sophia was from an aristocrat family and she knew their worth. She was more than sure that if the top organizations on Earth noticed so many crystals, a war of epic proportions would break out.
Almost on reflex, everyone in the area charged towards the cluster of crystals. There were around thirty people in this area, and every one of them wanted to own these crystals.
They were priceless - perhaps even more valuable than the treasures one could get in the treasure vault!
Even Sophia couldn't help herself as she rushed forward to grab a few crystals. As a noble descendant, she felt an obligation to bring these crystals to her family and help in the development of the family's power. After all, the family has invested in her growth and gave her a life envied by masses; naturally, she has a strong devotion towards her family.
Jenina, Divya, Rita, and a dozen more people in the area have also jumped in action. Everyone's eyes sparkled with the reflection of Profound Energy Crystals and their desire to retrieve them turned stronger.
Their speed was such that they left behind afterimages.
Sophia has crossed a distance of two hundred meters in just two seconds when she felt blistering heat. Surprised, she lifted her head and saw an arc of flame shooting downward at her.
"Zed!"
Sophia gritted her teeth and jumped backward.
At the same time, Jenina and others too leaped backward as columns of spiraling flames shot towards them.
"What is the meaning of this?" Jenina couldn't believe he would do such a thing.
She looked in the distance and noticed how other contestants were closing into Profound Energy Crystals.
"Do you want to compete with us?! Are you afraid of competing with honest means!?" Diya shouted at him in anger and once again charged forward.
Zed didn't reply and instead raised a hand.
A fireball swept out and Divya was forced to duck to avoid it.
"You!!" Divya cursed him.
Meanwhile, the other contestants have already reached before the crystals. As soon as one of the contestants touched the crystals, their surfaces distorted with yellow ripples.
Then, rays of cold light sprang out from the crystals. The faces of the contestants fell and they felt a life and death crisis like never before. Instinctively, they shot backward to retreat but it was too late as by now, the rays of light pierced through them.
For a moment, they were dumbstruck as nothing happened but then they let out miserable screams. Their bodies shriveled and withered as the rays of cold light sucked away their life force and vitality.
"This...!"
Sophia looked at the scene with eyes wide open. Her heart sank as she noticed how a few of the contestants had protective charms similars to hers but in front of the cold light, they didn't even activate.
The result of this development was in front of her. With a thud sound, the contestants collapsed on the ground, turning into dry corpses while the rays of light retraced back into the crystals.
The yellow glow emitting out of the crystals turned a bit stronger, as if the power inside them has increased.
"What happened?"
Normally, Sophia was bossy and fearless, but now her cute was filled with traces of fear. It was her first time witnessing people dying in a manner like this.
Jenina, Rita, and Divya sucked in a breath of cold air. Their forehead dripped with sweat and they started shaking as they realized how narrowly they avoided horrifying death.
Sophia turned towards Zed and thought of how he 'attacked' to stop them.
It was only him who didn't rush to grab Profound Energy Crystals. Knowing what has just happened, there was no doubt why he didn't.
"Thanks and sorry," Sophia lowered her head.
She couldn't believe how her mind was so clouded with greed that she even turned angry at him.
"Don't be hard on yourself," Zed said, his voice polite. "Allure of Divine Particles is not something that any human being can resist."
The mutation responsible for supernatural abilities was due to Divine Particles present in the genetic material. This genetic mutation lusted after every similar source of power. It was this lust that showed up as a desire to have Divine Particles at all costs.
Of course, human psychology would give reasons and twists to justify this strong desire like in Sophia's case where she felt it is an obligation for family. Maybe she really wanted the crystals for her family, but this desire was born out of her innate mutation.
"Yet you were able to resist its allure unlike us," Sophia replied with a wry smile.
She recalled her mother's words on how only a man of honest nature could resist strongest temptation. It was proof of character. Looking at Zed's conduct, she once again praised her all-knowing mother.
"I'm sorry for my conduct," Divya apologized.
She chided herself for behaving badly with someone like Zed who has been the kindest and sincere human she has ever known.
"I'm sorry as well," Jenina and Rita also apologized with a bitter expression before thanking him.
"Please be at ease and you don't have to thank me," Zed responded with a warm smile. "I only did what any person would have done in my shoes."
Sophia and others stared at him. He hasn't taken the least bit of offense, and instead of basking in their gratitude, he resisted it by acting he hasn't done anything special.
"What an exemplary human being!"
Once again, Sophia couldn't help but think of that shameless scoundrel as she thought of his character...
✡✡✡
A few minutes later.
Sophia observed Profound Energy Crystals for a few moments before saying, "There was no mention of their strange nature..."
She has read a few books on mutation and various precious items. The nature of these crystals to absorb life-force and vitality was never stated.
"Maybe the family didn't even know..."
Sophia wondered aloud.
She then further thought that perhaps a few esteemed elders knew but they might not have mentioned due to the rarity of these crystals. She has only read about these crystals in passing; knowing full well they were something she could never find, much less get.
As she thought of everything so far, she brought her eyes to Zed. From the start, he showed no interest in those crystals and only focused on stopping her and others.
"He must have known everything about those crystals but how..."
She wondered in her heart.
"These crystals are not really mineral deposit of Divine Particles, well, at least not in ways you believe, " Zed said as he felt visions filled with curiosity on him.
"What do you mean?" Sophia asked.
"Nature has ways of balancing things," Zed explained with a sigh. "Humans and even many lifeforms from Celestial Elysian Plane derived their strength from Divine Particles... this reduced the quantity of Divine Particles in free form. So as a balancing act to conserve these particles, nature intervened in the form of those crystals."
"You mean by absorbing Divine Particles fused with lifeforms?!" Sophia felt a chill pass through her spine.
She glanced at the crystals and the strong glow emitting from them. She made a mental calculation and based on this, she felt at least ten thousands of lifeforms have been killed for the crystals to grow to their present form.
Given the negligible traces of Divine Particles in humans' genetic matter, she reasoned most lifeforms killed must be alien creatures.
"Nature is cruel," Sophia bitterly noted.
"Cruel but fair and without any bias," Zed corrected her in his thoughts.
"Is there any way to get those crystals?" Jenina asked after some time.
The most precious treasure was in front of her, lying in open, and yet, she didn't dare take them. There could be nothing more tragic than this.
"Of course, there are ways to get them," Zed replied in a matter of obvious tone. "Nature is balanced after all."
Jenina's face brightened with happiness. The others were same and they excitedly looked at him with glittering eyes; waiting for him to share the ways.
"But none of those methods can be employed by us," Zed completed his statement. "If they were something we could get, then would they be really rare?"
"......"
Jenina felt he was trolling them by adding crucial information after a long pause. But since she knew his character, she felt that possibility was nonexistent...
Chapter 395 - Zed or Kiba - The Devilish Nature Remains The Same!
Zed wasn't lying when he said the methods couldn't be employed by them to take Profound Energy Crystals. After all, their strength was very low, and if they still tried to use them, they would suffer a fate similar to those twenty or so contestants who just died.
"We should leave," Sophia said with a smile.
"Yes! We have to cross the trial zone to pass!" Jenina agreed while accepting the bitter reality of not getting a chance to acquire Profound Energy Crystals.
"And if possible, we need to get our hands on those Life Source Shards!" Divya reminded.
She glanced at her right wrist where she only had one colorful bead. She then swept a glance at Zed's wrist with envy.
He has over a hundred beads!
The difference between them was as vast as between earth and sky. There was no comparison.
"Only if I can get Life Source Shards would I have a chance of acquiring reward beads... otherwise even if I cross the trial zone, I would only consider as passed but no rewards!" Divya muttered to herself.
Zed absentmindedly listened to their discussion while eyeing cluster of spherical crystals forming Profound Energy Crystals. As he observed the yellow glow emitting from them, the soft glow shrouded his vision, flashing memories of BSE79.
Those memories rolled like a reel of a movie and stopped on one scene:
A spaceship so enormous that it could cover almost half the Earth. Despite its dimensions, it existed in the hidden space of a small meteorite known as BSE79.
In one section of this spaceship, a golden-hair man stood, engulfed in a chaotic storm of golden energy. The very space around him buzzed and trembled. Under the terrifying energy fluctuations, his long golden hair whipped around him.
He was naked above the torso, exposing a physique that could be only described as godly. Presently, his eyes were locked on his chest.
From the center of his chest, root-like veins bulged out, radiating strands of power Cosmic that created the storm around him. Threads of blood filled his eyes as he observed those veins and an intense desire to carry out a genocide flooded his very soul.
Terrifying energy coursed through his body and he felt, if he truly wished, just a flick of his hand could topple a city. He suppressed this feeling and looked at a distance where an octahedron crystal was lying, emitting a serene emerald glow.
If an Alpha-rank mutant observed the octahedron crystal, he would notice the crystal was made of hundreds of spherical crystals with yellow surface similar to Profound Energy Crystals; compressed to a very small size. Perhaps due to their combination and fusion, or maybe due to some other reason, the fused octahedron glowed a translucent emerald glow. This glow snaked throughout the crystal in the form of circuit design; far more complex than a paradox.
The golden-haired man lifted a finger, and simultaneously, the crystal flew through the energy storm, floating in front of him.
He took the crystal in both hands and closed his eyes. As the ferocious energy storm swirled around him, a smile that emitted a sense of trustworthiness and belonging appeared on his face.
"Everything will change... Claudia!"
✡✡✡
In the present, Zed opened his eyes and looked at his hands as if to find something. When he recalled what he just experienced was a short flash of memory triggered by Profound Energy Crystals, he couldn't help but smile.
"Everything has changed... Claudia!"
Sophia was nearby him and heard him muttering something. She tried to make sense of his words but couldn't.
As he felt her eyes, he said, "Yeah...let's leave."
Sophia was curious but she nodded and they sped into a distance.
An hour later.
Zed was running through a field of crystal icicles when his eyes flickered. He turned to his right and others did the same as they felt something.
Some four hundred meters away, beside a skeleton made of crystalline mass, there was a shard of crimson color.
Life Source Shard.
Zed and others appeared before the shard. Zed grabbed it between a finger and felt strong waves of vitality.
"You are lucky!" Jenina remarked. She knew he was the first to notice and as such, it was his.
Zed didn't respond and instead checked out the skeleton. It seemed to belong to a species similar to the one Kiba saw through his super vision after he entered the core region.
Of course, the skeleton here wasn't corroded unlike the one he saw before which was corroded by that black liquid.
"Life Source Shard."
Zed focused on the shard in his hand while thinking about how it was formed. There was no doubt from its aura on what its properties were, but knowing its formation process was equally important.
At the same time, Sophia moved further and let out a surprised gasp.
"There is an habitant ahead!" Sophia said as she observed small domes in a distance. The domes were covered with mist, making it difficult to see properly.
Zed stepped next to her, and they exchanged a glance with others before agreeing to continue. They covered a distance of around half a mile when they appeared before the habitant.
"Maybe we can find more of those shards here!" Jenina said.
"Yeah," Zed nodded.
Suddenly, just as they took a step ahead, cracks snaked over the ground from which crystalline spike rose up.
Thanks to his premonition ability, Zed noticed before they could create any harm. He released streams of fire from his palms and shot into the air.
Sophia leaped high albeit after a crystal spike cut through a shoe, making her bleed. Jenina and others were not so lucky as spikes pierced through their feet and legs. They barely avoided fatal injuries by twisting their bodies.
As Zed landed on the ground some distance away, a hen-like creature, made of cyan crystal body, rushed at him. It rose its hook-like claw up and swiped them at Zed's neck.
Zed ducked to a side and retaliated with a circle of fire that crashed onto the hen-like creature. The circle of fire exploded but the hen-like creature sliced apart the flame explosion and charged at Zed.
Its speed was fast, and as Zed readied to dodge a claw attack, it opened its beak and threw out a beam of crystalline light.
Zed was caught off guard but he quickly crossed his arms in 'X' shape and releaded a wall of fire to block the attack. Alongside, he leaped back just as the beam of light slammed through the wall of fire, and rushed at him.
The beam exploded out into crystalline shards and rained down on him. Zed has no time to avoid due to their speed and a few shards pierced his hand even as he blocked others with flame attacks.
Blood splashed out and Zed looked at the hen-like creature with shock. Even though it used the surprise factor, its power was no less than a level III mutant.
Swoosh~!
A raging spiral column of flame hurtled out of his palm. The hen-like creature flapped its wings and swept into the air.
"So it is not really a mutated hen but some alien lifeform," Zed thought as the column of flame changed its direction in mid-air.
The hen-like creature opened its bead and let out multiple beams of light that crashed into the column of flame.
Like icicles forming under freezing temperature, the column of flame crystallized and slammed downward, breaking into crystalline pieces.
"Well, this was a bit unexpected!"
Zed got no time to praise the hen-like being as it pounced at him from high above, shooting like a rocket. This time its speed was so fast that it left behind a blue streak of light.
Zed raised a hand, wrapping it with a blazing orb of flame, and ready to slam onto the creature above.
Just then, a shrill sound came from far away. As soon as the sound appeared, the hen-like creature stopped and twisted its body in mid-air to shoot towards the source of the voice.
"?" Zed was startled by its behavior. He glanced at the side and noticed others were alive. Sophia was facing another creature but it too left along with hen-like creature after the shrilling sound appeared.
A few minutes later, after giving Jenina and others a few medicines, they stepped further into the area.
Zed looked around and was shocked to see the two attackers from before at some distance away. They were nervously standing in front of an egg that was breaking out.
Sophia and others were shocked but for another reason. They saw a dozen Life Source Shards upon which the egg was hatching out.
As Zed and others stepped in, more organisms appeared through the dome-like structures. Some of them resembled hen while others a mix of kangaroo and ostrich with strange features.
Their eyes were filled with hostility as they gazed at Zed and others. Yet, they didn't take any action as if they lacked any energy, forcing the two hen-like creatures to rise up.
As Zed looked around, he understood the situation. He sighed and forgive the hen-like creature. He realized it was eagerly waiting for the birth of a new offspring which was why it attacked them. Most likely, trials of this nature where contestants sought Life Source Shards have taken before though records of them were rare, if not non-existent.
Knowing this, how could he fault a parent for carrying out its duty? Of course, he only forgave since the hen-like creature did it out of the protective nature of a parent without any murderous intent of own.
"We have a nice opportunity!" Rita said with great happiness. "So many Life Source Shards!"
Sophia, Jenina, and Divya nodded in acknowledgment. After thinking of their own trump cards, they were more than sure of stealing shards and escaping alive even if they couldn't defeat the creatures. Their confidence was further boosted by the current situation.
A cracking sound ringed from the egg. The two hen-like creatures brought their focus back on the egg as cracks appeared on its surface.
Threads of crystalline liquid seeped out along with two small claws.
"Now is the time to attack!" Jenina charged straight.
"Don't!" Zed swept a hand at her, releasing an arc of fire that crashed some distance in front of her. Jenina stopped and looked at him.
"What's wrong?" Jenina asked while wondering if there was some danger here. Based on her understanding, he was truly knowledgeable of dangers so she wouldn't want to do anything that he wouldn't suggest.
"We have no right to be here," Zed said as he glanced at the egg in the middle of hatching. "Much less endanger the lives of an entire habitat."
The shards around it splashed out a crimson glow that entered the life inside the egg. It was like the shards were providing it with nourishment.
"What?" Sophia and others looked at him as if he was stupid.
Surely he couldn't be asking them to leave due to some compassion, right?! Those creatures were not humans but alien!
And even if they were from Earth, it isn't like Sophia, Zed, and others were vegetarians or some pro-life people on a mission to not harm other species.
"Zed, I respect your character but you are wrong this time," Jenina said before turning back to the egg. "The world follows the law of jungle... we also have, including you when you killed that group with hidden explosives. Besides, this trial's rewards is on those shards....so we can't back off."
"You are completely right," Zed agreed since his alter ego didn't mind killing humans just because they annoyed him.
He didn't even know how many lives he has taken regardless of species. Beasts, humans, aliens...he has killed without any reservation. Even as Zed, he has killed many regardless of their identity and role in the world. He hasn't cared if a person was a father, son, mother, or anything. That wasn't his nature to worry about.
"But I would still stop you," Zed said, his demeanor changing. "The reason is simple... I have a soft spot for..."
Waves of fire exploded around his body, covering him with flames like a god of fire. The sound of flame exploding covered his final word, making it difficult for others to comprehend.
"You got to be kidding!" Jenina and others were shocked by his sudden change in demeanor. He was nothing like the person before.
Even though the waves of fire around him were emitting blazing heat, there was a chillness in his voice.
"Besides, the trial setting wants contestants to steal Life Source Shards from such habitats - knowing full well what it would mean for living beings which exist in this world," Zed's lips curved up as he thought of the setting. "Ever since I first became Kiba... when have I followed the rules and settings of others?"
Even before he gained Cosmic Spark and was nothing more than a slum insect, he has tried to resist the workings of society in his limited ways. This could be seen from what he did during his expedition to BSE79 or even before that when he killed his caretaker.
The truth was that he didn't really care much about the species of this habitat as much as he cared about not bowing down under the rules of others.
After all, he was a man who has defied society with every moment of his existence!
It wasn't just due to his deviant thoughts on sex and relationships but also due to his world view. He was the type of person who neither cared about the existence of World Government or the revolutionaries. All he cared about was him; all he followed was his heart - regardless if he was Kiba or Zed.
And now, after appearing in the core region, he was forced to follow the rules of Royal Will of the World. This was something against his nature.
What was the use of power if he can't do as he pleases? What's the use of his alter ego being Kiba if he has to rely on endangering a weak species for some petty rewards?
He was a devil who did as his heart pleased regardless of how others perceived his actions!
Zed or Kiba, that part remained the same!
Chapter 396 - Exploiting A Rule!
Chapter 396 - Exploiting A Rule!
In the middle of crystalline dome-like structures, streams of fire whipped around Zed as he looked at Jenina and others.
Sophia was dumbstruck. She never expected him to lose his unique coolness, and that too because it concerned the survival of some aliens.
She eyed the two hen-like creatures and the egg that was in the middle of hatching. The dozen or so Life Source Shards continued to splash crimson glow on the egg, transferring vitality.
Sophia then glanced at other alien organisms who had fierce appearances but almost no strength. Based on everything that occurred so far and her knowledge, it wasn't hard for her to realize why these alien organisms appeared to be so weak except for those two hen-like creatures.
"For these aliens, Life Source Shard should be a vital organ or something like that," Sophia guessed with a serious expression. "Whenever a new life is born, it needs strong energy to truly born... the creatures in the habitant provide the required energy through their own Life Source Shards!"
Sophia wasn't far from the truth.
Almost every alien in this habitant has taken out their Life Source Shard to provide nourishment for the hatching of the egg. This was why they appeared to be so listless and lifeless. It wasn't hard to guess what would happen if they didn't get their shards back soon.
While this might be true, no contestant in the second trial zone would care. After all, the contestants knew the nature of the world and all they wanted was to gain rewards by taking these shards. Not to mention, empathy wasn't truly a virtue one could afford to have in a world that followed the law of the jungle.
Sophia brought her eyes back on Zed. The fire wrapped on his body scorched the air with terrifying heatwaves.
"Mom was right!"
Sophia's beautiful eyes sparkled with admiration for Zed.
"A truly kind person is someone who shows kindness for even those who are not favored by society! It is easy to be kind to fellow humans but not to beasts and aliens!"
Sophia was once again impressed by her all-knowing mother.
More than her mother, she was impressed by Zed's character. She didn't think his impression could skyrocket again given it was already at the top, but now, his impression has already pierced the sky.
Jenina opened her mouth and said, "Zed! We will not get any rewards!"
She has only got two beads from the first trial. Now, her future achievements depended on the gains in this trial and the upcoming ones. If he stopped her, then while she might still pass, there would be no actual gain!
Till now, she loved his character and admired his personality for doing what he did for her and others. Now, it was difficult for that love and admiration to continue.
"Beads?" Zed raised his right wrist and looked at the crystalline thread where hundreds of beads were placed.
What he did next shocked Jenina, Sophia and others. Their eyes turned wide as saucers as he grabbed the beads and forcefully ripped them from the crystalline thread.
Ripples of multiple colors swept out and the air buzzed as the beads fell on the ground.
"This should be enough to compensate you all," Zed tossed hundreds of beads towards Jenina, Divya, Rita, and Sophia.
Jenina's throat turned dry as the beads flew towards her. She unconsciously opened her hands and took a few dozen.
"This...!"
She knew that even if she did her best, she couldn't get more than ten beads in this trial. The earlier announcement has explained the rules and reward so she was well aware. The beads were far too precious and rare, gaining them was more than difficult.
Now, she was getting so many and that too without doing anything!
She stared at Zed, her mouth wide open, not knowing what to say.
He was giving his rewards from the first trial just too protect these aliens! People risked their lives to enter the core region to participate in the trials and gain these beads to access the legendary treasure vault! Yet he was tossing them away as if they were worthless like pieces of stones!
This was simply outrageous!
She was more than sure that if she tried to tell this to others, no one would believe her. This action of his went beyond understanding!
A smile appeared on Sophia's face and she walked to Zed.
"I have more than enough!" Sophia said while returning the beads to him.
In the first trial, while she didn't achieve impossible bead rewards like him, she has earned the second most. She has even surpassed Alistair by a small margin!
After seeing Zed's action, she knew she wasn't the type who would take the rewards of others. She has confidence in her ability to perform better in future trials and make up for the difference.
"Besides, I'm not a thief, unlike that shameless villain who robbed the entire auction house!" Sophia thought with a smile.
Behind, Jenina and others' expression fell.
Their talent was nowhere near Sophia. And they didn't have her confidence in making up for this trial in the upcoming ones.
Now, seeing Sophia handing back the beads, how can they keep it? Wasn't their behavior shameful after all the help Zed has given?
"There is no need to refuse or feel ashamed," Zed said, his voice polite. "What we did is a simple exchange."
Jenina gripped the beads in her hands before nodding. The beads flashed with multiple colors, and the next moment, they fused with the crystalline thread on her right wrist.
The fire around Zed retraced back into his body.
CRACK
At the same time, the egg completely cracked apart and the small hen-like creature came into existence. Its body was coated with a crystalline liquid that glittered like starlight.
The hen-like creature that earlier attacked Zed turned around and looked at Zed.
While it couldn't understand the conversation that took place between the humans, it understood the conclusion, and also that this male human stopped the others from taking advantage of the crucial moment.
The hen-like creature was grateful for this. After all, if he and others have attacked while the egg was hatching, the result would have been unfortunate.
Meanwhile, just as the hen-like creature was thinking of expressing gratitude, it quickly turned its head towards the outside of the habitant.
Diya's expression flickered and she said, "There is a group of fifteen rushing here!"
Jenina's heart sank and she glanced at Zed. He could stop her and others with words alone. Even if he hadn't given the beads, they wouldn't have gone against his wish due to the nature of relationship between them.
But she knew this didn't hold true for the group of contestants coming here. His bead exchange wouldn't work here due to the corrupt nature of humans who always desired more.
And there was not even a chance of him attacking them. The trial zone has strict punishment for contestants trying to attack or kill each other. This rule was not only to protect contestants but also to increase the difficulty. After all, the presence of this rule meant that contestants have to find the shards on their own without any chance of stealing it from others! Furthermore, the first person to grab a shard would be considered its owner.
"No attacking or killing! This is truly bad!" Divya muttered.
The earlier wasteland was an exception of this rule because it was not a trial zone...it was only a passage! In that wasteland, Zed could plant hidden explosives to kill that group of twenty and save themselves.
But now there was no such opportunity. This was a truly desperate situation.
The hen-like creature and other alien lifeforms in the habitant felt depressed. Only two of them were in a condition to do battle but the number of enemies was over ten!
Based on the aliens' aura reading capacity, they were stronger than Zed and the four females. This was to be expected given the size of group and their relatively older age.
The hen-like creature said to its partner to hide their offspring while it would try to stop the incoming enemies. It passed the same message to other aliens while handing them their Life Source Shards. Even after having the shards, it would take them a long while to recover and be in a situation to fight.
"Damn! This is bad!" Sophia clenched her fists tightly. "We are helpless!"
She could feel the group rapidly approaching as the group wasn't trying to mask its presence. It was only a matter of four minutes before they arrived here. If the aliens tried to flee, they would still be obliterated easily by the group.
Sophia knew the bitter reality. Even if she could face the group, she knew it would be a helpless situation. Everyone here was a genius on their own right. It was an impossible task for a group of five to face fifteen! Not to mention, attacking and destroying was far easier than protecting!
Sophia looked at Zed and was stunned to see his expression calm. There was a serenity in his eyes that made her heart thumped nervously.
"Aren't you worried?" Sophia asked.
Based on what he has done so far, it was obvious he wanted to protect this habitat. So how could he be so calm in this situation?
Surely he couldn't be thinking of using explosives or something, right? There was no time for that! And even if there was, it would be against the rules and result in disastrous consequences!
"What's there to worry about?" Zed asked in return.
"It is a group of fifteen! There is no way you can protect those aliens!" Sophia reminded him quickly.
"There are only three minutes left!" Jenina shouted to remind him of the intense situation. "And you can forget trying to attack or kill that group given that rule!"
"Actually, the presence of that rule would endanger them," Zed said, his voice polite. "Thus, we have already won so why worry?"
"Huh?"
Sophia and others stared blankly at him. They couldn't make a sense of his words!
How can the rule forbidding attacking or killing other contestants endanger the incoming group? That rule was obviously to protect them!
For a moment, Sophia wondered if he has turned stupid. She was thinking when he said, "I will need a little bit of help though."
"?!" Sophia was dumbstruck as he stated the nature of help.
Two minutes later.
A group of fifteen mutants arrived in the habitat with a loud sound. The fluctuations of their aura shook the ground and made crystalline dust rise up.
The group was lead by two people. The first one a twenty-five years old mutant with ability to shoot out electrical bolts. He was named Kafir.
The second person was same-aged with an elastic and rubber-like body. He was named Somir.
Kafir lifted his head and gazed ahead. He saw Zed standing with Jenina, Divya, and Rita. Alongside, there was one hen-like creature.
Kafir has an electromagnetic sensor and he could make out other aliens hiding in the domes. He obviously knew the importance of these alien lifeforms. They were carrying the precious Life Source Shard in their bodies!
"Sirs, please leave this area," Zed respectfully said with a polite bow. "The organisms here might be aliens, but they have a life. They would be extremely grateful if you can let them live in peace."
"What?" Kafir looked at him as if he was seeing an idiot.
"Did I hear it right?" Somir wondered aloud.
"I heard it as well... Most likely being first in the earlier trial has made him stupid!" Another mutant said with a grin.
"Haha, right!"
"Those from slums obviously have something wrong with their minds!"
The group began laughing while slowly approaching Zed. They knew the rule so they were sure Zed woudldn't dare attack. Not to mention, none of them feared him the least bit.
He was just a slum dweller with strong clinging to life! That's how he won the first trial! What was there to be proud of?
Jenina was extremely nervous as the group stepped forward. While she didn't care about the well being of these aliens, she didn't want Zed to suffer from an emotional breakdown.
After looking at the group of fifteen, she knew it was inevitable. There was just no way the aliens could survive!
Kafir and his group were just at a distance of hundred meters when flames exploded out of Zed's body. He was like the god of fire, standing on the petals of flames.
The air buzzed with a sizzling sound as heatwaves erupted. Jenina, Diya, Rita, and the hen-like creature jumped backward.
"Surely you aren't thinking of attacking us, right?" Kafir asked with a mocking grin. He was sure Zed lacked the guts to do that but he still wanted to provoke.
Zed didn't reply with words. Instead, he raised a hand and streams of flame boomed out of his palm.
"Fuck!" Kafir was startled as he saw the flames rushing forward.
Has this slum dweller lost it?! Doesn't he know the rule?! Or was he so eager to die?!
Kafir was thinking as the flames exploded ahead. He didn't dare take a chance and leaped up along with his group, narrowly missing a blurring figure on the ground that crashed with the flame. The figure was so fast that it left behind no traces of its existence; no afterimages or fluctuations even as the flames slammed on it. But instead of explosion, there was nothing. It was as if the flames were all show with no might.
At the same time, as the group jumped upward, they saw a giant fireball approaching them. Alongside, they also saw a whip of glistening liquid crashing forward, wielded by Jenina.
"What the hell is going?!"
"Why isn't the trial zone acting up?!"
"Is this area free of the rule?!"
"Most likely! Otherwise, he and Jenina would have died!"
"We have to retaliate!"
Kafir snapped his teeth and left the target zone of the fireball to take action. He slammed his hands together and two dazzling electricity bolts surged outward.
Somir's limbs stretched out to its limit and he slammed an enormous fist, in the shape of a hammer, on Zed.
At the same time, as the fireball rapidly approached the remaining members of the group, it exploded. The group has brought out all their trump cards to protect themselves from the resulting waves of blazing heat. But much to their shock, the fireball didn't explode into those destructive waves. Rather, it exploded into dazzling sparks like a spectacular firework! The sparks were beautiful!
The whip of glistening liquid likewise exploded into beautiful mass of rain!
The group was still trying to make sense of this strange phenomenon when the sky above them rapidly darkened.
From the sky, two chains made of pure energy shot out. In a blink of an eye, they ripped through the skulls of Kafir and Somir!
"WHAT?!"
The group was shell-shocked. The speed and power of the chains were so much that Kafir and Somir didn't even notice they have already died before their attacks landed.
"Isn't this the punishment for those who break the rule?!"
The group couldn't make a sense.
How was it that when Zed attacked them, nothing happened!? But when their leaders retaliated, they were killed!
Someone please awaken the gods and inform them of this unfairness!
If Ashlyn was here, she would snort in disdain at this group of idiots, and repeat the wise words of Zed's elder brother:
"Work smart, not hard!"
Chapter 397 - Because I Want To!
Just like the surviving members of the group, the people on Zed's side were similarly stunned. With wide eyes, everyone saw the chains of energy ripping through Kafir and Somir.
"Impossible!" A surviving member uttered in pure shock.
"They didn't even get time to blink!"
He almost wet his pants by the scene in front of him.
Kafir and Somir were top Level III mutants but when the chains arrived to kill them, they were completely helpless. Blood and ghastly liquid splashed out of their bodies as they collapsed on the ground. The frosty ground quickly turned crimson and an unpleasant smell emitted out, making the group feel extremely uncomfortable.
Swoosh~!
The chains retraced back and the sky turned normal. If not for the two corpses on the ground and the stench, no one would have believed the trial zone has killed two contestants in such a brutal manner!
"Sirs, can we start again?" Zed politely asked the surviving members of the group.
When the surviving members heard his polite question, their expressions turned unsightly. Their bodies were completely soaked in cold sweat as memories of those chains continuously flashed before their eyes.
Start again?! You can attack us! But if we retaliate, we are killed!
Like hell, we would start again!
Do you take us for idiots?! We might not look smart but we are not dumb!
Without saying anything, the group turned around and fleed! They didn't dare stay here for a moment!
Behind, the hen-like creature was startled at the development. The crisis the hen-like creature was desperately worried about was easily resolved without any efforts!
The hen-like creature's cyan body glittered as it glanced at Zed as if he was a god.
Just what has he done? How did those two humans die without him doing anything?
A few minutes ago, before the group of fifteen arrived, Zed has signaled the hen-like creature to stay back. Due to language differences, the hen-like creature could only understand this much, and while it didn't like his request, it still accepted.
Never in its wildest dream, the hen-like creature imagined for him to have the capacity of killing people in such a way! He was simply a god!
Jenina stupidly stared at Zed's back from behind. A few minutes ago, he has told her what she has to do and nothing else. While she was nervous and even a bit frightened, she carried out his request. Back then, she didn't understand what he has in mind, but now looking at the corpses, she has a faint idea.
At the same time, the space in front of Zed flickered as Sophia arrived. Sweat dripped out of her forehead and she placed a hand on him for support.
Zed smiled and wiped the sweat with his sleeve.
"Are you fine?" Zed asked while handing her a water bottle.
"Yeah," Sophia answered before emptying the entire bottle. "Just that it was too hard to maintain my speed without creating any fluctuations."
Zed nodded in understanding.
She was the fastest person here due to the nature of her powers, offering her multiple uses. Knowing this, he has asked her to cross the speed limit so that she almost turn invisible while ensuring it results in no damage or speed fluctuations. This naturally was a tough task for someone so young.
A minute ago, when he first 'launched an attack' on Kafir, he has actually aimed at Sophia as per their plan. His flame attack was flashy with no real power, and since it carried no negative intent towards Sophia, the attack didn't qualify to require the intervention of the trial zone.
Then there was his second move: the enormous fireball. The fireball was actually aimed at the group just as they leaped in the air.
This too didn't qualify for the intervention of the trial zone. After all, while it looked terrifying, the fireball has no real destructive power, unless you count the dazzling firework!
As for the attacks used by Kafir and Somir to retaliate, they carried true destructive power. Since both Kafir and Somir believed Zed and Jenina were trying to kill, they also launched attacks with intent to kill.
This naturally fell into negative intent and required the intervention of the trial zone.
"I never knew we can exploit the trial zone like this!" Sophia said as her exhaustion disappeared.
She raised her head and gazed into his eyes.
"Did you know of this from the start?" Sophia asked.
"No," Zed answered honestly.
"Then how?" Sophia was curious.
"Every rule/law has a loophole," Zed replied politely. "This is something I learned when I was young... So, when the trial rules were stated, I analyzed them to find their limitations and ways by which they could be exploited."
Sophia looked at him before nodding.
As a descendant of an aristocrat family controlling the World Government, she naturally understood the principle of loopholes. Many times the loopholes were intentionally created for the benefit of a specific few.
Of course, for other people, finding and using those loopholes was easier said than done. This was especially true for a place like the trial zone. The fact that Zed easily found the loophole and used it to his advantage only showed how quick-witted he was.
"Thank god he is on our side!" Jenina muttered to Divya and Rita.
"Yes! We are lucky!" Divya and Rita agreed while remembering everything he has done so far.
"Well, we should leave," Zed stretched his hands before continuing. "But before that..."
He trailed off in between and arrived in front of the hen-like creature. He retrieved four sets of explosives he has used after the first trial.
While the surviving members of Kafir and Somir's group have fleed, there was a strong chance they might return if they understood what truly happened.
Zed didn't think those guys were really stupid. They only fleed because of the overwhelming development, the fear factor, and the resulting chaos.
Who was to say after calming down they might not grasp the truth?
One should never expect others to be totally dumb. This was why Zed patiently explained the hen-like creature on the use of explosives through sign language and diagrams.
Just as a safety precaution, he even guided the hen-like creature in implanting the explosives and its management. Since the explosives were planted by the hen-like creature, he was sure the rule wouldn't target him if the explosives killed other contestants.
"Take this as well," Zed retrieved a digital tablet.
"Maybe you couldn't understand but perhaps, someone in your next generation would find its use... there is a strong chance it might go to waste but oh well..."
He erased a few things and after making sure there was nothing related to him, he placed the tablet in front of the hen-like creature. The tablet contained some formulas and diagrams on explosives and force field mechanism. These mechanisms relied on crystal technology and the second trial lacked anything but crystals.
A few minutes later.
As Zed started to leave, the partner of hen-like creature arrived to express its gratitude. The other alien lifeforms approached him as well to pay with some treasures.
Zed politely refused by saying, "I did what I did because I wanted to... It has nothing to do with you."
A true devil was someone who did as his heart pleased, no matter how contradictory his actions were to his thoughts and personality.
Slaughter because you want to, protect because you want to, fuck because you want to!
Live the life of an overbearing king or an ordinary mortal as long as it is is what you want!
Aspire for greatness or live without any ambition as long as that's what your heart desire!
Good or bad, righteous or corrupt, sage or demonic... they were just labels based on the thoughts of others! Something a devil true to his own nature never cares about!
The actions of the true devil doesn't have to be justified to anyone, not even to him. As long as he felt it was something he wanted to do, he should!
That was the only thing that should matter to the true devil!
...
Zed glanced at the little offspring of the hen-like creature. Its eyes were closed as it slept peacefully in the embrace of its parents.
"Take care."
Zed rubbed a hand over its crystalline head before turning around to leave.