The ten of them arrived at a large village-like area. They could see zones labeled with numbers ranging from 81 to 90. This was likely where they would be stationed. A mansion stood prominently in this zone, surrounded by houses—presumably for those ranked below them.
"Wait… we're not alone?" Dared spoke up cautiously as Number 90 looked up. Not just numbers 81 to 90, but all one hundred numbers were inscribed throughout the area. Everyone had been summoned here—to choose from those ranked below.
"Yes… but look closer," Number 90 said with a smile.
Dared's eyes narrowed in horror. Below them were the remaining individuals—the Bloodfang and Ashmarked. They were the ones meant to serve under them. It felt just like a military hierarchy. They were like sergeants, choosing soldiers based on their capabilities.
Seeing them made Dared sigh. If he hadn't broken through to the Planetary level with help from his father, he would've still been stuck in the Legendary Realm. He would be just another Bloodfang, waiting to be selected by a Dreadborne. His fate uncertain... Even now, as a Dreadborne, he wasn't safe. The top twenty could kill them without consequence.
Now, even the Cosmic Executioners could kill them—judging by how lawless one of them acted yesterday. This place had no rules. Even the top twenty could be killed by their own Executioners. Dared knew he wouldn't be truly safe until he reached the Galaxy level. Terrifying.
Soon, numerous powerful Planetary-level auras appeared as the rest of the Dreadborne arrived.
Strangely, they could instinctively recognize each other's numbers without looking at their left hands—it seemed there was some sort of connection.
Glancing at Trul, Dared let out a dry laugh. Trul was Number 95... and then Lady Liya...
So strong… but terrifying too.
How strong were the other 17 above her?
"All right, everyone should now pick who they want. You can't change your selections later, and you are responsible for them—their life or death is up to you. No matter their outside title or background, none of that matters here. We don't give a fuck," a deep male voice echoed across the area, making everyone tremble.
It was Number One of the Dreadborne. A Peak Planetary-level being—half a step into the Galaxy Realm.
After finishing his statement, he immediately chose the best and strongest Bloodfang and walked away.
Then it was Number Two's turn, and so on.
But the more Dared watched, the more his smile faded. The Bloodfangs were Legendary Realm experts—just a step below the Planetary Realm—and now they were all being chosen. Did that mean the rest of them had to settle for Evolved Realm beings?
Soon, only one Bloodfang remained. The rest were Ashmarked.
The last one, of course, was the eldest prince—Caius.
And the person choosing him was none other than Lady Liya.
"Come," Liya said with a smile.
Caius returned a wary smile. According to what they had been told, they had no right to refuse. They simply had to obey their Dreadborne leader—or risk being killed. They weren't slaves, but they were considered disposable soldiers nonetheless.
"Liya… I'm sorry, but I can't accept. I'm barely at the Legendary Realm, and I'll just slow you down. Isn't that why no one else picked me? I only reached this level thanks to the blood pool—you all know it. I'd like to choose who I serve. Can I, Number One?" Caius asked.
Liya frowned as a chilling cold spread across the area, her aura flaring in warning. But then, her pressure vanished as Number One spoke.
"Very well. You're granted that privilege," he said indifferently.
While outside titles were disregarded, Number One still allowed it. And he wasn't the only one. The others agreed as well—not out of pity, but out of a final act of piety toward humanity. Even if they no longer had names, they had once been human… but now, they were something else. Something terrifying.
Liya was furious but powerless. Number One was terrifying. Even Number Seventeen could defeat her easily—Number One could kill her with a single casual swing. She had to endure it. Still, she had Caius in mind, and couldn't wait for the mission the Cosmic Executioners had mentioned.
Eventually, it was Dared's turn.
Less than twenty Ashmarked remained, with Caius among them.
Dared frowned—they were extremely weak. He selected the four strongest and stepped back. Just as the next Dreadborne was about to choose, a familiar voice rang out.
"I choose you," Caius said with a faint smile.
Dared was shocked, as were the others, but no one objected. Caius joined the four standing beside Dared. Dared frowned again but remained silent. Finally, the last Dreadborne chose the final Ashmarked, and the selection was complete.
"All right, return to your assigned homes and report to your Cosmic Executioners. We'll be setting off soon on various missions," Number One said indifferently, and the crowd dispersed.
Just as the top twenty were about to leave, a voice called out.
"Yo, wait—Big Brother Jake!" a familiar voice echoed, and Jake suddenly felt like murdering someone. Turning around, he saw a smiling teenager.
"What do you want?" Jake asked, irritated.
"Nothing, just wanted to greet you. Be safe, okay?" Nim said with a grin.
Jake sighed and nodded—anything to get Nim to leave.
Finally, Nim turned away.
"Number 50… not bad," Jake thought, slightly impressed.
"Number One never told us he had a younger brother," a female voice remarked.
"Not your concern, Number Three," Jake replied curtly, turning to leave.
The others exchanged glances, then shook their heads. Number One was too cold.
Looking at the massive, luxurious mansion he'd be living in stunned Dared. Behind him, the five figures stared at the lavish estate, then glanced back at their small cabin houses and shook their heads.
"You all should rest here. I've got somewhere to go," Dared said as they nodded.
Caius watched him, then removed his disguise. The trial was over, and he was now part of the Dreadborne organization. With his newfound strength, he felt he had made the right gamble.
Just then, Dared looked at Caius's forearm and froze.
"That boy…?" Dared's mind was a mess as the pieces came together.
The child the assassin organization had once tried to eliminate… the eldest prince. Back then, someone from his mother's side had intervened to save him, though his mother died in the struggle.
"Damn it, Father… you're a real idiot," Dared muttered, clenching his fist. If Caius ever found out… the royal family might not act, but his mother's side…
"Should I kill him? In this place, I can…" Dared thought as a cold gleam entered his eyes. A wave of murderous intent briefly washed over Caius—then vanished.
A faint smirk appeared on Caius's face. He didn't turn back.
"So… you've finally figured it out?" Caius thought, the smirk deepening.
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