Saquin knelt before Raythra's corpse.
Huff. Huff.
His shallow breathing was the only sound in the vicinity.
The scene was a sight to behold.
Six bodies spiraled over the mildly damp floor of the forest.
Four of them had the same injury of a narrow stab through the head.
The four bodies were that of Casel, the Golden Prince, Xavier and that of the Rhinard Boss.
The other two bodies were of Mia and Raythra, whose head was also stabbed by Saquin.
I am so tired.
Saquin could feel extreme exhaustion creep into his whole being.
"Yo, I choose to absorb the Underessence of that Lightning Underbeast."
[ Absorption of Low-Class Grade One Underessence{Special} commenced. ]
Saquin could feel a stream of energy wash into him, elevating a bit of the exhaustion.
He could also feel his body strengthen a bit, while his injuries showed signs of healing.
While waiting for the absorbtion process to end, his mind could not help but drift off.
He slowly recalled and recounted the sequence of events that had just happened.
To start off.
As soon as the Abomination quest went live, Greader must have used his bloodline power, whatever that was, to gain the whole population as an army.
At the same time, messages popped up in front of him.
Mia should already have had control of her Underbeast army before then. And Greader should have been aware of this, probably by a spy network or something.
To stop her advance, he led his Party against her.
[ You have Killed a Pinnacle-Class Grade One Underbeast -- Rhinard ( Earthbeat Bloodline {Mundane}) ]
[ Underessence extracted.]
[ Core gained. ]
[ Knowledge-Core gained.]
But that was not all there was to it.
Both of them should have been aware of my location or at least the general direction of it.
Which means...
They judged that through the use of a Core. Or more probably, the movement of Raythra.
The prince snuck off the battlefield, likely leaving behind Casel and co to lead.
Unknown, or probably known, to him, Mia and Xavier also left the battlefield with the help of the tamed Rhinard Boss.
[ You have slain a Human, Xavier Cheng the Slithering Spear -- Divine Senar Aspirant(Grade Zero) {Unparalleled Martial Body Constitution} ]
[ Lifeessence extracted. ]
[ Constitution extracted. ]
[ Knowledge Core gained. ]
[ Skill acquired. ]
Wait, how did Raythra know my location.
This should be because of those three pests, but how had they communicated it with him?
That part is still confusing...
[ You have slain a Human, Greader Rimfrar the Golden Star -- Divine Senar Aspirant(Grade Zero) {Supreme Golden Ruler Bloodline} ]
[ Lifeessence extracted. ]
[ Bloodline extracted. ]
[ Ability gained. ]
[ Skill acquired. ]
Anyways.
The prince stalked me a distance away. Watched me take care of Raythra and immediately made a move. A great move.
Another confusing matter is the fact that I could not sense the arrow's approach.
Then.
Mia and Xavier showed up.
[ You have slain a Human, Casel of Heinsworth, Heir of the Raging Noble -- Divine Senar Aspirant(Grade Zero) {Unique Seeker Bloodline}]
[ Lifeessence extracted. ]
[ Bloodline extracted. ]
[ Soul-Bound forcibly extracted. ]
At the same time the most surprising thing in the whole Trial happened, Casel. She fucking teleported.
I still can't believe it.
What is just as crazy is that little cheerleader girl is most likely the culprit behind the massive spike in Candidate deaths.
I mean, the likes of Zeta, Maggie and Flair would definitely not die in such a battle.
The next sequence of events was quite anticlimatic.
She slit my throat with her Soul-Bound dagger.
She talked her trash.
Then I killed the arrogant, dumb trio.
I mean it just doesn't make any sense. Why would you be so dumb to stay so close to me.
[ You have slain the Pinnacle-Class Grade One Underbeast, Raythra the Purple Flame -- Dragonkin ( Voice Of Fire Bloodline {Supreme}) ]
[ Underessence extracted. ]
[ Bloodline extracted. ]
[ Ability gained. ]
[ Unique-Core gained. ]
[ Skill acquired. ]
I literally just showcased my speed by fucking blitzing the strongest being in the whole Trial. Even though I used a little trickery, it was still clear I was faster.
Yet, they stood there like little fishes waiting to be captured by the fisherman.
Arrogant punks... Did they think they stood a chance?
I am the Space-Walker Assassin King, holder of the Unique-Supreme ability, Assassin Rune. For my level, I am the fastest there is.
Hehe... That sounds so stupid and arrogant... I bet that is the type of thought those punks had in their heads before they died.
Hahaha... So stupid.
Saquin pushed his weary body up.
He looked down at the arrow and spear sticking out of his and ripped them out.
"Tch."
He staggered forward, taking a couple unstable steps before gaining his balance.
Ah, I never noticed... I don't really feel much pain.
Saquin flopped to the ground near a body.
Another perk of being a Hybrid. Despite being so close to my potential death through intense injuries, I barely feel anything.
He stared at the body.
"You are really something, Saquin."
The only Candidate left alive spoke through ragged breathes.
"Thanks." Saquin smiled.
"I guess this was never a Trial for us, but rather for you." Mia said resentfully. Turns out, Saquin was not even part of the population counter whole Raythra had been.
"I guess you could say so." Saquin nodded. Strangely, he did not exhibit his usual coldness around this dying beauty. "Here, let me help you up."
Saquin held Mia by her shoulders and gently pulled her into a sitting position.
"Ah." Mia let out a low cry.
"Brace yourself." Saquin said abruptly. Without giving time for Mia to process things, he pushed out the spear while cold fog flowed to the spot of the wound.
Mia took in a deep breath as she surpressed her scream.
In no time, the wound had been frozen shut.
Huff. Huff.
Mia took in shallow breathes as intense pain racked her body.
"Thanks." Mia said through her pain.
"Hmm." Saquin nodded.
"You know this wouldn't really help right?" Mia asked.
"Yea. Xavier's energy should have done a number on you." Saquin replied.
"Unfortunately." Mia had a bitter smile. Her head fell back as she stared up at the darkening clouds.
Saquin did not say anything and just stared at her.
"You know, this hurts. It really does." Mia suddenly said. "But I can't help but hold it in. I mean you who has two more grievous wounds has not made a sound of pain."
"I guess it doesn't really hurt much for me." Saquin shrugged.
Mia looked down at him. "You really are something."
Her eyes roamed round his injuries.
"They are too severe. You should probably end the Trial now. Else..." She left her sentence incompleted.
"Else, I will die." Saquin completed it for her.
She did not say anything and just stared at him.
"Don't worry, I will be fine... Probably." He waved it off.
"If you return now, the Healers in your faction would not have any problems healing you, but..." Mia argued.
"I am not at home." Saquin shook his head. "I would be able to deal with these wounds after advancement. If not, then there is no point going back a few minutes later."
"You are unsurprisingly stubborn..." Mia smiled.
"Not really."
"Aren't you scared of death?" Mia asked.
"I don't think so... I can remember something I was told once. A saying of the old tongue, Que Sera Sera."
"Oh, and what does that mean?"
"Whatever will be, will be."
"Ha... Such simple words. But so true at the same time." Mia's eyes brightened as if hit by an enlightenment.
"Hehe." Saquin chuckled lightly at Mia's sudden outburst.
Mia's eyes narrowed at Saquin as a blush crept up her face. "Tch." She hissed as she faced towards the sky again. The evening sun shined gently on her beautiful face, her blue-white eyes sparkled lightly.
Saquin sat there silently as he took in the scene.
"Saquin, I can feel my strength leave my body..." She turned to face him, "can I?"
She leaned in gently and rested on his lap.
Saquin did not oppose her action.
"I am scared of dying, Saquin." She whispered quietly, her gaze on the setting sun. "But at the same time I am not. You know why?"
"Nope." Saquin replied, his gaze was also on the setting sun.
"Because Que Sera Sera." Mia shifted her gaze back to him.
Saquin looked down to meet her beautiful gaze.
"You are quite handsome."
The beautiful lady let her last words linger, just like the gentle kiss on Saquin's check, as she breathed her last.
[ Population: 0. ]
[ Divine Participants: 0. ]
[ Congratulations Saquin Sylia on clearing your Unique Divine Trail. ]
[ Calculating Rewards... ]
You know what? I literally just killed like three people... And I don't really feel much.
While I am affected by the death of an absolute stranger... Just because she is beautiful.
Am I a psychopath? Or just a womaniser?