A pulsating green energy flared in her hand as she lunged at Asher's neck.
But Asher moved first. In an instant, he seized her throat, lifting her effortlessly.
"Don't overstep your limits, Evelyn," he whispered coldly into her ear. "Or you'll see just how evil I can be."
A sharp pain laced through her body as his grip tightened. She gasped, feeling his overwhelming power.
Asher released her, letting her collapse to the ground. Without another word, he turned to leave.
The hooded figure remained silent, merely watching.
Evelyn glared at them. "Why didn't you help me?!" she spat.
The figure scoffed. "He is part of our grander plan. He passed with a full ten-star rating. He can be useful. Why would I waste my energy protecting a mere pawn like you?"
Evelyn clenched her fists, her body trembling with fury.
Asher didn't look back as he walked away, his smirk returning.
Asher strode out of the chamber, his expression unreadable. The underground corridors stretched before him, dimly lit by the eerie glow of crimson runes embedded in the walls. Each step echoed in the silence, yet he could still feel Evelyn's furious glare burning into his back.
Mark me all you want, he thought, flexing his fingers. You have no idea what you've just invited into your ranks.
He smirked. Let them think they had control over him. It would make their downfall all the sweeter.
The corridor opened into a vast, cathedral-like hall, where more hooded figures moved in quiet formation. The Red Fate Organization. A cult that claimed to control destiny itself. Asher had heard whispers of them before, but now, he was at the heart of their domain.
A figure awaited him near the entrance, separate from the others. He was tall, dressed in obsidian-black robes embroidered with silver markings, and his presence was different—calm, yet exuding immense power.
"Asher," the man spoke, his voice deep and commanding. "I am Varian, one of the Elders of the Red Fate. I will be overseeing your transition into our ranks."
"Transition?" Asher echoed, his smirk never fading. "I didn't say I accepted anything yet."
Varian chuckled. "And yet, here you are. You already know refusing us is not an option."
Asher's gaze flickered. "Is that so?"
Varian gestured toward the massive archway ahead. "The real test begins now. You may have defeated a fragment of the void, but that was merely an initiation. If you truly wish to stand among us, you must face something far greater."
Asher crossed his arms. "And if I decide I'm not interested?"
Varian smiled, but there was no warmth in it. "Then you will die here."
The air grew thick with power. The runes on the walls pulsed violently. Asher could sense it—a shift in the atmosphere, as if reality itself was being rewritten.
Ah, so this is how they play.
Varian raised a hand, and the ground trembled. The very space in front of them warped, and a massive gate formed from the shadows. Dark energy coiled around it like living tendrils.
"Step through," Varian commanded. "And face the truth of fate itself."
Asher chuckled. "You people sure love your theatrics."
Without hesitation, he stepped forward, passing through the swirling darkness.
The moment he crossed the threshold, his body felt weightless, as if he had entered a void beyond time and space.
A thousand voices. The most updated novels are published on Novel~Fire. (n)et
Memories, visions, fragments of something ancient flooded his mind.
And standing in the abyss before him was a being unlike anything he had faced before.
It was colossal, its form shifting between monstrous and divine. Eyes burned like molten stars across its elongated face, and jagged wings of shadow and flame stretched behind it. Its very presence warped the fabric of the void.
"You dare walk this path?" The entity's voice resonated through the emptiness, each word vibrating through Asher's very soul.
Asher exhaled, cracking his knuckles. His blood stirred in excitement.
"Finally… something interesting."
With a smirk, he summoned his scythe.
"This is your domain, right?" Asher asked, gripping his weapon tightly.
The entity's smile vanished as it gazed at him. "You are the first to realize this. Most kneel and worship me as a god, yet you take up your weapon. What do you think this test was?"
As it spoke, an unimaginable weight crashed down upon Asher, forcing him to his knees.
"Hmm, he's in the transcendent rank," Asher thought, feeling the immense power suppressing him. So, this is the guy who wants to become a god. He's already a pseudo-god. Even with 100% of his power, he wasn't sure he could defeat this being.
"I thought the trial was about defeating some guy inside, like in the red one," Asher muttered, still kneeling.
The figure laughed. "You truly are amusing—so simple and straightforward," it said. "But I like your kind."
It leaned closer. "You understand battle. Unlike the others, you do not grovel. That alone makes you… different."
"The test was simple," the entity continued. "You must see me. The god you are going to follow from now on."
Its slender finger reached out and touched Asher's forehead. A sudden force surged through him, something ancient and binding.
[ A presence is invading you… Neutralized, however the enemy do not know this. ]
Asher's vision darkened for a moment.
["I have given you a fraction of my strength. Remember, I only grant this after one proves themselves worthy. You did not receive it for free."]
"You can go back now," the entity said, lifting its hand.
The next moment, Asher's body was wrenched from the void. His eyes snapped open as he found himself back in the underground chamber. The runes beneath him flickered, then dimmed.
"You passed… and you even gained a blessing?!" Varian exclaimed, staring at Asher in disbelief.
Asher glanced at him, unimpressed. "Do you think everyone is as useless as you?" he retorted.
A badge materialized in midair and floated toward him. Asher caught it effortlessly.
"That is your badge," Varian explained. "Our organization divides members by rank. You've been assigned Rank 7 for now. If you continue to prove yourself, you'll rise further."
Asher gave a slight nod and turned to leave without another word.
Varian watched him go, clicking his tongue. "Tch. Arrogant brat," he muttered before leaning back in his seat, ready to wait for the next recruit.