On the other side, Zyreth’s tone hardened, carrying a dangerous edge.
"Haah... You really don’t get it, do you?"
He continued, voice low and calculated.
"This is important. Almost the entire young generation of humans is participating in this so-called ’trial.’ If we sabotage it, their future collapses for the next decade. That much time is enough for us to conquer them completely."
Xyren scratched the side of his horn with a claw, unimpressed.
"But still... only low third-tier beasts? Why not send stronger ones? We could unleash the Demonic Dragon and sweep the entire forest clean."
"Are you dumb?" Zyreth snarled.
"If we do that, the human powerhouses will intervene immediately. It’d make the whole operation pointless. They’ve only allowed low third-tier beasts into the trial zone. If we discreetly send a few of ours through the spatial rift, the humans won’t notice—and we can still slaughter their most talented."
Xyren’s eyes narrowed, faintly glowing red.
"So that’s why we gathered those unique variants... beasts that, though still low third-tier, possess strength far beyond their peers?"
A dark chuckle echoed in his mind.
"Now you’re starting to show some intelligence. Yes—that’s exactly the reason."
"But don’t you think it’s a waste of rare specimens?" Xyren argued. "We could’ve given them to our own younger generation to tame."
"Tsk. Waste?" Zyreth scoffed. "You’re short-sighted. We can breed stronger ones using demonic techniques—our beasts will surpass anything the humans can tame. This isn’t waste, it’s tactical use."
Xyren grumbled under his breath.
"I really wanted to keep that unique Colossus for my son..."
"Colossus?" Zyreth snorted. "That thing’s nothing compared to Lord Zoltarin’s Colossus. He built an entire fortress atop it. And I’ve heard it carries a noble bloodline—far superior to the super-tier types. No one even knows what it’s capable of. And didn’t he say he would gift its egg to you if this mission were successful? Moreover over I have heard it is only mortal rank shit. Don’t bother, it has already reached its potential."
"Fine, fine," Xyren sighed, flicking his claws in irritation. "But that beast is a complete tank, you know. I had trouble subduing it even though it’s only a low third-tier, and I’m fifth-tier myself... Sigh. I wish our general wasn’t so damn strict. If not for his quota of five beasts per person, I’d have kept that monster for myself."
"Enough whining," Zyreth snapped. "Look— the humans’ spatial mage has finished his ritual. The portal’s open. Time to move."
Xyren’s lips curved into a sinister grin."Alright, alright."
He pulled a small rectangular object from his pocket—its surface etched with demonic sigils that pulsed with red light. Zyreth did the same on his side.
"Let’s paint their trial in red," Xyren said, his voice dripping with cruel amusement.
The two pressed their sigils at the same time—And in an instant, both vanished into a swirling mist of blood, leaving behind only the faint scent of sulfur and heat.
Behind the mist, one could see the same strange circular pattern pulsing once and twice before disappearing as if it never existed.
---
Thalor city became quiet except for the people who did not have a combat-oriented class and others who were able to muster their courage and break their metal plates. Some cried, apologising to no one about their cowardice, some had relieved expressions, and some were beaten thoroughly. As if someone had deliberately broken their metal plates, rage seethed in them.
Old men saw them, probably professors and shook their heads in dejection; now they could only try their luck in another department. Nonetheless, they still have a chance.