Everyone filled the training ground stands. With the number of faces greatly reduced, from 300 to barely 50 remained. Wearing orange now, their previous childish expressions and exuberance were nonexistent. After, they endured the grueling "Festival of Red Roses".
Noticing the vast difference, Zeke, Kenshin, and Liz took their seats among the silent, sparse group. Awaiting orders, Instructor Silva suddenly appeared in the center.
" Congratulations on making it this far, maggots! Now, listen up and follow me onto your next trial!"
The masked assassin with no visible pupils barked, wasting no time. They swiftly followed behind him without question. Navigating through cramped quarters and winding limestone paths, reaching the peak. Everybody eventually arrived at the imposing compound gates of Master Lee's estate. There, two armor-plated guards with spears were stationed by the closed gates.
"Instructor Silva, reporting! I'm here to escort these orange fledglings onto the second trial!"
Silva announced to the guards in his usual gruff and loud fashion. Soon, the lumbering red gates adorned in pure gold creaked. Getting the confirmation to proceed, they let Silva and the rest inside. Where a white, elongated stoned walkway greeted them, surrounded by black pebbles and blue flames. Visiting this dreary place once before, Zeke was familiar with the grandiose red and black temple. Looming over the entire compound. Taking a side route, various conjoining buildings remained spread apart as they all entered the furthest one.
Nothing but darkness welcomed the group, with Silva leading ahead. After a few seconds, fluorescent lights illuminated the spacious, high-ceilinged, modernized room, which contained a swarm of technologically advanced pods. All in rows of tens. These unusual mechanisms far surpassed any technology he had come across in any of his previous lives. Going against the grain of what he had seen thus far from the Hidden Cave of Untold Shadows. Zeke felt like he was getting a tiny glimpse into the outside world's many unexplored wonders.
Suddenly, the Immortal System popped up for Zeke, before Silva could explain their current arrangement.
[Immortal System]
---- The time has come to clean out a section of your messy closet. How long will it take for you to overcome one of your buried demons? ----
Difficulty: Silver
Reward:
S= The Great Immortal Ito's Fragment (2 of 3)
A= 2nd circle awakening
B= Health Advancement
C= N/A
D=N/A
F= Death
---- Sweet dreams! :) ----
With Zeke focusing on the blue screen and its message, Silva finished expounding upon what these large pods and trial two entailed. Zeke couldn't help but feel apprehension to see that this task's difficulty was only at silver. Half expecting each trial to become more taxing every time he advanced. Afterwards, Silva began assigning each named number a designated machine.
"00!"
Silva eventually called his number first out of the three, sternly pointing towards Zeke's assigned white pod.
"Good luck..."
" See you on the other side of this."
Both Liz and Kenshin encouraged, while Zeke stepped forward without turning back.
" Same to you two."
He left them with those few words, sitting down in a reclined leather seat inside the open pod. Zeke specially placed barriers inside his mind to prevent any potential brainwashing. Doing the same for Kenshin and Liz beforehand. Soon enough, everyone's number was called forth. Thereafter, the transparent glass lid then proceeded to close for all parties involved, releasing a purple gas, putting them under a hallucinogenic slumber.
....
Meanwhile, not too far from their location. An eccentric man with long crimson hair tied in a bright red knot and silk polka dot attire could be found having a private discussion with Lee in the main temple conference hall.
" That little pupils of yours sure dealt with our prospects quite handily if I might add."
Ono chuckled, peering through tinted bifocals, seemingly not bothered by 701's death.
" Hmph, I see you seem to be taking this incident unexpectedly well, Ono."
Having purple hair and green eyes, Lee observed, taking a sip of his early morning wine.
" How could I be anything more than impressed. Even though we have our petty squabbles between the three of us from time to time. In actuality, we're all part of the same organization. Buttering the same bread. So, when it's all said and done, I support 00 as a potential highly valued asset of the Hidden Cave of Untold Shadows."
"Tsk, you always had a silver tongue."
" I'll take that as a compliment coming from you. Besides, I heard through the grapevine that 00 managed to kill Takis' subordinate, Fox, as well. When climbing up through the ranks as a youth. That's something which would have been considered a tall task for even you, who is considered the strongest Reaper in our storied history."
Ono gave a sly smile, waiting for Lee's response. At Stage 4 Disciple Rank, Lee boasted a strength that surpassed his counterparts and past lords. Being a Stage 3 Grandmaster, Ono accepted that Lee's overall power was superior. However, he didn't think himself inferior in the slightest when it came to operating his Valley of Darkness. Using Taki's and Lee's personal grudge against each other to his gain, many times over. Ono enjoyed keeping his trump cards hidden until proven necessary.
" He's definitely exceeded my expectations thus far."
Lee said with a subtle pleased expression, taking another sip.
" My, my, aren't you chalked full of praise on this rare occasion."
Ono teased, which quickly spoiled Lee's mood, causing his bushy purple brows to furrow.
" Get out."
"Now there's the prickly bastard I know. Anyways, I was just about to depart."
Grinning, Ono rose from the golden chair, pausing by the door before taking his leave.
"Oh, and don't forget to fulfill your side of the bargain like we discussed earlier. Also, one word of advice from an old friend. Make sure you keep a tight leash on that precious rising star of yours."
" Leave!"
Lee finally shouted, having had enough of his theatrics as Ono contorted out the door. In the hall, standing guard nearby. Kado bowed, bidding Ono a proper farewell before going inside with his master's order. Ono motioned for his guard to follow, who was more so his forced company set on a whim for this day.
"Hmm, what's on your mind, 711?"
Ono asked while they now strolled around Lee's compound. Noticing the young woman lost gaze through her long black bangs.
" It's nothing that you need trouble yourself with someone so insignificant, Master Ono."
711 nervously stammered while trying to get her head out of the clouds.
" I decide what hinders me, not you."
Ono made sure he asserted in a foreboding tone as 711 got the picture.
" Forgive me, master, for stepping out of place."
"You're forgiven. Now, speak."
"Yes, master... I was just wondering why you kept me alive after my recent failure?"
711 stared up at the taller Ono, who appeared to be in his late twenties but was at least over a hundred. Standing at a height of 189 cm, she was only 161 cm at 19 years old. 711's mind had been in a tizzy for the past months. After participating in the "Festival of Red Roses".
With her troubles stemming from a singular person, 00. She vaguely remembered being caught off guard by the bronze-skinned, golden-eyed boy. Blacking out, the next memory she could recall was standing naked in smeared blood, discovering 701's dead body with the murder weapon in hand.
Beyond confused and distraught by the whole situation, 711 still comprehended that she had to act fast. Immediately scrubbing the bloody scene while changing into her clothes, she retrieved a spatial pouch. Not unfamiliar with the life hack of stashing dead bodies inside.
Finding a new location to regroup and recollect her jumbled thoughts. She persuaded herself that the only way to erase her failure was by killing 00. Known as the consensus golden goose for their trial. Stalking him for weeks, 711 couldn't find a single opening. Unable to get close enough to even look his way without possibly drawing 00 attention. It was like he had eyes in the back of his head. The best she could manage was tailing him from a substantial distance.
Growing impatient, she jumped at the chance to get closer when 00 showed a chink in his armor, watching 55. Attempting to assassinate him in "Heaven in Hell".
711 had to desperately defend against a blitz of shuriken aimed at killing her and everyone dining instead. Surviving the utter chaos, she surprisingly received a voice transmission from 00.
Suspicious at first, he convinced her that teaming up would be the best chance of escaping this disaster alive. Begrudgingly listening, she stepped in as the guinea pig. While 00 handled the rest, controlling her every movement like a puppeteer. All that was left to do was help supply a steady source of Qi to his technique.
However, the danger to her life still existed as she battled 444, eventually succumbing to his deadly miasma. She remained conscious long enough to witness 00's miraculous victory before passing out completely. Waking up alone outside the same brothel she was made to kill 701.
711 decided to avoid 00, thankful that he cured her and didn't renege on their agreement. Already killing her two targets beforehand. She could only helplessly pray that Master Ono wouldn't ruthlessly discard her afterwards. Reporting to him everything that happened. He shockingly dismissed 711 without another word spoken until today. Soon enough, Ono responded to her question.
"It's simple, really, I still have use for you yet, 711. Plus, it doesn't hurt that you remind me of a tenacious pet cat of mine whom I used to adore as a child. Until one day, I sadly strangled it to death for biting my hand."
711 could only quiver, feeling his slight killing intent leak forth, understanding her master's message clearly. She quickly changed the subject.
"Understood... May I ask where we are heading, master?"
" Heh, where else but the best entertainment going for today?"
Ono said with an ominous smile.