Saquin could feel the Prince's stare at his back.
However, he was not worried in the least. If the prince happened to be stronger than he was, he was still sure he could escape.
His mind was occupied by another thing.
From what the prince had said, it seems the Late Arrivals allocated to the numbered mansions could somehow reach the Grade Zero without the need of hunting Grade Zero Underbeasts.
'Fascinating. No wonder Miss Margaret had said I should head over to Base Camp straight away.'
It seems the whole Trial thing was meant to follow a specific pattern.
Early Arrivals arrive at various locations in the forest or desert which was at the other side of the base camp.
Then, they have to head towards the Base Camp, surviving whatever they meet on their way.
They could also stay wherever they were, hunt the necessary Grade Zero beast to advance into Grade Zero themselves. Then go into hiding till the time of the Trial elapsed.
The stronger ones at the Base Camps who were willing to get additional rewards could wait for the arrival of the Late Arrivals.
The Late Arrivals would then receive the help of the numbered mansion to advance into a Grade Zero.
Then, they would lead the kill the Underbeast Boss.
Also, one can become stronger by absorbing the Underessence of Grade One beast.
This should most likely be a form of extra reward. Especially for the strong that do not wish to take the risk of fighting the Underbeast Boss. And also the ones with powerful background, like Casel, that can rally people up to kill the beasts.
Saquin sorted out his thoughts as he reached the No1 mansion.
'This is it...'
He could feel the excitement in his bones. Once he stepped into this house, he would be able to become a Grade Zero.
He was truly about to step into the world of the Empowered. Even if it was just half a step, it was still something.
He came to the entrance of mansion straight, ignoring the beauty compound. The door automatically opened.
As soon as he entered a screen popped out in front of him.
[ Welcome to the No. 1 Mansion, Divine Blessed. ]
[ The Super Divine Trial is waiting to commence. ]
[
Participation requirements:
-> Divine Level Talent ✓
-> Grade Zero Rank ×
]
[ Participants Ready: 3/5 ]
Saquin froze.
He was not sure what was happening. But his brain could tell him, things are about to messy.
Anyone with half a brain cell could tell that a Divine Level Talent would not be something ordinary. Then take it a step up and add Super Divine Trial.
He soon pushed away his worries.
Whatever would be would be.
More importantly, he anticipation for Grade Zero is greater than his worries.
He was not kept waiting for much longer.
[ No. 1 has discovered the presence of a candidate. ]
[ Allocating ten Grade Zero Underessence to advance candidate... ]
[ Error. ]
[ Anomaly discovered in Candidate. Required Grade Zero Underessence is double of standard amount. ]
[ Allocating twenty Grade Zero Underessence... Successful. ]
Saquin looked at the screen as various messages popped up.
'So, as a hybrid I would need twice the amount... I just don't know if this is the standard for all hybrid or if it is just me.'
As he thought of this, he felt a rush of energy go through his body.
Then.
[ Participants Ready: 4/5 ]
Saquin paid no attention to the pop up, his focus was directed inside.
He felt cold all over. It was colder than he normally was, to the extent that he, who was exceptionally tolerant to cold, felt cold.
Then he shuddered.
He felt like he had become lighter, exceptionally so.
He could also feel that his aura had disappeared.
No, it was like it blended in with the environment.
He flexed his body.
He discovered that he was not just stronger physically. His whole self has gone through a collective upgrade, twice.
The first time was from the Grade Zero advancement, he was sure of that. It essentially upgraded his whole being.
His physical capabilities went up a level, his instinctual feeling rose up. He felt more attune to the environment, and his mind was very clear.
For the second time, he was not sure what had caused it. But he could discern the changes it had done.
He was faster. Way faster.
Originally, his strength was greater than his speed. Now, his speed had left his strength in the dust.
Another thing was his dexterity.
His control over his body has reached a staggering level. Originally if he could only exert forty percent of his innate strength, now, he could exert over eighty percent.
The last change was...
He now knew how to fight.
No, kill.
His head was filled with various ways to end an opponent life. Whether the opponent was aware or not.
Various martial arts and skills about efficient fighting that would lead to the death of one's opponent swam freely in his head.
In a nutshell, he now had knowledge of a veteran assassin.
Woof.
He took a deep breath in, then let it out.
Despite the torrent of new information, his mind, now preternaturally clear, began to categorize and process it all with ease.
However, he noticed something wrong with his breath.
Woof.
He breathed out again.
His eyes widened.
"Is that snow?"
He asked himself surprised.
He was breathing out such a cold air that he could see little snowflakes in it.
"Erm... What is happening? A Grade Zero upgrade is not meant to bring this much change is it?"
Then something clicked in his head.
"Oh yeah. Status."
[
Name: Saquin Sylia.
Tattoo: -
Kind: Hybrid (Living - Dead )
Species: Hybrid (Unliving-Living)
Origin: Humanity --- Dead Ones --- Abomination.
Rank: Senar Aspirant(Grade Zero).
Affinity: Ice - Space.
Type: Fighter(Brute) ---- Assassin(Space- Walker).
Bloodline: Sylia(Unique - Living){active} - Romca( Unique - Unliving){inactive}.
Ability:
--> Assassin Rune(Unique Supreme) { human-based }
--> Dead Cold (Supreme) { Zombie-based }
--> Might (Unique) { Zombie-based}
--> Regeneration (Unique) { Zombie-based}
--> Unliving (Unique) { Zombie-based }
Skill: Assassination King (Passive), Spatial Awareness(Passive), Combat Mastery(Passive), Super Strength(Passive).
Soul-Bound: [Black-Ink].
Core(s): [Wing Of The Wingless(Low-Class Grade One –20/100)]
]
Saquin stared long at the extensive screen.
"Oh."