Death... and me

The room Roan entered was almost pitch black. Without any other choice, Roan had to spread his Spiritual Sense. Unfortunately, it didn't help that much. There seemed to be some kind of formation in place that restricted one's Spiritual Sense. Roan's sense could only go around a meter away before being stopped.

Roan narrowed his eyes as he brought a random sword out. He didn't want to reveal his identity, so he obviously didn't use his White Star. As he walked forward, only silence followed his steps.

'So there's no explanation whatsoever. The test starts straight away, just like this.'

He didn't find it weird. After all, assassinations were usually made without anyone noticing.

It was then that Roan noticed a shadow passing by. Also, that was only because the room still had a little bit of light. Otherwise, it would have been impossible to notice.

'I see... No wonder the old geezer outside said I could die. The test is basically preventing oneself from being assassinated.'

Suddenly, Roan moved his sword in a flash.

*Clang!*

The sound of two metallic weapons hitting each other came out. Sadly, it didn't stop there.

*Clang, clang, clang...*

Several more sounds appeared as Roan moved his sword everywhere. The sparks generated by the hit faintly illuminated the form of the weapons attacking Roan.

'Daggers...'

Several daggers fell on the ground around Roan's position. Obviously, they had been thrown at him instead of being used in melee combat. Still, Roan was feeling quite bored. This kind of test could have killed or forced others to dire straights. However, darkness was basically useless against Roan. In fact, thanks to their Soul Connection, it would be pretty much meaningless against Rean as well.

After a few more of them, the attacks finally stopped. At the same time, a voice came from everywhere in the room.

"Oh! It seems like we got quite a good new recruit. They told me to decrease my level to that of an Initial Stage of the Core Formation Realm cultivator. However, you are taking it so easily that it's even making me feel sad."

However, Roan snorted as he looked in a particular direction in the room.

"Is that so? It could have been hard for some other trash. I can understand why the test can have many testers dead. Unfortunately, you just had to meet me today."

The guy who had just talked was taken aback. He was sure that he didn't leak his location, so Roan couldn't see him. However, it was apparent that Roan was looking directly into his eyes.

"Good! Usually, I would send you to the next test since we only ask for the new recruits to survive this part. However, it would be a waste to not play with you a little further."

Once again, the room returned to its silence as the man's figure disappeared from his position. This time, not only was he moving much faster, but he also increased the level of his power to the Middle Stage of the Core Formation Realm.

Nonetheless, Roan didn't seem surprised.

"I was looking for new Dark Element Techniques to use with my Yin Energy cultivation. Who could have thought that I would find someone good at it right from the start? I can tell how well you can merge with the darkness around you to hide your presence. It's also very effective against the Spiritual Senses. Unfortunately, your level is still lacking."

Suddenly, Roan also disappeared as he merged with the darkness as well.

'Death Style, First Movement Form, Shadow Steps!'

"What?!"

Unlike Roan, the enemy didn't have his Spiritual Sense restricted. Still, Roan had completely disappeared from both his vision and Spiritual Sense. It was then that the guy felt a chill on his back as a sense of foreboding overcame his soul.

'Not good!'

Immediately, the guys tried to change the direction he was moving in. Unfortunately, it was too late.

'Death Style, Third Form, Three Claws of the Dragon!'

Suddenly, three dark swords appeared right in front of him. Not only that, but the guy couldn't tell which one was real or false.

'Hmph! Let's see if I can't find the real one.'

As fast as lightning, the man threw three knives at the three swords. It was so fast that even Roan was a little surprised by his move. However...

*Clang, Clang, Clang!*

All three knives were sent flying away!

'What?! All three are real?!'

The man was ready to block one real sword, but definitely not three!

Suddenly, Roan's voice appeared in his mind.

'You can die during this test, right? So I guess no one here will complain if the one to die is you either.'

During that moment, all three of Roan's swords aimed for his critical points. His plan was to parry Roan's 'real sword' and use the direction from where the attack came to catch Roan. However, because he decided to use the daggers to test Roan's swords first, he lost time in a critical moment. He couldn't dodge anymore. Without a doubt, he would die if things continued like that.

Surprisingly, there was no panic in his eyes, only excitement.

'How long has it been since some real assassin material appeared in this branch?'

At the same time, his power, which was around the Middle Stage of the Core Formation Realm, soared!

*Swish, swish, swish!*

The man didn't try to defend this time. With that, all three sword attacks hit the position of his heart, neck, and head. However, neither of the attacks could go as far as a single millimeter inside the guy's body before being stopped by a Spiritual Energy barrier.

Soon after, a burst of Spiritual Energy came forward, sweeping everything around the man like a giant wave. Roan might have merged with the darkness, but it didn't change the fact that he was still present in that room. The Spiritual Energy wave then hit his body, almost sending his body flying.

'Death Style, First Energy Form, Shadow Bind!'

However, several dark vines materialized in thin air, attaching themselves to Roan's body and keeping him steady on the ground.

"Impressive! Even in this situation, you didn't allow yourself to show an opening. Truly beyond my wildest expectations."

Roan sighed and then dispersed his Shadow Bind. However, he didn't try to attack or move anymore. That's because he could tell that the man in front of him had a cultivation several times higher than his.

"It seems I've never had a chance of winning this fight."

In front of absolute power, all tricks were meaningless.

As soon as Roan said that, the room lit up, showing nothing more than a big arena with two entrances. The one Roan came from and the one the elder in front of him used.

"Hahaha! Why so sad? You forced this old man to release my own cultivation to avoid being sent to the underworld by your sword. Do you have any idea how many could have done it? Not to mention that I was fighting you while suppressing my cultivation to one stage above yours in the end. You should be proud of yourself."

The man then carefully sized Roan with his Spiritual Sense before saying.

"Sure enough, you're using some Spiritual Energy Skill to hide your real age and appearance. Well, that's the right thing to do when you join an organization like our Shadow Reapers. How old are you exactly?"

Roan then sheathed his sword and didn't answer that question. He had no intention of being friends with anyone in this organization to start with.

"So, what's the next test? I have limited time, so let's move on with it."

Roan looked at the man, who didn't seem to be using any kind of disguise whatsoever. The man noticed Roan's focus on his face and could tell what he was thinking.

"Don't worry, I'm not hiding my real face. At my level of cultivation, only those not confident in their own power would do it. Don't take it the wrong way, okay? For someone at the Initial Stage of the Core Formation Realm like you, hiding your real identity is the right thing to do. We are in two different leagues."

"As for the next test, there is none."

Roan narrowed his eyes.

"Didn't you say that usually, you would have sent me to the next test after I succeeded in surviving it? How come there's none now?"

The man shook his head.

"There are indeed more tests, but they are meaningless for someone like you. We would first test your attack power to see if you could really fight above your own level. Naturally, there is no need for that anymore after what you just showed me."

"The second part was to see if you really had the determination to kill without hesitation. Man... even I felt a chill on my back when I saw those three swords of yours. Determination to kill? If there is something you don't lack, it's definitely that."

The man then turned around before gesturing for Roan to follow him.

"Do you think our tests are too simple? That we should check if you would be loyal to the Shadow Reapers or anything like that?"

Roan snorted in response.

"Loyalty? Between assassins? What a joke! This is a gathering for the sake of mutual benefits. Loyalty had never been part of an organization like this to start with."

The man looked at Roan, surprised.

"Hahahaha! Good! Good! As long as you know that, you won't die too quickly. Let's go ahead and finish the procedures then. By the way, you can call me Palbei."