My eyes slightly darkened as I walked towards the stage. I could feel everyone’s gaze on me. I now stood before the weapons, staring down at them, there were so many, piled in a full black basin.

My eyes finally caught it—the weapon Elowen had used in the novel: the Phantom Bow... it merged with the user’s power and could be extremely strong, but it depended on the owner’s rank. This didn’t just kill the body: it eliminated the soul. You could say it fed on souls and empowered the owner. It shimmered blue, and my hands reached out to grab it...

I could feel everyone’s gaze, especially the girl beside Headmistress Lysandra. She seemed anxious, anticipating my choice.

"That’s a good choice."

"Raven has such a good eye, not gonna lie," I heard the crowd whisper. Of course, the students here must have read about it in the history books, but just as I was about to grasp it...

I changed direction and took the Dragon’s Breath, a very lame sword. It shimmered faint red and was known to have never activated for anyone but its first wielder. I smiled... satisfied. I could feel everyone’s disbelief and shock... The girl beside Lysandra, though, seemed expressionless.

I climbed down, and Elowen, out of nowhere, walked up to me.

"Sister, are you crazy? Do you want to die? It clearly hasn’t been chosen by anyone in hundreds of years, and yet you still choose it. Do you think you’re going to be any different? The void is a deadly place and—" She paused, gripping my hands, her voice dropping in worry.

I almost fell for it. Such a damn good actress, I thought.

"You’re clearly F-rank. Do you want to die? You should drop the sword back and choose something else," she yelled, raising her voice.

"Raven is so full of herself. Because she’s the Duke’s daughter, she thinks she’s special."

"Hmph."

"Elowen is such a saint, look how she cares for her." The students murmured, turning to each other and staring back at me with veiled cruelty.

I sighed and shoved Elowen’s hand away. She staggered and bit her lips. "Sis-ter..."

"Elowen, I don’t remember my mother giving birth to you. Didn’t I tell you this already? Or are you trying to take my place as my mother’s daughter?" I asked, watching as her lips parted, but I cut her off instantly...

"Cousin, go up and choose your weapon. Don’t meddle in my affairs," I said flatly and walked to my beast-men.

"Let’s go get ready. I have only one hour to get into a suitable outfit and get my beast-men ready," I thought inwardly, licking my bottom lip.

"Master, why did you choose such a useless sword?" Veyra asked.

"I just had a feeling. It’s best," I said, murmuring softly...

Ryker and Azrael didn’t say a thing, but I felt them exchange silent looks...

Really, I chose the Dragon’s Breath because the Phantom Bow could destroy me... it required a strong host. Elowen was fit for it, but me... I basically wasn’t. I didn’t want to choose my demise, so an easier weapon seemed better.

I arrived at my room and pushed the door open. I had thought for a while and had prepared for this day with a suitable outfit. I opened the wardrobe, and the deep red dress came into view.

I slipped into the attire. I swirled around, the attire suiting me so well:

The velvet clung to me like a second skin, shaping every curve with a deep, dangerous crimson glow. The corset pulled tight, sharp, while tattered sleeves drifted like broken wings behind me. A high lace collar framed my face, cold and elegant, with no hint of softness left. Chains at my waist whispered with each step, and layers of velvet and lace trailed like a gathering storm. The skirt had a large parting, revealing a pair of tight leather trousers that clung to my legs. I gently wore the baldric and placed the Dragon’s Breath sword, it hung perfectly and I tied my hair into a high ponytail.

"Master, does this require too much preparation?" Ryker asked, and I nodded. "Of course, the void is a dangerous place."

From what I read in the novel, humans hardly survived there. It was full of ferocious monsters: most were ghoul-like, feeding on souls, and others were just hideous, powerful creatures. But killing the strongest actually let a master rise in rank. Sadly, no female had been able to kill the stronger, larger ones, the females could only kill lesser monsters. I didn’t have a good feeling about this.

"Everyone gather up, the selection is over. It’s time." The bell rang, and I turned to face my beast-men. "Don’t get lost, no matter what!" I said, and they flashed me reassuring smiles.

Arriving at the entrance, I felt everyone’s gaze on me, waiting...

Just then, I climbed onto the stage with my beast-men. The portal opened.

"Go in. Remember, make it to the Stone Hill, and the portal to return will be there," Lysandra said, but I gave her a cold smile. I shifted my gaze to the female behind her and rolled my eyes.

"Don’t act like you want me to come back alive... I know you all wish me death!" I said loudly, letting it sink into everyone’s minds as I stepped in. My beast-men followed, and the portal closed...

I stared at the strange land and heaved a sigh... it was different. It looked like a swampy forest, yet the land was colored red... There were no plants, no sun, and it clearly didn’t look like it had water.

I made a step, but Azrael’s hand shot out, dragging me back... I was startled, but I followed his gaze...

Thick, acidic saliva fell and burrowed into the ground. It burned and bore a hole. I froze, swallowing hard.

"Be careful, Master. This place is deadly," Veyra said, and Ryker moved to my side.

"That part looks safer," he mumbled and pointed at a narrow path. I nodded, and we all followed in that direction.

"What’s the plan?" Azrael asked, and my lips parted.

"Not to die," I said, and watched as their steps halted. I snapped my head back. "Why did you all stop?" I asked.

Azrael raised a brow. "You seemed so prepared in the room earlier. How come you have no plan all of a sudden?" he asked, his tone soft and slightly annoyed.

"I was being optimistic," I said, and he chuckled.

"Wow, looks like being optimistic will keep us alive," he said, his eyes turned cold exchanging glances with Veyra and Ryker, who both seemed dumbfounded...

"Really, you guys trust me, right?" I asked, staring at Ryker and Veyra. They just giggled softly, but yeah, I sensed they didn’t, so they laughed instead of answering.

"Let’s just find a place to rest for now," I mumbled and moved forward... but then I stopped.

I suddenly felt the ground tremble and snapped my head to the side. "Guys, something’s coming..." I mumbled and reached for my sword...

But then suddenly Azrael dragged me right behind them... I froze. Why were they standing in front of me, guarding me? I also wanted to fight! Although I was a bit scared... still.

"But I also—"

"Shush," Ryker said, and my shoulders slumped. 𝐟𝕣𝗲𝕖𝕨𝗲𝐛𝗻𝗼𝐯𝗲𝚕.𝗰𝚘𝐦

I lowered my gaze to the ground and froze. A slimy, long tongue circled around my leg.

"Guys..." I called out softly and immediately brought out my sword.

It suddenly dragged me.

The monster wasn’t attacking from the front, but from behind.

Gosh! I was far from the ground. I felt my body tremble as the tongue dragged me further away.

"Guyssssss!" I screamed, and suddenly different colored rays flashed instantly: greenish-black mist, orange mist, and red magic mist...all flared toward my direction...

I closed my eyes instantly and I felt the tongue suddenly cut off and release me.

My body dropped...