"Getting into the organization is one thing," Denvil continued. "Surviving is another."
His sharp gaze swept over the room.
"The degenerates are spreading fast. Faster than we anticipated. And it's a threat we need to handle with urgency. I'll brief you on this. Not many know this, but the degenerates are classified into three ranks."
That made Kiah sit straighter. Ranks? No one had mentioned that.
"There are low-level degenerates known as Thrashers, like the one you faced in your tests. They're chaotic, aggressive, and travel in swarms."
Kiah almost choked on her spit.
Low-level?
Her heart dropped.
Those things were considered low-level? The same ones that almost tore her to pieces?
What the hell did the other levels look like?
"The mid-level class is called Wretches. These are more stable mutations, often exhibiting special abilities. They can lead smaller mobs."
Kiah swallowed as a picture of the degenerate was depicted. It looked like the low-class but more humanlike. She felt a cold wave creep up her spine. Special abilities?
"And lastly, the most dangerous are the high-level degenerates, Aberrant. Thankfully, they are rare. But when they appear, casualties are inevitable. I've fought one, and I barely made it out alive."
An uncomfortable silence reigned in the hall.
Kiah shifted in her seat, her stomach sinking. She barely escaped a low-level degeneration; meeting a high-ranking one was certain death.
If even Denvil barely survived, what chance did she have?
'Was joining this organization a mistake?'
She bit the insides of her cheek. At this rate, she wasn't sure she would survive long enough to find her way out of this hellhole.
"Following the structure used before the Wall, humans can evolve into five levels. Initiates, Vanguards, Warden, Sentinels, and Paragons. This is monitored through the growth of your Crownmark tattoos. Initiates, which all of you are currently, represent the baseline. Most of you will die within the year without proper training."
He said with no emotion.
"So, from the footage and data collected from each of you, your strengths and weaknesses have been evaluated. You've been assigned a training path. Train hard. Your first mission won't be far off. Good luck, Initiates."
Then, without ceremony, he stepped down from the platform. This time, the room exploded with applause.
Moments later, a new figure stepped forward on the platform. A tall woman, hair tightly braided back. Two ring blades hung from her waist, clicking lightly as she walked. She looked imposing.
"I'm Warden Tatiana," she began, her voice crisp and commanding. "Your current strengths and weaknesses have been evaluated, and based on your performance in the test, you've been ranked accordingly."
The holographic screen flickered, displaying a list of names with their pictures next to it. Underneath them were their scores.
As the list went down, Kiah finally saw a familiar face. The picture of the yellow-haired girl with her name, Kira Kim, ranked sixty-four.
Next was Blackie, Wayne Tyrrell, ranked sixty nine.
Naya's name came next after a couple of others, ranked seventy-four. Second to the last.
And finally, at the bottom was hers. Kiah. No last name since she had provided none.
Her image hovered on the screen with three measly percentages below it.
Strength: 10%
Agility: 10%
Combat: 20%
Dead last.
She was below average. The very worst. The weakest link.
Kiah sighed inwardly. 'I still have a long way to go. If only I had a damn system of stat-boosting cheat like these transmigration stories.'
She would forever be bitter about her ill luck.
When the debriefing wrapped up, they were officially welcomed and dismissed.
Slipping out of the room, she came face to face with someone waiting outside. It was Anwyll.
"You look… alive." He offered, giving her a once over.
Kiah didn't say anything. Quite frankly, she didn't know what to say to him. She wasn't good at starting up awkward conversations.
Anwyll rubbed the back of his head at her silence.
Thankfully, at that moment, Naya materialised from behind with a grin.
"You were a Vanguard!" She exclaimed, smacking Anwyll's arm with playful indignation. "How could you hide that from us?"
The corner of his lips lifted slightly.
"It would have compromised the whole mission. I had to keep it a secret."
"You should have at least left us a hint," she pouted. "Imagine my shock when you climbed up that stage behind the big legends. I almost had a heart attack."
"Sorry."
"It's fine. I get it. Orders are orders."
They started strolling down the corridor, chatting.
Kiah would have loved to escape the conversation, but Naya linked arms and pulled her along as they went.
Naya kept talking while Anwyll listened, the awkward air slowly dissolving.
However, if Kiah was to go through this torture, she should at least get some answers from Anwyll himself.
"Why did you do it?"
Her question interrupted Naya's chatter, but Kiah didn't care.
Anwyll turned. "Do what?"
"Take the test, despite the dangers. You could have died. Why risk your life like that?"
Anwyll's expression shifted, shadows clouding his gaze for a beat. Then he smiled faintly. "Every Vanguard who partakes in the test receives special perks. I need one of those perks."
"Bad enough to risk your life?"
"Yes."
His voice had dropped, low and solemn.
"I understand if you are angry—"
"I'm not," Kiah cut in, shaking her head. "There's nothing to be angry about. If anything, I owe you. I'm alive because of you."
Her voice was soft, almost reluctant. It was a rare moment of vulnerability.
Anwyll cocked a brow before smiling. "Well, you're welcome."
Naya let out a groan.
"Okay, heartfelt moment aside, I'm starving. I'm off to grab dinner. You guys coming?"
"We'll be right behind you." Kiah said before Anwyll could move.
Naya shrugged and jogged ahead, vanishing down the hall toward the cafeteria.
Anwyll turned to her with a raised brow.
"What is it?"
Kiah met his eyes.
"One last thing. Or rather… one last question."
He waited.
"Did General Denvil send you to watch me?"
The question landed like a stone in water. Anwyll's eyes narrowed and his head tilted slightly. His expression was that of shock, or maybe confusion.
But Kiah wanted answers.
Anwyll was next to her throughout the test.
Was it a coincidence?
With her impression of General Denvil, she wouldn't be surprised if he had sent people to keep an eye on her.
"Why would he need to watch you?"
"Don't play dumb," she said flatly.
Anwyll's posture shifted. He straightened up, warier now. But then, unexpectedly, he smirked.
"You're sharp for someone with memory loss," he admitted, and she stiffened slightly. "But no. He didn't send me to watch you."
Kiah didn't believe him.
"Then why?"
"Because I found you interesting. Don't ask me how because I have no clue." He shrugged.
She studied him for a second.
"I have another question."
"Go on."
"You were there to monitor the test as well, right?"
"Yeah."
"What would have happened to me if I had refused to help Naya back then?"
Anwyll chuckled and moved past her slowly, brushing her shoulder as he did. He leaned in, voice a whisper.
"It was a good thing you didn't decline then."
Then he kept walking.
Kiah stood frozen for a beat, her heart pounding just a little louder.