After the sound was heard, my body began to disappear. I looked at Shahd to make sure she was also disappearing, as well as Shard. Everything was fine, so I was reassured.
I found myself in a large room, surrounded by Hind, Khaled, Zed, Lina, and an unconscious Shard on the ground. Shahd was standing as well.
An old man appeared before us, leaning on a thick cane, looking at us with piercing eyes.
Status:
Name: Saad
Title: Cloud Dragon
Race: Human
Level: 200
Occupation: Permanent Leader of the Star Institute
When I saw his level was 200, it felt like a bolt of lightning struck my heart. Is there really a human at this level? The highest level I've seen so far was 100, and that was also in this institute. What is this place really? I don't understand anything.
"Welcome, I can't say congratulations on surviving the test because now you're about to enter hell. But you are truly exceptional."
He said this while looking at Shahd, then ordered her to come closer.
"Why do you do this every year? I don't understand why you keep killing all the test participants, but this time, your plans failed."
"Yes, I was slow this time, but this boy is really strong. I want him to join my master's team. He's still young, yet he possesses a strong aura," Shahd replied, pointing at me.
"I don't know what's happening, but I won't join your cowardly master no matter what. Sending you to kill young cubs because he's afraid they might become lions just proves how cowardly he is, and I despise such leaders," I said, looking at her with intense sarcasm.
Then I looked at her and continued, "But what do you think about joining me instead?"
"And who are you for me to join you? Can you offer me a land beast or even a small part of the Institute's lands? You will regret not joining the Shadow Team," she said, then walked out of the door.
"What's happening, Joker? I don't understand anything. Why is Shard on the ground, and who was that girl who just left?" Zed's voice echoed.
"I'll explain later," I said while looking at the old man.
"The Star Institute is more practical than theoretical. When the first king established this institute, the greatest wizard opened a portal to a distant planet and infused it with the power of air and water so that we could live there. This planet is half the size of ours, but it contains a large number of humans who are exiled there, along with monsters. No human there knows anything about our real planet or the truth of the Star Institute. The test takes place on this planet, which we call Planet X."
"Damn it, what does 'planet' mean?" Khaled asked, clearly puzzled.
"A planet is a body similar to the place where you live, but it doesn't have suitable water or air. However, this old man says that a great wizard made it livable," I explained to Khaled to simplify things.
The old man looked at me with great surprise and shock.
"How do you know this?" he asked as he approached me.
"I read a lot, hahaha," I said, scratching my head like a fool.
"Now, to escape from Planet X alive and return to your planet, you must be part of a team of six that wins the battle to be held in three years. You must control the most cities and kingdoms, and your kingdom must be one of the top three in this world. Death can occur at any moment after you leave this room, and I won't be able to protect you. You are now one-star students. The more stars you take from others by killing them, the more you can exchange for items from the stores in this world. If you obtain a black star, you can even exchange it for a large city. Anything is possible here with power and stars," he said, then looked at me and continued, "I think you'll regret not joining the Shadow Team."
"I never regret anything I say or do. This is my team, the Blood Gang, and we will conquer this cursed planet," I said.
Then I looked at the door, turned to my team, and said, "Everyone is now responsible for their own lives. I don't know what we'll face outside, but we'll kill everyone. We'll fear no one and care for no one. This is what we do, and this is what we will continue to do."
Khaled was smiling, Zed was staring at me, Shard had already stood up and listened to what had happened, Hind was striking her shield, and Lina stood shyly while I drew my black swords.
When the old man saw this, he smiled and said, "I think you're not that bad."
He then tossed each of us a red star, saying, "This is a medium-tier star, but it's also rare. Many adventurers will come after you to take it. When you leave, you'll find everyone waiting for you."
"We don't want this. We want a simple, ordinary star. You know that by giving us this, everyone will try to kill us. Why are you doing this?" Zed asked, looking at the old man angrily.
"Because I want to enjoy watching you lose the hope in your young eyes," he said while looking at us.
"I'm really starting to like you, old man, but sorry, what you want won't happen," I said and opened the door.
And I was really shocked by what I saw. Now I understand why this old man called this place hell.