As John left the place
The interface of the system suddenly pops up
[Quest: Join the sect]
[Reward: (Unique skill) grade A]
[Notice: It has been detected that the people of Blue Star have made no significant progress toward the quest.]
[To encourage advancement, a time limit will now be introduced.]
[After the time limit expires, quest rewards will no longer be granted.]
{Quest: Join the sect (5 days, 24 hours)}
John's steps slowed.
A time limit…
So the system was getting impatient.
But before he could think further—
Another notification appeared.
[Notice: Ranking Event has been officially initiated.]
John's eyes sharpened.
[Ranking Event: First to Ascend]
[Description: The first individual from Blue Star to ascend to the Higher World will receive the following rewards:]
1) Title: Immortal of Dragon & Tiger (Permanent, Lv. 2)
2) 10 Spirit Jade
3) 4-Star Beast
4) 30 Merit Points
Silence.
John stopped walking.
For the first time since entering this world—
His expression changed.
Shock.
"…Impossible."
His gaze locked onto one line.
4-Star Beast.
He knew exactly what that meant.
In his million years—
The highest-grade beast he had personally encountered—
Was only 5-Star.
And the phoenix he had just sent—
Was a 4-Star existence.
A creature capable of crossing worlds.
A being that could bend space itself.
And now—
The system was offering something on that level…
As a reward.
Just for a first ranking event.
John's eyes darkened.
"If this is only the third reward…"
His gaze shifted upward.
The title.
The spirit jade.
He didn't fully understand their value yet.
But one thing was clear—
They had to be far more terrifying.
Because the system wouldn't place a 4-Star beast beneath anything inferior.
A slow breath escaped his lips.
"…Just what exactly are you?"
For the first time—
John felt something unfamiliar.
Not fear.
But—
Caution.
The system…
Was far more dangerous than he had anticipated.
********************************************************
John didn't stay any longer.
He turned—
And walked away from the scene.
The noise behind him gradually faded.
But the image…
Remained.
Soon, noon arrived
Without wasting time, he headed toward the counter to check out of the inn.
The inn owner was there.
Busy as usual.
Over the day, John had spoken to him a few times.
Not much—
But enough to be remembered.
"Boss," John called calmly.
The man looked up.
"Oh? You again."
John didn't waste words.
"What happened earlier… downstairs?"
The inn owner paused.
Then let out a low sigh.
"…You saw it, didn't you?"
John remained silent.
The owner shook his head.
"How can a mortal ever compare to an immortal?"
His tone wasn't angry.
Just… resigned.
"After you left—"
"A few people tried to step in."
John's eyes flickered slightly.
"They wanted to help that man."
A brief pause.
"But…"
The owner looked away.
"They were taken too."
"By those sect people."
"No one knows what happened to them."
Silence.
John didn't respond.
Because he already knew.
This world—
Didn't reward courage.
Only strength.
After a moment, John spoke again.
"…How do I join a sect?"
The inn owner froze.
His eyes slowly returned to John.
This time—
There was something different in his gaze.
Pity.
"…You want to join a sect?"
John nodded.
The owner let out a quiet, bitter chuckle.
"Kid… sects aren't what you think they are."
"They're not places of glory."
"Not places of protection."
"They're cruel."
"Dangerous."
"More ruthless than what you just saw."
John listened silently.
But his expression didn't change.
Seeing that—
The owner sighed again.
"…Still want to go?"
"Yes."
No hesitation.
The owner studied him for a moment.
Then, finally spoke.
"…Head east."
"There's a sect stationed near the outskirts of the town."
"They're recruiting these days."
A brief pause.
"If you're lucky… you might get in."
"If you're unlucky…"
He didn't finish the sentence.
He didn't need to.
John gave a slight nod.
"Thank you."
Without another word—
He turned and walked out of the inn.
The sunlight hit his face.
His eyes narrowed slightly as he looked toward the east.
The next step had been decided.
The sect.
****************************************************************
John soon arrived at the location the inn owner had mentioned.
A large open ground stretched before him.
Dozens—
No, hundreds—
Of people stood in line.
All waiting.
For the sect entrance test.
John didn't hesitate.
He stepped into the line.
Time passed slowly.
Hours went by.
Finally—
It was his turn.
First Test: Spirit Roots
A crystal sphere floated before him.
"Place your hand on it."
John stepped forward and did as instructed.
The sphere lit up.
Two colors emerged.
Red.
Blue.
"Dual Spirit Roots—Fire and Water."
"Mid-grade."
The announcer's voice echoed.
"Pass. Move to the next test."
John walked forward calmly.
Second Test: Literature and Calculation
Simple.
Basic questions.
Language.
Numbers.
Thanks to the system—
Every person from Blue Star already had foundational knowledge of this world preinstalled in their brain by the alien.
And John?
He had far more than "basic."
He passed effortlessly.
Final Test: The Heart
This one—
Was different.
John stood before an examiner.
Sharp eyes.
Cold expression.
"Answer truthfully."
John understood immediately.
This world had methods to detect lies.
Deception was useless.
So—
He didn't lie.
"If you had to choose—yourself or the sect—who would you save?"
"Myself."
No hesitation.
The examiner's eyes flickered slightly.
"Would you kill without reason? For pleasure? For power?"
"No."
"Would you abandon others to survive?"
"Yes."
The questions continued.
One after another.
Relentless.
For thirty minutes.
And John answered every single one—
Truthfully.
Finally—
It ended.
"Fill in your details."
A token was handed to him.
Outer Disciple.
At that moment—
The system interface appeared.
[Quest Completed: Join a Sect]
[Reward Granted: Unique Skill (Grade A)]
But John barely glanced at it.
Because something else—
Had caught his attention.
His eyes shifted.
And then—
He froze.
The man from earlier.
The one who had been kneeling.
Begging.
Crying.
He was there.
Standing.
Beside him—
Two women.
His wife.
His daughter.
Unharmed.
Not only that—
Several others stood nearby.
Maybe the ones who had stepped forward to help him earlier.
All of them—
Safe.
Even more shocking—
They were talking.
Laughing.
Standing together with the very same robed figures—
The "sect members."
John's eyes narrowed.
Something wasn't right.
Then—
It clicked.
A memory surfaced.
He had once heard rumours.
Some sects…
Would stage cruelty.
Act as villains.
To test people.
To observe their choices.
To judge their character.
Those who resisted injustice—
Would be selected.
Silently.
Without announcement.
Without recognition.
And would be promoted to a higher post in the sect
John exhaled slowly.
"So that's how it is…"
Everything made sense now.
A sect…
Could not afford to ruin its reputation without reason.
If that man had truly been suffering—
Would the crowd have gathered to see the sect play
Or was everything—
From the beginning—
Just a test?
John's gaze deepened.
"…Interesting."