Scarless stood still and waited. There were few people in the station; everyone was busy with something, yet most of the officers were looking directly at him. Scarless understood why their attention was so focused on him.
Soon, two people in black robes approached him.
It took only a single glance to understand that they were strong. An unfamiliar power emanated from them, something entirely different from ordinary humans. They possessed what was forbidden to others.
One of them spoke. His face was completely hidden beneath the hood of his cloak.
"Follow us. Don't get lost."
After saying that, they turned around and began to walk away. Scarless followed them in silence, without uttering a single word.
As they walked down the corridor, not a sound escaped Scarless's lips. His eyes could barely stay open. When they reached the end of the corridor, one of them called the elevator.
The doors opened, and all three stepped inside. The button marked B1 was pressed, and the elevator began to descend. A heavy atmosphere filled the confined space.
Ten seconds later, the elevator stopped. The doors slid open, and they stepped out. Scarless looked around, squinting as the brightness of the room assaulted his eyes.
The room was quite large and entirely white. In the center stood a chair, one that looked as though it was meant for prisoners. Near the ceiling were windows, behind which people dressed in white were working.
Seeing them, Scarless thought, I've read about them before. What were they called again?
After a moment, he remembered. Ah. Scientists.
The three headed toward a man standing in the center of the room. Even from a distance, it was clear that he was reading documents in his hands. When they reached him, one of the escorts spoke.
"Mr. Vladislav, we've brought one of the chosen."
"Understood. You may leave us," Vladislav said with a gentle smile.
"Very well."
With that, the two figures in black robes turned and walked away.
Vladislav put the documents aside and looked at Scarless.
"What is your name, child?"
Vladislav was handsome. Slavic features, blue eyes, tall—around one hundred eighty-five centimeters. Standing next to him, Scarless looked like a child.
"My name is Scarless," he replied, staring carefully at Vladislav.
"Scarless… What an unusual name. It means one who was not broken. Very good."
"Scarless, I hope you understand what it means to be chosen."
"It doesn't matter to me. The survival rate of those who are chosen is less than ten percent," Scarless said with an indifferent expression.
Yet deep in his heart, he understood—and feared—that he might die.
Noticing this, Vladislav studied his face closely and thought, Those who grow up on the streets or in abandoned places learn from childhood how to survive in extreme conditions… or something even worse.
After a brief pause, Vladislav spoke again.
"Very well. As I can see, you're no longer able to control yourself. Come with me."
Scarless followed him. They stopped in front of a large glass door. Vladislav took out a pass and opened it. Inside was a medical room filled with equipment. A white bed stood in the center.
Vladislav looked at Scarless.
"You may lie down. I'll run a few minor tests."
"All right," Scarless replied and lay down on the bed.
After connecting the device to him, Vladislav initiated the scan. It took less than ten seconds.
Looking at the screen, Vladislav frowned. His physical condition is abysmal for his age. Only eighteen percent of the norm for an eighteen-year-old. Most likely due to malnutrition.
He looked back at Scarless and saw that the boy was indeed in critical condition.
He most likely won't survive the prologue. A demon will kill him and seize his body. But if he does survive and pass the prologue… No. For him, it's nearly impossible. He'll probably die. And if that's the case, he must be sent to the special zone.
For a soft-hearted man like Vladislav, this decision was not an easy one. But no matter how difficult it was, one life was better than dozens.
Turning back to Scarless, he hid his emotions and said with the same gentle smile,
"All right, Scarless. I've checked everything. We can go now. Stand up."
With that, Vladislav turned around and began to walk away.
Scarless rose and stared at his back. Indifference was written clearly in his eyes.
A lie. Not everything is fine. I know my body is weak. I know I might die. But don't lie to my face.
Standing up fully, Scarless followed him.
They returned to the same room and headed toward the center. When Scarless approached, Vladislav spoke again.
"Sit down. I'll explain the details."
Scarless noticed the chair and sat down. The moment he did, the locks snapped shut around him. Seeing this, he grew slightly nervous.
Noticing his reaction, Vladislav said calmly,
"Don't worry. This is for both your safety and ours. I'll begin now."
Hearing this, Scarless relaxed slightly and listened to Vladislav with what little strength he had left.
Vladislav continued.
"First, when you enter the Abyssal Realm, you will face what is known as the prologue. During the prologue, a location and people will appear. At the moment, we do not know whether they are real humans or merely projections created by the gods. They tell us nothing."
"Second, an Abyss demon will appear, ranging from a first-core to a fourth-core entity. Don't worry—anything above the second core is almost impossible for a prologue."
At these words, Vladislav's expression turned serious.
"But if a third-core demon appears—or, heaven forbid, a fourth-core—you will die. One hundred percent."
Hearing this, Scarless couldn't even react. He continued listening with the last of his strength.
"And third, if you successfully pass the prologue, you will be able to form a contract with one of the gods who chooses you."
"To help you survive the prologue, the Abyssal Realm will grant you an attribute and two skills tied to it. Depending on your actions, you may also receive a title."
"I hope you understood me. And now… pleasant dreams, Scarless."
He said this while staring intently at Scarless—
who had already, spiritually, left this world.