"What type of question is that?" John replied, surprised to hear such a question. How could someone find fault in answering either way? How could someone deserve death by answering this question? In his mind, there was no wrong answer. To save yourself was natural, and to save those you care about was also natural. Neither were wrong answers depending on the individual's priorities, and neither were worthy of death.
"Answer the question," the figure said.
"Who designed this dogshit test?" John grumbled. "Was it that old fart that appeared earlier? He mentioned creating the Devil race trial, so if he also created this trial, then he's a clown for creating a trial like this."
"Answer the question," the figure said, monotonous as always.
John breathed in deeply, a frustrated look on his face. He knew his answer, but didn't know if his answer would be the one the trial creator was looking for. If this was the question that caused him to fail, he would destroy this entire Guild before accepting death in such a manner.
"I'd save myself," John grunted.
Although the decision would be an excruciating one, John valued his own life more than anything. If he was dead, he could not obtain the power he desired above everything else. If he was dead, he could not save his homeworld, or find out the truth of his parents. As much as it would pain him to leave someone like Lilian or Laia behind, in the end he would make that decision.
"And then I'd come back later when I'm stronger, and kill the motherfucker who dared to target someone I cared about," John continued, frowning with anger, as if he had really made such a decision. The question reminded him of fleeing from the Asura, of having others sacrifice themselves for him, which only made him simmer with anger at his weakness, and also his friends and mentors deaths.
While he had not seen any of the elders protecting him die, he knew for certain that the Alliance leader, as well as the Grand Elder, had most certainly perished. Those vitality-siphoning arts they used were too brutal to do anything but kill them in the end.
Thinking of this, his rage ignited again. He needed to find Lilian, raise his strength as quickly as possible, and return to his homeworld before the Asura destroyed it completely.
"Is the answer acceptable or not?" John asked impatiently. The more time he spent in useless places like this, the less time he spent on increasing his strength. And that was unacceptable.
…
"Hoh," the Prime Shadow hummed, an amused smile on his face.
"To think this boy dares to speak about you that way," the Guildmaster said, frowning. "If he manages to live through the trial, a stiff punishment is coming his way."
"If he manages to complete the trial, he will become my successor and disciple," the Prime Shadow said, "he will not be yours to punish at that point."
The Guildmaster nodded his head, falling silent.
"Still, this boy is quite amusing," the Prime Shadow said. "He's much more hot-headed than you were back then. If he does manage to survive all the trials, then my life will most likely become quite interesting for the first time in a long time."
The Guildmaster raised an eyebrow, but said nothing, returning his gaze to John.
…
"Your answer is truthful, and acceptable," the figure said, while John sighed with agitated relief. If the correct answer had been the opposite, then he would have burned this entire Guild down.
"Next question," the figure continued without missing a beat. "Have you ever allied yourself with an enemy of humanity? The Devil Race? The Beast Race? Or any race that wishes for humanity's destruction?"
"No," John replied calmly, the answer easy. He had allied himself with non-human races and creatures, but none of them were against the interest of humanity. While he did possess the power of an Asura, which could be considered their greatest enemy, he was not allied with them.
He felt the Qi from the chair's formation swirl within him, moving with more power through his body than before. It swirled all about him, permeating his body and even touching his soul, which he allowed to do so. He could resist it, but knew that would be a futile effort in the end.
'It seems this question's answer is of extra importance to whoever made this trial,' John mused, feeling the Qi subside after a while.
"Your answer is truthful, and acceptable," the figure said.
"Final question," it said, causing John to sit straighter in his seat.
'This stupid trial is almost over,' he cheered internally.
"Which powers, sects, clans, guilds, etcetera, do you belong to? If you belong to any other powers, are you a spy for them? Lastly, do you have any harmful intentions towards the Shadows of Death Guild?"
John frowned, and did his best to hide his slight grimace. He had expected the question to be easy based on the previous one, and for the most part it was. He knew he would be able to pass this trial, as he did not have any harmful thoughts or designs towards the Guild. However, he needed to answer truthfully, and doing so would reveal the sects and clans he belonged to; sects and clans not of this world.
His answer would reveal one of the secrets he hoped to keep.
'Let's hope this guild doesn't care about my past as long as I don't have any harmful intentions towards it.'
John sighed once more, then answered the question.
"I am part of the Fenix Clan, the Heavenly Lightning Sect, and the Honorable Alliance," he said, not hiding the truth. He could feel the formation energy swirling through his body and soul, and a lie would be detected immediately. "As for being a spy? I'm nothing like that. As for harmful intentions? As long as this Guild can help me grow stronger, and also help me find someone I'm looking for, then I will have absolutely no harmful intentions towards it."
Silence filled the white void John was seated in as he waited for the figure to speak. After a long silence, longer than the previous ones, it finally spoke.
"That answer is truthful, and acceptable."
A portal of formation energy suddenly appeared near John, glowing with white and green energy.
"You have completed the verbal trial," the figure said. "You may move on to the last trial."
