As soon as Minos stood up, the strongest alien observing this trial approached him and quickly drew his attention.
"What's your name, kid?" The level 105 alien asked, a being 2.3 meters tall, with brown fur over most of his body, a bear's head, and hands and legs similar to those of humans, but with large claws on them.
Minos looked at this being, whom he considered an enemy after being forced to participate in this selection test.
He wouldn't deny the benefits of passing the two trials, which would help him to greatly strengthen his cultivation base in just a few hours. However, it wouldn't change the fact that he was forced to take this test and even risked his life.
Several people died in the first test or were sent to places where who knew if they would come out alive. Some of Minos' companions were sent to The Blue Field.
Still, Minos knew his precarious position. He was only a level 95 Demigod, while the being in front of him was a level 105 Sovereign.
"Minos Stuart." He said to the alien.
"Where do you come from, Minos boy? Your abilities are not ordinary."
"I come from a place we call the Spiritual World. That planet is very far away, and I can't tell you how to get there myself. My group and I came to Zocarro by accident a few years ago." Minos was sincere, not wanting to make his group's situation in this place even more difficult.
"I see... You're smart, boy. Keep it up, and one day, you'll have the chance to be free again and even go in search of your companions." The alien understood very well what was going through Minos' mind, as he himself had once been in the position of this strange creature.
"The Armhands are a powerful old Examire guild. The traditions of our organization are perhaps older than your own world, so don't get carried away by momentary feelings. One day, you'll be in my position, and you'll understand what we do.
Don't think too much about the 'injustice' you've been forced into for now. It will probably be your greatest blessing." He turned away from Minos, thinking about returning to the side of his people.
"Can I really save my companions? Can you tell me where they were sent?" Minos asked.
The brown creature stopped and looked at him sideways. "Falling into hell can be the end or a chance. That doesn't depend on hell itself but on the people who reach it.
You will certainly have the opportunity to catch up with your companions. But if you ever see them again, it will be because of their determination and the success of both sides. Armhands cannot stop destiny, Minos boy.
What must be, will be."
Minos looked at the man seriously, sensing something strange in such words. But he asked his last question as he pushed the strange feeling aside.
"Why deceive groups like mine? Why force people to take your test?"
The man only laughed at Minos' question as he motioned for the human to follow him to the side where the other examiners were.
"Wait for the end of the exam next to us. In just over an hour and a half, this selection phase will be over, and we'll have this year's group of successful candidates." The strongest alien in the area said.
"Normally, we would make you compete a bit more. However, today's final test will only decide your positions when you enter the Armhands. Minos, welcome to my organization. From today on, you are my junior."
The others looked at Minos but said nothing. As powerful as Emperor Stuart was, reaching their level would take him a long time.
Most of them couldn't kill Minos because of the wings on his back, but they didn't know that. But even if they didn't, they would never lose to this young man in a confrontation right now.
It would be a long time before he was strong enough to influence them, so even though he was very talented and promising, no one tried to get close to him at the moment.
The power hierarchy of the Armhands was very well organized, and even talented individuals like Minos didn't have much influence until they reached a certain level of requirements and good positions within the guild.
Sovereigns or the strongest could move around freely, but Grandmasters like Minos didn't have the same opportunities. In other words, it would be a while before he had a chance to do anything relevant and leave this headquarters, even with all his good achievements.
Thus, these observers would remain silent for the next few minutes, and when the test was one hour and fifteen minutes old, the second person who managed to get rid of the nightmare he was in would wake up.
This test didn't depend on the person's cultivation level at all but rather on how fragile their minds were. No matter how strong their cultivation and body were, if their minds didn't reflect the same power level, they wouldn't be able to wake up in time.
Therefore, the first ones to awaken after Minos wouldn't necessarily be the strongest ones there but rather those who were mentally well-conditioned.
Ruth would pass the test in the last 20 minutes before the end of the 2-hour time limit, while Maximillian and the other group members would narrowly pass when there were between 10 and 5 minutes to go.
Of the just over 60 people who began this test, 43 would manage to come out of their states within the 2-hour period, with another five members of Minos' group failing their tests.
With this result, less than 15 people from the group that left the Spiritual World would be able to pass the second test of this selection and would eventually be sent to the Speckled Bear Wilds, where they would spend the next five years preparing for this test.
When the time was up, the alien in charge of this test stood in front of the 43 individuals who had passed this test and congratulated them on their success.
"Well done. You are the best of this selection and now the newest member of the Armhands. Forget about your comrades who failed this test. They'll have another chance in five years and be back on your side before you know it.
For those who failed the previous test, it will be harder to see them again, but it's not impossible. Don't give up yet.
Now, you'll go through the last part of this selection before receiving your new assignments.
Get ready. That is the beginning of your new life!"
