Divine Path System

"Looks like you are the mastermind behind this." The old voice, which was emotionless even when killing the Veyan captain showed a tinge of appreciation.

But it's the sort of appreciation shown by a predator to its prey, not that of an old senior towards the newbie.

Varian sensed the intentions clearly and he took on a defensive stance.

He didn't try to run away. He simply couldn't outrun the attack of a rank 9.

The only chance of surviving was trying to find a way out.

Moreover…

'He isn't Merov. Is he possessed? But who dares to the favorite candidate?'

This whole thing felt like a faux.

How did Merov, a peak rank 7, easily kill the Orion Captain?

Defenseless and injured, he was, but easy to kill, he was not. It would take a bare minimum of rank 8 strength to kill him even in that state. Peak rank 7 was just magnitudes weaker to deliver a killing blow.

'Merov' looked down on Varian with arms folded behind his back. Noticing the stranger's tense body and sharp expression, he said, "Looks like you are aware of what you are up against."

Varian didn't reply. Every part of his body screamed as he hovered right in front of death's entrance. He could die at any moment. And he wouldn't be able to resist.

[Sarah, Sia, Enigma, change of plans. After evacuation, take Hortus as far away from the solar system as possible. It'll take a while for me to lure the enemy. A few days at least. Create as much distance from the solar system as possible to prevent any collateral damage.]

Varian's message was sent through their Synergy link, protected by the power of slivers.

Of course, he lied.

He just wanted them to get away. But if he said it straight, they'd rush here for their own deaths.

If it was a heavily injured rank 8, everyone could bet their lives for a hard victory under Hortus' protection. The possibility existed because he had the slivers.

But rank 9 was way beyond what they could face.

Varian wielded that power once—when he received a bit of true power from the legacy. The power helped him slay the Great Harvester. And that's why he knew how ridiculous it was to even try fight a rank 9.

They wouldn't even qualify as ants. Rank 7 or peak rank 7, heck even peak rank 8, a rank 9 could easily crush them all.

The power of a rank 9 begins to break out of the conventional sense and would be heading towards the domain of divinities.

'If I die here, I will have a lot of regrets. But if they survive, at least I can die in peace…' Varian's anxious heart calmed down.

Sensing his changes, 'Merov' nodded. "Yes, if I wanted to kill you, I would have done it already. I have a deal for you. You get to save your life."

With a snap of his fingers, a glowing rune appeared in front of Varian.

"This is the natal treasure of Prince Merov. It's a mark that enslaves the target. Accept it without resistance and your life will be spared."

Varian clenched his fists as the mark slowly approached him.

"Think about it. You have a family, don't you? Parents? Children? Wives? You don't have to die. You just have to follow some of my orders and you'll be back to your normal life."

Like the devil bewitching an innocent, the old voice spoke in a persuasive tone.

Varian felt his entire life flash in front of his eyes in a blink and the future where he didn't have to die.

He might be able to break it down with slivers.

"I…" Varian stretched his hand towards the mark.

"Good choice." Merov smiled but quickly froze.

Kacha!

Varian crushed the mark into pieces.

This mark was clearly aimed at the soul. It could change him irreversibly, turning him into a completely brainwashed slave. Even if he had the capability to break the seal, he wouldn't even have the thought of resisting.

"A life like that is no different from death." Varian raised his arms and channeled his aura. If he was going to die, he was going to die fighting back.

"You foolish mortal! Who do you think you are raising a fist against?" The old voice bellowed, kicking off an aura storm.

Varian felt the pressure of a rank 9 down to his soul. It's like facing a mountain you could never climb.

"Against a ghost, duh." He replied with a nasty smile.

"Insolence, you'll regret this!" Merov raised his hand and the temperature dropped to a dangerous low.

'I guess this is where we part, ways. Logos, I'm sorry for being harsh on you so many times.' Feeling the attack charging, Varian bid his farewell.

[…Host, that old guy is just bluffing. He can't do sh*t.]

'W-What?'

Logos' words were like a bucket of cold water.

[His main body could be powerful. But he's just an attachment. A branch. He already used up most of his power to deal with the Veyan Captain. All he can do now is release his rank 9 aura, and pressurize you.]

'This old son of a bitch!' Varian glared up at Merov.

The old bastard was still 'charging' up the power with one hand and kept his other hand behind his back.

Merov had some serious injuries after the space shuttle explosion. Varian didn't think about them much due to the rank 9 aura, but now, he saw them differently.

He should've suspected this way earlier when he started talking too much. Why would a rank 9 even try to persuade him?

'He scammed me! He scammed me!' Varian screamed in anger, veins popping up on his forehead.

A wave of thick killing intent shot out of him and locked onto Merov.

[Host, are you angry at him for trying to enslave you or scamming you?]

'I…' Varian couldn't find an answer. 'Fuck it, I can think after I thrash this bastard!'

Merov looked down at Varian with a cold gaze and said. "Out of my kindness, I'll give you the final ch—mfff!"

Varian punched him in the face.