Oh happy moment that has not yet come, could you take a shortcut before our hearts grow old?
What is this annoying noise and commotion?
Why this clamor?
Damn it, I want to sleep a little, for hell's sake.
Why all this noise?
I opened my eyes and looked down to see a large number of people moving in a straight line—about a hundred of them.
Among them were girls.
Their ages ranged from 20 to 30.
Their levels were between 30 and 50.
Why are all these people here?
Why are so many passing through the Sky Forest!?
So after they passed beneath me, I descended and followed them, blending in, trying not to be noticed.
But they were all mature individuals, so I was quickly discovered.
One of them noticed me and laughed mockingly.
"Why is this damn kid with us?" he said, approaching me with some other men.
"Do you want to become a student at the Star Institute too?" he said, laughing derisively.
This one laughing had a level of only 35.
I was about to cut off his head when a brawny man carrying a huge sword on his back appeared.
His body was gigantic, and his sword was immensely large, making him look like a mountain, not a normal person.
His eyes were sharp and confident, radiating a powerful aura.
He stood in front of me, showing his back as if protecting me, and said in a strong voice,
"Back off, he's with me."
The murmurs rose, but the damned man and his group left in great fear.
Their hands trembled with terror after seeing the giant man standing before them.
Status:
Name: Shard
Profession: Warrior
Type: Human
Age: 23
Level: 50
Skill: Breaking Sword
Visible Emotions: Compassion
Hidden Emotions: Attempt to help and brotherly love
After the man left, he looked at me and asked,
"Do you also want to go to Sky City?" he said in a calm voice.
I looked at him and felt that this man did not intend any harm toward me.
So I said indifferently,
"Yes."
He looked at me and asked me to talk while walking.
After my father's death, I decided not to kill anyone unless they stood in my way, didn't like their manner or appearance, moved in a way I disliked, or had an annoying, loud voice that didn't stop screaming. I had a list of people I might kill, and it was really long.
But good people like my father and mother, I would leave alive.
This man was brawny, and his sword was twice my height. He truly gave the impression of being the strongest on earth. He had black hair, green eyes, and many scars on his face, indicating many battles fought.
He emitted a single aura, signifying he was in the realm of the master.
"Why do you want to go to Sky City?" he asked, moving quickly as if something was delayed.
I noticed everyone around us moving as fast as they could.
Everyone around us looked at me, for I was still a boy not yet 16 years old, but I replied,
"I want to join the Star Institute."
The man was surprised, showing some astonishment on his rough face, and said,
"Do you want to train there? It will be difficult for you, boy."
I didn't respond, so he continued,
"I am Shard. What is your name?"
His name was really strange, hahaha. I hadn't heard that name before.
"I am the Joker."
"Your name is strange; I haven't heard it before."
Is he reading my thoughts, or what?
But I said, "Unique in name and strength, you won't find anyone like me in this world."
Shard laughed heartily and looked at me, saying loudly,
"I like your strange style."
I smiled at him and continued my path with him.
"But tell me, how did you survive death? I think over 200 people have died fighting the spiders. How did you survive the black lion siege or the sky spiders? They killed many of us."
Only now did I understand the reason for those scars on his face.
"I killed them before they killed me," I said without any expression.
Shard looked at me with great admiration and said,
"I wish my brother was like you." A look of intense sadness and pain appeared in his eyes as he said this.
"Your brother, did you leave him in your village when you left?"
He looked at me with eyes full of regret and suffering and said,
"He was killed by the demon army. He was your age and just as strong and sharp-tongued. That's why I'm here today, to become strong and avenge him."
He said this while caressing his large sword with his fingertips, tears falling from his eyes.
I didn't know how to deal with tears, so I decided to change the subject.
There was a question that puzzled me until now.
"Why did you take the forest path instead of the Mist City route?" I asked, puzzled.
"Because the Mist City route is long, and there are only five days left for the entrance exam," he said, wiping some tears from his face.
"And why this exam, Shard?" I said, speeding up my steps.
"You really don't know anything. This exam is to select the strongest to enter the institute. The institute opens its doors for exams every five years, and over a thousand people apply, but only 30 succeed."
He paused briefly, then continued,
"It's the Star Institute, Joker. Only geniuses and stars enter it."
When he finished his words, I looked around.
There was a group of people laughing and joking, some envying others, some loving each other.
They had many dreams.
But at that moment, I sensed a great danger coming from ahead.
Suddenly, there was noise everywhere, human screams, and sounds of battle.
The laughter and jokes disappeared, and everyone drew their swords, preparing for the fight that would determine their lives from their deaths.