even painted, and the frame was pure ore.

The only decoration was a map of Elysium covering the entire wall, obviously printed on Earth. Previously, there was no complete connection between the two realms. It took a lot of effort to get from one side to the other. But this problem was gradually overcome by methods developed by the most prominent people on Earth.

Of course, some families took advantage of this time and tried to take control of Elysium and Earth. In the end, there were those who succeeded in taking over one side and controlling it for a while, but not both sides.

Controlling a realm was far beyond what one family could do. So kingdoms and unions were formed. The Icarus Federation, which controlled Elysium, and The World Federation, which ruled Earth, were the most successful examples.

These were the rulers everyone knew. But in the shadows, there were powerful ancient dynasties and organizations pulling the strings. One of them was the Shadow Cathedral, the dream of every assassin without exception.

Shadow Cathedral is known for its three special types of assassins, but the Shadow Cardinals are the real source of its fame.

There was little that could move the Shadow Cardinals. They would not think of coming out of the shadows unless the order or the cathedral was in danger. But that never diminished their fear of them. Because every time they decided to leave the shadows, something unpleasant would happen.

The Ancient Phoenix War.

Before the rise of Icarus Family, Monroe Family ruled the Icarus Federation. Monroe Family was the only human lineage that could control demonic energy, so they could rule over everyone.

However, they began to use the Union for their own gain. Monroe Family tried to use the federation's influence to maximize their control over the human and monster populations on Elysium.

So some people were uncomfortable with him.

Marcus Monroe, the leader of the Monroe Family, was one of the most powerful beings known to man. At the peak of his Blood Arts, he could take on three people of the same level at the same time. There was no human who could kill him. In his generation, the Monroe Family ruled Elysium.

Everyone thought so.

Until he was ordered to die.

The World Federation appealed to the Shadow Cathedral, known as the messenger of death.

Leaving the cathedral, two cardinals and a team destroyed more than half of the Monroe family in a single night. The next day, Marcus Monroe's head was hung from a teleportation portal.

Since then, the Shadow Cathedral has become a symbol of death.

As one of the directors of the Black Dragon Camp and the Deadly Training Program, Shadow held a very important position in the cathedral. In terms of level, he was right behind the cardinals. With the rank of Senior Shadow Priest, he could assassinate the country's elders.

Love what you're reading? Discover and support the author on the platform they originally published on.

But with this man in front of him, he was like a child.

At one end of the meeting table sat a red-haired man. His straw hat was on his head, as usual, shadowing his face. But his blood-red eyes pierced through the shadows. Although he had a rather ordinary face, the same could not be said for his strength.

Around the table sat men of different ages. Sometimes they argued, sometimes they smoked. Most of them were not old, but they were the most dangerous beings in Elysium. Everyone at the table had at least as much power and position as Shadow.

And the red-haired man in the main seat...

"With all due respect, Cardinal, isn't it too early to move to the fourth level? I understand your desire, but to act so hastily could lower the quality."

Shadow looked at the man who spoke. He had green hair and eyes of the same color. His snake-like eyes made those who saw them feel uneasy and uneasy. He was Viper, the leader of the Rising Serpent Squad. He ranked tenth in power in the Cathedral.

Rising Serpent Squad was one of the special forces that specialized in difficult terrain.

The red-haired man said nothing.

"Are you sure you've reviewed the reports in front of Viper? These twenty men may be the most skilled assassins we have ever seen. They have expertise in ten different fields. They have more knowledge in a month than a human would gain in ten years."

An old man with white hair and blue eyes spoke. He was a high-level expert in disguise, disguised as the most trusted aide of a great marquis dynasty. His power was at the level of a Senior Shadow Priest, but his hiding skills could cause trouble even for cardinals.

Chameleon.

The disguise experts who gave training were all his men.

The Chameleon Squad were special forces specializing in infiltration and espionage.

"The chameleon is right. It's important to remember that these people are selected from tens of thousands. Every day we lose cuts into the time they have to show their potential. "

"More importantly, isn't the fourth exam worrying? There will be ten people left after the exam, not twenty."

"They chose their companions when they entered the camp, didn't they? It's a waste of talent. Even the worst can become a Senior Shadow Priest."

"What we need are cardinals. Not seniors."

"We may face riots."

The red-haired man sighed as the discussion in the meeting room continued. The Shadow Cardinal, or Shadow Dragon. Finally, he had a reaction.

"That's all for today. We will organize another meeting near the end of the Life and Death Exam. This time I want all the authorities to be here."

"Yes, sir!"

Although it was sudden, no one objected.

---

"Where am I?"

Alexander opened his eyes in an unfamiliar environment because of a severe headache. He was in a large, well-lit room. His eyes searched for a door or a window, but strangely he could not find them. This confused him even more.

What was happening?

He visualized the moment before he lost consciousness. Shadow had hit his pressure point, knocked him unconscious and carried him here. What was the fourth test? Was it to escape from here?

He shook his head and turned away from his thoughts. That's when he found a pair of Asura Katanas lying next to him and a note. On the note was written 'Examination Content'. It was written in very sharp brush strokes. The person who wrote it was a great swordsman.

He opened the note and read its contents.

"Life and Death Examination... Be the only survivor in the room... The rune formations placed in the room will detect living beings and deactivate at the end of the test, allowing you to leave the room... Good luck..."

It was a killing mission all over again.

Alexander breathed a sigh of relief. These were exams in which they were in danger of death. Some of them were complex puzzles that challenged him greatly. Since it was a kill mission, it meant it would be simple. All he had to do was kill his opponent.

He spread his perception and glanced across the room. His whole world came crashing down when he sensed a familiar presence there.

"Fuck, please don't let it be him."

The room was two hundred meters long.

At the other end of the two hundred meters was a handsome face with a heroic face.

Tears wet her cheek.

Two silver bracelets on her wrist and a total of ten rings on each hand...

Eyes glowing blood red...

"Alexander... Why did this happen?"