Extra's Death: I Am the Son of Hades novel Chapter 204

"I presume you are taking about Neo Hargraves who entered the same passage as you?"

"Yes," Jack answered.

The doll, E #23, nodded in understanding.

"Neo Hargraves is going through a qualification test at another site."

"Qualification test?"

"An agreement should be a better word in your language," the doll said. "The Shadow Supreme is a generous ruler.

"He doesn't attack anyone just because they enter his world.

"Instead, he gives them a chance. A trial.

"If you complete the trial, he will fulfill your wish.

"You can ask for anything.

"Did you enter the world of treacherous shadows by mistake? Then the Shadow Supreme will help you go return to your world.

"Do you want desire power? Then, the Shadow Supreme shall make you the strongest.

"Is there someone you want to kill? The Shadow Supreme will erase them."

The doll added,

"All you have to do is complete the Trial of Supreme and prove yourself worthy."

Jack took a few moments to digest the words of the gatekeeper.

'Yeah, this place is damned crazy.'

'I don't think there is another elemental world that invites invaders like this.'

The Shadow Supreme was too welcoming.

The fact that he fulfilled one wish of the invader if they completed his trial was suspicious.

'Forget it. It's not like I can do anything about it.'

Jack shook his head and posed a question.

"So what's the agreement about?"

"It's something you must agree to before we start the trial," the doll said. "As I've told you, the Shadow Supreme is a generous ruler.

"The trials he gives reap omnipotent rewards.

"However, the trials are made to be difficult so as to match the level of the rewards. _{ƒree𝑤ebnσvel.com}

"Due to the high difficulty, the Shadow Supreme understands not everyone wants to participate in the trial.

"We won't force you.

"Only if you agree to enter the trial will we start the trial. This is the qualification test," the doll explained.

'It's quite simple,' Jack thought.

"What happens if I reject the agreement?"

"…"

The doll stared at Jack silently.

"You will be treated as an intruder."

The doll appeared before Jack as if she had teleported and slashed with her hand.

Jack's neck was separated from his body—

"Huff! Huff!"

Jack clutched his neck, breathing heavily.

"I'm… I'm alive?" he said. "But I was beheaded a moment ago."

"That is what will happen to you if you become an intruder. I hope you will make the right choice," the doll bowed.

A bitter smile appeared on Jack's face.

'So the qualification test is a ruse.'

'We don't have a choice but to accept it.'

'Or they will kill us.'

Jack shook his head.

The Shadow World was still friendly.

It wasn't attacking them as soon as they entered, at least.

"I want to enter the trial," Jack said.

"Very well."

The doll snapped her fingers.

Jack felt a sense of weightlessness.

Everything around him disappeared, turning into a dark void.

He was falling toward a small beacon of light far below him.

"I wonder if Neo and I will have the same trial."

Jack spoke to himself to calm his palpitating heart.

He had no idea why Neo wanted to enter the World of Shadows.

Neo avoided the question whenever Jack asked him about it.

Still, Jack followed Neo into the World of Shadows.

'Blind trust.'

Jack thought to himself.

'Is it right to put my life on the line for someone else?'

A chuckle left his lips.

'It's not even a question.'

'I'm going to help Neo no matter what.'

Jack hadn't forgotten the Shadow Window they entered in the academy.

He was useless back then.

Neo had died to save him.

Jack knew Neo was immortal, but it didn't change the fact Neo saved him at the cost of his own life.

'I'm always depending on others.'

Jack's family had been chained by the duty of defeating the Necromancer.

Neo saved them from the burden.

Jack was thankful to Neo, but it did not mean he didn't loathe his own weakness.

'Always. I'm the one receiving help.'

Jack had to be stronger.

To stop depending on others.

To help his friend who had been helping him until now.

'I'll complete the trial.'

Just as the thoughts strengthened his determination, Jack reached the beacon of light.

It was a hole in the dark void, revealing a destroyed city on the other side.

…

"Selene… Selene…"

The child, barely thirteen, cried.

His knees were scraped and his clothes were torn, covered in soot.

He walked through the abandoned city, searching for his little sister.

"Selene!" he shouted. "Where a-are you!?"