Divine Path System

"Well, I know you'll hate me for killing them, but ugh, I don't really hold any grudge against you." Varian rubbed the back of his neck.

"…" Joshua Xander glared at the man who almost killed him and was now talking like it was no big deal.

Did he feel a grudge? Of course, he did! How could he not feel anything when he was nearly killed.

But. What could he do? Varian was able to crush him when he fought five more level 7s, if it's a one-on-one, Joshua knew it'd end in a flash.

What's more…

'Someone is watching me. If I make a wrong move, I'm dead.'

Varian coughed lightly. "I'll be honest. We need people like you in the military. So, don't resign or anything."

"…."

"Alright, alright. I hope we let bygones be bygones. If you stay in the military, you'll have to face me often since I'll be the Emperor sooner or later." Varian shrugged with a helpless expression.

Joshua Xander regained consciousness a few minutes ago. He was adamant about keeping his mouth shut.

But when Varian spoke those words as if he was doing him a favor, he couldn't help but say. "I have never someone so narcissist."

Varian chuckled. "Isn't it the biggest news these days? Level 7 in 3 months. You still think I'm a narcissist?"

Joshua decided to shut his mouth. "…"

The news only said he 'reached' level 7 in 3 months.

Who were they kidding?

This guy didn't just reach level 7, he was at the peak of level 7 and might reach level 8 soon.

If he grew at this rate, he might become Sovereign in a year or less.

And what next? After one more year? Five more years?

'If he keeps growing, he'll really be the strongest.' Joshua's eyes flashed with complicated emotion.

He welcomed Varian's growth because it could bring peace.

But was it really okay for an individual like him who killed soldiers just because of their 'surname' to become a ruler?

'Even if I die, should I try killing him?' Joshua's eyes flashed.

"I got a blood feud with Xanders." Varian's expression grew serious and heavy killing intent filled the room.

Joshua's determination was strengthened and he was ready to launch a fatal blow to Varian even if it was certain that he'd die later.

The reason?

He knew that Xanders had a lot of filth. The filth that deserved to be dragged to prison.

But he also knew the good people. The Xanders who used their status to help others. The people who inspired Joshua to be just and fair.

If Varian was going to kill them all, then Joshua wouldn't stand still.

"But I won't kill the innocents." Varian suddenly said.

"Huh?" Joshua was caught off guard and he blankly stared at the young man. "What do you mean 'innocent'?"

Varian chuckled. "I'll use the laws of the federation to judge that. As long as the laws judge them guilty, I'll deliver them the sentence.

Of course, there are exceptions. If they are someone who is responsible for the plight of the people close to me, they're dead."

Joshua breathed a sigh of relief. If it was only this much, then he was fine with it.

But he still didn't approve it.

"Xanders constitute a major part of Earth's military power. If you go kill them, then abyssals will take over the plane—"

"I'll kill more abyssals." Varian's answer shut him up. "There are a couple of Xanders I will kill. Maybe a hundred or a thousand. But abyssals? There are billions of them."

Joshua's shoulders sunk as a deep sigh escaped his lips.

He felt that only 30% of the Xanders would be left. The rest would die under Varian's hands.

"And the rest of the Xanders, you'll have to disband the great Xander family and change your surname," Varian said in a tone that allowed no compromise. "I'm not going to kill everyone, but I'll sure as hell erase that damn surname."

"If you can beat Sovereign Julius, sure," Joshua replied with a deadpan face.

Varian wasn't sure if he was mocking or being serious, but he didn't care anyway. "Yeah. That's on the agenda."

The Xander surname that was at the top of the human race for nearly 500 years would be erased soon. 

"…So, is there anything else? I'll have to contact the HQ and report them I survived." Joshua asked with an impatient expression.

He was itching to leave this place. Seeing the man who nearly killed him talk so casually made him very uncomfortable.

"About that," Varian titled his head. "I need some assistance from you. I want to know where the rest of the Xander princes and princesses are. Don't worry, I'll spare the innocents."

The way Varian decided their deaths spooked Joshua.

With veins popping on his forehead, he yelled. "And why should I tell you?"

"Because it's beneficial to you," Varian said like it was obvious. "Even without you, I can find them. It just takes more time. But think about it, if you save that time, I can kill more abyssals which in turn will save more human lives. So, if you aren't helping me, you are responsible for those deaths."

"You! You…!" Joshua's eyes turned red as he clenched his fists tightly.

It was a simple explanation, but the way Varian put it really hit his conscience.

Varian knew this too and that's why he worded it that way.

"You bastard! Do you think this is fun?"

'Not at all. The guilt I felt when I saw Vin crying, if you help me, I can really save more lives.' Varian didn't say it out loud.

After an intense internal debate, Joshua finally sighed like a deflated balloon. "Fine."

"Great!" Varian clapped and with a snap, a long list of Xander princes appeared in front of Joshua.

Without another word, Joshua began to fill in the details he knew.

Varian nodded in satisfaction. "Don't report that I didn't kill you. I don't think they'll believe you even if you say so."

Joshua's hand froze for a moment before it continued typing the information.

He needed to cook up a reason why he survived. He'd have to lie shamelessly.

"No one will know that it was me." Varian began with a knowing smile.

"The abyssals will think that Prince Var, my fake identity, was killed by Xanders and they'll bore a grudge against you. Be prepared, the archduke Mendis might run rampant.

The humans will think abyssals exterminated their geniuses. The Xanders will retaliate. I'm looking forward to it."

Joshua's eyebrows trembled as he listened to the man's scary declarations.

Due to his actions, there'd be bloodshed. But the ones who'd bleed were the Xanders and the Abyssals—his enemies.

"The Xanders I will assassinate from now on will be victims of abyssals' retaliation. The abyssals who abruptly die are victims of Xanders." Varian's smile grew brighter and brighter.

"Of course, at some point, they'll realize it's not the other party. It's gotta be someone else. Who else can do it? The fingers will point to me."

Joshua finished typing and turned to Varian. "So, you want me to shut up and not reveal it's you?"

"Oh yeah"

"If I don't?"

"It'll waste my time and stop me from killing abyssals."

Joshua sighed.

"You are really a good soldier. We need more people like you." Varian smiled.

"I don't want to hear that from you." Shaking his head, Joshua made his way to the exit.

The ghostship landed on a desolate asteroid near the purple sky planetoid.

Joshua landed on the asteroid and started injuring himself.

When the patrol ship reaches this location thirty minutes later, he needed to be severely injured and be 'rescued'.

Varian bid him goodbye which wasn't returned and went to Sia's room.

"Wanna go hunting together?"