Awakening：The Infinite Evolution of My Talent as a Low-Level Awakener - Chapter 59: Hidden Mission: The Imperial Trial

Sterl was taken aback for a moment but then showed a smile: “Well done.”

“Then come up and sign the scrolls. My demands are not harsh, just ensure your obedience and do not betray me.”

“Of course, you can also try to run away.”

He was quite tempted by Teresa’s proposal. After all, having a group of people under him would make various tasks and arrangements much more convenient.

Regarding the racial wars Teresa mentioned, Sterl was stunned for a moment before he remembered. Indeed, there was such a thing—

In [Transcendence], countless races from the universe are gathered. Even though the resources of the Divine Mountain Empire occupied by the human race of Earth are not rich, there are still many large tribes with numerous members competing with humans.

Some excellent leveling spots, dungeons, and points of production for equipment or items would cause crazy competition among various races.

Among the human race of Earth, becoming an explorer player and possessing two-class strength would require one to accept a war mission every year, with very generous rewards, albeit a high mortality rate.

However, this seemed somewhat distant for Sterl, who not long ago, was prepared to live an ordinary life at the base.

Now, he suddenly realized that his current strength seemed to qualify him to participate in major events concerning the survival of the human race.

Sterl still had the mood for idle thoughts.

The surrounding players, however, had faces full of bitterness, and no one dared to try to run away. After all, if they scattered, most would probably be killed by this powerful being, with only a few managing to escape.

Given the current situation, the nail that sticks out gets hammered down. Whoever runs first would undoubtedly die. So the players did not dare to make a move.

They could only step forward one by one, reluctantly signing the scrolls to become Sterl’s subordinates.

These players regretted their guts, wishing they had never participated in this damned hidden mission. However, they were not completely without hope, as the contract scrolls Teresa obtained only affected players below level 100.

They felt there was still hope to break free in the future.

However, when Sterl received the master scroll handed over respectfully by Teresa, his eyes slightly narrowed.

[Contract Scroll: Master]+

[Effect: A binding force will be exerted on units that have signed the Contract Scroll: Subordinate. This effect only works on players below level 100.]

“This item has a plus sign?” Sterl quickly made a decision. He still needed to evolve the Contract Scroll further when he had the chance, ensuring the players under his control remained obedient.

After dealing with this group of players, Sterl still appeared cold. At this moment, Daphne boldly stepped forward: “Are you the elders expert known to Sterl?”

“My name is Daphne. Thank you for saving me.” This beautiful girl completely restrained her usually lively style, introducing herself in a very dignified and elegant manner.

Sterl’s attitude was also not bad: “It was nothing.” Although he often ordered Teresa around, it was mainly for better training and taming. Sterl was actually quite satisfied with this deputy star, and since Daphne was Teresa’s sister, he was relatively friendly towards her.

Daphne took the opportunity to continue the conversation. Seeing that “Sterl’s elders” was amiable towards her, she brought up another topic: “By the way, where is Mr. Sterl? Is he not participating in this hidden mission?”

“He was arranged by me to join a copy, and I was entrusted to protect Miss Teresa. But as soon as I arrived, I encountered you guys nearly being insulted.” Sterl explained offhandedly.

As soon as he finished speaking, Daphne came up to him with great enthusiasm. Although this beautiful girl called Teresa her sister, her age was actually not much younger than Teresa’s. And in some aspects, it couldn’t be said to be “smaller” but rather “larger.” For example, having a busty chest…

Daphne boldly snuggled up to Sterl, allowing him to feel an extremely full and soft sensation rippling through his arm.

“We will still need to trouble you along the way.”

“The difficulty of hidden missions is unpredictable.”

“Oh, how so?” Sterl initially sneered in disdain, completely indifferent to Daphne’s hint. You’re using this to seduce me? I’ve had my fair share of indulgence at home already!

But as a newbie, Sterl indeed didn’t know much about hidden missions. So he gestured for Daphne to continue.

“I’ll introduce it.” said Teresa, who, for some reason, stepped forward anxiously and slightly exerted force to pull Daphne away…

Attempting to pull…

But she couldn’t!

From the beginning, Teresa’s smile to the twitching of the corner of her eye, it was clear she exerted a lot of effort.

Unfortunately, as a mage with spirit and agility as her main attributes, how could she possibly overpower Daphne, whose main attributes were strength and agility?

And Daphne, still with a sweet smile, clung tightly to Sterl, making Teresa unable to bear it any longer, directly opening the player panel to initiate a private chat.

“What are you doing?”

Her response was—

“Don’t you like Mr. Sterl? Don’t worry, I’ll sort it out for you!”

I like…

Wait, sort it out for me…

Teresa initially wanted to deny it, but somehow, her heart was racing, and she was even slightly pleased.

She couldn’t lie to herself. Since leaving Sterl, Teresa found herself missing him more, even dreaming several times about the moment she was forced…

After some thought, Teresa found Daphne’s suggestion quite good. She was colder in temperament on regular days and indeed not as good at handling interpersonal relationships as her sister. If she had her help…

Teresa couldn’t help but fantasize that her relationship with the master would definitely progress further!

But she quickly snapped back to reality.

What does that have to do with Daphne clinging to Sterl now?

Teresa quickly questioned again through the private message.

Daphne righteously declared—

“We naturally have to help each other out. I will definitely help you handle the matter between you and Sterl later.”

“Later?” Teresa was taken aback.

“First, help me get Sterl’s elders. That meteor he launched earlier was so cool! I feel like I’m in love!”

Teresa: “???” Suddenly, she was dumbfounded.

Were you interested in Sterl’s elders? It’s him himself that you were interested in!

Teresa was furious. But she regarded the master’s orders as supreme. Sterl wanted to keep his identity hidden, so Teresa could only swallow her anger.

She, smiling on the outside but not on the inside, directly grabbing Daphne’s wrist.

Teresa released a burst of electricity, aiming to dissolve the opposition’s resistance. However, Daphne’s body went limp, and she fell into Sterl’s arms, simultaneously making faces at Teresa to express—

Thanks for the assist, dear sister!

Thank you, honey!

“I’m sorry… I feel a bit unwell,” Daphne feigned discomfort…

Sterl looked relaxed, probably realizing that this beautiful girl, whose looks were not inferior to Teresa’s, was showing interest in him and also noticing that Teresa seemed somewhat unhappy about it.

But what did Teresa’s unhappiness have to do with Sterl? Was he supposed to refuse enjoying the benefits?

The atmosphere in the room became incredibly awkward.

Sterl felt the touch of the beautiful girl in his arms, who had an explosive figure but was toned from extensive exercise, without an ounce of excess fat.

The players he had subdued as his subordinates were all looking away, not daring to glance in their direction. However, the faint sounds they overheard were enough to make the group inwardly curse.

“Damn! He gets to enjoy all the benefits!”

Their envy was palpable. Previously, Eric Dane had to resort to threats to have a chance with two top beauties. But this so-called “Sterl’s elders” had barely appeared for five minutes, and both Daphne and Teresa seemed to be emotionally and physically attached to him…

…

Sterl’s enjoyment did not last long. Holding Daphne in one arm and with Teresa, who had a look of utter despair, on the other, he led the multitude of players into the temple’s interior.

Sterl looked around. The temple was made primarily of yellow-brown bricks and stones, spacious, with walls adorned with murals. Many of these depicted the legendary stories of how the founders of the Divine Mountain Empire fought against monsters and step by step built the nation.

As they reached the center of the temple, a muscular man with his upper body bare and painted in greenish-blue oil paint was waiting silently. Behind him were several altars surrounded by orange-red flames.

Upon seeing the players, the muscular man showed a hint of disdain but quickly suppressed it and slowly spoke.

“You are the warriors from foreign lands, I hear you wish to serve the empire?”

“Sorry, we do not take in the worthless.”

“You must prove your potential. Sit at the altar, take part in the trial. Only the strongest among the foreigners can follow us.”

As the muscular man’s words concluded.

A prompt lit up before all the players present.

[You have accepted the hidden mission: Empire’s Trial]