Death... and me
chapter-673

On Roan's side, the elders seemed to have multiple formations that tapped into one's soul. Not only that, but Roan could also see quite a few humans locked inside formations, although he didn't know what they were being used for. Some seemed to be under extreme pain, while others were simply sleeping inside the formations. There were also those that were awake and did not feel anything wrong going on. Unsurprisingly, there were some formations active around those cases as well!

Puan then brought Roan to another formation that shone with blue light. There, he was locked down before the elders took several positions around him inside the formation. "Activate the formation. Remember to focus on the compatibility of the Soul Power with our current design for the Bloodline Trial Control Formations."

Soon after, the blue light of the formation seemed to form a blue stream that entered Roan's head. Not long after, Roan's expression changed as he was feeling extreme pain...or so the elders thought.

[Good, good! As always, you're really good at pretending when it comes to situations like this,] Sister Orb said as she made sure the blue light didn't affect Roan's soul at all.

'Shut up. Can't you see I'm concentrating here?' Roan, of course, wasn't the least bit happy with Sister Orb's compliment.

Sister Orb then had an idea, suggesting, [Fine. Then, what if I let you taste just a bit of the formation's power, huh? Perhaps you'll learn how to be more respectful in front of your Sister Orb.]

Roan mentally snorted in response as he said, 'Hmph! As the System AI, your mission is to protect us. You definitely wouldn't do anything that could harm me.'

[Tch...you're no fun.] Obviously, Sister Orb's plan failed.

A few hours later, the light in the formation disappeared as Roan fell to the ground as he gasped for air. From the 'looks' of it, the experience was very taxing on him, while the elders were forced to stop, afraid that they might kill him.

Seeing that, Puan had a dark expression. "Nothing! There's absolutely nothing different in his soul other than its high purity." Naturally, he didn't like that since it pointed out that Roan's high Soul Purity was really due to his Elemental Affinity or the fact that he was twins with Rean. Perhaps, even both at the same time. "No, it's too early to give up. Once he recovers, let's try to cut a piece of his soul for analysis."

The elders were taken aback after hearing that. Soon, one of them asked, "But Elder Puan, that might affect his Soul Purity forever. Wouldn't it be a waste if he can really keep his Soul Purity for life?"

Puan didn't seem to care as he replied, "So what? We might always be in need of human kids with high Soul Purity. However, it's not like we will be affected that much since this human would be able to control just a single formation at a time. If we can find a way to replicate his Soul Purity or extend the kids' time of use, it'll be totally worth it!"

The elders looked at each other and nodded in the end. Sure enough, a single Roan wouldn't make that much difference since he was just one person.

Roan, who pretended to be in bad shape, took the chance to ask Sister Orb, 'Cut a piece of the soul...Sister Orb, is that possible?'

[Of course! However, I'm impressed that they can do it at their level. Those Soul Runes in the formations are a lot more useful than I thought in the past.] Sister Orb replied as if it wasn't a big deal.

'I see. If they do that, will that affect me in any way?' Obviously. That was the next question.

[No. After all, they won't be able to do so. Your souls are protected by the Soul Gem System. There's no way any of these formations can cut a piece of them.] Sister Orb seemed very confident in her statement.

Nevertheless, there was a problem. 'I understand. I have to think about what to do when they find out they can't do it.'

Rean, who was listening to everything through their Soul Connection, had an idea as he suggested, 'That's quite simple, no? Just pretend to be near death when they try to do it. With that, they'll understand that not only does their method not work, but they will also obtain the fact that you might die in the process if they try again. Injure yourself a bit. It's not like you've ever had a problem with pain before. Once they're finished, use my Instant Recovery to heal yourself.'

Roan pondered a bit over the idea and nodded in the end. Rean was right. Pain was far from being something that bothered Roan.

Sure enough, Elder Puan tried to cut a piece of Roan's soul once he recovered. However, Roan once again kept up a facade, pretending to be almost dying. He also used his Spiritual Energy and Dark Element to self-injury himself as the process continued. Once it looked like he was almost dead, Elder Puan was forced to stop as Roan was covered in a pool of his own blood on the ground.

"Fuck! What's happening here?! Not only did I not get even close to pulling out his soul, he's practically dead now! Did someone notice anything different?" Puan asked, fuming in anger.

However, all the other elders looked at each other before shaking their heads. Puan was the one controlling the formation to cut a piece of Roan's soul, and even he didn't find a problem. That being said, how could they have noticed anything? That was ridiculous.

Puan then looked at Roan before giving the order, "Fix him. I want him back here as soon as possible. I won't give up with just one or two tries." Soon after, he turned around and left the room. A few subordinates then came forward and helped Roan up before bringing him away.

[It seems like the plan is working. The fact that Roan can't feel pain is really helpful.]

Roan's mouth twitched after hearing that. 'Couldn't feel pain, your ass! I'm good at resisting it, but I can definitely feel it, idiot!'

Rean laughed before adding, 'Well, try your best since that guy is in it to give you quite some pain.'

'Hmph! There will come a time where he will have to pay for it.'