Yate himself didn''t have a token.
In thest Netherworld Contribution Ranking, apart from "David" who held a distant first ce, the other top contributors hadn''t originally intended to rack up points. They ended up there because the yers ahead of them had all died off.
So, the four yers with tokens only had slightly more contribution points than Yate.
But they were all third ss... Nature, not to be trifled with.
Yate silently signaled to a yer he''d befriended after leaving the Netherworld. The yer suddenly spoke up.
"Wait a minute, why is the token given to a second ss? What use does he have for it?"
In an instant, Sterl became the center of a storm.
The numerous third-ss yers present all directed their gazes towards him, eyes filled with aplex mix of emotions.
"A second ss, worthy of such a treasure bestowed by the goddess?" someone scoffed from the shadows, stirring up a ho''s nest.
"Who knows how he even got those contribution points in the first ce?"
"I think, for the sake of everyone passing the Hall of Valor''s trial, the token should be held by someone stronger."
...
The yers started voicing their opinions, some ying the good cop, some the bad cop, all while various third-ss yers focused their energy on Sterl.None of these yers were fools. They knew that anyone who managed to top the Netherworld contribution ranking had some tricks up their sleeve.
But the problem was, David had performed terribly against the world boss and in theter stages of the Netherworld, appearing extremely ordinary.
It led people to suspect he might have found a loophole to quickly rack up contribution points.
For instance, he might have picked up some goddess-required materials when the Netherworld was on the brink of copse. Or perhaps David had a natural talent for detecting resources.
But the most crucial point was, most of the yers present had already advanced to third ss, while David seemed to be only a second ss in the sixties or seventies level-wise.
Just as the yers were saying...
A second ss really wasn''t worthy of such a precious item!
Unless... you were that "Faye." double S-level, and had already proven your strength in the battle against the world boss!
Most yers were aware that even if they advanced to third ss, they would still be easily defeated by that second ss level 99 girl.
But you, "David." were nothing!
In fact, thest time you left the Netherworld, when yers wereworking and forming alliances, you chose to leave. Not a single person spoke up for you.
What right do you have to hold the token??
Some of the stronger third ss yers present had a glint of coldness in their eyes. A heaven-sent opportunity not taken would be a punishment!
Sterl, on hearing this, couldn''t help butugh!
He had been feeling frustrated ever since advancing to second ss yielded minimal benefits. Now, someone hade along to give him a chance to vent his anger.
"How long do I have to hold back? Until someone attacks me, and then I kill them all, or..."
Sterl was still hesitating.
A third-ss yer, unable to contain himself, charged forward.
"Hand over the token!" he roared.
This third-ss yer had just recently broken through and was only level 101. His eyes didn''t show much greed, only the desire to snatch the token from David and offer it to stronger yers in exchange for protection during the trials.
However...
Swoosh!!
Before this third-ss yer could react, he suddenly felt...
"Why am I flying?"
"No, wait, I''m seeing my own body falling to the ground?"
His consciousness then plunged into darkness.
The other yers were stunned.
It was Faye, the girl who had left a deep impression on them all, who had casually formed a de with Flowing Water. Her eyes emitted a strange mental wave.
She effortlessly held the third-ss yer in ce and beheaded him with a single strike.
Faye''s voice was chilling, "Whoever dares to touch him, dies!"
Immediately, the numerous third-ss yers present felt a sharp killing intent from her words, sending a chill through their hearts.
Several yers, especially the previously handsome young man who had tried to court Faye but was ignored, looked particrly grim.
Even though many yers present were quite powerful and had optimized physiques that enhanced their appearance, with several female yers boasting exceptional beauty, they still paled inparison to Faye.
She was like a brilliantly blooming ice-blue rose, making the others seem merely like decorative green leaves by her side.Moreover, Faye had shown astonishingbat prowess in the Netherworld.
Many male yers had been eyeing her early on.
Now, seeing "David" being protected by Faye, their faces turned sour, not just because she was shielding him, but because he seemed indifferent about it, not even bothering to thank her.
And yet, Faye looked at "David" with concern, "Are you alright?"
"What could possibly happen to me?" Sterl''s tone was casual.
This immediately made many male yers gnash their teeth, their eyes burning with fury.
We struggle to get a few words out of Faye, and here you are being so dismissive??
At this moment, the previously courteous handsome young man couldn''t suppress his anger any longer and stepped forward, "David, you should hand over the token..."
Halfway through his sentence, he noticed Faye moving as if to attack again. His expression changed instantly, and he activated his skills, retreating into the crowd...
The many third ss yers present, especially the strongest among them, had a subtle change in their expressions.
"What the hell... now we''re in a bind." the "strongest" Yate on the field frowned even more deeply.
At this point, if they let David hold onto the token without doing anything, it would be impossible to maintain group cohesion. The team would fall apart and be hard to manage.
Although Yate himself did not participate, the third-ss yers present had all been through many trials and tribtions. No one was foolish enough to overlook that Yate had been the mastermind behind the scenes of this entire situation.But this Faye...
How should they deal with her??
Yate and the other stronger third ss yers exchanged nces, seeing the same resolve in each other''s eyes.
They could not afford to give up the token!
They had long realized that the trial in the Hall of Valor would be extremely terrifying! The most elite talents under hundreds of deities would gather there.
Even though these third ss yers were considered top-tier geniuses in their own countries and regions, their chances of passing the trial were still slim.
David was just the beginning. Aside from the two tokens already within Yate''s small group, they nned to seize the remaining two as well!
Moreover, Faye dared to oppose them. She had to be eliminated. Otherwise, how could they recruit the slightly weaker third ss yers to act as cannon fodder for them in the trial?
So...
Yate decided to drop the pretense and directly joined forces with those third ss yers with average levels above 108,unching an attack!
"The token should be held by the strong."
"David, you are not worthy of it."
"Hand it over to us! We''ll let you live."
...
"Why waste time talking? Just take action."
"Kid, if you had handed over the token immediately, we might have spared you. Now, it''s toote."
At this moment, the "extremely strong" third ss yers fully unleashed their auras, drawing their weapons. Meanwhile, the ordinary third ss yers they had previously roped in were also casting their gazes over, as if ready to follow their masters into battle.
As for the others…
There really weren''t any "others." Everyone present understood the importance of the token and couldn''t fathom why "David",a mere second ss, deserved to hold it.
Even Felicia couldn''t help butment, "Maybe you should try to convince David to hand over the token?"
"Let''s not worry about the heartbreak that mighteter. Let''s just get through this wave first."
The demigod''s soul was exasperated. She thought the current situation was perfectly normal. If she weren''t already familiar with "David." she might have advised Faye to seize the token as well.
However, Faye stayed silent...
She didn''t even know what to say at this point.
"Anyone whoes forward dies!"
Faye stood in front of "David." thinking that with "David''s" strength, the two of them could probably counterattack and take out a good number of enemies together. Worst case scenario, they''d have their mentor help them escapeter...
Faye was aware of "David''s"bat capabilities.
But the other yers were not.
From their perspective, although Faye was strong, the sheer number of opponents could easily overwhelm her.
Not to mention, Faye was a second ss fighting against third sses!One person against hundreds!
Without hesitation, the yers surged forward, shouting, "Hand over the token! Spare your life!"
As they roared, Faye''s expression changed slightly.
At this point, Yate and the other leading yers felt much more at ease.
They weren''t afraid of Faye''s strength; they were only worried that she might have some hidden trump card.
Now it seemed that Faye was just strong but not invincible against such overwhelming numbers!
"Foolish disciple." Felicia sighed in the consciousness space.
She felt that she might have to burn her soul power to get them out of this mess.
Felicia also looked at David, her eyes filled with deep resentment.
She had hoped to leverage this talented individual to expedite her resurrection. Now it seemed like a losing investment!
She would even have to damage her soul to save "David."
Gathering her strength, Faye thought, "I should be able to hold out for a little while."
She was pondering this...
Just as the yers were about to reach Faye...
Sterl couldn''t help but smile slightly; this was a perfect moment to show off!
He had already nned it out: following the ssic novel trope, he would wait until the very instant all the attacks were about to hit, then heroically strike back, showcasing his strength...
Wait, what?
His expression froze as he suddenly felt a terrifying presence descend upon them!
Then, a figure appeared, full of rage.
No, that wasn''t just a figure!
It was Gloria!