Tristan wouldn’t have even survived this far if he naively believed everyone’s words in his entire bleak life. Lies and deceit were human nature, especially when their lives were at stake.

Even though it was possible somebody’s heart and intention was true, most people spew countless empty words that, even if they were willing, they couldn’t realize that easily.

Just like what Desmond just said to him: ‘Believe in me’. How could Tristan believe him that easily when he didn’t really know the man at all. They had just met a moment ago.

Desmond was currently in a situation where he was surrounded by monsters that could kill him at any moment. Not only was he hurt, but he also didn’t even have a way to escape from this mess. In these circumstances, any person would say anything to save one’s life.

Even if Tristan could decide to trust him with his life, there was still his sister that he needed to worry about.

The only reason Desmond gave Tristan to believe him was that they were both part of the same race, they were both humans. This was something that he could not accept. Tristan clearly knew that, despite humans may look more acceptable than these monsters, people’s hearts could be worse than the devil itself.

At the moment, Tristan was faced with two options, with both sides could not be trusted. Calculating his chances, Tristan decided to ignore the pleading gaze he received from Desmond, as he lay down his sword and then knelt saying respectfully, “Please, you can do what you want with me. But, please, spare my sister”

Seeing Tristan’s decision, the goblin laughed loudly. “Kekekekeke! I knew that you are smarter than that man over there.” the goblin then immediately shouted words towards the orcs using that strange language again.

With just one word, the orcs swiftly dashed toward Desmond. Tristan could only stare in awe seeing that powerful human being torn apart by the huge green monsters. He could hear Desmond screaming in agony as all his limbs were separated from his body.

Watching Desmond being butchered because of his selfish desire didn’t bother Tristan that much. His life experiences had led him to this decision. Being a 17 years old teenager in a high-security prison full of violent inmates was like being a goldfish swimming in a shark tank. Prison had not been kind to him.

The prison guards laid down one set of rules for you, expecting you to adhere to them to the last letter.Simultaneously, your ‘homy’ inmates were telling you a completely different set of rules.

You would then learn that if you broke the guards’ rules, you would lose all mere privileges you have, while if you broke the inmates’ rules, you could lose your life. The exact representation of being caught between a rock and a hard place.

That was why the first step one must take to survive in prison was to always learn to choose the right side, find which group he fit into and fit within the mass. When you are asked to do something, even to stab and kill someone, you just do it. You don’t even ask why.

Now, if you asked Tristan if he could believe the goblin’s promise, he would definitely say he didn’t have to. Because like all the things happening in life, you were always at the mercy of the strong. Therefore, your choices were always limited, unless you had sufficient strength to fight for them.

In this situation, it was clear there wasn’t much Desmond could do for him or his sister. So, the choice was pretty simple. He needed to submit, for his life, and more importantly, his sister’s well-being.

The goblin leader turned around and stared at the kneeling Tristan.

“Please what about my sister?”

“Human.. kekeke.. Do you think I am one who care which one your sister is?”

This sentence probably shocked many others in the same situation, but not Tristan, He had somehow mastered his emotion of being betrayed and hurt before. He knew the meaning of obedience in the face of the strong.

The goblin realized this and laughed hard again “Kekekeke I really like this one.. I tell you what, it’s not like you have no chance at all..”

The moment he heard that, Tristan lifted his head as he stared at the goblin with a glimpse of hope.

“It’s true that you have one of the highest compatibility among the hundreds before you.. You see.. All I need is one successful subject. If you can achieve it, that means I have no use to hurt your sister or all the other prisoners, am I? Do you understand now? The only way to save your sister is to survive the experiment. Kekekekeke.”

Tristan understood that was the only way for his and his sister’ being. Therefore, he accepted his fate. Walking towards the place the goblin pointed at, Tristan lay himself on top of the stone table.

“Your time has come.”

The last thing Tristan remembered was being surrounded on every side by the goblin’s mechanical equipment. He then fell unconscious and could only see darkness.

…

“Ca.n.. youu… hearrr.. mme?”

Those were the first words Tristan heard after spending his time in the darkness.

“The first stage is a success! Kekeke”

Not sure how long he passed out, Tristan felt the next sensation was as if he was inside a pool of water. However, Tristan felt his whole body somehow strange to him. He could feel slowly countless electrical currents flowing through his body, electrocuting him.

At first, it was tingling like being bit by ants. However, the pain gradually grew until it became too painful for Tristan to bear.

The continuous, searing pain that went through his body consumed Tristan’s will. The only reason he managed to hold on was the hope that his sister would not suffer the same fate.

After an unspecified amount of time, Tristan could feel a surge of power streaming over his whole body. He started to hear things. Inside the darkness, he could hear a peculiar sound.

“It is a success!! Success!!”

[System is functional…]

[Vessel synchronization]

[97%.. 98%..]

Afterwards, Tristan heard the goblin’s voice again.

“Okay. It’s time for the final step. Soul purification.”

‘Soul purification?’ thought Tristan.

However, a loud siren interrupted the goblin, immediately after the goblin’s panicked voice yelled.

“Grw.. We are under attack!”

“Damn!! Who is it?”

“Sensor detected a ship. Its space knight”

“Shoot them down dont let them landed”

“Eight of the space knights.. they are breaking into the facility!”

“Send out the uruk!.. Dammit, why did they come at such crucial timing!”

“Prepare to release the subject.”