Chapter 80: Abyss Gates

The official ranking method of abyss gates due to magnitude was observed and published, of course, by the Executioners’ Association according to the nine threat levels.

Abyss Gates were ranked from I to VI, where the increase in number signified the magnitude of dark energy distortion and expenditure. In other words, the stronger an abyss creature, the harder for them to invade Earth from God’s Abyss, so whatever created the portal spent more effort.

Rank I was the classification of a gate that only produced dark energy enough for Weak and Strange abyss creatures to come through. These were the threat levels equivalent to the F and E grades, respectively.

Rank II Gates brought in the Mutated and Fallen abyss creatures, the threat levels equivalent to the D and C grades.

And of course, Rank III Gates brought in the Corrupted and Cursed abyss creatures, equivalent to the B and A grades.

There was further division among the first three ranks of abyss gates, simply due to the slight differences in the calculation of the magnitude of the gate and dark energy expenditure that helped predict the kind of abyss creatures that would arrive. For example, a gate of Rank I magnitude that only got light-red would only bring a horde of Weak Beasts, with their leader being the Weak Beast closest to Strange-level. And then a gate of the same rank with a deep red may be a horde of Weak Beasts with a Strange Beast leader, or a horde of Weak Monsters.

However, these inferences weren’t sure-fire methods of determining what was opposite a gate. But they were right 8 out of 10 times.

This was why, sometimes, what may outwardly be seen as a Rank I Gate might be revealed as Rank II after, as the dark energy expenditure was falsified by Abyss, which was why such were called false gates.

From Rank IV onward, the dark energy expenditure and distortion became unmistakable and deadly, often turning the area around them into a wasteland with just their arrival. Out of them came ’Great’ abyss creatures, the threat level equivalent to the S grade.

Rank V, out came ’Ancient’ abyss creatures, world-defying and destructive, the threat level equivalent to the SS grade.

And lastly, Rank VI, also known as the ’Apocalypse’, is said to bring about a ’Tyrant’, the threat level equivalent to SSS grade, the pinnacle. Thankfully, such madness was still just a myth. Humanity was yet to discover such despair.

So far, the largest gate to appear on earth was a Rank IV, called ’The Great Flood’, which sank the cities F and G of the Western Union to the bottom of the sea twenty years ago. The Gate Boss was a Great Monster called Sea King.

The advent of a Rank V Gate would already spell doom for a society with no S-Class Executioners, as it would only be a bunch of A-Class facing off against an SS-grade calamity.

The EXEs didn’t answer certain questions when asked about God’s Abyss, but when asked about the threat levels of abyss creatures, they answered wholeheartedly. Some speculate that the Maximum Inventor who created the System Creation Engine made it so to prepare the minds of humanity.

It was the systems that even informed humans that the gates were portals that led to the realm known as [God’s Abyss].

And proceeding, Rank I Gates only took an estimated twenty-four hours to gather enough dark energy to break. Whereas Rank II Gates needed at least two days. But for Rank III and IV, the timing was never definite. Or rather, the Association had not made enough observations to draw a conclusion.

“But it’s weird though,” Roy voiced, resting his chin on his palm and gazing out the window. “How come we still don’t have any S-Class Executioners?”

Master Abraham glanced at him and focused on the road.

They passed the Rank III Gate about an hour ago, but he was still lost in thought. He, of course, acknowledged just how much harder their task of retrieving Mr. Professor’s sample, let alone training in the wild.

Hence, it went without saying that their trip was to be cut short. For everyone’s safety.

Even a maniac for battle like Black Zero knew when to draw the line. When it came to certain battles, the only way to win was not participate at all.

After they spotted the gate, Dr. Sally threw another fit, but Dr. Gretsch, although scared, was still adamant in completing the mission. He spoke as though that sample he was to attain was of global importance.

If so, why didn’t they send more skilled executioners and assigned more importance to it? That was what Roy thought. For him though, as long as Master Abe permitted it, he didn’t mind.

* * *

At the Mclloyd residence.

“What have you heard from Roy?” the bespectacled Nana asked, sitting across the dining table from Donald.

Donald’s focus was on the pancakes before him, and he smeared them with peanut butter.

“Oh, he’s doing great. Last night, he told me he levelled up.”

“…”

Nana had no reply, and after a brief moment of staring into the air blankly, she picked up her cutlery and ate her meal.

“You worry too much,” Donald added.

“How could I not?” Nana furrowed her eyebrow with annoyance.

Brrr~ Brrr~

A mobile device beside Donny rang with a private number ID. With a slight frown, he answered the call, placing a finger on his lips as a sign to Nana to keep silent.

“Donald Mclloyd…”

A cold, masculine voice emerged from the other side.

Donny immediately recognized the owner of the voice and began sweating.

“Ah… Mr. Cross. Good—”

“Let’s have lunch.”

“Oh, of course, sir,” Donald spoke respectfully. The grievance he held against Cash God for using his powers against him was non-existent at this point, not after he apologized with ten million dollars.

“You could say that. 2 p.m. Don’t be late.”

Bip~!

The call ended as abruptly as it came, leaving Donald wide-eyed.

“Who was that?” Nana asked hushedly.

…

Mr. Cross stared at the view from his office and languidly gave the phone to the beautiful, suited lady standing beside him.

She held a tab in her arm and asked, “Is there anything else you would like, sir?”

Mr. Cross scanned her from head to toe, taking note of her expressionless face, and waved a hand.

“Leave.”

The corporate lady bowed and did as she was told.

“That was Roy’s brother, right? Can I break his neck when he arrives?” A sinister, but obviously teenage voice came from the hooded individual sitting on the luxury couch.

Arlen ground his fingernail with his teeth, unsettlingly. Only his red fox-like eyes and shark teeth were visible on his hooded face.

“…”

Mr. Cross glanced back and returned his gaze to the scenery before him.

Arlen let cackled. “Kekeke~ If you don’t answer, I will take that as a yes. I’m going to break your new toy.”

“Shut up.”

Mr. Cross flatly said. He knew Arlen better than anyone. No matter how crazy the lad acted, he wasn’t going to act rashly or without permission. That meant he was just saying those things to get under Cash God’s skin.

“Master…” a voice came out of Mr. Cross’s shadow, and he looked down.

“A man named Dr. Gretsch is one of the survivors of a field mission placed out by Mr. Professor to recover a certain sample no one knows about. Black Zero and Roy rescued them, but were told to help complete the field mission. On their way, they have discovered a Rank III Gate.”

“Talk about bad luck. Kekeke~” Arlen laughed as he listened.

Mr. Cross grinned slightly. “Top secret, eh?”

The shadow continued, “Dr. Gretsch also happened to be granted a system, and Executioner Sunfire will be the one to escort them back to the city after they complete the mission.”

“This is good,” Mr. Cross said, nodding. “Recover that sample. We can’t let it fall into that Professor’s hands.”

“But it can fall into yours? Kekeke~” Arlen mocked.

“Arlen…” Mr. Cross spoke chillingly. “Bite off your left index finger.”

Arlen’s eyes widened in horror, and against his will, he raised his left hand to his mouth.

Rage and anger erupted in him, and he screamed, “You stupid parasite bastard! Stop this! Now! Please, please!”

With sweat and agony all over his face, his body acted against his will, and he put his finger in his mouth.

Crunch!

“—Ahh!”

“Shut up.”

Blood splattered out from the area, and he muffled his screams of pain. Rather, his mouth didn’t let itself open.

Mr. Cross just stared ahead with zero concern on his face.

“Next time, it will be your tongue.”

Arlen’s head was buzzing. His eyes were bloodshot, and he glared daggers at Cash God.

“Now get out,” the bionic-eyed Mr. Cross said, returning his attention to the view outside.

Arlen held his decapitated finger and obeyed like a wounded dog.

“As I was saying, that sample must not get to Mr. Professor.”

An office robot wheeled over with a glass of wine atop a tray. Mr. Cross picked it up and swirled the wine inside.

“He is a genius, but also a loyalist to the bone. If that sample has a connection with his Golden Executioner Project, I must have it.”

“Yes, master.”

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