The Villain Reborn as Game's Final Boss

Chapter 251: Culling [3]

The soldiers looked curious as the researchers stood on either side of them, holding the boxes in their hands.

"Some of our best minds have developed a device which would solve all the problems for D.X."

At my words, the researchers began taking out the orbs from the boxes and distributing them among the soldiers.

It took some time for the orbs to reach every soldier out there.

In total, ten thousand orbs had been distributed among the ten thousand Numbers that were present in the area.

The mass production of these orbs had truly consumed an enormous amount of resources.

I could see the soldiers inspecting the orbs in their hands, while some even tried to... bite them?

Not letting the distractions affect me, I waited for a minute, to let everyone fulfil their curiosity.

"The orb given to you is the latest device that we had created to ensure your loyalty to the organization."

At my words, many began to whisper, finding the situation amusing.

Loyalty and criminals were two things which could never work together, or at least that was how many of the people here perceived it.

But—

"You just have to make a small cut on your lower abdomen and insert the device into it. After that you wouldn’t have to do anything, as all the work will be done by the device. It will attach itself to your mana cores, and that will connect you to our main systems."

I didn’t let anyone interrupt me, as I had to finish my explanation first.

"After the bonding with the device, your life will be in our hands. The moment you decide to betray D.X. or even think about it... we would immediately be able to recognize it through the system that will connect itself to all of you. The traitors then will be punished accordingly."

Silence.

"Hahahaha... this guy really takes us for fools! Why would anyone go to the length of surrendering their own lives?!"

One of the soldiers at the right end laughed, making all the nearby soldiers nod their heads.

I could even sense the amused smirks given by many, as they may have thought that I was joking.

"If you want to stay here, then you will have to use the device and attach it to your core, or else... you can exit the organization right this instant. Just—"

I paused, seeing that many soldiers had begun to make a move, though most of them paused as Arthur silently spread his mana pressure once again.

"Just remember one thing... the benefits that you will get here, they would be far more advantageous to you, than scrambling for your lives in the streets and being hunted by the authorities. Think before making the decision."

"..."

"..."

"..."

"Those of you who wish to stay... start attaching the device to your core, and for those who wish to leave, put the orbs back in their boxes and stand on this side."

I pointed at one of the corners of the training ground.

"Why should we even stand? I am leaving this damn place—"

"Just wait for a minute and you will soon be relieved from all your duties."

I assured the Number who was about to exit, but it was due to the mana pressure released by Arthur, that he got a little scared, and moved to the side... standing in silence.

Though he spat on the ground before looking at me.

More began to follow his example, as they dropped the orbs in the boxes, before standing on the opposite side of the soldiers who were still debating their choice... well some were.

As for the rest—

All of the top 200 Numbers found no need to debate their choice.

Being in the top hierarchy, they were the ones who knew the real potential of D.X. and the benefits that it would provide them.

"Hehehe... madness! This is madness!"

One of the soldiers from the top 200 laughed while being the first one to take off his shirt.

Hm?

A vampire?

As his uniform dropped to the ground, I could faintly see No. 120 on it.

"Love you Frost!"

Saying the words, he pierced his stomach with his right hand, before inserting the orb within.

The other vampire standing beside him shook his head with a barely noticeable sigh, before using a small knife to make a clean cut on his own abdomen.

The others followed along.

Seeing the top Numbers bonding themselves with the orbs, the ones standing on the side lines mocked them while laughing at the same time.

"People with power are truly fools. I ain’t even a Silver core, yet I can see the stupidity of this organization. Who would even sell their own souls, just to save their arses from some bastards of the authorities? Haha... I can handle them on my own!"

Many cheered at his statement before making a mockery of all the Gold and Platinum cores who had already finished the bonding.

Heh.

Only the people with power would know where the real power lies.

That mentality was what separated the cultivators with ambitions from cowards who just wanted to play it safe.

"Though your life will be in our control... from everything that has happened after you have joined D.X., you should have a fair idea of our policies. We won’t put your lives in senseless danger, and the limitations placed on you would be next to zero, except if the mission demands it."

I made the announcement to see if some of the soldiers—people who had decided to leave the organization—would change their minds.

And—

I was proven correct.

Greed wasn’t something that could be easily suppressed.

"Oyy! Are you crazy?! They are asking you to become slaves!"

One of the cowards tried to reason with the soldier who had some sort of realization from my statement.

"Going out as it is, would surely turn me into a punching bag for the authorities. Better to stay here and live a good life, than constantly being hunted down, and well... the pay is good too."

"..."

The reasoning was logical yet it felt foolish to many who had already made up their minds to leave D.X.

Yet, even among those, some were having their doubts about their decisions.

Haa...

Why was I trying to bring cowards back into the ranks?

Well... the answer was simple enough.