Death Heir’s Devouring System

'Why am I not surprised?' Azrael cursed bitterly, raising his scythe in a defensive stance.

Heartbeat later, the cane of the monster was inches away from breaking his left shoulder. His raised weapon barely managed to stop the devastating strike.

Seraphina had already moved, pulling Logan behind her to shield him. Her golden armor shimmered, instantly drawing the Seeker's attention.

The golden grass beneath the abomination twisted upward, binding around its legs and locking it in place. At the same time, Isolde summoned a crushing aura that descended on the creature, slowing its movements further.

The other Chosen who had joined the expedition reacted too, but these four were the first to act.

Despite this being their first time fighting side by side, their coordination was nearly flawless.

They would have brought down every Feral monster with ease… had it not been for the high saturation of Corruption in its body.

The frail body of the monster hunched lower, its numerous eyes locking on the grass below. Faster than a heartbeat, its gaze withered the soil, killing the grass.

Simultaneously, its legs kicked off with dazing speed, the target changing to Seraphina. Stretching its arms wide, the Seeker was about to embrace her.

And in that moment, Azrael remembered her words from their first encounter with this creature:

"If that thing grabs you… The only thing left to remember you by would be a hollow husk."

He gritted his teeth. 'I can stomach every other dying, but her Inborn Trait, whatever it is, is too valuable to lose.'

Making up his mind, Azrael moved faster than he thought possible. Using his scythe like a lever, he wedged it between the monster and Seraphina. A second later, veins bulged on his forehead as he yanked the creature backward.

But the Seeker wasn't just deadly; it was cunning. Using the momentum Azrael had given it, it spun, stopping mere inches from his face.

As the numerous golden eyes locked onto his figure, he was informed by his system:

Corruption Progression: [20/100]

'Just its gaze seemed capable of Corruption.' He noted, trying to get a step away.

The Seeker lunged again, but James was already there; his spear pierced the creature's arm.

Seraphina was not a step behind; she used her sword to cut behind the monster's knees.

Isolde, seizing the chance, increased the pressure she put on the monster's body, causing it to collapse on its knees. Head lowered for Azrael to behead.

He took a deep breath. And stepped back. Unwilling to go for the last strike.

'A Profane monster. If I kill it now, my Corruption would reach full saturation, and I would begin evolving immediately. Until I raise my Purity Rank once more, I can't kill Profane creatures.'

Of course, he knew that the Death Knight he wanted to kill was also of the Profane Corruption Rank, but he had a plan for that.

After all, there were two Proven on the cursed planet with Radiant Purity Rank; should he find the chance to kill one of them, he would Rank up instantly. Not exactly heroic, especially after they saved him. But he was painfully aware that stabbing in the back was very common in Rifts, so they, having more experience than him, should have been aware of that as well.

Before the Seeker could rise, Seraphina slashed, her sword tearing through the air.

The Seeker was dead.

'Armor, weapons, skills. It must be nice to come from a great clan.' Azrael mused, heaving a sigh.

"You dumbass! What the hell was that?! Why did you shout?!" James roared, turning on the timid healer. "You know these things are drawn to noise! You're the reason it came to us!"

Had Logan really kept his cool, they might've avoided danger entirely.

"What else could I have done?!" Logan snapped back. "It already saw us! Not to mention—"

He pointed at the blind, deaf, mute girl.

"Why didn't she warn us? She is as useless as anyone can get! I thought that her good quality was that she is able to sense danger from afar—why didn't she warn us?!"

Azrael had been about to ask Seraphina for another cleansing, but the scene unfolding in front of him caught his interest.

Seeing members of great clans argue was rare. He wasn't about to interrupt.

James' face reddened with rage. "You dare insult one of our angels? To think that I even defend—"

"Hey."

Before the man could finish, Seraphina's cold voice silenced everyone present.

"Did you just… insult Isolde?"

She slowly turned her gaze from the corpse at her feet to Logan.

A wave of dread washed over the healer as the weight of his mistake hit him.

"I—" his voice cracked, hands trembling.

"It's just—I don't handle pressure well. I panicked. I thought you'd think I was useless and cast me aside, so—"

"In other words," Seraphina spoke calmly, taking slow, steady steps toward the trembling healer.

"You want to be forgiven for being overly emotional?"

Logan slowly nodded his head, not bearing the courage he had a few seconds ago to answer.

"Very well then."

Hearing that he was going to be forgiven, he took a sigh of relief.

A second later, he was sent flying to the side like a ragdoll.

"If I can forgive you for being emotional once… Surely you can forgive me too?"

Before the healer could respond, she was already upon him. Her fists coming down in relentless fury. Blood seeped from every corner of the man's face as he tried to cover his head.

"Of all the people to insult."

Her fists kept coming.

"You just had to choose…"

He could no longer protect his head.

"…the one most dear."

A cracking sound echoed across the area; stepping on his left foot, she broke it on the spot. Logan opened his mouth to scream, but Seraphina shoved her hand in, gripping his teeth.

"You never insult Isolde."

With keen interest, Azrael watched from the sidelines. His mind was trying to comprehend what he was witnessing.

'Weren't they known as angels? What the hell is this outburst?'

Sure, Logan might have insulted Isolde… But was this enough of a justification for Seraphina to brutalize him so thoroughly?

He looked at the others, expecting to see horror.

Yet… James seemed calm, with no hint of anger to be seen.

Rachel quickly traced what was happening to Isolde and, in turn, the nonchalant girl…

Was smiling.

"I am sorry! I will never do this again!"

Tears streamed down his swollen face, teeth missing and several limbs broken. Logan pleaded with everything he could.

Only after a large bloody puddle had formed beneath him did Seraphina stop her relentless assault.

Her fists painted crimson, she took a deep breath.

"You may heal yourself."

As quickly as he could, Logan put hands over his mangled body. Quickly, his injuries began to close.

However, before long the healing effect stopped. Logan wasn't fully healed.

"Why did we bring you if you can't heal such insignificant wounds?"

With a battered body, Logan lowered his head.

"Please forgive me!"

Seraphina scoffed and stepped aside.

"We don't need you. Return to the camp on your own."

Azrael's eyes narrowed; this was basically a death sentence, no matter how safe the area was, a timid healer like Logan would find it almost impossible to return alone, especially with his injuries.

"Wasn't this kind of pointless?" Azrael, being the only one with the guts to ask, turned to Seraphina.

"Sure, you beat him, and you feel better now. But we don't have a healer, and we're heading into dangerous territory, no?"

Slowly Seraphina shook her head.

"No. You're wrong," she said calmly. "I don't feel anything."

Seeing the confusion on his face, she continued.

"It's just that I'll never let anyone insult or hurt what's mine."

With an arched eyebrow, Azrael gazed at Isolde.

Rather than looking disturbed, she looked pleased that Seraphina had beaten Logan to a pulp. It was obvious the two were connected, relying on each other more than typical clan members ever would.

Azrael doubted it was romantic feelings, probably something closer to a sisterly bond. Still, he was certain of one thing now.

'Yeah… definitely made the right choice siding with Isolde instead of leaving her to die. Whatever Seraphina would do if she found out… I prefer not to find out.'

After the quick disciplinary lesson was over, they continued once more toward the Ruined Kingdom.

Eventually they found a bottomless well.

It was time to enter it.