Death Heir’s Devouring System

'This could be good… or bad, depending on what we choose to do from now on,' Azrael mused, surveying the faces of the Chosen.

They knew that there were Proven on the other side of the cursed lands, but they hadn't expected to meet them so soon. As they heard the words of Isolde echo in their heads, they halted, wondering what they were supposed to do.

"I suggest we go to them." Azrael was the first one to break the silence. He wanted to get close to them to determine if there was a Cleansed one among them. Usually, he couldn't attack anyone when he was in the bases full of people, but when they were outside in the wilderness? Accidents do happen, and even the mightiest could fall.

He wouldn't bother killing anyone with a Purity Rank of Blessed since he would need to kill a hundred to rank up. This was why he had yet to kill anyone in Seraphina's base; aside from her and Isolde, the others were too weak to net substantial benefits.

But it was another matter for the Proven ones; he had been in their base and seen how many Cleansed members they had. Just ten would be enough for him to evolve once more.

Whether he could actually best the Proven in battle didn't matter. Ambushes and backstabbing have existed for as long as humans have lived, and he wasn't a person that would shy away from them if they could get him what he wants.

This was one of the most important lessons the Skinwalker had drilled into him when he had been young, and he wasn't about to change his nature any time soon.

After Seraphina considered his word for a few moments, she nodded in agreement. "We would meet with them. However, be warned it's possible that they would want to move us to their base… Maybe even use some more forceful methods, so be cautious."

The Chosen nodded, changing their course.

Sadly, the hard-to-see-through mist still lingered, and the torches weren't lit up during the daytime, so they had to move cautiously, trying not to gather attention.

Azrael's gaze moved swiftly from one corpse to the next, even if the Corruption and Divine power in his body were relatively high. He couldn't afford to use [Inspect] recklessly. And since he didn't have true faith in Isolde to be able to sense if one of these corpses was playing dead, he was ready for the worst.

As they moved west, the clash of steel against steel echoed in the far distance.

'They are fighting?' Azrael was momentarily surprised. Had they been ambushed or walked into a fight willingly?

[Two are dead. One remains.]

'Two Proven died? What are they up against?' He hesitated. Was it even worth heading toward them? At this rate, they'd only find mangled remains.

'If they're going to die, better it be by my blade. I won't turn down the extra power.'

With his mind made up, he glanced at Seraphina briefly.

"I am going ahead. The last one might need help." He faked his worry for the Proven as naturally as he breathed and sped off in the distance.

Turning corners several times, following the stone paths, and stepping over the corpses, his eyes landed on a wounded man.

The Proven clutched his abdomen, blood spewed from it like a fountain, his mouth open as he took ragged breaths.

Before him was a slain abomination, most of its features were burned off, no doubt from one of the Proven's skills.

Azrael's eyes narrowed.

Name: [Charles Wavecrest]

Race: [Human]

Ascension Level: [Proven]

Purity Rank: [Cleansed]

"Are you alive? What happened?" Azrael approached, feigning concern.

Charles, the wounded Proven, seemed wary at first, but then he recognized Azrael. The Heir of Death had been in the Hollow Tree they used as a base, after all. He was hard to forget since he was the one that informed them about Seraphina's base.

"Got ambushed by a monster. My two teammates are dead," Charles spoke slowly, his vision beginning to blur.

"So you are alone? There is no one else?"

Bitterly, Charles nodded. "All of them are dead."

"Did you find anything noteworthy?"

Azrael gauged the usefulness of the man.

"Uh," Charles groaned, puking blood. Ignoring the question he asked instead. "Do you happen to have a healing item or a skill?"

With a soft, reassuring smile, Azrael nodded. "Yes, I do. Dismiss your armor, it would be faster to heal you that way."

Left with no choice, the Proven did so.

A heartbeat later, his eyes widened. Azrael hadn't hesitated for a second, calling forth his short sword, he stabbed the man straight through the heart.

[Pure soul has been devoured. The flicker in your soul grows brighter.]

Purity Progression: [10/100]

With a sigh, he quickly picked up the body of the slain Proven and threw him into the abomination's guts that had been splayed around the floor.

'Someone might have investigated the body, but if it is drenched in monster blood, there would be no need to question how he died.'

Several seconds of silence passed until the squad appeared in view.

Slowly, Azrael met their gaze and shook his head.

"When I came, it was over. Looks like they managed to take down the monster but died in the process."

With a frown, James kicked a corpse lying on the ground. "Aren't the Proven supposed to be much more powerful than us Marked?! How can they die so easily like flies?!"

Rachel quickly left Isolde's side and went toward him.

"It's already over. What's important is that we are alive."

Azrael smiled bitterly. 'Are these two dating? I can already foresee disaster coming should one of them die.'

Seraphina quickly went over the belongings of the slain Proven, searching for anything valuable.

[Azrael.]

While she did so, Isolde's voice echoed in his head.

He didn't turn to her, maintaining his composed demeanor, he responded through the mental connection she had established.

"What?"

[When you arrived, one was still alive. That… changed quickly after you reached him.]

He couldn't help but smile bitterly. 'Of course she noticed. She often misses things, except when it benefits me. Just my luck that she was paying attention this time.'

He replied, voice colder.

"Is there a problem?"

Isolde lingered for a few moments.

[None whatsoever.]

Noting that she was willing to keep this little incident hidden, he nodded.

"Appreciate it."

As expected, no one questioned the condition of the Proven corpses. With their brief detour behind them, they continued their march toward the cathedral.