Death Heir’s Devouring System

It seemed that the squad of Chosen had severely underestimated the distance they would need to pass through to reach the cathedral. After a whole day of moving cautiously forward, they didn't seem to be getting any closer.

'Maybe use Cinder?' The idea passed through Azrael's head. Up until now, he had met several monsters along the way, but there were no Nightfletch nor any kind of monster that could strike from afar.

However, using the Remembrance was still a risk. There wasn't anything flying in the area, meaning if Cinder were to soar through the skies, it could attract the attention of things it shouldn't.

Night had descended once more on the lands. The Chosen rested on the rooftop of a building like before.

'The Blessed Teapot will cover our water expenses, while Seraphina told me that she could purify monster meat if we are about to starve to death. So we should be mostly fine, there is no need to rush…'

Briefly, the image of her camp appeared in his head. The place had fortified defenses now and more Chosen in its ranks, but would they survive without their strongest members? It would be bad if they returned only to find a deserted camp.

He took a glance at the sleeping Chosen. There were less than a dozen, and even if there were some strong members like him, Seraphina, and Isolde—the main question remained in his head.

'Can we kill a Rook?' The Death Knight was a Savage Profane monster. It would be for the best if they surrounded it with dozens of Chosen on all sides. But Azrael didn't even consider the best possible outcome. On the contrary, he always expected the absolute worst.

'The more expectations I have, the more I will be disappointed in the end.' His face darkened. 'Luck has never been on my side. I won't rely on something as unreliable as it.'

He was mentally preparing himself for everyone that had entered the Rift to perish, leaving him alone to face the Death Knight. The chances of that happening were minuscule, but it was still there.

This was why he was so fixated on power. It was more favorable to do things himself rather than relying on others.

"What are you sulking about?" A female voice echoed behind him.

He didn't spare Seraphina a glance. "Thinking if our squad could kill a Profane monster if it came down to it."

She was silent for a few moments. "Well, when I was dueling the Duskguard, I was doing pretty well. When you fell from the sky, we overwhelmed it easily… But Profane is one Corruption Rank higher than that. Each Rank harbors ten times the Corruption of the previous one, so—."

Tilting her head to the side, she gazed into his eyes. "Do you think that we could beat ten Duskguards?"

He scoffed. "Impossible."

The corner of his eyes twitched. "But—" he added, "your analogy is wrong."

"Oh? How so?" Seraphina arched an eyebrow.

With a simple gesture, he pointed to his neck. "A Profane monster, no matter how strong, is a singular being. That means to win, you have to cut a single neck, not ten."

She laughed softly. "Just that a Profane monster will not fall that easily."

"You get the analogy." He shook his head with his turn to keep watch over. He was about to take a rest as well.

"And here I was thinking that you were reminiscing about the human you killed—the Proven."

Momentarily, his steps halted. He wasn't surprised Isolde had informed Seraphina about his actions regarding the Proven. The two were too close to keep any secrets. But why did she bring the matter up now?

"Don't look so on edge." Seraphina gazed at the far horizon.

"Just take it as a warning: if you want to conceal your actions, you have to do so better."

His tone dropped lower. "I have nothing to hide anyway."

"Then why did you kill him, and why is there incurable Corruption in your body?"

He bit his lower lip. Not a second passed before he fired back.

"Why and how are you able to cleanse me?"

She didn't answer, nor did he. It was quite fortunate that the Chosen were all asleep; otherwise, this discourse could have exposed the vulnerabilities of both of them.

"Don't act like you are the only one that knows part of my secrets," Azrael spoke, lying on the roof.

Gazing at the starless sky, he sighed. "Still, thank you for the advice."

*****

The days blurred together. During the day, they would move forward. When night came, they would sleep on the rooftops. Azrael still wasn't sure why Seraphina claimed sleeping in the houses themselves would make it so that no one would be able to wake up. But he didn't find it so important to argue.

The quantity of Rook monsters seemed to increase. It was now normal to witness several Punishers patrolling the streets. Even worse, they seemed to move during the daytime as well, even if they were slower than normal.

Azrael now knew why the Proven had yet to slay the King. It wasn't just because the abomination was so overwhelmingly powerful, but even reaching it in itself was a hassle.

They would have long ago retreated had it not been for the most helpful person in the expedition.

Isolde, ironically enough, the one that couldn't see, hear, or speak, perceived the world far better than the Chosen ever could hope to. Effortlessly, she guided them past the increasing number of monsters roaming around the streets.

'Her skill to sense souls is invaluable. If the Proven got a hint of her ability, it would become a hassle.'

Shaking his head, Azrael stared at the towering structure ahead. The cathedral was so massive he had to tilt his head upwards, and even then, he wasn't able to perceive its top that passed through the clouds themselves.

He took a step ahead, only to halt upon seeing that Isolde was frozen.

Before he could ask what was wrong, her voice echoed in the heads of the Chosen.

[It's here… the King.]

"Don't forget," Seraphina spoke, breaking the Chosen out of their haze. "We are not Proven. Our goal is not to kill the King but one of its subjects—the Death Knight. We are here to locate it and observe from afar. Don't engage. Am I clear?"

"Yes!" Under her commanding gaze, the Chosen nodded.

Silent as death itself, they neared. Unfortunately the massive entrance was blocked by two knights riding upon horseback. Unlike the Duskguards, however, these ones were clad in flawless gold armor and had a crushing aura of dread.

Name: [Rook]

Race: [Golden Vanguard]

Danger Level: [Savage]

Corruption Rank: [Profane]

They weren't about to engage two Rook monsters at the same time, so they took a detour. Moving to the side of the cathedral, they waited for a moment when no abominations were near them. Once the moment came, they didn't hesitate. Sprinting forward, they took firm hold of the sturdy structure and began to climb it with dashing speed.

Fortunately, Rachel, the Chosen that was either dating James or had a crush on him, possessed a rope-type item. They tied themselves to one another; this way, should one fall, they wouldn't fall to the ground and die in the process.

Eager to remain unseen, they ascended to witness the King in its full glory.