Death Heir’s Devouring System

Unamused, Azrael stared at the Rift in the far distance.

"Of course it's a Savage one… Why would I expect a Feral one? Seyra won't treat me that nicely."

Shaking his head in displeasure, he observed the base he had been transported to. It was a large one housing about two dozen Proven.

Unlike him, most of them looked much older. They had likely lost the drive that young people carried and had long since given up on chasing power. Instead, they handed over the items gained from killing monsters to the government, secretly hoping they might be granted a life-changing skill that could reignite their ambition.

Azrael was currently waiting at the rooftop; another squad of Proven was meant to arrive, with Victor being among them.

'It's good that more reinforcements will come… But I feel like I ended up getting the short end of the deal once more.' Azrael thought bitterly, gaze moving to a structure a bit farther than the Rift itself.

Another base had recently been erected. Buildings belonging to the Wavecrest, with more Proven stationed than the eyes could count.

"They have to be at least a hundred, if not more." Azrael analyzed coldly. "How are we supposed to stop them if there is a dispute?"

Now it made sense why Seyra had sent him here. The area was under serious threat, and with few Proven matching his power, he was meant to tip the scales should the need arise.

'It also acts both as a test and exercise, as expected of Seyra.'

Unfortunately for him, just as he kept watch from the rooftop to see if any member of the Wavecrest clan would dare approach the Rift, Proven were stationed high up at their base as well.

While he was essentially alone, a dozen Proven stood before him, all staring in his direction.

Thankfully, unlike most Chosen, he wasn't going to crack under something as meaningless as stares.

It didn't take long for a military-picked truck to approach their base, making Azrael rise to his feet.

"Victor, no doubt."

Eager to see the man, he descended.

Instinctively, the second his eyes locked onto the man's giant figure, he used [Inspect].

Name: [Victor Watson]

Race: [Human]

Ascension Level: [Proven]

Purity Rank: [Cleansed]

Unsurprised that the man had ranked up his Purity, Azrael neared.

"Long time no see."

Victor met his gaze, yet rather than the usual boldness and happiness, there were other kinds of emotions on display.

Dread, sadness, regret.

Azrael usually didn't bother with the emotions of others. But this wasn't something that he could overlook. Not because he liked Victor's company. It was the simple fact that they would be working with each other again.

And should the Wavecrest attack, Azrael would need all the help he could get. If Victor, for whatever reason, was discouraged in any way, that could hinder his chances of victory severely.

"Why do you look so down?" Azrael questioned.

Victor sighed, waving his hand dismissively.

"Nothing major. When I returned from the Rift, I found out my father had died."

'Crap,' Azrael thought grimly. The only thing he could call family was the Skinwalker, and that hardly counted. He couldn't help Victor with his loss in any way, shape, or form.

So he figured shifting the conversation to their duties might keep Victor's mind off his father. He began explaining what they were supposed to do while stationed here.

It was pretty simple: kill any monster that came out of the Rift and stop any Proven of the Wavecrest clan from getting close.

"Gather up!"

Still in the middle of his explanation, one of the Proven that had gone to keep watch shouted, bringing attention to himself.

"The Wavecrest is approaching us! And from their numbers it doesn't look like they are here just to talk!"

*****

Exhausted, Seraphina collapsed onto her bed. Her legs throbbed with pain, her arms covered in injuries.

'I'll have to get them healed before I continue with the rest of the program,' she thought bitterly. After reporting to the higher-ups about the events that had happened in the Rift, it was fair to say they weren't the slightest bit happy.

They had expected more from her as well as Isolde. Fearing they had treated them too softly, they immediately intensified their training several times over.

Endless drills, sparring, strategy exercises, mindless programs… Everything specifically designed to shape them into the most fearsome individuals possible.

On days like this, Seraphina felt overwhelmed, unwilling to rise from her bed, knowing the hell that awaited her once more if she did.

Quite a few people seemed to think she was always eager to dive back into her endless training. But the truth was that she simply forced herself to do it.

'I wonder what Isolde is doing…' she thought, using the ID device on her wrist to scan the internet.

During the rare moments of rest she was given, she preferred to spend it unwinding by watching cat videos…

Yet one video on her recommended page caught her attention. Not just for the staggering number of views it had, but for its bold title.

"A Reaper Holds Off the Advance of Three Champions Despite Being Only at the Proven Level!"

With her interest piqued, she clicked on it. Only to witness a scene straight out of a fairy tale.

A Proven cloaked behind a bloody veil, his features concealed, slipping past three Champions who sought his life and the flag on his back.

Yet he stood his ground against them, despite being outnumbered and outmatched in every measurable way.

The way he moved without hesitation, disregarding self-preservation despite the unbearable pain he must have felt, had captured the attention of a worldwide audience.

But to Seraphina, it meant far more, for she knew this man.

After all, he was the one who had saved her in the Rift by giving her a flower that pulled her back from death's door.

Unknowingly, her cheeks turned slightly red at the memory of him placing the flower by her ear. Yet the surprise she felt quickly overshadowed all her other emotions.

After a few seconds, her lips parted.

"Azrael?"