Death Heir’s Devouring System

All of the Proven, stationed by the Moon Breakers, had exited out to meet the members of the Wavecrest clan.

From a simple glance it was made clear that should a fight break out, they would be at a severe disadvantage. With Victor and the few other Proven that had arrived by his side, their number was 30, while the Wavecrest had sent 50 Proven to engage with them.

They were outnumbered almost by double, not to mention the rest of the Chosen they must have stationed not too far back.

Henry, the oldest Proven sent by the government, stepped forward, fulfilling the role of a captain.

"On what do we owe the displeasure?" He asked coldly, gaze moving towards a particular individual.

Ray, being the strongest looming Proven out of the Wavecrest, was naturally appointed as their representative.

Taking a step forward, the man's lips curled into a mischievous smile.

"We thought that we should pay a visit to our neighbor. You know we pride ourselves in being kind."

His voice matched Henry's coldness, yet his eyes lacked the usual respect. While he admired the man, he didn't bother looking him in the eyes. In reality Ray was busy assessing the power of the Proven sent as a backup.

After a quick survey, he came to a simple conclusion.

'Pathetic.' He barely managed to suppress a scoff.

They, the mighty Wavecrest clan, had positioned their base so close to the government's own property, and yet they barely sent a few young-looking Proven?

Ray could have ordered to attack the base at any moment, yet he had held back, knowing that reinforcements would soon arrive… But he expected hundreds of Proven, maybe even Champions, among them!

What they got instead was so unbelievable that it was almost insulting…

Had they underestimated them? Did they really think sending a few Proven would even the odds in the slightest?

"You are not welcome here." Henry spoke, taking a step forward bearing the gazes of the 50 Wavecrest members.

"This is our territory. Your presence isn't needed. Leave at once."

Ray met Henry's gaze unflinchingly. Calmly he stepped forward as well.

"You are an older man." He spoke, his voice turning more mockingly.

"I would have expected you, at your age, to recognize when you have no chance of winning. If you withdraw now, you'll spare us the trouble of slaughtering you."

Henry didn't fire back immediately; despite his old age, he was no fool. There was no doubt should conflict happen they would lose. Yet simply giving up the Rift wasn't acceptable.

In the Moon Breakers' eyes, it would be better if they perished here fighting against an overwhelming force than to retreat with their tails between their legs.

The three great clans had been growing too confident lately; if someone didn't keep them in check, all hell would break loose.

Ray's arrogance rose slightly seeing the old man's hesitation.

Of course he could have ordered the attack. But doing so would mean a few of his subordinates would die, an outcome that he would rather avoid.

Taking an enemy base and Rift without a single casualty would surely raise his standing in the clan.

And he was going to rise even higher should he bring the head of a particular individual.

Finally his eyes stopped at a particular figure, with white hair and black eyes that seemed eerily calm. Ray, of course, knew who Azrael was and what he had done. No matter how much the government had tried to prevent it, a leak of information had happened.

Although no one believed Azrael had actually killed a Radiant Proven, there was no doubt he had played a part in her demise.

And for that he had to pay.

'Could I kill two birds with one stone?' Ray thought, an idea forming.

"I suggest that we don't waste our valuable time. I believe that I have an idea that would save us the trouble."

Henry arched an eyebrow in suspicion.

"Continue."

Yet being in the current setting, he was in desperate need of a way out.

"I suggest we hold a mock battle. Between the Proven of both factions. If we lose, we would leave the spot. If we win, you would leave it to us."

By the sudden declaration some of the Wavecrest's members threw their captain confused looks. If they had the numbers advantage, what was the point in mock battles?

Yet Ray saw further than them. From the leaked information, he knew that Azrael was good at sneaking away. If a battle broke out, there was a large chance he would leave amidst the chaos, escaping with his life.

And Ray really wanted the reward for bringing Azrael's head to his higher-ups. Even better, if he could deliver him beaten and broken, ready for torture, he would be rewarded so generously that he would never have to bother working a single day of his life.

His mouth practically watered at the thought.

"Five of ours against five of yours. Two will fight at a time, and the winner stays in the arena to face the next challenger. The last Chosen standing will be declared the victor, along with their entire faction."

It was a tempting offer, one worth considering. But the problem was the timing. Just today reinforcements had arrived. Henry hadn't had the time to judge them thoroughly. The best he could do was see their powers with [Inspect], but even that had its limits.

Who was cowardly, and who was brave? Who had reached this point thanks to sheer luck, and who had thanks to effort?

"We are offering a gracious offer, considering that we have the advantage. Why are you taking so long to think it through?"

Henry grimaced.

'This is a trap... but it's the only move we have.'

"Fine," he grunted, left with no choice.

Just when the old man was about to call out who he was going to choose to appear, Ray stopped him.

"When did I ever say you would choose? I will pick the Proven who will fight from your team, and you will pick from mine."

Before Henry could retort, Ray's hand had already moved.

"You, you, you."

He quickly pointed to the four weakest-looking Proven, his finger stopping at the last one, who had remained unfazed in the midst of the heated exchange.

Azrael.