Death Heir’s Devouring System

Azrael's scythe rained down in relentless fury, eager to catch Raven off guard.

She was surrounded by monsters on all sides, pushing her focus to the limit as she stopped their attacks and retaliated. Even in the unfair setting she had found herself in, she sensed the attack.

Turning abruptly, she faced Azrael, their eyes meeting for a fraction of a second.

Her whip lashed, aiming for his head, with force no Marked was ever meant to take head-on.

Gritting his teeth, he crouched in an attempt to go below the strike. He was ready to call forth his short sword, catching her off guard and sinking the blade deep in her flesh.

However, before they could hit one another, a Duskguard got in the middle of their duel.

The rider swung wildly, aiming to behead them both on the spot.

Arching her body back, Raven's head passed under the abomination's blade. In a flash, she had dealt with the monster, snapping her sight on Azrael once more.

He, meanwhile, had staggered back a few steps. An arrow hurled from a Nightfletch had forced him to switch from offense to defense.

A roar echoed from the maws of the Blood Knotted; the Reaver monster brought down its numerous arms in an attempt to crush the humans.

With a silent curse, Azrael dipped low, making use of the dark color of his attire. He blended in with the ground and smoke that rose from the forest fire. Not halting his sprint even for a second, he searched for a weak spot to attack Raven.

The Proven grew enraged; a second weapon materialized in her grip. A thin sword—a rapier. While the whip dealt a wide area of damage, her rapier focused on more single-point lethal attacks.

"Cinder!"

Following the will of his master, the Remembrance soared, shooting down like a missile. With its beak pointing downward, the being was ready to pierce Raven even if the maneuver would cost its life.

"Annoying bird." Raven sneered, tilting her body to the side just in time to dodge the attack.

Her graceful moves had allowed her to survive the assault of numerous abominations that had her surrounded.

However, Azrael was also one of the attackers. The moment her body arched during an attack, he appeared at her rear.

Veins bulging under his skin as he tensed the muscles all over his body, he slashed.

The scythe's blade hit the whip coiled around her body. Using it as a lever, he pulled, managing to weaken its hold over Isolde temporarily.

He didn't hesitate. Getting dangerously near, he extended his hand and gripped Isolde's.

Managing to pull her towards himself, he jumped in the air. The same moment Cinder passed over him, giving him some distance.

Managing to fly a dozen meters away from the center of the massacre, Azrael quickly got rid of Isolde's restraints.

[Thank you, to think this is the third time I have been saved by you.]

Azrael grimaced, replying using the mental connection she had established.

"Help me slay her, and consider any debt paid."

Once again, he pounced on Raven. Before he could reach her, however, two Unworthy Knights appeared before him.

"Out of my way!" He roared, dispatching them in a few quick motions.

[Corrupt soul has been devoured. The taint in your soul grows darker.]

Corruption Progression: [2/100]

Thankfully, Seraphina had cleansed him recently, so the Corruption saturated in his body was too little to muddy his thinking.

Raven's whip made use of the short window of opportunity; the weapon moved, warping itself around his arm.

Truth Devourer held, not allowing the white fangs to injure his skin. But the force was simply too much. The difference in strength made his bones ache in pain.

"That is some nice armor you got there! Mind giving it to me?" Raven joked arrogantly, getting ready to slay him with her reaper.

Before she could, a wave of weight washed over her body, slowing her down. Instantly raising her head, she looked at Isolde; the blind, deaf, mute girl flew on Cinder's back.

Her sole focus was slowing down her movements.

"You annoying girl, I can see why Thandor insisted you would be needed to reach the King!"

Azrael smirked, going closer. "You talk too much."

He attacked with his free hand, expecting to do some damage. To his frustration, the blade of the scythe bounced off her armor, unable to leave even a faint dent.

"Weak!" She roared, kicking him in the chest.

The edges of his vision blurred, being sent into the middle of the knight wave.

'Troublesome,' he cursed inwardly, trying to keep level-headed. Back on his feet in no time, he was forced to defend against the slaughter of numerous knights trying to carve him into pieces.

His body tense, moving to its limit, as he attacked and dodged with everything he had. At least he wasn't drenched in sweat. Thanks to the forest fire he had caused, the temperature of the area dipped several degrees lower.

"Even with all the tricks you can think of, you are still too far from rivaling my power!" Raven declared, placing a hand over her cheek. A light engulfed her whole body, injuries being healed at rapid speed.

Azrael wasn't surprised. She had been the one that saved him by healing him when he had been at death's door, so it was obvious she had healing capabilities.

Her smile growing wider, she moved in circles. Her whip caused a thunderclap to resonate in the vicinity. Around her, every monster—even the Blood Knotted—were torn in two halves, causing them to fall to the ground.

Despite Isolde applying pressure and under the onslaught of numerous monsters, Raven stood tall, slaughtering monsters with relentless attacks.

Corruption Progression: [42/100]

Azrael was forced to kill several Duskguards and Nightfletch, resulting in his Corruption slowly growing.

Soon his focus was going to waver.

His mind raced, searching for a way to tip the scales of combat in their favor.

Just then, Isolde's voice came in.

[A human is nearing… A Marked.]

Azrael frowned. 'More enemies?' The way things were going, he would either succumb to Corruption or be killed by Raven. He had freed Isolde, so maybe it was time to retreat.

Or so he thought until he saw a familiar figure appearing beyond the trees.

A towering silhouette, one that shouldn't have ever belonged to a human, yet it did. Victor had put a hand over his injured shoulder as he muttered, "I observed the Blood Knotted for so long only for it to suddenly change course and crash into the Golden Lands?"

The man's emerald eyes enlarged when he witnessed the merciless slaughter Raven was raining down on the monsters and Azrael struggling against the knights that had him surrounded.

"Victor!" Making a bet, Azrael shouted, bringing the man's attention to himself. "We found the boss monster. The Proven are standing in our way. We must slay Raven before she regroups with the others!"

Upon hearing the words, an unnatural smile spread across Victor's face. The effect of his Inborn Trait which made him happy when he was in danger.

Without another word, the man shot forward, appearing like a blur, axe raised high in the sky.

Ready to carve Raven into two.