I Died and Became a Noble's Heir

Footsteps approached through the blood-soaked battlefield.

Not hurried or cautious. Just steady, deliberate steps that suggested whoever was walking had all the time in the world.

Jack remained motionless, his cheek pressed against the warm pool of demon blood.

Every muscle in his body screamed in protest at the thought of movement.

His stats were reduced by eighty percent, leaving him weaker than he'd been when the dragons attacked.

He could barely keep his eyes open, let alone defend himself.

The footsteps stopped beside him.

"You look absolutely dreadful," S's voice said from above, carrying that same pleasant tone he'd used while watching Jack slaughter the demons.

"Though I suppose that's to be expected after such a... spirited performance."

Jack managed a weak grunt. It was all the response he could muster.

S crouched down, his immaculate black suit somehow still pristine despite the carnage surrounding them.

His red eyes examined Jack with the clinical interest of a scholar studying a fascinating specimen.

"The Blood Hunger side effect is quite debilitating, isn't it?" S tilted his head, considering. "Your body consumed an enormous amount of energy during the frenzy. Now it's desperately trying to recover, but your reduced strength makes natural regeneration almost impossible."

Jack tried to push himself up. His arms trembled with the effort, managing to lift his chest perhaps an inch before giving out entirely.

He collapsed back into the blood with a splash that sent ripples across the dark surface.

"Easy now," S said, his tone almost paternal. "No need to rush. Though I do have a suggestion that might help speed your recovery."

Jack's eyes tracked up to meet S's gaze. The effort of focusing made his head pound, but he forced himself to maintain eye contact.

Whatever this creature was, whatever it wanted, Jack needed to understand it if he was going to survive this encounter.

S gestured at the pool of blood surrounding them. "Drink it."

Jack's stomach churned at the suggestion. 'System,' he thought weakly, 'is he serious?'

[Analyzing suggestion...]

[Demon blood contains residual essence and vitality]

[Consuming blood will provide minor regeneration and stat recovery]

[Warning: May contribute to corruption]

[Current corruption level: Low]

[Consumption acceptable given current critical condition]

Jack closed his eyes, disgust warring with desperate need.

He'd already crossed so many lines today. What was one more?

He opened his mouth and let the blood flow in.

The taste was far better than he thought. The demon blood was fruity, silky, acidic, and well-balanced.

It was just like a good bottle of red wine.

[Consuming demon blood]

[HP regeneration increased by 500%]

[Stat recovery accelerated]

[Duration: 5 minutes]

Jack forced himself to swallow. Then again. And again. Each mouthful was bliss, he hadn't expected it to be so good.

Was this how it was supposed to taste? Or was it because he had consumed demon hearts that his body was liking the taste.

Warmth spread through his chest, pushing back the bone-deep exhaustion. His fingers twitched, the first voluntary movement he'd managed since the frenzy ended.

S watched with obvious approval. "Good. Most humans would rather die than debase themselves like this. But you understand something they don't, survival matters more than pride."

Minutes passed. Jack continued drinking, his body slowly responding to the influx of vitality. His arms regained enough strength to push himself up onto his elbows. Then his knees.

Finally, after what felt like an eternity, he managed to sit upright in the blood pool.

His armor was completely soaked, dark ichor dripping from every surface. His white hair hung in matted strings across his face, stained so thoroughly with blood it looked crimson. He looked like something that had crawled out of hell itself.

'Flawed Sight,' Jack activated the skill without thinking, his enhanced perception reaching out to analyze S.

[ERROR: Target level too high]

[Information unavailable]

[Recommendation: Do not engage]

Jack's blood ran cold despite the warmth from the demon blood.

His Flawed Sight had analyzed Nightmare-class demons without issue.

Whatever S was, he existed so far beyond Jack's current capabilities that the system couldn't even provide basic information.

His gaze shifted to the massive three-headed hellhound sitting patiently beside S. Maybe he could at least understand what Fluffy was.

[Target: Cerberus]

[Name: Fluffy]

[Rank: Disaster]

[Level: ???]

[Affiliation: S]

[Threat Assessment: Overwhelming]

Disaster class. Jack's mind struggled to process the implications.

The monster was the same rank as Spiralus.

And this thing was S's pet.

Jack's hands clenched in the blood, his fingers digging into the soft earth beneath.

The pieces were falling into place. S controlled a Disaster-class monster. Fluffy obeyed him absolutely. Which meant S himself had to be...

"You're a monster," Jack said, his voice hoarse but steady. "Not human. Not a demon. Something else entirely."

S's smile widened, genuine pleasure crossing his features.

"Very astute. Most people never realize it. They see the suit, hear the pleasant voice, and assume I'm simply a powerful human or perhaps an unusual demon."

He stood, brushing imaginary dust from his pristine clothing. "But you're correct. I am indeed a monster, though the classification systems your world uses don't have an adequate category for what I am."

Jack tried to stand but his legs still wouldn't support his weight. He settled for sitting straighter, refusing to show weakness despite his vulnerable position. "What do you want from me?"

The question hung in the air between them, heavy with implication.

S had saved him, or at least prevented the other Nightmare-class demons from interfering.

He'd watched the slaughter with obvious approval. And now he was here, offering help while Jack was at his most vulnerable.

Nothing was free. Especially not from creatures that controlled Disaster-class monsters.

S's expression shifted, the pleasant facade fading to reveal something more serious beneath. He clasped his hands behind his back and regarded Jack with an intensity that made the young Soul Warden's skin crawl.

"My name," S began, his voice taking on a formal quality, "is S. Simply S. And before you ask, no, it's not short for anything, it's just the letter. Names have power, you see, and I prefer to keep mine hidden."

He began to pace, his steps leaving no impression in the blood despite his physical presence.

"I knew Malakai. The first human Soul Warden. We were... friends, I suppose you'd call it, though our relationship was complicated. He was the first to truly understand what the Soul Warden could become."

Jack's attention sharpened despite his exhaustion. The first human Soul Warden.

"Malakai made me promise something before he died," S continued, his red eyes distant with memory.

"He asked me to guide the next Soul Warden. To ensure they didn't make the same mistakes he did. To help them reach their full potential."

His gaze snapped back to Jack. "You are that next Soul Warden."

Jack's mind raced. This explained S's interest, his intervention, and his obvious investment in Jack's survival. But it raised even more questions.

"If that's true," Jack said slowly, his voice gaining strength as his body continued to recover, "then offer me your soul."

The words cut through the air like a blade.

S stopped pacing. For a long moment, he simply stared at Jack, his expression unreadable.

Then he threw his head back and laughed, a genuine, booming sound that echoed across the corpse-strewn battlefield.

"Look at the balls on you!" S said, wiping tears from his eyes.

"Fresh from your first major battle, weak as a newborn kitten, and you're trying to bind me?" He shook his head, his laughter fading to an amused smile. "I like it. That's exactly the kind of audacity Malakai had."

The smile vanished, replaced by something colder. "But no. I will not offer you my soul. I am not some demon to be commanded, and I will not be bound by the Soul Warden's power." His tone carried absolute finality, leaving no room for negotiation on this point.

Jack's jaw tightened. Of course, it wouldn't be that easy. Nothing ever was.

"However," S continued, his expression softening slightly, "I do want to propose an alternative arrangement. Tell me, Jack, do you know what a guardian deity is?"