Reincarnated as the Death God's Vessel

The rusty smell of the flesh and blood on the ground that had become a paradise for flies mirrored the eyes of the people watching the Snow Fox prostrating on the bloody ground.

Lidien stood from his seat and walked to the edge of the watchtower, watching the female Snow Fox with his crimson eyes.

Sighing, he took a step off the edge of the watchtower. He dropped down, landing with a thud that kicked up a cloud of dust.

Then, he pointed at the decapitated head of the Dark Wolf beside the female Snow Fox.

"Bring me that head."

The female Snow Fox gulped, then slowly moved her hands towards the head, holding it by its hair.

As she stood, she felt her body refusing to walk towards Lidien when she saw him smiling from ear to ear, making her remember the sight of the old man that he had killed, crushing his heart.

However, when she scanned her surroundings, she could only see the people laughing, grinning... and when her gaze wandered more, she saw archers drawing their bows aiming at her... waiting to be released.

She deactivated her Beast Form, her ears and tails stopped glowing, her bristled skin turned smooth and only dry blood and dirt remained on it, turning her into a normal female beggar with a dirty fox tail and ears.

Without a choice, she trudged towards Lidien carrying the head, its eyes still open from shock.

Lidien watched the Snow Fox kneel before him, raising the decapitated head as an offering to a deity.

He giggled, a piercing sound that silenced the crowd... and scanned his surroundings watching the ghosts of the dead crying here and there.

Lidien touched the decapitated head, and sighed when there was not much information it gave him...

Raising both hands, Lidien activated his Whisper of Souls, making his blood-like verve ooze out from him as he visualized a vortex that could absorb all the ghosts screaming as they were pulled into it without a fight.

Lidien felt his body being refreshed from the complete Soul Essence he had absorbed... however, he still didn't know how or where to use it.

'There's no problem having more souls than having none.'

Everyone was confused by what Lidien was doing, especially Azer who was busy analyzing his actions... because after he exuded his blood-like verve, he did nothing... but stand and raise his hands.

Azer could only assume Lidien was putting on a princely act--a performance that was, nonetheless, effective, as the crowd waited in silent compliance.

"I can set you free... Snow Fox... but I can't assure your freedom after you become a captive again." Lidien spoke slowly, letting his every word sink into her.

The female Snow Fox frowned, the truth in his words striking her so deeply that her fists clenched until her nails drew blood from her palms.

"However..."

One word that made her world stop and gave her a glimpse of hope.

"If you swear your loyalty to me... I'll let you live the life you haven't experienced since the day you came into this world."

The female Snow Fox once again let her eyes wander around; she saw the people who had once smiled at her now looking at her with serious faces... some had faces of envy and disgust... and all the archers relaxed their grip, aiming their bows to the ground.

And, as she looked into Lidien's eyes... she couldn't see anything, but dead eyes staring at her as if no matter what she chose, he wouldn't care.

She closed her eyes, bit her lips till they bled...

After taking a deep breath, she stared into Lidien's eyes resolutely.

"I, Alva, Princess of the Snow Fox Clan..." Alva stood and walked towards Lidien gracefully.

Soldiers immediately held their swords, archers aimed their bows at her.

Yet Lidien remained still, unafraid... as she stood just face to face with him.

Then... a soft touch of lips, carrying a rusty smell, touched his.

As Alva removed her lips from Lidien's, she smiled.

"I offer all of myself and my heart to you... My Prince." She said, meeting his crimson gaze without flinching.

Lidien raised his hands, and slowly put them down, stopping all the Soldiers and Archers from their aggressive stances.

"My Fall... is your fall, and My Rise may depend on your actions... I'm counting on you, Alva, Princess of the Snow Fox."

Lidien rested his hands on her shoulder, and passed by her as he continuously walked towards Mad Dog, who was approaching him with soldiers dragging a bleeding beastfolk on the rough ground.

"My Prince... we captured the beastfolk hiding among the crowds... it kil--"

Lidien eyed Mad Dog, stopping him from reporting the casualties behind the chaos brought by capturing the Beastfolk alive.

Mad Dog gulped, and walked to the side, clearing the way towards the kneeling beastfolk that had wounds all over its body.

As Lidien crouched in front of him, it hissed, showing its jagged fangs, some broken, some detached, but still dangerous.

"Say... why didn't you comeback to the Dark Wolf Clan? Do you think this action of yours is worth it?"

The Beastfolk laughed, and coughed up blood at the same time.

"keke I... I killed all the people that are close to you! Destroyed your nam--"

Slap!

Lidien couldn't control himself, even with the help of Incite of Blood to maintain his blood flow steady, he couldn't help but be mad upon remembering the death of Nyomi...

As he saw the soul of the beastfolk detach from his body, Lidien grabbed it and forcefully absorbed it.

'Don't let me learn a technique that could burn souls without purifying them... for I will let you live in hell inside of me, for the rest of your existence.'

Lidien watched the head of the beastfolk rotate from his powerful slap, as its mouth didn't stop bleeding, pooling on the dirty ground.

As a cruel smile touched his lips, he plunged his hands towards its heart...

'Destroyed my name, huh? Let me use that as a reminder of my failed calculation...'

Lidien pulled out its heart, still beating softly.

Without the influence of the old Lidien's corruption, without the apathy of the Death God's presence deep within him, Lidien chose...

To become the Monster he chose to be.