Death Heir's Devouring System
Chapter 41: Unexpected Encounter

Chapter 41: Unexpected Encounter

This was the first time Azrael was in a space like this, as such, he needed some time to get adjusted to the differences. There wasn’t any wind that could indicate from where his foe was going to appear or how it would change its trajectory. The ground wasn’t slippery, nor was it rugged, these were small details that impacted any person’s fighting abilities.

Naturally, the Ashfeather wasn’t going to let its foe become familiar with the space before attacking. Its form soared through the void of space, hurtling towards Azrael like a missile.

His eyes narrowed briefly, managing to dodge the attack by a hair’s breadth.

’Did it get faster?’ He noticed.

’No, it’s just that up until now I have yet to fight one at peak power, since the corrupted monsters are still living beings, they are impacted by things like accumulated injuries, hunger and thirst. It’s not surprising that the ones I fought before weren’t at their best.’

Ashfeather moved even faster, spinning a full one hundred and eighty degrees before lunging again.

Even with his Corruption Rank increased, Azrael wasn’t able to come out unharmed, the bird left a small scratch on his shoulder.

’It’s good I learned this lesson now and not when I am against an overwhelming force.’

Unfazed by the speed his foe was able to reach, he began to dodge the attacks with grace. The best the bird was able to do was graze him lightly. This could have impacted him negatively before, but now, thanks to [Blood Manipulation], he was able to harden the blood that would seep from his wounds, closing them and preventing his vitality from leaving his body.

Each time the chance presented itself, he swung. Sadly, however, he wasn’t as proficient with daggers as he was with scythes, he found it harder than expected to make significant wounds on the abomination’s body.

’To think I was relying on my items so much.’

Since neither could land a serious wound on the other, the battle turned into a test of endurance. The loser would either run out of energy first or make a critical mistake along the way.

And Azrael didn’t make mistakes.

At some point, the Ashfeather wasn’t able to turn in time. And Azrael didn’t let the opportunity pass, tensing his arms to the limit, he dug his dagger deep in the abomination’s body.

The Twisted monster screeched, its enormous wings flaring wildly, trying to shake the man off, but Azrael held firm. Wrapping his legs around the being’s body, he put one arm over its throat, while with the other he secured it in place.

His entire body tensed, veins bulging, as his legs crushed the body of the monster, shattering its frail bird-like bones, while his arms did the same to its neck.

The chokehold position didn’t last for more than twenty seconds before the body of the monster went limp.

Making sure he had delivered the finishing blow, Azrael twisted its head a full 360 degrees to ensure his prey wasn’t playing dead.

[Submission Ritual completed]

[Remembrance devoured: Ashfeather]

Not a second after the system echoed in his head, his eyes sprang open, bringing him back to the material world.

He observed his body, the countless wounds he had received were gone just like expected.

Making a mental note to not underestimate any Remembrance from that point on, he called forth Ashfeather.

His vision blurred slightly as a large portion of his Divine and Corrupted power left his body in order to create the body of the beast.

The materialization didn’t take longer than several seconds, once it was done, the abomination stood before him. With its towering height on full display, Azrael estimated it to be around three meters (~9.8 feet).

’To think that I found something taller than Victor.’

Letting out a yawn, he lay on the cold floor of the tower, it was still the middle of the night. Flying would have to wait until he could see where he was going.

"Warn me if something happens."

The Ashfeather tilted its head to the side, its crimson eyes locked onto its master. The hatred in its gaze was long gone, replaced by an absolute obedience.

It turned towards the entrance and sat, obeying the command.

Azrael would finally be able to get a peaceful night’s rest.

*****

Upon waking up, the first thing Azrael did was to use [Inspect] on his new companion.

Name: [Unnamed]

Race: [Ashfeather (Remembrance)]

Danger Level: [Feral]

Corruption Rank: [Twisted]

It seems that every Chosen would be able to tell that this monster was a Remembrance. Whether that was something positive or negative was too soon to tell.

’A name...’ Azrael scratched his chin in thought.

"Cinder."

The Ashfeather tilted its head and flared its wings in appreciation. Almost immediately, its status changed:

Name: [Cinder]

’Good.’ With a nod, Azrael commanded the beast to lower its body. He climbed upon its back and took a firm hold.

Silently Cinder spread its wings wide and ascended high in the air, its speed was much slower than before, but that was only given. It had to fly with a load now, after all.

Obeying its master’s command, Cinder quickly reached the top of the tower and landed on the roof.

"Sand everywhere," Azrael heaved a sigh. The view hadn’t changed much — all he was able to see was the lava ocean to the west and the ashen desert on all other sides.

"We are going west," he spoke slowly, making sure Cinder understood him. The beast screeched in understanding.

"Also, if you sense any humans... beings similar to me, take us there."

Cinder’s head snapped toward the southeast, its crimson eyes locking onto something.

"Do you sense a human?" _{f r\eew,eb novel.c(o)(m)}

Cinder screeched louder than before.

"Take us there."

Flapping its wings, Cinder began soaring through the skies, its eyes fixed far ahead.

Azrael involuntarily squinted his eyes. He felt his Divine and Corrupted energy slowly being depleted from his body. It seemed that he couldn’t keep the beast summoned indefinitely, since it consumed a part of his precious power.

’It should last for a while.’

Eventually the scent of iron reached his nostrils. Sharpening his gaze, he focused far ahead.

He saw a massive pile of slain monsters, a small lake of blood formed under it, painting the silver sand a deep crimson.

At the peak of the massacre sat a frail-looking girl in crimson attire, her legs swinging back and forth, completely undisturbed. Her white, blind eyes fixed east, toward the distant lava ocean.

Azrael arched an eyebrow.

"Isolde?"