Death Heir's Devouring System
Chapter 45: Shelter for the Useful

Chapter 45: Shelter for the Useful

Azrael grimaced, remembering how Isolde had told him that she wasn’t an oracle and that he would have more luck asking Seraphina about the monster they were supposed to slay to close the Rift and return to their world.

’I did try to attack her, and she most likely knows that my Inborn Trait has to have something to do with Corruption, still, it’s not like I have much choice. I will have to cooperate with others if I want a higher chance of survival.’

His eyes briefly went towards Isolde. ’If she and Seraphina are really that close, they must have had a discussion about me. Yet she hasn’t shown any hostility.’

He sighed, "Sure, we will follow you."

Taking Isolde’s palm, he traced what the Chosen wanted and where they were going. She simply nodded and stepped forward, eager to be reunited with her friend.

The trio of Chosen exchanged uneasy glances, unsettled by how calmly Azrael took the palm of their so-called angel in order to speak to her.

After changing into the clothes James had given him, he followed.

’Is Victor alive?’ Azrael wondered. He was the closest thing he had to an ally. They had fought side by side before, after all.

’Unless he has been teleported into the middle of the lava ocean, I doubt he is dead.’

Following the trio, Azrael observed them closely. James, unsurprisingly, was in the lead, while the other two followed. He noted how confidently they were moving through the golden lands.

"Aren’t you afraid of an ambush?" He asked, eager to test them for some kind of reaction.

"Most of the monsters in the area have been dealt with. As long as we don’t trail off the base, we should be fine," James answered.

’It has barely been a week, and they have set up a base? Not bad.’

The journey passed in silence, James too focused ahead to speak, while his two teammates seemed startled each time they took a glance at Isolde.

Azrael preferred the quiet, so he didn’t bother with pointless conversation.

Finally, the trees began to thin as they arrived at a makeshift base that was still clearly under construction.

Chopped-down trunks were visible all around. The Chosen had begun to tear down the trees and use them to create black wooden planks, which were used for their fortifications.

The walls were barely two times taller than him. With an entrance protected by two guards with stern expressions.

"James," one of them nodded towards the group leader. Then his eyes went towards the blind girl behind him.

"Miss Isolde!" The two men instantly kneeled in the presence of the legend.

’Seriously, what could she have done to gather that much reputation? Sure, she might be strong, but that isn’t enough to gather so much recognition... it must be because of the clan she is part of.’

The guards moved to the side, allowing them to enter. Azrael didn’t miss the way their eyes narrowed, most likely realizing he wasn’t a part of any clan or family thanks to his singular name.

What he saw inside impressed him. There were dozens of Chosen doing their duties diligently. Makeshift tents were spread evenly, created from monster hides supported with their bones.

The scent wasn’t of the most welcoming ones, but in a cursed place such as this, no one was going to complain.

While Azrael was still busy observing the place, Isolde left his side, moving straight toward the one person that made everyone turn their heads. Some in admiration, others in respect.

In a flash, she reached Seraphina and hugged her from behind before the latter could react.

"Isolde!" Seraphina exclaimed, returning her hug without hesitation.

Azrael didn’t bother with their reunion, his thoughts drifting.

’My chances of survival are much higher here,’ he analyzed. There were not only items capable of creating clean water here, but there were also a few Chosen that were busy processing monster meat. Few could rid their insides of the vile Corruption before making it safe to be consumed.

"Thank you for bringing Isolde back," a gentle voice sounded from his side. Once he turned, he saw Seraphina standing before him.

He noticed the way her eyes narrowed briefly. He knew she must have seen his Corruption Rank and been taken by surprise, when she realized that he had managed to Rank up. However, her surprise vanished a second later as if it had never been there to begin with. _{fr\eewe.bn(o)v\el.c(o)m}

’She must know that I don’t want to talk about it... She seemed to respect my wishes.’

It was a small gesture, yet it was enough to raise his respect for the woman. No need for words — their intentions were made clear from the very start. Unity was more beneficial than hostility.

"We are inside a Rift. We ought to work together if we want a chance of survival," he answered her calmly.

"Still, you have my utmost gratitude." She bowed slightly before continuing.

"From what Isolde told me, you can handle yourself. Interested in joining us? Of course, we can promise you safe shelter and untainted food."

’Did she vouch for me?’ Azrael was taken by surprise, as he took a glance at the blind girl. It was subtle, but her lips were slightly curved upwards.

He wasn’t surprised that Isolde had shared what she knew about him with her friend, he even suspected that outcome. But the fact that Seraphina was offering him to join them so eagerly was a clear sign Isolde had presented him in a positive light.

"Shouldn’t there be a vote if an outsider can join you?"

Still, he wasn’t a fool. He had working eyes and a brain. It was clear that the majority of the members in the camp he had seen so far were part of the Elite School. Was this because the Moon Breakers were weaker, causing their deaths before reaching the camp? Or were they shunned away due to their lack of status?

By the glances he was feeling being thrown his way he had a feeling that it was the latter.

Seraphina shook her head. "This is not how things work here. If I say you are in, you are in. No one would dare object to my judgment."

Azrael’s eyes narrowed briefly. ’In other words, she is the sole leader.’

Still in doubt, the scent of cooked purified meat reached his nostrils. Immediately, his stomach growled, reminding him of the ever-growing hunger that was bound to leave him helpless sooner or later.

"Then I will join you."

A subtle smile tugged on Seraphina’s face. "Good. There are three roles that a Chosen can fulfill here. First, if you can purify monster meat and make it edible or have some way to grow seeds in the cursed lands, you can increase our food production."

Azrael lied as naturally as he breathed, "I can’t."

Sure, Gravebloom could make seeds grow in the harshest places, but it wasn’t like he knew how it worked yet, nor did he want to be a farmer while the other Chosen were gradually increasing their power.

Seraphina didn’t seem surprised by his answer as she nodded, "The next is guard. You are stationed around the base making sure no monster comes too close. If you see one that you can’t handle, you report it to me."

’So this is what James and his party were doing.’ He mused.

"And third, a scout. Since we have to kill the abomination that has opened the Rift to our planet in order to return. We have to scout the unfamiliar terrain searching for it, fight beings we should have no business fighting, and challenge the unknown."

"Where do you suspect the boss monster is located?" He asked. This was the way most of the time the being that opened the connection to their realm was called.

Seraphina pointed to the north, where the ruined kingdom with a majestic cathedral in the middle stood. "The most obvious place it could be, naturally."

Her smile widened. "Actually, tomorrow we are going to send another investigating team, and I and Isolde are going to be a part of it. You can count yourself included, should you wish."

Azrael scratched his chin. ’These two might be the most powerful Chosen around. If I want to hone my power by challenging someone stronger than me, they’re the best ones to do it with.’

He met her striking gaze, unfazed.

"Count me in."