Death Heir's Devouring System
Chapter 51: Blood That Binds

Chapter 51: Blood That Binds

Item: [Truth Seeker]

Item Type: [Armor]

Item Rank: [Cleansed]

Item Description: [Food, water, and gold are often regarded as the most precious of all—yet they always fall just short. For blood is the sole truth, revered by all. If it bleeds, it lives. If it does not, it is dead. But should something be bathed in enough of it... It’s said that Life may grace those it missed the first time.]

Item Blood Progression: [8.000/1.000.000 (cubic meters)]

Azrael stared at his system interface for a few long seconds, his eyes going over the description of the armor Seraphina had given him.

When she said she’d reward him, he had expected something of the Blessed Purity Rank—not Cleansed. His initial plan had been to refuse it, yet he found himself unwilling to. He had Gravebloom and Mother Needle for offense, but his defense was severely lacking. f.(r)eew ebnov\ll.com

Even if Maiden Skin could increase his stealth, should he enter a real fight, it would become meaningless.

’She gave it to me. I could refuse her request and keep the item anyway...’ His gaze darkened. ’But that would make her an enemy—not just her, the entire camp.’

Seraphina had quite the reputation. If she were to make an enemy, specifically a Chosen, there was no doubt in Azrael’s mind that any Chosen that heard about her grudge would join her.

If he wanted the armor, he had to accept her request.

"What does Item Blood Progression mean? This is the first time I have seen an item that can progress." f\reewebn ovel(.)com

His calculating eyes remained locked on hers, unfazed by the light attire she now wore.

"This armor is given to the most promising members of the Flameborn clan," she explained. "It’s said a Chosen becomes truly one with the sun once they quench the armor’s thirst—only then can it Rank up."

She mirrored his nonchalance, her robe leaving her shoulders and neck bare. Azrael, in contrast, was still covered in thick layers of black monster blood.

He was stunned. ’The armor can Rank up?’

Owning a Cleansed armor was already a game-changer—each rank increased Divine energy tenfold. If Seraphina was telling the truth, Truth Seeker could eventually become Radiant.

’Should that happen, I will be unkillable.’

His eyes shifted south, toward the blood lake. Now he understood why Seraphina had questioned whether anyone could reach it. One million cubic meters of blood—it was practically an entire lake. Getting that much would be nearly impossible.

But the Rift, for all its dangers, clearly held vast opportunities.

Funnily enough, he now found himself considering the very thing he’d thought Seraphina crazy for wanting. The danger to his life felt more than worth it.

"I am going to make this clear." He met her gaze once more.

"Fulfilling your request makes the armor mine. Don’t expect to get it back."

She nodded, unfazed. "Keep it. I have stronger ones anyway."

’Of course you do...’

With the deal done, Azrael made his way back to base. The first thing he did was shower, scrubbing the monster blood from his skin. After that, he devoured as much food as his stomach could hold.

He wasn’t sure when he’d return. Even if he could technically use Gravebloom to farm food, he preferred to be as prepared as possible.

By the time he finished, the sun had begun to rise over the horizon. He took it as his sign to leave and walked away from camp.

"Cinder."

Once he judged that he was far away from prying eyes, he summoned the beast.

At the same time, he dispelled the Maiden Skin and called forth Truth Seeker. A Chosen could only wear one armor at the same time, after all.

Instantly, crimson armor wrapped around his body. It looked just as it had on Seraphina and Isolde, but it adjusted perfectly to his muscular frame. The material shimmered faintly, hungry for blood. Azrael’s mind calmed—he could finally take hits head-on, so long as they didn’t target his head.

Testing whether his movement was restricted, he jumped, crouched, and ran.

"It’s like I’m not wearing anything."

Whatever dangers lay ahead in this mission, they were going to be worth it.

"Well, better get going," he muttered, sitting on the silver beast.

[Thank you.]

Before he could soar into the air, he heard Isolde’s words echo in his head.

’Did she sneak up on me?’ He was taken by surprise by the unexpected show of gratitude.

His eyes swept over the area but didn’t see her anywhere.

’Maybe her telepathy ability has a much larger radius than I suspected.’ He thought.

[You are right.]

"What?" Azrael’s eyes widened. Had he just... replied through telepathy? He knew Isolde could speak that way, but could others answer back?

’Why didn’t anyone tell me?’

[Because only a few people know. I try to keep it a secret, since it can be used against me... I guess you’re one of those that know now.]

’Am I to take that as a sign of good will?’

There was a momentary pause.

[Take it as you wish. You’ve saved my life twice now, it doesn’t feel right to keep it a secret from you.]

He rubbed his eyes. ’Why do I feel like there’s more coming?’

[This way you would be able to keep in touch with the camp. Let us know when you are sending Chonen over.]

’How far can we communicate like this?’

[It should cover a quarter of the Golden Lands. Any farther and it breaks. For a better connection, go higher into the sky.]

Azrael scoffed, "So basically it works like a phone?"

There wasn’t an answer, but he guessed he was right.

Without further ado, he commanded Cinder high in the sky. It was time he began his search for any survivors.

He could have kept communicating with Isolde, but he didn’t. He guessed she used more power the farther they were from one another.

’Not to mention she said it could be used against her... Does that mean someone could attack her mind directly? Or perhaps somehow track our communication and stage an ambush?’

He shook his head.

’Monsters aren’t that smart... hopefully.’

He took a glance at the ocean of lava. It hadn’t moved from its position—it hadn’t receded, nor had the molten tide gotten any closer.

Ignoring his impulses about heading to the blood lake, he turned west, in search of more Chosen.

He flew low enough to spot any kind of movement, while still giving himself room to maneuver in case he was attacked mid-flight.

As expected, the eastern region of the Golden Lands was empty—not a single Chosen in sight. The camp’s guards had already taken care of most of the monsters.

Azrael had the displeasure of spotting a few patrols of Unworthy Knights. As before, they moved in pairs, and one of them was dragging a mutilated corpse behind them.

’These guys must have been at it for a long time to fill so much of the canyon with bodies. Could it have been a decade? A century? A millennium, perhaps?’

Hours passed. The sun began to fade once more beneath the horizon. Isolde was now too far away to communicate with her telepathy, leaving him eerily alone.

Eventually, he passed through the eastern stretch of the Golden Lands and entered the central region.

Unfortunately, that’s when the problems began to appear.