Hunter of the Evernight
Chapter 236: A debt to pay

Chapter 236: A debt to pay

The battle was indeed won and it made Alex feel slightly relieved, knowing he had taken the first step in his quest to return home.

At the same time, Ana remarked yet again. "We won."

Alex tried to speak but couldn’t as a sudden wave of weakness came upon him, leaving him unable to remain standing.

He fell to his knees a second later.

"Master!" Charlotte exclaimed as she moved to support him with the latter breathing heavily as he sought to remain conscious.

Recalling his conversation with Nyx and the contract signed, he knew it was a vain attempt to establish a foothold against that great being.

He had felt it before and now he felt it yet again.

Nyx... was beyond anything he could imagine.

Even trying to face off against such an entity left him listless so he had to maintain a certain level of distance for the time being.

He was surprised Nyx had agreed to help him even if he were in mortal danger but what surprised him even more was another clause he agreed to.

It was the 3rd clause which stated thusly; ’Apart from the Mantle of Darkness, all other Branches will be kept in a space shared between both Nyx and Alex, ensuring neither have exclusive access to it.’

He had no idea why Nyx would agree to such a thing which made him worry more.

A boundless entity that acted in unfathomable ways... was there a worse combination?

Alex decided within himself to ensure he wouldn’t be in the situation he was in today, leaving him without a choice but to call for Nyx.

He was still relatively naive, without much knowledge about Eventide.

It was imperative to learn more and upgrade his arsenal.

Just then, a voice reached out toward his drifting thoughts.

It would seem you are more than you appear to be.

Alex glanced to the side to find Vessina slowly rising to her feet.

Her succubus form was quite eye-catching, what with its height that was 8 ft tall.

"You lied." Alex casually said as he gestured for Charlotte to help him toward the altar at the center of the temple.

I don’t follow...

"You said you’d hold him back for 3 minutes. You lasted for only 2."

.... An unfortunate miscalculation.

"Whatever." Having gotten to the altar, Alex sat on the stairs and leaned back on the side of the altar. "So is it over?"

I can no longer feel Truzrazeth’s presence. Whatever being you worship was able to send him back to the origin.

"Back to the origin?" Alex raised a brow.

We Devils can’t die as long as humanity exists. We are intricately bound to the negative emotions your kind produces.

"I see."

Truzrazeth’s plan, if I understand it correctly, must have been to use the power he gained as a True God to wipe out humanity which would cause me and my sisters to vanish.

"Which means in a way, I helped you guys take care of a problem. And since I ended up dealing with Tru... Fear, It’s only right that I ask for compensation."

... That is correct.

"Blame yourself for being so talkative." Alex casually remarked before shifting his attention to Ana.

The latter was currently invested in the crystallized yang lying quietly on the floor as she scrutinized it keenly.

"Is it useful?"

Ana pursed her lips before slowly replying. "Well, if we work with this alongside with the yin you sealed, it can be used to facilitate an ascent to godhood just like what that Fear Devil wanted but to do that, we’d need another Branch."

"Is that all?" Alex inquired, clearly not keen on doing anything that could potentially cause him to lose his humanity.

It was the only thing that connected him to his memories of Earth.

After a brief pause, Charlotte was the one to speak up. "What about a weapon?"

"A weapon?" Alex raised a brow in curiosity, clearly more open to Charlotte’s suggestion.

Charlotte was about to respond when Vessina chimed in.

A weapon created using pure Yin and Yang would be a perfect Godkiller. With such a weapon, I doubt anything on Eventide would be difficult for you to kill, even considering Demon Gods and Anti-Gods.

Clearly invested, Alex inquired. "What is a Godkiller anyway?... Ana had mentioned earlier on."

You are not aware?

"Is it general knowledge?" Alex shot back.

... Indeed, it is not. A Godkiller is a weapon capable of destroying anything. It is the antithesis of anything immortal. Of course, this is only if the wielder can draw upon its full strength. So far, I only know of 1 such weapon and it is under the watch of... what do you humans call them?... Ah yes, The Church of Angelica.

"Is that so?"

Indeed. Most Godkillers end up destroying their host and are mostly inclined in a certain direction, either yin or yang. A Godkiller created using the dual aspects you possess alongside a good dose of divinity would undoubtedly be able to cut down anything.

"Even angels?"

... I am not sure. Even as Devils, it hurts my pride to say that I have never dared to encroach on the land of angels.

’It would seem Angels are on a higher hierarchy compared to Devils.’ mentally noting this, Alex sighed. "It sounds like a plausible route to take."

If you want, my sisters and I will help you craft a good weapon.

"But that would come with a price, no?"

...

"Then no. I wish to use what you owe me for a different transaction."

Something more important than possessing a Godkiller?

"Yes." Alex nodded.

There was a debt to pay and he was never one to renege on his promises.

It was time to bring back those that were taken away.

With a heavy sigh, he explained the situation to Vessina who in turn glanced at Xistora who was still feigning unconsciousness.

You wish for us to contact the Emissary of Death?

"Is it possible?"

... It is but... if you are not able to convince them, it could lead to you losing your soul. Are you really determined to carry it out despite the risk?

Alex pursed his lips before slowly nodding.

Then... we shall begin.

***

The PaleLands.

It was a place Arwen had learned about in her quest to better understand death.

From a young age, she had to battle with the fact that humans, no matter how hard they tried, would always succumb to death.

She wished to know why and she considered the PaleLands to be the dwelling place of death.

Indeed, unlike most common people, she considered death to not be something abstract but a being... a great being.

It was madness... she knew it well.

If the PaleLands didn’t exist, it would be a waste of time and if it did, she could be throwing herself into a terrible fate.

But she didn’t care... she’d seen the gruesome deaths of many... it left her at a crossroads.

Either ignore or do something about it and naturally, she decided to go ahead with the latter.

Unfortunately, she was unable to reach her goal and in a last-ditch effort to save those destined to die, she gave up her life instead.

This was why as she walked through the mass expanse which resembled a desert with no ends, she didn’t despair.

She believed she had done the right thing and so, even as the harsh winds cut open her skin, a smile remained at the corner of her lips.

Perhaps someday... she would get her wish and finally leave this arid dimension to gaze upon the PaleLands and confront Death.