The blue snake-on-legs gorged itself on a feast of flesh. Its maw gaped, all-consuming. The pitiful abominations slashed and bit at the legged-snake - it made no difference. Every meagre wound writhed until it vanished, like it never happened.
Kai shot towards the distracted serpent, sharp grin wide.
This was his best chance. He wouldn’t waste it. Gripping his black sword, he closed in like death itself.
Stealth was his second greatest weapon - he tore through space, reforming behind a serpentine head. Its jaw crushed its latest prey - unaware of its demotion in the food chain.
Space expanded and compressed at the tip of Kai’s malevolent blade. Thrusting forward, a blind spot emerged in his senses.
The blue snake’s head collapsed inward before exploding into red chunks.
A fountain of blood rose, surging towards Kai. He bathed in the red embrace.
The blue snake-on-legs flailed and roared. Its screams assaulted Kai’s ears. Its never-ending tail swiped and crushed the abominations it had been devouring. It didn’t heal. The remaining blue head swivelled and locked onto Kai’s echo floating beside him.
The serpent’s skin paled, blue scales turning ash-grey.
Kai tracked the greying abomination as it ascended, using its tail as a foundation. It alternated attention between Kai and his echo.
The snake closed in. Kai and his echo darted upward, creating distance.
Something was wrong. An invisible barrier blocked their ascent. The abomination’s Domain limited their movements - even in the air.
Kai raced away from the Domain’s edge. He had to move within the blue snake’s striking range. No escape - even with his wings.
But escape wasn’t his goal.
His echo mirrored his thoughts.
“You’re gonna wish you never set your greedy eyes on me.” The echo radiated smugness, flitting around like an annoying fly. “Are you full? Still want dessert? I’ll serve you something unforgettable.”
Kai had no doubt about his victory. He was no easy prey. As the blue snake focused on his echo, Kai moved in for the kill. He stepped through space, sword already driving toward the abomination’s remaining head.
His weapon closed in, but the serpent’s fangs moved faster.
A ruse - it had adapted to Kai’s tricks. The bastard was smarter than it looked.
Kai was fast enough to survive, but not fast enough to avoid paying a price. Sharp fangs clamped down on his sword arm. The snake shook its jaw, trying to rip his arm off.
It failed.
Kai’s robes were more durable than they looked. Mere fangs couldn’t pierce a robe crafted by the son of Death God.
But that didn’t mean he was safe. The snake’s mouth still held his arm hostage. Unfortunately for the snake, Kai still gripped his dark blade.
Reality tore under his will.
The snake’s head collapsed and exploded, blood and viscera flying everywhere.
Its blood halted in mid-air, twisted, and careened toward Kai. He teleported away, unsure if the creature was dead. He left another echo in case the snake had more tricks.
He examined the snake-on-legs from a safe distance. Its chest bulged. The bulge travelled upward, slithering toward its bloody neck. A last-ditch effort.
He had to move. If it healed, it wouldn’t fall for the same trick twice.
He focused on his spatial senses, homing in on vibrations. A rhythmic pulse marked the creature’s weak spot. He moved through space, locked onto his target.
The dark blade plunged forth without mercy, piercing space. The pulsing stopped. Blue scales faded to pale grey, then its body shrivelled from neck to never-ending tail.
It collapsed inward, looking more like a snakeskin rug than a fearsome abomination.
Kai sighed. His ravenous hunger had faded. The snake-on-legs’ soul proved to be a nutritious meal.
He examined his right arm. Stabbing pain surged up his arm and shoulder. He grimaced.
Words invaded his mind.
[You have killed the Crawler Snake. Choose your reward.]
Kai’s hand combed through his hair.
Crawler snake? Makes more sense than snake-on-legs.
His eyes narrowed.
The system gives rewards for stuff like this?
He spoke, tone firm. “Show me the rewards.”
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More words flowed into his mind - a choice between two attributes. He studied both.
Attribute 1:
[Tactical Assessment]
Rarity: Legendary
Description: You can view anyone’s Status.
---
Attribute 2:
[Hydra’s Aura]
Rarity: Rare
Description: Hydra aura flows through your blood and soul essence. You can heal yourself or others using your blood or soul essence.
Severe injuries take more time, essence and blood to heal.
Kai’s eyes widened.
Barab’s finally bringing me the good stuff.
The choice was obvious at first glance. A legendary attribute was second only to a divine one. Access to anyone’s Status gave him unparalleled intel. Gifts, Curses, and attributes became an open book.
Too good to be true.
Anyone’s Status? Even gods? But spying on gods couldn’t be good for his health.
Marked could only view their Status in their Soul Palace - would this attribute force him there? Leaving him vulnerable and easy to kill? Barab was up to his old tricks, but Kai wasn’t one to fawn over shiny prizes.
He scoffed. “Kharon?”
Kai raised his chin. “I had to live up to your expectations, didn’t I?” He cleared his throat. “That’s not why I’m calling. How do I enter my Soul Palace? What happens to my body when I’m inside?”
His occasionally reliable Guardian shouldn’t struggle with such basic questions.
A sigh flowed through his mind.
Kai frowned, Balance god’s gag order was getting ridiculous.
Kharon had more to add.
Thread boy? Rusk.
“What makes you think I’ll meet Rusk again? And what happens to my body?”
“Fate?”
Silence followed. Kai pressed on. “Are you shrugging?”
Kai inhaled deeply, calming his frustration with iron-tinged air. He’d ask Rusk when, or if, he saw him.
Although Kharon proved mostly unhelpful, he confirmed Kai’s suspicions. The [Tactical Assessment] attribute was a trap. An alluring prize that’d get him killed.
But healing himself and anyone - wouldn’t that make him immortal…and rich? If he could heal from any wound, who could beat him? Maybe Alira, with her cheat code Curse. But no other Marked stood a chance.
Arrogance was deadly. What if there was an attribute that neutralised healing? Even if it didn’t exist now, Barab would create it to ash him over.
His ignorance was a dire weakness.
But he knew enough to take advantage. There couldn’t be many skills or attributes that’d mess with his healing, right?
There was only one choice to make.
Kai crossed his arms. A rare attribute was only one step above uncommon. But it wasn’t rarity that mattered - it was how you used it. He could see the pool of Darkshards already. The shocked and furious faces of his enemies. His savage grin returned.
“I’ll take [Hydra’s Aura].”
The words entering his mind carried a disappointed tone.
[Reward distribution complete.]
Cold energy swam through his veins. The stabbing pain in his arm faded. His bones and muscles twisted. His flesh bubbled.
Sharp pain cut through his thoughts, then vanished - his arm good as new.
He summoned his dark sword. It carved itself into reality instantly. His onyx-clawed fingers gripped its hilt.
Handy.
His gaze fell on the Crawler Snake’s corpse. Its deflated grey body looked pitiful.
But that couldn’t discourage Kai. Living in the slums offered few meal options; nutrient paste was all he knew.
The Drakmar meat had disgusted him. But this snake held a unique appeal. The slithering bastard had chased him with unrelenting greed. How could he pass up the chance for revenge? And to enjoy some snake meat…even if was blue…or grey?
Kai descended from the air, approaching the snake’s corpse. His vengeful blade slashed through its grey scales, separating a slab of meat from the body. He studied it.
He hadn’t eaten since he died. Although he wasn’t hungry, he’d always wanted to taste meat. Only bosses ate real meat in the slums.
Before the feast could begin, he had unfinished business to settle.
Looking at his black claws, his onyx skin - Kai tried to calm himself and regain human appearance.
Peaceful memories were scarce.
But he could imagine his peaceful future: becoming a boss in the slums, enemies dead, dwellers thriving.
A beautiful lie.
His nails shrank, their dark hue fading, his onyx skin dissolved, revealing golden flesh underneath. A small impact on his back signalled his wings contracting. Stabbing pain in his forehead - his horns retreating.
Kai studied himself, ensuring he looked human. Everything seemed back in its place, but his hand and arm veins were darker. Something to consider. Would using his Demonic powers leave permanent marks?
He didn’t want to find out.
With his form restored, Kai commanded his robe to become a suit again. The fabric hugged his skin as it writhed and transformed.
The alluring snake meat lay waiting, and Kai was always punctual - early when meeting unsavoury characters.
The issue was finding fire. Fire-making had never been part of his curriculum - Renzo was stingy with his teachings. Kai only learned what he needed to survive in Sector 9; more accurately, what he needed to serve the Serpent Mob.
Maybe he should’ve let Gideon live? He held back a laugh at his pity party - his spatial senses detected approaching movement.
He turned, shaking his head, gripped his hungry blade, and prepared for a fight.
“Why wouldn’t I?” Kai scanned the surrounding trees. “It’s meat, isn’t it?”
Kharon’s voice sounded approving.
Subtle warmth spread across Kai’s face as he prepared for the approaching fool.
A small creature leapt toward him. Tiny compared to the Crawler Snake. The wolf-like creature was only as big as Kai’s torso.
Instead of carving it into meat chunks, he settled on testing his new gear. He punched the monstrous black-furred wolf in its jaw. It crumpled as it hit the ground, still growling.
It rose to its feet with impressive resolve.
Kai glanced at his hands. His gloves had repaired themselves, like his vicious claws never ripped through.
Before the wolf could attack again, Kai activated his [Bloody Travesty] aura using stored blood.
The beastly, blood-curdling aura drowned the wolf and surrounding area.
It was risky - being unable to use his essence properly for five minutes left him vulnerable. But he had to practice his new abilities sooner or later. Doing it mid-battle was asking for trouble - better to test his skills on weaker prey.
The wolf whimpered, lowering its head to the ground. Its eyes shifted away from Kai as it tried to retreat.
Kai couldn’t allow that.
He closed in on the black wolf. His hand shot towards its furry head, striking with an open palm.
Heat spread through Kai’s fingers, up his arms, and into his soul. A bond formed.
Interesting.
The wolf shrank. Its body shook. Its flesh squirmed. Though its face remained stoic. Soon the monstrous wolf resembled a small, cute dog.
Kai nodded. The gloves worked as intended. He locked eyes with the dark wolf. “What should I name you?”
An indignant haze rippled through his mind, as though the wolf were saying, “I already have a name.”
It raised its head and puffed its chest.
Before Kai had the chance to laugh at the ridiculous wolf, something entered his sensory range. It was speeding toward them.
He had no doubt its intentions were ill.
And he couldn’t run with his unstable soul essence.
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Would you eat blue snake meat or nah?