53 Purgatory King
Sizzle—, sizzle—
The flames burned around the piles of corpses. Hans struggled to keep his cool seeing Urs fall on his knees.
But what can he do?
No matter how much he forced it, his body just won't move anymore. His skin was pale from the mana exhaustion and mental tiredness.
'I needed to help him somehow!'
However, he had no idea what to do.
The man, Aviante, murmured something before a mocking grin escaped from his lips. On the other hand, Urs kept his head low, that's why Hans was unable to identify if he was still alive or not.
'Fuck it! I'll just give it my all!'
It's do or die.
[Race: Human (76%), ??? (24%)]
Earlier, after plundering a skill, he finally reached 20% and received only one racial trait. Even though it was not as grand as what he got in the first evolution, it's still better than nothing.
[Primeval Eyes]
It functions as a passive trait that lets him pinpoint the opponent's weakness and gives him the ability to see a second in the future. However, it has a major weakness too. Although it was supposed to be a passive skill, it consumes 1 mana per minute. It was uncomfortable having it activated all the time.
The only way to activate it is to either close his eye or cover it. Nonetheless, it was a great trait.
[Mana Remaining: 4]
'Ha, haha, this is not enough.'
The scent of death lingered around his nose as he thought of possible ways to get out of this situation.
'Should I give it up?'
[Your choice… If Urs life is truly that important to you then give it, but I suggest not to.]
'Why?'
[Since even a strong man like Aviante desired that, it means there's something valuable inside the tomb.]
Never in his life, he will be pressed to make a critical decision. Determined to make a choice, Hans glanced at the man. With his hand on his back, he sprang his body forward.
He wobbled around before finally stabilizing his body. He trudged towards the man, passing through the woods continuing to sizzle around the vicinity.
His steps halted 2 meters away from Aviante and Urs. As if just noticing his arrival, Aviante perked his eyebrow, scanned his body before he spoke.
"Hmm… Are you here to fight me?" Aviante grinned as his eyes returned to Urs, "You're too late. Your savior should be traveling at death's door by now."
Hans stood with no expression and continued to observe the man. Based on Plundy's knowledge, bloodbane is a special race on par with the likes of angel species and rakshasa species. However, over time, their race was reduced to mere tribes and lost their former glory.
'If my guess is correct, the Ruined King might be… a Bloodbane.'
If that was the case…
Hans glanced at Urs. Although he seemed dead, he still could hear his breaths and the sound of his heart throbbing. But even then, it's faint as if a candle is slowly burning out.
No doubt, earlier, Urs protected him from harm. Not just from this man but also the enemies. Earlier, he noticed his position having more summons than the others. Additionally, all of them are elites so his hunting became easy.
"I'm not here to fight." After a brief pause, Hans resumed, "...but I'm here to negotiate."
After hearing his words, Aviante held his chin as his eyes narrowed sharply. He probed Hans' remaining strength and was surprised at what he saw.
'!!!?'
Aside from the blue mana whirling around Hans's body, Aviante spotted a trace of otherworldly mana imprinted towards Hans's source.
'What is this!!! Why is the Rakshasa Queen's mark here!?'
If there is someone he fears here living on this planet, it's Rakshasa Queen, Elisearia. The fact that her mark is here means this kid had been in contact with her.
At this moment, Aviante displayed hesitation. He had thought of killing this boy once Urs died but it seemed like he had to consider this carefully.
Sensing Aviante's standing in a daze, Hans immediately crouched and checked Urs pulse.
'He's still alive.'
However, he's unconscious. If he knew this would happen, he could have plundered that healing skill at least. With Urs hand resting on his shoulder, Hans got up but he was unable to proceed when Aviante suddenly appeared under his nose and kicked him towards the rubbles.
Shu—
His head slammed through a hard object while his body smashed towards the pile of rocks.
Baam—
"Kuaaaah!"
He felt his ribs broken from the force of that kick.
Aviante then stomped his foot to Urs body. He then stared back at Hans.
"Do you want to die too?"
In truth, he was bluffing. After many considerations, Aviante decided to abandon the thought of killing Hans. The Bloodbane race has too many enemies and they were still hiding up to this time. Additionally, he doesn't want to cross paths again with that woman.
Meanwhile, Hans gritted his teeth as he rammed his fist to the ground. That last strike took almost his entire physical strength away. His body ached in pain. Hans took a deep breath, trying to ease the pain he was feeling.
The man said something but his ear did not process what it was.
Aviante lifted his foot away from Urs' back and strode towards Hans' position. Although he can't kill Hans, severing a limb or two wouldn't hurt right?
The moment Aviante raised the spear, a gust of wind blew under his chin. His heart clenched and he immediately lifted his spear to block the upcoming attack.
Clang—
However, this time Aviante's wrist hurt.
'He… is overpowering me!!!?'
A single sword is pushing him to use his full strength.
Meanwhile, Hans saw the broad back which covered him and the black coat which trailed with the wind.
Just looking at it felt like staring at a giant beast devouring a whole planet. The leaking pressure consumed the air around the area putting him in an unimaginable atmosphere.
'So strong!'
"Thank you for making me recall those memories."
The man straightened his back and glared at Aviante. His eyes were full of gratitude.
Hans alternated his gaze between the man and Aviante.
Aviante frowned and called the man with a hoarse voice.
"Urs Hassan."
The man who quickly appeared and issued an attack in an instant was none other than Urs.
........
Earlier…
As his mind went blank, Urs reached a dark place devoid of life and organism. The path seemed narrow yet wide at the same time.
'Is this hell?'
People said that once a human dies, they either go to heaven or hell. In his case, this hell seemed unrealistic. The pain that should be burning his soul did not come. The hell servants who should be torturing his body did not arrive either.
He had no idea how long he walked towards this abyss that seemingly stretched beyond infinity. His body became frail and old. His legs constantly collapse in exhaustion.
That was until he saw a gleaming red light flickering from a distance.
As he crawled towards the light, the humid and warm heat tickled his skin. The scent of burning woods assaulted his nose.
'Is this the fires of hell?'
Why was it soothing?
It didn't hurt him at all.
"You finally arrived."
Urs raised his stiff head and stared at the silhouette sitting beside the flame. His features weren't covered but his face seemed donned in a mist.
But even then, he felt a connection.
Urs immediately looked at his status window, more specifically to one section.
[Title: Envoy of the Purgatory King.]
With his eyes narrowed, Urs asked.
"Are you the Purgatory King?"
"Yes."
"Am I in purgatory then?"
"Yes."
"Am I dead?"
"Yes."
So he was dead after all. Urs smiled sadly and finally collapsed to the cold floor.
Thud—
He sprawled on the ground with a look of regret on his face. Remembering his final moments, mist formed around his eyes. In the end, he still could not protect anyone. Although he only met Hans for a short while, he managed to form a bond on the battlefield. It was also the first time he fought with someone side by side.
"What do you think of life after death?" The man asked in a deep but soothing voice.
"I don't know."
"Disappointing isn't it?"
Indeed, it was truly disappointing.
"Well, hell is not my domain after all. I can't just send you there. The same could be said to heaven. You'll be rejected there immediately."
Although he didn't know what the man was saying, still, he listened attentively.
"Tell me… Do you regret accepting my offer back then?"
"I didn't."
"How was it?"
"It was painful."
"I see…"
The flames' heat intensified as silence covered the surroundings. The man raised his hand and a red particle shot towards Urs figure. Slowly, Urs body began reverting to its previous middle-aged man form.
Urs clenched his fist and managed to stand back up again. He stared at the man.
"What do I do now?"
However, the man did not speak and just waved his hand. Suddenly, the darkness covering the surroundings began to be absorbed to his core. The previous dark place started having colors until the picture became the place he was familiar with.
It was the battlefield and his body sprawled on the ground. The time seemed to stop as no object was moving except for him and the Purgatory King.
"You should do what you have to do after all you're my su—" At that moment, the Purgatory King glanced at him before vanishing into thin air.
"Thank you…"
Suddenly, the scenery began to move. Time went back to normal.
"Do you want to die too?"
The first thing he heard was the familiar voice of the man who killed him.
However, this time his eyes showed no fear.
........
Present…
Urs turned to look at Hans' condition.
"Are you okay?"
"...I'm fine."
Urs smiled and nodded at Hans' words. With a stiff face, his eyes shifted towards Aviante.
"How about we continue our discussion, Aviante."
Aviante observed Urs, probed his body before frowning in a daze. Not only was he healed, but his mana also seemed to be growing every second.
'What happened?'
Just a few seconds ago, he still recalled how Urs was panting his last breaths. His heart seemed to beat slower and slower too. Now, the fact that he's standing in front of him meant something might have happened in that short period.
"You're still alive like a cockroach."
Despite his surprise, Aviante maintained his calm face. Find out what happened first before striking once again.
However, Urs did not speak and just bolted his way towards him before swinging the sword down. The ground vibrated before being sliced in half. Caught off guard, Aviante quickly retreated but was lightly grazed in his cheeks.
He did not waste time and immediately went in a defensive stance. From that burst of speed alone, Aviante realized that his opponent is much stronger than earlier.
"Good reflexes."
Urs eyes contracted as he grinned ear to ear.
"Next time, I won't miss Aviante."
At that moment, black energy wrapped around Urs body until it formed a cloth-like cover.
Shortly afterwards, a dark energy crown appeared above his head.
Seeing the familiar crown and the almost same mana, Aviante finally realized what transpired. The moment it appeared, he knew he was in trouble. An unknown sense of terror washed upon his soul.
"Y-you!!! H-how did you get that!!!?"
"I guess, I got lucky…"
[Title: Envoy of the Purgatory King]
[Successfully Evolved…]
—
[Title: Successor of the Purgatory King (NEW)]
Urs shrugged his shoulders and continued, "But you should keep your mouth shut, after all, we're not done yet."
[Potential: SS-Class.]
[Limit Successfully Broken…]
—
[Potential: SSS-Class (NEW)]
"I… will defeat you."
