10 The Pendan (1/2)
”Have you found him yet?”, the oni asked.
”Not yet”, the cloaked figure replied.
”It's a pity too. I have so much blood to spare”
He then exhaled. Mist similar to visible breath on a cold winter night expelled from his lungs. Only this one was tinged with the color of blood.
The communication crystal was then tucked into the coat. In the last second before it was covered, a figure could be seen approaching the oni.
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Every Clan made sure to be well-informed about the happenings of the world. They were designated as guardians of the populace and would need to be prepared for disasters caused by demons. As such, they had dedicated and exclusive messengers which were skilled at their work and familiar with the clan members.
This particular messenger was hesitant to relay information as he already knew the reaction it would elicit.
Kamui slammed his fist against the table in frustration. It was the tenth incident since Itsuki escaped. 7 villages and 3 towns had been subjected to a mysterious incident of ma.s.s bloodletting. Every resident in the areas were completely drained of blood to the point that the corpses had retained no moisture. Only a Darkblood user could commit this act of heresy and the only suspect on the list was Itsuki.
”My Lord, I heard another village has suffered from the Darkblood”, a female clan member said.
”There has but it is not time yet”, Kamui responded after calming himself down.
She clenched her fists in anger. She had waited years already and was still unable to avenge her father. Even if she died in the process, she would avenge him. Life had become so miserable after his departure.
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8 years had pa.s.sed since he had first accepted the Holy Supremacy's tutelage. After attaining Soul Imbuement, the progression rate declined but he was still considerably stronger than when he had first began.
Itsuki had already mastered everything that the Holy Supremacy could teach him. The monk had long since left on a personal journey. Throughout these 7 years, he had covertly utilized the Darkblood Apt.i.tude as normally one exchanges their Apt.i.tude for the ability to use the Soul.
Fortunately, the old monk had told this to Itsuki beforehand or he would've readily flaunted his Apt.i.tude. Despite lacking the opportunities to do so, Itsuki still managed to complete the 50th tempering cycle and could sense his blood boiling. It signified the advancement of the Apt.i.tude and once again he surpa.s.sed the limits of the human body.
Having dwelled within a room contaminated by the metallic stench of blood, Itsuki immediately went outside to get some fresh air.
The pristine scent of the forest cleansed the stench and he could hear the chirping of birds. Carried away by the wind was a note. It had been delivered a while ago and was the last he had heard from the Holy Supremacy.
There is nothing left to teach you. With my legacy pa.s.sed on, I can finally purge the underworld. To you I entrust my legacy and granddaughter
In one hand, he grasped the gold pendant and in the other, a clump of Soul energy. Inserting the radiant clump into the pendant, the item reacted.
It vibrated violently before rotating at a speed which could burn the holder's hand. After 5 minutes, it reluctantly halted as it indicated a general direction.
Itsuki grinned and then began to complete the last part of the Quest Path.
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”Please don't do this, Holy Supremacy”, the priest pleaded.
”He's right. Only death remains in the Fallen PaG.o.da”
The Holy Supremacy merely ignored the pleas of the other priests. He knew it wasn't because they were concerned about him. They were just terrified of the consequences which would be incurred from unsealing the Fallen PaG.o.da.
”One must finish what they start”
He then a.s.saulted the sealed entrance with a blinding ray. The priests nearby immediately scattered intending to run back to their safe havens. The monk then calmly walked into the PaG.o.da. The sealing talismans sizzled as their demise was quite recent.