Chapter 211: Nephilim (1/2)
”Wolfy.”
”Hm?”
”I'm seeing something that I didn't even know existed.”
”Really?”
”Yes.”
”What is it?”
”Exotic.”
”Oh, that word generally refers to something foreign, striking, or out of the ordinary,” the therian explained very sagaciously and Kaelith sent him a small glare.
”I take back what I said. Your poker face is even better than before. It looks angelic even when you are being sarcastic,” she blankly said and the very calm-looking Rakna just tilted his head but he couldn't hide the faint smile. ”See? That.”
”I don't know what you're talking about,” he shrugged. ”Alexa, what does an Exotic Rarity implies?”
[Exotic is a special-case label that ranks above Legendary,] the AI answered. [It is not necessarily indicating of an otherworldly quality, but it is at the very least equal to Legendary. What is special about it, however, as you said, is its exotic nature to the System. While it is not to the point of being considered Unique, it is considered an abnormality due to its origins. In this case, you might want to expand the description to understand why it is so vague.]
”Well, I guess that's that,” Rakna said and pressed on the plus sign next to the last Sub-Path.
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Way of the Nephilim
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The existence of the Nephilim is convoluted and twisted through ages and legends. People more often than not called them 'Fallen Angels' or 'Giants'. Sometimes inferring that they were crossbreeds of angels and demons.
In truth, Nephilim were mortals. It was not a race's name, nor was it a power. It was a way of living. They, who were mortal, found strength in something entirely unexpected. During the Age of Gods, where Divinities and Celestials were starting to be birthed by the Original Lands, very few individuals rose.
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They were not Fallen Angels, but they possessed cruelty born from benevolence.
They were not Angels, but they wielded holiness with obscured souls.
They were not Giants, but they had the strength and roars of one.
They were not Demons, but they wielded evil with zealous eyes.
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The Nephilim were beings of Paradoxical Honor. They climbed the ranks of power through sheer determination and furor. Through the extensive knowledge of the System, only three Nephilim were ever sighted in History with minimum proof.
A child orphaned by gods. He amassed power and strength through the Virtues of Heaven. He wielded light like no one, but his path was paved in blood and torture, on the hunt of the divine and all that they represent.
A woman ruined by a demon. She overcame her fears and embraced the Sins of Hell. Her wrath was like none other, her blood lust unmatched, but her soul shone with purity. Her path to vengeance was carved by the smiles of those she saved.
A man left with nothing, sought everything. The most twisted and powerful Nephilim to have ever lived, a God-Slayer, a Demon-Slayer, a Pariah, a Savior, and a Monster. He lived with both light and darkness in his soul, life in his right and death in his left. The one they called the First Life Hunter, Father of Jörmungandr, Ryugen Reigen.
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As a Nephilim, you will consume both what leads others astray and forward. And as long as you hold the ground, they will never consume you.
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Do you wish to take on this Sub-Path?
Yes/No
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Note: The Host is currently too weak. If you select yes, it will be locked on and given to you upon reaching 250. Until then, small changes may occasionally occur.
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”Talk about being ominous,” Kaelith commented. ”Nephilim… I've heard of them. But I always had the impression that they were Half-Angel Half-Demon Hybrids. But it's normal for the knowledge to have died out since they are extinct,” she said and turned to Rakna who was gazing at the text in thought. ”Though that might change today…”
”Perhaps...” He said. Most of his attention was on the small paragraph depicting the third Nephilim known to the System. 'The First Life Hunter, huh? It's basically my old man's ancestor. What did Nyx call it? The Reigen Clan? Even the name checks out.'
”{It would seem so,}” Fray commented. ”{I have read of Nephilim years ago. We know that there were more than just three but no one was capable of ever identifying them. But it is theorized that the cause of Kingdoms, Continents, and Planets suddenly dying during the Age of Gods was due to the rampage of Nephilim; humans of transcendence. The misunderstanding of them being hybrids was born from how their power paralleled their nature. Nephilim were saints with the power of the Devil or monsters with the power of God.}”
'Or both,' Rakna added.
”{Or both. The Father of Jörmungandr… Apt to be a Nephilim.}”
”So, what are you gonna do?” Kaelith asked and he hummed. He glanced at the descriptions of the two other Legendary Sub-Paths and read all of it in a blink. The Way of the Emperor screamed the role of a ruler, a commander of armies, and a leader. He immediately ruled it out.
He certainly could fit the role if he tried but he had always focused on his own strength. Just like the old man had once said; they were not leaders. They were the kind of people to jump first into battle and end it before any sort of commander would be needed.
'Then this one,' Rakna switched to the Sinner Sub-Path.
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Way of the Sinner