Chapter 2: Heir of Death
Every person was born with an Inborn Trait. Even those not blessed were given one the moment they came into the world. Some traits were more useful than others, much to the surprise of no one. If you were lucky, life became a breeze. But if you weren’t... your trait could become a curse.
Still, the most common story? Most didn’t even know what their trait was. Without the system to guide them, every Forsaken wandered like a headless chicken—lost, frantic, hopeless.
’I might have been the same if it wasn’t for the old man,’ Azrael thought, not slowing down his running pace. Lips closed tightly, not willing to let the healing elixir in his mouth spill by doing something as stupid as muttering.
’Even if it’s just a theory... it means there’s still hope.’
Azrael hadn’t been one of the lucky ones. With his sixteenth birthday approaching, the system still hadn’t chosen him; time had run out. He would never be gifted. Forsaken was the way the unlucky ones like him were described.
His life was basically set in stone. No system, no wealthy family, nor lucky opportunities—he would die in the only job that promised to pay him a somewhat livable wage. A monster corpse gatherer.
’My Inborn Trait... it has to be connected to absorbing power from those I kill.’ he mused. His black pupils narrowed, reminding him of the power he had gained from simply killing three mortal men. It was just a slight boost, but it was enough to feel it.
’So here’s the theory... If I can steal power from them, what happens if I kill Chosen? Can I devour their system too?’ He had to admit it was a reckless idea, one that wasn’t even his. It was entirely the old man’s theory.
But reckless or not, it was hope. And Azrael wasn’t about to rot in some forgotten corner of the world, only to die at twenty-three to a monster he never sensed.
It was either a life of greatness, one where he would reach the very top... or a short one, dying here after failing to kill Chosen.
’An early end in pursuit of greatness sounds better than a slightly longer one filled with stagnation and regret.’
His thoughts were interrupted, his body tensed, and his ears picked up the sound of a battle ahead.