Chapter 62: Bloodstained Horizon
"Taintstorm," Azrael repeated, his eyes fixed on the vast lands soaked in blood.
Veins bulged across his body as his eyes narrowed, several seconds passed in silence. Then he stood up, taking slow, measured steps towards the edge of the colossal tree.
’Blood... is a precious resource,’ he thought, the crimson armor he was still clad in—Truth Seeker—shimmered in demand to have its thirst quenched. The Cleansed armor didn’t care where the blood came from, all blood was going to do the trick.
’If I enter the snow, then the armor would rank up. There is no way I am missing out on that opportunity.’
He reached the edge, ready to jump, when a firm hand stopped him by the shoulder.
"What are you doing?" Victor’s voice was calm but laced with concern, contrasting the unnatural smile on his face.
"Pursuing strength. The blood will make me stronger," the Death Heir replied calmly, gaze still locked below.
Victor shook his head. "Like I said, Taintstorm must not be underestimated. The blood gives off a kind of mental haze, making you want to enter it. It tricks you into believing strength awaits on the other side."
He stooped momentarily before continuing. "But whether Marked or Proven, once you enter the snow, you never come out. Blood Knotted—sound familiar? That’s what you become if you fully enter the snow."
Upon hearing the name of the Reaver monster, its image appeared in his mind, five times taller than a man, with four hands and a body made of crimson blood.
It was a powerful being indeed, but Azrael wasn’t about to let go of the little humanity within him to allow his form to transform into a mindless monster with no will of its own.
Azrael’s eyes narrowed even further as he let out a shallow gasp. A weight lifted from his mind. ’Yes... he is right. This thing is dangerous—not to mention, was I just planning to jump from so high up? Even Cinder will not be fast enough to appear and break my fall.’