Hero of Darkness

Chapter 1192: Vow of Life

Out of nowhere, Kahn took out and displayed the Apple of Eden to the Godbeast Fenrir. He revealed this immeasurable source of world energy, something all the empires would wage a war for, just to convince the mighty beast in front of them.

[Martial Emperor must have planned for this. Means, in the original timeline, he met Godbeast Fenrir years later but survived using other means.

In this timeline, he knew that I would be forced to reveal the Apple of Eden.

Does that mean the Godbeasts were planning to join the Demon God in the original timeline as well?] thought Kahn to himself.

[Thankfully, it didn’t happen. Otherwise, no one would’ve survived that long.

I do not know how he escaped... but he must have kept the apple with me to achieve a different outcome this time.] he concluded, knowing how the original him planned things with a broad perspective.

”This... this is enough to help you become a Peak 8th-stage saint and might even help him become a beginner 9th-stage saint within a year,” said Fenrir with a bemused tone, his fiery eyes unable to hide his surprise.

”How many did you say you were going to have in total?” he asked.

”I’m giving away one, but I should still have four of them in the end.” replied Kahn.

Next, the godbeast spoke with a thoughtful voice...

”Just two will be enough. Three will make sure you become a Demi-God. The power is simply too much even for saints.

I even feel like devouring it. But it will be too big a waste since my hunger will be quelled only for a few months.

You, on the other hand, will be able to ascend with certainty.” he stated with all honesty.

”With lord Argos around... he might as well become another Demi-God if we are lucky.” spoke Kahn.

It was right then... Godbeast Fenrir looked at Argos Belmont.

”Are you going to tell him or should I?” said Godbeast Fenrir.

Argos gently placed his hand over Kahn’s left shoulder and shook his head.

”I have hit my limit already. At most, I will be able to become a Peak Saint naturally in a century or two.

My life would be extended by a couple more centuries, but becoming a Demi-God... It’s not possible for me.

That is why it should be used only by you.” spoke the vampire sovereign.

Rathnaar also chimed in...

”He is correct, boy. Eldritch Vampires have a far stronger bloodline and great growth potential. But their souls are another matter.

They can be considered on par with the Royal True Demon bloodline. But there has never been a deity of vampire lineage because of that very reason.

Their talent and bodies are far superior, but their souls are even weaker than a normal human.

The world offers two things, but at least takes one away, just like it does with all the other species.

You’re the only exception here because you come from a different world.” elaborated Rathnaar.

”The extra Apple of Eden... maybe save it for someone else and use it when the time is right.

Because after becoming a Demi-God... you won’t need any source of world energy at all.” said Jeoseung Saja.

”What? Demi-Gods use different kinds of power?” asked Kahn with a surprised face.

”The more you learn.” replied the envoy.

Godbeast Fenrir said in response...

”After you become a Demi-God... the power contained in this Apple of Eden will be absorbed within a few months, but you won’t become any stronger.

It is useful only below the Peak Saint rank.”

And the very next moment, the Godbeast took a deep breath and paused his words as he looked at the opposite side.

”I’m convinced.”

******************

Finally, the Godbeast Fenrir had come to terms with Kahn’s proposal and decided to spare his life.

”Do not mistake us for mere oversized beasts, Hero of Darkness.

We have lived far too long. We know and have experienced a lot of things in life. We have outlived many like Elder Dragons and Archangels.

Even the original 3 primordial species did not live as long as our kind.

The relic you hold with you... Even its creator didn’t live past a million years before he had no choice but to become a deity.

That is how old we are.” said the Godbeast in a regal tone.

”But unlike how the world or civilizations of any era portray us... We godbeasts; cherish life the most.” he divulged a hidden truth.

”We are accursed beings for seeking out the ultimate greed in the name of achieving the pinnacle of strength.

And it comes with a price of its own.” he spoke with a somber voice.

”Godbeast Baihu... he erodes the world around him. Plants, water, sand, metal, mana, world energy... he destroys it without even willing to.

He hasn’t touched anyone, or felt the gentleness of grass below his feet.

He is the antithesis to nature itself,” spoke Fenrir with a sympathetic tone.

”I on the other hand... My powers devour everything around me. It doesn’t discriminate and will hurt even those whom I do not wish to harm.

That is why I do not even have an underling to guard the borders of my territory. Because they die as soon as they feel my aura.

All of you also would’ve all been devoured, your bodies, your powers, and even your souls, engulfed by me before you could even see me.

Back then, Rathnaar barely managed to live because he was already a Peak Saint, and I was greatly restraining myself.

And at this moment, all of you are alive solely because of the barrier created by the Envoy of Death.” he explained how his own powers worked.

”Yet my hunger never stops. It just doesn’t end, no matter how much I feed it.” said the Godbeast in a nostalgic and regretful tone.

”That snake... Although I hate him. His life is no different than mine.

He can’t feel emotions, can’t taste anything. He lives in a perpetual state of wanting to live, to feel something, and at the same time, wanting to die and end his suffering.

He is like a moving corpse brimming with power and life, yet he doesn’t feel anything at all,” he explained.

”The Roc... that bird’s curse is that he can’t stay on the ground for more than an hour. If he does, he has to keep flying for 10 more days before he can land again.

It doesn’t matter if his wings have fallen or he is tired... he is forced to live that punishment till he dies.

And once he dies, he gets reincarnated again and then forced to fly for months this time.

His territory is filled with barren lands and deserts because nothing lasts there due to how strong the winds he produces while flying,” he iterated, shedding light on another Godbeast’s torment.

”And then there’s Behemoth. I almost pity him. Even though most of our powers don’t work on him...

He is the one suffering the most.” he spoke with empathy.

”He carries so much weight around that his body, despite being a godbeast, is constantly crushed from the inside. His organs get squashed and then healed again and again.

And the worst part is that he can only move 10 kilometers of distance whenever he wakes up.

But the biggest torment is that he wakes up only once a year for a single day. And he is forced to slumber for the rest of the year as his body is getting crushed and swollen while his bones shatter and he experiences excruciating pain all the time.” he explained with a crestfallen gaze.

”Compared to him, all of us feel lucky sometimes.”

Godbeast Fenrir then looked at Kahn and spoke...

”Why do you think I’m telling you all this, Hero of Darkness?”

Kahn wanted to say something, but he couldn’t. As someone who had experienced a lot of these ailments during his training... he could relate to their suffering.

However, Kahn’s torment ended a long time ago. But all the Godbeasts... they were enduring it for more than 2 million years already.

Some of them could be even older than Fenrir, and god knows how long they have lived this hellish life.

”I want you to understand what is at stake here. If I let you go... I’m not only giving up our chance at freedom, but also extending our torment on a mere hope that you somehow succeed and become a Demi-God to end our lives one day.

You have shown me a possibility that I wish would come true. But if it fails... I’m continuing our pitiful lives to who knows how long.” he explained with a pained countenance.

”We do not hate this world or want to destroy all the living beings. All the Godbeasts value life far more because we ourselves yearn for a normal life and death.

It’s just that our pain and the price we have to pay is beyond anything anyone in this world can endure.” he iterated with a firm tone.

”I will let you go on a condition that you make a Soul-Oath with me.

That you will either become a Demi-God within a decade and kill us.

Or bring us worthy challengers who can take my place in exchange for your life.” he said in a domineering tone.

Kahn understood the gravity of the situation. He would get to live, but also carry another great burden on his shoulder.

Just that he had 20 years to end the war with the Demon God. Here, it would be only 10 years to become a Demi-God or find the Godbeasts worthy successors.

”I accept.” said Kahn, resolute in his tone.

Kahn wasn’t rushing in because he had no other choice, or his back was pushed against the wall. At this time, he knew how great a responsibility it was.

Jeoseung Saja then carried on a Soul-Oath ritual between them.

The one to officiate this Vow of Life was none other than the Envoy of Death.

One hour later...

”Good. Now leave. He is coming.

And he won’t reason with any of you either. I can stall him for 3 days at most.” spoke Godbeast Fenrir with a serious tone, preparing to fight something malicious.

”Who’s coming?” asked Kahn.

Godbeast Fenrir’s expression turned cold, and his aura also erupted with malignant killing intent.

”Godbeast Basilisk.”