XXXI

The reaper bursted into laughter after hearing the mortal's words but ascertained something and hovered in the air in daze.

"You're proposing that we break the Absolute Law?" The reaper's tone was in disbelief.

Kzel smiled. He searched the archive a while ago and found a high level player's notes about beings from another planes in Infinity. The more powerful they are and the higher plane they are from, the more restrictions are applied to them. However, even if they can't enter the mortal plane, they can still force their way but suffer memory lost and their existence must materialize. Naturally, they are elevated lifeforms and their powerful lifeforce would reject their material form causing them to disintegrate in minutes.

This is were the trick come to stage. Reapers, valkyries and more had a purpose in existing in the mortal planes. Furthermore, summoners can conjure higher beings from other planes to assists them after making a contract with them.The so-called bindings. So, if a powerful being just like Dnavar had a purpose and bindings to the mortal planes, he could exist there without any penalty but have a time limit. The absolute law wouldn't directly interfere but send its Reinforcers to balance things out.

The reaper floated nearer Kzel and chuckled, "You're a crafty one. I've never been outside the Web in over a hundred mortal years. I would gladly take that offer even without any payment."

"That's settled then," Kzel spread his arms, "Now let's make the bindings!"

Aviree was shocked while Cleera's face displayed astonishment. They both knew the summoning circles and rules of contract. But they had never ever thought of taking advantage of a trapped being.

The reaper considered for a moment. The two women were more powerful but it couldn't pass up the cunning man. It then extended a hand towards Kzel, "Stay very still. This will hurt your very lifeforce."

Its bony finger went through Kzel's leather armor without any resistance. The Rzir gritted his teeth and stifled a scream as the bony finger made contact with his skin. Not only the flesh felt the agony but his entire existence. When the reaper retreated its hand, Kzel dropped on his knees with a new notification in his vision.

>>Received Greater Reaper's Mark(Dnavar)

- Unlike the possession stages of Demons and Evil Spirits that includes marking and weakening their victims before taking control of the body, Greater Reapers mark their target as prey. Wherever they go, the reapers would eventually find them.

[Penalty Reversed]

Final Destination Unlocked! (Passive)

-Instantly kill a being that only have 10% left of their maximum HP and harvest their soul or source of existence, storing it in the Reaper's Mark.

<<

"Wait a minute.." Kzel protested after reading the description, "This is not the right mark. I just became your prey and also a marked target for other reapers!"

"Unfortunately, I'm not a being to be shackled," The reaper cackled, "But I'm not stupid to reject a chance of freedom by harvesting your soul. I'll appear by your side in the pretense of reaping you but will not do so. You can then point anything you want me to harvest. In case of other reapers, I warded your soul. It's claimable only by me."

Kzel felt a shiver run down his spine. He swallowed hard before asking, "So that finished the binding process. What's the arcane words to summon you?"

The Rzir saw an imaginary sneer on the demon skull mask of the reaper as it answered, "My name and form."

"Youre name?"

"Yes. My existense only recognize my form and name in other planes." With a single motion, the crystallized Soul Siphoning Orb was snatched from Kzel's grasp, "As for this, I know exactly the right item to trade it with."

It tore a piece of it black robe and handed it to Kzel who started appraising it.

>>???????????<<

Kzel raised a brow at Dnavar who was expecting him to be awestruck. The fabric started to stretch and Kzel started to wonder if he should strap it around his waste like an obi. He decided against it and wrapped it around his neck. The fabric grew in size and took form.

>>Scarf of Death

-The fabric is made from the essence of death.

Passive:

Death Brand

-Completely hides the wearer's presence including any elements related to the wearer. It will also blur the wearer's figure when being threatened affecting any attacker's sight and aim causing them to miss by 45%.

+50% Damage Reduction from Fatal Strikes

<<

Kzel nodded to the reaper and turned to Aviree and Cleera, "Do you have any more business here?"

Both women shrugged, "We've no more soul to trade."

"Let's get out of here then." Kzel nonchalantly said.

Aviree started to chant until a portal slowly took form displaying the fertile earth on the other side. Kzel took a last glance at the reaper who stared longingly at the portal, considering whether to try and step to the material plane. With a wave, Kzel followed behind the women.

Once in the plane of the living, the trio watched the portal close. Afraid that something might come out of it and become its first victim.

"What's next?" Aviree asked as she dropped her backpack on the ground and started inspecting its content.

Kzel studied the ground for a moment. He saw tracks of horses coming and going. He could only deduce that the Order might have tried to find their track. "Let's go find a shelter for the night or make camp. We'll go find a settlement at first light."

The trio carefully threaded down the hill after seeing the flicker of lights coming from the village they destroyed a while ago. Aviree signaled the two to a halt after hours of being watched by wary preys and potential predators.

"There's a cave!"

Kzel crouched down and sneaked into the entrance of the cave and a notification appeared.

>>Glittering Cave (Normal Dungeon) [Lvl. 10-35]<<

'What the hell?' Kzel whispered to himself after seeing the glowing crystals further inside the cave. They are certainly precious. How Lady Luck blessed him in every turn.

'A dungeon, huh?' The Rzir caressed his chin, wondering if he can take NPCs inside and clear the dungeon. He then motioned Aviree and Cleera that it's clear. Suddenly, something inside him pulsated and he dropped on the ground, his body violently shaking.

>>Dark Affinity is Awakening!<<