Pain ripped through Kai’s soul like shattered glass, then died as fast as a snuffed flame.

  His breathing slowed, his heart settled back to normal. He cleared his head with a sharp shake.

  A second curse? Is that allowed?

  Kai checked his status:

  [Status]

  Name: Kai

  Rank: Marked

  Artifacts: [None]

  Summons: [Blooded Mantle]

  Attributes: [Death God’s Lineage] [Space God’s Lineage] [Bloodthirsty Heir]

  Gift: [Spatial Manipulation] [Lord’s Command (ERROR)]

  Curse: [Markless]

  Curse 2: [Easy Prey]

  Kai exhaled slowly.

  Three new additions to his status. An attribute [Bloodthirsty Heir], a summon [Blooded Mantle], and a new Curse [Easy Prey].

  None filled him with confidence.

  [Space God’s Lineage] and his [Spatial Manipulation] Gift had gone from borrowed to owned. The [Infinity Link] wasn’t an artifact anymore.

  The silver ring still curled around a finger on his right hand. Had it lost its power when Kharon forced Space God’s Lineage on him?

  He was in no rush to discard it - he had grown used to the weight.

  Kai examined his new summon first.

  [Blooded Mantle]

  Rarity: Legendary

  Description: Crafted by Kharon the Dreadful, forged in love and black abyssal flames - this entity shifts between three forms. It uses blood to mimic abilities or strengthen its soul-bonded wearer.

  Its endless thirst matches its unwavering loyalty.

  Kai’s eyebrows drew together.

  Forged in love and black flames?

  Was his brother genuine, or playing him like a fool?

  Either way, the black suit clinging to his body was a nastier piece of work than he’d expected. He smiled.

  Wouldn’t he have unlimited soul essence if he kept the suit supplied with blood?

  A small price to pay.

  Wait.

  Kai’s smile disappeared.

  When did I become soul-bonded to this thing?

  His knowledge of soul-bonds was sketchy at best. Bonding weapons to your soul was common enough among Marked, but bonding a bloodthirsty, sentient entity was unheard of.

  That sounded dangerous.

  More questions that needed answers.

  Kai checked his new attribute next.

  [Bloodthirsty Heir]

  Rarity: Rare

  Description: Embracing your bloodthirsty urges awakens your demonic lineage. While this ability is active, your damage, speed and aggression increase. Continued use of this ability further reveals your true form.

  An offensive ability - but it had a price.

  What was his true form - a Demonic monstrosity?

  I can only use this with no audience or no survivors. Troublesome.

  This attribute boosted his power but blew his cover as a human. A great way to paint a glowing target on his back.

  The suit granted borrowed abilities, but he couldn’t build a strategy on borrowed time. No way to know how long each power would last. The duration probably matched the blood reserves - but the numbers were unclear.

  Balance God clearly didn’t know how to balance anything.

  But complaints about the unfair system could wait - he needed intel on his new Curse.

  Maybe it’d be another slap on the wrist like his [Markless] Curse…

  Curse [Easy Prey]: Your natural aura is suppressed, making you appear weak and enticing to enemies.

  Kai regulated his breathing before anger could cloud his judgement.

  At face value, this Curse seemed tolerable. In fact, it could be useful - being underestimated was an advantage. But experience taught him to look for the catch.

  Looking weak was one thing - attracting enemies was another.

  Didn’t that mean everyone would wanna pick a fight with him?

  And he hadn’t gained reliable offensive power - just dangerous, unpredictable options.

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  Irritating.

  His new summon had soul-bonded to him without his knowledge. His new attribute made humans his enemies. His new Curse turned him into a walking target.

  How could anyone call that balanced?

  Kai’s voice cut through the silence. “Kharon…”

  “Ah, did Barab punish you for being unbalanced? Nothing too severe, I hope?”

  Kai’s fists clenched. “A second Curse.”

  Kharon nodded. “Makes sense. Two divine lineages are quite overpowered. The old fellow couldn’t let that slide - what’s the Curse?”

  Kai’s knuckles whitened. “Overpowered? My speciality is retreat. My attack power is a joke. One of my Gifts is broken.” His jaw clenched. “And now I have a Curse that makes me a walking target!”

  Kharon raised his hands - a weak peace offering. “Your attack power is a joke? You’re a Demon, little brother. Your natural strength exceeds any human peer—”

  “Right. I have an attribute explaining the suicide option. Use Demon strength, reveal Demon face. Great if I want Demon hunters burning me to ash.”

  Kharon shrugged. “Think Barab’s been too harsh? Tell him directly. He’s obsessed with balance, after all.”

  Kai’s frown grew deeper. “Tell him?”

  “Of course. You’re fully integrated after passing your trial, and you know his True Name. Why not negotiate?”

  Kai’s fists relaxed. “Negotiate? With a God? I can do that?”

  Kharon laughed. “Of course. You’re Death God’s heir. And Barab must keep the system balanced. If Balance God creates unbalance, how can he remain a God?”

  This new information gave Kai what he never thought possible - leverage against a god.

  If Kai could cut deals with Balance God…work the system from the inside - he could rewrite the rules.

  Balance God had been rigging the game against him since that first error.

  If he could prove the god’s mistakes, how much stronger would he become?

  Would he get a powerful ability?

  If he could pull this off…

  Kai glanced at the brother who had just usurped his free will.

  Maybe his Guardian wasn’t completely useless.

  Maybe his brother actually wanted the best for him.

  “How do I contact Balance God?”

  Kharon raised his chin. “Connect to the system and call his True Name. Prove his judgment wrong, and he’ll have no choice but to respond.”

  Kai followed Kharon’s instructions. He formed a mental connection with the system. It felt as natural as breathing. Strange how quickly he adapted to it.

  “Balance God Barab. You’ve given me a second Curse because I have two divine lineages. But I can’t use one of them. You know this because there’s an error message beside the Gift.”

  Kai shook his head. “My only offensive ability has deadly downsides. Now you’ve made me a walking target.” Kai shook his fist in the air. “You’ve been against me from the start. You call this balance? I call this a bloody travesty!”

  Kai caught Kharon smiling and nodding with approval. The dark castle fell silent. Kai worried he might have crossed the line.

  Maybe Barab would kill him instead of responding - a fast way to balance things.

  Then words flowed into his head. The words felt sharper than before, then thoughtful. Even…ashamed?

  [Considering…]

  [Balancing…]

  [Sacrifice a reward for an additional attribute?]

  His reward? For passing his First Trial?

  Why should he give up his rewards to fix this bastard’s mistakes?

  “No. My reward was for performing well despite your unbalanced treatment. That has nothing to do with fixing your mistake. In fact…”

  Kai hesitated, unsure if he was pushing too hard. “I should get a powerful reward for the unfair treatment I’ve endured.” He raised his chin, trying to hide his fraying nerves.

  Balance God’s response carried hints of defeat and resignation.

  [Considering…]

  [Balancing…]

  [You have received: [Bloody Travesty] attribute]

  [Rewards will not be upgraded]

  [Claim rewards?]

  “No, I’ll look at the rewards in a minute.” Missing the upgrade was a disappointment - but getting a new attribute was a win.

  If it was actually useful.

  [Bloody Travesty]

  Rarity: Divine

  Description: You can use blood to create a temporary, terrifying aura that makes you appear like a crazed predator to those who perceive it.

  Your soul essence becomes unstable for two minutes after activation.

  Any blood works? It doesn’t have to be my own? A perfect match for my suit.

  Kai’s frown disappeared.

  A divine attribute? Now that was more like it.

  The new attribute countered the negative effects of his ridiculous new Curse. The downside made his soul essence unstable for two minutes - but that seemed balanced enough.

  He wouldn’t need soul essence if the ability frightened away his enemies.

  If weak enemies surrounded him - he could intimidate them until his suit’s blood ran out. Killing those who couldn’t escape, absorbing more blood and maintaining the intimidation infinitely.

  But if a powerful enemy arrived and intimidation failed - he’d be weakened and at their mercy. He’d have to use this ability carefully and strategically.

  Not bad.

  Kai looked up at the ritual chamber’s ceiling. “Alright, I’m ready for my rewards.”

  [Calculating Rewards…]

  [You have received 95 Darkshards.]

  A glowing leather pouch materialised before Kai. He caught it as it fell. Ninety-five Darkshards. Almost enough to complete the mission that started all this.

  But Kai had a different mission now - making Renzo pay in blood.

  More words flowed into his mind.

  [Claim your rewards.]

  Item: [Friendly Grasp]

  Attribute: [Stonewall]

  Kai delayed claiming his rewards. Why take them when there was room for negotiation? He knew the system’s history of unfair treatment.

  First, he examined the item.

  [Friendly Grasp]

  Rarity: Rare

  Description: A generous and kind champion raised a drake into an adult dragon. Loyalty and respect bonded them together through many adventures.

  At the end of his life, the champion offered his flesh to the dragon. The dragon shed a tear over his meal that day - for these gloves were too sturdy for even a dragon’s fangs to chew.

  That tear seeped into the fabric of these gloves, imbuing them with power.

  Effects:

  - These gloves allow you to tame any animal/beast you touch.

  - Taming success depends on comparative strength. Stronger beasts may become enraged.

  - These gloves can repair themselves and change colour.

  Not a weapon - but still useful. If he met that dragon someday, would it recognise the gloves and become his ally? Or would it get angry and become his enemy?

  Kai didn’t want to find out.

  He checked the attribute next.

  [Stonewall]

  Rarity: Common

  Description: Become as solid as a stone wall. You gain nearly impenetrable defence while stationary.

  Kai scoffed. The attribute was useless. He was right to distrust that miserly old god. Barab was trying to cheat him with worthless crap.

  Kai’s strength lay in teleporting and staying mobile. Remaining still to use an ability was out of the question. Teleporting away was a better defence than standing still and hoping for the best.

  He raised his chin even higher.

  “I refuse the Stonewall attribute. We both know it’s useless to me. I request an attribute that actually counts as a reward.”

  The words flowing into Kai’s mind carried a hint of grumbling, then resignation.

  He had seen through Barab’s scam.

  [Generating new reward…]

  [Claim your rewards.]

  Item: [Friendly Grasp]

  Attribute: [Infinite Echo]

  Kai explored the new attribute with a small smirk.

  [Infinite Echo]

  Rarity: Rare

  Description: When you move fast enough, you leave a controllable echo behind.

  Your echo contains a portion of your power and a personality that attracts enemies. It can complete any task you can complete, albeit less efficiently.

  Echoes can last up to 15 seconds or until destroyed.

  You can create multiple echoes simultaneously.

  Kai’s smirk grew wider - he’d hit the jackpot. The infinite echo attribute fit his Gift like a glove. He could already picture countless deceptive and disruptive strategies.

  Kai lowered his head and spoke.

  “Thank you, Lord Barab. I’m satisfied. I claim these rewards.”

  Heat spread through his body. Black gloves materialised and spread from his wrists to his fingertips.

  The fabric felt unlike anything he’d ever touched. They were soft and lightweight. Beneath the surface, material like Drakmar scales lay hidden.

  Kai sighed and muttered to himself. “Will I ever get a powerful weapon?” His fate appeared to be endless retreat and dependence on borrowed muscle. The risks of that strategy were obvious.

  He needed to protect himself.

  A powerful weapon or ability of his own…

  Kharon’s expression darkened; his jaw tightened. Was he upset? Kai had never seen Kharon without his usual smile or carefree energy.

  What had he missed?

  Thank you for taking the time to read this chapter.

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