A System That Beats Death 7 Vexation

He watched from the roof as the wolves swarmed his abode. With the numbers surrounding him, he thought they resembled rats more than wolves. They were all weak, mammals, and inferior to him.

Atlas descended from the rooftop in a swift manner. In one hand he gripped the wooden sword he crafted and in the other, he had his first attempt at forging weaponry. The Wolf Horde charged at him. The second they did, the sky began to darken and it had taken on a crimson hue.

"Lian Xin, I never would have guessed that you were allied with the wolves. After all, you sounded genuine when you tried to warn me", Atlas sneered.

At the very back of the horde, a silver-haired la.s.s stood next to a special wolf. Unlike the other wolves, it was the size of an elephant and had dark blue fur. It responded to Atlas' taunt by baring its teeth.

As the battle raged on, the horde had thinned out. The landscape was dotted in wolf viscera and crushed skulls. Atlas pulled his sword out of the wolf's head before looking towards Lian Xin.

To their astonishment, he had killed all four thousand wolves without breaking a sweat and remained uninjured.

"I thought you wanted to talk to the Fenghuang so what the h.e.l.l is this?"

"I need the Fenghuang's heart more than you do", Lian Xin said despondently.

Atlas was about to respond but the giant wolf interjected, "We have been watching you. You're definitely not a mortal that hasn't cultivated so you must be the Fenghuang"

It had been over a month since she had first arrived. She had only appeared five times and each time, she became more melancholic. A compa.s.sionate person might've sympathized with her plight but Atlas was indifferent. She might've reminded him of Riri but it was clear that she was no ally and did not trust him.

After all, the reason that the only animal he had ever seen was birds was because the Wolf Horde had surrounded him at a distance close enough to have an impact but far enough to not be seen. This instantly made him suspicious of Lian Xin as she got in despite the Wolf Horde blockade.

Through foraging, he had also realized that there were only 2 types of vegetation in this sector of the wilderness. They were either poisonous or bizarre. With Poison Immunity, he found out the hard way while with the bizarre plants, he thoroughly experimented. An example of a poisonous plant he found was a hallucinogen when consumed while an example of a bizarre plant he found was one that produced a substance that tasted similar to sea salt.

"My parents are ill and they can only be cured with your heart", Lian Xin pleaded.

"And? So I should die for these strangers I don't know?", Atlas scoffed in response.

"I know you're a good person so-"

"I know you're not one. Also I'm a phoenix not this Fenghuang", Atlas refuted her plea completely and regarded her with contempt. Every time she met him, it was to ask him to do something for her. He had welcomed her company on the first visit as he hadn't seen another human in a while but it had become bothersome. This time, she not only asked him for something but also wanted to take his life.

The giant wolf next to her sighed and said, "I told you. We can only take it by force" before charging at Atlas. Contrary to its immense size, it was faster than the other wolves. It rushed towards Atlas attempting to take a bite out of his abdomen. He swiftly dodged before striking the wolf in the stomach.

The strike was ineffective as the wolf seemed to have a golden aura protecting it. Atlas immediately stepped back and dodged the tail whip. It increased its speed to match Atlas' and charged. It attempted to chomp his arm off but he struck downwards and dislocated the wolf's jaw.

After a few strikes from Atlas, the Wolf Lord was downed and almost dead. Intending to land the finis.h.i.+ng blow, he lifted his leg up and prepared to crush its skull.

In that instant, a streak of lightning raced across the battlefield. The moment it reached them, Atlas collapsed.

"Good thing the Fenghuang doesn't know how to cultivate", the newcomer said.

"Thank you Master. If only things didn't have to be this way", Lian Xin said as she headed towards the scene of carnage.

Atlas lay there shocked. This world was not even remotely close to normal. It had exotic plants, talking wolves, and something that could effortlessly kill him. He had a.s.sumed the leader was the Wolf Lord but there was actually something stronger than even him.

He could revive but he decided not to as there was nothing in this world that really tied him down. The potential of becoming powerful could have but with the Wolf Emperor next to his corpse, he wouldn't waste another life even if he didn't value life itself.

As Lian Xin was about to take Atlas' heart, he imploded to her astonishment and grief.

What was not known to Atlas though was that he had left behind condensed phoenix essence which would cure the illness of Lian Xin's parents. It would then take on the form of a pendant which would become their family heirloom.

___________________________________________________________________________________________________________

[Previous Ident.i.ty:

Appellation: None

Age: 25 Gender: Male Death: Self Destruction Activities: Farming, Construction, Foraging, Smithing

Accomplishments: Wolf Reaper

Score: 7000]

Reward: *Randomizing*...Soul Fang

(Blade tempered by the souls of a thousand wolves. Has the ability to consume kegare/corruption)

[Sp.a.w.n Equipment: 1000 Currency, Simple Apparel, Sharp Knife, s.p.a.cial Ring, Phoenix Heart]

[Permanent Traits: Intelligence B+, Cognition B, Language B+, Strength A, Poison Immunity , Vitality B+, Speed B]

[Skills: Calculation C+, Cooking A, Combat A, Agriculture B+, Carpentry A, Herbalism B, Sword A, Archery C, Stealth B, Metalwork C]

[Abilities: [Aura of Purification: Automatic Body Hygiene, Automatic Dental Hygiene, Pa.s.sive Clean], Material Auxiliary Skill: Fertile Soil, Intimidation, Pure Water Generation, Spirit s.h.i.+eld, Combustion, Phoenix Aura,Spirit Fire]

[Past Fortune Calculated:

0 points added]

[New Score: 40170]

[Concealment Mask(-3000)]

[Cultivation Manual Failed to Purchase(Incompatible World)]

[Simple Apparel Upgraded to Blessed Robes(-750)]

[Heightened Senses(-750)]

[Score: 35670]

[Transferring Host: Yamato Temple]

___________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Despite being vexed by his powerlessness, Atlas was br.i.m.m.i.n.g with determination. He had experienced the tip of the iceberg. If he could die instantly then he was as weak as those he had categorized as cannon fodder. Whatever cultivation referred to, he would utilize it. After all, based on the novels he had read, cultivation was not a static concept and always varied accordingly.

He grinned excitedly and tightened his fists. If the Wolf Emperor was that strong then what would the pinnacle be like?

As he reveled in his daydreams, he heard someone snort. He turned his head to see a child with gray hair. Even though it was a child, Atlas was currently shorter than him which made him realize that he was a toddler in this lifetime.

"Even if you want to be great. You'll never beat my Moonsoul Apt.i.tude", the kid boasted as he puffed out his chest.

You are Itsuki, a child of the Yamato clan. After 2 years, the Apt.i.tude Test will deem you demonic and they will try to kill you. In this world, demons of the underworld roam and wreak havoc. To make the most out of this life, the network recommends the way of the sword

Instead of the system being too vague, the system was being too detailed. It now included the future in the synopsis and even described the world, Atlas thought as he read. He then reread it and his eyes darkened a bit.

Even though he had the chance to experience life with a decent family, they would neglect him in 2 years. Since he wasn't filial to begin with, he decided not to bother.

Itsuki walked past his brother who stopped boasting and looked at Itsuki concerned and slightly confused.

Over the next 2 years, their parents noticed that Itsuki had changed. He stopped playing completely and even stopped socializing with the other children. Despite being 3 years old, he spent all day reading and at night, he could be heard swinging a sword.

"Is Itsuki really alright? Even Kamui is concerned", his worried mother asked.

His father however was indifferent, "At this rate, he'll be a worthy successor to the Yamato clan"

Finally 2 years had pa.s.sed and it was time for Itsuki to take the Apt.i.tude Test. For many, this day was of the utmost importance as it determined their future. A successor's right to inherit would be removed if they received a common Apt.i.tude or a weak one.

The doors to the temple opened and everyone could see the enchanted waters of the Heavenly Spring. The priest gestured for Itsuki to step forth and he did so indifferently.

Before he continued, Kamui put his hand on Itsuki's shoulder and said, "It doesn't matter what your Apt.i.tude is. We're still brothers"

Atlas was slightly moved. After all, he had put forth an aloof disposition for 2 entire years to avoid dealing with the inconvenience of being troubled by a family. His brother Kamui still regarded him as a decent person despite this. He then steeled himself because that statement will likely be false. As soon as his Apt.i.tude was revealed, Kamui would shun him like the rest of the clan, Atlas thought.

He then stepped into the Spring and waded towards the middle. When he arrived at the middle, the water began churning at an incredibly fast rate. The faster the water moved, the stronger the Apt.i.tude the person possessed. His fellow clan members rejoiced at his tremendous potential but that soon died down as the color began to change. The color would determine the Apt.i.tude and this one was a notorious one. Itsuki stood in the center of the Spring and calmly gazed at the water. The Spring that once had clear and calm waters, now had a pitch-back and crimson whirlpool.

"The demonic Darkblood Apt.i.tude", the priest said frightfully.