A System That Beats Death 8 Aptitude

In this world, strength is wholly determined by the Apt.i.tude. Apt.i.tude is the innate ability of the individual and is predetermined. It cannot be changed and directly influences the soul. With a powerful Apt.i.tude, only then could one hope to thrive within this demon-infested world. Each Apt.i.tude has its own abilities, way to temper the soul, and how it would influence the user.

After hearing of the Moonsoul Apt.i.tude, Itsuki had spent his time researching Apt.i.tudes, demons, and the legends of the world. There were multiple categories but Kamui's was considered Celestial as it refined using moonlight and made the individual more enchanting. The system had indicated that his Apt.i.tude would be demonic which was another category. Demonic Apt.i.tudes were often the bane of one's existence for many people. Just by having a Demonic Apt.i.tude caused the user to shunned as they were known for their vile methods and malicious nature.

The fabled Darkblood Apt.i.tude is the epitome of demonic Apt.i.tudes. It is activated through bathing in the blood of the dead. The tempering material is abundant but the Apt.i.tude does not provide a method to refine the blood which leaves it corrupted. Even if someone could overlook the use of blood, they would be troubled by the fact that every single Darkblood user became insane after consistent tempering. The absorption of unfiltered blood would pollute their soul with kegare and warp their disposition. However, there was one thing that Darkbloods were good for... at least, according to those indifferent to the suffering of the Darkblood user.

His mother's face visibly darkened while his father's gained a sinister smirk.

Kamui is already guaranteed the position as the successor because of Moonsoul but I didn't expect the brat to have Darkblood, his father thought.

The procession became incredibly solemn and silent. Terror gripped their hearts as a bringer of calamity was within their view. They always knew such a pariah wouldn't be beneficial but they did not expect that he would be a Darkblood user.

Contrary to everyone else's expression, Itsuki was elated. He also did not expect that his Apt.i.tude would be the notorious and domineering Darkblood. He would have been content with the Unique Apt.i.tude of Loneshade but Darkblood went above and beyond.

After a silence filled with trepidation, Lord Yamato had finally said without remorse, "Offer him to the Miasma"

Itsuki was then led away while accompanied by 20 men. They all had decent Apt.i.tudes and were there to ensure that Itsuki doesn't die before being sacrificed.

The journey to the sacrificial grounds would take over 10 days. Along the way, there would be the occasional demon which was weaker than a sick dog as the Miasma Lord did not want to inconvenience those who had sacrificial offerings.

As Itsuki had been in seclusion for 2 entire years, none of the men had a favorable impression of him and were even jealous of his previous privileges.

"How does it feel to have your father abandon you? It sucks right? The Lord no longer wants such a c.r.a.ppy brat around", one of the men began taunting.

The raucous group jeered harmoniously but were irritated by Itsuki's indifference. Throughout the entire journey, he had not been fed for 4 days straight and they had covered him in the blood of the demons they had killed along the way. To their dissatisfaction, Itsuki did not react and he oddly looked even cleaner than they did. The group didn't know that Itsuki was storing the blood for the Apt.i.tude Activation and his hygiene ability allowed him to disregard cleanliness entirely.

One of the men who had held a grudge due to an incident before Itsuki's personality change had also joined the the envoy. They were sick of Itsuki's indifference and wanted to teach the brat a lesson.

"They say fire cleanses the soul"

He then dragged Itsuki towards their campfire. Looking forward to the screams of pain made him think, after this you wouldn't dare call my daughter ugly.

As the flames licked Itsuki's face, it did not burn and no pleas to stop were heard. It did elicit a reaction though. He sneered contemptuously and the campfire suddenly burst.

A pillar of blood red flames engulfed the entire forest and reached the sky. It emitted virtually no heat and nothing was burnt but anyone witnessing it would shudder endlessly.

When the flames settled, the envoy of men writhed in agony. They were unable to endure the alien pain which was neither physical nor emotional and had no known origin.

Even though they weren't burnt alive, they felt as if every fiber of their being was sizzling. Itsuki then calmly walked towards them while they were racked with pain that impacted their very existence.

"Fire does indeed cleanse the soul", Itsuki said before swinging downwards with a katana that seemed to possess a feral temperament.

Covered by the blood of his clansmen, he then sat down as if nothing significant had occurred. The blood then began to drain from the cadavers. It then began to flow towards Itsuki as if he was a magnet. As soon as it reached him, it floated into the air and began to coagulate into a huge sphere. Itsuki then thrust the ethereal sword into the sphere. A blinding light emitted and the sphere slightly decreased in size.

He then wiped the tainted blade with his bare hands. The pure blood covering his left hand began to spasm greatly. His red eyes then shone with a murderous glint. The Apt.i.tude had finally activated and no one could stop him anymore.

[B-Rank Quest Completed:

Soul Perception Acquired

3000 Points Added]

His next action confused Kamui who watched despite being horrified by the bloodbath. His had only needed the light of a full moon so he couldn't fathom an Apt.i.tude this vicious.

Itsuki plunged the sword straight into his abdomen like a samurai committing seppuku. The blade caused bile to rise and a black substance expunged from his throat. After 20 minutes, he then extracted the blade. It had retained the dark blue color but now had red runic symbols etched across the blade.

[Soul Fang Evolved: Dark Revelation]

(Blade with the ability to purge corruption and rend souls)

[Skill Soul Perception Activated]

With his new ability, his vision began to distort. Wisps of grey flame had apparated on the bodies of the dead clansmen and a white flame stood close by, clearly trying not to be seen. To his surprise though, his own soul was the brightest and most pure. He a.s.sumed it was because he only had sc.u.m as comparison. However, his soul was not the benchmark but the paragon.

He then decided to test the sword's new ability. Stabbing a cadaver, the wisps died out and somehow the corpse had s.h.i.+vered and also began to instantly rot.

Kamui then jumped out instinctively and began to admonish him, "Not only do you kill our clansmen but you also desecrate their corpses. Do you have no respect for the dead?"

Itsuki laughed.

"You were lured out by corpses. Do you want to become one?"

Kamui was about to continue berating Itsuki but the question gave him gooseb.u.mps.

"In life, they were sc.u.m and in death, they will be worse. Why respect that?"

"They were your fellow clansmen!"

"Aaah Yes, the same one who wanted to sacrifice me", Itsuki sneered. As if he would ever oblige to become a sacrifice in any lifetime.

"It would bring 50 years of prosperity to the clan!"

"You think I care about the clan?"

"We raised you!"

"To be a tool. Besides, groups are for the feeble and weak-minded."

Kamui looked in horror at this 5 year old child as if he was an abomination. The ideals were far too demonic and individualistic which contrasted too heavily with this era's clan-oriented life.

"Are you actually my brother?", Kamui asked fearfully.

"Not since you watched me get dragged away", Itsuki said hatefully before turning to leave.

"Next time we meet will be our last. I look forward to how enchanting your soul will be"

Kamui stood in shock a for a while before deciding to return to the Clan. He then saw a mountain of lesser demon corpses right behind him and s.h.i.+vered.

___________________________________________________________________________________________________________

In a dilapidated paG.o.da, a messenger arrives to notify one of the five Demon Generals. A twin-horned oni the size of a hill, read the letter briefly.

"Looks like you'll be getting a younger brother", he said to the person in the corner of the room.

The person who looked like a youth lifted his head and then slightly nodded. He had distinctive blood red eyes and pitch-black hair similar to Itsuki's.

Blood began to apparate and surround him in a spherical fas.h.i.+on. The sphere then compressed and he had disappeared.

In a random village far away from other clans, the people worked as usual. The only thing unusual was the blood red sky. A little girl pointed at a flying figure and nagged her mother. However, the mother didn't respond as blood began to pour from her eyes.

[Blood Lord's Decree]