The battle raged on.

The sound of clashing steal and splashing blood could be heard from almost anywhere in the land in between. After realising there was nothing they could do to help their fellow reaper, the ‘spectators’ quickly fled, searching for souls as far away as possible from the battle.

Many reaper’s died as collateral damage. Nearly 90% of the original reapers that came here had perished. More powerful reapers converged in this place over time, but, they faired no different to the originals. None of them could compare to the two beings battling each other.

Meanwhile, at the gateway of this place, the giant lake quivered in fear. Not daring to see the being that just arrived.

Malenia stood nearby, watching the battle unfold with a neutral face, but the excitement in her eyes couldn’t be hidden.

As the battle continued, it became fiercer and fiercer. The participants were getting stronger.

Mordarath was always a strong being. His skill with the sword was unparalleled in his life. His battle prowess, awareness and tactics easily surpassed any other human born from Eardh. But alas, after countless years of servitude and no real chance to fight, his skills became dulled.

However, this battle gave him the chance to polish his old weapons and make them shine again. As the battle raged on, Mordarath’s presence only grew stronger as each of his blows carried the mark of fatality and flowed as smoothly as water.

Rey, on the other hand, paled in comparison when it came to combat skills. He has never really fought before until after he died. Although his skills have improved by leaps and bounds since coming here, they still can’t compare to Mordarath’s.

Which is fine.

Since Rey’s strength was never in his skills to begin with.

[Soul Manifest]

[Name: Rey Stein]

[Race: Human]

[Constitution: Sloth]

[Soul Level: 34]

[@###%$^()!@#!@$#$%^#!@]

[@###%$^()!@#!@$#$%^#!@]

[Strength: 76]

[Agility: 88]

[Stamina: 101]

[Mana: 6700]

[Intelligence: 132]

[Ki: ?]

[Karma: ?]

[Luck: ?]

[Martial Affinity: Reaper’s Harvest]

[Spells: Incarnat, Rubius, Accel, Incras]>

[Abilities: Spark, Soul Manifest]>

In the time of this battle Rey has risen from level 18 to level 34 and his stats have nearly doubled. In no way was Rey losing in this fight when it comes to insane strength.

As the battle raged on, Malenia, continued to spectate with a seemingly interested look.

‘That Mord-something reaper is better than I realised. Perhaps I should reconsider leaving him in charge of this dump. Some weaker reaper can deal with this place, he should be used elsewhere’.

‘The soul though… to think that someone like that could come from this wasteland. And to grow so quickly as he fights. I’ve rarely seen such talent. If only he was born on a different world he could’ve gone far. I wonder… should I take him? He could be useful’.

*****

As Malenia considered her options as the battle raged on, elsewhere, a certain old bag of bones was struggling.

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The influx of dead arriving from Eardh was astronomical. All the reapers they could spare were already sent there but most of them were killed. Currently, the old codger and a few other elder reapers were using a divine artifact to reconstruct the bodies of the lost reapers.

There is no one else available to send there. All the remaining reapers cannot leave there assignments unattended. It may be time consuming, but the only remaining choose is to use the artifact. If Malenia were to find out they have this, saying she would be pissed is an understatement.

But what can she do…?

Kill them?

They wish she would!

As the elder reapers undergo the ritual, a bright circle filled with magical power illuminates the dark room at that place. Slowly the bones of the selected lost reaper reconstruct themselves until the full skeleton is complete, when the reapers soul reinhabits it. Taking a moment to get used to its new body, the reaper quickly returns to that place, determined not to get involved with those monsters again.

*****

After pondering her options for a good amount of time, in which Rey already reached level 36, Malenia decided on her course of action.

Instantly she appeared before the two combatants blocking both their strikes at each other without moving. She didn’t even chant something. A person just suddenly appeared before them and a golden hued aura interrupted their strikes, completely blocking them without any real effort.

“That’s enough”, she said in a beautiful feminine voice. Her slender figure and beautiful face with long blonde hair, golden eyes and small delicate features would make any man fall for her. However, as charming her appearance was, her aura was deliberating. Her voice, whilst being beautiful was also filled with authority and superiority. The way she carried herself demanded respect and Rey didn’t dare refuse after she suddenly appeared out of nowhere.

Neither Rey nor Mordarath dared say a word. Mordarath knew immediately who this lady was and started sweating profusely, his back completely drenched in mere moments. Rey didn’t have the same reaction; however, he could easily tell the kind of power this lady possessed. The air around her was suffocating even without her trying. He couldn’t imagine what would happen if he disobeyed her command.

Malenia turned to face Mordarth, his eyes immediately widening in horror, but to his surprise she simply said…

“That will be all reaper, go help the other with the clean-up.”

Mordarath was shocked beyond belief. There was no hatred or disdain in her words. There were no insults or lectures about his inability to reap this soul. He couldn’t believe his ears. But he also didn’t dare to test his luck. He immediately recollected himself and turned around. As he walked away he checked his watch to gain a heading and quickly left the scene before she could change her mind.

Malenia and Rey watched as he left until he was just out of sight, when she turned to him and silently stared at him.

Rey stared back, unsure of what he was supposed to do here.

After some time Malenia suddenly said…

“You fought many reapers in your time here, you clearly do not wish to pass. In acknowledgment of your talent, I will give you two options. The first is to serve me, and the other is to complete a task for me”.

Without saying anything more she waited for Rey’s response. However, contrary to her expectation Rey bowed and said…

“May I speak freely, my lady”.

‘He has decent etiquette?’ she thought as her eyebrow raised.

“You may”.

“When my lady says to serve her, does she mean as a reaper or as something else? Also, my lady mentioned a task, may I request a description of said task?” Rey said, remaining bowed the entire time, not daring to lift his head. This is not something he has ever done before or enjoys doing in the slightest. He does not wish to serve anyone, it’s just that… watching Mordarath leave without a word after she told him too… Rey realised that if he offends this lady he’s screwed.

Malenia continued to stare at Rey with her eyebrow raised. She wasn’t expecting him to request more information. Was she not clear enough? Regardless she decided to answer as she was pleasantly surprised that the boy realised his own station so readily. Most of the brutes she tries to hire dare to speak to her as an if they are equal or even as if she is below them. A quick show of might always shuts them up, but to think that the strongest one she’s ever tried to recruit was the most reasonable as well. Malenia was pleased with her decision.

“Yes, by serve me I mean you to become a reaper, and complete the duties of a reaper. However, out of respect for your talents I will acknowledge that becoming a reaper isn’t exactly a dream assignment and will offer you a chance”.

She paused for a moment, inspecting Rey for a reaction, however, he didn’t budge even a millimetre.

Inwardly sighing a little she continued, “the chance is to complete a task for me. I imagine you wish to return to the living realm and continue your life. Well, that is impossible, because the world you are from is currently being invaded”.

Rey’s eyes widened at this new piece of information. He wanted to ask more about it, but he refrained, holding every ounce of panic within him. Malenia noticed this and continued, not wishing to leave her explanation unfinished.

“The invaders are corrupt monsters, who are created by a dark god by the name of Nether. I won’t explain the details as to how this had happened as it is a delicate matter, however, at present over half the population of Eardh has been slaughtered by these creatures”.

Cold sweat began rolling down Rey’s face and back. This news was… horrifying.

“The chance I am offering you is as such; I shall return you to the living realm with a new body. In the time since you died, over 4 years have passed on Eardh, so your body has already decomposed. Your new body will have an expiry of 80 years, after which you shall serve me for an additional 80 years. In exchange, during your life on Eardh, you will defend the people and slay all the corruption that is invading your world. Is that agreeable?”

Malenia looked at Rey with an expectant gaze. In truth she wanted him to take the challenge. Either way she couldn’t allow Eardh to fall as Nether would be strengthened by its destruction. This is something she, or any of the gods could allow. So, if Rey would take this burden off her hands and even agree to serve her afterwards, she would basically come out with an overwhelming victory.

She didn’t have to wait long either, sensing a way to return home he immediately jumped on it, and if his actions could save his world then he would do it no matter if he had to serve 1000 years afterwards.

“This humble servant wishes to take my ladies challenge”, he said, still bowing to her.

“Good”, she replied with a small but pleasant smile.