Now that he was certain he could create Forgotten from Artificial Cores, however lesser they were, Alaster quickly moved onto his final goal before dawn.

After waking up after the siege, Alaster had checked his Status and found that he had gained quite a few Abilities and Bonuses. [Shared Pain] would allow him to transfer damage from himself to his own Minions, up to four Minions and within ten meters. That was a powerful Bonus considering he could create Minions like the Iron Guardians, whose entire purpose was to take damage.

But that was not what Alaster was focusing on at the moment. He had gotten [Shared Pain] after his Intelligence rose to five hundred. But Intelligence was not the only Stat to raise to five hundred, it was not even the first.

Once his Wisdom had reached five hundred, Alaster had gained a bonus called [Reaper’s Touch]. It allowed him to consume the Souls of the dead. From the Mana Streams, Alaster was able to decipher that doing so would permanently increase his own Stats depending on a fraction of what the Soul’s stats had been while it still lived.

However, the Bonus had no range stated, or limit. All it stated was the Mana Cost, a paltry two thousand. It also warned not to allow the souls to consume him, so Alaster had been cautious about using the Bonus recklessly.

However, after the siege, there were hundreds, potentially thousands of souls lingering around the city. Over time, they would diminish on their own. Alaster did not know when he would next find so many souls in one place. He did not want to leave without at least attempting the Bonus.

Alaster silently made his way out of the Siphas Estate, using the Shadows to avoid the guards as he did not want to cause a scene. Looking to the purple sky, Alaster suspected he had an hour or two before dawn. Not a long time, but Alaster decided not to rush. He did not know when he would next be able to walk the streets of Onigas.

This early in the morning, the streets were deserted. As someone accustomed to being alone and tied to darkness, it was strangely peaceful.

Unfortunately, Alaster could not leisurely walk and was soon at his destination. Where the souls were densest. Alaster could not see them with the naked eye, but he could certainly feel them.

Unsurprisingly, the concentration of souls was also the location of his death. The city had not yet managed to completely clear the debris of the fallen wall. There was still a small hill of shattered stone bricks.

Alaster climbed the hill without much effort. Standing at the apex, he looked up. To an outside observer, it appeared as if the young man was staring at the night sky. In truth, Alaster was looking at the souls.

Only the strongest of souls could retain their shape. The souls that surrounded Alaster were all shapeless, but not without their own wishes and goals. Their own dreams, their own hopes.

Despite the wording of the Bonus, Alaster would not destroy the souls, instead, a portion of the soul would be consumed, the rest would move on to the other side, the Ether.

“Thank you for your sacrifice.” Alaster solemnly prayed.

Closing his eyes, Alaster activated [Reaper’s Touch]. It started slowly. Unseen to the naked eye, Alaster’s own soul expanded from his body, taking the shape of an greenish orb around him with hints of red and brown. Suffused with the orb, was black, adding a dark undertone.

The orb finished growing, extending three meters past Alaster’s body. As it did, it pulsed, sending a wave through the area. The mindlessly swirling souls froze as the wave crashed into and through them. Then, they shot towards the orb. Swarming to it.

As the souls reached the orb, they entered it, causing ripples through the orb.

Alaster felt unaffected by the first ten, but there were many more than ten. His body grew tense as it strained to withstand the barrage. His nose began to bleed. He collapsed to his knee, spitting out a mouthful of blood.

The unseen orb gradually shrunk, cracks forming, spiderwebbing throughout.

Despite the pain Alaster was in, he didn’t put a stop to it. He couldn’t. It was not just the pain, but the emotions crashing into him. The raw souls all had their own emotions and thoughts, and as they were absorbed, Alaster felt all of them.

He felt their hopes, their dreams, their fears, their nightmares. It was almost overpowering. Almost. Alaster felt his mind slipping, being consumed by the wave of emotions, but he focused on his own. His own emotions, his own dreams. His own goal. He imagined holding his sister once again. Of the blood of her kidnappers running through his fingers.

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That image allowed Alaster to keep his own identity. Even with the hundreds of other identities slamming into him.

Alaster was not sure how long he knelt there, but gradually the flood turned into a stream, then a river, then a trickle. He remained there, his nose bleeding, for several minutes after it ended.

Raising his head, Alaster heard the system give a notice. He opened his Status.

[Reaper’s Touch Complete

Stats Received

Strength: 264

Dexterity: 231

Constitution: 272

Wisdom: 178

Intelligence: 183]

Even after the souls were all consumed, his body was in agony as his body was forced to adapt so much so quickly. Alaster knelt there, trying to push through the pain. He was not sure how long he knelt there, but he soon felt the warm gentle sun warm his Pact Armor.

With a grunt of pain and his body’s protests, Alaster stood up, letting his helmet melt away before spitting out another mouthful of blood and wiping his nose and mouth clean. The helmet formed around his head once more and Alaster headed back into the City.

His body ached with each step, prompting him to summon the Skeletal Stallion from his soul and climbing on. The Stallion walked gently, Alaster still felt pain every step, but it was diminished.

Without the energy to merge through the shadows to avoid the guards, they all saw him. Luckily, they had all learned what the savior of their city looked like, as well as heard the stories of what little patience he had. None of them stopped him as he walked through the different walls.

As Alaster rode closer to the City Lord’s residence, the roads became more crowded. It seemed that everyone wanted to see the Galmorian Delegation leaving. Many had seen them arrive in their flying carriage and news had spread causing everyone to want to see it. Certainly, was not every day you saw something flying and didn’t want to eat you.

Yet despite how crowded the street became, they all cleared a wide berth around Alaster. Refusing to show weakness, even if that’s all he felt, Alaster sat straight and proud in the saddle.

He eventually made it into the City Lord’s Estate where only the more esteemed of the Nobility were allowed through. Apparently, there was a list provided to the guards. Regardless of if Alaster’s name was on the list, the guards did not halt him.

Nonetheless, Alaster got off his Stallion with a muted groan and sent the beast through the portal to his Domain. Fighting through his pain, Alaster stood straight and walked forward. The courtyard was filled with Nobility. Some more arrogant than others. Some looking at Alaster with reverence, others with fear. But the Noble Family that caught Alaster’s eye was the one that looked at him like a tool.

Not at all a surprise to Alaster, it was the Lewale Family. He spotted Arthur standing behind his father. Alaster ignored the family and continued towards the golden carriage he had already ridden once before.

It now had a second carriage attached to it, which Alaster suspected was reserved for the guards. The Delegation was standing in front of the carriages, their guards surrounding the carriages. It seemed the Galmorian Nobles were still discussing some final things.

Alaster walked towards Azemar, who he saw standing to the side.

“I thought we were leaving at dawn.”

“First lesson, politics is always late.” Azemar sighed.

“Anything that requires my presence?”

“No but stay out here regardless.”

Alaster sighed, but listened to his teacher, remaining standing next to him. It was another hour before the Galmorian Nobles began to trickle into the carriage. However, before Alaster could get in, the City Lord caught his attention.

Alaster walked over while the last of the Delegation entered the carriage, followed by the guards in the second carriage. Azemar walked over to the door of the Noble Carriage but waited to enter.

“What is it?” Alaster asked.

“Two things really. First, as the City Lord of Onigas. While you are technically independent from either city, the Galmorian people will still associate you with Onigas, so please don’t do anything that would reflect poorly on us.

Second, as a father. I’ve seen the way my daughter looks at you. As a father, no one is ever going to be good enough for her. But you might just be the closest. If you desire it, I will accept you.”

Alaster shook his head, “I’m afraid I can’t allow myself to think about anyone that way until I find my sister. Perhaps afterwards. I don’t know.

However, now that we are talking, as things stand currently, I would wish to bring my sister here after I rescue her. This is the City I most know and trust.”

“You are seeking to live here?”

“As things stand. I have no doubt that they will change. However, I do wish to confirm the ability to live here.”

Keylan chuckled, “You needn’t ask at all. Should you return with the desire to a life in Onigas, I promise you will always have a home here. And with this new alliance, we might even be able to stand against Lissura, at least in this. Just don’t expect us to be able to wage a war against them.”

Alaster shook his head, “No, I won’t be involving anyone in my vengeance. Least of all Onigas.”

Keylan nodded before he turned serious, “Alaster, be careful, and leave none alive.”

Alaster grinned sinisterly, “Not a chance.”

“Farewell then.” Keylan held out his hand.

Alaster took it, “Farewell.”

Letting go, Alaster walked over to the carriages. He took one last look behind him. His eyes immediately located Astrid and Iris, sitting on the stables roof. Alaster waved at them, which elicited a loud cheer from the crowd as they thought he was waving to them. But the two women understood and waved back. The Siphas Family waved and Alaster returned it.

Finally, Alaster entered the carriage and sat down. Even with the six representatives, there was still plenty of space. Azemar entered after Alaster, closing the door behind him. As he did, Alaster felt the carriage lifting off the ground.

He was leaving Onigas. His destination? The final step before he went after his sister. He was eager, restless, and above all, bloodthirsty.

How many more would die?