The clash of steel echoed through the air, accompanied by the hiss of a snake and the yellow sand soaked in blood.
"I must admit, your resistance is impressive," Azrael said, his voice cold.
"But I've had enough." Without hesitation, he leaped into the sky, delivering a crushing punch to the python's head, sending its massive body crashing to the ground.
The python's body was covered in cuts and puncture wounds.
Even with his strength, piercing its tough hide had been a challenge for Azrael.
His sword hadn't fared much better, now broken in two, with the tip embedded in the snake's flesh.
Azrael used every ounce of his strength in each blow.
The body he inhabited was far stronger than a normal human's, a vessel that allowed him to endure these grueling battles, each one adding to his growing experience.
Yet, his movements were still rough, hindered by the limitations of his human form.
Pushing beyond those limits made his body resist in ways he couldn't quite control yet.
Azrael was a warrior, determined and relentless. Nothing would stand in his way.
He always powered through, no matter the obstacle.
The world of the celestials was merciless. The grandeur they projected was only a mask, hiding the true nature of their pride and power—a dangerous combination.
The python's wounds were shallow; they wouldn't be enough to kill the beast.
But the loss of blood had weakened it, leaving it alive but helpless.
---
[Ding]
[The python has been subdued. You have unlocked the first option rewards.]
[Body capacity [20%] <<< +10%]
[Body capacity: 30%]
[Congratulations! You've unlocked your first new body. Would you like to proceed with evolution?]
[Yes or No]
(–_–)
"Do you really need to ask? My hatred for you grows," Azrael muttered under his breath.
[Note: Rewards cannot be given until the host responds to the system's inquiry.]
Azrael's irritation flared. "Even though it's my own power that's been taken away from me..."
[Affirmative.]
"Fine! I choose 'Yes!' Happy now?" he shouted, exasperated.
'Just wait until I get my full power back,' he thought darkly.
'I'll be strong enough to kill the supreme ones, especially the one who created this system and didn't return my power.
Instead, I'm reduced to scavenging for scraps of my own strength—power that took me centuries to master. You'll all pay for this.'
While Azrael ranted to himself, Evan stood nearby, watching him silently.
A dagger was clutched in her hand as she studied her partner, who was seemingly lost in thought.
'One stab to the neck and this could all be over,' she thought.
But then she remembered the elders' warnings.
'No, he's practically immortal. I can't kill him yet—not until I'm stronger.'
Evan looked at the deranged Azrael, shouting into the air like a madman.
"Has he lost his mind?" she wondered. "Hey!"
She raised her hand, ready to snap him out of his trance, when she noticed something strange.
Cuts were forming on Azrael's skin, spreading like a web across his body.
Blood began seeping through the lines, as the intricate pattern carved itself into his chest and spread across his flesh.
---
[Evolution has begun.]
---
"Ahh! Yes! Damn, this pain…!" Azrael roared.
"What's wrong with you?!" Evan shouted, panicking. He couldn't die—not now.
He was the only one who could protect her from the monsters in this desert.
"The pain! It's unbearable... but incredible at the same time!" Azrael cried out.
Those were his last words before his body exploded, scattering into chunks of flesh and blood.
The remains of his body were nowhere to be seen—only mangled bits left in their place.
"What the…?" Evan muttered, wiping the blood from her face, her mind reeling in confusion.
It had all happened so quickly—one moment, he was there, screaming, and the next, he had exploded.
With a long, frustrated sigh, she thought, 'I should've stayed in bed today.'
Everything about this day had been overwhelming.
She was a warrior, someone who fought for her village, risking her life daily to hunt and protect.
But now, that life seemed so distant—her purpose lost.
"Hm. I guess I'll have to find civilization on my own.
It's dangerous out here, but I can't sit around and wait to be prey.
Just before Evan could take a step forward, she witnessed a bizarre sight: the scattered pieces of flesh began to move, as if alive.
Slowly, they crawled across the sand, merging with other pieces they came into contact with.
Evan stood in shock, her mind struggling to grasp what she was seeing.
Piece by piece, the flesh combined, forming the torso of a human.
Then came the arms and legs, followed by the face and the rest of the body.
Just like that, the person who had exploded into bits and pieces became whole again.
Azrael flexed his hands, the sensation unfamiliar.
They felt foreign, as though they no longer belonged to him.
Standing up, he inspected his body and quickly realized two changes.
First, his skin, though subtle, had become tougher.
Upon closer examination, the texture resembled that of snake scales—extremely fine and barely visible to the naked eye, but unmistakable to his keen observation.
Second, a tattoo of a snake now adorned his right arm, its coils winding around the length of his limb.
---
[The strogoi 'Pythonian' has recognized you as its master and now dwells within you.]
---
'A god with a strogoi as a pet? The celestials won't like this. Heh, perfect,' Azrael thought to himself, amused.
"Azrael, are you still alive? What the hell just happened?" Evan asked, though there was no hint of worry in her voice.
"The obvious happened," Azrael replied, shrugging.
"I exploded and reformed. That's my evolution. So, drop the fake concern. We both know you despise me."
Evan narrowed her eyes, but before she could respond, Azrael added,
"Anyway, we need to find shelter. I scanned the desert and sensed several life forms in the distance."
Without waiting for a reply, Azrael began walking in that direction.
"Uh... okay," Evan muttered, speechless.
She glanced to the side, her face twisted in confusion.
"Wait... where did the giant snake go?"
****