Every creature had its own path to evolution, though the process differed by race and level.
To ascend to godhood, one had to grow stronger, rise above all others, and seek dominance.
It was the will of all living beings.
Reptilian skin, known for its durability and resistance, was like natural armor—a built-in shield protecting their bodies.
At least, that's what Azrael thought of the snake's skin he had acquired through evolution.
Regardless, power was everything. And Azrael would stop at nothing to claim it.
His hunger for strength was so intense that not even the supreme ones would be able to stand in his way.
Azrael and Evan made their way north, seeking civilization.
At least, that's what Evan had gathered from the few words Azrael had spoken since they started walking.
'Does he even know where we're going?' Evan wondered.
A madman—a savage god—was leading her to some unknown destination, and she followed him without question.
But one thing was certain: he wouldn't kill her. If that had been his intention, she'd already be dead, overpowered and slain in some horrific way.
Azrael's aura was enough to confirm her fears.
The chill that crept down her spine every time he used his powers reminded her just how dangerous he was.
He was not someone to be trifled with.
'How could I ever kill him when his very presence terrifies me?'
Suddenly, Azrael stopped, snapping Evan out of her thoughts. He crouched down, his gaze fixed on something in the sand.
"I've been wondering why I smelled nonhuman blood," Azrael said, his voice low.
"It seems this is where it came from."
"Who could've done this? They must be strong to have taken down so many," Evan replied, glancing at the scene.
"No, it wasn't just one person. It was a group," Azrael said.
'Judging by the footprints in the sand, there were four of them... interesting.'
Initially, Azrael caught a familiar scent—the same stench of blood he had recognized from the strogoi he'd fought earlier.
He wasn't wrong.
When they arrived at the source of the smell, over fifty carcasses of strogoi beasts lay dead, their bodies dried and scorched under the desert sun.
These strogoi were different from the one he had fought.
They resembled lichworms but were much larger, about the size of big dogs.
Their mouths were lined with rows of razor-sharp, three-inch teeths, spiraling down like a tunnel of grinders.
---
[Ding!]
[Strogoi species: Death Worm]
[Level: Basic]
[Type: Beast Strogoi]
---
'Hm, basic level. Weak,' Azrael thought.
'That explains how so many were killed in a single attack.'
From his careful inspection, he noticed a tennis ball-sized hole punctured through each of the creatures, likely killing them instantly.
Whatever had attacked them had caused massive internal damage.
Azrael released a pulse of energy, scanning the area once more.
A sinister smirk spread across his face, the kind of grin that formed whenever he reveled in the destruction of others.
'I see, the same python I fought was slain by them too. Whoever they are, they must be quite strong.'
'That python was no ordinary beast—it had intelligence and the ability to counter attacks. And judging by the scene, not a single drop of their blood was spilled.'
'Which means... they suffered no casualties in their assault,' Azrael thought, piecing together the events before speaking aloud.
"Let's keep moving. We're close."
---
*A memory*
"Father, I've finally reached a hundred years—the age you said I had to reach before learning the skill, Celestial Tracking," a young man said eagerly.
Despite his youthful appearance, his true age far surpassed his looks.
An older man stood before him, his white hair and beard lending him an air of wisdom.
His aura was almost divine, and his eyes were filled with love as he looked at his son.
The boy's enthusiasm for learning and growing stronger brought a smile to the old man's face.
He chuckled, a sense of pride and calmness settling over him.
"Very well, my son. I believe you are ready," the man said warmly.
"I, Amedinak, the Emperor of Darkness, hereby bestow upon you, Azrael, the power of Celestial Tracking."
"This is a skill only a few celestials can wield. I trust you'll use it wisely, Azrael?"
"Yes, Father!"
---
'Every time I use this stupid skill, that memory resurfaces,' Azrael thought bitterly.
'Even in death, he still haunts me. Damn him!'
Azrael had killed his own father.
Amedinak, cursed by the supreme ones, was dying a slow, painful death.
The curse had been a punishment for Amedinak's ambition to conquer the celestial realm and crown himself Emperor.
The supreme ones, furious that a lower god sought to rule their realm, stripped him of his immortality, leaving him to slowly wither into nothing but ash.
As tradition dictated, the heir to the throne had to defeat and kill the reigning ruler to ascend.
After a long and grueling battle, Azrael had emerged victorious.
Despite his father's insistence, the moment had been difficult, but necessary.
'Even though he treated me like trash at times because I was weak, he still taught me many things that saved my life.'
After crossing a large hill, Evan and Azrael finally spotted something in the distance.
"Oh, it's a city!" Evan exclaimed, her exhaustion and dehydration forgotten as she sprinted toward it.
At that moment, the sight of the city felt like heaven.
Azrael shrugged and followed her, less excited but still moving at his own pace.
The city was vast, spanning nearly a thousand kilometers.
Though there weren't any skyscrapers, the tallest buildings barely reached the equivalent of four stories.
Despite their moderate height, the architecture was beautiful, skillfully crafted with an artistic touch.
But what stood out most wasn't the buildings—it was the massive wall encircling the city.
The wall was nearly forty inches thick and as solid as titanium, a permanent defense against the strogoi that lurked in the wilderness, always seeking human flesh to devour.
Of course, if a strogoi on par with a mid-level god ever came, it could easily tear down that wall like it was paper.
Fortunately, this part of the desert rarely saw such creatures, offering the city's inhabitants a bit of peace and relief.
,***