"Why are all of you just watching?!" Kang screamed as the pain intensified, rage erupting within him while looking at the elders escorting him, "Answer you fucking morons!"
A spar that had started against his cousin just a few minutes ago had turned into a serious fight, and out of nowhere, he found himself stabbed by his younger brother's spear.
"Liu Feng, you fucktard!!! Why did you stab me in the back, you fucking traitor?!!" Kang yelled, looking at his brother, unable to understand why he had interfered.
"Brother... you were already losing. It's obvious you're unworthy of becoming the heir." Liu Feng was used to Kang's toxicity just like everyone else present, it was something widely known but it became very apparent any time his anger exploded.
"What kind of bullshit is that? And Liu Kai, why are you frozen like a stone while someone is interrupting our spar?" Looking at his cousin, Kang shouted in anger. Just as the boy was about to answer, one of the elders chimed in, shutting his mouth and responding in his place.
"Young Master Kang, we've decided to take matters into our own hands for the clan's greater good. And what better way to do that than by cutting the weak link?"
"Oh my! What a nice way indeed. That's why your race suffers the most across all galaxies." As this unsettling voice echoed through the barren land, shivers ran down everyone's spines. Space began to warp near them, revealing a middle-aged man in a black suit, wearing a strange mask.
"Halt there! Do not interfere with Liu clan business—" One of the elders shouted in a heavy tone as the two elders accompanying the group took a defensive stance.
But before the elder could finish, the man's arm morphed into a large, long, bloody tendril, speeding toward the elder and piercing him multiple times before transforming into a gigantic mouth.
"It's a horror! Prepare for battle!" one of the others screamed after witnessing the elder being devoured. But before they could act, the man snapped his fingers causing a shockwave, effortlessly sending the rest of them flying, leaving only Kang behind.
"Who are you?" Kang asked, looking at the approaching figure, confused as to why a monster was helping a human.
'Since when were horrors able to disguise themselves as humans?' Horrors were what humans called those animals mutated by the corrupted mana in the atmosphere, turning them into monsters. It was unheard of for a monster to take on human form, making Kang doubt whether the figure in front of him was a monster at all.
"Never mind that for now, dear naive. Who am I? It doesn't matter as long as I save you, does it?" Looking at Kang, the man spoke while approaching before continuing his speech.
"I will answer your earlier question on their behalf even though I don't know what happened to that fool who was fighting you."
"They simply betrayed you because an easily manipulated pawn would always be better than someone who would hardly listen to them." The man continued, closing in and snapping his fingers once more. The spear lodged in Kang's body dislodged, causing him to collapse from the pain.
"Let's get you out of here." As the man spoke, a drop of blood shot from his fingertip toward Kang, healing him. Two large tendrils extended from the man's back, gently lifting the unconscious child before warping around him.
"Oh, don't worry about us."
"I'm pretty sure he'll visit you for his revenge at some point, just don't die to beasts before then. Otherwise, it would be a great disappointment to him." Ignoring the humans rushing toward him, the man moved toward a rift, entering it and waving his hand as the rift closed behind him, leaving the others behind.
Stepping into a shallow river of blood, the man gently placed Kang's body on the ground before walking toward his bloody throne in the distance.
"Oh, little Kang! Potentially limitless, yet deemed useless. What a joke!" The man's voice echoed through the empty space like ripples, its words directed at the young boy lying in the shallow sea of blood in the distance.
The stench of blood permeated the air, prompting Kang to cover his nose and mouth in an attempt to block out the foul smell. He stood up, his eyes wandering around the unfamiliar place as he tried to locate the source of the voice that had awoken him.
"So, where the hell am I? Strange... I'm certain I met my demise when the wound was left open." As the memories of the last few hours came rushing back, Kang clenched his fists, anger, and frustration darkening his face.
"Oh dear, confused, aren't you?" The inhuman yet familiar voice interrupted Kang's thoughts. His eyes scanned the area once again, trying to pinpoint the speaker's location.
In response to Kang's frustration, the creature slightly raised its hand, causing a wave of blood to take the form of a fancy walking stick. It struck the ground, sending ripples through the thick blood, nudging Kang to follow.
Feeling the stale blood shift beneath his feet, Kang understood the creature's meaning and began marching against the current. He soon found himself standing before a colossal throne.
His gaze fell upon a strange figure resting there, dressed in a sharp black suit and wearing a crimson mask adorned with purple decorations. A Golden sun was centered at the top of the mask, resembling a third eye.
"A human? Horror? No... neither. How do you have one of those?" Kang muttered, surprised to see the man in front of him wearing a suit. In his world, suits were reserved for transcendent figures of overwhelming strength, far beyond ordinary beings.
"Wise judgment, child. Long ago, such suits were available to anyone who could afford them, back when this planet was called Earth. Since you can tell I'm not human, I'll gladly drop the act." The man's voice deepened, becoming more unsettling. As he spoke, his suit quickly became drenched in blood.
"What the hell?" Kang gasped, watching in horror as the man's bizarre transformation unfolded before him.
"What are you?" Kang screamed as the blood covering the man's suit came to life, transforming into sharp black metal that formed a massive armor. More blood took the shape of thick tendrils that shot out from the man's body, catching Kang off guard.
"Permit me to introduce myself formally," the man said. "I am Strife, the first Blood Monarch and the 7th Blood Knight to carry the curse of the Golden Sun." Strife turned, and the space in front of him tore open to reveal something Kang was all too familiar with—a gate or rather, a tear in the space.
——
"This world has long fallen into a sorry state. Your kind is too busy fighting amongst themselves while different dimensions slowly devour your civilization. Meanwhile, those at the top sit comfortably"
"They enjoy their wealth, never bothering to figure out where the rifts are coming from. Don't you think it's time for a little wake-up call?" Stepping through the air, Strife paused before continuing.
"Listen, Kang…"
"Hunters as you call them, are those talented individuals capable of mobilizing mana to a certain degree and although your talent could be considered average, your potential far surpasses that of normal humans, even those at the top."
"In fact, you rival a Nyxthar like me. So, pay close attention and savor the display of power that could be yours if you take on my offer and become the 8th Blood Knight."
"Roar, Karanl|k!" Strife raised the stick high into the air. It transformed into a heavy sword clad in black scales, with a large crimson eye just below the hilt and another eye near the blade.
"What a pity," Strife muttered, his gaze falling on the ground below. He was annoyed that none of the so-called S-level powerhouses had bothered to respond.
"I had planned to split this world in two, but now I think I'll target just one of these bastards to wake up the rest.!" Strife laughed maniacally, intending to create enemies for Kang by making sure he would be targeted once he took the power of the mask.
Yet, Kang didn't seem to understand Strife's intentions at all, it all seemed to him as nothing more than a show—to show him his power—which he certainly liked. Shortly, Strife's attention is fixed on a specific point in the distance, ignoring the approaching flies as he prepares to attack.
"Perish, human!" Strife swung Karanl|k downward, and a massive crimson beam shot toward the city. It struck a towering skyscraper, taller than any other building around it, engulfing it in a fiery explosion that sent shockwaves in every direction. As the skyscraper crumbled, reduced to barren land, Kang watched in a mix of fear and excitement.
"Do you like my power?" Strife's voice snapped Kang out of his trance. The hunters had recovered from the shock of Karanl|k's awakening and were rushing toward them, but Kang showed no concern—he was more curious about how Strife would deal with them.
Seeing Kang's expression, Strife waved his hand, summoning a wave of blood that took the form of hundreds of blades, each unique in shape.
The blades shot toward the oncoming humans, cutting them down like falling flies. Strife then turned away and returned to the blood sea, the gate closing behind him.
"So, what is your answer?" Strife asked as he freed Kang from his restraints and settled back onto his throne.
"I'll take it, those fuckers need to die! Either way, I will be your disciple," Kang replied with confidence before attempting to kneel. Unforntaly, Strife stopped him before correcting his view.
"I think you're mistaken," Strife said, his voice dripping with amusement. "Becoming the heir doesn't mean becoming a disciple."
"It means you wear this mask and carry its burden until you die." He pointed to the mask on his face. "And wearing this means you lose your face—literally, not figuratively. Do you understand?"
"Face? Who cares about that? Maybe you've never felt fucking helpless, but I certainly have. Never mind, just imagine—"
"I know your brother backstabbed you, I saw that and I know why. It's mainly because of your race's idiocy. But, there's no need to bring that up. I can't feel emotions anymore as I'm already dead inside. But you need to understand something before you make your decision."
Strife continued, "Those who bear the mask are cursed. You lose your face, emotions, and what makes you human. You can't remove the mask unless you choose to take its final reward and end your path. Otherwise, you kiss it goodbye and meet your demise. You understand?"
"We can't feel certain emotions, and while we can perform the act, we can't produce offspring—our essence is dead. In essence, you won't be truly alive. Do you understand?"
"Yes... I'll do whatever it takes to achieve my revenge, regardless of the consequences." Kang nodded, his determination unwavering.
"Very well then," Strife said, rising from his throne. "I hope you don't come to regret your decision."
"Remember, your main goal is to go beyond and forge your own path. Never stray from it," Strife said as he summoned Karanl|k once more and tore open a rift. "I will send Karanl|k away. Consider it a challenge—retrieve the sword when you're strong enough."
"This rift will close and this place will collapse, you will find yourself out in the great wasteland. I believe it will be an opportunity for you to familiarize yourself with your new powers. So don't waste time, put on the mask as soon as you get your hands on it to ensure your safety."
"Remeber, Kang. Weak links should be strengthened, not cut. Do not follow human ordeals."
"GET OFF!" Strife muttered through gritted teeth, placing his hands on the mask that covered his face. A terrifying scream followed as he cried out, "Pain! I haven't felt this in so damn long. Just take my soul already and give me my reward!"
The pain intensified, forcing Strife to his knees. Yet, he used every ounce of remaining strength to tear the mask from his face.
"Let me rest in peace, and send my soul to the blood realms already!"
Responding to Strife's resolute will, the mask finally loosened its grip, allowing separation. As it did, Strife's human-like face was revealed to Kang. Holding the mask in both hands, Strife approached, while all the surrounding blood—including his armor—was absorbed into the mask.
"Until we meet again," Strife said, kneeling before Kang and offering the mask. "I'll wait for you in the blood realm if destiny allows."
"Farewell, Kang!" With his final words, Strife closed his eyes as his body slowly turned to stone. Cracks formed across his petrified figure, and soon he crumbled into dust upon the barren ground. A flash of crimson light escaped through the cracks and disappeared into the mask, now lying motionless on the ground.
Kang stood in silence, staring at the mask. His resolve solidified as he picked it up.
Remembering Strife's words about his potential, Kang hesitated no longer and placed the mask on his face.
Crimson tendrils shot from the mask, piercing his skin and burrowing deep into his skull as a strange voice echoed inside his mind before appearing in the form of an illusionary panel right in front of his face.
[Ding!]
[Blood Feind Compatibility: 691%]
[Altering host's body... 13%... 31%...]
[Alteration paused…Initiating trial quest]
Ignoring the loud voice in his head, Kang rolled on the ground in agony. His body quickly began to disintegrate, turning into nothing but blood as red pierced through the clouds causing the space he was in to collapse.
As he felt his consensus slipping away, Kang gave in to the exhaustion and silently drifted into sleep.