The cold sting of otherworldly chains dug into Raziel's calloused skin, his once-glorious armor shattered, stained with the golden blood of a thousand battles. His heart pounded with fury and betrayal, every beat a painful reminder of the Gods' treachery.
Kneeling before the Celestial Throne of the Intermediate Divinities, he lifted his head, defiance burning in his eyes. The gods loomed above, their celestial bodies glowing with judgement.
"Raziel, Executioner of the Divine, you have become too powerful. Too dangerous. You are no longer needed."
Their voices rang in unison. The weight of their pressure crushed him, yet he refused to break.
He clenched his fists. "I have served. I have killed in your name. And now you cast me aside?"
The radiant spear formed in the hands of one of the Pantheon Warlords, a powerful God, even amongst the Intermediate Divinities. "Your purpose is fulfilled. Begone."
The spear plunged into Raziel's chest, blood splattering across the polished quartz floor.
Agony unlike anything he had ever known consumed his mind as divine power tore through his soul, stripping him of any godhood. Memories of countless battles and victories flashed before his eyes, tainted by hatred and vengeance towards the Gods. The light around him fractured into millions of pieces, and the world faded to black.
Then, he fell from the skies.
...
Raziel awoke to a sky filled with smog, the distant hum of hovering vehicles near him. His body felt weak but alive. No longer a god, yet something more than mortal. The pain of his fall lingered as he groaned to get up.
He stood amidst the bustling streets of Los Angeles, feeling somewhat disoriented.
T-this is Planet 4419, Earth? But how am I here? And why the hell am I mortal?
All divine beings had an understanding of all kinds of planets, galaxies, and universes in the multiverse.
Despite this, the modern world was a stark contrast to the celestial realm Raziel once knew. Towering skyscrapers and advanced technology surrounded him, blending seamlessly with remnants of ancient magic. Neon signs flickered above, advertising everything from armor to mana-infused potions.
Suddenly, an emotionless voice rang in his head.
[Divine Bounty System Activated]
[Hunt the False Gods. Reclaim Your Power. Ascend Once More.]
[Stats: 10 Strength, 10 Agility, 10 Stamina, 10 Mana]
[Sealed Stats: ??? Strength, ??? Agility, ??? Stamina, ??? Mana]
[Quest: Hunt a Corrupted Beast]
[Reward: 500 Execution Points, 1 Basic Relic]
D-Divine Bounty System? Is this what sent me to Planet 4419? But how can it defy the Gods' power?
A cynical smile appeared on his handsome, mortal face, the thrill of a hunt igniting fire within him. A huge opportunity had been bestowed upon him. A way for which he could finally get the revenge he had been longing for.
"The hunt begins."
...
Walking through the city, Raziel couldn't help but marvel at the fusion of technology and magic. People carried around mana-infused magic, and there were even devices that were used to test their capabilities. Holographic screens displayed new reports about recent monster outbreaks and the latest hunter rankings.
Despite the advancements, a sense of emptiness gnawed at him. He had once been the Gods' executioner, feared and respected by even the lower level Divinities. Now, he was a mere mortal, struggling to find a place in this new world.
His gaze shifted to a nearby screen showcasing the top hunters in LA. Each hunter had an official license and a government-monitored ranking, ensuring that only the best were entrusted with defending the populace against monsters.
The hunter system was meticulously organized, with ranks ranging from F to SSS. Aspiring hunters underwent rigorous training to obtain their licenses, and their progress was constantly tracked by the government. This system ensured that hunters were equipped to handle the ever-present threats from dungeons and monsters.
Raziel knew he needed to understand this planet better if he was to reclaim his lost power and fulfill his vengeance on the Gods. The Divine Bounty System, what seemed to be a powerful artifact that had protected him from the Intermediate Divinities, would be hes guide. It displayed a quest:
[Quest: Hunt a Corrupted Beast]
[Reward: 500 Execution Points, 1 Basic Relic]
Raziel's first target was a Corrupted Beast, a creature born from the darkness that had seeped into the planet after a war between the Gods and the Demons. These beasts were a very common threat, lurking in the shadows and preying on unsuspecting citizens.
As he made his was to a desolate alley where these beasts were rumored to reside, memories of his former glory and the Gods' betrayal haunted him. The pain of his fall was very much present, fueling his resolve to reclaim his divinity and deliver vengeance.
The air grew thick with a malevolent aura, and the shadows twisted unnaturally around him. Raziel's instincts sharpened, and he prepared for his first hunt as a mortal, however, he quickly realized that he had forgotten all his past skills and techniques, so he had to rely on his experience and present strength.
In the darkness of the alley, he spotted the beast—a grotesque, twisted creature with eyes that seeped with killing intent. Its body was covered in matted fur and oozing wounds, a sight that would make an average human puke.
Raziel didn't hesitate. Drawing upon his remaining strength, he charged at the creature, dodging its bloody claws and striking with unfathomable precision. Each blow chipped away at the beast until it collapsed into a heap of darkened flesh.
[Quest Complete: Hunt a Corrupted Beast]
[Rewards Obtained: 500 Execution Points, 1 Basic Relic]
A small glowing orb hovered where the beast once stood. Raziel reached out, absorbing its energy into his body. A surge of power course through him, restoring his lost stamina.
[Basic Relic: Rusted Hunter's Dagger - Increases physical damage by 2%]
He then looked more into what the Execution Points could be used for.
[Execution Shop]
[Divine Remnants – Restore Former Power]
Sealed Strength (1st Unseal) – 5,000 EP. Restores a portion of your former physical power.
Sealed Agility (1st Unseal) – 5,000 EP. Restores lost speed and reaction time.
Sealed Stamina (1st Unseal) - 6,000 EP.
Sealed Mana (1st Unseal) – 7,500 EP. Restores a portion of your divine energy.
Memory of the Executioner – 10,000 EP. Grants access to one forgotten divine technique.
[Executioner's Arsenal – Weapons & Relics]
Cursed Executioner's Blade – 3,000 EP. A weapon once wielded by the Gods' enforcer, now dormant but still thirsting for divine blood.
Abyssal Chains – 4,500 EP. Restrains divine and corrupted entities, temporarily nullifying their power.
Spectral Gauntlets – 2,500 EP. Enhances physical strikes with ethereal force, allowing attacks to bypass conventional defenses.
Cloak of Severed Fates – 6,000 EP. Conceals the user from lower divine perception and weakens tracking abilities of higher beings.
[Hunter's Edge – Mortal Enhancements]
Advanced Combat Instincts – 1,500 EP. Enhances reaction time, allowing the user to predict movements in battle.
Refined Mana Circuits – 2,000 EP. Strengthens the body's ability to channel and manipulate mana efficiently.
Regeneration Boost – 3,500 EP. Speeds up healing, reducing recovery time from wounds and exhaustion.
Limiter Removal (First Stage) – 10,000 EP. Pushes the mortal body beyond its natural constraints, increasing physical and magical prowess.
[Divine Techniques – Ultimate Skills (Requires Memory of the Executioner]
Soul Reap (Lesser) – 25,000 EP. Allows the execution of a (lesser) divine being, absorbing a fraction of their power permanently.
Void Step – 15,000 EP. A movement technique that enables instant repositioning through the space between realms.
Fallen God's Wrath – 50,000 EP. Unleashes a devastating attack that can obliterate lesser divinities and severely wound greater ones.
True Name Revelation – 30,000 EP. Forces a divine being's true name into the open, weakening their resistance and making them vulnerable to execution.
[Miscellaneous & Consumables]
Divine Recovery Elixir – 1,000 EP. Restores a portion of lost divine essence and stamina.
Mortal Concealment Token – 750 EP. Temporarily disguises the user's presence, making them indistinguishable from ordinary humans.
Executioner's Insight – 5,000 EP. Grants knowledge of an enemy's weaknesses and combat style upon sight.
Raziel was overloaded with information, so he took his time understanding all the ins and outs of the shop.
As Raziel scrolled through the Execution Shop, a cold sensation crawled up his spine. The air around him grew heavy, and a notification flashed before his eyes.
[Warning: Presence of a Divine Fragment Detected]
[Power Source: Unknown]
[Threat Level: High]
His instincts screamed danger. He slowly turned his head, his gaze locking onto a shadowed figure standing at the alley's entrance.
Golden eyes, burning with divine energy, peered at him through the darkness.
A voice, layered with disdain, yet curiosity, cut through the silence.
"So, the Gods' executioner has fallen this far…"
Before Raziel could react, the figure vanished—no, descended upon him in an instant.