Triple X System

"It’s reaching nighttime." Elara hinted at the 3 suns simultaneously descending into the horizon. The previous group of 3 now 50 threading along the tough red dirt, using the towering trees to their advantage against the previous swarm hunting Kyle.

’Luckily shadow walk has gotten more stronger thanks to it leveling to 3.’

Perception on kraken was 10× more than in vaanderwood and Lumia kingdom. Meaning even the slightest trace of aura or scent would give away one’s location to the high perceptive monsters dwelling here.

But thanks to Kyle’s shadow walk and the evening advantage their presence was well covered for now. Still, it didn’t guarantee their safety forever.

Walking a bit they arrived at a more secluded place with fewer branches and more smaller erected structures from stone that looked like temples. Including several artifacts of a single sculpture with fine texture argued not to be man made.

"What are they doing?" Elara subtly asked with raised brows, sightia bunch of green skinned imps performing a weird dance around a bonfire.

"They’re performing a ritual." The thirsty old man from earlier named Carl replied observing the small yet deadly creatures movements.

"From the looks of things, they’re likely offering something like a sacrifice in exchange for something else. Mostly power."

Listening closely, Kyle couldn’t help himself from grunting already accustomed to such barbaric ways.

During his moments as a human, it was a normal concept to exchange information or items for another. The trade by barter system as it is termed, give to take. But now, items and information wasn’t considered much valued at the cost of exchange.

[These imps, I’m getting a bad feeling about this ritual.] Snow chipped in and it wasn’t only her but Yua and Elara also felt it.

’What do you think? I’m betting this isn’t just about a ritual for power but something darker.’

There was no doubt about it, the signs were vivid to miss. Kraken was already a dark planet apparently ruled by shadows very powerful they choose to remain in the dark. So it wasn’t an out of the box logic the beasts living here paid reverend to their master or God to rise in rank.

It just didn’t feel natural most of these beasts possessed such high intelligence than normal beasts he’d previously encountered.

[Imps though little in size and mostly weak to attacks have a rather far broad and fast learning speed than most mythical creatures. They travel in large groups, wielding short range weapons and serve under a master or ruler.]

’So that statue they’re weirdly moving in a circle around is their master.’

[Yes. But there’s an anomaly.. usually, during situations like this there’s little residue of power radiating in the statue from the master. But I’m not detecting any energy from it.] Snow said, her tone slightly alarmed.

’isnt that a good thing?’ Kyle asked, uncertain by snow’s tone.

[Not really. These statues are infact called artifacts of gods and these structures are their temples. I don’t have any data relating to athos days on earth, but it’s safe to say many other fallen angels followed his perspective and literally decided to exchange their divinity.]

Considering what snow just spoke gave a chilling sensation at the back of Kyle’s head. Almost identical to a scene from alife he’d lived through playing in his head.

"What?" Elara questioned staring at Kyle with wide eyes.

"Nothing, I thought I heard something. It’s just the wind." He shrugged walking past her, but that didn’t provide an ounce of comfort to her state of paranoia.

’Who is the death god?’ Kyle tried asking the root crystal deer but received no response.

Speaking of which, he noticed the ancient beast suddenly went silent after the exchange of 5% of his HP.

’Could it be evolving?’

He was a novice to blood, not his class and field. But he had knowledge about contracts and deals, from his supposed rivals Lucifer.

As the king of hell and life trickster, Lucifer was technically known as the god of deals. Not just only on earth but across different planets, which was literally a slave contract in disguise if granting your wishes true.

[I doubt that. Though your blood isn’t the same as before there’s no distinct new traces in it. But.. maybe it needs it for a different purpose? Perhaps strengthening the bond link?]

’Maybe.’

Stopping at a considerable distance from the imps, Yua had also returned from her earlier scouting front.

"The area is clear, there isn’t signs of a beast within 20 meter radius."

Giving a nod of acknowledgement the tension in the heart of the 47 humans subsided a bit.

"Did you spot an empty cave or possibly an abandoned shelter?" Elara stepped forward with hopeful eyes, which Yua shook her head.

"Asides from more trees and silence. There’s nothing more beyond 20 meters from here."

"Can’t you just snap your fingers and build a tent or something." Kyle grinned with a smug smile, causing the blonde witch eyes twitch.

"I dare you to repeat that, demon." A sick chuckle escaped her lips, as white light gathered at her fingertips.

"Enough you two. We’ve been through hell and starting a fight here is the least we want in uncharted territories." Scoffing, Elara cancelled her attack seating on a rock attending to some old folks overwhelmed with hiking fatigue.

"What? I was just saying." Letting out a sigh Yua closed the gap between them. Her bright red eyes staring at a specific spot on Kyle.

[Ohh.. Someone’s definitely hungry.] Snow giggled with mischief.

"What’s that thing in your heart?" She softly asked her gazeva mixture of curiosity and worry.

"It’s nothing you have to worry about." Kyle reassured with a fake smile, but Yua saw right through it.

"You made a deal with one of the things here." Immediately she said that, he felt his heart froze. Not out of impulse or reaction, but for the first time since a while the deer reacted.

’What the hell are you doing.’ Kyle forced breath through gritted teeth, his heart clenching like a wet spot getting dry.

’I don’t like intruders, your wife tried to intercept our contract which is against the rules.’ The deer responded in a much colder tone than ever, the tight pressure wrapped around Kyle’s heart didn’t stop.

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