Revenant's Slaughter: The Reaper System

Grief

"Seeing you use a forbidden technique leaves a bad taste in my mouth, so much potential burnt in one go," Jiang Shao remarked with a dark smile. Atticus could feel the oppressive presence of Listrea's king closing in, and he knew that he had little time left. "But since you are at the point of death, I guess I can't really fault you."

Atticus had long abandoned his sword, for it had proven useless against Jiang Shao's overwhelming power. Body cultivators like Jiang Shao were always a pain to fight, and the Listrea's king had proven to be at a level that was borderline devilish. Atticus assumed a fighting stance as he raised his hands, preparing for a fight he knew he couldn't win.

"You really think you have a chance now?" Jiang Shao taunted. "Sorry to burst your bubble, kiddo, but I would still end you even if you could enhance your cultivation from what it currently is."

But Atticus had other plans. In the face of certain death, he unleashed a technique rarely used in his repertoire

"Shadow Fog"

Dark smoke billowed forth, engulfing the garden and plunging everything into a shroud of impenetrable darkness. This was Atticus's elemental affinity, but one he had rarely employed due to its limitations and incompatibility with his usual fighting style.

As the garden turned into an abyss of darkness, Atticus seized the opportunity to escape. Jiang Shao, caught off guard by this unexpected turn of events, reacted with fury and confusion.

"Atticus!!!" Jiang Shao bellowed in anger as he found himself enveloped in the thick darkness. Atticus knew that he had to make the most of this temporary advantage. His heart pounded as he sprinted through the inky blackness, guided only by his instincts and the memory of the garden's layout.

Jiang Shao, on the other hand, responded with a display of his own power. He ignited his body in flames until he resembled a living human torch. His fiery aura illuminated the darkness, creating an eerie and terrifying sight. He scoured the garden, determined to find Atticus and make him pay for his defiance.

But Atticus had already taken advantage of the chaos. He raced through the garden, his steps guided by his heightened perception of spiritual energy, a benefit of his temporary Core Formation realm. His heart raced as he reached the cliff at the garden's edge, and below him, a fast-flowing river led all the way to Eldoria.

With his borrowed power waning and his original strength weakening, Atticus knew he had to make a desperate choice. Without hesitation, he leaped from the cliff, plummeting into the river below. The cold waters enveloped him, and he fought against the current, swimming with all his might.

The darkness that had concealed him began to dissipate as the Shadow Fog technique faded away. Jiang Shao's furious roars echoed through the garden as he realized that Atticus had escaped his grasp.

The river carried Atticus away from the treacherous garden, and as he swam, he knew that time was against him. He had to reach Eldoria before his cultivation base returned to its original level, leaving him vulnerable and weak.

The journey was perilous, but Atticus's determination burned brighter than ever. He was a warrior who had faced countless challenges and he had to survive this ordeal.

Jiang Shao got out of the garden and went towards the cliff but Atticus was already long gone. He stared out at the strong current of the river.

"Well, I have done my part Ling Tian you would have to deal with what's left of him" he muttered as he left for his palace. He had to appoint a new general, himself had lost over 50 soldiers and one of his strongest commander so now it was time to set order to his own kingdom.

"Any news?" Ling Tian asked the man whose face was obscured in the shadows of the palace which he always positioned himself.

"Loose ends has been tied but no news has been had from Listrea, but be rest assured. Atticus's strength will have no meaning there" the man replied.

Ling Tian sat on his throne with his fingers nervously tapping it armrest. This plan of his had been in motion for a long time, he always believe in taking care of problems in its infancy before it even matured into one.

Atticus's influence in Eldoria's military power had gotten to a very uncomfortable spot, the soldiers gave him a respect that even him their Emperor didn't have!

And even with that, Ling Than knew it was not what steeled his mind to make the decision he took today, it's something actually something so small that if said would bring stares. But imagine being in bed with your wife as in your throes of passion she let's out another man's name...let's out Atticus's name! He was the fucking king of Eldoria! He should be the fantasy of every single woman out there but no! Atticus had won his people and now he was taking his women too.

And that was when Ling Tian decided to take everything from Atticus too and thats what he did...he took it all. He was Emperor after all, everything his subjects owned he controlled.

A figure in broken armor could be seen coming out from the river bank, slowly this figure crawled out with grunts as it came out before falling on its back to catch a deep breath.

Atticus, after hours of swimming with terrifying speed that set fear into even sea creatures who wondered which predator had graced their territory , he finally got to the hollow woods which is situated in Eldoria.

Just a few more miles and his journey will come to an end, his cultivation base had already dropped to the second level of Nascent soul. A cultivation base one level below his original cultivation, and he could already feel his dantian constantly leaking energy and his foundation shaky.

He sacrificed a lot just to escape but kept his life so for now that was enough . He got up from the river's bank and resumed his journey to Eldoria's royal capital, the sun was about to set and dusk was already rapidly approaching.

After an hour of a painful hike, Atticus finally arrived outside the royal capital but since then remembering Jiang Shao words he thought it wise to not draw attention to himself so discarded he armor and was left with only the soft cotton clothes he had on. The dusk served as a perfect cloak that complimented his dark elemental powers as he blended in the shadows.

He entered the royal capital by taking a path only known by him and a few others, finally getting in the capital was bustling with activities as always.

"Mei" Atticus mind swiftly wondered to his wife, he felt this was the best time to go back home to the arms of his beautiful wife. As much as he would have loved to confront Ling Tian right now, he was in a sorry state and his family just had to come first. He made his way through his bustling city street, his home in sights.

Finally, Atticus reached his home, his heart heavy with anticipation. As he pushed open the door, he noticed that it was slightly ajar, filling him with unease. The interior of his home was in disarray, as if a tornado had swept through. Fear gripped him as he called out for his wife, Mei.

"Mei!" he screamed, his voice echoing through the once peaceful house. Panic set in as he searched every room, and his worst fears were realized when he found Mei lying on the floor in a pool of blood, her stomach ripped open.

Atticus became petrified on the spot, his mind unable to comprehend the gruesome sight before him.

"No...Mei" Atticus muttered weakly in disbelief. Tears streamed down his face as he knelt beside her lifeless cold body. The realization of what Jiang Shao had said about Ling Tian's involvement hit Atticus like a tidal wave.

"Ling Tian!!!" Atticus's anguished cry echoed through the house. His thoughts spiraled into a maddening rage as he rushed out of his home, leaving behind a scene of horror.

Atticus stormed towards the palace, his appearance striking fear into the people who recognized him along the way. Whispers spread like wildfire as they saw the bloodshot eyes and disheveled state of their once-respected general.

As he burst into the palace, the guards unsheathed their swords, blocking his path. "Atticus Steele, the Investigative Council seeks your presence," one of them declared.

Emperor Ling Tian, fearing that Atticus might have survived his ordeal in Listrea, had concocted a lie. He ordered the soldiers to detain Atticus, claiming he had betrayed Eldoria by colluding with the enemy. Atticus's soldiers were skeptical and would have hesitated but palace guards reported only to the king and his word was law.

"Stop where you are!" one of the guards yelled, but Atticus, blinded by anger and grief, lunged at them. In a swift and brutal exchange, he took down five men, a reminder that he might have lost some power but remained a formidable force.

As he stood amidst the fallen guards, his gaze was fixed on the palace, a burning determination in his eyes.