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Revenant's Slaughter: The Reaper System Grimlock
The stench of sweat, blood, and something vaguely acrid that Atticus suspected might be burnt troll sweat assaulted him as he entered the Bloodfist Arena. The rhythmic thudding that had vibrated faintly outside now pounded in his chest, a relentless drumbeat against his ribs. He squinted into the dimness, his eyes adjusting to the cavernous interior.The arena was a massive, circular space, its dusty floor ringed by tiered seating that ascended into the shadows above. In the center stood a fighting pit, its blood-stained earth surrounded by a low, iron fence. Grunts, yells, and the sickening thud of flesh on flesh echoed from the pit, punctuated by the roar of the unseen crowd. Atticus lingered by the entrance, his newfound confidence momentarily shaken. This was no mere training ground. This was a brutal spectacle, a clash of wills and bodies played out for the entertainment of a bloodthirsty audience. He could almost taste the violence hanging heavy in the air. A booming voice sh
Revenant's Slaughter: The Reaper System The Vanguard
Atticus followed the cloaked figure through the narrow passage, the stench of damp earth and mildew filling his nostrils. The tunnel was barely wide enough for him to squeeze through, its rough-hewn walls scraping against his back. It twisted and turned for what felt like an eternity, the only light a faint, flickering glow emanating from a source unknown.Finally, the passage opened into a small, cavernous chamber. A single lantern hung from the ceiling, casting flickering shadows across the room. Atticus's eyes adjusted slowly, revealing a motley crew of figures huddled around a makeshift table fashioned from a crudely hewn plank of wood and upturned barrels. He saw a hulking demon, his crimson skin etched with intricate black tattoos, his single, cyclopean eye fixed on him with a piercing gaze. Next to him sat a wiry orc demon, his green skin and tusked jaw contrasting with the flowing robes of a human woman whose silver hair gleamed in the lantern light. A wizened gnome, his bear
Revenant's Slaughter: The Reaper System Lilith
The following days fell into a predictable rhythm for Atticus. He endured the grueling training sessions, his body screaming in protest as he absorbed punches, kicks, and the occasional stray elbow from the motley crew of fighters. He gritted his teeth, channeling the pain into a steely resolve. Each bruise, each ache, was a badge of honor, an honor he was going to shove into every guard's ass soon enough.He had found a new way to exploit and also control his physique. He realized that the longer he could hold off on healing his body the better his physique reconstruction would be when it happened, so with the help from rhea he learned a few tricks which disabled his regeneration. Of course this made taking a beating a little harder but if he didn't disable his regeneration his physique would have defied common sense and raised flags among his training partners.In the evenings, after the arena had emptied and the last of the drunken patrons had stumbled out of the tavern, Atticus re
Revenant's Slaughter: The Reaper System The Raid (1)
The tension in the Bloodfist Arena had become almost palpable. The next day, Atticus awoke before dawn, his body sore but his mind sharp. The looming raid on the blood stone shipment occupied every corner of his thoughts, but so did Lilith’s unsettling attention. He couldn’t afford any distractions now. He dressed quietly, slipping his journal into his shirt. The floorboards creaked under his weight as he moved towards the exit of his cramped quarters. Outside, the air was cool, a brief respite before the sun would rise and the heat of the arena would become unbearable.As he approached the training hall, the distant clanging of metal and muffled grunts signaled that others had already started their day. Atticus steeled himself, adopting his practiced limp, and entered the hall.Grimlock stood near the entrance, his hulking figure partially shrouded in shadow. He regarded Atticus with a mixture of suspicion and disdain. "Human," he grunted, "you're late."Atticus bowed his head sligh
Revenant's Slaughter: The Reaper System The raid (2)
As the hour of the raid approached, Atticus joined the rebels at their rendezvous point, a secluded grove near the bridge. The moon cast an eerie glow over the landscape, shadows stretching long and foreboding. The air was thick with tension, each member of the group aware of the risks they were taking. Atticus could feel the anticipation vibrating in the air like a taut string ready to snap.Vex moved among the rebels, his presence calm and reassuring. He gave a brief but motivational speech, reminding everyone of the importance of their mission and the impact it could have on the rebellion's success. Then, with a sharp nod, he gave the signal, and the rebels moved out, their movements swift and silent like predators on the hunt.Atticus’s heart pounded in his chest as they approached the bridge. From their vantage point, they could see the guards, their armor gleaming dully in the moonlight. The increased security was evident; there were more guards than usual, and their patrols wer
Revenant's Slaughter: The Reaper System Breakthrough
Atticus awoke to a throbbing headache, the world around him a hazy blur. He blinked rapidly, trying to clear his vision. The cold, hard surface beneath him and the damp, musty air told him he was no longer in the arena. He attempted to sit up, but a wave of nausea forced him back down."Easy now," a familiar voice said. Lilith. Her tone was oddly soothing, devoid of the mockery he had come to expect.Atticus’s mind raced. Where was he? What had happened after the raid? His memories were fragmented, but he recalled the success of the mission, the rebels escaping with the blood stones, and then Lilith's touch, draining his strength.He turned his head slowly, his eyes finally focusing on his surroundings. He was in a dimly lit room, the walls lined with shelves filled with strange, glowing artifacts. Lilith sat on a stool beside him, her golden eyes watching him intently."Where am I?" he croaked, his throat dry and sore."Somewhere safe," Lilith replied, a slight smile playing on her l
Revenant's Slaughter: The Reaper System Return
Atticus moved through the winding alleyways of the city, his senses sharper than ever from his recent breakthrough. The early morning light cast long shadows on the cobblestone streets, and the city was beginning to stir. He kept his head low, blending into the crowd, every sense heightened from his newfound strength and awareness.With him and Lilith now having an alliance he was obviously allowed to leave.Lilith had given him precise instructions. She had arranged everything with Grimlock, his employer at the Bloodfist Arena, ensuring that Atticus’s return would not raise any suspicions. For now, his place was back at the arena, where he could stay undercover and gather more intelligence.His mind replayed the recent days spent with Lilith. The plan they had forged was ambitious, and the alliance between them felt tenuous at best. But her parting words echoed in his thoughts: "Together, we stand a better chance." He couldn't truly understand her logic as he suspected that her stre
Revenant's Slaughter: The Reaper System Arena
The arena fell into a brief hush as Atticus stepped into the bright lights. The crowd's anticipation was palpable, their eyes fixed on him as he strode toward the center of the ring. His opponent awaited, a massive demon named Kragnar, whose body was a grotesque amalgamation of scales and bone. Jagged spikes protruded from his limbs, and his eyes burned with a feral intensity. In his hands, he held a wickedly sharp axe, its blade glinting with a dark, oily sheen.The announcer's voice rang out, echoing through the arena. "In the red corner, the newcomer with potential, Atticus, the Rising Storm! And in the blue corner, the veteran enforcer, Kragnar the Reaver!""This is a special fight as it will mark the birth of a warrior and the death of another. No surrender is allowed! Only death shall free one of you from the arena!"Atticus couldn't help but frown at this rule but he wasn't shocked as Grimlocked had mentioned something like this already.The gates clanged shut behind Atticus, s
Latest Chapter
An Outing
As Atticus left the underground ring, the cheers and bloodthirsty roars of the crowd still echoed in his ears. His steps were steady, his expression calm, but beneath the surface, his body thrummed with a strange energy. The soul essence of the Bone Crusher, the life force of his defeated opponent, lingered within him, fueling his every step. The system was doing its work, absorbing the essence and converting it into raw power. His mind was flooded with the sensation of strength—a heavy, suffocating weight that both thrilled and disturbed him. The Reaper Points tally flashed in his vision, now at a staggering 50,000."All that from one fight," Atticus muttered to himself as he crossed through the dark, winding corridors. The weight of the negative emotions he had absorbed—the fear, the hatred, the malice of the crowd and the Bone Crusher—pressed down on him like a suffocating cloak. It had fueled his victory, his current profit. It was a dark, addictive power, one that came at the co
Bone crusher
The next day came by with a flash and tonight was the night his request would be answered. He spent the days leading up to this moment in a haze of fights, each victory further solidifying his dominance in the Bloodfist Arena. But it wasn’t enough. The thrill of victory, once intoxicating, had dulled. He craved more—something darker, more dangerous. He needed it...he needed to kill.That desire led him here, to the bowels of the Bloodfist Arena, where Grimlock had agreed to take him to the underground ring. The hidden arena was a myth whispered among fighters—a place where death was certain, but the rewards were even greater.As the evening began, Grimlock appeared in the training hall, his face grim and set as always. "You ready, kid?" he asked, his voice rough with experience.Atticus wiped the sweat from his brow and gave a curt nod. "Lead the way."Without another word, Grimlock motioned for Atticus to follow. They descended into the depths of the arena, passing through dimly lit
Underground ring
Atticus could barely feel the thrum of his pulse through the haze of exhaustion as he emerged from the arena. The demon’s death had bought him the Reaper Points he needed, but it had also left him with a gnawing emptiness. The shadows of the arena’s blood-soaked ground seemed to cling to him as he made his way through the labyrinthine corridors to Grimlock’s office.The arena manager’s quarters were a stark contrast to the brutal spectacle of the arena. Lined with opulent furnishings and trinkets from across the realms, the room was a testament to Grimlock’s status. It was here that Atticus found him, hunched over a desk cluttered with papers and gambling receipts.“Grimlock,” Atticus began, his voice steady despite the turmoil within.Grimlock looked up, his eyes narrowing. “Atticus. You look like hell. But that's the point uhn. Gunning for more fights?”“Actually,” Atticus said, leaning against the doorframe, “I’m here to talk about something similar.”Grimlock’s interest piqued. He
System's penalty: 2
Atticus stood alone in his quarters, the heavy silence pressing in around him. His thoughts churned as the system’s cold voice echoed in his mind. 'Two choices. Both deadly.'Facing Xar'gath, a 'Nascent Soul-level demon', was as good as a death sentence. The demon lord’s power was unrivaled in this realm, and Atticus knew he wasn’t strong enough to take him on. But the alternative was just as dangerous. The **Gate of Oblivion**—a forbidden technique that could tear open space itself, allowing him to escape. Yet the system’s demand for more death, more souls, was a price Atticus wasn’t sure he could pay.His chest felt tight as the weight of the decision bore down on him. The system was relentless, pushing him to act. But what would be left of him after? His chaos meridian was already fragile, weakened by the demonic qi that coursed through him. If he used the Reaper System too much, if he harvested too many souls, he risked losing control—risked losing everythingBut he couldn’t stay
System's penalty
Days turned into weeks, each one bleeding into the next as Atticus fought battle after battle in the Blood Fist Arena. Every day, the same routine: wake, fight, survive. The dim corridors and oppressive heat had become his world, and the echoes of the roaring crowd were a constant reminder of his captivity. For Atticus, time had lost all meaning, every fight just another step in a seemingly endless cycle of violence.Each day felt heavier, his muscles aching more as the constant combat began to take its toll. But it wasn’t just his body that suffered—the stagnant energy in his cultivation gnawed at him. He was stuck, unable to break through to the next realm, and the weight of his situation began to settle in like an immovable burden.Weeks had passed since he last thought of his purpose, of the Reaper System and the mission that had brought him here. His days had become a haze of blood and battle, and his nights were haunted by restless dreams of a life he barely remembered. It was a
Kaela
Atticus returned to the arena lodge with Kraul's words still echoing in his mind. 'I will just have to find an alternative I guess'Tomorrow's fight loomed ahead, but his thoughts were consumed by the plan Kraul had laid out. Allowing Xar'gath to breach the veil and invade his world was a prospect that gnawed at him, yet he knew he had to stay focused. His mind swirled with conflicting emotions as he entered the lodge. The familiar scent of sweat, blood, and metal filled his senses, grounding him in the reality of the moment. The arena was where he had honed his skills, where he had survived against all odds. But now, it felt like a distraction from the larger conflict, a cruel reminder that his true battle lay far beyond these walls.A few fellow fighters nodded in acknowledgment as he passed, their respect for him evident. He had earned his place among them through sheer dominance in the arena, his reputation growing with each victory. But there was no camaraderie here, only a sha
The plan
As night fell over the Bloodfist Arena, Atticus felt a tension building within him. The day had been grueling, with hours spent preparing for tomorrow's fight, but his thoughts were elsewhere. He couldn't shake the feeling that something pivotal was about to happen, something that would change the course of his journey in this cursed realm. As the shadows deepened, he heard a familiar rustling outside his quarters. Before he could react, Vex slipped into the room like a wraith. The wiry man’s sharp eyes glinted in the dim light, his usual cautious demeanor even more pronounced."It’s time," Vex whispered, his voice barely audible over the sounds of the arena. "The meeting's happening tonight. We need to leave now."Atticus nodded, already prepared. He had been expecting this, though he hadn’t anticipated the urgency in Vex’s voice. They left the arena under the cover of darkness, navigating the winding streets of the demon city with practiced ease. The tension in the air was palpabl
Back at Bloodfist
Atticus pressed onward, the towering monolith before him radiating an ominous energy. As he approached, the pressure around him intensified, like invisible hands gripping at his very essence, trying to squeeze the life from him. He gritted his teeth, every step becoming harder as the weight on his soul grew unbearable.When he reached the base of the monolith, a deep vibration coursed through the ground, and the ancient runes etched into the stone glowed a fierce crimson. Without warning, a pulse of energy shot out from the monolith, slamming into Atticus and sending him staggering backward.His breath came in ragged gasps as he fought to remain on his feet. The pressure was no longer just physical—it was attacking his soul, probing for weaknesses, for any crack in his resolve. His vision blurred, and his knees buckled as the crushing force intensified, threatening to tear his spirit apart.But Atticus was no stranger to pain. Gritting his teeth, he forced himself upright, defying the
Xiao Mei
The air was heavy with anticipation as Atticus stepped into the heart of the forest, the shadows deepening around him as if the very trees were conspiring to trap him. The memory of the voice still echoed in his mind, a grim reminder that Haven was far from finished with him. He knew that another trial awaited, one that would test the very core of his being.As he walked, the forest seemed to close in around him, the trees twisting and gnarling into unnatural shapes. The path beneath his feet became uneven, roots curling up to trip him, forcing him to remain vigilant with every step. The melody in his mind had grown softer, a distant hum that was barely perceptible over the rustle of leaves and the occasional creak of branches.Ahead, the trees parted to reveal a narrow pathway, lined with stones that glowed faintly in the dim light. There was something deliberate about the path, as if it had been placed there for him, guiding him deeper into the heart of Haven. He hesitated for a mom
