Revenant's Slaughter: The Reaper System

King Jiang Shao

King Jiang Shao stood in the heart of his lush garden, bathed in the golden afternoon sunlight. The garden was a paradise of vibrant colors and scents, a testament to nature's artistry. Ornate statues and intricately designed pathways wound through an array of exotic flowers, their fragrance hanging in the air. A serene pond glistened with koi fish, and a small waterfall provided a soothing symphony of water. It was a place of tranquility in the midst of a kingdom filled with turmoil.

As Atticus and his royal guards entered the garden, their arrival went unnoticed for a brief moment as King Jiang Shao was engrossed in the delicate process of gutting the antelope he had captured during his hunt. He was a king who loved to do things with his own hands, from ruling his kingdom to providing for his table.

King Jiang Shao had always been a hands-on ruler. His rise to the throne of Listrea had not been a mere formality but a brutal struggle, a path paved with the blood of his own brothers. He had fought, schemed, and clawed his way to power, earning his position through sheer determination and, at times, ruthlessness.

But today, he was willingly getting his hands dirty once more, for he had grown tired of the foolishness that often accompanied rulers and if Eldoria wants to go down the same path he would entertain them, not like he has got much of a choice anyway.

As Atticus and his entourage approached, King Jiang Shao looked up from his task, his hands stained with the blood of the antelope. His sharp eyes met Atticus's, and he gave a faint, enigmatic smile.

"Atticus! It's been so long, when last I saw you surely were brimming with so much youthfulness that caught every lady's eye" Jiang Shao let out a loud laugh as he teased the once most eligible bachelor.

"Your majesty" Atticus bowed, not replying to Jiang Shao teases.

"Here for the tributes" he continued.

"You have gotten boring Atticus, what happened to that hot headed boy. I guess being general has definitely dulled you" Jiang Shao taunted with a dark smile.

He raised his hands and signalled to one of his soldiers, and in graceful motion some of the soldiers came in, lifting a grill into the garden.

The grill was forged from wrought iron, its intricate designs reflecting the craftsmanship of Listrea. Its size was impressive, large enough to accommodate a feast fit for kings, with ample grilling space and racks to cook a variety of meats and vegetables simultaneously.

The grilling surface itself was made of heavy-duty cast iron, perfect for searing meats to perfection. Adjacent to the grill was a marble-topped preparation station, equipped with all the tools necessary for the king's culinary creations. A collection of herbs and spices sat in ornate jars, adding to the garden's fragrant atmosphere. The soldiers went to work as they arrange the pieces of antelope meat the king had butchered then set flames to the grill.

As Atticus and his royal guards settled around the round table in King Jiang Shao's garden, the scent of roasting meat filled the air, creating an atmosphere of camaraderie. The soldiers of Listrea worked diligently, placing pieces of seasoned antelope meat on the grill, where the flames licked at them, imparting a tantalizing aroma. The preparation station, adorned with herbs and spices, added to the anticipation of a savory meal.

As the flames danced beneath the grill's grates King Jiang shao looked to Atticus with his ever present smile. "Before we start having talks on tributes, why don't we dine on my fresh hunt. I believe in treating all my guest as comrades,so what do you say?"

Atticus couldn't help but notice the eccentric personality of Listrea's king. Jiang Shao's jovial demeanor contrasted sharply with the rumors of his ruthlessness. Atticus had to tread carefully in this unfamiliar territory, especially knowing the history of his host.

"We need to get back to Eldoria soon," Atticus began, cautious yet not wanting to reject the king's hospitality, "but not wanting to reject his majesty's good graces, we'll entertain a short meal. It would be our pleasure."

King Jiang Shao grinned, seemingly delighted by Atticus's acceptance. "See? I feel close to you like you're family," he exclaimed, a strange and unsettling laugh accompanying his words. 'Didn't this bastard slaughter his entire family?' Atticus thought in a mocking tone.

As the feast commenced, succulent meat sizzled on the grill, and the fragrance of the meal filled the garden. The soldiers of Listrea served the roasted meat to Atticus and his men, and soon, wine was poured into their cups.

As Atticus took a sip of his wine, he noticed a subtle change in the atmosphere. The warmth and joviality that had characterized the meeting now seemed to dissipate. King Jiang Shao's ever-present smile had vanished, replaced by a cold and calculating expression.

It was then that Atticus's senses tingled with unease. His instincts, honed through years of warfare, alerted him to danger. Something was amiss.

As if to confirm his suspicions, Atticus felt a slight dizziness creeping over him. Panic surged within him as he looked around and saw his royal guards on the verge of losing consciousness.

Fueled by a surge of adrenaline, rage and a desperate need to protect his men, Atticus acted swiftly. He threw away his wine cup, sending it clattering across the garden. With a powerful kick, he sent the table and its contents crashing to the ground, creating a chaotic scene.

"You poisoned my drink??" Atticus's voice thundered with accusation as he confronted King Jiang Shao, his eyes locked onto the ruler of Listrea.

In response to Atticus's question, more soldiers of Listrea poured into the garden, surrounding Atticus and his royal guards. The situation had taken a treacherous turn, and Atticus knew that they were now in the midst of a dangerous game, one where survival would require all of his cunning and strength.

"What is the meaning of this Jiang Shao? Your actions means war!"

Jiang Shao stood up from his seat as he cleaned his mouth with a piece of cloth.

"My dear Atticus, do you know the problem with you? You give almost everyone the benefit of doubt and you are not just decisive enough."

" I would ask again, is this a declaration of war?"

Atticus roared as he pulled his large sword from its sheath and got into his warriors stance. He knew how much of a dangerous situation he was in, for even if the soldiers could be easily taken down, the king and Listrea's general posed a seriously threat. Especially the king whose actual cultivation base was not known and besides that, whatever he had drank was messing with his senses which was an uncommon occurrence, for poisons that could affect a cultivator of his level was rare.

Jiang Shao's expression became more twisted and dark as he stared at Atticus.

"This is not a fucking war boy!!! Its a battle....a battle for your life. And if you should blame anyone, blame your piss pant weakling of a king for he is the one who wants you dead. Afterall, I myself I'm just following orders." Jiang Shao said with a sinister smile on his face.

Hearing this wild conspiracy, Atticus heart couldn't bear to accept that his own king would have ordered a hit on him. It just made no sense, his sacrificed a lot for his damned kingdom!

"You doubt me? Well I don't really care anyways since you gonna die here either way. Kill him!"

Jiang Shao roared in a commanding voice

Atticus looked around to his royal guard, at this point they were completely passed out, laying like chickens for slaughter.

Atticus's fury blazed like a wildfire as he faced the encroaching soldiers. His eyes locked onto King Jiang Shao, who had orchestrated this treacherous betrayal. He couldn't comprehend how his own king could order such an attack, but his instincts told him that he had to survive this deadly encounter to uncover the truth.

"Damn this!" As the opposing soldiers lunged at him with their swords, Atticus entire being suddenly became revatilized.

"Swords will!"