The Bargain with the Death God, and Its Price

The Death God appeared before me one day without warning.

It took the form of an ethereal mist.

A white fog spreading hazily before me—that was the Death God's true form.

"—If you wish it, I shall grant you power."

"… What's the price?"

"Twenty years of your lifespan."

"Cheap. Fine, I'll pay it."

To avenge my family, I could give up anything. After all, I had nothing left anymore.

When I answered, I thought I heard the mist snicker.

"The power I bestow upon you is the 'Soul Reaping Arts.' The art by which the Death God harvests souls. The power to kill whoever you want, whenever you want."

"Perfect."

"However, this is a power that deals with 'death.' It is not within the domain of mortals. The more you use it, the closer to 'death' you shall become. Knowing this, will you have no regrets?"

"No regrets. Revenge is all I have. If I can achieve it, I don't care if I die."

"—The contract is sealed. I bestow upon thee my blessing."

The mist that was the Death God's body suddenly rushed toward Bloom.

The mist passed through her body like a ghost and slipped smoothly inside.

Once within, it carved a new power into Bloom's soul.

Bloom's Soullight had originally been specialized for killing. The mist altered and enhanced it.

Bloom felt herself growing elated.

With this power, she could kill anyone. No matter what abilities her enemies possessed, she could crush them by force.

Her heart swelled with savage imaginings. Dark joy dominated her mind.

The mist that had spread throughout the area had nearly vanished.

It seemed the transfer of power was complete.

Just before the last of the mist disappeared, the Death God left a warning.

"Remember this well. —Those who deal in death shall eventually be entranced by death, and in the end, shall choose death for themselves."

 

＊　＊　＊

 

"—'Fog That Heralds Death.'"

That voice reached Rio's ears without warning.

"Wha—"

"It's the 'Death God'! Everyone, form up!"

While Rio faltered, Gil's reaction was swift.

His judgment was sound.

Yet even so, he felt intense urgency.

Black Priest, Seventh Rank—the Death God.

If an enemy could produce mist, it could only be her.

The one who held the highest rank among the Black Priests was the Vanguard Church's trump card.

Only the Archbishop knew her true identity, and even the details of her Soullight remained unknown.

All they knew was that anyone who entered that white mist would have their head reaped by a blade moving at godlike speed.

From fragmented intel, they could surmise it was a Soullight specialized for close combat that used mobility as its weapon.

Yet the mechanism behind that mobility—far surpassing others with similar speed-focused Soullights—remained a mystery.

Either there were unknown restrictions, or she was paying some tremendous cost.

Even as these thoughts raced through his mind, the Death God's blade drew near.

"Guh…!"

The instant he saw something glint within the white mist, Gil thrust out his short sword.

Blade met blade, sparks flying.

The Death God, judging she couldn't take Gil's head, immediately slipped back into the mist.

Despite how brief the exchange was, Gil's right hand throbbed painfully.

What ridiculous brute strength.

It might even rival Riogren, whose specialty was physical enhancement.

"Rio! Protect Laura and Fren with your life!"

"You don't have to tell me!"

Rio was the only one who could keep up with those movements.

Blades shot out from the mist again and again.

This time, the targets were the rear guard—Laura and Fren.

"Kuh…"

"—'O Light of Healing'!"

Rio somehow managed to react and block with his sword.

But he had no room to counterattack.

Grazes accumulated on Rio's body.

Laura's healing magic couldn't keep up.

And there were limits to healing magic.

At this rate, we'll be ground down.

Gil's frustration deepened. He wanted to counterattack, but he couldn't tell where in the mist the enemy lurked.

Rio, fighting purely on defense, was also drenched in sweat.

A war of attrition with no end in sight.

A premonition of death weighed on all four of them, their legs growing heavy.

—Then, without warning, the terrifying mist cleared.

"… Time's up. Next time, I'll hunt you down for good."

They held their breath.

The Death God who revealed herself possessed an otherworldly beauty. In her hands she held a massive scythe that exceeded her own height.

Her countenance was terrifyingly refined, her silver hair only heightening her allure.

Her delicate, almost childlike frame served to enhance her fantastical beauty all the more.

Yet something was wrong—her left hand was incessantly scratching at her own neck.

As if parasites had burrowed inside.

Despite already drawing blood from her neck, she continued to claw at that vital spot.

—Could that be her Soullight's cost…?

As Gil formed this theory, the Death God vanished from sight.

 

＊　＊　＊

 

"Hah, hah… AAAAHHH!"

Alone now, Bloom pressed both hands to her neck and scratched desperately.

Her ravaged skin tore open instantly, staining her neck red.

It was the symptom of those afflicted by "Death's Allure."

The overwhelming urge to kill herself that assaulted her immediately after using her ability.

She was neutralizing it through pain.

But such a childish trick wouldn't last for long.

"Hah… hah…"

She manifested the great scythe, and with her trembling right hand, drove the blade into her left wrist.

"Ah, AAAAHHH! It hurts it hurts it hurts!"

Bloom wasn't being controlled by the Death God. She was inflicting these wounds upon herself by her own volition.

Fresh blood dripped steadily from her wrist, and she felt her body growing cold.

"Maybe I should just… die…!"

That thought always surfaced.

Family vengeance, the Church's orders—none of it mattered if she died.

Or perhaps if she died, she could forget everything and live happily.

Or perhaps she could be reborn and live with her family again.

Perhaps. Perhaps. Perhaps. Perhaps.

"Guh!"

She slammed her head against the wall.

The unrestrained impact rattled her brain and stopped her thoughts.

"No… I will definitely avenge everyone… I have to live… live and fulfill my revenge, I swore it on my soul! Damn it, it's agony, I want to die… I have to take revenge… I want to die."

Her thoughts hazy from the blow, Bloom continued muttering to herself as she set off alone on the path home.

She had regretted making the contract with the Death God ever since that day.

She'd thought countless times that she might as well die in battle.

But the power the Death God had granted her was too strong, and no matter how long she waited, Bloom could never manage to die.

From somewhere far away, she thought she heard the Death God's mocking laughter.