A Reaper's Philosophy-Chapter 80: I Am The Strongest

"These are inheritances!" Elda exclaimed. 𝒻𝑟ℯℯ𝑤𝑒𝑏𝑛𝘰𝓋𝑒𝓁.𝒸𝑜𝘮

"Yes, our city would have been wiped out if not for your intervention. Our lives aren’t worth just a few electrum. It’s the least I can do to thank you for saving us." Evgenis said as she stretched out her hand to give them the golden tablets.

Inheritances are, in its simplest form, skills that link to your bloodline. Inheritances contain the complete essence of a skill or technique. After recieving an inheritance, one wouldn’t have to learn the skill and would become even more proficient with the power than someone that had practiced with it for a hundred years.

Perhaps what truly sets the two apart is that inheritances are imbued with conscience of the master who created the technique. It is almost impossible to learn the technique if the inheritance does not accept you.

"There can’t be many of these lying around, are you sure you can give these to us?" Grayson asked. "Yes, each elder holds a few inheritances in their possession. These are my last two," Evgenis said still stretching out her hands for them to receive the inheritances.

"Then I will humbly accept it," Grayson said then took the golden tablet and Elda did the same, excitedly. Grayson then started to read the contents engraved on the tablet. The tablet then slowly started to disappear into a gaseous cloud of exousia that was being absorbed by Grayson.

Information started to rush into Grayson’s mind and his comprehension of the laws of space increased drastically.

"Incredible, you absorbed the inheritance in just a few seconds. I have never seen someone so compatible with our Golden Manifestation!" Evgenis said in shock.

Elda tried to read the golden tablet but couldn’t understand the contents engraved on it. It’s like she knew what the words were, but couldn’t comprehend the information when they came together.

’Shit, I’m not compatible with this inheritance. Doesn’t matter though, this could sell for hundreds of millions of electrum, given how rare it is, I might never have to work a day in my life again!’ Elda began to think, unable to contain the mischievous smile on her face.

"This has been enlightening." Grayson said out loud.

{Cloud Warp (Lv. 2)} (Unlocked)

A shadow that had been following Evgenis the whole time suddenly squinted its eyes suspiciously, killing intent then began to ooze off of the shadow.

"Dunamis!" Grayson exclaimed out loud, grabbed Elda’s hand, then warped thousands of miles away with her. With the cloud warp now at level 2, the distance he could warp had increased by far and so did the number of times he could warp. Not even Evgenis could catch up now.

However, he did not stop with just 1 warp, but warped 20 times at a go. Going in different directions. Grayson wasn’t worried about himself. He made a deal with Dunamis and he didn’t think he was going to break that deal. He ran because he could sense that the killing intent wasn’t directed at him, but at Elda.

Suddenly, just as he was about to warp again a skeletal like hand grabbed Elda’s neck. Dunamis now stood before Grayson, holding Elda in the air by the neck. A powerful intent was being released from Dunamis, restricting Grayson from warping again.

"Is this your grand plan? Gain enough power to become strong enough to fight me by the end of the year? Going on your silly little missions. I admit, I’m impressed that you were able to convince one of the elders to actually give you the inheritance of Gold Manifestation, never in all of history has an outsider received that inheritance. But do you really think that would be enough?" Dunamis asked then casually slapped Grayson over 20 feet away with the back of his hand, all the while still holding the struggling Elda by the neck.

Grayson then tumbled on the ground trying to recover from the strike. As soon as he did, he coughed out a mouthful of blood. Half of his ribs were now broken.

’Just a casual slap from him has injured me this much!’ Grayson exclaimed in his head as he coughed out blood. Dunamis was instantly in front of Grayson again, looking down at him like he was an ant.

"We had a deal!" Grayson struggled to say.

"No need to panic, I only gave you a light tap." Dunamis said nonchalantly.

(Aaakkk Aaach!)

Elda struggled to breathe as she continued to chock in Dunamis’ arm. Suddenly, runes appeared around her neck and a forcefield exploded out of them. The forcefield expanded and pushed Dunamis’ hand away.

"This woman is truly impressive. In all of Evnoia, there is no one on the same level that can match her work. The protective array she made back there is top notch even when compared to mine.

It did of course take her three days to craft it in such a small area, whilst mine surrounds all of Evnoia HAHAHAHA. Still, impressive nonetheless. Your future would have been bright," Dunamis said then grabbed Elda by the neck again and twisted it, breaking it instantly.

(Snap)

He then tossed her body on the ground. A look of horror was left on Elda’s face with tears coming out of her eyes, she was dead. Normally a host of her level could heal from such an injury, but Dunamis had used his intent to block off any power that could aid her.

(Tsk)

Grayson clicked his tongue after seeing Dunamis so casually kill Elda.

"You will never defeat me, because I am the strongest! The best you can do is entertain this immortal life for one year, HAHAHAHA," Dunamis said then disappeared laughing.

"FUCK! FUCK! FUCK! FUUUUUCK!" Grayson shouted in frustration as he repeatedly punched the ground as it shattered beneath him. Each punch caused a huge explosion that could be heard from miles away. His knuckles were now bleeding as a feeling of helplessness overwhelmed him. He looked at Elda’s corpse lying on the ground and felt regretful.

"You didn’t have to die like this. My coming here had altered your fate, for that, I am sorry." Grayson said regretfully

The shadow that had been following Elda was finally ready to collect her soul.

"What’s going on? What happened?" Elda asked in a panic. She then looked down and saw her lifeless corpse on the ground.

"Did-, did I die?" Elda said unwillingly.

"No, no no no. I just-, there’s no way-!" Elda said in a panic.

The shadow then approached Elda and opened a gate next to her. The shadow pointed towards the gate, signaling Elda to walk through it.

Grayson then quickly kicked the shadow away then grabbed Elda’s hand.

"Grayson! Are you dead too?" Elda asked feeling slightly more calm after seeing Grayson could touch her.

"No, but I promise I’ll fix this." Grayson said then took Elda’s soul into his dark cloud.

He was still a reaper, so he could easily interact with other people’s souls. He then picked up her lifeless corpse and proceeded to warp another two times. He was now right in front of Madsus City, carrying Elda’s corpse.

{Cloud Warp 22/24}

"What happened? Is she-?" Ravana asked in disbelief.

Grayson didn’t say anything and just placed her on the ground in front of Ravana.

"She’s dead, I wasn’t strong enough to save her." Grayson said regrettably.

"But she’s a Legendary Cultivator...how could she have-?" Ravana said then broke into tears.

Suddenly, the shadow reappeared. It quickly opened another gate. This time the gate had a suction force that slowly dragged Elda out of Grayson’s cloud. Ravana continued to cry, unable to see what was happening.

Grayson tried to take a hold of Elda’s soul, but the suction was too strong. Suddenly, a blinding light appeared. Within the light was a being clad in white armor. 8 wings could be see behind him, carrying him in the air.

Dunamis suddenly appeared as well, "You dare to come into my planet!"

"It’s not everyday you interfere with someone’s lifespan. Especially after they have risked their own life to save millions."

"Michael!" Dunamis said disdainfully.

"Dunamis, you are not getting this soul!" Michael said assertively.

"What if I refuse?" Dunamis said threateningly.

"If this was a negotiation, he wouldn’t have sent me." Michael said.

(Tsk)

Dunamis clicked his tongue then disappeared.

"Oof, that was close. I really thought we would have to fight there." Michael said letting out a breath.

"Whatever happens with Elda from here on, is permitted. It was not her time so we leave her in your hands." Michael said then flew away.

"What the fuck just happened? What makes Elda so special?" Grayson asked himself.

The next few days were spent honoring Elda. A funeral was held in the outskirts of the city where everyone could attend. Elda was an important figure in Madsus City, known as the best Array Master of her level. Many people, at the very least, knew of her level of skills or heard of her famous artifacts.

The streets were empty as a majority of the people in the city were attending the funeral. Lilith, being one of the few exceptions. She said funerals were a bore, thus, she remained at the Bartender’s drinking with him.

A casket made of gold could be seen floating in the middle of a crowd. This casket greatly stood out as it was decorated with high quality beast cores. Other caskets were floating as well around the field, but were not as eye catching.

"How did this happen?" Elder Mai asked with clenched fists.

"Dunamis..." Grayson answered.

"DUNAMIS?!! The reaper?! Why would Dunamis go after Elda?" Elder Mai asked in shock.

"It’s my fault...Dunamis was after me. Elda just happened to be in the wrong place at the wrong time." Grayson said regrettably.

"How are you still alive? You’re strong, but there is no way you could escape Dunamis if he didn’t allow it." Elder Mai asked suspiciously.

"Keep it down, both of you. We are here to honor Elda’s memory!" Ravana whispered harshly.

Grayson and Elder Mai then both kept silent and continued with the funeral in silence. After some time, the crowd began to disperse. It was now only Grayson and Elder Mai left. Gen had stayed longer as well, but could sense Elder Mai and Grayson wanted to talk so he had left with Ravana, despite wanting to stay. Gen seemed to have been taking this the worst. He and Elda were very close.

"Why would Dunamis be after you? What did you do and how are you still alive?" Elder Mai asked in a serious tone.

"I’m a reaper as well and I’m basically trespassing in his sector." Grayson answered truthfully.

"I see, I thought interplanetery travel was forbidden..." Elder Mai said then went into deep thought.

"You believe me just like that?" Grayson asked.

"It does explain the insane power you have at your level. Things actually make more sense now. However, compared to Dunamis, you are much weaker. Why’s that?" Elder Mai asked.

Grayson then lift up his t-shirt and revealed a gruesome wound on his stomach. "I coincidentally ran into him when I landed on this planet. As you can see, it didn’t go so well for me...there were losses. His intent greatly eroded my body and soul and weakened me dramatically. I was lucky to have escaped with my life." Grayson said regrettably.

"You took an attack from Dunamis and lived. I’m impressed! I can only imagine the kind of entity you must have been to have survived and even escaped Dunamis. He is the Reaper of Luck. In Evnoia luck is your best ally. Which is why it is not wise to make an enemy out of someone like that.

That being said, I can’t risk the safety of the city by having you here. I must respectfully ask you to leave. After what happened to Elda...this cannot happen again!" Elder Mai said.

"Elda is still alive." Grayson said calmly.