Am I a Healer? You'd Better Think So!-Chapter 57: Devourer’s Oath

"Alright, alright, despite everything, you won." The woman's voice came softly. "What's your question?"

Darian stared at the silhouette, then really started thinking. She clearly knew more about his curse and abilities than he did. She'd even said he died twice already... had she been watching him this whole time? And she said weird stuff too — like 'father.'

Looking down at the marks on his fists and thinking it through, Darian's heart started pounding like a drum.

"You... your name... what's your name?"

"Oh? Finally using your head?" The silhouette scoffed. "My name is Meru."

Darian froze. That name... he couldn't believe it...

"Yes, I'm the same one from the book you read," she confirmed calmly.

Darian's voice shook: "So it was all... really..."

"It really did all happen, just like in the book. But it's been a few million years since the final battle." The silhouette answered, her tone calm as she stared at him.

"You only read a summary my mother wrote, without many details. But her writing talent is pretty amazing. All the main points are in there... or most, at least. She also really likes to describe stuff in detail that should've stayed between husband and wife. Most of it was left out... I hope."

Darian couldn't say a word. He'd read that story so many times. Everything in it was huge, extreme, completely fantastical. It told the tale of a war that dragged in life from every universe and plunged it into unbelievable chaos.

But in the end, the protagonist beat a being with literal godlike powers. He became the will of the heavens. And Meru was his daughter, who fought by his side in the final battle.

"My mother and father have an old karma with you."

Meru said softly, waving her hand. Instantly, Darian felt the marks in his soul pulse.

"I can't say much right now. You're way too weak, and knowing too much would only hurt you. But what I said before wasn't a lie. My father was clear: if you weren't at least somewhat capable, even after everything we gave you... I'd have to go to your universe and wipe everything out."

"How... how do I have karma with them?" Darian asked, tense.

"One day, they'll tell you. But this isn't the time. Anyway, let's cut to the point." She waved her hand, and the ground around Darian split open.

Nine figures appeared — surrounded by a white aura, perfectly intact, all of them asleep.

Darian's heart raced as he looked at his group. They weren't dead. So... she did all that just to seem like the enemy?

"Now you get it. They'll wake up at the right time." Her voice was calm. "My turn to ask. Darian, what's your goal? Why are you fighting?"

He went quiet for a few seconds, staring at the silhouette — someone he'd thought was just a fictional character his whole life. Meru had a long story filled with pain, but she never backed down or gave up.

He, on the other hand... had spent his whole life trying to run away.

But now, it felt like everything had flipped.

"I want to protect the people around me," he said, clenching his fists.

"That's it?" she shot back with disdain. "What's the point of getting strong if your home and your entire universe are rotting? It'll all be corrupted. You gonna be your family's babysitter forever?"

Darian went serious. Her words hit — harsh, but true. Then he remembered the decision he'd made earlier: he wouldn't run, wouldn't bow down, and would push through anything in his way.

"If everything's corrupted... then I'll change it." His voice came out steady and firm.

"And how do you plan to change the world?" The silhouette stepped forward, challenging. "You think the powerful are just gonna let that happen?"

Darian took a deep breath, his red eyes glowing: "Earth and the other planets in my universe are all the same. Everyone lives in this fake utopia, where only the strongest get even a hint of peace... and even that's super questionable..."

He trailed off mid-sentence, then went quiet for ten seconds, really thinking...

When he looked up again, his voice was full of conviction: "Real change only happens from the inside out... this power I have... with it, I can bring together the ones who are good."

"You do realize evil is part of living things, right?" the silhouette challenged, like his words were way too naive. "Even if you tear down the old building and make a better one, sooner or later it all ends up the same. People shape the world in their own image."

Darian scoffed: "That's the cycle, isn't it? Your dad's story shows that... for someone good to rise, they've gotta fall, get dirty in the chaos, until they finally learn. I can't break the cycle of life."

He lifted his eyes, determined: "I don't want to destroy the building... I just want to level the ground. I want to build an alternative. A place where anyone who wants to live away from the chaos can at least try. The others can live how they want — but whenever someone wants out..."

She cut him off: "Are you ready to die for nothing? Every time someone messes with the balance of power, they become the world's number one enemy. Even the good people end up poisoned and fooled. Are you ready to kill and kill, fight and suffer... just for a chance?"

"I'm not giving up. I'll go all the way, even if I die for nothing," Darian said, taking a deep breath. "This power I have... I might not be the most skilled person out there, but I can use it to find the ones who can fight by my side and fill in the gaps I can't."

"Hmm... so you wanna be the ultimate Young Master that everyone has to help?" she asked, emotionless.

Darian sighed: "If that were the case, I'd need to be a good actor at least. Might as well just be honest..."

"Yeah, you really do look like an idiot when you pretend," she shot back, then stared at him. "Alright. My dad told me he used to be a total idiot in the beginning too. But with enough pressure..."

Darian felt a chill run down his spine at those words.

"I'll be straight with you. That 'curse' of yours, those two marks and everything else... they're mine. I'm the one who made all of it and gave it to you. That's why I came here to test you myself. You passed... barely. Anyway, from today on, I'm officially taking you as my disciple."

Darian was stunned: "What? Those marks aren't..."

She waved calmly: "Yeah. At first, I used the same technique my father did, but later I made my own version — one that fits me, and you, better. I call them the Goddess of Karma's Marks. And you? You've inherited part of my power, becoming a Devourer's Oath."

"But don't get the wrong idea. There's only one of you, and even though I laid a solid foundation, you're the one who has to build everything on top of it with your own hands. In the end, your powers will be truly yours. Right now though, you're just a super weak copy of my technique. That's why I plan to teach you properly."

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She finished and stared at Darian in silence.

He swallowed hard, completely frozen.

"..."

"Do I really need to ask?!" she said, crossing her arms coldly.

He jumped and bowed immediately. "This disciple greets his master."