Her connection to Corvin… faded.
Her golden eyes narrowed, scanning the distant horizon. Then she saw it, a mangled, blood-soaked body hurtling through the night like a broken arrow. Corvin.
Her jaw slackened, a guttural hiss escaping her throat as her cold heart clenched tight. She could feel it; he was gone. Their bond shattered, her strength dimming with the loss.
For a moment, she stood motionless, drowning in grief, unsure what to do, how to avenge him, when the distant shouts of orc hunters pierced the silence.
Corvin’s voice echoed in her mind. Live a good life, okay?
Her body tightened. She promised herself then and there that she would survive. And one day, she would have her revenge.
She darted through the shadows, moving toward the direction Corvin’s body had flown. She had to see him, one last time.
Half an hour passed as she slipped past patrols and scouts, her rage simmering beneath the surface. Then, suddenly, something stirred deep within her, a warmth, ancient and familiar. Power surged through her veins, a pulse of strength and love that felt like her father’s embrace.
Her eyes widened. She felt him. Alive. Somehow, impossibly, Corvin had returned.
Joy, unlike anything she had ever known, flooded her being. With a hiss that split the night, Nera launched herself forward, racing toward the source of that impossible connection.
***
Corvin’s body slammed into a small meadow, skidding through dirt before crashing into a shallow ditch near a vast lake surrounded by dense forest. The impact left him broken and bloodied, his armor shattered, his breath barely a whisper.
Then, his bracelet cracked, and a surge of radiant light enveloped him. Bones snapped back into place, his spine reknitting, ribs and arms mending as agony tore him awake. He growled through clenched teeth, barely able to lift his arms as he fumbled for potions. One after another, he chugged them until his health bar crawled back to safety and he could sit upright.
That felt odd, like I was somewhere else. It was dark but soothing; it felt like home. It took him a while to come to his senses to figure out where he was.
Then he noticed his bare body and stared at the remnants of his gear. “All gone… Only boots and gloves survived. Everything else, ruined.” His voice trembled with frustration. “All that effort… wasted.” He wanted to scream, wanted to march back and tear that damn orc apart, but reality hit hard. They had failed spectacularly. Kang was likely dead. Nera… who knew where she was? And Corvin himself was stranded, naked and broken.
“Top shit,” he muttered bitterly. “I need to level up fast and go back. If Kang’s alive, I’ll save him. I cannot leave him stranded. I am not like that bastard Boridus.” Then his face darkened with rage. “And if he is dead. I will torch that place to the ground together with all those pigs,” He growled as a familiar chime echoed in his mind.
[Achievement Unlocked: Second Chance!]
Die and return from the other side.
[Additional rewards granted.]
[60,000 Points Awarded]
[Error!]
[Demonic bloodline strengthened due to corruption from the Nether Realm.]
[User has awakened part of their heritage.]
[Race: 72% Human | 20% Demonic | 7% Divine | 1% Unknown]
[Rewards affected by corruption.]
[+10 Points assigned to Strength]
[Skill Unlocked: Demon’s Descent ???]
[System analyzing unknown skill… Skill locked for user’s protection.]
Corvin stared at the glowing text, his heart pounding, palms slick with sweat and blood. “Dying… awakened my demonic bloodline? What the hell? Even the rewards are trash! Ten points into Strength? Who told you that was okay?!”
He slammed his fist into the dirt, rage boiling over. “I almost forgot about all that demon bullshit, and now this?! A demonic skill I can’t even use?! And a nice reminder of my failures. Fuck this!” His roar echoed through the silent meadow as he sat naked, drenched in blood, under the cold moonlight.
After venting his fury, he opened his storage, searching for anything wearable, anything to take his mind off the situation.
“Oh, right… that item from the orc commander.” He pulled out a piece of heavy plated leg armor, its surface gleaming faintly in the moonlight.
[Steel Plated Leggings]
Rarity: Rare
Type: Leg Armor
Heavy armor used by the strongest of orcs.
Grants enhanced stability, preventing the wearer from losing balance in combat.
Strengthens one's attacks by 25%.
Strength + 10 Vitality + 10
Requirements: Strength 50
“At least I’ve got something left,” Corvin muttered, glancing at the plated leg armor. “But first… I need to wash away the blood and the shame.” He chuckled at his current state and rose.
He stepped into the lake, plunging beneath the icy surface. The cold bit into his skin, but it cleared his mind as he scrubbed away blood and grime. For a moment, he allowed himself to drift, muscles relaxing, until a ripple broke the silence above.
Corvin froze. Instinct kicking in. He triggered Echolocation, and the pulse revealed a massive presence, a serpent, crystal-white, coiled around the lake like a living fortress. Ten meters long, thick as an ancient oak.
Fuck me… Can this day get any worse? He cursed inwardly, then a voice slithered into his mind.
“Come out, dark one. I can feel you holding your breath.” The serpent’s whisper was telepathic, smooth, and commanding.
Holy shit… Guess it did get worse. All those points in Luck for nothing. Corvin surfaced slowly, water streaming down his battered frame.
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The serpent’s eyes gleamed like polished gems as it studied him, naked, shivering, broken.
[Crystalheart Python (The Serpent Lord) Lv. 635] [HP: 403,625 / 403,625] [MP: 8,000 / 8,000]
“You seem to have succeeded our younger sister as the Dark Lord,” the voice coiled through his thoughts. “I don’t know what she was thinking… but I will trust her choice.”
Corvin stared, first at the colossal serpent, then at its stats, then at his own trembling hands. A system chime snapped him from his daze.
*** Resistance Unlocked: Cold Resistance Lv. 1 ***
The shivers eased as his body adapted to the chill. He forced a smile. So… my title from the boa triggered this.
“Oh, mighty python,” Corvin said, feigning grief. “I was chosen as your sister’s successor… after she fell to hobgoblins.”
“What? Hobgoblins?” The serpent hissed, voice sharp with disdain. “Damn that sister of ours… she did love eating their children.”
Corvin swallowed hard. What the hell…? Who are we?
“How can I serve you in this late hour?” he asked politely, trying to survive this insane encounter.
“Oh, don’t mind me,” the python replied. “I sensed my sister’s power in you and came to see if she lingered in my territory, perhaps. But tell me, why are you covered in blood?”
Corvin sighed. “I fought an Orc King… and lost.”
“I see. Indeed, you are far too weak to challenge an Orc King, little one. But you survived, so that is something. How about I teach you a few things, for my sister’s sake?”
Corvin’s heart leapt. Let’s go!
“I would be honored,” he said, bowing deeply.
“Good, good. Come with me, this place is not suitable.” The serpent began to turn, then paused as Corvin called after it.
“Could you wait a moment?” Corvin asked quickly. “I sense my friend approaching. She’s close.” He could feel Nera drawing nearer, and he wasn’t leaving without her.
“I am awfully hungry, though,” the python hissed.
Corvin shivered, then burned 20,000 points to summon a massive roasted buffalo full of mana.
“We can share this,” he said, carving a piece for himself and offering the rest. The serpent swallowed it whole, eyes gleaming.
“Oho… delightful! What magic summons such food?”
“It’s a unique spell,” Corvin explained smoothly. “I sacrifice the corpses of my fallen enemies to conjure meals.”
“Marvelous,” the serpent purred. “I have a few big corpses at home, you could summon a feast beyond imagining.”
Corvin chuckled inwardly. Just like Nera… food wins them over.
He slipped into torn pants and a filthy shirt, strapped on the plated leg armor, and waited beside the serpent as Nera’s presence surged closer through the night.
***
An hour later, Nera arrived, her golden eyes locking on the massive python. She hissed sharply, muscles coiling as she searched for a way to protect Corvin.
“Oho… you didn’t tell me your friend is my sister’s child,” the python whispered telepathically, its voice smooth and ancient. “You truly are a friend of the serpent kin. Thank you for caring for the youngling.”
The serpent lowered its head and hissed something to Nera in their tongue. After a moment, it uncoiled, allowing her to surge forward.
Nera slammed into Corvin, wrapping around him in a crushing embrace, hissing furiously.
“She says she’s glad her father survived,” the python translated calmly, “but she’s angry you pulled her from the battlefield.”
Corvin chuckled weakly. “Sounds about right.”
“I see she’s just like my sister,” the python mused. “Always obsessed with fighting since the day she hatched. Thank you, young one, for protecting this reckless child. And… I won’t pry into your relationship with my sister, father.”
The serpent’s massive head tilted, its gem-like eyes gleaming. “Follow me, brother-in-law.”
Corvin froze. “Wait, what?! No, it’s not like that! Damn it…” He sighed, rubbing his temples as the python slithered away.
“Come on, Nera,” Corvin muttered, his voice low but resolute. “He’ll help us, for now. We need to grow stronger if we want revenge.”
Nera hissed softly, her body tightening in agreement, and slithered after them into the shadows.
***
Corvin and Nera followed the python until it stopped before a massive cave mouth.
“This is my home. Ignore the bones,” the serpent said casually as it slithered inside.
Corvin’s eyes widened at the towering piles of bones scattered across the entrance, remnants of beasts so large and powerful that even their skeletons radiated menace. This thing hunts monsters I’d barely survive against…
As they ventured deeper, Corvin noticed the cave wasn’t cold or damp like most. Instead, a crimson glow bathed the walls, radiating waves of heat.
“What is that?” Corvin asked, squinting toward the source.
“Oh, that,” the python replied lazily. “I dug this place when I was young and found a burning river. Decided to stay, it’s warm and pleasant.”
Corvin stared, stunned. A magma river… This snake is insane. And terrifyingly strong, even for its level.
“Nera, don’t get too close,” Corvin warned, his tone firm. “The heat might overwhelm you, but you can train your resistance here.”
“You truly care for the young one,” the python said warmly. “I’m glad.”
Then, with a flick of its massive tail, the serpent dragged something from a side chamber and tossed it toward Corvin. The ground shook as two colossal corpses crashed before him.
Corvin’s eyes widened as the system scanned them:
[Armored Rhino’s Corpse (Epic)]
[Horned Lion King’s Corpse (Epic)]
Two epic beasts… That’s at least 200,000 points. Enough to buy some decent gear.
“How much food do you want for these?” Corvin asked, slipping into merchant mode.
“I want two piles, each as big as these corpses,” the python said, its voice rumbling. “And as delicious as the buffalo you shared.”
Corvin smirked, converted the corpses into points, and summoned two large piles of roasted oxen and pigs, cheaper meats but as delicious as the buffalo.
“What do you think? Enough?” he asked, gesturing to the feast.
“Oh… wonderful,” the python hissed in delight, immediately devouring the meat.
Nera slithered closer, hunger gleaming in her eyes, but Corvin stopped her gently. He purchased a whole roasted lamb and set it before her.
“This is yours,” he said firmly. “Don’t steal from the strong.”
Nera hissed softly in agreement as Corvin glanced at his points, smirking. Worth it.
[Points: 335,000]
“Wonderful,” Corvin muttered with a grin. Food is so much cheaper than potions or gear… I earned a lot from this deal with the old Python.
“If you have any more corpses you want exchanged, just let me know,” Corvin added smoothly.
“Oh, certainly! This food is ten times better than what I’ve been eating,” the python hissed cheerfully, its gem-like eyes gleaming.
“You mentioned something about helping us before?” Corvin pressed, impatience creeping into his voice. He needed strength, fast. Kang’s life might still hang by a thread.
“Oh yes,” the serpent replied lazily. “I did say that. I can teach you one of my skills… but first, you must strengthen your weak body. Both of you.”
A skill? Finally, things are looking up. Corvin bowed deeply. “Tell me what to do.”
“There is a canyon not far from here,” the python began, its voice echoing like distant thunder. “You will go there and slay the spiders guarding an old friend’s grave. Then, you must bathe in the blood of the Serpent King and adapt to the venom of my kin. Only then can I teach you my personal skill. This is a test, not everyone can learn it, even if you bear my sister’s title or father my niece. Pass this trial, and I shall help you.”
The serpent’s gaze narrowed. “This does not interfere with our deal, of course. We can still exchange corpses for food, yes?”
Corvin laughed. “Haha, of course. And thank you, this is a huge opportunity for me. I need to fight that Orc King again.” His voice hardened as Nera hissed beside him.
*** Legendary Quest Accepted: Serpent King’s Heirloom ***
Due to the title of Night Lord and the Amulet of the Serpent King. The user had met all hidden requirements to receive the quest from the Serpent Lord.
Reach the end of the Slithering Canyon and find a way into the hidden chamber.
Bath in the blood of the late king and receive his legacy.
Rewards: One of the Serpent King’s skills, Crown of the Serpent King
An extra reward for having a serpent as your companion will be given by the Serpent Lord if the quest is completed within 96 hours.
Estimated time left: 96 Hours
Corvin’s eyes widened as the system text burned into his vision. Oh, my gods… I guess I should thank the Orc King next time I meet him. A grin split his pale face. Things are finally turning around.
Achievements:
Do the Impossible – Kill an Epic-type monster while at level 1
Are you, my mommy? – Hatch a new species of monster and make it recognize you as its parent.
Ouch, That’s Hot! – Survive a fire attack that should’ve killed you within seconds.
A New Path – Lead a being on a new path. Reforging its very existence into something greater.
Second Chance! – Die and return from the other side.
Skills Unlocked: Demon’s Descent ???, Cold Resistance Lv. 1
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