FATE: The Man with Divine Keys

"Y-You're here for that peasant woman!" The old man seemed to suddenly understand something. "Where's Gavin? What did you do to them?"

"They're right here."

Arkhan casually tossed the fragment of clothing he held in his hand.

As the old man looked at the familiar black fabric, his pupils suddenly contracted.

"You... you actually..."

"No need for all this pointless chatter. In any case, you'll pay for your actions."

Gae Bolg flew back into Arkhan's hand, and he threw it towards the young man on the bed.

*Whoosh!*

But, a black mist suddenly appeared, enveloping Gae Bolg. The crimson magical energy burning on the spear quickly vanished, and it fell to the ground like an ordinary spear.

"Miss Yulina!" The old man's face lit up with surprise.

The black mist gathered and transformed into a woman in a black robe.

She was beautiful, with crimson eyes and a figure so curvaceous it seemed almost exaggerated. Her slender, fair fingers lightly brushed over her full red lips, like a seductive rose in full bloom.

"My~ my~ It's been so long since I've tasted such delicious magical energy."

The woman extended her sensual tongue and licked her lips, her expression intoxicated.

"Miss Yulina! Please, save our prince." The old man hurriedly pleaded.

Yulina turned to look at him, emitting a melodious, bell-like laughter that echoed in everyone's hearts.

"Fufu, this man has been giving me those disgusting looks all along the way. I've been itching to shred him to pieces. Now, he's getting what he deserves."

The old man's face darkened, realizing that if he didn't offer something significant today, this woman might indeed stand by idly.

"As long as the prince is safe, we'll double the reward!"

"Triple it!" Yulina extended three fingers, smiling coyly.

The old man hesitated for a moment, then gritted his teeth.

"Deal!"

As long as the prince remained unharmed, no price was too high.

Yulina nodded in satisfaction and turned to Arkhan, smiling.

"Sorry, little brother, even though I wanted to see this man dead as much as you did, I can't go back on my word as a professional bounty hunter."

Arkhan gazed at her crimson eyes and spoke in a calm tone, "You're a Dead Apostle, aren't you?"

Yulina blinked in surprise, her eyes showing a hint of curiosity. "Hee~ I didn't expect you to know about Dead Apostles. Since you've figured it out, you better leave quietly. Otherwise, if this sister gets angry, she might just drain you dry."

Dead Apostles were humans who had undergone a certain transformation to become blood-sucking creatures, also known as Vampires. Originally created to serve as familiars and emergency blood supply for the True Ancestors. Some of Dead Apostles had evolved into monstrous beings, with vast differences in power, but generally possessing abilities beyond ordinary mages.

Arkhan narrowed his eyes slightly.

"Who's your master? Black Princess Altrouge? White Wing Lord Trhvmn Ortenrosse? Or Black Wing Lord Gransurg Blackmore?"

The smile faded from Yulina's face, and a hint of caution appeared in her crimson eyes.

"Who are you, really?"

"As I said earlier, just a passing-by teacher..." Arkhan said lightly. "Now, it's your turn to answer my questions."

Instead of a response, she advanced on him instead.

"It seems I'll have to get the answers myself huh..." Arkhan sighed and began to write Rune in the air with his fingertips.

[Rune - Restraint]

Chains of light green extended from the void, binding Yulina. However, she suddenly turned into black mist, escaping the confinement of the chains and enveloping Arkhan.

Arkhan could feel his magical energy rapidly decreasing.

"It's useless; no matter what means you use, you can't trap me. Besides, any magecraft can be devoured by me~"

Yulina's triumphant voice came from the black mist.

"I warned you not to anger me, little brother, but you just can't behave, can you? Looks like, this sister must teach you a lesson."

"So, this is the power you gained after becoming a Dead Apostle..." Arkhan's magical energy was rapidly shrinking, but he didn't appear to be flustered. He even had a slight smile on his face.

The black mist suddenly paused, and for some reason, Yulina suddenly felt something wasn't right.

"Let me teach you a lesson, woman." Deep darkness coalesced in Arkhan's hand, transforming into a black sword burning with ominous black flames. "Eating indiscriminately can upset your stomach, you know~"

"AAAHHHHH—!"

A piercing scream echoed from the black mist. The mist seemed to scatter rapidly from Arkhan's body, turning into Yulina's form in an instant.

She knelt on the ground, her body engulfed in eerie black flames, her face contorted in agony.

Though not known for physical strength as a Dead Apostle, her physical endurance was no less than that of an average phantasmal species.

However, under the strange black flames, her body seemed utterly powerless. Excruciating pain pierced through her nerves as if countless knives were cutting through her.

"I... I was wrong... p-please... spare me..."

She struggled to lift her head, pleadingly looking at Arkhan.

Arkhan crouched down, smiling gently.

"Hmm~ if you want me to spare you, I can, but you have to promise to become my servant."

'Are you kidding me? The reason I escaped from there was because I didn't want to be anyone's servant anymore!'

Although Yulina wanted to say that to his face, looking into the man's emotionless eyes, she realized she had no choice.

She didn't want to become a servant, but she wanted to live; her life was more important. Becoming a servant meant there was still a chance to escape; if she died, there would be nothing left.

"I... I agree... to be your... servant..."

"Smart choice." Arkhan smiled, extending a finger to touch Yulina's forehead. The black flames on her body instantly converged, forming a black flame symbol on her brow.

"This is a spell I created using Rune and a unique power of mine. With a single thought, it will completely consume everything in you—knowledge, memories, emotions, life—nothing will remain."

Arkhan smiled warmly, but to Yulina, he appeared as a devil from hell.

"Of course, if you want to devour this Rune, I don't mind. It saves me the trouble."

'Doesn't this mean I have no chance to escape anymore?' Yulina collapsed on the ground, her body weak, her eyes filled with despair.

"While I have some questions to ask you, for now, let me finish my unfinished business...."

Arkhan patted Yulina's shoulder, then looked towards the trembling old man and the unconscious young man lying on the bed nearby.