Void Spawn - A litrpg adventure fantasy

Samael and Ajax's footsteps left hushed trail of echoes dancing in the air as they traversed the muddy dirt road leading to Georgo Road.

Their cloaks fluttered wildly under the nudges of the cold afternoon wind—a rather odd weather, if some may say.

The road was desolate, devoid of any life. There was not a single sound wafting in the air nor any silhouette present in the long, crimson-stained path.

Craters varying in size littered the road, some containing corpses of slain abominations left to rot.

Traces of siege weapons stood idle at random, destroyed and were left after they'd fulfilled their purposes.

"All these weapons and dead abominations... are they trying to attract more trouble?" Samael asked, his brows furrowed tight.

Ajax fell silent for a moment as he marched onward, unfazed.

"Disposing these corpses is a fool's errand if the abominations swarm the path regardless," Ajax replied.

Samael's gaze lowered as he felt something hard against his soles.

Under the crimson-marred mud nested an eye—no, corpses, human corpses. Well, it's not like he didn't know. After all, the putrid stench of rotting meat is not something mere mud can cover.

Just how many lives have these wretched abominations taken? How many dreams torn and ripped apart under this gruesome tug of war?

"The corpses... It seems they fought quite recently," Samael mentioned.

"You're not wrong. The fight here isn't going to end soon. These abominations come in waves, and they never end; they only retreat to regroup and strike another day," Ajax said.

Samael's jaw clenched.

"So all their sacrifices... are in vain?" Samael asked.

Ajax chose to remain silent as he strode forward, further fueling the suffocating atmosphere.

Samael can't help but feel that the forest and the wilds are far better places than here.

At least in the wild, Samael knew that enemies were there to attack him, and he knows they're there. He has learned their behaviours and their habitats, so he can prepare when needed.

But here... He could only imagine the terror and sleepless nights the warriors undergo as they face the realisation that no one really knows when or how the foul creatures will strike.

"Focus, Samael," Ajax said, breaking Samael from his stupor.

"Yeah," Samael muttered back.

Right now, what matters is that they finish their mission. Liberating Georgo Road will solve one of the pressing problems of the mundane folk and ease the burdens the soldiers carry.

Eventually, time passed by like a breeze. Hours would go by unnoticed as Samael and Ajax covered as much ground as they could.

The duo moved with haste; they barely took any stops as their mission was a battle against time.

It didn't take long for the chilling winds of the dark, empty night to overshadow the bright morning sun.

Unable to push further due to the unpredictable movements of the abominations, Samael and Ajax were forced to make camp as they waited for the dark to pass.

Their travels resumed the moment the light struck the horizon, signalling the start of yet another day.

On their fifth day of travel, Samael and Ajax came across a bloody clash.

The sound of steel clashing against claws thundered in the air, along with the screams and roars of the two opposing sides.

Watchers and knights alike fought blood and teeth as they swung their blades nonstop, blood spewing down akin to rain.

One in particular held his severed arm as he walked in a daze.

"Samael!" Ajax uttered.

"On it," Samael replied as the two zoomed forward.

A male watcher in his thirties roared as he waved his battle axe. However, the razor-like claws of the abominations proved merciless as they circled him, striking his thigh and tendons, causing him to lose mobility.

The watcher watched with tears in his eyes as the wolf-like monstrosities opened their maws, revealing a set of jagged, crimson teeth.

HUM...

The watcher flinched as a humming sound lingered in the air, his eyes widening as the terrible beasts fell one by one, their heads detached from their vessels.

In the corner of his eyes, a black object flew at high speeds as a man adorned in a black cloak catched the weapon.

"A-an axe...?" The man struggled to mutter.

"Raise your weapon; the fight isn't over yet," Samael said, breaking the man from his daze.

Without wasting another second, Samael flew forward with a forceful kick to the ground, sending chunks of mud back.

His figure soared in the air, his gaze shifting to the side where dozens of wolf-like abominations hovered, impaled by dark tendrils of shadow.

Seizing the chance, Samael said

"Void fire."

[Void Fire]

Shoot concentrated Void bullets towards your opponent. These bullets will explode upon impact.

A myriad of concentrated spherical Void matter shot down, accompanied by ear-shattering explosions rocking the earth as each and every bullet erupted into an explosion.

Devoured Void Essence of "Glacial Wolf" [Hatchling I] +270 pts

Devoured Void Essence of "Glacial Wolf" [Hatchling I]...

Devoured Void Essence of "Glacial Wolf"...

Prerequisite for Tier Elevation met:

Tier 3, Mark 2 -> Tier 5, Mark 2

Watchers and knights alike fell silent, their breaths hitched as they watched in awe how the abominations slaughtering them earlier were reduced to nothing but ashes.

As the dust settled, Samael and Ajax's figures took form as they leisurely revealed themselves from the smoke.

Samael's gaze wandered to each and every fighter still standing, even after that harrowing clash.

"It's over; rest," Samael said, his voice wafting through the air.

WOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!

Screams and cheers thundered in the air as the survivors bellowed in unison, their tears and joyful cries reverberating in the air.

They have survived.

***

"The two of you are heading for Georgo Road...?" A man in his 20s asked.

After the fight, Samael and Ajax decided to take a break for the night along with the other survivors.

They made camp on the very road they liberated as a sign of respect and victory for those who had already gone to the light.

"Yes," Ajax replied.

The man shifted in his seat, his eyes darting uncomfortably.

"May I ask why that is?" he inquired.

Samael fell silent for a moment as he replied.

"We were sent by the watchers guild to provide assistance in liberating the Georgo road," Samael answered truthfully, his gaze silently watching how the man trembled on his seat.

Unable to tame his curiosity, Samael asked. "Is there something wrong?"

The man flinched as he recoiled back, cold sweat drenching his back.

"I-I..." He struggled to speak.

Samael opened his mouth when a voice overshadowed his.

"The Georgo road is lost," the voice interjected.

Samael jerked his head back as he laid eyes on the newcomer.

It was the man he saved earlier. He held two canes as he made his way to them, his legs bandaged tight.

"Go back, Luis; I'll tend to our saviours," the man said.

Luis nodded in haste as he stormed away.

The man shifted his gaze towards Samael.

"My name is Erubin; I'm a watcher who came here not too long ago. My last deployment was on Georgo Road," Erubin said.

Ajax's steel visor shifted towards the man.

"Lost?" Ajax asked.

A resounding sigh escaped Erubin's lips as he settled down.

"Excuse me if I'm intruding upon your personal business, but Georgo Road is doomed," Erubin said.

"Can you elaborate?" Samael asked.

The man closed his eyes as he recalled.

"When the abominations struck Georgo Road, we were able to handle them with ease. There weren't any major disturbances or hurdles blocking our path, at least not until they came," Erubin shivered.

"Wolf-like creatures, just like the ones we fought today... except they were bigger, stronger, and far more vicious," Erubin recalled.

"They came out of nowhere, decimating our forces one by one, leaving only one survivor to report the horrors that had taken place," Erubin resumed.

"Those beasts... they were smart. Their movements, the timing of attacks, and the way they attacked were all coordinated. They knew how to plant fear within the enemy, crippling many of us in despair," Erubin said.

"We fought like crazy; we barely rested; sometimes we were out there, fighting for three days and three nights," Erubin narrated.

"Eventually, they managed to overtake many of our strongholds and take hold of the road itself. I'm sure of it; they're coming for Tera, slowly but surely," Erubin muttered.

Samael and Ajax fell silent, their eyes lost deep in contemplation.

"And what of their saint?" Ajax asked.

"The saint guarding Tera is unavailable. She was given a mission to intercept and take care of a saint rank abomination. It has been months, and there is barely any news of her whereabouts," the man answered.

To think that the situation was already that bad... How much more will it cost once we get there? Samael wondered.

"Is there any way we can arrive faster, Ajax?" Samael asked.

Ajax cast a sidelong glance as he replied.

"There is one, a route I decided to steer clear of, but it seems not for long."

Ajax took the map of Ergo out, his hand hovering inches above a particular river.

"We'll cross the Tirnu River," Ajax said, his tone grim.

Erubin jolted up, his face pale as snow.

"You're crossing that damned river?" he asked in disbelief.

"We have no choice," Ajax responded.

Samael's brows furrowed.

"Is there something wrong with that river?" he asked.

"That river... It's a place where many lost their lives. Its waters are swarming with abominations, particularly Arfin's," Erubin said.

"Arfin?" Samael asked.

"Arfin are weak by nature, but it's not their strength that makes them dangerous. Arfin's usually come in hordes," Ajax answered.

A frown crept its way towards Samael's visage.

"If the river is so dangerous, how will we cross it? We don't have a boat, and I don't think anyone will provide us with a means of transportation any time soon," Samael reasoned.

"We have a ride," Erubin interjected, luring Samael and Ajax's attention.

"And we're going to Georgo Road as well," Erubin resumed.

"Why?" Ajax asked.

"Why return to the very place that you call lost?" Ajax asked again.

Erubin's gaze lowered, tears welling in the corner of his eyes.

"Those damned abominations... I won't stop until each and every one of them is gone. I promised... I promised..." Erubin muttered in hysteria.

"Erubin...?" Samael asked, breaking the man from his stupor.

"I—Huh...?" Erubin's gaze wandered about, a smudge of confusion lingering in his pupils.

"It's... nothing," Samael said.

"Oh yes, our ride. Me and my men here will be coming to Georgo Road by Tirnu River as well. If you both wish to come, then please, by all means. Having you two will make our travels safer," Erubin said before storming away.

The duo sat in silence, their minds slowly absorbing the amount of information hurling their way.

"What was that?" Samael asked in confusion. Erubin's actions made no sense. It was almost as if he forgot what just occurred.

"That is the effect of the war," Ajax answered.

"Some people have seen things no man was ever supposed to witness. Their brain forces them to forget things in order to protect them from any further damage," Ajax explained.

"We probably delved too deep and triggered a memory in him, one too painful for a single man to bear," Ajax resumed.

Samael's jaw clenched as he rose to his feet.

"I'll prepare for tomorrow," Samael said before storming away.

If the situation is in such a dire state, then he has no time to waste.

"Codex," Samael muttered.

A blue panel warped in front of him, bathing his visage in a blue glow.

[STATS]

Name: Samael

Title: [Loved by the void] [The Grim Hound] [Void Primogenitor]

Species: Void Spawn [+]

Affinity: Void [+]

Rank: Metamorphosis I

Condition: Good, healthy

STATS

STR: 1,652

SPD/AGI: 1,602

CONSTITUTION: 1,598

SPIRIT: 1,789

CHARM: 50

∆SKILLS [+]

Void: Tier 3 Mark 3

Control: Tier 3 Mark 3

-Marker: 120/400

Quantity: Tier 3 Mark 3

-Marker: 110/400

I rose up by two tiers; my stats are growing higher... But will it be enough? Samael couldn't help but ask himself.

No, it has to be. There's no place for doubt.

Now that I have reached Tier 5,... Codex, show me the evolution I gained Samael commanded.

[Organ Augmentation]

Hardens and strengthens organs for better bodily functions.

This is quite similar to an evolution I already have... Samael thought.

[Flow]

Enhances internal organs and nerves to further enhance internal manipulation of Void essence.

Is there any difference? Samael asked.

Organ augmentation is an evolution that enhances the functions and scope of your organs in themselves. One of the effects includes better blood and oxygen flow due to a stronger heart. As for flow, it reformed your nerves so that Void Essence circulation is far more efficient.

I see... Then please commence remodelling, Samael said.

Command received.

Samael's body shook as a wave of sharp stabbing pain struck him.

Samael clenched his jaw, his lips sealed tight. However, a far more violent pang of pain resonated within him, forcing him to kneel as he grasped the brown earth, tearing chunks of it in the process.

It felt as though his organs were torn, hammered and fixed, only for the process to repeat.

His eyes quivered as blood trickled down his orifices, some meandering down his cheeks, staining the ground crimson.

Remodelling is 80% complete.

Samael bit his lips, the familiar taste of iron invading his senses.

Samael's body tensed, his hands trembling as he braced for the last and final wave.

The last one, Samael... Last one— Samael's thought process came to a halt as an excruciating jolt of pain hammered him down.

Samael catched himself, his face mere inches from the ground as cold sweat drenched his back. A muffled groan escaped his sealed lips when a panel warped in front of him.

Remodelling complete.

A wave of relaxation struck Samael out of nowhere, swiftly overshadowing the dreadful pain earlier.

Slowly, his energy came back along with a sense of strength new to him.

The effects have taken place, Samael concluded as he leaned back with a resounding sigh.

He loved evolution, as it gave him abilities that allowed him to surpass others. However, remodelling, the process where the Codex destroys and fixes him, is something he will never like.

Remodelling is far more painful when a major volution occurs. During its duration, he's completely crippled, unable to move, and in agonising pain.

Sometimes it'll send him to sleep for no one knows how long. Fortunately, it's only a minor evolution.

Now comes the cleaning part, Samael thought as he wiped the droplets of blood slithering down his cheeks.

It was going to be a long night.

***

Samael and Ajax, along with Erubin's men, marched towards the Tirnu River, where their ride towards Georgo awaited.

Days would pass by in a flash as they went on unhindered. They faced a couple hurdles along the way, but none too big.

After roughly four days of walking, the group eventually saw a change. They came upon a camp of watchers and knights alike, where their injured finally got the treatment they needed.

Unfortunately, some of Erubin's crew had no choice but to be left behind. Ajax and Samael knew they could not stall any longer, and with the severity of their wounds, rest was their only option.

Just like that, the crew went on once again, carefully treading the path to the infernal waters of the Tirnu River.

It didn't take long until Ajax and Samael saw the large expanse of the Tirnu River, signalling the end of their voyage and the start of another.

"So that's the Tirnu River...?" Samael asked, the blue shimmering water glimmering in his pupils.

"Yes," Ajax replied.

Erubin came forward as he spoke, luring Samael's attention.

"Do not be fooled by its appearance; it may look peaceful, but deep down, corpses of unknown numbers litter its surface, corrupting the water itself," Erubin said.

Samael's brows furrowed.

"The water is poisonous?" Samael asked.

"Yes, it is so highly poisonous that being exposed long enough can melt through your skin," Erubin mentioned.

"I see..." Samael muttered as he speared a glance ahead.

He can only hope their voyage goes without issues.

"To the Tirnu River it is," Samael said.