Ascenders Rift

Chapter 247: Evan's Choice, Forced Bonding

With a coughing sound, Evan spat out a few chunks of blood as he found that he had little to no energy left; the previous attack from Valoz had shattered not only his bones but severely damaged his internal organs. In this state, death wasn't too far off, and the only reason he had survived the previous exchange was merely due to the miraculous properties of Breya's unbreakable threads.

Though buried below a pile of rubble within the crater, Evan could still hear the sounds of the battle above. But because of his current state, he could only helplessly curse at himself.

'Am I going to die here? What happened to my earlier confidence? Tsk... I'm so foolish. I shouldn't have underestimated the dangers of something ranked in the Rift Quest,' Evan thought as he recalled his earlier actions; he didn't even have the strength to grit his teeth in shame as he couldn't even move his body.

The scenes around him started to grow darker as his eyes seemed to lose strength, trying to close themselves. Evan felt that it was better if he closed his eyes and forgot everything, but sadly, he couldn't; as he recalled the scenes of Joe and Layla perishing and thought of the future's outcome, his eyes shone with a blazing spirit as he yelled in his mind.

'That's right, I have no right to rest here or complain even if things are different, no matter what, I cannot fall here!'

Evan's mind resounded with his full determination; his weak arm somehow managed to find the strength to grip onto the Havengaurd tightly as bits of his battle energy, which had previously depleted, started to reconverge around his entirety.

In this instance, the world around Evan dimmed. But soon after, a bright crimson light shone from the Void Blood Pendant around his chest as a notification sounded in his mind, followed by a screen that appeared before his eyes.

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Ding!

[Inheritor has fallen into a critical condition! Calculating means of recovery.]

Ding!

[Not enough Core Points, assessing Inheritor's current survival methods.]

Ding!

[Calculation Compete, please choose from the method below:]

[1 - Life Essence Regeneration - Transfer the flesh and blood properties of a living lifeform into one's own body, entering a phase of accelerated regeneration.]

[2 - Forced Artifact Bonding - Bond with the source of an Apex Tier weapon, allowing for one to acquire its properties and accelerate recovery.]

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When Evan saw those details, his eyes flickered as he had momentarily forgotten about his Void Blood Pendant. Still, he knew that he didn't have much time right now. He didn't even bother considering Option 1, for that would undoubtedly bring harm to his companions.

Evan's eyes locked onto Option 2 as he had already made up his mind; only at this time did he remember that had he an artifact stored away which he couldn't use before.

'If it's that sword, then regardless of the cost I will be able to recover. It is a pity I couldn't awaken my Havengaurd, but I guess I'll have to work with the current method."

After making up his mind, Evan's eyes turned sharp as he strugglingly spoke, "I choose... the second option."

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Ding!

[Warning: Inheritor's body has not met the requirements for successful bonding with requisite artifact; proceeding will have lasting side effects.]

Ding!

[Do you wish to continue?]

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Evan, whose consciousness was slipping away, bit his lips to keep his awareness as he shouted, "Do it!"

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Ding!

[Inheritor's will has been acknowledged! Core shall commence Forced Bonding! Target: Apex Tier Inheritance Treasure.]

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Following the nonfictions, Evan's Void Blood Pendant suddenly released a brilliant amount of crimson light that shone throughout the cocoon of threads that bounded his figure into a ball shape. It lit up his immediate vicinity within the crater, but no one on the outside was able to see it due to the specks of dust and debris.

Currently, a heartbeat resounded from the core of his being as brilliant red lights shone from the depths of his body. In moments, Evan's weakened eyes widened as he heard a voice at the center of his mind, coming from the depths of his soul.

"Huhu, so you've finally broken it. This should fun..."

Evan, hearing this voice, was puzzled; it sounded a little familiar, but as he pondered it, his eyes widened in shock as he soon realized its owner.

'This... how it could be?'

Evan thought as the voice owner had long since perished, he wanted to speak to it, but suddenly, the world around him changed, transforming into a blood-red scene as his consciousness went to new a scene.

Here he saw the sinister-looking executioner sword hovering before him, carrying a murderous desire as if it wouldn't stop until it drank the blood of all lifeforms. As if it sensed Evan's presence, the sword vibrated as it spoke to his mind.

"Take my hilt, and you will acquire power like no other, strength unmatched by even those classed as Supreme. You may slay the divine across the Heavenly Chapel or the unholy hordes of the Devil's Palace. Regardless of your path, you must fight and slay all beings!"

The instant Evan heard this, despite standing a meter away from the sword, his mind reeled as even his eyes turned a shade red. Yet, though he knew that this was a side effect, he didn't seem to mind it.

'If it were before, I would have reconsidered, but since even this system doesn't want to play by the rules, especially with the Rift Quest, why should I continue in the same fashion? Even if I get cursed, it doesn't matter; all I care about is ending this entire thing.'

With his mind fully determined, Evan's eyes shone with sharpness as he reached his hand forward and grasped the sword's hilt tightly.

At first, there weren't any signs of change, but soon, a sinister power erupted from the sword, which soon after swallowed Evan's body as his figure disappeared from the world.