Standing at the forefront of a village, a man stood with his jaw agape. The village seemed recently abandoned which was odd as it should've been readily receiving visitors during nighttime.

Disregarding the lack of reception, he entered the largest house.

He would not have been charged for breaking and entering even if he was caught. He was partially acquainted with the village elder after all. Even if the elder left a while ago, he could still sense the dried blood permeating the air. It was likely from the blood ritual he thought. Although, he never knew what demon they were trying to summon.

Searching through the entire property, he found not a single soul. There were no villagers or sacrifices around. He then left the elder's house and combed through every single building in the village. Everyone had left which made him utterly dumbfounded.

Lacking clues to follow, he then finally left the village. While still nearby, he caught the scent of something familiar. He could smell the lingering stench of a potent but hostile blood aura.

"Seems like I've underestimated that Darkblood", he growled.

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In the center of a massive forest, hordes of demons both lesser and formidable rushed towards an epicenter. A mountain of corpses that could rival Mount Tai continued to increase in height. There were enough cadavers that if each were to undergo autopsy, it would take a hundred coroners a decade.

Her stomach churned at the sight of all the blank eyes which weren't closed but she endured. At the very next instant, she slightly vomited as the cadavers and stench of blood were way too intense. At this point, she was convinced that she had seen enough death to last a hundred lifetimes.

I never thought that I could feel bad for demons, Kirei thought as she watched Itsuki in action.

With each slash, dozens of demons would perish and their corpses be added to the pile. Around Itsuki was the recently deceased bodies of a few thousand demons. Some of their hearts hadn't even stopped beating.

"Kirei, are there anymore demons around?", Itsuki asked with a wide grin.

She sighed as she couldn't believe that he still wanted to kill more. She then shook her head.

Rather than a hunt, this was a genocide which could cause a mass extinction. He really is dedicated though, she thought.

Ever since Itsuki learned of her ability to attract demons, he immediately started pestering her. He wanted to lure all of them which she thought was far too dangerous. After seeing the results though, she couldn't help but do as he requested.

In less than 2 days, all demons within a 10 kilometer radius were completely annihilated. Unintentionally, they suppressed Clans as there were no demons to hunt and trade flourished despite it being nighttime.

Sighing in disappointment, he sheathed Dark Revelation and took out a vial.

It exhaled a purple fog which began to collect all the souls and blood in the surroundings.

With the help of the Minor Realm of Purgatory, he intended to go on grinding sprees as it was a very convenient tool and the activity was starting to become addicting.

If this was a game then I must be the Level 100 roaming around in a Level 10 map, Atlas thought. I must thank that demon the next time I see him.

The Minor Realm of Purgatory stored souls and blood however, he wouldn't use Soul Imbuement yet.

If he prolonged the suffering of the souls, he could gain far more soul energy. As for the souls trapped inside Purgatory? He didn't know them personally, so why bother releasing them?

He helped those he knew, not the innocent. As far as he was concerned, innocent was just another word for ignorant.

The vial wouldn't generate more blood though so he began his 75th tempering cycle.

[Ability Obtained: Blood Manipulation]

[Blood Manipulation (Extent: Skin Contact)]

"I heard all Darkbloods go crazy when they continue tempering. Why not take your time?", Kirei asked with great concern. If he had a limited amount of time, then she wouldn't want him to waste it. Even if you lost your strength, I would faithfully care for you, she thought.

"Unlike other Darkbloods, I filter the blood I absorb. Don't worry Kirei", he said as he gave her a headpat.

"It's similar to eating raw meat filled with parasites"

"If you say so", she responded.

After spending some time with Itsuki, she understood he was beyond elusive. He was capable of so many things without being taught them and despite lacking proper parenting. He also had many inconceivable abilities which were not caused by his Aptitude and seemed to apparate out of thin air. She decided not to pry though as she wanted him to accept her.

He was a great companion as he was a stellar cook, a peerless fighter, and a..... caring husband.

Although she knew that he did not fully acknowledge their engagement, she was convinced that she had a place in his heart.

Itsuki then abruptly grasped her hand in his.

"Have you ever tried tempering?", he asked as he felt her hand. With his new ability, he could definitively determine that her body seemed a bit feeble compared to everyone else he had encountered in this world. He assumed it was due to a deficient Aptitude which she seemed to have disdain for as it lured demons towards her and seemed to have no other effect.

"Y-yes, I have", Kirei muttered as she felt her face heat up from the sudden contact. She had already tried all the conventional materials for tempering but there was no reaction from her Aptitude. Finally, she had given up and decided that she truly had a worthless Aptitude.

He let go of her hand and then said, "Then instead of working on your Aptitude, we should start with working on your body"

Working on my body? Kirei began to blush even more heavily.

"We'll discuss this further after we reach town", he then looked towards her kimono. The once vivid colors had already faded with the passing of time and the fabric seemed to threaten to break apart.

"I'll also buy you some new clothes"

Clothes? Itsuki is talented at everything so my request should be insignificant, Kirei thought.

She gathered her courage and stepped forward. She then looked up at him and said, "I'd rather have clothes made by you"

Did she know I got Tailoring D+ from my previous task? Atlas was slightly alarmed. Should I pretend to be incompetent to fool her?

He then gazed into her expectant and passionate eyes and decided to humor her.

[Task Assigned:

Objective: Make Clothes For Your Lover

Reward: Minor Healing]

Itsuki then smiled stiffly. This Ring will be the death of me, he thought ruefully.

__________________________________________________________________________________

Close to her destination, she increased her speed and caught sight of a figure that smelled of blood.

"I've finally found you! You will die by my hands today, Itsuki!", a female roared as she swiftly approached the solitary figure in the forest.

Gripping her blade, it spontaneously combusted as she channeled her Aptitude. She swung the flaming sword fiercely towards her target.

The man then suddenly vanished. She looked around in confusion but stopped moving. A scythe formed with blood hovered less than a centimeter away from her neck.

"Who is this, Itsuki?", the man said.

"You can't fool me. I know you're a Darkblood!"

So the other Darkblood's name is Itsuki. Seems this woman harbors hatred towards him, he thought. I could use this to my advantage.

"So you're part of the Yamato Clan?"

Suddenly, a blur of moisture flash next to the man's face.

Immediately, he swung his scythe against it.

Wielding the blade of water was a solemn man.

He glanced at the female and a look of disappointment formed on his countenance.

"My fault. I thought she was my lost sister"

"I get misconstrued by two people at the same time because of one person?"

"What do you mean?", the two said.

The Darkblood then inwardly grinned. Both of them took the bait.

"I was searching for a Darkblood which became a turncoat and wronged my Clan", he said, lying through his teeth.

He turned towards them and said, "I had tracked him to this location"

The female inspected the Darkblood's appearance. He had the typical Darkblood features which caused resemblance to Itsuki at a distance, but he was undeniably someone else.

"I'm sorry for the mistake. I'm Yanagi of the Yamato Clan"

"I'm Izumi of the Akagi Clan. I'm sorry but I have to look for my sister"

The Darkblood then stopped Izumi from approaching the town.

"I've already searched the entire town. Nobody is left. Did your sister have anything to identify her?"

Izumi pondered a bit before saying, "She likes the dianthus flower"

"I saw a kimono with the dianthus flower. This so called Itsuki might've taken your sister"