A System That Beats Death

19 System Upgrade

Seeing her disappear, he couldn't help but feel as if he lost a part of himself. Lingering at the spot where they departed, he brooded for a long time before finally deciding to return to the home he had made for the two of them. Upon entering the vacant occupancy, he inwardly felt that it was no longer capable of being called his home anymore. He idly wandered throughout the house, wanting to indulge in the sense of nostalgia and precious memories. After a while, he then realized something important. He could no longer recall her name nor what she looked like. The only thing left of her in his memories was their bond and how he felt when she was together with him.

Ruminating on their time together, he went to sleep with a heavy heart. The long night dragged on and he was unable to sleep. As he tossed and turned in anguish, he then felt two delicate arms embrace him. Calmed by the familiar presence, he no longer felt turmoil and drifted into slumber comfortably.

Upon waking, he decided not to linger on things unable to be altered as she would've done the same. Remembering the Earl's invitation, he decided to venture forth.

As the influence of demons weakened upon the realm, many things which were once integral to staying alive disappeared. The need to prepare for the long night completely vanished, the danger of wandering demons waned, and surprisingly even the power of Aptitudes was also affected. Atlas was the only one unaffected as the Aptitude was retained by the System and his had only increased in magnitude. The weakening of Aptitudes gradually led to the downfall of the Yamato and Akagi Clan and would cause civilization to develop in a new direction.

Nearing the giant torii, he chanced upon a familiar individual. The individual had also noticed him and to his surprise, showed no sign of disdain despite their previous encounter.

"It's been a long time, Itsuki", Kamui said.

"Are you here to battle me?", Itsuki asked slightly curious.

Kamui nodded and then said, "For old time's sake"

He then pulled out a crescent shaped bow and loaded an arrow. His eyes began to shine silver and his hair began to levitate. Itsuki silently watched as Kamui charged up the shot and with immense force, unleashed the lunar blast. The blast separated into individual projectiles numbering in the thousands which all simultaneously rushed forwards.

The silver light enveloped the ravine, leaving only the purple vortex visible.

As the light faded, Itsuki stood there unfazed and carrying the arrows in a bundle as if they were firewood.

"Don't waste these. Aren't these the remnants of your fading power?", Itsuki said before tossing the bundle emitting silver light back to Kamui.

Catching his projectiles, Kamui said, "As always, you exceed my expectations".

Curious, Itsuki finally asked, "What changed you?"

"Many things. You were right by the way. Groups really are for the weak-minded. Anarchy spread as soon as Father's strength decreased. He kind of deserved it though, given his attitude towards those serving him. I also found out that despite being a Darkblood, you didn't slaughter people", he said with complex emotions rising.

He then threw an arrow suddenly towards the entrance of the ravine.

A person who had been spying lay dead after being hit with the blast.

"Scum in life. Scum in death.", Kamui merely stated before charging towards the former Yamato Clansmen.

After Kamui had eliminated the rats, Itsuki laughed. Understanding that they had no more enmity, Itsuki said, "Ironically this meeting is still our last. As fellow failed brothers, I will give you some advice"

He then described the concept of a clock and handed it to Kamui.

Intrigued by the contents, he wholeheartedly accepted the information. He then gave his bow to Itsuki saying, "I have no more use for this thing anyways"

[Crescent Messenger]

(Bow that harnesses the power of silver and the moon)

Kamui then watched as Itsuki entered the portal to hell and stayed a while longer as was expected in a proper send-off.

Taking out the Minor Realm of Purgatory, Itsuki inserted the vial into the vortex. As he was to close the World Breach, he began absorbing the abundant souls which maintained the connection between both realms. The purple whirlpool then began to shimmer and the torii began to crumble. Kamui spectated in awe and quickly retreated as the ravine caved in on itself.

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[Previous Identity:

Appellation: Itsuki

Age: 22 Gender: Male Death: N/A

Accomplishments: Soul Supremacy, Bane of Demons, Consort of the Goddess, Blood Calamity

Score: 130000]

Reward: *Postponing*...

[Spawn Equipment: 1500 Currency, Blessed Robes, Sharp Knife, Spacial Ring, Phoenix Heart, Dark Revelation, Concealment Mask, Minor Realm of Purgatory, Lust Visor, Crescent Messenger]

[Permanent Traits: Intelligence B+, Cognition B, Language B+, Strength A+, Poison Immunity A+, Vitality B+, Speed A]

[Skills: Calculation C+, Cooking A+, Combat A, Agriculture B+, Carpentry A, Herbalism B, Sword A+, Archery C, Stealth B, Metalwork B, Tailoring B+, Martial Arts B]

[Abilities: [Aura of Purification: Automatic Body Hygiene, Automatic Dental Hygiene, Passive Clean], Material Auxiliary Skill: Fertile Soil, Domination, Pure Water Generation, Spirit Shield, Combustion, Phoenix Aura,Spirit Fire, Heightened Senses, Soul Perception, Unyielding Soul, Resilient Mind, Soul Imbuement,Blood Manipulation,Minor Healing,Silk Production,Frost Emission]

[Past Fortune Calculated:

0 Points Added]

[New Score: 202170]

[Transferring Host: Hell]

[Host Has Entered A World Without System's Assistance]

[System Upgrading]

*Initializing 7%...19%...89%*

*Revamping Interface*

*Evolving Functions*

*Improving Host*

*Composition System Installed*

*Abilities and Skills Transferred to Abilities System*

*Ring of ??? Converted to Romance System*

*Spawning Equipment Transferred to Inventory System*

*Cooking A+ Converted to Culinary System*

*Spacial Ring Evolved Into Agriculture System*

[Reward: Random System *Rolling*... Follower System]

__________________________________________________________________________________

Subsystems: [Composition][Abilities][Monetary][Combat][Romance][Inventory][Culinary][Agriculture][Follower]

Functions: Protocol Resurrection, Reward Lottery, System Consultation, Anticheat, Purchase

__________________________________________________________________________________

Permanent Traits: Intelligence B+, Cognition B, Language B+, Strength A+, Poison Immunity A+, Vitality B+, Speed A

Constitution: Phoenix, Fenghuang, Darkblood

__________________________________________________________________________________

Skills: Calculation C+, Agriculture B+, Carpentry A, Herbalism B, Sword A+, Archery C, Stealth B, Metalwork B, Tailoring B+, Martial Arts B

Abilities: [Aura of Purification: Automatic Body Hygiene, Automatic Dental Hygiene, Passive Clean], Material Auxiliary Skill: Fertile Soil, Domination, Pure Water Generation, Spirit Shield, Combustion, Phoenix Aura,Spirit Fire, Heightened Senses, Soul Perception, Unyielding Soul, Resilient Mind, Soul Imbuement,Blood Manipulation,Minor Healing,Silk Production,Frost Emission

__________________________________________________________________________________

Allotted Amount: 1500 Currency

Currency to Points Ratio: 200 to 1

__________________________________________________________________________________

Techniques: N/A

Techniques Available to Be Taught: 50

__________________________________________________________________________________

Partner: *%^$#

Avatar: Inactive

Affection: MAX

Status: Undergoing Tribulation

Abilities Derived: N/A

Mailbox: N/A

__________________________________________________________________________________

Stored: Blessed Robes, Sharp Knife, Phoenix Heart, Dark Revelation, Concealment Mask, Minor Realm of Purgatory, Lust Visor, Crescent Messenger

Supplies: Food, Containers, Furniture, Metal, Beds, Brocade, Timber, Books, Cooking Equipment, Utensils, Herbs, Spices

__________________________________________________________________________________

[Analyze] [Conceptualize] [Simulate]

__________________________________________________________________________________

[Expand: 1 Acre] [Harvest] [Plant] [Accelerate Time]

__________________________________________________________________________________

[Chat] [Induct] [Aid]

Followers: N/A

__________________________________________________________________________________

Surprised by the System's massive overhaul, he began to thoroughly go through every new feature. After the upgrade, the System now had additional functions such as Anticheat which he had no information about and talking to the System was now called System Consultation. The biggest upgrade was the Subsystems which the System now offered which could even be purchased with points and had a plethora of uses.

The Composition Subsystem basically modified every Identity to include all beneficial aspects of previous lineages and even the progress achieved through tempering as a Darkblood would be retained. The Abilities Subsystem included the previous skills and abilities which meant that it currently was of no benefit to him and the same could be said of the Monetary Subsystem. The Combat Subsystem allowed for the possibility of techniques which could be separate from or connected to his Abilities and it indicated that he had quite a few available. The Romance Subsystem granted him information about his lover which for some reason was distorted but now he could also send gifts to her through the Mailbox. The Inventory Subsystem was basically the Spacial Ring without the physical object and with greater storage capacity. The Culinary Subsystem heightened his aptitude with food as it could analyze every dish and ingredient, generate recipes on the fly, and simulate the process of food creation which wouldn't waste precious ingredients.

The Agriculture Subsystem was an unexpected boon as the System had noticed how Atlas had transmuted the Spacial Ring into a Spacial Farm. Instead of just being a Spacial Farm, now he could increase the capacity and even accelerate the growth of plants. He could not actually utilize the newest Subsystem as without followers, the corresponding functions were unavailable.

Browsing through the Subsystems available to be purchased with points, Atlas couldn't help but hesitate. There were many Subsystems that he desired but all of them were upwards of 50000 points. He really wanted to acquire the Technology Subsystem but he would not be able to properly use it in his current setting.

Consort of the Goddess? Atlas couldn't help but laugh. Even the System had labeled her as someone of great beauty but he then felt regret from not being able to recall her visage.

Finally assessing his surroundings, he grinned upon seeing the hellish terrain. A visceral hellscape greeted him along with the remnants of many souls.

In an obsidian palace leagues away, many Demon Nobles were attending a banquet. As a Marquis brawled with a monk of great standing, a spectacle occurred which caused them to both pause along with every attendee. They could only stare with their mouths agape as a nearly infinite amount of souls rushed towards an epicenter and condensed into a form visible to even the most untrained eye (physically and metaphorically). When the mass of souls which resembled the moon had been seemingly consumed, everyone felt an extreme wave of oppression. The Demon Nobles began to shudder as they were frightened by the presence which was on par with a Demon Duke.

[Domination Upgraded: Hegemony]

Only the monk remained steadfast as his lips began to arc upwards in expectation, "He's finally here".