While they were still stunned by the scene that had just transpired right in front of them, the system chimed with a melodic sound in Akhil's ears.

{Ding}

Following it, a series of notifications flooded his sight.

{You have obtained an Instant Kill ability, Blood Burst}

{All your blood essence has been used up}

Akhil felt as though every last bit of energy in his body had been drained away. His legs wobbled, making him fall on one knee.

"Argh," he winced, clutching his head as a sharp, piercing pain tore through it. It felt as though a sledgehammer had been slammed straight into his skull.

"Nexus!" Layla was so stunned by the sight of Marcus's innards exploding outward that she had even forgotten Akhil was by her side. It was only now, when his sudden cry of pain dragged her attention back, that she quickly moved to hold him up, supporting him by the shoulders.

"What's going on?" Her voice was filled with worry. She completely had no idea what had happened. Was it Akhil's abilities that killed Marcus? Or perhaps something else?

There were so many questions that her mind became clouded with confusion.

"I have no idea… it's just—" Akhil gritted his teeth from the pain. He didn't know exactly what had happened, but he could still feel the presence looming. In fact, he could tell that it was still there, quietly watching and observing the scene.

'You… what are you? Why are you inside me?' Akhil asked, trying his best to keep himself from collapsing. But as he asked the question, the looming presence faded, disappearing back into his consciousness, only muttering a few words, as though talking to itself.

"Disgusting Soul Contractors. I didn't give them any permission to look here."

Akhil was completely ignored, but he didn't have time to ask any other questions as his vision grew unsteady and he could barely see. His muscles went weak.

"I-I need blood," Akhil muttered in raspy, uneven breaths, even coughing up a mouthful of blood before quickly using the Blood Absorption skill.

The scattered blood particles slowly started gathering toward him, turning into an inky red mist before crashing straight into his body, dissolving away as though swallowed by a vacuum.

{Blood Essence absorbed from low-level being +10}

{Soul essence discovered. Conversion: +1000 Blood Essence}

"Ahhh…" As the blood essence settled into his body, Akhil's breath slowly steadied, his eyes regaining their focus.

Layla, who had observed everything, let out a sigh of relief as she saw him slowly recovering. 'I thought he was about to explode like the other guy.' The fear was visible in her gaze as she quickly helped him up.

If he died too, it could only mean that whatever killed the two of them was going to kill her as well, wasn't it? Thankfully, it seemed that wasn't the case.

With Layla's support, he sat on the rocky earth, taking a few minutes to recover.

Akhil sat, taking in the refreshing air. Right now, that was all he needed. He had been closer to death at that moment than at any other time.

'It seems the stronger I get, the more my need for blood increases.' He didn't know if having the powerful blood ability was a blessing or a curse anymore.

Just to function, his body needed a substantial amount of blood essence, and without absorbing blood at all, he could possibly die. If it wasn't for the extra blood essence he had obtained from the converted soul, he was certain that the ten blood essence from Marcus wouldn't be able to sustain him at all.

'And now I have to deal with whatever is inside me as well? Was it what killed Marcus and the Soul Contractor? How did it do that?'

Akhil's mind quickly drifted to the new ability he had gotten from the system—{Blood Burst}, the ability that seemed to have come out of the blue.

He didn't level up, and he didn't do anything that would make the system reward him with an ability.

{Blood Burst}

{Description: An instant kill ability that uses blood pressure to kill the target from inside}

{Blood Essence required to use skill: 100,000}

'What the fuck?!' Akhil coughed roughly after seeing the numbers.

"What's wrong?" Layla quickly walked up to him.

"It's nothing, don't worry," he said, quickly raising a hand. He already felt a bit embarrassed that she had to witness him in such a sorry state.

"So you don't have any idea what happened here now?" Layla asked, shifting her gaze back to the spot where Marcus had exploded.

Even Fang was left terrified after witnessing the scene. The poor beast was rolled up in one corner, eyes wide with alertness.

Akhil shook his head quietly at her question. 'I can't tell her that something inside me did that… I don't even know how it happened. But I have to figure out whatever that thing is and deal with it.' Akhil took a deep breath.

He had so many questions, but this was no exam. He didn't need to get all the answers in one day.

"I have no idea what happened… but right now, we have a more pressing issue to deal with. And a Titan to catch." Akhil's eyes narrowed toward the emblem resting on the rock.

"That's right. Let's get out of here… we don't have much time anymore." Layla also turned her gaze toward the emblem.

Akhil slowly stood up from the rock and advanced toward the emblem with slow strides.

His body still felt a bit foreign after what had just happened, so he only took slow steps toward the emblem. But he didn't walk for long, since the distance was short.

In no time, he finally grabbed the emblem, wrapping it tightly within his fist.

{Ding!}

{The Emblem of Authority has been obtained!}

{Time left until Retrieval: 5 mins}

The system quickly alerted all the participants of the trial. Akhil merely glanced at the notification before slipping the emblem into his pocket and turning to Layla.

"Let's get going," he said firmly. They had already finished their mission in the dark mountains. All that was left was to head back and finish what they started.

As they walked back out through the cave, it was a quiet walk, with neither side saying a word.

No words were spoken, but the silence was born from the numerous questions that plagued both their minds.

"Do you think we'll have to kill Ten—I mean, Langdon—if he's the Titan?" Layla suddenly broke the silence, her gaze softening as she thought about her friend.

"I don't know. It depends, to be honest. If there's a way to bring him back, then we'll use that option," Akhil replied calmly. The silence returned.

But this time, neither side wanted to break it, as it allowed them a moment of reflection and a chance to steel their resolve for what was to come.

Soon, they reached the entrance's exit.

"It's already dark outside… I guess it's getting late. We spent an entire day in the forest," Layla said as they were about to pass through the exit, but she suddenly felt Akhil's hand softly holding her back from taking another step forward.

"Wait… we have visitors," Akhil said in a grim voice as he stared at the group up ahead.

From the sides, several more figures emerged, blocking them. At a glance, Akhil could tell they were all adventurers, and the adventurer badges on their clothes proved his point.

They were all adventurers, but from the looks of things, they were from different parties, each with someone leading them. There were a total of three adventurer groups.

Each carried different weapons.

Their sharp eyes locked onto Akhil and Layla.

Fang snarled as it caught sight of the people ahead.

"You have the emblem. Give it to us!" a lady leading one of the groups said firmly as she stared at them.

"Why would they give it to you when I'm here? You're really getting ahead of yourself, bitch," the group leader beside her quickly retaliated upon hearing her voice.

"Hey! Why are y'all complaining? You can decide who takes it after you've gotten it from them," the last leader said, taking a drag from his cigarette as he looked at Akhil and Layla with sharp green eyes.

He looked to be the most iconic of the three, wearing a cowboy hat and boots. If anything, he looked more like an actor than an adventurer.

He lowered his hat slightly, as though greeting the two of them.

"My manners. Why don't I introduce myself? I'm Gregory. Friends call me Greg. Nice to meet the two of ya."

Akhil and Layla stared at him blankly. They had no idea why he was introducing himself, but the tension in the air made it clear they weren't here for introductions.

Right now, it was clear that everyone here wanted one thing.

The emblem.

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