Hero of Darkness

Chapter 1141: The Equivalent Exchange

Kahn openly demanded that he wanted a fair exchange for sparing Jeremiah Themis, the leader of the demi-human faction’s life. Because even now... the domain of impartiality was still active, and the elf saint couldn’t stop it.

And the fact that Kahn himself didn’t even use his domain, had left the Peak 7th-stage saint asundered and petrified.

”Since I’m sparing your life... inevitably allowing you to keep your and your entire faction’s future in this empire intact... I want something of very equal value in return.” stated Kahn with cold yet calculative eyes.

Swoosh!

Suddenly, Kahn summoned a foot-tall artifact out of his space ring.

Shimmer!

Shimmer!

The aura emitted by this artifact almost blinded Jeremiah until it subsided slowly, revealing an artistic marvel.

A massive sapphire crystal etched within a mirror with golden borders, majestic patterns, and embroideries that would bedazzle anyone at first sight, became visible to Jeremiah and the rest of the Rakos Empire watching the broadcast.

”This... is an Ancient Rank artifact created by a very powerful being. Someone that even people like you and me can’t even dare to face.” said Kahn in a resolute tone.

”It’s used to create a contract between two parties, whether willing or not.” he iterated and then continued...

”You will be signing a contract with me. A contract that is similar to a blood-oath token contract.” spoke Kahn.

”A contract that states that you, Jeremiah Themis, the leader of the demi-human faction, now forfeit your life to me and become my subject.

And not only would you do that for yourself, but also bring the entire faction and all of its members under my reign.” he declared in an authoritative tone.

”What?! What nonsense is that? Do you think you can make me your slave just because I lost?” asked the elven saint, thoroughly enraged.

In response, Kahn didn’t speak.

He simply put Muramasa on his neck again while Gungnir was aiming at his heart.

”Want to see if I can survive with my neck cut down and my heart getting stabbed at the same time?” asked Kahn while staring at the elf menacingly.

Coercion and Pursuation... they were some of Kahn’s strongest talents in this life.

One could call him the Hero of Scams instead of Hero of Darkness based on the number of times Kahn had scammed some of the strongest beings in Vantrea.

And Jermiah Themis, who had already tasted death for an entire hour at this point... knew that this man was insane enough to actually do what he said.

”Wait! Stop! I’ll do it!” said the elven saint haphazardly.

”Good. Now drop your blood on the crystal.” said Kahn, and started chanting a spell.

Similar to a blood-binding ritual that Albestros once performed for Kahn, tying him to Lucifer and the Drakos Armor back in the day... a similar scenario took place.

Shing!

A blinding white light shot from the artifact and reached high in the sky, like a beacon lighting up.

To keep living, Jeremiah had basically turned himself into Kahn’s slave with this contract.

”Ha ha ha! Ha ha ha!”

Kahn suddenly burst out laughing.

”You absolute moron! Do you even realize what you’ve done?” said Kahn as he laughed uncontrollably.

Soon, he started explaining what had just happened.

”It’s called Stigmata of Bloodlines. It’s not just an artifact to bind two people with a contract...

But bind bloodlines of those two people!” exclaimed Kahn with an elated tone.

”Not only the one signing the contract, but anyone who shares their bloodline, whether their children, blood relatives like uncles, aunts, or cousins... would also be bound by the contract.

They too will become slave of the owner of the Stigmata of Bloodlines, making them the master of all their descendants and living blood relatives.

Well, not just me but my future children and their children too.” explained Kahn with a shameless and unrestrained evil smirk.

”What?! How is that even possible?! Such an artifact doesn’t exist in our empire!” shouted Jeremiah, his eyes full of disbelief.

”Just because you don’t know about something, doesn’t mean that it doesn’t exist.” said Kahn, gloating after his scam became successful.

”Let me show you one more thing...” he spoke and the very next second...

Snap!

Kahn snapped his finger.

Crack!

Shatter!

Crumble!

Soon, the entire space within 30 30-kilometer radius started breaking, eventually destroying the Domain of Impartiality.

”You see... from the very begining of our battle; I had the power to destroy your domain.” proclaimed Kahn in a kingly voice.

This was another fact that was kept hidden till now.

As for why?...

Kahn had put the fear of death in Jeremiah’s mind for an hour. And it was done for a reason...

Because if Kahn had just done it very early, the 7th-stage saint wouldn’t be so submissive or terrified of him.

Jeremiah would have most likely chosen death due to his pride rather than accept this single last straw of hope to stay alive by signing the contract.

That was why Kahn intentionally fell victim to the elf’s domain, and then after learning about his powers... he planned this outcome on the spot almost instantly.

And now... despite knowing the consequences that would basically turn him, his entire family, his blood relatives, and his whole clan into Kahn’s slaves for the rest of their lives...

The 7th-stage saint, who went from feeling invincible for centuries to a person feeling the scythe of the grim reaper over their neck... now traded their fates for his own selfish life.

”But don’t worry... there is still a hope for you to break the contract.” spoke Kahn with a benign smile.

”Just like your Law of Balance... the Stigmata of Bloodlines also has a flaw.

The main reason I used it on you instead of someone from your clan or family... is because the target must be the strongest person, in your case, the highest ranked saint of that bloodline.

Otherwise, the effect of the stigmata will not be able to overpower or affect the other members.

The only way to overcome and break the contract is becoming strong enough so that the original contract’s power can’t affect you anymore.” said Kahn in a sly tone.

”So unless someone from your bloodline becomes an 8th-stage... other than yourself, of course; there is no other way to break this contract.” revealed Kahn.

The light in Jeremiah’s eyes completely diminished.

It was nice knowing the limitations of the stigmata... it gave him some hope. But the only condition to break the contract took that hope away very quickly.

[What have I done? Why was I so afraid of death that I basically destroyed my entire bloodline’s future and their very lives?

What’s even the point if I managed to live longer? The contract will remain even after I die.

And unless someone becomes an 8th-stage saint... it can never be broken.] lamented Jeremiah as his sense of responsibility finally cleared his mind, bringing back his rationality.

It was this moment, when Jeremiah Themis realized this one fact about their current predicament...

That he just made a Deal with the Devil.