In this world, the strong always looked down on the weak. That was how everyone survived. For seal users, power was determined by hereditary rank, which was classified into nine levels.
First was Primus, followed by Secundus, Tertius, Quartus, Quintus, Sextus, Septimus, Octavus, and finally the highest rank, Novenus.
The more you broke through your seal rank, the more layers of the seal appeared on your arm until they covered it completely.
Right now, Adam sat on the bed with his bloody arm while Kaida lay on the ground unconscious. His face was swollen, his teeth were missing, and he groaned softly with each breath.
Bathomen floated in front of Adam's face and laughed. [To think you were this smart.]
"It's not about being smart. This regression helped me avoid becoming a victim. He was about to drag me out there to meet his so called leader, but I figured it out and avoided that outcome."
Adam stared at his hand, it was trembling. He had used all the mana he gathered just to land those punches on Kaida, and his body was shaking this much. He was still too weak.
Thankfully, Kaida was at Primus like him. The real problem was Ronan, whose rank was Secundus. If they fought right now, Adam would lose immediately.
"I will have to change my plan, but for that to happen, Bathomen…"
[What? You need my help as always? Did I not tell you my only goal is to take over your body?]
"I know, but don't you want me to grow stronger to achieve both our goals?"
[My goal is the goddess.]
"That is my goal too. Don't think I am only here to punish people who wronged me. She is the major reason I am in this mess."
Bathomen thought about it. His intention would never waver, but Adam was still right. He still did not understand this link they both shared. If Adam got injured or died, what would happen to him? Would he die too? He sighed.
[I will help you on one condition.]
"Just tell me. But if it is about taking over my body—"
[Tch. Your body is already mine anyway, so of course I will refine it to my liking before I take over. But this request is important. There are certain people I want you to kill.]
"Who?"
[When the time comes, I will tell you.]
Adam did not understand, but the mood felt melancholy. Did those people mean something to Bathomen? He simply smiled and nodded. "Sure. Why not."
Bathomen folded his arms.
[Well then, let me show you the true power of your seal. As you know from the stories, I have the power of absorption. I can mimic skills and use them.]
"I did hear stories about the power of gluttony."
[Then how about you break the contract with his seal and steal it?]
"You mean I can…"
[Stupid brat, do not hesitate. You have the Heavenly Divine Vein. You can imprint a seal and make it yours forever.]
Adam did not look surprised. Instead, he thought about it carefully.
"You say I can have it forever, but with the Heavenly Divine Vein, I can only hold four seals. That means I need to be careful about who I make a contract with. For example, this bastard had a mediocre skill, and he died in my past life."
Bathomen stared at Adam. [I hate that you are right.]
Suddenly, Adam smiled and gripped Kaida's hand where his fire shaped seal was located.
"But of course, I will steal his skill anyway. I strongly believe there is potential in using it."
"I knew you were this selfish. Anyway, close your eyes and focus on the technique. At the end, repeat after me."
Adam closed his eyes. Bathomen began speaking in a foreign language. Adam did not understand a single word at first, but then his seal started acting up. It glowed and pulsed against his skin.
Slowly, he began to comprehend everything Bathomen was saying, even though the words made him dizzy. He held on and pushed through the nausea.
Then he felt the right moment arrive.
"Raptura Sigil," Adam repeated after Bathomen.
Kaida's seal began to erase itself from his arm. The fire shaped mark faded like ash blowing away in the wind. At the same time, a new copy of that same seal appeared on Adam's left arm. The transfer was working.
Bathomen watched the process with a smirk. [Brace yourself for what is about to happen, kid.]
"Huh?"
A massive light erupted from the burning seal. The light materialized into a humanoid fire entity with a crown on its head and a spear in its hand. It glared down at Adam with eyes like molten gold.
[MORTAL. WHO DARES TO HARM MY OWN KIN? DIE!]
"What the hell…"
Adam did not let go of Kaida's arm. The seal was almost complete, but the entity before him was enormous. One wrong move and he would be burned to nothing.
Ignus raised its leg and stomped down.
Crack Boom!
Adam dove to the side. The floor cracked where the foot landed, and splinters of wood flew into the air. He scrambled back up and grabbed a nearby book from the floor. He threw it at Ignus, but the book passed straight through the entity's chest and landed on the other side.
"Huh? I cannot inflict damage?"
[Of course not, fool. He is just a ghost like body. You cannot hurt him, but he can definitely hurt you.]
"Your advice is not helping!"
Ignus swung its spear in a wide arc. Adam dropped to the ground and felt the heat pass over his head.
His white hair singed at the tips. He rolled sideways as Ignus brought the spear down again, stabbing the spot where his chest had been a second earlier.
Adam's lungs burned. His legs felt like lead. He had already used most of his mana on Kaida, and now he had nothing left for this.
[YOU SHALL DIE BEFORE MY EYES]
Ignus clapped its hands together.
Multiple spears of fire materialized in the air, all pointing directly at Adam. Ten of them, Twenty, Each one glowed with deadly heat.
Adam's eyes widened, he could not dodge all of them, he could not block them. He was going to die here, right after getting a second chance.
Bathomen floated nearby, grinning and Waiting for his death.
"Unless…"
Adam's gaze shifted to Kaida. The unconscious boy lay behind Ignus, completely unharmed.
The entity stood between them, shielding Kaida like a guardian.
Adam understood.
Ignus was not trying to kill him out of malice. The entity was protecting its contractor.
As long as Kaida remained unconscious and vulnerable, Ignus would not leave his side.
Adam forced himself to stand and his legs shook and his arms trembled, his Blood dripped from his knuckles onto the floor.
He looked directly at Ignus.
"Move!"