A System That Beats Death

Firmly seated upon the Imperial throne, the authoritative figure lowered his eyebrows in frustration.

"It has been a week. How are the results?", the Emperor stated in a frosty tone.

"Brigands have ambushed the quarry which we recently conquered-", a minister started.

"Don't! Change the subject!", he bellowed as he sensed their fear.

"The Crown Prince has killed many of the servants serving in the Princess' residence. The remaining fled for their lives"

___

To circ.u.mvent suspicions of secretive love, Shen decided to instruct Riri. Not only would it allow him to continue guarding her, it would also improve her odds at surviving as he could tell she was not a very learned person. Her disbelief at the fact that someone would poison her indicated this and her education would have likely been inhibited by the Emperor's request.

"Poison me? Uncle might hate me, but he would never kill me", Riri stated in disbelief.

"Oh? Then explain why he is on the throne and not you?", Atlas asked with an amused tone.

"I am not of age yet and-"

"You are also unqualified. Considering that you actually believe that he will willingly cede authority to you"

"Even if I was capable, I wouldn't be the one that deserved the throne"

"Then who would be?"

Riri then nervously glanced at Shen before averting her gaze to look at the table.

So, brother wasn't just an endearing way to address someone, Atlas thought.

___

Taking a bite of what resembled hard bread, Da Lan grimaced. It seemed that his time was up. The urge to gag from eating it no longer appeared despite how vomit inducing the texture was. Soon, it would likely be the only food he could consume.

He then turned to his daughter with a sword in hand.

"It is time, my daughter. Have you decided?", Da Lan stated in an extremely grave tone.

In a voice that sounded as if it was holding back tears, Da Guang said, "I have"

"Good", he said and outstretched his hand for her to take the sword.

She then refused the sword and said, "I might live longer but I would rather not be tormented with the consequences"

Upon hearing this response, Da Lan clenched his fists in frustration.

"Very well then. I will arrange for you to leave this nation. I would rather not kill my own d-", Da Lan then stopped mid-speech as a searing pain surged from his c.h.e.s.t.

Da Guang then rushed to her father's side as he writhed in intense pain. A bright red aura with a fading strength emerged from him.

Da Lan then suddenly stood up and hurled Da Guang at the wall. A coarse voice not belonging to Da Lan sounded from him.

"Do you think I tolerate such oppression from a mere mortal?", the foreign entity screeched.

Da Lan then cried out from within, "Wait! What about the contract!?"

The foreign entity then sneered in derision, "The Imperial Family will die but there is no need for you to remain in control. After all, you lack the resolve to".

He then raised his sword.

___

[C-Rank Quest Completed:

Speed C Acquired

2000 Points Added]

"This is what happens when you consume potent poison", Atlas said as he consumed the toxic herb. Immediately, his skin started to flush, and blood began to drip from his mouth. This was a considerably tame reaction as compared to the actual effect which if not mitigated, would have induced partial paralysis.

This shocked Riri but Shen told her to not worry. After a minute, his complexion returned to normal.

"As for how to identify if plants are poisonous, a simple way is to rub them on your skin. Of course, this is would be lethal for certain substances"

He then listed the most common poisons and how to identify them from their features. After this, he spent the entire week teaching Riri how to fend for herself. Self-defense lessons through the basics of swordplay and some hand to hand combat techniques. Killing through the hairpin which made her shudder and the basics of loyalty and which characteristics to favor.

During this time, she only ate Shen's cooking as all the kitchen staff were either dead or untrustworthy.

"If only, I could always eat your cooking", she said with a sigh.

"It is only until you either get good at cooking or you don't have servants that try to poison you"

Then, night fell.

"The target is asleep", the cloaked figure muttered to the other. Signaling for his subordinates to follow in his lead, he then silently leapt onto the roof. Gently, they then lifted the tiling of the roof to form an opening to enter through.

As they hovered over the sleeping figure with malicious intentions, they took out a knife. The cloaked figure then struck downwards towards the throat. Instead of the rending of flesh, he heard the clang of metal.

"Shit", the assassin muttered.

He then felt it. His hands went limp and he suddenly couldn't stand. Panicking, he looked towards his subordinates who were in a similar state of shock.

They then heard a chilling voice.

"I might not enjoy sleeping but that does not mean you can interrupt it", Atlas stated before raising his bloodied sword.

He then kicked the leader in the stomach which caused the assassin to hurl. A small white bead could be seen among the bile. The assassin's eyes then widened in shock as his method of suicide was removed. Immediately, he attempted to stab with a toxic needle but found that he still couldn't use his hands. The only sensation that came was a warm liquid that seemed to gush out.

Realizing that his wrist and heel were severed, he leveraged his knees as Shen was addressing his subordinates. When Shen completely turned his back towards him, he then suddenly leapt into the air and attempted to tackle Shen.

Atlas nonchalantly sidestepped the attack and the assassin unceremoniously planted himself into the floor. The assassin then g.r.o.a.n.e.d both in frustration and pain. He then signaled with his eyes for them to act but noticed that they were paralyzed in fear. He then finally felt it.

[Skill Intimidation Activated]

A palpable and unshakable sense of terror gripped their hearts.

"Divulge your secrets if you want to. You will wish for death soon enough"