Cursed Heir System: Revenge Against the Gods

With a sharp, urgent voice, Alan shot to his feet and pointed at the body. "Moriko, hurry and cover yourself with his shirt!"

"I… what?" she stammered, confused.

"Move, girl!" Alan snapped. She flinched, then scrambled to the corpse, her trembling hands pulling the filthy shirt free.

She slipped it on, the oversized fabric draping over her small frame, concealing her bare skin.

Heavy, angry footsteps echoed through the tunnel—a sound Alan had heard four times now.

Dakel stormed into view with his two guards.

His gaze landed on the dead slave, then shifted to Moriko, half-hidden in the shirt. As Alan expected, Dakel's anger twisted into a sick, leering grin.

"Well, brat," he said, his voice dripping with menace, "I came to skin you for killing my property, but it looks like you've wrapped up a little gift for me to enjoy."

Moriko backed away, pressing against the chilly rock. "Please… don't," she muttered.

Dakel's meaty hand reached for her, but Alan seized his wrist, his grip like iron, fingers digging into flesh.

Dakel tried to wrench free, his face twisting in disgust. "Get your filthy hands off me, you little shit," he snarled, raising his other hand.

Alan's voice was cold, his lips curling into a mocking smirk. "Fatty, your fat ass is more useful than your ring." He tightened his grip, making Dakel wince.

Roaring with rage, Dakel's face turned purple. "I'll fuck her raw while you scream in pain." He activated the control ring, expecting its magic to sear Alan's nerves.

Nothing happened, just as Alan predicted.

**[Skill: Medium Control Magic Resistance activated!]**

*Crack.*

The slave collar around Alan's neck split in two, clattering to the tunnel floor.

"What the fuck…?" Dakel stumbled back, fear flashing in his eyes. He turned to his guards, his voice a panicked bellow. "Don't just stand there, you idiots! Cut this bastard down!"

The first guard charged, his sword aiming for Alan's head.

But Alan knew the move. He stepped back, yanking Dakel's bulky arm with him. The guard's swing went wide, the blade slicing through Dakel's outstretched hand with a wet *thwack*.

Blood sprayed, and Dakel screamed, a guttural wail, clutching the bleeding stump as his severed hand hit the ground.

The first guard froze, eyes wide with horror at Dakel's screams.

Still gripping Dakel's arm with his left hand, Alan snatched the dagger from the guard's belt. The second guard charged, his sword aimed at Alan's neck, but Alan had seen this before. He ducked and drove the dagger into the guard's throat. Blood poured over his hand as the guard choked, collapsing to the stone.

"Sleep tight," Alan muttered.

**[Skill: Blessing Absorption activated.]**

**[Blessing: God of War, Uncommon acquired.]**

**[Skill: Weapon Master, Intermediate acquired.]**

Strange words flashed in Alan's mind, but he barely registered them.

The first guard snapped out of his daze and raised his sword. Alan smoothly seized the fallen guard's blade, his body moving with unfamiliar precision.

He spun, slicing the guard's head clean off in one fluid motion.

*Thud.*

The head hit the floor, blood pooling beneath as it rolled across the stone. Dekel's screams echoed through the tunnel, and Moriko gasped, pressing herself against the wall, her eyes wide with panic.

**[Skill: Blessing Absorption activated.]**

**[Blessing: God of War, Uncommon acquired.]**

**[Skill: Weapon Master, Intermediate canceled due to previously acquired skill.]**

The words flashed again. Alan paused, brow furrowing as he glanced at his hand.

A glyph appeared, two crossed swords etched on his skin, glowing briefly before fading.

He realized most guards working in these mines have the Uncommon God of War blessing, granting basic Weapon Mastery. Alan only knew basic sword skills from childhood, but this stolen skill gave him accurate precision.

Moriko's trembling voice broke through. "Alan, what the hell are you doing? If we rebel, you know what'll happen! They'll execute us both!"

Alan turned, a wild, reckless grin spreading across his face. "Kitty, get dressed," he said. "I'll show you the sun again."

He faced Dekel, still screaming, clutching his bleeding stump. "Hey, fatty," Alan called, mockingly waving the severed hand. "Missing something?"

Dekel lunged forward with a snarl, his remaining hand grasping for it. "You fucking rodent, give it back!" Alan effortlessly caught his arm, yanking it viciously behind Dekel's back, eliciting another scream.

"Thought you couldn't touch filthy rats like me," Alan sneered. He ripped the keys and coin pouch from Dekel's belt, tossing them to Moriko. "Keep them."

His eyes fixed on the control ring. With a sharp tug, he yanked it free, tearing flesh and drawing a fresh cry from Dekel.

Alan slid the enchanted ring onto his finger. "This controls everything in these damned mines, doesn't it?" he said, his voice laced with bitter triumph.

He turned to Moriko and raised his hand. "Moriko, release."

*Clack.*

Her slave collar snapped open. Moriko's breath hitched, her eyes widening as she tore it off, fingers shaking. She stared at the metal, her tail twitching wildly. "It's… really off?"

"Pick those up and unlock my chains," Alan ordered, holding out his wrists, bound by heavy irons.

Moriko grabbed the keys from the stone floor, her hands trembling as she tried each one. Finally, a key slid into the lock, her panicked fingers fumbling but succeeding.

*Clank.*

The chains fell, clanging against the stone. For the first time in years, Alan's arms were free. No collar, no chains—he was a free man.

He took the keys from Moriko, his blue eyes meeting her golden ones. "Can you fight?"

Moriko nodded, her voice steady with newfound confidence. "Without the collar, I can transform into a semi-beast. I'm stronger than you think, grey-hair."

Alan's lips curled into a small, approving smirk as he unlocked her chains. They fell with a clang, and Moriko stared at her free hands, stretching them as if testing their freedom.

"I'm free," she whispered, then laughed, spinning, her tail swaying with joy. "I'm free!" she shouted, her voice echoing through the tunnel.

Alan grabbed her hand, pulling her back to reality. "Kitty, we're still in this hellhole. Let's celebrate after we get out."

Dekel's raw, desperate growls echoed. His bright silks were soaked in blood, his face pale and sweaty as he lay clutching his stump.

"Can we just kill him now?" Moriko asked, her hand transforming into a beast claw, her voice filled with rage and disgust.

Alan's eyes glinted with cold excitement, his smirk widening. "Killing's too kind for him. For once, let's use him."

Moments later, they dragged Dekel to a rusty iron ring embedded in the tunnel wall. As he thrashed and screamed, Alan bound his wrists and ankles with their discarded chains.

"You wretched little shits!" Dekel spat, pain and anger twisting his voice. "You'll pay for this! The guards will tear you to pieces!"

Alan crouched before him, smiling, his blue eyes icy and unblinking.

"Something's coming for breakfast, fatty. You look like a nice, plump meal, and something's really hungry in these tunnels."

He stood, turning to Moriko. "Let's get moving."