My Dark Devil System

The wind whispered through the narrow cracks of the cathedral ruins—once the proud symbol of divine authority, now weathered by time and war. What remained of its bell tower stood crooked, like a dying finger pointed at the heavens that never answered.

Kael Vireth walked through the shattered archway in silence, his boots crunching over broken pews and stained glass.

This was where he had been condemned.

Ten months ago, Grand Disciple Vaern stood at this very altar and branded Kael a heretic. No trial. No appeal. Just venom-laced words and the cheers of cowards who feared what they couldn't control.

Now Kael had returned. Not as a supplicant. Not as a soldier.

But as something else entirely.

System Notification:

[GREED] Sin Point Accumulation Bonus Active (via Serah's Pact)

Sin Detection Engaged

Target: Grand Disciple Vaern

Dominant Sin: Pride

Secondary: Wrath

[Contract Slots: 1 / 3 Active]

Nightmare Gauge: 31%

Flashback – 10 Months Ago

Rain poured over Kael's shoulders as he knelt in chains.

Vaern loomed above him in golden robes, face carved from marble, cold and cruel.

"You are an abomination, Kael Vireth. You let power touch your soul—and now it reeks of corruption."

Kael hadn't spoken. Not then. Even as the priests spat on him. Even as they etched false sins into his record. Even as Serah turned her back, standing with them.

Vaern had leaned in close. "You should've died in the gutters. That's where trash belongs."

The memory ended with thunder—both then and now.

Present – Inside the Ruins

Kael stood at the altar. He ran his fingers across the ancient carvings, feeling the cold bite of marble where he'd once bled.

Behind the altar, stairs led down.

Down into the Sanctum of Chains—a place only high clergy could enter. Where secret tomes were buried, rites were practiced, and Vaern meditated… alone.

Kael descended.

[World Slow – Sloth Ability Activated]

Time around him slowed to a crawl. Dripping water became crystal pearls in midair. His heartbeat echoed like thunder in an empty realm.

The chamber below was lit by hovering flames. Arcane runes pulsed across the walls.

And in the center…

Vaern knelt in meditation. Pale-haired. White-robed. Surrounded by glowing relics and protective circles.

Kael stepped inside the ward without hesitation.

The moment he crossed the threshold, Vaern's eyes opened.

They didn't widen in shock. No gasp. No fear.

Just a low voice: "So. The devil finally taught you how to knock."

Kael smiled. "No. Just how to kick down doors."

The floor shook as runes activated. Holy energy surged in waves.

[Sin Detection: Vaern – High Resistance to Flame, Shadow, Illusion]

Weakness: Unstable faith – vulnerable to corruption-based contracts.

Vaern rose slowly, lifting his golden staff. "Do you truly believe the filth you've embraced makes you greater than me?"

"I don't believe," Kael said, stepping forward. "I devour."

[Devour Essence – GREED Tree – Cast]

Kael's hand lashed out, tearing a fragment of mana from Vaern's barrier. The runes flickered.

[Seething Core – WRATH Tree – Fully Charged]

Kael's next strike burned with pure hellfire.

But Vaern was not weak.

The disciple raised his hand—and Kael's attack was deflected by a divine mirror spell.

[Mimic Sin – ENVY Tree – Cast]

Copied: "Shield of Ascendance"

Kael mirrored the holy shield and laughed. "You're looking in a mirror, Vaern. How's the reflection?"

Vaern gritted his teeth. "You're nothing but a thief. A puppet."

"You burned my life to the ground," Kael said. "Now I'll burn your faith."

[Nightmare Gauge: 35%]

[New Ability Unlocked – Mirror Bind]

Weakens target's strength based on Kael's envy level

Chains of green-black shadow erupted from the floor, wrapping Vaern's limbs.

He screamed—not in pain, but in disbelief—as his own spells faltered.

Kael stepped closer. The world slowed again. The air trembled with dark pressure.

He raised one hand.

[False Redemption Pact – Eligible Target Detected]

But Kael stopped.

Not yet.

"Lucivar," Kael muttered aloud. "I want to try something."

[Revenge Pact – Override Attempt – Initiated]

WARNING: Override costs 5 days from lifespan.

Proceed?

Kael nodded.

"Rip his soul out," he whispered.

The system went silent for two seconds.

Then—

Override Successful.

Pact Type: Revenge Pact – Full Bind

Target's hatred and hypocrisy will now fuel Sin Point regeneration during battles with the faithful.

System Lifespan Deduction: 5 Days.

655 Days Remaining

Vaern screamed as a black seal burned into his back.

His body convulsed—then stilled.

New Trait Unlocked: "Faithbreaker" – Damage vs religious targets increased by 15%

SP Gained: 12

Kael stood over him, breathing slowly.

"I don't need your forgiveness," he whispered. "I need your shame."

He turned to leave. As he walked past the sacred relics, they rusted.

One of the statues of the Celestial God cracked down the middle and collapsed in dust.

System Log:

Pact Formed: Revenge Pact (Vaern)

SP Total: 21

Nightmare Gauge: 38%

Trait Gained: Faithbreaker

Ability Unlocked: Mirror Bind

Days Remaining: 655

End of Chapter 6