Chapter 22: Chatting with Death
"...Azara."
The woman’s crimson eyes narrowed dangerously.
"Stop calling me by my name as if you are my equal. You are nothing more than a reincarnated worm who owes me a soul."
Klein leaned back in his chair, resting one arm on the table as he looked up at her with a faint, almost teasing smile.
"You keep showing up like this. Are you that obsessed with me, Azara Vhorin Malvek?"
The moment her full name left his lips, Azara’s expression twisted with visible irritation.
"You dare speak my name so casually again?"
Klein met her crimson eyes without fear with a teasing smile "You’re the one who keeps appearing in front of me."
"If you’re so offended, why not just take my soul and be done with it?"
Azara’s hands clenched into fists. Red cracks appeared in the air around her fingers as her power leaked out uncontrollably.
"You know exactly why I can’t," she hissed.
Klein’s smile widened slightly, "Exactly. So instead of threatening me every time we meet, maybe you should consider working with me. I’m not your enemy, Azara."
She stared at him for a moment before speaking again "I admit it. I am quite interested in you because you even fooled death."
"And your soul is special, because it’s a reincarnated soul with three of our names on it."
"Also you are the first one who has received this... [Lost from Death]"
Klein’s eyes narrowed slightly as a new notification appeared in his Arbiter Panel, glowing with an ominous crimson light.
[New Trait acquired.]
﹄ Lost from Death: Your soul has slipped through the grasp of Death itself. You exist in a state of limbo... neither fully alive nor claimed by the afterlife.
You can’t die, making you a pseudo-immortal.
Grant extreme resistance to instant death effects and soul-based attacks.
]
Seeing this, Klein’s eyes glowed faintly ’Oh... Pseudo-Immortal,’
’It’s because if I die, the three Fallens of the Underworld will have to fight each other to claim my soul. So to avoid triggering that war, if I ever die... Azara has no choice but to heal my body and bring me back.’
He has accidentally created the ultimate insurance policy against death itself.
As he was pondering, Azara reached out with her slender, pale fingers and casually took the coffee cup from his hand.
Klein raised an eyebrow but didn’t stop her.
Azara brought the cup to her lips, took a delicate sip... and immediately spat it out with a disgusted expression.
"Bleeh!’ The black liquid splattered onto the floor, where it hung suspended in time.
"What is this stuff?" she hissed, wiping her lips with the back of her hand. "It’s so bitter. Why would you even drink this filth?"
Klein stared at her with a deadpan expression, ⊙▂⊙
Azara narrowed her eyes at him, clearly offended by both the coffee and his lack of reaction.
"You mortals have truly fallen. In the old eras, offerings to Death were fine wines, blood sacrifices, and souls filled with despair. And here you are... willingly drinking this bitter sludge."
Klein let out a tired sigh and took the coffee from her hand.
"It’s called coffee, Azara. It helps people wake up and stay focused. Not everything has to be dramatic and ceremonial."
"You’re the one who showed up uninvited and drank my coffee. If you don’t like it, don’t drink it."
Azara’s beautiful face twisted with irritation "You are far too insolent. One day, that mouth of yours will get you killed."
With a chuckle, he replied "And if that ever happens, I am sure my dear Azara will revive me."
"After all, you wouldn’t want your precious prize to be claimed by your sisters, would you?"
Her lips twitched in exasperation "Like hell I would, you fucking bastard."
Klein couldn’t help but laugh and took a sip of his tea "The next time you come, I will have something prepared for you."
Azara just stared at him for a moment and flicked her finger.
An elegant crystal cup filled with deep, blood-red wine materialized in her hand.
She brought the cup to her lips and took a slow sip.
After a moment, she glanced at him with a mix of disdain and reluctant curiosity.
Turning to her, he spoke in a serious tone "I want to ask you something. You can look into other worlds, right?
Azara squinted her eyes slightly "Obviously, I am the embodiment of death for all the worlds there are."
"You should be grateful to be in the presence of me."
Klein’s gaze darkened and he spoke "Can you... look into the [Curse Realm] of the world where I originally came from?"
Taking another sip, she replied in a cold and dismissive tone, her crimson eyes half-lidded with arrogance "You are in no position to ask me a favor or order me."
Klein sighed inwardly ’This woman...’
Before dying on the battlefield in the final war, he released all of his [Curses] so they wouldn’t die along with him.
They must have gone back to the [Curse Realm] of that world.
’If I can get them back somehow...’
"Seems like they are in search of their Master,"
Upon hearing her words, he looked up at her in surprise.
"Don’t ask me too much," she said coldly.
"I am already interfering in this world’s flow by talking with you like this. If I overdo it, this world’s consciousness will notice. And I have no interest in dealing with a newborn world will just yet."
Klein remained silent for a moment, processing her words. He knew how dangerous it was for higher beings like Azara to meddle directly in mortal worlds. The balance was delicate.
Still, he pressed on "I’m not asking you to bring them here."
"I just need to know if they still exist. If there’s any way for me to reach them later."
Azara stared at him for a moment as the red aura around her flickered.
With a mocking laugh, she replied "You really are greedy, you darned fucker."
She set the wine cup down on the table with a soft clink.
"Fine. I will tell you this much. The curses you released are still in that world’s Curse Realm. They are... restless. Many of them have gone feral after losing their master."
"Some have begun merging with the realm itself, becoming part of its foundation. A few of the stronger ones are still searching for you... their creator and master."
Klein’s eyes darkened with resolve ’They’re still out there...’
Azara leaned forward slightly, staring straight into his soul "But do not get any foolish ideas. Even if you manage to reach that realm again, pulling them into this world would be extremely dangerous."
"This world is still young. Its laws are not strong enough to contain curses of that caliber without consequences."
She straightened up, "And one more thing, Acolyte. Do not think that because I answered one question, I am now your ally. I am Death. I do not form alliances with mortals. I only collect what belongs to me."
Klein met her gaze without flinching "...I am aware."
Azara’s lips curved into a cold, dangerous smile "Enjoy your little time of peace while it lasts. The next time we meet... it may not be so cordial."
With those final words, her form dissolved completely into swirling crimson mist. The red aura around the cafeteria faded, and time resumed its normal flow.
The chatter of students returned and everything went back to normal as if nothing had happened.
He took one last sip of his coffee, then stood up and left the cafeteria, heading back toward the waiting area to meet Julia.
’First, i should check how the [Spirit Realm] and [Curse Realm] in this world are.’
