He blanked out.

  His last memory was the head of the priest who held a blade to his sister in his hands—but not his hands. A flaming arm where his arm should have been.

  He could feel the drain on his mana, but he allowed his Mana Sense to absorb all the mana he needed. It hurt—not just physically, but deeper, like his soul itself was being burned.

  Then he lost consciousness.

  He found himself in a bright room with a beautiful woman with marble skin and golden hair.

  “What is going on? Where am I?” he asked.

  She looked at him—not uncaring, but amused.

  “You took a great risk, child. You have sacrificed your life… maybe. That remains to be seen. But you did it for the ones you love. I ask you now, boy—knowing you stood at the doors of death—was it worth it?”

  He looked at her and, without skipping a beat, said,

  “Yes, it was. And I would do it again if need be.”

  A smile grew across her face.

  “That is good, my child.”

  She crossed the room and hugged him.

  “I am the goddess Sera, and I give you my blessing. It will help ease your soul.”

  A warmth spread through him—gentle, deep, nothing like the burning rage he had unleashed before.

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  [System Notification]

  You have received a Divine Blessing.

  Blessing: Grace of Sera

  ? Soul regeneration increased

  ? Mana recovery increased

  ? Soul damage recovery rate improved

  ? Resistance to mana instability increased

  He looked at her in amazement.

  “You’re a goddess? Why didn’t you stop them from attacking us?”

  His expression shifted, more angry than amazed.

  “I am sorry, my child. They were not my believers. I have no sway over them. But I can tell you this—there is another god that has some answering to do.”

  “Why can you bring me here, then? I don’t worship any god of this world,” he asked.

  She looked at him like he should have known.

  “Silly boy. I am the goddess of love and sacrifice. Your willingness to die to save your sister made you one of my children.”

  [System Notification]

  New Title Acquired: Child of Sacrifice

  ? Increased affinity with divine and soul-based blessings

  ? Increased resistance to soul corruption

  ? Greatly increased chance to survive fatal soul damage

  ? This title cannot be removed

  She smiled warmly.

  “It looks like you will survive, my child. I am happy that one of my children will still be among the living.”

  He looked at her.

  “You still didn’t answer my question. Why am I here?”

  She frowned slightly.

  “I wanted to save you from the pain of your death by giving you my blessing—to ease your soul and separate it from your mortal body. But as you will live, you will find your body and soul will heal a little quicker. You should also receive a decent mana boost. I do not give many blessings. You should be honored.”

  “I am honored,” he said quietly. “Thank you for everything you gave me. But, goddess… what will happen to my sister?”

  “It looks like your brother got you and her to a safe place. I can see his rage from here.”

  He puffed his chest slightly.

  “Wait until someone pisses off Hela. You’ll see something then that will put fear even in a god’s eyes,” he exclaimed with pride.

  “Hmmm.” She looked as though she were watching an interesting movie or something on a screen only she could see. She smirked faintly.

  “He is an interesting mortal, isn’t he?” she mumbled to herself.

  “Well, my child, it was lovely to talk to you. But for now, I bid you farewell.”

  She kissed his forhead.

  He awoke to raised voices from below—his brother’s being one of them.

  He grabbed his blade and stumbled out of the room and down the hall.