Sanctuary: Safe Haven

Canna looked at Skal, his eyes filled with resolve. He began to share his story, explaining how he was from a different world and how his soul had been abducted by a god, bringing him to Sepra. He recounted his life on Earth, his encounter with Tonitrum, the ancient dragon, and how he had gained his subordinates. Finally, he spoke of his goal: to create a unique sanctuary.

Skal chuckled, seemingly amused by Canna's lengthy tale. "An otherworlder, huh? I've slain people from different worlds before, but I've never had an otherworlder wield me. What makes you think I would want to be wielded by you? A sanctuary? How do you even plan to achieve that with the title of a Harbinger?" Skal's words were laced with ridicule.

Despite the skepticism, Canna's gaze remained steady. "I won't just tell you; I'll show you," he replied, his voice firm. Skal studied Canna's determined expression, finding a strange fascination in the contradiction before him.

"Interesting," Skal mused, a hint of genuine curiosity in his tone. "A Harbinger who wants to protect and save rather than kill. I must admit, that's intriguing. However, I have one condition if I am to allow you to wield me."

"What is it?" Canna asked.

"Blood," Skal answered. "Bathe me in the blood of your enemies. Enter battles clean and leave them marked with blood. Do this, and I will serve you."

Canna pondered this condition, feeling a pang of frustration. He aspired to be a protector, someone responsible for the lives of others, not a scythe-wielding bringer of death. Yet, he understood the necessity of power in achieving his goals. Reluctantly, he agreed. "I accept your condition."

Skal's lips curled into a wide smile, revealing a grin that seemed almost demonic. "Then let's begin, master," he said.

Suddenly, Canna's vision snapped back to the dungeon. He looked at the scythe now firmly in his grasp, then up at Tonitrum, who seemed unsurprised by the turn of events.

"Hoh, that old pervert accepted you. Good. That saves me from explaining," Tonitrum remarked, already preparing to return to his slumber.

Canna, still processing what had just happened, glanced back at the scythe. Tonitrum, sensing his unspoken questions, simply said, "Read its description," before closing his eyes.

Left with more questions than answers, Canna examined the crimson scythe. It was as tall as him, with runes inscribed along its blade. He then proceeded to check its stats, eager to understand the full extent of the power he had just acquired.

Item: Bloodfang Scythe

Rank: ???

Item Description:

Forged in a pact of darkness between two ancient vampire lords, the Bloodfang Scythe is a weapon steeped in blood and dark magic. The scythe's blade, a crimson arc of death, is crafted from the fused fangs of these lords, and the handle is carved from the bones of their fallen enemies. It pulses with an insatiable hunger for blood, bound eternally to its wielder.

This soul-bound weapon cannot be transferred and can only be relinquished upon the wielder's death.

Passive Skills:

Bloodlust Aura: As enemies fall, the wielder's attack speed and damage increase by 30%, stacking up to 5 times. This aura instills fear and dread in nearby foes, sapping their will to fight and weakening their resolve.

Vampiric Regeneration: The scythe siphons life force from defeated foes, healing the wielder and restoring stamina and mana. This dark sustenance keeps the wielder invigorated, allowing them to endure prolonged battles without faltering.

Sinister Vigil: Grants heightened senses and perception, enabling the wielder to detect hidden enemies and traps within a radius. This passive also provides significant resistance to mental manipulation and illusions, ensuring the wielder's mind remains clear and focused.

Scythe Mastery: This skill instantly enhances his scythe mastery to level 8, granting him unparalleled skill and precision in using the weapon. This mastery improves the efficiency and effectiveness of all scythe-related attacks and techniques.

Enduring Will: Increases Canna's resistance to fatigue, allowing him to fight longer without tiring. This skill enhances stamina regeneration and reduces the effects of exhaustion, making him more resilient in prolonged engagements.

Active Skills:

Reaper's Sweep: A wide-reaching slash that unleashes a wave of dark energy, cutting down enemies in its path. This devastating attack inflicts severe bleeding, draining life from those it strikes.

Soul Rend: The wielder channels dark energy into the scythe, delivering a soul-piercing strike that bypasses physical defenses, weakening the target and leaving them vulnerable to further attacks.

Blood Pact: The wielder sacrifices a portion of their health to empower the scythe, significantly boosting attack power and speed. During this enhancement, each strike siphons life from enemies, healing the wielder.

Necrotic Call: Summons spectral warriors bound to the scythe, who rise to fight alongside the wielder. These undead allies harass and damage enemies, creating chaos on the battlefield.

Shadow Step: The wielder can teleport short distances, leaving behind an afterimage that distracts and confuses foes. This skill is useful for both offensive maneuvers and defensive escapes.

Infernal Resurgence: Channels the scythe's dark energy to bolster the wielder's defenses, increasing resistance to physical and magical attacks. It also reflects a portion of the damage back to attackers, punishing those who dare strike.

Judgment of Blood: Unleashes the full wrath of the Bloodfang Scythe, releasing a massive wave of dark energy that devastates the battlefield. This ultimate attack deals catastrophic damage and curses survivors, sapping their strength and morale. The skill has a long cooldown and requires a significant amount of mana, making it a powerful but costly weapon in battle.

Blood Infusion: When activated, the scythe continuously drinks the blood of enemies, preventing the wielder from losing stamina and mana. This skill maintains the wielder's energy levels, allowing them to sustain high-intensity combat without tiring or depleting their magical reserves. The effect lasts for a set duration and has a cooldown period.

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Canna stared at the stats of the Bloodfang Scythe, barely able to contain his astonishment. "Absurd," he muttered to himself, marveling at the weapon's overwhelming power. He had thought his strength had reached a peak, but with this scythe in hand, he felt on the brink of becoming an unstoppable force on the battlefield.

New skills, enhanced stats, and a transformed body—everything felt new and charged with potential. The desire to test his newfound abilities burned within him. As if sensing his eagerness, Tonitrum, despite appearing to be resting, had been attentively listening to everyone's thoughts.

The ancient dragon opened his eyes, their gaze piercing and commanding. With a slight motion, he conjured a red portal in the air before Canna. "A kingdom is about to face an attack of an unimaginable scale," Tonitrum's voice resonated with an ominous undertone. "Their defenses are down, and enemies are already marching—about 100,000 strong, composed of trolls, ogres, goblins, and other dark forces."

Tonitrum paused, allowing the gravity of the situation to settle in. Then, with a voice that carried a chilling finality, he added, "Show them, show them what a Harbinger is."

Canna felt a rush of adrenaline at the dragon's words. This was it—a real battlefield, a chance to test his limits and wield the Bloodfang Scythe against a formidable enemy force. With a determined nod, he stepped toward the portal, feeling the weight of his new title and the expectations that came with it.

As Canna entered the portal, the air crackled with anticipation. The upcoming battle would be his proving ground, a stage to demonstrate his power and the reality of what a Harbringer is. The enemies on the other side, unaware of the storm about to descend upon them, would soon witness the might of a being transformed by ancient and dark powers.