Delayed for Four Lifetimes: I Awaken by Investing in My Crippled Wife

-----

Riven stood still, shaken as something began to rapidly materialize in front of his eyes. The energy slowly took the solid form of a large, heavy black sword, although it more closely resembled a gigantic hunk of raw black steel than a refined weapon.

Its handle was shaped like a snarling wolf’s head, complete with a glowing red eye-shaped jewel embedded deep into the metal. Sharp fang-like blades grew outward from the main cutting edge of the sword. Thick black fur was also attached along the handle, giving the entire weapon a wild and raw appearance that matched the power now flowing through him.

[The multiplied Divinity Spark has been distributed accordingly.]

[A third of its power has been used to create the [Divine Weapon – Fenrir’s Abyssal Fang Blade (Tier 1)]!]

[A third of its power has been used to create the {Authority of the Blood-Soaked Shadow Wolf, Fenrir}!]

[You gained the Subclass: [Beast – Level 1]

[You acquired the Talent: [Abyssal Predator’s Inheritance – SS-Rank]: The residual will of Fenrir’s flesh fuses with your Gluttony. All devouring actions now carry a faint echo of world-devouring hunger. Chance to absorb fragments of an enemy’s Authority or divine essence increases dramatically. When consuming beings aligned with Chaos or Order, gains additional unique bonuses. Synergy with all Transformation Skills enhanced.]

[A third of its power has been used to birth a Familiar.]

From the remaining black-red flames that still clung stubbornly to Riven’s skin, a small shape began to condense in the air directly in front of him.

It was a wolf pup, no larger than a large dog, yet its fur was pure midnight black and speckled with tiny, slowly drifting stars. Its eyes looked like twin black holes ringed by a faint crimson light. When it opened its mouth, a soft and almost playful growl escaped, and for a brief moment a miniature version of Fenrir’s starry maw appeared inside.

The pup floated down gently and landed lightly on Riven’s shoulder, immediately curling up against his neck as if it had always belonged there.

Ding!

[Familiar Acquired: [Abyssal Wolf Pup (Growth Type)]

[Bound to the Apostle of Chaos.]

[Current Rank: F+]

[Unique Skill: [Star Devour – Level 1]: Can slowly consume residual chaotic or divine energy from the surroundings or from defeated foes, converting it into growth for both Familiar and Master.]

[Unique Skill: [Shadow Howl – Level 1]: Emits a low-frequency howl that weakens the resolve of beings aligned with Order and strengthens allies of Chaos.]

[Note: This Familiar will grow stronger the more Chaos and power its Master consumes. It cannot betray its Master due to the Authority of Gluttony sealing all external control.]

"Hah... I got a pet just like that."

Riven was still trying to make sense of everything he had just gone through, but a small smile formed on his face. It was a fine set of rewards for all the trouble he had endured.

But above all... he realized he could also do this.

"Summon: Fenrir Avatar."

RUMBLE!

From the dark skies above, a black star descended and landed in front of him, taking the form of a dense black shadow with two glowing red eyes that stared directly at him.

A faint wolf-like head slowly took shape within the darkness.

It was only a weak avatar, yet its presence still felt overwhelming.

"So you can summon a fragment of my will," the shadow said in a deep, familiar voice.

"Can’t all your Apostles do that?" Riven asked.

"Only when I allow them to! You can do it whenever you want... I guess it’s because I have no control over the power I’ve given you..."

"Does that mean you’re my slave now?"

"Hah! My true body is perfectly fine, but this is like a bridge between us... interesting. So this is the human world..."

The shadow moved restlessly from one place to another. The small Abyssal Pup immediately began following him with curious hops, which only annoyed the avatar further.

"Tsk! Stop it!" Fenrir hissed.

"Wow, no love for your child?" Riven asked with a smirk.

"My child?!" Fenrir snapped angrily. "This abomination is not my son. It was born from your flesh and blood...!"

Riven became thoughtful for a moment. "So he’s our child... You have to take responsibility, you know?"

"Gah?! Don’t make it weird!" Fenrir hissed even more angrily. "I’m going to kill you!"

Riven was only teasing him and did not truly mean any of it. He laughed openly at the avatar’s ridiculous reaction. "Hahaha! Can’t the great Blood-Soaked whatever wolf have a sense of humor?"

"Tsk..." Fenrir turned his glowing eyes toward the distant city, then fixed them on the single remaining object left behind by the cultist after he had been completely eaten — a small red jewel. "Hoh? Now this is interesting."

"Hm?" Riven looked at the core as Fenrir lifted it with shadowy hands and began infusing his own darkness into it. "In this form I cannot even exert my full power. I am currently weaker than an F-Rank Dark Spirit. But this core? It is a crystallization of my curse that existed inside that cultist. His soul... is still trapped inside. Did you know that?"

"Huh? And I was just about to eat that..." Riven admitted, surprised.

"I’ll give you a slav— I mean, a subordinate," Fenrir sneered with clear amusement. "Return, Vladimir!"

FLAAASH!

A tall pillar of crimson ghostly energy surged upward from the crystal. A phantasmal form began to rapidly emerge from within the light. Flesh, bone, and skin grew around the spirit at an unnatural speed until a complete body took shape once more.

"?!"

Riven was completely shocked. Fenrir had just revived him?!

-----