"Blessing Grade: SSS

Type: Bloodline

Name: Angel of Wrath and Blood"

"Angel of Wrath and Blood??!" Joseph had never heard of this blessing before, and he was quite certain no one else had either. He had read all the historical records of the blessings humanity had received and even among the recorded S grade blessings, an Angel bloodline is never mentioned. 

This manifestation continued on for a few moments before abruptly fading away, taking with it all the pressure that had been released causing the students and faculty to have such difficulty.

Once the preassure was gone, no one moved. A good number of the students were still passed out and some of the teachers were no better. The principle simply stared at Joseph like he was a monster, which of course he was.

A few moments passed when they all heard an angry and disbelieving shout, "Thats Impossible!! How could that trash awaken a blessing better than mine!! He must have cheated somehow!" This was of course nonsensicle. The awakening crystal was given to humanity by the world system and was entirely out of mankinds control. They could no more cheat on an awakening than they could move the sun. It was an entirely ridiculous statement born of ignorance and refusal to accept reality. If they could cheat to make SSS blessings then wouldn't everyone have them?

The principle and the faculty who were awake just stared at Joshua for a moment before rage filled their eyes.

"How dare you!" The principle shouted at him, releasing the preassure from his own A ranked blessing. "This man may be the key to finally freeing our world, and your still caught up with your own overinflated sense of self importance!! Do you think that A grades are truly rare!? Do you think the kingdom lacks strength?! IDIOT!!"

Joshua was stunned, he couldn't fathom what had caused this change of attitude from the principle. He thought, "But werent you just praising me as the fourtune of the school a few minutes ago? that guy is just trash, he has no family, no backing, no strength, it should be me who's special so why, Why, WHY!!! Why is that guy better than me!!!"

His mind vehemently refused to believe that he was inferior to anyone, he had been taught by his parents since he was born that he was ment to be special, and when he awakened his A grade blessing he felt he had fulfilled everything his parents had told him. But when another proved to be better than him his frail ego collapsed and he directly passed out, foaming at the mouth simply unwilling to admit his own defeat. 

The principle took a few moments to calm down before looking at Joseph with new eyes. He had never bothered with the bullying in the school, thinking it builds character and might be a good thing as outside of the defence zone was far cruler than any school bully could be. 

He was about to congratulate Joseph when he was interupted by the worlds system announcement.

'Ding!'

'Congratulations to humanity for receiveing the first SSS grade blessing. You have fought well against the devil's and demons and have earned the right to receive futher blessings to assist you.

We have watched you struggle and have deemed you worthy, therefore you may expect greater blessings and rewards in the future as you continue to fight and overcome. 

Changes to the system will be made in an update that will be carried out in 24 hours, additional rewards for first time lords will be granted based on blessing grade to assist in the stabalization of new territories. 

Note: With the increase in blessings the activites of the adversaries my also increase. Be vigilant and work hard, the true trials start now.'

They were stunned, the whole of humanity just received that message and they couldn't believe it. They had fought so hard for so long only now to realize that it was some kind of trial period. And that if they hadn't done as well as they did, they would most likely have been abandoned to their fate.

Both Joseph and the principle just stood there for a moment trying to wrap their minds around what they just learned when another message popped up, this time only Joseph saw it but what it said caused him to shake in terror.

'Ding!'

'Congratulations on being the first to receive a SSS grade blessing, as the first host it is your mandate to repel the darkness and stabalize your world against the forces of Hell. Your successes and failures will have much greater impact upon humanity than any other as you will be in direct conflict with hell and its minions. 

Your territory, like all others, will begin at the edge of the defence zone where you will attempt to establish your own kingdom. You may do as others and join your territory to one that is already established or attempt to establish yourself and assimilate others. 

Your choices are your own, but know that Hell will come for you. Be prepared.'

He didn't know how to take this, he just got his blessing and now he was being told that he was basically the linchpin of humanities survival? What do you say to that? His mind was so caught up in overthinking things that he missed the principle trying to get his attention.

The principle overlooked it the first couple of times but then became annoyed and shouted, "Oi! are you listening to me!" His shout broke through Josephs thoughts and brought him back to the present. 

"I'm sorry sir," Joseph replied, "I was just thinking about what the system told me. 

"Dont worry boy, we all were a little surprised by it. But I don't think you need to worry so much, you have the most powerful blessing ever recorded now so that should count for something right?" The principle chuckled nervously, he had no idea how to interact with a SSS grade blessed, there had never been one before, but he figured he would do what he had been trained to do and just hope for the best.

"Tomorrow you will be transported to your territory by the system and receive your initial rewards. I have no idea what they will be as we used to get a generic reward bundle for all grades but now that they are grade specific, I cant even guess what will be in it. Also please remember that while you have a SSS grade blessing it doesn't mean you have that kind of power. You still need to grow, the system integration that will happen once you get to your territory will help you do that."

Joseph nodded along, he knew that he was still weak, while his blessing had been awakened he had no access to its power yet. He was still technically grade F, and he needed to have the system integrate to allow him to start leveling up and growing into the full potential of his new bloodline.

They continued talking for a few minutes about different things to expect, when suddenly the earth began to shake. It started out sort of mild but quickly became more and more intence to the point it was nearly impossible to stand. 

As this shaking was happening another world system anouncement rang out, the contence of which cause both Joseph and the principles blood to run cold.

'Ding!'

'Warning! hell gate detected in the SteelBones academy area of the North Verdant district, Bastion city. All non combat personell are advised to flee to disaster shelters while combat personell are brought to the scean.'

Absolute disbelief could be seen on both the principles and Josephs faces. The devils had never once, opened a hell gate this far into mankinds territory, not since the opening of the war 100 years ago. They had always sent their armies against the border territories, which is why most thought of the war as a survival game. 

Each different section of the border had a different difficulty rating to it depending on the relative strength of the territories involved. Most newly blessed went to territories with easier trials, which became more difficult as the territories grew. It was like the world system restricted the demons from sending their strongest armies against weaker foes, allowing humanity a chance to fight back. 

But now things seemed to be changing as for the first time in 100 years the devils made a direct attack against a city within the defence zone. 

The earth continued to shake violently and those in the proximity of the area could see a black obsidian pillar rising from the ground near the acadamy, most people in this area were non combat blessed, and panicing they ran as fast as they could away from the area. Meanwhile the system was transporting combat personell into the area as fast as it could.

By the time the gate opened there were at least 150 blessed arrayed in a half circle infront of the gate, with more arriving each moment, including 3 of the champions, each with blessings in the S grade they were truly the powerhouses of humanity, and seeing three of them together was a rare sight, as most of their time was spent in their kingdoms fighting back the devils armies. They had little time to relax but thankfully there were no attacks on their kingdoms at the moment which allowed the system to bring them hear to clean up this mess.

After a few more minutes of shaking the pillar was fully emerged and the ground quit shaking. Those gathered near it had solem looks on their faces as they prepared for the worst. It only took a moment for the bright blood red gate to open, the pillar cracked down the middle spreading itself wide to allow the devils to cross over, there were hundreds of them, all eager to rip and tear and kill any humans they could get their hands on.

The three champions looked at the assembled devils in disdain, none of them had power sufficient to challenge them untill one particular devil appeared, wiping the smug looks off their faces instantly. Replacing it with a look of aprehension and even fear.

"Bozuel..." One of the champions spoke heavily, determination and recognition clear in his voice. "I dont know why you have come here, but you will not leave here alive today." This threat seemed to amuze the devil who laughed heartily like he'd heard the best joke ever.

"Oh realy Marcus, and who is going to stop me? you?" The mockery in his voice was clear for all to hear, and it cause Marcus's face to darken, "Last time you and I met the only reason you survived is because the system time ran out. If I had a few more minutes you wouldn't be here right now." The devils face was filled with pride and disdain as though all before him were equal to nothing but ants. This may seem overly arrogant but he had the power to back it up. This was evident in the way Marcus flinched at Bozuels words as though reliving a painful memory.

"But alas," Bozuel continued, waving his hand dismissing the previous topic. "I am not here for you, I have come because of your new champion. The SSS grade who just awakened. My boss wants to know if he would consider joining us." He spoke this as if it was the most natural thing in the world to betray ones own race to join the side who seeks to enslave it. 

Those assembled couldn't believe what they were hearing, the devils had never before tried to recruit anybody. They were content to slaughter all humans they came across so what changed?

"Ill answer for him," Marcus began, anger clear in his eyes as sparks began to travel up and down his body like he was an arching conducter. "Go back to Hell!" After which he unleashed a huge yellow lightning bolt towards Bozuel in an attempt to drive him back into the gate. 

Bozuel just laughed and swatted away the bolt like it was an annoying fly, sending it straight back at Marcus who was in disbelief that his attack had been so easily dealt with. He was so distracted that he almost didnt react intime to dodge and ended up getting some of his hair singed off as he was barely able to move his head out of the way in time.

The humans assembled together were in shock, one of the S grade humans, their champion, was powerless against the devil before them. They began to feel despair creep into their hearts when suddenly the world system sent out another announcement. 

'Ding!'

'Hell's envoy has been detected, violent actions will not be tolerated from either party. Joseph Sanguis plese come forward to meet the envoy and deliver your response.'

Silence. No one spoke, no one even dared to breath as it was such an unbelievable situation that the devils had come, and yet they couldn't do anything due to the world system declaring them a diplomatic party. 

They were slightly less nervous as the system said that the devils couldn't be violent either, but it still turned their stomachs sour with the thought they had to tolerate their presence until the delegation was done with its mission.

All eyes turned towards the enterance to the school, where a young boy could be seen slowly walking forwards to meet with the devil. None of them had ever met him before but they all knew he was the new SSS grade blessed. They waited with baited breath to see what he would say, after all, the lure of power is not always so easily ignored.

Everyone waited patiently as Joseph made his way over, Bozuel had a cocky smile on his face as he kept making gestures at Marcus trying to infuriate him, and it was working. Marcus could be seen to have sparks randomly flying out of his person as he struggled to control himself, the only thing keeping him back was the systems warning about the consequences of breaking the momentary truce.

Once Joseph arrived he swept his gaze across all those present, standing in awe of the champions he had only ever heard about. Once his gaze landed on Bozuel he froze, he could feel an otherworldly hartred for the devils well up from within him, seemingly from nowhere. He had never felt such a feeling before and it caught him off guard.

It felt as is his very blood screamed out to rip this devil to shreds, but without power Joseph knew this was suicidle and reigned in his emotions, at least for now.

"What do you want?" Joseph asked curtley, he had no desire to speak with a devil at all, but the system mandated that he must so he sucked it up and tried to get it over with as fast as he could.

"What I want, Is to rip you to pieces and string your entrails upon the walls of my city..." Bozuel cruely smiled at Joseph attempting to intimidate him, letting him know that if he had the opportunity he would do exactly as he said.

Joseph didn't react however, just coldly stared back into Bozuels yellow eyes, causing the devil a little bit of tepidation as it wasn't a normal reaction when one heard that another wanted to kill them brutally. 

Continuing on he said, "However, I am not hear for what I want, My lord Azazel has ordered me to attempt to recruit you. So how bout it human? Want to join my side and truly feel what its like to have power over others? I know you've been bullied your whole life, how bout being able to get back at those whove missuesd you eh? How bout having the power to use and abuse others as you please? Women, Money, anything a human could possibly want all yours, if you simply join us."

Bozuel finished his presentation with his best smile, which unfortunately for him came out to be even more sinsiter and gruesome than before. 

Joseph to a moment to recover from his shock, he wasn't shocked by the things promised but by the audacity of the devils to ever even think that he would entertain the idea of becoming such a person. He loathed everything about people who used and abused others and wanted nothing more than to rid the world of them. So the thought of becoming one made him sick.

Joseph spat on the ground, glaring at Bozuel and said venomously, "I will never become someone like that, take your offer and go back to hell! One day...I'll kill you, and free my world so wait patiently because soon...someday soon ill come for you."

The humans felt their chests swell with feelings of pride, it was a good thing that the new SSS grade was such a staunch enemy of devil kind. They didn't know what they would do had he turned on them.

The devils on the other hand gnashed their teeth at him and spat curses, screaming that he would regret this. 

Bozuel just looked at him calmly, disdain clear in his eyes as he said, "I look forward to seeing you fail ant. All men sucumb to power eventually...we shall see how long you last." With that he led the devils back through the gate and dissapeard, after which the obsidian pillar sank back into the ground vanishing from view.

Once it was gone all eyes turned towards Joseph, the thought on everyones mind was. "What will he do now?"