V2 Chapter 157

“Where is…this?”

[You have died!]

Cian’s blurry mind slowly opened. But what greeted him was eternal darkness. Is this how it feels to die?

I should have been reborn, but…where am I…?

[As a penalty, you will lose all of your power and strength accumulated up until now. For additional penalty, [Vector Body] will be sealed for a year!]

[Vector Body] had been sealed?! Cian gritted his teeth in frustration. He then recalled Night mentioning that the penalty of death would be extremely severe in his case, unlike the mere losing power of his other classmates.

But to think that his [Vector Body] would be sealed for a year—a year is neither too long nor too short. But it still quite heavy for him.

Cian’s main defense and offense has always been his [Vector Body] but now…

This is troublesome…!

If I didn’t stupidly try to eat that bones..!!

[System Alert: The Blood of Origin was triggered… commencing to absorb the Demi-God; Heavenly Fox Spirit!]

[…Repairing Started!]

[The Blood of Origin Activated!]

As Cian was lamenting his foolishness, suddenly he heard those words and his brows furrowed. Blood of Origin?! He suddenly sensed needles prickling into him from the heart, and he almost cried in pain as the foreign energy invaded his body. Then, the flashing blue words once again registered in his mind.

[….System Alert: You are absorbing the Ten-tailed Fox Bloodline. Power Loss penalty had been canceled!]

What’s happening here?! What this bloodline it was talking about?! What’s this Blood of Origin? Cian looked at the messages with a stupid expression.

I didn’t even get to refuse or accept it…

Is this also Night’s doing?!

[It’s actually a man…and most of all, it came from the land of old…it’s a once-in-a-thousand-year miracle.]

A voice suddenly appeared, startling Cian who was in the middle of confusion and almost caused him to jump in fright. It was not a similar voice from before, this time having some sort of life on them, not like a mechanical machine.

There was a sudden change in the scenery before his eyes, and he discovered himself sitting on a cold, dark throne seemingly made out of metallic bones and skulls of strange creatures. His fingers subconsciously traced the obsidian metallic armrest that looked like a femur bone of a human.

“Where is this place?”

He muttered with a frown.

The area around him was dimly illuminated, but he soon realized it was a vast hall. Four obsidian pillars with an intricate design of bones and skulls engraved on them could be seen in each direction. But beyond the four pillars, everything was dyed in darkness. However, he noticed that beside the dark eerie throne was four strange sculptures.

Two at each side.

On his right side was a sculpture of the Human, Cian Cahlo that looks extremely similar to his original appearance. And the sculpture of the Demon, Aanuel, the Second Prince of the Demon Empire.

On his left side, on the other hand, was a sculpture of an Elf, with almost similar body features to himself. And another was a therianthrope; an Aanuel with fox ears and bushy foxtail.

What are these things…?

As Cian was getting confused even more by the shift of dimension, in front of him appeared a dark, blurry silhouette. It was a hazy, blank humanoid figure without hair, eyes or nose and whose only feature is a grinning mouth.

[Hooo... To think it would be a Demon possessing the power of the Devourer of Heaven, the Taboo of all words…! But, what are you? A demon with the blood of an elf, and a taint of a human soul while possessing the power of the Worst Predator—the Beast of Gluttony!]

Whether it was a man or a woman, Cian didn’t know since the voice appeared extremely rough and deep, yet also possess some kind of feminine tone on it.

“Who are you?” he asked his voice cold.

[…I was called by many names in the past. But I had long forgotten who I truly was…] the silhouette answered with a hint of nostalgia.

[But what about you, little brother? Who are you? You have a blood of a demon and an elf, ironic as both races are in conflict since ancient times. You also have a soul not only that of a demon but with a hint of humanity—a very intriguing aspect, as if someone had forcefully dug out a human’s soul and place it in a demon’s body, causing a mutation to occur. Strange, miraculous even…but what made things even weirder as it was already, was the fact that neither soul tried to devour each other and instead coexisting…]

Cian’s brows furrowed.

This enigma can actually see through him and even able to notice this kind of thing…?

Although he slowly absorbed both souls, actually the core souls he had in his bodies remains unaffected. Just that, whether it was the real demon Aanuel, or the real human Cian Cahlo, both already ceased to exist, giving birth to his current existence.

Like a Demon, but like a human as well.

Cian prefers to keep his human mindset alive alongside his demon mindset. This, sometimes, resulted in him having dual personalities—one calm and kind and the other evil and sadistic, that he refers to, respectively, as "White" and "Black"—like the strange identity of his Ancestor, Dr. Henry Jekyll and his alternative personality Mr. Edward Hyde.

Perhaps because of his bloodline, he was able to easily let the two contrasting souls coexist.

In his white, he was carefree, but mischievous, and has no problems tricking people if it will end in profit. Though he would like to feign some pride, he is not above accepting what he can as long as it doesn't involve too much humiliation. This is to retain his life as the human Cian Cahlo and not forgetting his life in that world.

—Though, he only has a small intention of going back there, since he now preferred his life in this world.

His "black" side, though, is heavily influenced by Aanuel, especially when he feels lust and bloodthirst. While his "dark" side is prevalent, Cian’s speech and mannerisms become much more refined due to Aanuel’s royal upbringing.

He dresses well and carries himself in a more dignified manner, unlike Cian Cahlo’s casual air. Due to his white side’s influence, he is still a bit laid back for a "noble", however, and has his moments when he is not as dignified, and at times he uses his refined behavior as a means to tease anyone he dislikes.

While in his "Black", Cian also becomes much more sadistic and enjoys using creative and grotesque ways to kill and slaughter, particularly by shedding blood, painting around him in red.

Keeping these dual personalities from blending into one another, or having his "white" side destroyed completely by his demon blood, seems to be difficult for Cian. While it seems that he prefers his human side, Cian likes to retain his "white" side and his "black" sides in distinction, thinking that it is what makes life so interesting.

Living two different words, two different personas like Dr. Henry Jekyll or that of Bruce Banner…

Despite this, in truest sense, Cian doesn't have a split personality as these two sides of him are very well aware of each other and what they do. Hence, even now, even Sibylla didn’t notice anything strange or weird. It’s as if everything he did was normal and not out of place, no matter how out of character it was.

And yet, this enigma actually able to penetrate his consciousness this deeply…?

Just what is this monster?

“Then, why am I…no, why are you here? What is this place?”

[Funny for you to ask me. I also don’t know, rather, you should ask yourself this question. After all, we are inside of you… but all inside you is darkness…and even a throne made of bones. Intriguing…]

Cian’s eyes narrowed.

“Since this is my mind, why are you here, then? What do you want?!” Cian asked with a daring expression, clearly not intending to volunteer any further information about his soul world.

[Hm… cautious. But I wasn’t the one who called… rather, you are the one who called me,]

“Me?” Cian frowned. Once again he was flabbergasted. Can this bastard stop speaking riddles?

[That’s right. You called me… you who possess the taboo power of the Beast of Gluttony…!]

“Beast of Gluttony? You meant the Chimera?” Cian tilted his head, mystified by the sudden new apocalyptic name uttered by the unknown being.

[Indeed, the Chimera—it was not a normal Chimera, however. It was Chimera made by the Gods in the Ancient war as a weapon of mass destruction. It was capable to devour everything in the world and empower itself. However, the beast destroyed its own shackles and rebelled against its creators. It was a horror that shook the entire world out of balance. Gods, Demons, Monsters, all became its food and almost brought the world in the eternal doom. It’s also one of the reasons why the War among races ended, with mutual destruction. The Chimera became too strong, all the races don’t have any choice but to hold hands together and subjugate it.]

“You must be mistaken… it’s not like there’s only one Chimera in the world. It might be rare, but it’s not unique…!” Cian denied its words.

[No, it’s not… I had felt its presence in you… ]

“… …”

[I know of it because I had seen it closely…I’m familiar with its aura. It’s much more, more unique than any other Chimera…I had seen some of your memories, and I’m certain of what I claimed. The Chimera’s doom was in this land; the one you called, Winter Mountain. Its corpse landed in your hands—that is fate. Haven’t you ever wondered why even though the Chimera had long been dead for a very long time, its heart and essence are still as fresh as ever? You thought that eating a heart of Chimera could give the power of [Plunder]. But that is just a myth, a mere legend…]

“… …”

[If what you assume is right, then many people would have appeared in this world with such astonishing powers…as you have, my little demon. Just like how the legend of those who killed and devoured the heart and blood of a Dragon would gain its power, all of it was just based on legends, and without any proof. And besides, a Chimera’s Heart might give a bit of power to those who devour it, but it only works if the heart is fresh. Because time dilutes everything… the essence of the monster would eventually disappear upon its death! That is an inevitable with no exception--that is, if they don't possess the Blood of God and had ascended. No matter how strong they are, they are but mortal flesh and will decay and wither in time.]

Cian furrowed his brows. But he didn’t delve into it too much, whatever the case, his power is his power; “So what do you want?! Are trying to take over my body, to live again? Then, you can only piss off. I’d rather die than be taken over by a ghost,”

[Kekeke, you’re quite smart. You immediately realized who I was…]

“It’s not difficult…since you claimed you had seen the Chimera when it was alive, then you must be as old it was.” Cian snickered.

“Anyway, I don’t know what kind of monster you are, but if you want my body… you gotta pay for it!” Cian raised his eyebrows with a sneering grin. "Come on, do your worst, I'm waiting to be impressed."

[Haa, you saying that really irks me for some reason. However, rest assured; I don’t have any intention of doing such a thing. I’m already fed up living in the world, and I don’t have any attachment to it either. And besides, I felt like even if I wanted to, I cannot defeat you. Your eye is giving me a horrifying dangerous feeling I don’t like. It's an eerily familiar aura I find extremely unpleasant.]

“You said you had seen my memories but it seems like you don’t even know what my right eye was~” Cian taunted, which answered nothing at all for the unknown being's curiosity and annoyance.

[I can see bits and pieces of your memory, but it doesn’t mean I can see them all. There’s a powerful force that blocks me from invading your consciousness completely. Perhaps, this is also the reason why you have been revived from death—a dangerous being seemed to be looking out for you,]

Cian grinned. “I have been a good boy. God favored good and wise children like me.”

[… …]

“…So what now? What do you want?”

The unknown being's only feature, its mouth had formed a tight rosebud of annoyance.

[…you surely is a very unsocialized boy. You are supposed to be my successor that would inherit all my powers and destiny and all, what's wrong with a little healthy curiosity? Well, whatever, since I don't have much time, anyway. I shall go directly to the topic at hand.]

"Thank you for your understanding," Cian leered.

[You absorbed my power, though not all as the passing of time had already depleted it. However, it can still strengthen you quite a bit, especially your mortal body. But there is a price. From now on, you cannot be called a mere demon race anymore, but a Demonic Creature instead.]

“What?”

[I’m from a monster race…and you are my inheritor. My body, blood, and power are all yours now to keep. It cannot be stopped anymore, the process has started. You will be reborn as a Monster Race…]

“That’s not possible!! I’m the Second Demon Prince of the Stormfury Empire! I cannot be a Monster Race!!” Cian exclaimed in shock.

[Oh, you can… and you still are. But apart from your Demon Lineage, is MY Monster race. That’s why you are now a Demonic Monster.]

The figure let out a laugh in amusement.

[Just treat it as having three bloodlines within you. Aside from the Elves Blood, you have which I find extremely intriguing, as well as the Demon Blood—congratulations, you now have a blood of a Monster. Isn’t that interesting? This was only made possible because of your strange constitution. It's really intriguing. In any case, I will give you everything I have, but if it’s possible, please look into my descendants for me. That’s what I only asked of you, little demon.]

“… …” Cian narrowed his eyes. He didn’t say anything for a while, before letting out a sigh. “I don’t even know who you are nor what you are, how could I take care of them?”

[You will know…]

… …