79 The Witherer's Strain
"Hrgh...."
Michael coughed out a small cloud of steam from his mouth. Letting the dark vapor slither past his dagger-like teeth alongside some cups of bubbling blood. Dyeing the blackened gravel beneath him red.
"Dammit... I can't move anymore." Michael agonizingly muttered as the fatigue caught up to him. Only now noticing the hammering sensation of thermal pain inside his body. It seemed that his mind gained some rational clarity after the fight was over. Most likely, due to the Czar Beastking's instinct being quenched. Returning to a satiated state for now.
However, he tried ignoring the horrendous stings that crawled all over. Thinking of how to better spend his time as he waited.
"Well, until my body fully regenerates.."
"System!"
A translucent, white textbox appeared before him as he finished his sentence. Filling Michael vision with all kinds of information and his brain with a genderless voice.
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[Warning! The host's energy/stamina is exhausted. Your chaos core is currently amassing chaos energy, rejuvenating, and revitalizing the cells.]
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Michael looked at the first notification. His singed face neutral, but his mind processing what it had said.
'That's right. My stamina and energy are fused into one. Now being fueled by the power generated from the orb of chaos which fused with my nuclei.'
But he only paid it a small bit of attention before continuing on down the list.
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[The host has absorbed the genetic code of a noble vampire.]
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[Recreation activated on Vampire geneticcode!]
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[New hominid bloodline gained:Vampyrion Witherer]
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[Vampyrion Witherer: A mutated type of vampiric beast which is said to originate from a forsaken world. Vampyrion Witherer's are calm and prideful by nature despite their revolting, husk-like appearance. Possessing high strength and powerful regenerative abilities that are said to easily outclass those belonging to lower layer creatures. However, despite their physical prowess, the Vampyrion Witherer usually fights from a distance through the use of its flesh-eating spores. Forming clouds of decaying smog or powder-like gusts that corrupt everything they touch. [Necrotizing Spores]
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[New Physique integrating...]
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Michael intently followed the notifications and descriptions. His dull eyes brimming to life as he finished skimming through. The inhuman excitement almost reigniting the Czar beast's vile urges.
"Wait! I can use recreation on my genetic codes?!"
His mind, although heavily strained by the pain inflicted from his injuries, focused his attention on one specific memory. That being the moment he took the genetic code from Halrel, the first vampire he fought.
'Recreate my other vampire code!'
And with his order came an answered.
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[Recreation activated on Vampire genetic code!]
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[New hominid bloodline gained: Greater Vampyrion.]
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[Greater Vampyrion: A pure vampiric beast that is assumed to populate a long forsaken world. They are said to stem from the first lineage of vampyrions but differ in their cellular composition which tends to naturally mutate. Forcing them to adapt and evolve into creatures that best suit the environment they inhabit. The Greater Vampyrion possesses a unique ability to manipulate blood. Able to control the blood belonging to lower level creatures to a frighteningly high degree, and even managing to make the one belonging to stronger foes clog up. [Blood Control]
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Michael's heart started beating faster as he finished reading through. However, right as he concluded the last bit, an overwhelming vibration shot through his stomach. Drilling through his organs until finally slamming into the bones. Reprogramming and empowering everything which made up his internal structure, while filling his head with a familiar voice.
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[New Physiques integrated. Please wait for a moment...]
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Sadly, Michael was unable to hear it as he immediately started to vomit out putrid blood from his mouth. Gargling forth an almost endless volume until an inch of his body was submerged. Almost seeming to float inside a dark-red brine pool of impurities.
However, despite the stinging pain and nasty layer beneath, his excitement did not settle. Instead, it flared up into a brilliant spark that traveled through his veins until reaching his heart. Awakening the Czar instinct once more in the form of a soft tick that suddenly sparked a deep desire from within.
No, a craving.
A craving for more power and endless slaughter.
His mouth instinctively curled back into a smile. Finding it only natural to accept these rather severely timed longings, considering how wrecked his body was.
However, as he felt himself lose it for a moment, a cold bucket of bewilderment washed over him.
"No, wait. Was I always like this?"
Michael quickly quelled the ever-growing tick in his brain through the use of his willpower. Only now noticing the innate affliction which has plagued him for quite some time.
Slowly, his unstable state made room for some clear-mindedness. Causing him to contemplate the change to his psyche in a more indebt manner.
"Why haven't I noticed this before? It's as if these urges for battle have been with me all along, yet only recently become one with me."
And as he thought about the sudden urges, the system notified him once again.
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[Changes to the host originate from the residual instinct belonging to the Czar Beastking having fused with the soul.]
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A flare of understanding lit up inside him. Granting Micahel with a definitive answer which confirmed his already growing suspicions.
"Dammit! How did I let this slip past my notice? It felt like these passions became more natural, the more I grew."
However, as he procrastinated, the ticking sparked up again. Growing louder and louder until his frozen grin made the blistered skin on his face spasm and twitch. Now refusing to settle.
"Shit. Is there no way for me to permanently suppress these urges? The pain is already disorganizing my mind to such a high degree."
Every muscle running through his fibers slightly shivered as the ticking sound grew louder. Dulling the weak waves of reflection that was about to drown in a spiral of bloodthirst.
"Could it be that the longer I stay in one single form, the more influence it's bloodline will have on my behavior until fusing with me like this? Then changing form won't do me much. I need to find something which can quell the already fused Czar instincts for me."
But while his thoughts ran at full speed, the remaining sense of rational quickly mustered itself up. Enlightening him with an idea which he immediately acted on.
"No, wait! There is!"
Michael's yellow blazed for a single instant before being set to rest by a demanding statement that slid past his grotesque teeth. Containing within it an orderly and forceful ring.
"Fuse my Beastking with the Witherer!"
And right after his convincing, yet beaten voice resounded, a warm current spreading through his entire body. Forming a web of rivers that flooded him with the vampyrion bloodline and fusing it with his already existing one.
A sense of raw power then started to swell from within Michael's core until reaching the ends of his inner self. Sprouting out from beneath his torched skin in the form of grey powder. The substance oozed out like the smoke released from broken gas-pipe until eventually enveloping his entire figure in a ghoulish cloud.
Cracks and hisses then followed up. Wheezing out from the still fumes like the subtle howls from a pack of fawns until maturing into a deep bellow belonging a horde of bulls.
And after a short amount of time, substantial strides started emerging from the fog as the low pitched chimes died down. Eventually dispersing as Micahel's frame sprang forth from the muddy pond, he laid in.
Michael's body had fully regenerated. Re-wrapped in the familiar, achromatic hide that shot across his body and head. Ignoring only the four appendages and white face.
However, it now contained a couple of crucial differences.
The first one belonged to his dark pelt. Having developed a thicker and denser texture resembling a row of flexible pine needles that matches Michael's sharp nails. Highlighting the deathly pale patches of skin that covered his face, hands, and feet that had grown a membranous shell similar in composition to bones.
Then came his figure. Now possessing a slimmer and taller frame which reached slightly above two meters. It's more skeletal look almost matching the one you would find on a wendigo.
And finally, his eyes. Their golden luster having narrowed down into the void eye sockets. Transforming them into two, hovering yellow grains. Although their size was much less impressive than previous, they now resembled a pair of distant stars. Radiating out a chilly light that excluded a brilliant, yet slaughterous intent capable of shattering mind.
Michael first felt the profound changes through his sense of touch before gently lifting up his claws. Going for a more thorough look with his restored vision.
A grin began to develop on his leathery black lips while the stars in his hollow eye sockets flashed. Sparkling from behind the ghostly mask that was his face before getting accompanied by a frosty whisper.
"The ticking stopped."
Michael tightly clenched his sickly fists. Letting the black razors on the tip of each finger grind against the bone-like skin on his palms. Savoring the new prideful feeling in his heart.
"System, show me everything new."
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[New Innate Abilities: Blood Control, Necrotizing Spores.]
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[New Skills: Necrotic Venom, Rejuvenation, Malice of the king.]
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[New Physiques: Greater Vampyrion physique, Vampyrion Witherer Physique.]
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Michael's starry yellow pupils wandered across the box before him. Analyzing each new change.
"Blood Control is pretty self-explanatory, but it would be better if I tested it on a living being. As for the rest.."
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[Innate Ability: Necrotizing Spores]
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With his will, the newly enhanced cells beneath his skin trembled. Secreting out a black powder from the hidden pores which then coated his fur until it began to vaporize. Enveloping Michael in a translucent grey veil.
He narrowed his eyes. Concentrating on the bond he had with the earthly cloud before waving one of his arms through the air.
As he executed the swift action, the smog surrounding him gave off snarl. Mindlessly lashing out at the barren wasteland like a splashing body of water until it gradually dispersed.
Michael's wince then eased up. Satisfied with the result, yet still bothered by the fatigue.
"I should be able to produce more. However, my body is too worn at the moment. Not only do I currently find producing even such a deficient amount taxing, but despite the new sense of vigor, I feel like a twig about to snap."
His eyes radiated a burdened light for a second before returning to normal. Finding himself unable to muster up any noteworthy physical strength.
"After I recover, things will surely get more interesting. Now then, for the rest.."
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[Skills]:
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[Necrotic Venom: Coat your nails in a mixture between the Czar Beastking's natural venom and the Vampyrion Witherer's Nectrotizing spores.]
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[Rejuvenation: An evolved version of Immortal Regeneration. Signifying your cells having heightened regenerative abilities that can restore tissue irradiated by fallout and energy.]
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[Malice of the King: Manifest your malice like an invisible wave. Able to paralyze, dominate, and discombobulate the creatures around you.]
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[Innate Ability]
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[Blood Control: Capable of controlling the blood of lower level and dead creatures with great precision while only being able to lower the blood pressure of higher level ones.]
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[Necrotizing Spores: Make the gland's beneath your skin release forth a cloud of flesh-eating spores that eat away any foreign proteins. You can manually control their movement.]
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[Physiques]:
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[Greater Vampyrion Physique: Increased lifespan, Enhanced organs, Enhanced senses, Rejuvenation, Blood Affinity.]
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[Vampyrion Witherer Physique: Increased Lifespan, Strengthened muscle tissue, Strengthened muscle fibers, Strengthened Skeletal Structure, Rejuvination, Blood Affinity.]
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Michael acknowledged the enhancements to his body with a satisfied nod. Satiating the new sense of power flowing through his cells.
"Seems like my Noble Vampire physique turned into the greater vampyrion while the witherer added a new one. However, there is still something else here."
His mote-like, yellow eyes lowered themselves inside the hollow sockets which stored them. Aiming down below.
Not too far away from the blood pool he stood in, laying in the black, coal-like flooring, a red orb was embedded. Half of its spheric body budding out from the unfertile soil like a hibernating plant.
Michael focused on the item for a second before extending his arm and opening his palm. Ordering his genes to answer his request for power.
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[Innate Ability: Blood Control.]
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The red globe gave off an abrupt shake before rising up from the scorched dirt. Flying into Michael's outstretched hand like a small bird.
"This was the weapon Hadriel used to absorb all the nearby blood with, was it not?"
Michael gave it a weak glance before tightening his grip and activating his abilities. Absorbing whatever matter was stored inside.
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[Source-Drain Activated]
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[Reconstruction Activated]
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[New hominid bloodline gained: Lesser Vampyrion.]
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[Lesser Vampyrion: A pure vampiric beast that is said to populate a forsaken world. However, despite their pure lineage, they are considerably weaker than their counterparts both physically and ability wise. Only having an equally high mutation rate which is similar to their evolved form; The Greater Vampyrion. The Lesser Vampyrion can manipulate the blood of weaker creatures and the dead. [Blood Manipulation]
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"So they evolve into the Greater Vampyrion? Very well."
"The Greater Vampyrion definitely holds more uses for me later on. However, I didn't seem to gain everything from it? What was that about mutating genetic makeup?"
"It seems that only having the physique won't give me everything the creature has. So in that case.."
"Fuse the Lesser Vampyrion with my beastking."
Another cold current flowed through Michael's body. However, nothing major happened other than the muscles momentarily spasming while a new textbox appeared in the corner of his eyes.
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[Lesser Vampyrion's genetic makeup has merged with your own.]
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[Mutative has been added to the Greater Vampyrion's Physique.]
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[Mutative has been added to passive skills.]
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[Mutative: Your genes and cells will continuously create and stack minor genetic mutations. Slowly transforming into a form that best suits your setting.]
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A sharp gleam lit up the white skin covering Michael's face while the black hair on his head stood up. Acting on the spark of enlightenment that dawned upon him.
"Physiques only contain the different bodily enhancements and strengths that a creature holds. Meanwhile, to get their specific, genetic traits that are tied to their actual biogenetic makeup, I need to fuse them with my equipped one."
Michael nodded to his assessment while flooring through the thick bundle of hair on his head. Thinking of other ways to gain such abilities.
"I could probably just switch forms. But then again, it would just disappear after I change back."
"I didn't exactly make a loss either. The Lesser one is stated to have an equally high mutation rate, so it doesn't matter. However, if I don't find any uses for the Greater Vampyrion later on, then merging is the path to choose."
And indeed, Michael was right about his hypothesizes. However, what he did not know was that his genome, which was infused with the power fragments of five different origin gods, was not yet powerful enough to transfer all the changes a creature held onto his own. However, maybe in a distant future...
"But what should I do with this?"
Michael muttered as he looked at the now dry, grey orb held in his hand. Having lost all vigor after being drained of its content.
"I will find some use for you later."
He lifted up his hand where a set of silver markings were engraved around the index finger. Signifying the place where his storage ring had fused into his marrow as to not hinder him in battle.
"In with you!" Michael whispered as he let a silver light engulf the dried ball and store it away. Focusing his attention on the distant dunes that were doused in the limp towers of toxic mist.
Michael's leathery black lips formed a smirk while his eyes darted all over the charred land. Tasting the sulfuric stench it held with his nose while feeling the still gusts barely scrape against his fur.
"That's all."
Michael closed his eyes and knelt down in the blood pool he had spewed out. Trying to get the unswerving sense of depletion to fade while rubbing his head. Wishing to depart as soon as possible.
"But this headache emerges whenever I try to muster up any power. It seems like I really exerted my Chaos Core to its li.."
However, as Michael leaned down and muttered to himself, his eyelids abruptly slammed open like two birds hit by a gale. The pupils inside his blank sockets wildly flashing with golden light.
[Innate Ability: Hydro Boost.]
The blood beneath his feet started trembling like the liquid inside a heated cannister before beginning to rapidly spin. Forming a saw-like, red vortex that propelled his body away like a rock.
And as his figure shot off, a pillar of bright, green light descended upon the place where he previously stood. Giving off a beautiful shine until it disappeared inside a deafening explosion of pure energy.
The black clusters of sand and rocks crumbled beneath the incredible tide. Splintering away like a spilled cup of needles until getting turned into dust by the shockwave.
Michael's body crashed a small distance away. Sliding over the soil like an oiled sled until eventually halting up.
However, as he angrily rose up from the ground. Positioned himself in a more weary stance while ignoring powdered ash which rained from above. Disarray invaded his mind.
The spot where he previously rested was still intact. However, hundreds, if not thousands of long fissures now rippled through the flooring like a spider's web. All interconnecting into a single point where a green ball of light shone over the nearby land like an earthly sun. Bathing it in its vibrant rays.
Michael's fierce expression reflected a concerned, yet offended look while his pupils traveled across the cracks. Eventually falling onto the source where green grass was beginning to grow. Sprouting out from beneath the potent glow that had most likely revived the unfertile soil.
His gaze narrowed down. Focusing on what was held within the light until managing to dig through.
Behind the eminent cascade, a long stick made from a type of hardwood laid embedded. Oozing with a mighty vigor that filled the earth with life.
However, as Michael further concentrated onto the object, the more apparent it seemed to get.
This was no mere staff of timber.
No.
It was a spear.
Sweat started to trickle down from Michael's forehead. Not only did the earlier move further exhaust him, but the dense aura emitted by the weapon proved rather impressive.
"This has to be a joke." He complained with a tired grunt. Cringing at the scene with a dissatisfied look as his opinion protruded out into the field like a trumpet about to finish a solo.
However, after Michael spoke, a form of movement caught his attention again. It originating from a shadowy figure which appeared next to the magnificent spear.
'What was that?!'
He tried to discern who or what it was. But the next moment, a heavy voice rumbled out from behind the bright screen like the beat form preparing drum. Diving into his spikey ears with a low, yet high pitch.
"Oh, you are the fabled strider. He who dyes the seasons with color, the one who blesses the great mother...."
The shell of lustre then burst apart as the heavy voice halter. Filling the desolate land and rancid scent of bleach that traveled alongside the wind with motes of white light.
"For you are...-"
"Screw my life.." Michael mumbled as he strained his muscles and flared up his hide. Aiming what was left of his fighting spirit at the powerful aura, until it once more shook. Thundering out with a familiar, green energy and a mighty shout which locked him in place...
"...-The mighty horned one."
Before it thrusted straight towards him!
