Chapter 71 - So… I'm a Vampire Now?
Aetherium was a rare and volatile mineral unique to the Aether World, formed exclusively from the crystallized heart of a deceased demon lord. These crystals were rich in concentrated Aether, making them immensely powerful but equally dangerous. If they were left unchecked, they would undergo a catastrophic three-stage transformation.
When an Aetherium crystal was abandoned, the concentrated Aether within began to develop sentience, driven by an instinctual need for survival. To sustain itself, the crystal consumed nearby organic and inorganic matter. At this stage, it became a parasitic entity, spreading corruption and consuming environmental resources to preserve its form.