Chapter-34 Manipulator V Manipulator

After the blinding light disappeared, Daemon and Adriana rubbed their eyes. When they opened them, they saw a crescent-shaped glass object floating down in the water.

What in the world... Adriana's mind raced with a mix of curiosity and caution, her instincts sharp and wary. She approached the object slowly, her senses attuned to any hint of danger.

"What is that?" Adriana .queried aloud.

Daemon followed closely behind her, his brow furrowed with intrigue and a hint of guarded anticipation. Adriana picked up the object and began examining it. Uncertain of its nature, she turned to Daemon, her fingers tracing the smooth, cool surface.

"Do you know what this is?" Adriana asked, her voice laced with curiosity.

'System, what is that?' Daemon asked mentally.

-Moon Water, 'legends say it's distilled from the tears of the Moon Goddess, Selene it's rare, occurring only three times a year-

-Moon Water-

-Heals the most severe injuries-

-Just a drop can cure vampirism and lycanthropy-

-Causes supernatural creatures to revert to their original forms-

'Hmm, if I have this, it can help deal with vampires in the future,' Daemon thought. He then looked up at Adriana. he hesitated, his gaze fixed on the shimmering liquid. His fingers twitched at his sides before he spoke. "It's Moon Water. Rare and potent against supernatural beings like vampires and werewolves."

Adriana tilted her head, her eyes narrowing thoughtfully as she absorbed the information. She extended the object towards Daemon. "Hmm... I don't need it. Do you want it?"

Daemon hesitated, his gaze fixed on the shimmering liquid. "Sure," he finally said, his voice betraying a mix of reluctance and intrigue as he accepted it.

Adriana dropped the Moon Water into his hand. Just then, Daemon noticed something else out of the corner of his eye. "What's that?" he asked.

Adriana raised an eyebrow as she turned to look at what Daemon had noticed. She saw a small, one-foot-tall creature with pure black eyes, orange scaly skin, and multiple parts of its body adorned with crystals.

"It's a slimepog..." Adriana murmured, her hand instinctively reaching out to touch it.

The slimepog moved swiftly in the water, leaving a trail of bubbles before leaping into Adriana's arms. She stumbled slightly under its weight, her hands slipping on its slick, slimy surface.

Daemon observed the creature's alien form with fascination and caution, his posture relaxed yet ready to react if needed. He noted the creature's swift movements and unusual appearance, his expression thoughtful.

A slimepog," Adriana explained, her voice a mix of wonder and contemplation. "Rare and enigmatic. They're said to be created by Earth Spirits during the Age of Myths."

The slimepog emitted a sound between a frog's croak and a dragon's purr, its small form pulsing with energy. Adriana's fingers gently stroked its slippery back, her face reflecting a blend of tenderness and curiosity.

The slimepog was a rare and enigmatic creature, believed to have been created by the Earth Spirits during the Age of Myths. They thrived in environments rich in mystical energy, often found near sources of powerful magical artifacts like the Moon Water. Despite their small stature, slimepogs were known for their resilience and their ability to adapt to harsh environments.

"Seems like it's drawn to the Moon Water," she mused aloud, her gaze flickering between the creature and Daemon.

Instinct or insight?

Daemon's grip tightened around the Moon Water, his eyes assessing the slimepog's behavior. He weighed his options silently, considering the implications of this unexpected encounter.

Adriana glanced up at Daemon, her expression questioning. "Give it some?"

Daemon hesitated, his mind racing with calculations. After a moment, he nodded slowly, his movements deliberate as he opened the vial and carefully dripped some Moon Water into the slimepog's waiting mouth.

The slimepog reacted eagerly, its body glowing faintly as it absorbed the liquid. Adriana's eyes widened with surprise, her hands hovering over the creature protectively.

"Is it evolving already?" she asked softly, her voice filled with awe.

What have we just unleashed?

Daemon watched intently, his body leaning forward slightly as he observed the slimepog's transformation.

After a few moments, the light disappeared, and the slimepog looked the same but had grown a foot.

"Oh... it needs more," Adriana said.

"No, this only comes three full moons a year," Daemon interjected, his decision rooted in practicality.

A rare resource, not to be squandered.

"Fine. Now I understand how rare it is," Adriana replied.

After Adriana spoke, the slimepog jumped out of her hand and sped toward the end of the cave, tapping its four small legs rapidly. It stopped where the water cut off, as if signaling them to follow. Slowly, Adriana and Daemon followed.

Adriana and Daemon exchanged a glance before following the creature, their bodies moving in sync as they navigated the cave's twists and turns.

As they reached the water's edge, a sudden suction force engulfed them, pulling them into its embrace. Adriana's body tensed briefly, her muscles coiled with reflexive readiness as they were propelled through the water's depths.

When they surfaced back on the forest floor, Adriana instinctively reached out, her hand closing around the slimepog. She held it gently against her chest, a soft smile playing on her lips.

"Thank you, little buddy," she murmured, her voice filled with gratitude and affection.

Daemon looked around before saying, "If we're going to be working together, I need my hands free."

Adriana nodded in acknowledgment, her hand glowing faintly with energy as she unlocked Daemon's restraints. She watched him stretch his limbs, her eyes following his movements with curiosity.

"I'll contact you when I have a plan, or if you have one," Daemon said, his voice trailing off as he began to walk away.

"Wait, are you just going to leave like that?" Adriana called after him.

"Do I owe you something?" Daemon said, still walking.

"What's your name?" Adriana asked, her tone soft yet insistent.

"Mortis," Daemon replied.

Adriana watched Mortis' back as he walked away. "...His release is going to cost me, I can already feel it," she muttered under her breath.

Every alliance carries its price, Mortis. What will yours be?

As Daemon made his way back to the cartel hideout, he couldn't help but think about how Adriana, the "Maddog," knew to come into the forest and alone. It couldn't be a coincidence. She was looking for me, and the only person who knew he was going to the forest was The Whisper.

'Seems like he's really trying to manipulate me, but he doesn't know I am one too. I just have to plant the second seed,' Daemon thought.

...

At night, back at the cartel hideout, Daemon was sleeping restlessly. He twisted and turned, sweat pouring down his face, and tears flowing from his eyes. Suddenly, he was jolted awake by a loud bang and a shout.

"Mortis, wake up! It's important!" The voice of Jason came from behind his door.

"Mortis!" Jason called again.

"I'm up... just give me a minute," Daemon replied, tired and annoyed.

"Meet me in the commander's room," Jason said.

Daemon listened as Jason's footsteps moved away. 'These never-ending nightmares... ever since my rebirth, they haven't stopped. Mother, father, sister, I will have my revenge,' he thought.

He kept having visions of his family's massacre replaying in vivid detail. Sweat poured down his face, mingling with the tears of a sorrow that never faded. Each night, he relived the moment.

After a few minutes, Daemon arrived in the commander's room where Jason awaited him.

"Mortis, you know Adam said the commander is coming," Jason said.

Daemon nodded. He noticed Jason pacing back and forth, a rare sight of stress and panic in his demeanor. 'This is the first time I've seen him so stressed and panicking,' he thought.

"Jason, just tell me what's wrong," Daemon asked.

"Well, I haven't been telling you everything," Jason said, ruffling his hair. "We haven't met the full standards of our hideout—fewer captives and issues with the blood bankers," he explained.

"Don't worry about the blood bankers," Daemon said.

"Well, we have to worry because with them gone, the commander is here and the auction is tomorrow. Having little captives means we serve no purpose in this city, and we will be replaced..." Jason said, shivering.

"Jason, Jason, calm down. I already have everything taken care of," Daemon said. 'The Whisper needs something, and it has to be with the cartel. He definitely told them all about what I did,' he thought.

Jason's eyes widened in surprise, his lips parting in disbelief. "What do you mean? How can you be so sure?" he asked.

"Don't worry, you will find out tomorrow," Daemon said. 'I can tell Adriana about the auction tomorrow, but that will probably expose me. A new person and suddenly there's the police there,' he thought.

"You also never explained who the commander is and what he does," Daemon asked.

"Oh, the commander is part of the Link of Chains. It's a small group of highly trusted lieutenants who directly advise the Overlord and manage major divisions of the cartel. Each member is an expert in a specific area of the cartel's activities. The commander, called The Broker, oversees all trafficking and trade, including human trafficking, organ trade, and illegal goods," Jason explained.