109(1) – Zenyo! (V)
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PART 1 – Evolution!
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Preparation is being finalized. After securing part of the rewards, it's time to strengthen themselves.
First, they left the city to begin the mission. In the jungle surrounding the capital, Verna isolated herself to consume the two Body Strengthening Elixirs.
She truly doesn't know what to expect from this, but her instinct tells her to go ahead. Something she's learned in this life is to trust her instincts.
Opening the lids, she swallowed both vials in an instant. The reddish liquid went down her throat, burning everything in its path. The mere touch of the liquid with her flesh caused a chain reaction.
The liquid forcefully seeped into her flesh, and her body, even in pain, was accepting, desiring, and absorbing its contents.
Knowing that the liquid's contact with her stomach's gastric juices could affect its effects, Verna controlled her internal energy to prevent the mixing and amplify its effect. Her gastric juices were isolated, and the elixir enveloped her entire stomach and throat, then was guided through her intestines.
As it seeped into her flesh, spreading through her organs, viscera, bones, muscles, cartilage, and skin,
every inch of her body became hot, almost burning. She endured the pain and still controlled the gastric juices. And when she was sure there would be no more problems, she released them and actively mixed her Internal Energy with the effects of the elixir.
Instead of letting the elixir act naturally, Verna guided it according to her martial arts, amplifying its effect and preventing it from strengthening her body unevenly.
Curiously, she felt a fundamental change in her being. This Elixir is more incredible than she imagined; it's not just a strengthening medicine, it's something magical, and even Verna can't fully comprehend its potential.
This goes beyond something physical or magical. Verna believes that if she were still at the pinnacle of her 1st Metamorphosis, consuming this would automatically break the limits for her 2nd Metamorphosis.
If she can get the recipe for this Elixir, she will be able to support the strengthening of her family. Verna shudders and…
[Ability “Diamond Body (Lv.4)” has mutated!]
Verna soon felt immense pain coursing through her entire body, more intense than before. Her flesh began to tear, her bones to break, and blood spat from her mouth.
Something is transforming her body. She feels the change, her body destroying and repairing itself. A sensation similar to Metamorphosis, but it's too early for a 3rd Metamorphosis.
A golden energy envelops her body, infiltrating her flesh and bones, resulting in her interior receiving this golden and metallic glow.
[The "Diamond Body" skill has undergone an abnormal mutation, resulting in an evolution in its physical, magical, and spiritual concepts!]
["Diamond Body" has become "True Diamond Body." The skill has lost its levels. You have recovered 3 points.]
True Diamond Body – A body that aims to become indestructible, ceasing to resist damage and accepting it as a process of refinement.
Effect(1): The Buddhist Arts of another Universe reside in this body, producing an unshakeable body and mind. +10 STR/DEX/CONS & +5 INT/WIS/CHA. (Exceeds the Limit)
Effect(2): This body adapts to all kinds of extreme situations, receiving +10 Resistance to all kinds of abnormal/extreme situations.
Effect(3): Acquires "Immovable Body", becoming immune to: Pushes, Knockdowns, Throws and Forced Body Control.
Effect(4): Acquires "Absolute Density", its unarmed attacks ignore "Natural Physical Resistance" and Medium or lower Armor.
Effect(5): Increases the Damage Category of Unarmed Attacks by +5.
Effect (6): Acquires "Self-Degrading Body," whenever you suffer physical damage exceeding 10% of your maximum life, gains: +1 Damage Category and +1 Resistance tests. Stacks up to 5 times, lasting until the end of combat.
Effect (7): Acquires "Trauma Regeneration," for every 10% of physical damage received, regenerates: CON + Level per round, for 3 rounds.
Effect (8): Acquires "Unwavering Body and Mind," which passively negates all damage received by: (CON + WIS)/2%.
Effect (9): Acquires the Active function "Golden Body," acquiring a golden glow that reduces all damage received by 10%.
Her power skyrocketed. Her body became even more powerful and unshakeable, her fists even heavier, able to ignore natural defenses and even medium and weaker armor.
Her body adapts more easily to the environment; nothing can move her unless it is a colossal being with strength that surpasses hers in several categories.
Diamond Body (Level 4) – A body pushed to its extremes, not by time, but by brutal means, its flesh and bones being destroyed and regenerated through meticulous control that makes the gods wonder how this is humanly possible. A body that aims to become indestructible like a diamond.
Effect(1): The martial arts of Shaolin resonate in this body, which is achieved through extreme effort and an impenetrable mind. +8 STR, DEX, CON & +4 INT, WIS, CHA. (Exceeds the Limit)
Effect(2): Through constant effort and damage, the body has adapted to extreme damage and developed a metabolism and mind capable of withstanding many things. +8(modifier) on Resistance tests(all).
Effect(3): It becomes virtually impossible to knock you down. Advantage against the knockdown action.
Effect(4): Your bone and muscle density have reached an unreal level. +4 Damage Category in "Unarmed Combat".
Effect (5): Gains "Indestructible Body" which will negate Constitution (Modifier) + 4% of all physical damage received.
Effect (6): Gains "Indestructible Mind" which will negate Wisdom (Modifier) + 4% of all magical damage received.
Looking at and comparing the versions, she knows how incredible this is and has discovered something terrifying.
[True Diamond Body] lost its levels and she recovered 3 Points, which is excellent. But the effect is probably comparable to, or close to, what [Diamond Body] at Level 5 would be.
But what truly frightens and fills her with joy is the fact that [True Diamond Body], even now, after this mutation, continues to transform, changing her, and… her Internal Energy, over 5,000 years old, abruptly jumped to 5,500 years!
The Elixir is so potent that it almost gave her 500 years of Internal Energy after conversion and absorption.
Her Internal Energy reserves increased by almost 2,000 units.
Verna feels qualitative changes throughout her being. Several of her Talents have also undergone changes, reducing the stamina cost for various actions and increasing her movement.
But the best part of all this…
[Athletics: V → VI]
Verna, who only believed she would reach Level 6 Proficiency when she became a true Demigoddess, found herself achieving [Perfection] in Athletics. This literally doubled her physical capabilities.
If before she could easily lift hundreds of tons using only her body, now she can easily lift almost 5,000 tons, relying only on her muscles. If she injects Internal Energy into her actions, lifting more than 50,000 tons would be easy.
[Perception] also advanced from Level 4 to Level 5. Her senses, which were already divine, became even sharper and more unique; information from almost 10 kilometers away floods her mind.
The frightening thing is that this is only a basic spiritual sense, without the support of her Internal Energy. If she uses her Internal Energy to amplify her senses, hundreds of kilometers will be visible before her eyes.
……
“You… are black?” – Lina was speechless upon seeing Verna, or more precisely, Skarla, emerging from the tent.
Skarla's height now approaches 3 meters, probably the same height as Belisandre's 2.8 meters, perhaps taller, not that Skarla cares about height.
Skarla observes her limbs. – “It seems the consumption of the Elixirs has undone my disguise, but it's nothing serious.”
“You're black?!” – Lina says in a louder voice.
“Yes. Is there a problem?” – Skarla asks.
“Yes! Aren't you proud?!” – She growls.
“Pride? It's just a skin color. Being black doesn't make me different from anyone. Besides, pride doesn't put food on the table, so why go through hardship in this shitty world?” – Skarla rolls her eyes.
“You're much taller.” – Zenyo said, admiring her height. “2.97 meters?” He scratches his chin.
“Around that. Curious how you can accurately judge the height of others.” Skarla laughs at the tiny, cursed dwarf elf who is less than 1.5 meters tall.
Zenyo snorted, but he can’t be blamed. He has a great eye for sizes and distances; he’s a merchant with over 100 years of experience.
Soon Skarla began to squirm and shrink, her dark skin lightening, and Verna returned. “It’s even more uncomfortable than before, but I’ll just get used to it.”
Lina opens and closes her mouth. “Are you a Doppelganger?!” She shouts.
“No, she’s human.” Zenyo replies. “Verna has various abilities.”
Lina is about to speak, then Verna says. “I’m a Demigoddess.”
Lina’s mouth closes. “Okay… that explains it.” – She decided to stop getting into trouble.
Curiously, the fact that someone proclaims themselves a "Demigod" automatically eliminates many doubts. Demigods are beings of immense power and illogical feats. Changing shape is the least of their problems.
"Wait! If you're a Demigoddess, why go through all this trouble? Wouldn't it be easier to ask a favor of another Demigod and meet this woman?" – Lina blinks, confused.
"I suggested that, but she has special circumstances." – Zenyo said.
"Special circumstances?" – Lina blinks, even more confused.
"I'm a Black woman and a demigoddess. Do you think this world's prejudice against Black people is simply irreversible? It's been millennia since it happened, why do you think even today's people continue with this strong prejudice?" – Verna rolls her eyes.
Lina blinks, thinks, and says. – "Does anyone want to keep it that way?"
“Exactly. But I doubt that it was the current nations, much less legends, they wouldn't live that long. As for the demigods, probable, but also improbable, they wouldn't spend their time spreading so much prejudice and potentially irritating future generations of an entire people. It's unknown if a group of black people could end up becoming demigods and create conflicts because of it.” – Verna points out.
“So… Gods? I think only gods would have the free time and inclination to abhor an entire people.” – Lina scratches her chin.
“That’s what I think. So it’s better to avoid them knowing I’m a Black Demigoddess. As for the pride thing, like I said, it doesn’t fill my stomach and I have no reason to go through hardships when I can just temporarily change my skin tone.”
“Can you do it to me?” – Lina asked curiously, but having a basic idea of the answer.
“Yes, but it’s unnecessary.”
“I see… what?! You can use that on me?!” – Lina was shocked by the answer.
“Yes. Zenyo is also Black.” – Verna points and Lina looks at him, who smiles.
“No, there’s no way he’s Black.” – Lina refuses. – “He’s tiny down there!” – She made a point of gesturing with her fingers, emphasizing the size.
“Go fuck yourself!” Zenyo roared and tried to attack Lina with a staff. Lina laughed and ran away, taking refuge with Verna, who stifled her laughter.