77 – Shunam! (V)
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PART 1 – Start of the Confusion!
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Conflict broke out in the prison. Prisoners roared and tried their best to grab the aberrations, bewildering them long enough for Yago and Manuela to do something.
Yago, with fists as powerful as sledgehammers, punched and sent several freaks flying, cracking open skulls and crushing bones, demonstrating his massive strength.
Manuela was no hindrance, even without her sword, she was able to fight, even without using her magic. Demonstrating excellent unarmed fighting skills, she dealt little damage, avoided attacks and warded off enemies.
Yago saw this and laughed. - “It looks like you trained your body just to be pretty and not very efficient. That's how you punch.” - At his words, he suddenly punched a freak in the abdomen, making it vomit blood and perhaps its organs. - “That's a real punch, not this garbage.” - He continued.
“FUCK! I'm not a boxer, I want a sword!” - Manuela growled, blushing angrily.
Nodding, Yago observed a freak that had long, sharp limbs, like the paws of a praying mantis. He had already killed it, so he tore off its paws and threw them to Manuela. - “They're not swords, but I think you're better with something in your hands than empty ones.” - The teasing sexual intonation was obvious.
Manuela growled, but accepted it. - “That bastard must have the keys to the other cells.”
“No need. I've finished what I needed to do.” - Yago said and suddenly stomped on the floor, the whole room shook and the locks on the cells all broke, allowing everyone to leave, except for the monsters who are not sentient, they would only get in the way if they were freed.
When the prisoners saw the cells free, they thought it was a dream, but joy exploded, followed by anger and hatred as the rebellion escalated.
Yago brought his finger up to his neck, a steel collar with several runes that prevent the use of Mana. With his absurd strength, he easily broke the collar, and did the same with Manuela.
“Wait... if I could do that all the time...” - Manuela is not stupid, she growled at the revelation. - “Who the hell are you?”
Yago grinned. - “Maybe I'll answer you, or maybe I won't. Survive, then I'll have a good impression of you.”
Manuela growled, hating it, but with her remaining men at her side, she had to focus on them and quickly took the lead.
......
As chaos ensued, outside a trio arrived, watching the entrance to the cave, noticing that they were so close.
If they had investigated the goblin caves nearby, they would have arrived here. But now it's late and Yago has been taken away, which is a problem for the captors and not the captive.
“Shall we do something? Skarla can do everything herself.” - Luisel said hesitantly.
“And we're just going to leave her like this? We need to do something, whether we like it or not.” - Shunam said coldly.
“Are you afraid now?” - Nayara narrowed her eyes.
“Afraid? Me? Hahaha! Stop talking nonsense... yes, I'm scared, but of Skarla, not those ugly things.” - Luisel pointed.
“Afraid of Skarla?” - Nayara and Shunam frowned.
“I've seen her intimidate a Black Dragon. I've personally visited the performance sites, the destroyed mountain and the border of the Krugar Mountains with the North and I guarantee it's devastating. If she uses something like that in that cave, we'll all be buried to death. We're not freaks like Skarla.” - Luisel said seriously.
“Skarla wouldn't use such power, not with innocent people there.” - Shunam said.
“The Indomitable Tigers are a mercenary group that tried to kill her. Do you think she will care about the lives or safety of these people? They were just in the wrong place at the wrong time.” - Luisel snorted.
["How about you shut up and do something? Luisel, once things are settled here, I think I'm going to have to step up your training, so prepare for some broken bones... let's say 2/3 of the bones in your body? I'll make sure to give you an indestructible body so it doesn't break while I'm beating you up."]
Luisel paled, quickly regaining his composure, getting into position. - “Hey bitches, what are you waiting for? Let's kill these sons of bitches!”
Nayara and Shunam looked at each other, then at Luisel leading the way, feeling sorry for her. Skarla's training is already hellish with her in a good mood and not intending to hurt them, but Luisel managed to piss her off.
...
Luisel was furious with her big mouth, so she decided to make up for it by showing off her feats. The guards at the entrance only saw a white figure with silver hair leaping towards them.
Hyaaaah~
Shouting certainly wasn't a good choice. Luisel missed the guard who grabbed her breasts, it was certainly painful, then pulled her up and threw her against the floor.
Kyah~
She screamed, breathless with shock.
(Author: As well as pissing off Skarla, she also pissed off the dice?)
Bang!
A heavy fist hit her face. - “Crazy bitch! Who do you think you are?” - The guard growled as he punched him, lust and greed showing in his eyes.
Luisel growled and soon the sound of choking rang out, blood splattered on her face, she closed her eyes as she pushed her body to the side. Embarrassed and furious, she looked at Shunam waving his dagger.
“That was pathetic.” - Nayara snorted, wiping the blood from her sword.
“Fuck you, I lost my temper! You're not the ones Skarla's targeting.” - She growled.
“Good.” - Nayara laughed, eyes wide, and quickly reacted.
Clang!
An arrow hit her sword, rebounding and flying. Then a multi-armed creature came out, the powerful sound of strings resounding, several Hand Crossbows firing at the group.
Nayara and Shunam skillfully took care of the arrows, dodging or deflecting them. Luisel on the other hand leapt at the creature, more alert and with a bit of luck on her side.
The arrows hit it lightly, just enough for superficial cuts. Reaching the multi-armed creature, she used the techniques Skarla had taught her and punched. The creature grabbed her fists and something amazing happened.
Its Inner Energy invaded the freak's body, due to the lack of control, much more energy entered and it was enough for the balance in the creature's body to be destroyed, the scars glowed, blisters appeared all over the body and soon the arms began to fall off.
ROAR!!!
The creature roared shrilly, agonizing pain lashing its flesh and soul.
“KILL ME! KILL ME!” - The creature, which seemed unable to speak, began to roar as it fell to its knees, exposing its head which had previously been hidden by arms, begging to be killed.
Luisel was shocked by this, Shunam came over and plunged a dagger into the creature's head.
“What was that?” - Luisel pointed and looked at his fists. - “Did I do that?”
“Those are Skarla's abilities, it just took you a while to realize it, you idiot.” - Nayara said dismissively and moved on, Shunam soon disappearing and Luisel following soon after.
......
In a laboratory, Senmei was using a Magic Saw to dismember the corpse, ignoring the howls of the soul in agony, because it's music to her ears.
“That giant will be great material.” - Losing his concentration he thought of Yago, looking at a drawing on the wall, it's a drawn body and appears to be around 3 meters long.
“Will his organs be able to withstand that?” - He looked at his calculations, he already had most of the resources, he just needed large, resistant natural organs to go through the process of strengthening and modifying them, then inserting them into his body.
Senmei shivered, anticipating the cut, hoping that Yago's flesh would be even tougher than he had imagined, thinking of his bones.
BOOOM!
The room shook, he was pulled out of his thoughts, confused. - “WHAT IS THAT?!” - He roared angrily.
“Dad! The prisoners have escaped!” - A larger, deformed goblin approached in desperation.
“What?!” - Senmei was shocked, trembling with rage. - “What is Viktor doing?!”
“I don't know, father. Should I send everyone there?” - The goblin, cowering in fear, stepped backwards and forwards, hesitating.
“YOU USELESS BRAINLESS BASTARD! Of course! Send everyone there now! We can't let them get away or waste such good materials.” - Senmei growled in rage and the goblin rushed to give orders.
“SHIT!!!” - Senmei roared and threw the papers and utensils on his desk against the wall, making a mess. - “I'm so close! I have to finish it, I can't delay any longer. Shunam you tramp, are you in on it too?”
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PART 2 – Decision!
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“Interesting...” - Yago had just decapitated one of the aberrations, it was a bit strong and gave him a lot of XP, just what he needed to finish off his accumulating XP.
Yago saw that he had reached Level 16 - “It's been so long that I'd forgotten about it. I've got 7 Points, I need to see where I can spend it.” - Yago laughs, he's accumulating the points because he doesn't know how or where to use them.
His skills are practically at the maximum level allowed and those that can be upgraded wouldn't make any difference. It's possible to acquire more skills, but he doesn't see the point at the moment, so he's saving them for when he reaches Level 21, when he reaches the legendary level, many things will change.
“What are you talking about? We have to get out of here!” - Manuela shouted when she noticed Yago standing still.
“If you follow that tunnel, turn left, you should find the exit.” - Yago pointed.
“How do you know?” - Manuela narrowed her eyes.
“It's no surprise that I let myself get captured.” - Yago laughed, Manuela growled, pointed at him and said. - “You're going to pay me back.”
“I didn't do anything. I just destroyed some asshole's fist.” - Yago shrugged, not caring about the stares and hatred.
Yago headed off down another path, punching and destroying freaks, they give good XP, it seems that the World really hates what is being created here and is rewarding and encouraging the killing of them.
“Why are you following me?” - Yago asked.
“You're not the only one who wants to fuck the son of a bitch who kidnapped us. I want to look at the bastard, rescue my men if they're still alive and then kill the son of a bitch.” - Manuela snorted and walked on, many people following them.
The hatred of these people is enormous, not to mention that Yago is the strongest, staying with him is safer.
Yago laughed, not worried. He needs Senmei alive, then he'll kill him. These people will try to kill him, but it's unlikely that they'll kill someone he wants alive.
...
There were many aberrations, showing that this cave is much larger than one might imagine. Most of the aberrations seemed to have goblin characteristics, but they were far from comparable to goblins in power.
Goblins wouldn't have even 1/3 of that strength. Monsters of Level 6 or more, many above Level 10.
As Yago didn't want any more deaths, he protected everyone as much as he could. Needless to say, after today, many will be richly rewarded with a few levels.
Soon they came to an intersection, where on one side, 3 beautiful women arrived, covered in the blood of their enemies.
“Take this path, it's the way out. They've cleared the way here, so it's safe.” - Yago pointed and those who just wanted to live took that path, which was the vast majority.
“Did you find him?” - Shunam asked, clenching his fists tightly around the hilt of his daggers.
“Yes, I memorized his energy signature and he's heading that way.” - Yago pointed, Shunam prepared to go, but something stopped her. - “Don't start making mistakes now.” - Yago said seriously and Shunam bowed his head.
“Take your people and the rest outside, from here, I'll take care of things.” - Yago said calmly to Manuela.
“No. We'll go together. We're going to kill that son of a bitch.” - Manuela said seriously, growling.
“I don't think your friends want the same.” - Yago pointed, Manuela looked and her men really didn't want to go, it shook her.
Manuela is angry, these people have seen their comrades slaughtered by an assassin and now they've been kidnapped and taken away by some mad scientist. They don't know what other terrors there are in this place and would rather preserve their lives than seek revenge or justice.
“We need to avenge them.” - Manuela said weakly.
“Sorry, boss, they were our brothers, but... we don't have our weapons or armor. We could die if another one of those monsters shows up here.” - Said one of her subordinates who, not wanting to look at her anymore, bowed his head and left.
The others did the same, including his right arm. Manuela clenched her fist when she saw her leave, apologizing.
“Just go along, you won't be much use from now on.” - Yago said and started walking.
Manuela bit her lip, clenched her fists and followed Yago.
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PART 3 – Your last battle!
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BANG!
KYAAAAHH!!
A freak shrieked loudly, hitting a large metal door, knocking it down in the process.
A tall figure entered Senmei's laboratory, large and disgusting. The miasma here was heavy with suffering and resentment. Trapped souls, agonizing in a macabre symphony.
“Damned! How dare you run away and ruin my plans?” - A shrill howl resounded from a rabbit behind a large table with a mutilated corpse. - “Do you have any idea what you're doing? Do you understand the grandeur of what I'm doing here?”
“Shut up, I don't give a damn about the garbage you're creating.” - Yago said disdainfully, a horrible scene.
“You savage! Of course you wouldn't understand. But it doesn't matter, you-” Senmei fell silent, more people came in and he recognized one of them. - “SHUNAM!” - He shouted, a mixture of anger and joy.
Shunam's eyes blazed with hatred and pain, her grip on the dagger increasing, she kept herself from jumping up and killing him.
“It's great to see you, my perfect creation. You've caused me a lot of trouble, but now that I have you, I'll be able to complete my plans. Come, come back to me, I'll make you stronger, to take care of my son.” - Senmei laughed.
“Jinmei is dead, I killed him.” - Shunam said coldly.
“He died? It doesn't matter, the trash never had any talent.” - Senmei snorted. - “But you matter, my child. Come on, you must be about to die, I just need to give you an injection.”
Yago was advancing at that moment, Senmei was on alert and ignoring him, Yago went to a wall and punched it, which was destroyed, showing a passage. - “You're not getting away from me.” - He laughed and Senmei began to disappear.
“There's something here, stay alert.” - Yago said, able to sense something dangerous.
This secret passage led to more orderly and larger saddles, the movement of chains resounding. The group moved forward and ahead was Senmei.
“I don't know how you found out, but it doesn't matter. You've dug your own grave. Now you're going to meet my perfect creations!” - Senmei laughed like a madman and the cells burst open, huge deformed aberrations coming out.
Yago stood at the front, watching these huge creatures, feeling the massive vitality in their bodies, they are strong, but...
“I think you three can handle this.” - Yago said, crossing his arms.
Manuela, who was together, was blinking and the three of them didn't say anything, they just went on.
“You won't do anything?!” - Manuela shouted.
“I'm worried about something else. If you want to help them, so be it.” - Yago said indifferently, looking around and beyond.
...
The aberrations came out of their cells, destroying everything, clashing, some killing each other, but in the face of their creator's screams, attention went to the five people.
The nearest aberration had a huge human head. Opening its mouth, it showed serrated teeth that moved, twisting and shooting at the group. The trio in front dealt with it, hitting the teeth or dodging.
Some who flew at Yago and Manuela were stopped in mid-air by a barrier of Internal Energy.
Shunam rushed in stealthily, jumped onto the walls, ran through them, jumped over the creature's head and plunged two daggers deep into its skull, the thunderous roar resounding.
Just as Nayara was about to attack, she retreated and Shunam jumped off the creature's head, tentacles with several blades grabbed the creature and tore it apart. Shunam, who had stepped on the wall and was about to retreat, was hit by a large stone that was thrown from somewhere, its painful scream resounding as it spun in the air.
Luisel looked, then touched the aberrations, running and jumping on the wall, watching his enemies, jumping, turning and hitting the skull of an aberration with his foot, stepping on its torso to propel himself backwards.
Sharp blades passed through where she had been, she landed on the floor, Nayara appeared and an aberration about to attack her was stopped and cut down by Nayara's blades.
Shunam, like a figure, leapt through the walls or between the aberrations, slashing and stabbing, his attention always on one target, but he had to take care of that on the way.
The aberrations were strong, but the space was too tight for their size and numbers, which put them at a disadvantage. Not to mention the fact that they were constantly attacking, enraging and killing each other.
Senmei roared, insulting the freaks to focus on the intruders.
“If these are your perfections, I don't even want to imagine your failures.” - Yago sneered, but because of all the confusion, Senmei didn't hear.
“Okay, end of joke.” - Yago clapped his hands and ran, jumping and punching with both fists, accumulated energy and immense pressure shot out, opening two huge holes in the bodies of four creatures that were standing in a line.
“You're taking too long.” - Yago said, jumped up and fired, stepping on the creatures' heads and blasting them with the power of his feet.
Senmei despaired, wondering where this monster had come from. He started to run, but Yago had already reached him and ignored him, heading for the wall. - “Pathetic illusions.” - He kicked and the wall distorted, soon taking the shape of a door.
The door exploded. - “HOW?!” - Senmei roared, not understanding how his illusions could be discovered so easily.
Yago ignored him and started running.
......
With Yago gone, it was up to the trio to deal with the freaks. Manuela tried to help in any way she could, having picked up a long sword on the way.
“Don't we have to help him?” - Manuela asked.
“Do you think he needs help?” - Luisel cracked his neck and laughed and jumped up, kicking a creature in the chest and sending it flying away.
“Worry about yourself.” - Nayara touched his shoulder and, taking a deep breath, stepped forward, aura exploding.
Manuela blinked, wondering where these monsters had come from. She knew she'd been involved in something complicated, these people were no mere mercenaries or adventurers. Growling, she decided to help, maybe she'd get something good at the end of this chaos.
...
Shunam was shaking, she had expended a lot of energy, her body was already at its limits and we're not talking about stamina. Yago managed to stabilize her body and the martial arts helped a lot, but the intense activity only worsened her physical state.
She knows that if she doesn't stop and rest, her body will destroy itself, but she refuses to stop. Because even if they win and get Senmei's materials and studies, it will take time to find a cure.
Realizing that there is no future or hope for herself, she has simply decided to give it her all. The last few years of her life had been horrible, but she had a goal and somehow that made her feel free.
No longer a mere companion to that pathetic rabbit, but someone who fought for herself, even with all the pain and suffering, she was living the way she wanted to and no one could take that away from her.
So if she's going to die, let it be by fighting.
Bang! Argh!
She was thrown against the wall, blood splattered from her mouth, staining her mask, which she removed from her face, it was getting in the way.
“I'M GOING!” - Luisel roared.
“NO!” - Shunam roared, shaking and stomping on the wall, plunging a dagger into the aberrant creature's arm, tearing its flesh and striking its neck, showing his incredible flexibility as he stood on the creature's back and viciously stabbed its neck and head until it was severed.
As the creature fell, Shunam looked shakily at Luisel. Luisel's eyes widened as he saw that Shunam was melting.
“My body can't take it anymore. I'm going to die, regardless of how or when we win this. So if I'm going to die, let it be by fighting. That's why Skarla left us here.” - Shunam smiled bitterly, accepting his end.
“No! We can do something, we're close to finding a cure. The injection! That rabbit said something about only needing one injection.” - Luisel said hurriedly, thinking of returning.
“We don't know what the injection is” - Shunam began vomiting blood mixed with a green liquid which, when it touched the ground, began to eat away at him.
Shunam's teeth were melting at this point, showing how potent the acid in his body is. Shunam, with tears in his eyes, looked at Luisel and Nayara, smiled, turned and ran, using all the energy left in his body, including the energy and vitality that Skarla had injected into his body.
Luisel and Nayara growled, moving forward to fight alongside their companion in her final moments.
Advancing and giving her room to kill as many as she wanted. Shunam was hit several times by tentacles, huge arms, tongues, acid spit and much more. Her clothes were already disappearing and her body was a real mess.
She was failing. Seeing this was painful, but they can't even imagine what Shunam is feeling.
Shunam had finally killed one of the largest creatures and the strength had left her body, her daggers were stuck in her palms, where the flesh had melted and covered the handle.
She didn't want to look at her companions, she was no longer able to hear and her sight was also fading. Her knees finally wobbled and just as she was about to touch them to the floor, a tentacle shot out of one of the cells, wrapping around her and pulling.
Nayara and Luisel screamed, running.
Shunam was swallowed up by an enormous aberration that was a kind of octopus, it seemed to be stuck to the wall, so it couldn't get out. Its huge mouth gave way to a pocket full of acid.
Falling, Shunam could no longer see anything, the pain disappeared and all he could think was: That was fun.
[You've reached Level 13!]
A message resounded in his soul.
[Congratulations on reaching “1st Metamorphosis”!]
[The limit on all attributes has been raised from 30 to 35].
[You have received +25 HP!]
[From now on, HP and EP are D12 and not D10].
[You have received +17 HP & +21 EP.]
[Your Special Skill “Central Core - Venom God Mantra” has evolved into “Central Core - Toxic God Mantra”!]
Life should have left the body by now, but a warm mother who saw and felt all its growth wouldn't allow it to. Delivering an early reward, the final touch needed for something miraculous occurred.
The toxic blood that had been her curse now became her blessing, part of her power. She abandoned her old shell, which was melted by the acid surrounding her, exposing a perfect body, with no flaws or marks from experiments.
The acid around her was absorbed and the freak became confused, feeling pain, feeling that she was being devoured.
Sharp fingernails tore through the acid bag, spilling out as a slender, furry figure emerged, the Chinchilla/Mouse half-breed, Shunam, who should have been dead, internally melting to death, was on her feet.
She looked at herself and could feel in detail that what was flowing through her veins was not just blood, but acid and poison. The pain that tormented her was no longer there, her muscles that had melted were firmer than before.
Her attributes had increased so much... she clenched her fists, her fingers snapping.
“Look out!” - A shout came and even inattentive, Shunam moved her body, spinning and dodging a thick, quivering tentacle. She looked at the aberration and lunged forward, grabbing its jaw and pulling, ripping it off in the process and bringing great agony to the creature.
“You're so fragile... is this the world she lives in?” - Shunam blinked, with subtle and simple movements, she avoided the various tentacles.
With a calm gaze, she jumped and left a residual image, several of her skills that she had spent her life training and perfecting had undergone drastic changes with her metamorphosis.
The laws have changed, the world is no longer the same. Shunam crouched over the creature's forehead, looking into its one eye, seeing fear, then his hand moved forward, piercing the eye and reaching the brain, which he pulled out.
The brain couldn't resist the acid, so Shunam released it and it landed on the ground.
3 women looked at her, Shunam smiled, looking up, taking a deep breath. - “I think we need to go to Skarla.”
“Who's Skarla?” - Manuela, who had heard that name many times, asked. Just as she was about to answer, Shunam, who was naked, disappeared, standing at the entrance to the cell.
Luisel and Nayara stared wide-eyed, not having noticed when Shunam moved. Manuela also took longer to notice, looking at the back of Shunam who was walking happily, where the three of them had to run to follow him.
Before the world and the system could come to an equilibrium over the Shapeshifters, another monster appeared, one more terrifying than Skarla.
While Skarla has refined her body through training and martial arts, Shunam is an experiment, something that shouldn't be alive, something that can't be balanced, but Metamorphosis has made the impossible possible.
While Skarla, upon reaching the 1st Metamorphosis, needed to stabilize her power, Shunam is constantly growing, as his body destroys and rebuilds itself, acquiring resistance against itself.
Now, when will it stop? What is the limit? Nobody knows.
The system and its administrators were going mad, some insulting this world for allowing something like this to happen.
—————————
PARTE 4 – The end of the battle!
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In a vehicle, a mixture of engineering and magic, Senmei is shaking with anger and frustration.
His decades of hard work, wasted. - “That bitch. I gave her a perfect body, something that everyone would envy, that nations would pay mountains of gold to have, and how does she repay me? By bringing in these sons of bitches and destroying everything I've been building! But it won't stay that way, listen to me you bitch, it won't stay that way!”
Senmei growled, punching the wall.
BANG!
Aaahh~
The vehicle overturned, the driver turning into a mist of blood.
“WHAT WAS THAT?!” - Senmei roared as he got out, surprisingly not badly hurt. When he looked for the driver, he saw no sign of him.
“Have you finished running away?” - A calm, unfamiliar voice rang out; when he looked, he found a huge woman of indescribable beauty and a powerful countenance.
“WHO ARE YOU?” - Senmei roared in fear.
“I'm Skarla Verona, ruler of Krugar.” - Skarla said smiling.
Senmei blinked, confused. - “What is someone like you doing here? What do you want with me... I see, you heard about my research and you want to recruit me. Okay! I accept! I'll create the most powerful army, you can conquer this continent and then the world!” - Senmei gasped in elation. - “Now you just have to rescue me, there are some crazy bastards. With your strength, you can kill them and take me.”
Skarla smiled. - “I have no interest in your garbage research. I've studied Shunam for a while and analyzed the basics of its documents. I admit that the work you did on Shunam was incredible, but only it was good, your other products... garbage.”
Senmei frowned.
“It's obvious that Shunam was your miraculous success, not even you know how you managed to create her, transforming a Chinchilla half-breed into such a formidable warrior, far surpassing that child's magical and biological potential. But you've never managed to repeat anything like it, which has frustrated and driven you mad.”
“WHAT DO YOU KNOW? YOU'RE JUST A BARBARIAN!” - Senmei roared angrily.
“I know a lot more than you think.” - Skarla laughed and picked up a book and threw it to Senmei. - “Read the marked page.”
Senmei snarled and looked at the book and Skarla. - “That's an order.” - An intense authoritative tone rang out and with terror, Senmei took the book.
Reading the marked page, soon his fear was gone, interest emerging as he stayed focused, reading and marveling. - “God, what is this? This research data, this miraculous knowledge... where did you get it?”
“I created it. I also did my inhuman research in the past. Creating supersoldiers was a dream I had, I was even able to, but it cost a lot of resources at the time, but today, I can create an infinite number.” - Skarla laughed.
“What is this natural balance? I realize that this is what helps the growth of a strong and balanced power... is this what my research was missing? TELL ME! WHAT IS IT?!” - Senmei roared, not realizing he was salivating.
“You developed aberrations, just by mixing bodies, thinking that this would help you create something equal to or better than Shunam. In the end, you were incapable of such a thing, because you lacked knowledge about the needs of the body, what it needs to grow and develop.”
“Shunam was a miracle, because you must have added or taken something away during the recipe and disassembly. You accidentally added a balance. You could say that you modified Mother Nature in the middle of a process, letting her do the rest.”
Senmei scratched his chin thoughtfully, then laughed. - “I see. My mistake was to stop going after the children. Adults have already reached their maximum growth potential, I needed healthy children. I understand where I went wrong, I gave up on them too quickly.” - Senmei laughed.
“We can create an army, one more powerful than you or I could have imagined.” - Senmei laughed. - “Heavens, thank you for not abandoning me.”
“Heaven doesn't care about you.” - Skarla said, Senmei frowned, confused and saw her pointing to the ground. - “And the world has abandoned you. I wouldn't even have pursued you if the world hadn't personally given me the mission to kill you.”
“What are you talking about?” - Senmei growled.
“The world is like a mother to all living beings, it loves everyone equally, regardless of whether their actions are good or bad. But you've crossed the line, the torture and trauma you've caused to souls. You destroyed any love the world had for you.”
“FUCK! I don't need useless love, my research is everything!” - Senmei roared.
“You know, I wondered what makes a world give up one of its many children. Why, with so many horrible people in this world, who cause more deaths and massacres than you, does the world despise you so much?” - Skarla sat down on a rock. - “Then I finally understood what makes something or someone lose the love and protection of their world.”
Senmei frowned.
“You have no reason to be a bastard. You're just a narcissistic madman with a god complex. Maybe one day during your childhood you saw something that awakened your sick self, that made you lose any sign of humanity in you.” - Skarla laughed. - “Thank you for helping me understand the limits of love.”
“WHAT THE HELL ARE YOU TALKING ABOUT?!” - Senmei was enraged, practically foaming at the mouth.
“Unfortunately the time for talking is over.” - Skarla said and looked away, a naked figure with grayish hair glistening under the presence of the huge full moon.
Senmei choked, taking a moment to understand what was in front of her. She is beautiful, perfect in every way. For humans she would already be an incredible beauty, but for a Beastkin, Shunam is the definition of beauty on a global scale.
“Shunam?” - He asked shakily.
“I see you're not dead.” - Skarla said smiling.
“Can I kill him?” - Shunam asked and Skarla snapped her fingers.
The atmosphere distorted and a trigram appeared in the sky, the illusory formation being torn apart. Senmei, who had been holding the book, was now lying on the ground, his limbs crooked. - “What is it - AAAAARGH!” - He began to scream in agony.
Skarla, sitting on a rock, had a bag at her feet. This bag contained all the studies and important materials that Senmei had accumulated over the last few years.
The conversation they had wasn't the main one. While Senmei was going crazy, Skarla asked him several questions, destroying all his mental defenses and the magics in that bag.
“I already have all his research, just as his diary has the location of his secret bases, business partners and various undercover freaks. I have no further use for it.” - Skarla said calmly.
“NO! IT'S MINE! LET IT GO! GIVE IT BACK!” - Senmei roared hysterically, Shunam stomped on his chest.
“Strange... I've dreamed of this day for so many years.” - Shunam said calmly. - “Why don't I feel anything now?”
“That's an answer you'll have to come up with on your own.” - Skarla said.
“I GAVE YOU EVERYTHING!” - Senmei roared. - “A perfect body, my greatest masterpiece. I am your creator, if it weren't for me, you'd be discarded trash like most half-breeds of your kind!”
Shunam listened, a cold look on his face. - “The last few months have been agonizing. I admit that I am who I am because of you, but... it doesn't justify everything you've done.”
“I've returned to our homeland. I heard that after Jinmei and I left, the village's children started disappearing in large numbers, adults disappeared and more. You sacrificed hundreds of children for your own sick goals. Then I followed your tracks through towns and villages, discovering that wherever you went, hundreds of deaths and disappearances occurred.”
“You are the most despicable being I know. Demons would be kinder.” - Shunam laughed. - “You don't deserve to live.”
“FUCK YOU! YOU AND THAT BITCH! YOU KNOW NOTHING!” - Senmei roared hysterically.
“I know you won't hurt anyone else.” - Shunam said and held out his palm, a crack opened in his palm and soon a liquid began to pour out.
AAAAAHHHH!!!
Senmei began to roar hysterically as the liquid, as if it were a living being, enveloped her body, seeping in and causing the most agonizing pain possible.
Senmei felt his skin, flesh, bones and organs being melted. But Shunam controlled the corrosive power, preventing it from damaging his nerves, so that he could feel everything. No matter how much he suffered, he didn't stop.
His screams ceased as his vocal cords melted. He no longer struggled, his limbs had turned to jelly. Finally, the shock of the pain was so great that he died.
Watching from start to finish, Skarla scratched her chin. - “I've never seen, felt or created anything like this. What have you achieved?”
“I acquired a skill called [Toxic Arts], it says that my blood has poison and acid, where I can combine the two.” - Shunam said calmly.
Skarla had never heard of it, but it wasn't as if she knew everything there was to know about Murim. She walked over to Shunam who calmly looked her in the eye.
Skarla touched his abdomen, amazed that with Metamorphosis, his body not only underwent a miraculous transformation, but was constantly changing and evolving. His Internal Energy has grown over a few decades, his attributes must have increased dramatically.
If he were to put himself, all his wives, disciples and servants together, Shunam is formally the second strongest person. Skarla believes that with time, Shunam could reach her level or even surpass her.
Shunam touched his palm to her abdomen, giving her a warm look. - “I want to be more than just your disciple.”
Skarla was astonished. - “What's all this?”
“I don't feel any more pain, I have nowhere else to go or turn. I want to get stronger and follow you, but not as a disciple. I hope you can accept me.” - Shunam smiled gently.
Frowning, Skarla sighed, it seemed that now that Shunam was no longer suffering from the pain and all the drugs he was consuming, his Beastkin instincts that yearn to breed with the strongest were kicking in.
And since Skarla is arguably the strongest person Shunam knows, where now with Metamorphosis, it can be said that his racial traits have strengthened, allowing him to accurately detect Skarla's incredible strength.
Simply put, Shunam has partial control over his own hormones, but faced with an individual as powerful as Skarla, his control is destroyed and his animal instincts run wild.
“We can talk about this later.” - Skarla nodded and took off a coat, covering Shunam.
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PART 5 – Finalization!
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Raven City was visited by none other than Arthur Cervero, Commander of the Imperial Guard.
Commanding a huge garrison, he invaded the home of the current Commander of the City Guard, imprisoning him, but not without a fight, many soldiers died, but Arthur won.
The lord of the city was captured and investigated, several locations were attacked, many died. Everything and everyone connected to Senmei was killed or imprisoned.
The remaining aberrations have been purified, the laboratory burned and the captives treated, the empire will give some subsidy to help them.
For the public, this was a joint mission between Skarla and the Empire, and the Empress was in charge of it.
The public learned of cases of mass disappearances and kidnappings, it was discovered that an Alchemist had gone mad and was carrying out all sorts of hideous experiments. After years of chasing him, he was finally found and killed, his research destroyed.
From a Portal in Raven City, a majestic, cold figure with long silver hair arrived, everyone on their knees.
Kaleria, who had arrived in Raven City, was taken by Arthur to the residence of the city lord, who was in the dungeon, being tortured.
...
“Skarla, a real mess you've caused.” - Kaleria said coldly when she found the cause of her coming to a place like this.
“If you'd done your job, I wouldn't have to be here.” - Skarla smiled, Arthur was prevented by Kaleria from saying anything.
“Thank you for warning me, but I hope something like this doesn't happen again. You know the nobles hate you and want to find any reason for us to go to war.” - Kaleria narrowed her eyes.
“I know, but sometimes it's better to follow justice than logic. Senmei must have killed more than 15,000 people over the years for his experiments. 15,000 citizens of the empire, many adventurers and mercenaries who would be a great workforce for security against monsters. Not to mention hundreds of innocent children.” - Skarla smiled coldly. - “Don't try to justify it or use your snake tongue here, this was something that had to be done, if you or some other bastard was looking for this garbage for your research, I don't care.”
Kaleria frowned. - “The research, I know you have it.”
“I'd expect nothing less from you.” - Skarla laughed, then held up a book. - “Here's all the heinous research the trash has committed.” - Taking out a few pages, she threw them to Kaleria.
Kaleria growled, took it and read it, then frowned.
“He developed a method to separate the soul from the body, but still connected to it. He kept the body alive through the soul, carrying out his hideous experiments and modifying the body, forcing it to accept. In the process, most souls were destroyed and traumatized.”
“There's no information about the experiment here.” - Kaleria waved the paper away and looked at the book. Skarla patted the book twice and it began to burn. - “SKARLA!” - Kaleria roared.
“This experiment is no different from creating undead and reanimating them. It is possible to create supersoldiers, but it is inhumane and I refuse to allow anything about it to go ahead. Senmei's studies no longer exist, Letiphia has already sent the Shadows of Veremor stationed throughout the empire to destroy all documents, secret bases and assassinate all those involved with Senmei.” - Skarla said calmly, Kaleria trembled in anger.
“That's not what we agreed.” - Kaleria growled.
Skarla looked at her coldly, then laughed and said. - “I didn't agree to your monopoly on the magical tools being produced either, but I'm still ignoring the dishonest methods you used.”
Kaleria frowned.
“Did you think I wouldn't notice your actions? Your Majesty, your only mistake is believing that you are the smartest one on this board. All your actions regarding my lands or my partners are because I allow it. Now sit down on this sofa and let's talk, because at the moment, I'm the one with the advantage and as the loser, you have to listen to what I have to say, understand?” - Skarla said in an aggressive tone, Kaleria trembled in fury, then smiled and sat down, she is someone who knows when she has lost, but who does not accept defeat.
“Let's share the merits of this endeavor, in this book there are all of Senmei's partners in noble circles, use this opportunity to take their lands and I know that you are targeting many associated with them, so use it to get rid of those who want to oppose imperial authority.” - Skarla threw her the book, Kaleria looked at the names and narrowed her eyes.
“I'll want 1/3 of all the treasures you get from looting those bastards.”
“What?!” - Kaleria frowned.
“It's not a negotiation and there's no room for talk. Do you think I don't know that you'll use this to bribe your way into several puppies? I could use it to take over your empire little by little, but I won't, I don't want to cause my mother-in-law any more headaches.” - Skarla smiled. - “But I'm not going to give you a gold mine and get nothing in return. So I want 1/3 of all the goods you take and I hope you'll be honest, because if I find out that less than 1/3 has ended up in my coffers, I think some agreements may have certain flaws that will cause our contracts to be terminated. For example, food supplies for the army, support from a certain angry Dragon, some-”
“Okay! Shut your damn mouth!” - Kaleria growled. - “1/3, is that all? If it is, I'm leaving, I don't want to look at your face anymore.”
Skarla laughed. - “We're done here. Have a great trip back, you'll have a lot of work.”
Snorting, Kaleria got up and left.
Arthur looked at Skarla. - “It's a dangerous game you're playing. You've never seen anyone beat the Empress, so you'd better stop and make up for it.”
“Don't bother. Sometimes losing is good. I just hope she springs a fun trap, because if I escape easily, it'll be disappointing.” - Skarla laughed and Arthur left.
“Manuela's visiting.” - A quiet voice sounded, Shunam appeared from the shadows, Skarla having trouble spotting her and Arthur naturally not noticing her.
“Manuela? Ah, I'd forgotten about her. I don't know what she wants, but send her over.” - Skarla waved her hand and Shunam nodded.
'I wonder how much you've grown... I miss you. - Skarla looked out of the window.