[Display engaged]
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[General information] (+)
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Bloodline: Evolving Bloodline (-)
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[Reptile Bloodline]
(Essence varan: 50%)
(Edel drake: 10%)
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[Feline Bloodline]
(Kabir tyrant: 10%)
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[Canine Bloodline]
(Gerwulf faunal: 10%)
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[Primate Bloodline]
(Czar Beastlord: 100%)
(Hel'Slakter: 100%)
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[Aves Bloodline]
(Recusant Condor: 10%)
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[Ungulate Bloodline]
(Cernunnos Strider:10%)
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Genetic Combo:
Genetic storage: Vampire, wood elf,
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Magic essence: (+)
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[ABILITIES] (active) (+)
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[ABILITIES] (passive) (+)
(Genetic Drain) (Endless Evolution)
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[Titles] (+)
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Jenkins looked over the new information displayed while rubbing his palm against the sharp jaw flying out of his face.
"Looks pretty good, yeah."
Michael once again was left without an answer. Having to continue to push for one.
"Uhm, can you explain it?"
The elf snapped back to reality and quickly went through it.
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"No wonder you don't know anything. The system slowly degrades as one continues to grow in strength. This useless thing is only ever truly viable when you start off..."
"Your old bloodlines were thinned out after I turned you into a magical beast. However, they still survived."
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"Ok...Go on."
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"So, all the bloodlines you possess will show up here. And those who are present will influence your abilites and future evolutions. Or thats the gist I now get of it."
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"Yes....."
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"The percentage is how thick each bloodline is. I bet that increasing their thicknes would be achievable through fusing them with other weaker ones that are available."
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"And how do I do that...?"
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"Simple, now that you have access to these, you can freely use the abilites [Genetic storage] and [Genetic combo]. Remember when I told you I wasn't familiar with them? That was because you didn't have any genetic codes and bloodlines show up."
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"Can I...do it freely?"
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"Yes. In fact, you should be able to created mutated or new ones if their precentage and compatibility is high enough. I bet that when I pushed the randomize button on your system, your old [Hybrid] ability fused with [Integration]. Now freely allowing you to combine genetic codes together."
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"Oh, sounds pretty fantastic. However, what happened to the other bloodlines I had when previously evolving?"
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"They most definitely fused togheter whenever you drank the Evolution Potion. So instead of having lots of diluted pieces, you got single, fully grown one which exceeded all the other options by leaps."
"And of course, the first assimilated bloodlines you had must have evolved themselvs depending on which one you chose at the start. Like your previous [Asmite Nehalem] must have given you the [Hel'Dreper] along with the other demons at the start."
Michael looked over his new display with intrigue and amazement. Letting the translucent screen reflect from within his golden eyes.
"So I can still get new bloodlines? Even without being able to integrate with ones like before?"
Listening to what he said made Jenkins smile. Preparing to blow his mind once again.
"You should able to use [Genetic drain] to gain others like you did back in the forest. Just make sure you take a piece of them this time around. Eating will be how you absorb stuff if I understand it."
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"Eat them? So do they end up in the [Genetic Storage]?"
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"No, they will definitely go to your list here. You see that [Vampire] and [Wood elf]? They don't have any dominant bloodlines, but would probably work like accessories. You can most likely combine them together with the main stuff you throw into [Genetic Combo]. They would at most just give different traits. Wood elfs are good with nature, so you could get a druid type beast. Vampires on the other hand, would give you a vampiric type of beast. Give it a try!"
Michael did as Jenkins told him, and placed tried imagining two of the bloodlines of the same category go into [Genetic Combo].
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[Genetic Combo: Essence Varan 50% + Edel drake 10%]
[Do you wish to combine?]
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With his will, the process started. Turning the screen blurry for a second.
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[Congratulations!]
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[New Bloodline formed!]
[Bloodline added: (Essence Drake:50%)
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[Essence Drake: A large lizard resembling a small dragon without wings. Its body is mainly covered by long red scales, but on each tip there are four different colors weakly drawn. Resembling the four elements of Earth, Wind, Water and Fire. Not only do they possess almost unrivaled attack speed, but they are also capable of twisting their surroundings with the high essence affinity. Turning the battlefield into a tool made to secure their dominance. It also has a strong resistance to magic, capable of weakening most spells bellow the [Expert] level].
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"Oh lord!"
Seeing Michael's reaction, Jenkins nodded with a satisfied expression.
"The genetic codes added to your [Genetic storage] are things which can give your bloodlines some extra effects. All the sh** you eat from now on can sort itself out, so no need to worry."
"You should also be able to add the [Vampire] genetic code to any of your current bloodlines too. However, don't try it unless you are sure you want to, as I don't know if you will lose it."
"And also, don't forget that you may sometimes not create new bloodlines with the combo. Mix those with similar percentages and strength. Weaker ones will just be consumed and increase the purity of the stronger one. The power difference between the original animals should also be counted in. Or that's what I have been taught."
"One last thing. Your transformation ability [Aspect of the Tainted] is most definitely connected to all your available bloodlines. Getting more of them, while at the same strengthening and combining each one should give you more messed up forms. Not that it would be a bad thing though."
"And by the way, I feel like I should tell you something. The reason why I haven't maxed your level non-stop is because your body needs time to adjust for every new evolution."
The pure amount of joy and excitement exploded inside his body. Pushing his happiness determination to new heights. Unkown to Michael, this caused a weak ball of light inside his mind to regain some of it's glow.
"Thank you once more, Jenkins!"
Hearing the grateful response he got made him pose with both arms stretched to the side. Letting his tuxedo bask in the weak lanter hanging on in the middle of the room.
"You may continue to praise this great lord! Let it not go to waste!"
Michael smiled at this idiot. Although he was rather damaged mentally, he had helped him a great deal along the way.
However, as he starred at the blond haired gentleman, he seemd to have remembered something.
"Yeah, by the way Jenkins. What happened to my da...no, wait, Marss's dad?"
Not exiting his pose, Jenkins continued to stand there while talking.
"Those peasants are in a new village run by your father and the previous elder. I pulled some strings and turned him into a baron working under some land my friend owns."
Michael nodded at him with approval while continuing to ask questions.
"So, what are our plans after this? Were we going to bring 'her' back to life?"
"Well, I was thinking about laying low for a while. Letting you learn some battle arts and such or go meet those 'slay the demon lord' buffoons in the royal castle. But yeah, can't just have pure strength do the work every time. Mabye participating in the tournament opening in Delil would be a good start..."
"As for your mom, you will have to help me reach the Ascended realm to properly revive her. Souls that get [soul trapped] are hard to get back if you fail to seal them. Don't think about it for now."
The previously tense atmosphere seemed to have died down. Letting them both relax much more, as the conversation neared its end.
"Almost forgot to tell you, Michael. I fished up some fancy battle arts and techniques!"
Before he could reply, Jenkins pulled out three aged books from a dark silver storage ring resting on his thin index finger.
"Here! You can try looking at them after I leave. But I promise you, there is no way you can grasp any of them before the heist. I have thrown some paper notes inside which mostly explain all the basics."
Feeling that he had given all the necessary information needed, Jenkins popped a shapeshifting jelly bean into his mouth. Slowly transformin into a teenager with white hair.
He looked a little bit like someone Michael had seen not to long ago. Was it the little brother of that Gwen woman? The one from the 'Snow Serpent' clan?
"Anyways, get some rest. We have sh** to do tomorrow. I left the last two evolution potions inside a storage ring beneath your pillow. There are also a pair of fancy clothes inside and a....little something you can use if the battle tomorrow doesn't go your way."
The transformed Jenkins first went up to the table next to Michael, throwing out a two canned drinks summoned from his silver ring.
Both of them were black in color with some sort of red ring circling around the middle. And as they landed, the warm air flowing through the room brushed against each one. Causing beads of water to trickle down from all sides.
After stabilizing on the desk, Jenkins pulled one of them into the palm of his hand and pushed his finger into the top layer. Creating a finger sized hole to drink from.
"You have done really well up till now, Michael. So I got you a drink from the town nearby. Pick yours up!"
Seeing the gleeful smile covering the elf's face removed any hesitation he had about refusing the toast. Quickly picking up his own drink and popping a hole on top like he just saw.
Seeing the response brightened up the cheerful smile covering Jenkins's face. Now hurriedly reaching his can towards Michael's.
"Cheers for another hundred years of my winning streak, and to increase your luck with women!"
Even when transformed, Jenkins still retained some of his feminine features, like the dimples and glossy skin. Even his smile would almost make any uneducated guy follow along.
Watching his amber, or now blye eyes narrow themselves into small crescent slits, and the smile uncovering the row of pearly white tweeth made Michael to smirk. hitting his own metal can against Jenkins's.
"Your winning streak was ruined after you lost the flower the first time. And my luck with girls was never bad, you only set me up with a cult leader's daughter..."
Jenkins pulled back his drink while making a sour face. His mouth formed itself into small duck lips.
"First of all, I never lose. Even when all odds are against me, I will still stand thirty or so steps in front."
"Second of all, you are in no position to say my winning streak is bad! Hmpf. Remember how you got forced out of control by that shitty brat? Yeah, taking control over a body which already contains a soul is quite the pain, right? I should know."
"For your girl problem... Che! You had like almost twenty something psychopaths who all wanted your child. However, you just squashed them! And Firne-something's family was well off too! What a waste.."
Looking at the foolish act made Michael's smirk evolve into a happy laughter while he raised his drink.
"How about this? Cheers for our meeting, good brother!"
Jenkins closed his eyes and smiled gently back. Raising his occupied hand into the air.
"Cheers for our meeting, good brother."
They then both chugged down their drinks respectively. Slamming the empty tin cans onto the wood desk.
After finishin up, Michael made a horrible grimace while trying not to vomit out what he just swallowed.
"W..what the hell did you buy..?"
Jenkins shifted his gaze away from the two empty cans and towards the weirdly shaped face Michael made.
"It's called Brany. A famoues liquor named after the some warrior woman. Or thats what the vender said."
Michael looked back at the oblivious face resting on his own. Having a hard time understanding why this guy wasn't throwing up.
"What was in your drink?"
"Mine? Just some mead. That Brany stuff is nasty."
He was now going to say something else, but Jenkins only smiled even more when he tried to dispel the painful face.
Jenkins looked at Michael's irritated expression ease up. Placing his one hand on the boy's shoulder, and scooping Jingwei up with the other.
"The goblin woman is in the dungeon for now. I'm also setting Jingwei there, for it is unwise to carry excess luggage when traveling."
After finishing this sentence Jenkins took a long pause. Drawing in a deep breath of air into his artificial lungs.
"And Michael..."
The tone of his voice seemed to hold a worried yet expecting energy behind it. Almost as if he had changed his usual indifferent and prideful attitude completly. His now blue eyes froze in place. Almost as if he looked at a sheep.
"Has something happend to you lately?"
Was it the way he said it? Or was it the heaviness resting beneath each word that caused the golden eyes boy to unconsciously panic. Making drops of sweat fall from his forehead. Halting every thought he had which told him to share anything.
"Nothing I really remember. What about it?"
Jenkins then turned back to face him. Forming a deep frown as started walking out of the room.
"No, I just wanted to ask."
He walked towards the door and quickly exited. Each of his footsteps made slight creaking noises as they greeted the stone floor which decked the halls. Jenkins did not weigh much, but every move he made contained a powerful energy, which would naturally make others tremble in fear.
And so he left. Not even giving a glance back as the door slammed shut.
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Now alone in his room, Michael kept looking at the sturdy plan outlining the exit with the old books on his lap.
'Strange. I felt the shadow of death grip me by the throat just now... It felt like if I had told him about...what happened earlier today, I would not live to see tomorrow...'
Removing his gaze from the entrance and onto his two books, Michael made up his mind for how to proceed forwards. Not wanting to worry too much about what had just happened.
'I...I will tell him after tommorow's plan is finished. As for now, Let's see if I can't at least get the the gist of what these books teach. Other than that, let me also practice the available spells.'
He placed all three onto his desk. Remembering how the knight from earlier had so casually shattered the confidence he had in his abilities.
'I don't remember everything...but didn't he talk about something called the Metal Shrine? I'll get Lissanna and her subordinates to gather some information on it...'
The rest of that night, Michael kept going through the battle manuals left for him, while occasionally trying to meditate on his magic essence.
However, while he tried to pour his all into getting more powerful, a small horde of illusive aberrations began to move inside his weakened mind. Each and every one slowly sharpening their fangs and claws while waiting for a chance to run loose...