Right now in the [Doors of life] facility, several leages of armed guards with runic crossbows stood rooted in the end of a long hall. Eying down the other end as if waiting for something.
"Remeber men. Do not falter!" The leading soldier shouted out in order to encourage his friends. However, after his voice echoed into their ears, a massive shockwave smashed appart the large metal door they aimed at. Turning the material into shrapnel, and rippling the ground with an immeasurable amount of cracks.
They all ignored the residual shards from the door and all aimed their weapons. Waiting for their leader to give the order
"Freeze! Or we will open fire!" And as expected, he gave a warning before rashly acting. Too bad that this was a completely wasted act.
The shadowy individual on the other end didn't give them another chance and shot out something resembling a water bullet. Hitting the leader right in the head and turning all nearby tissue into steaming sauce.
The rest of the soldiers lost their faces and all just wildly shot. Firing of blue beams of icy energy at the empty space.
"AAAHH SHOOT IT DOWN!!! CALL REINFORCEME....*BOOM*" One of the men wanted to yell out, but something resembling a claw suddenly smashed his skull into bloody sand.
The rest all turned around to meet the smiling beastman clinging onto their brother's remains. Flexing the row of sharp white teeth in a mad cresent moon while it silently whispered something to each one.
"4."
Michael then disappeared from his spot like a ghost. Blending into the air.
"NO!! I HAVE CHILDR..."
"MY SISTER IS SI.."
"WHY ARE YOU DOING TH..."
"PLEASE SPARE.."
When he moved, only a black and red streak could be seen. And when he struck, only the sizzling noise created by the charred flesh would be left behind. Managing to silence all of them in a matter of seconds.
"What a bore.."
Michael now stood alone in the bloody hallway while dwelling on something. Trying to remember a certan someone.
"Oh, I almost forgot.." He opened his yellow eyes fully up and looked at the door he punched down. Brightly smiling at it as he screamed out with joy.
"Are you coming, Winter Darl.."
"STOP CALLING ME THAT!!!"
Out of the hole came the halting girl Winter. Her previous damaged foot had been healed thanks to some bio-prosthetic michael found on one of the guards on their way here. Making her new leg look like a black shoe made up from vertebrates. Lined out by a bunch of red streaks.
Her mood had also seemed to change after witnessing him slaughter all the people they came across. However, the real thing that may have flipped her off was when they passed by some of her old colleges who all wildly attacked her. Saying that she should stay here and die while they fled.
Michael wanted to ignore them, but the girl's face suddenly darkened and she asked him to kill them. Which he surely did. They had also gotten on better terms now too thanks to this incident.
"Shesh. No need to be like that. Anywas, tell me about this place. We are kind of acquaintances now and all."
They had walked through this labyrinth for a couple of minutes. However, most of it was just him listening to Winter's instructions.
"Whatever..."
Winter just casually walked over to Michael's side. Stepping over the corpses of the soldiers, and starring at the large door they stood guard before. It was covered by a large translucent bubble. Making sure as to not let in any unidentified personnel.
"Most of the experiments we do here are based around biology... The place we are heading to now is one of the laboratories where my dorm lies."
"Great! Do you want me to carry you?"
"No, we are almost there..."
She arrived at the end of the long iron hall where the covered door laid and swiftly put one of her hands over it. And as she did, the dome quickly faded away. Recognizing her DNA.
The door also quickly opened up. However, before they entered, Winter wanted to behave himself while they were inside. As most of the equipment was quite expensive.
"Please don't touch anythi..." But as she turned around, she was greeted by the grotesque sight of the man hogging doen the scorched remains of the soldiers. Not even chewing properly before swallowing them down.
He also turned to look at her. Trying to talk with his mouth full.
"Mwdhid Mwhou mwheed mwhanything?"
Winter felt like throwing up and just focused back on the door. Covering her mouth while answering him.
"No...Forget it.."
Finally, they could continue forwards into the vast futuristic laboratory. Dekked over with several sets of long desks covered in papers and filled vials. The floor was painted black, while the walls and roof was mostly green. However, the rows of bookshelfs and desks would take your attention away for the mos part.
Winter just walked past all of it as she was looking for something specific, while Michael glanced down at all the vials and glasses containing all sorts of unkown liquids.
"Winter, what are those?"
"Bloodline extracts and mutation formulas. My department only ever worked with those kinds of things." The girl only paid him some sloght amounts of attention before shuffling over to a nearby broken box filled with junk. Proceeding to stick her hand in it.
Michael ignored what she did. Only wishing to know if there was more of this stuff available.
"Oh? Are there more of them here?"
"No, most of the other researchers would make some on paper. Only I am able to brew them." She nonchalantly answered.
"You?" Michael opened his eyes to her casual answer. Not being able toimagine her doing it.
"Well, I specialize in quantum biology, potioneering and alchemy. So yes. But you wouldn't get most of it.. No one ever does.." Winter once more carelessly said. Not attaching such knowledge with any importance.
However, altough this was but mediocre intelligence in her mind, Michael almost passed out from what she said. Remembering a subject very similar to one on his old world.
"Quantum biology?! Like physics and cells?! You know that?!"
"W...Well yes."
"You are much more impressive than I thought! As expected of my acquaintance!"
Winter looked at the smiling Michael with a dumbstruck look. Feeling almost as awe stricken as himself.
"It...It isn't that big of a dea...Wait! We are not acquaintances!!" Her pale expression cleared up after she finished talking. Once more going to focus on looking through the box.
But the moment she looked away, Michael proceeding to suck all of the glass tubes laying spread over the large table into his mouth. Swallowing down all the glass bits an though metal parts like they were dough.
These frail materials could do no damage to his body. Hell, mabye even his blood vessels had the same strength as a metal wire now.
"Like cotton candy glaced with vinegar."
.
[Compatible mediums for Unkown inheritance has fused and absorbed togheter.]
[Unknown inheritance has mutated]
.
"Hmm. It feels like something within my circulatory system was added? System, show me the new stuff I gained."
.
[Incomplete Abilites unlocked!]
[Requirements not met. Cannot utilize]
.
"Requirements not met? Well, sure. But I guess finding more of those potions would be good."
However, as he finished his little meal, Winter had finally found what she looked. Pulling out a rolled up map from the box.
"Winter. Where can I find more of this bloodline stuff?"
The girl turned around in his direction. Planning to pass him the map and move on. But her words were cut short by the sudden disappearance of the hundres of vials, previously covering the white bench running through the room.
"What do you mea..? DID YOU CHEW THEM ALL DOWN?!"
All of those potions were highly corrosive if not injected or used properly, and you would most likely turn into a real fruit if you ever just ingested all of them at the same time.
"I didn't chew them down." Michael blandly answered her. Standing there without much care.
"Then what happened?!"
"I swallowed them."
Winter wanted to dig out her eyes, but resisted the temptation.
"You...just go straight down the hall....the further you get the more expensive stuff you'll find.."
"You sure it's alright telling me this? I might kill more of your friends."
"I don't have any....And definetly not any longer now...."
She stepped away from the box and walked over to him. Handing over the rolled up sheet of paper and saying her goodbyes.
"Here's your map. You said you were going to Nunel, right? Well, if you ever travel to Delil then give me a hand in some experiments. I don't think staying here would be viable any longer.."
Mabye because the connection they made when Michael pured his chaos energy into her body, or just by the fact that she didn't give any more shits. Winter gladly asked for his help.
"And you want to see me because we have become such good friends?"
"No! Getting ingredients for alchemy in general is very physical demanding. I'll pay you for your service, so think of it like hiring some muscle."
Michael gave her a faint nod and let the girl finish. Giving her a weak nod as a token of gratitude.
"Sure, Winter. I'll come and say hi one day."
But as she started walking off, he once more shouted at her.
"Oh, and one more thing, M'lady!"
Winter turned ariund to his call. Looking a little dissatisfied.
"Spit it out."
Her usually pleasent face wasn't so charming any more. And as to not bother her, he got straight to the point. Quickly throwing her one of his silver rings. Containing something only he knew.
Winter caught the small silver ornament in her small hand. Looking at it with some shock.
"A storage ring?"
"There's two fancy potions inside, some documents on how they are made and what they do. I hope you could help me improve it somehow, as this isn't really my speciality!"
Winter gazed back at the silver ring with a saddend look. However, her line of sight only rested on the ring for a moment before unwillingly going back to meet the beastlord's face.
And as she looked into Michael's yellow eyes, she remembered her plea for second chance at life which was answered by the one before her.
It ignited a loyal fire inside her broken heart. And even though this beastman who's race was the most hated amongst the humankind, she could not help but reminisce of the torturous years of constant abuse suffered by her fellow kinsmen.
Winter then bit her lips and fastened her depressed glare. Giving it a slight determination which would fuel her actions.
"I....I don't mind. However, if you start a mess after entering Delil then don't come see me..."
She did not bother staying here any longer after clearing her head. Only putting on a long brown coat to cover up her bloody clothes and a fancy ring before wandering off. Not giving Michael another look.
'I felt some pressure coming from that ring. Must be some type of artifact.'
Likewise, he didn't bother her anymore. Looking towards the direction she had given him.
"Let's clean this place out and move on!"
.....
[new bloodlines gained]
(Light swan: 1%)
(Lava Bull: 1%)
(Shrapnel Badger: 1%)
(Triad Python: 1%)
(Star deer: 1%)
(Stag champion: 1%)
(Temple Gorilla: 1%)
.
[New genetic codes added]
(Bedrock rat added)
.
"This looks promising!"
Michael had left Winter and continued further inside. Smashing down any people or doors who dare stand in his way. Smearing their temains over the tacy black floor.
Every new area he enter would deliver him less than the previous one. Even with the futuristic design and the evil scientist kind of vibe the rooms gave off, he only found some minor bloodline samples alongside some labrats. Which he also just swallowed down.
Michael felt a little disappointed that there wasn't more dna samples spread around, but there had to be a place here where all was stored. And of course, he had to oay a visit to their armoury.
"Lets see, this should be the last door."
His yellow and red eyes shimmered before the iron plate blocking his way. And with only a wave of his hand, it was slashed into three separate pieces. Tumbling to the ground.
'Let's see what's here..'
As the plates covering his sight disappeared, Michael got a view of the inside.
The room was completely black, only having a strong dark light coming from the end of it. Pulling him towards it like a moth.
'Is that it..?''
"Strider's step."
Michael flung himself away through the dim hall with one sweep. Shooting away towards the light. and stopping not to far away where three things greeted him.
First was the man and the woman standing there. The guy had a fancy dark green military uniform on, several scars on his face, and a cool saber on his side.
Meanwhile, the girl looked very similar to the other researchers he had just slaughtered. However, her looks were less haggard than theirs, as her black hair, hazel eyes and black lips sparked up an elegant torrent in his head.
And last bur not least, the third object.
Behind these two stood a massive glass container storing a large half decomposed corpse of something looking like a dinosaur. Actually, the light from the room seemed to be generated by the body. Releasing some sort of photon particles out of its scaly and bony black limbs.
'Looks like a raptor....or mabye a wyvern?'
But he only looked at it for a second. Not completely sure which of the people he should kill first.
"So, would one of you two lovely people be kind enough to tell me what that large pile of bone is?"
Michael tried breaking the ice with a good line. However, as he waited for the two to respond, the male just took a step forwards.
"Xalder."
Michael grubbingly flapped his sharp ears a little while starring confusingly at the guy. Not too sure what he wanted.
"Is that some kind of toilet paper?"
Although he figured that it was the man's name, he would much rather tick him off than have a duel.
"AHAHHAHA!!! DID YOU HEAR THAT CAPTAIN?!! HAHAHA HE SAYS THE ONLY THING YOU CAN DO IS WHIPE OUR ASS!!!" And surely, not only did he furrow his brows, but the girl behind him also began to frantically laugh like a pig.
"Lady Cheryl. Please, it's not that funn.."
"HAHAHAHAAH!!!!!"
Michael only scratchd his ears to their little dispute. Quickly interrupting them when the girl calmed down.
"But yeah, I really want to find out what that thing behind you does! So, could you please step away?"
"No." The military captain seemed to regain his cool as he aimed himself back at the beastman. Slamming his black boots into the floor.
Now, with a smile on his face, Michael summoned forth the fragmented bloodlines he had absorbed. Trying to see if something new would manifest.
However, as Michael called upon his powers, Cheryl's thought process ran at full speed. Feeling as if she just fiund something rather unexpected
'Something within his body...It gives off the same feeling as THAT.'
Menawhile, Xalder narrowed his eyes and pulled out the saber on his waist. Drawing it in a beautiful arc which left glitters of silver behind.
"Three strokes, beast. That is all I need."
Michael brightly smiled at him and stretched out his morphing hand. Watching as some white scales began to manifest on it.
"One dent in your skull, boy. That is all I need."