Lynn glanced up and realized he had arrived at the outskirts of the abandoned district. The chaotic environment had taken its toll on him, and he was eager to leave, at least for the time being. However, deep down, he knew that he would inevitably find himself back in this place again.
The dark side of this district presented him with the perfect resources to further his ascent to power. Within this lawless realm lay both promising opportunities and significant perils.
"Until next time," Lynn whispered under his breath, taking one last look around before stepping across the boundary, leaving the desolate district behind in a blur of motion.
Having become intimately familiar with the district, discretion was unimportant to him. The guards stationed around the perimeter caught sight of nothing more than a fleeting shadow, swiftly vanishing into the distant horizon.
The next nightmare paradise deadline was fast approaching, and Lynn had some last preparations to do before then.
It didn't take long before he was already on the outskirts of H city, in a secluded alley. He changed his clothes to casual clothes and took off the faceless mask.
He let out a loud sigh. "It feels good to be back in a familiar area, even if it's still a bit run down," Lynn said aloud.
The sun was beginning its descent from its zenith, so Lynn didn't waste time and headed straight for his small rental house. As he walked briskly through the quiet streets, his thoughts turned to the abandoned district he had just left behind.
"That lawless realm is fascinating but also incredibly dangerous," Lynn pondered. "I managed to avoid being implicated in troubles, but next time I may not be so fortunate."
He shook his head, trying to shift his focus back to the present. There were more pressing matters requiring his attention now.
Upon arriving at his safe home, Lynn immediately got to work. First, he meticulously organized all the supplies and weapons acquired in the abandoned district, taking inventory of everything. The ammunition, explosives, weapons, and other items joined the med kit and other tools salvaged from the hospital dungeon trial.
Next, Lynn carefully removed the Bloody Reaper pistol from its case. Holding the antique firearm, Lynn could sense there was more to it than met the eye. He recalled the evaluation indicating it had been tainted by extraordinary blood, but the transformation process halted.
"I wonder if I can resume your evolution," He muttered, turning the non-functional weapon over in his hands.
Lynn paused, his mind racing with thoughts and possibilities, an idea was forming. Technically, he could be considered an extraordinary creature, perhaps his own blood could resume the evolution of this weapon.
Steeling himself, Lynn lifted his left hand to his mouth. He bit down hard on his index finger, nearly tearing a chunk of flesh away as blood began gushing forth. Lynn didn't even flinch, focused intently on his goal.
With his right hand, he firmly grasped the Bloody Reaper. Lynn swiftly wiped the freely flowing blood onto the matte black surface of the antique firearm. He made sure to thoroughly coat every inch, letting his vital essence seep into the very pores of the metal.
The dark body of the pistol became soaked, glistening wetly. As the last drops of blood were smeared on, an eerie phenomenon occurred.
The Bloody Reaper seemed to take on a life of its own in that moment. A powerful impulse radiated from the weapon, striking Lynn's mind like a tidal wave.
Lynn's eyes widened in alarm. He had not anticipated such an intense reaction. Focusing on his will, he immediately activated [Gemini Soul] to observe the ongoing process in depth.
Peering closer through the lens of [Gemini Soul], Lynn witnessed the blood coating the pistol's surface writhing and twisting like living creatures. appeared to be drawn into the body of the weapon.
Like iron filings drawn to a magnet, the blood was absorbed into the inner workings and mechanisms of the Bloody Reaper. As more vital fluid vanished inside, a resonating hum reverberated from the firearm. The entire gun took on a faint glow.
Lynn seemed to feel a connection forming between himself and the gun. It was as if the Bloody Reaper had claimed a part of his essence, forging a mystical bond between them.
Then, without warning, a torrent of information suddenly flooded Lynn's mind. If he wasn't in the [Gemini Soul] state, his mind would have been overwhelmed. Images, memories, and fragments of knowledge cascaded through his consciousness, each piece intertwining with his own thoughts and experiences.
Lynn stood motionless, accepting and analyzing the vivid influx of data. After several long minutes, the process gradually subsided. The piercing hum faded away as the Bloody Reaper returned to its previous inert state, no longer glowing or pulsating with power.
He let out a long exhale as he slowly deactivated [Gemini Soul], the strain of maintaining it nearly at his limit. His fingers gingerly released their grip on the weapon.
"I can't believe I just stumbled upon a hidden treasure," Lynn exclaimed breathlessly. His hands trembled faintly from the intensity of what he had just experienced.
Upon closer examination, the surface of the pistol now looked subtly different - the aged metal seemed newer, the ornate etchings more pronounced. It was as if the object had become rejuvenated through absorbing Lynn's vital essence.
Filled with anticipation, Lynn promptly activated [Evaluation] on the Bloody Reaper once more, eager to see what changes the skill would now detect.].
[Bloody Reaper (Soul Bond)]
[Grade: Common (Evolutive)]
[Evaluation: A weapon forged in the fires of war and soaked in the blood of its victims. After fusing with extraordinary essences, it started to awaken supernatural attributes.]
Lynn's pulse quickened at the updated appraisal. This affirmed his suspicions - rather than being permanently disabled, the pistol's original transformation had simply been interrupted halfway. By offering his own extraordinary blood, Lynn had successfully restarted the evolutionary process.
"This is an incredible stroke of fortune," Lynn said to himself, grinning widely. "I may have gained more than just a weapon. This could be a valuable partner as I move forward."