In the middle of a large chamber, voices filled the air, creating a chaotic symphony. Among them stood old man Mortimer, his face showing the signs of age and experience, as he listened to the voices vying for his attention in the communication devices.
The response from his fellow Blood Vampire Progenitors surprised him; they held him in high regard, as if his actions had deeply resonated with their ancient souls.
The voice that had been persistently bothering him now spoke again, but this time with a tone of surprise and respect.
"Old man Mortimer, I never expected you to be so harsh, but we respect your decision," the voice declared, filled with a mix of awe and admiration.
It became clear that Mortimer's intentions behind his actions had not gone unnoticed.
Caught up in the fervor of the moment, the other elders began to express their own sentiments, showering Mortimer with respect and admiration.
"Old man Mortimer, you're one tough cookie," one of them exclaimed. Another chimed in, "You're a great example, a shining beacon for all of us." And yet another elder added, "It would be disrespectful if we didn't follow this old man. His clan has achieved greatness, thanks to him."
As Mortimer absorbed their words, he found himself at a loss for a response.
He hadn't sought their praise or admiration; he had simply acted according to his beliefs and an unwavering sense of duty to his own clan, not like this.
If he had gotten this praise sometime in the past, he would feel honored. However, now, he was disgusted.
Mortimer briefly wondered if the human that can be seen in the crystal ball knew about this, but he quickly dismissed the thought. It seemed unlikely that the human could be aware of the honor code that guided their actions.
Yet, a nagging doubt lingered in the back of Mortimer's mind.
Lost in his thoughts, Mortimer turned his gaze back to the crystal ball, which revealed the figure of Murky.
The advanced technology displayed a remarkably clear image, allowing Mortimer to scrutinize every detail of the human's face.
How did he know about Honor code?
Mortimer silently wondered, his eyes searching for answers that remained elusive.
Suddenly, a commanding voice interjected, cutting through the chaotic sea of conversation.
It demanded attention and brooked no dissent.
"Ah, so that's the situation," the voice declared, resonating with authority.
The room fell into silence, every elder showing deep reverence.
Mortimer himself was taken aback, his mouth sealed shut under the weight of the voice's presence.
"Mortimer," it spoke with a calmness like deep space.
"Once bestowed with honor, it must be honored," the voice continued, its words carrying profound weight.
It referred to the secret honor code that had guided their civilization for centuries, the code that had kept their society intact even in the face of adversity.
It was a code they were willing to sacrifice their lives for, a code that demanded utmost respect and adherence.
In that moment, Mortimer felt a surge of emotion welling up within him.
The weight of his actions, the weight of the honor bestowed upon him, pressed heavily on his shoulders with deep pain. And as he looked once more at the figure of Murky in the crystal ball, he couldn't even feel a sense of kinship with the human.
Maybe, in his own hands, he wanted to eradicate this human.
Still, deep within his being, Elder Mortimer experienced a whirlwind of emotions.
He hadn't expected events to unfold in this manner.
Murky's mention of the Honor code seemed to suggest that humans possessed knowledge of their advanced civilization.
How could this be?
Mortimer pondered this question, his mind filled with uncertainty.
He hesitated, biting his tongue before finally responding, "Yes, I will honor it."
Meanwhile, in the distant realm, Murky lazily held the crystal ball in his palm, unaware of the unintended consequences his actions had on the elders and the nightmare world.
After all, ignorance, as they say, can be both a blessing and a curse.
With a mischievous grin, he called out,"Hey, elder! Are you still there, listening?"
His laughter echoed through the nightmarish realm.
Murky wasn't sure if his plan would succeed, but if it did, he would undoubtedly emerge victorious in this nightmarish dream realm.
"Yes," replied the elder Progenitor, his voice tinged with weariness. Murky seized the opportunity to prolong the conversation, intentionally drawing out his question.
"So, our deal was...?" he inquired, his words lingering in the air.
The elder audibly sighed, and Murky sensed a hint of exasperation in his voice.
Realization washed over Murky, causing his face to pale.
"Huh?"
He stammered, seeking confirmation.
"Can you repeat that again?"
The elder Progenitor sighed once more,
"Sure, you can have them."
When Murky confirmed this news, he was ecstatic.
It felt like a dream come true. He couldn't believe what had just happened and kept repeating the question to himself.
"What just happened?"
Then, unexpectedly, the elder Progenitor asked another question.
"By the way, how did you...remember that Honor code?"
The elder seemed curious, as if he wanted to know how Murky came to know about the sacred code of the Progenitor civilization.
Murky's heart skipped a beat when he heard the elder's words.
The use of the word "remember" made Murky think that the elder suspected him of knowing about the Honor code.
Panic set in, and Murky started sweating.
He had learned about the code from a movie, not from the Progenitors themselves.
Should he make up a story and claim to have mind-reading abilities?
Murky thought about it for a moment, but then decided against it. He knew that such a lie would only make the elder Progenitor more suspicious.
As Murky tried to come up with a believable excuse, he noticed three Nematoceran hounds returning to his side.
To his delight, they had captured three Progenitors and were holding them hostage.
Murky felt a surge of confidence and scoffed, "Old man, you couldn't even figure out where my attacks were coming from or control the creatures under my command. Why would I tell you anything?"
He signaled the Nematoceran hounds to bring the captured Progenitors closer with a flick of his hand.
With a commanding gesture, Murky ordered the Nematoceran hounds to move forward, their attention fixed on the three captured Progenitors.
As he watched, a thought crossed his mind, "Can Snow still make it?"
In an instant, his eyes changed, revealing dragon-like pupils.
However, the elder Progenitor on the other side didn't notice this transformation, as he was holding the communication device tightly, and the other two Progenitors were safely tucked away in his pocket.
The newly born Progenitors seemed to understand what was expected of them.
They quickly approached Murky, blazing with courage.
The Nematoceran hounds, sensing their purpose, released their hold on the captives and lunged at Murky. But just like the previous two, they too met their end.
Kabam!
Murky swiftly struck them down, severing their upper bodies and causing blood to spray.
"Heh!"
He smirked, feeling a sense of boredom.
Their deaths were so quick that he couldn't even enjoy their suffering. But he knew he had to be patient a little longer.
Soon, he would awaken the Blood nanotechnology of the Progenitor civilization, and everything would fall into place.
Meanwhile, on the other side of the realm, Elder Progenitor Mortimer was furious. Murky's smug response had angered him.
He clenched his fist and formed a plan in his mind.
At the same time, Murky absorbed the blood of the fallen Progenitors, updating his record to
Ding!
[ 43/50. ]
He gestured to the Nematoceran hounds, instructing them, "Guard me. I need to rest."
With three more Progenitors eliminated, Murky was confident that these hounds would protect him while he slept.
Suddenly, an idea struck him.
"You," he pointed to one of the hounds, speaking firmly, "go find me a fresh berry or hunt down a young deer for my sustenance. I need nourishment."
He then looked down, contemplating further.
"And also, get me some coconut water. Bring me at least four coconuts," he added, giving his orders.
Soon, seeing then just stand there, with a wave of his hand, he signaled the designated hound to go on its assigned tasks.