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Chapter - 6: Hunt for Satiation
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Feat Achieved
[Ice King]
Pull Granted
A smile was inevitable on my face as I received my mental notification from the system, as this meant that my most thoughtful actions could yield rolls.
Inside the castle, one could see a grand atrium with vaulted ceilings, adorned with ice chandeliers that cast a dim and gentle light.
Legendary animal sculptures—dragons and phoenixes—decorated the walls, adding a sense of majesty to the place. Ice staircases spiraled up and down, leading to the interdimensional portal.
The inner rooms were fashioned with the elegance of a palace, featuring perfectly sculpted ice furniture—tables and chairs that seemed to invite one to sit despite their icy material.
As I surveyed the immense structure, I felt a profound satisfaction growing within me. The power of a grimoire was truly extraordinary, capable of turning my desires into tangible reality, and it had yet to reach its true potential.
Albion's Frostbound Castle was a testament to the magical strength I possessed, growing stronger with each passing second, and one day, not too far off, I might transform an entire world.
As I leaned back on my throne, I found myself immersed in reading the Tome of Cleaning spell that I held in my hands. It was a rare moment of quiet, a brief instance of peace where I could afford to relax and wait for my body to fully adjust to the powers I had absorbed.
I was aware that my body needed time to completely adapt to the powers I had recently absorbed. I still felt the energy flowing within me, a whirlwind of force that made me more powerful but also required a period of settling.
Additionally, I needed more time for my dragon core to perfectly synchronize with my body now that it had returned to its full capacity, so that my strength could be at its peak.
Fortunately, I had obtained the rune "Beast," which granted me a further boost in the speed of my adaptation process. I knew it would take several hours for my body to fully assimilate these new abilities, but even with this advantage, I couldn't afford to fall into the trap of obsessive power-seeking.
The thirst for power is a dangerous path, a trail that many Osmosians have walked before me, only to end up consumed by their own ambitions. I needed to be cautious with my actions, using every ounce of willpower I had, and not let the desire for power control me.
It was fortunate for me that the Dragon Flame was fragmented and not a true embodiment like the Phoenix Force; otherwise, instead of losing control, I would have been annihilated along with my soul.
Yes, Jean Grey, or Marvel Girl, was the temporary vessel of the Phoenix Force, one of the oldest cosmic entities in the Marvel universe, representing unborn life and being an immortal, indestructible, and mutable manifestation of the primordial universal force of life, and in a certain sense, death.
Similarly, in this universe, Bloom is the vessel of the Dragon Flame, which represents creation and is the source of all magic and life, making it clear that I held something very dangerous in my hands if I wasn't careful enough.
I had managed to obtain great power, and I couldn't afford to become obsessed with it. I couldn't risk losing control or compromising my mental sanity in my relentless pursuit of greater strength. Power, after all, was merely a means to a greater end.
For the moment, I was studying this Tome since it would certainly be the easiest to learn and would require less time. Moreover, it was quite useful to have if you were in a world completely submerged in water.
The Trix were resting at the moment, and I couldn't really blame them after what they had been through. They hadn't had a moment to recover, neither physically nor mentally.
It was as clear as day that some of them seemed different from the original series. After all, from what they had told me, they had faced much greater hardships before meeting me and freeing me from my imprisonment.
One month... They had survived a month in the Omega Dimension, and that deserved respect. No matter how much they tried to portray themselves as powerful witches who needed no one, they were still teenagers.
Everything had been different from what they had expected. Even Icy had been surprised when they were condemned, despite Griffin, Faragonda, and Thea arguing that they were too young to be sent to the Omega Dimension.
They had expected cruel cells and poor food or to be confined somewhere to atone for their crimes, but not to be catapulted to a planet without supervision and without any chance of escape.
They had told me about struggling for food and survival. Their magic was weakened but not entirely gone. Thanks to Icy, they hadn't suffered from hypothermia or frostbite, even though they hadn't found warm clothing to cover themselves.
They had managed to create a small base in a cave, a temporary refuge where they could hide and recover from their hardships. However, their tranquility didn't last long. The prison guards, ice serpents, eventually discovered them.
They had managed to escape the clutches of these icy guardians until they met me. When they freed me, it was only to use me as a distraction, a pawn in their desperate attempt to escape.
However, everything changed when they saw my strength. The power I demonstrated was enough for them to realize that I was much more than just a distraction. For me, this was perfect, as it aligned perfectly with my plans to gain their trust and loyalty.
I had saved them from being trapped in ice for an indefinite time while their dear Winx lived a peaceful life. I had added that last part to fuel their resentment towards the Winx, planning for a future confrontation.
I knew that one of the reasons the Trix always failed was because they didn't attack with lethal intent, and this had to change. I needed the Winx defeated at my feet so that I could absorb their powers and take something from within them.
The other fragments of the Dragon Flame...
It was something I had discovered a long time ago while researching in the fandom. I would have never imagined that information could be useful to me. However, I wasn't sure of its accuracy and would need to find a way to verify it.
Spell Learned
[Wiping Spell]
[The Wiping Spell (Tergeo) was the incantation of a cleaning spell used to siphon liquids such as blood, dust or grease, and to clean objects]
Hmm, it only took me a few minutes to learn it, which showed that my advantage was working, and that was really great for when I tried to create personal spells to increase my strength.
I rose from my ice throne, and as I looked at my body, I realized it no longer resembled a vessel brimming with water on the verge of overflowing. The sensation of lightness I felt was new and incredibly liberating, and I couldn't ask for more.
I decided to summon the Warrior Xenomorph before me. I couldn't help but absorb power, and I felt that this was the right moment to do it. The creature appeared, imposing and majestic, ready to grant me the strength I needed.
It was an imposing creature and clearly so, emanating an aura of pure hostility. Its skin was a glossy black, almost metallic, reflecting the little light present, giving it a spectral and threatening appearance.
The head, elongated and smooth, ended in a sharp point, devoid of visible eyes, which heightened the sense of terror, as it seemed to be a perfect killing machine without the need for sight.
The Xenomorph's jaws were a tangle of sharp, gleaming teeth, constantly open in a horrible grin that revealed a second set of inner mandibles, ready to snap and pierce the prey.
Its skeletal structure was perfectly adapted for speed and strength, with powerful muscles rippling beneath the translucent skin. The arms were long and strong, ending in hands equipped with razor-sharp claws, perfect for tearing through flesh with ease.
The legs were equally robust, designed to leap with agility and maintain perfect balance on any surface. But the tail was their true weapon for hunting: long, segmented, and incredibly flexible, ending in a sharp point, perfect for striking with lethal precision.
It was easy to see that every movement of the Xenomorph was fluid and silent, like a perfect predator. There was no hesitation in its steps, only a cold and relentless determination.
The creature emanated a sense of pure malice and imminent danger, making it clear to anyone facing it that it was a force of nature created solely to follow the orders of its queen and kill any form of life.
Indeed, a part of me wanted to keep it for the future, in case things got out of hand, and to have a powerful servant who could handle everything in my place, as I couldn't be present at every occasion.
But I couldn't really do that. It was too tempting to have the power of this species, known for being one of the most lethal and fascinating alien races in science fiction, due to their deadliness and adaptability in a wide range of environments, including planets with extreme conditions.
Mission:
[Win Your Instinct]
Primary Objective: Obtain an inexhaustible source of power from this universe, capable of sustaining you in any circumstance, and absorb it without losing yourself to the madness of power for which the Osmosian race is known.
Secondary Objective: Convince someone to willingly grant you their powers, demonstrating that you are not a beast but rather a hunter waiting for the right moment to shoot your arrow.
Reward:
Your Minor Curse (Minor Greed) evolves into a unique talent.
This was really great; honestly, I was already thinking of a way to minimize this curse. But it seemed that there was no longer a need, as I had already solved that problem.
Anyway, the first objective was not a problem, as I already had some sources of power in mind. The real challenge would be not losing myself to my greed. For this reason, I needed to strengthen my mind.
As for the second objective, it didn't seem too difficult to achieve. I just had to be patient and carefully choose my target to corrupt, so that they would be on my side.
And coincidentally, I already had two fairies in mind who seemed perfect for my plan. In the original series, they were pathetic and never managed to achieve their ambitions. I wouldn't mind giving them a hand and helping them discover their true potential.
I felt the power of the Xenomorph flowing through my body, and I felt great as its vital force coursed through me like an electric shock. The Xenomorph in front of me writhed and moaned, the pain evident in every fiber of its being.
With one hand firmly gripping the creature's throat, I could clearly feel the increase in my strength; every moment seemed to intensify the power I was absorbing.
"Relax," I whispered in a calm and almost reassuring tone, as my grip on the Xenomorph's throat tightened, "Soon it will all be over, and you will become a part of me."
The Xenomorph emitted one final, agonizing wail before everything ceased. I felt the creature's body weaken under my grip, and a final surge of power coursed through its being until, at a certain point, the creature vanished from existence while I mentally reveled in my triumph.
As I absorbed the essence of the Xenomorph, my body began to change. My skin grew harder, taking on a dark, glossy hue. I could feel my skeletal structure shifting, becoming more robust and adapted to the new strength I had acquired.
Two long, black horns emerged from my forehead, curved and menacing. My eyes transformed, becoming a bright green that glowed with an intense, inhuman light.
My hair remained unchanged, long and black as the deepest darkness, cascading over my shoulders and framing a face that expressed an unsettling beauty and palpable danger, capable of making any woman in front of me tremble.
My arms and legs had grown stronger and more muscular, ending in razor-sharp claws. A long, flexible tail extended from my back, ending in a sharp point, ready to strike with lethal precision.
My new hybrid form, a perfect fusion of human and Xenomorph, was truly incredible. Every movement I made was fluid and charged with explosive power; every breath I took clarified the type of predator I had become.
I had become something completely new, something much more dangerous, capable of facing even a Xenomorph Queen without hesitation if she stood before me at this moment.
I felt an unstoppable confidence growing within me, fueled by having drained my first true powerful creature, giving me an unprecedented boost of strength.
I didn't care in the slightest about being ruthless. In the end, what really mattered was survival. If I couldn't protect myself, how could I protect the people who would stand by my side in the future?
Feat Achieved
[Ruthless...]
Pull Granted
"Rest in peace." A chuckle of amusement escaped my lips. "I'm sorry, but you were too tempting not to."
Now, hunting more magical beasts to obtain the magical affinities I desired would be a piece of cake. The abilities I had acquired made me an extraordinary hunter, impossible to stop in any environment.
It was only a matter of time before I would return to my former strength, and with this, I wouldn't have to worry as much about someone coming to this universe to try to conquer it.
Rolling.
Result: Epic Item.
[Familiar Stone]
Source: Zero no Tsukaima
It seemed the system had a vindictive streak, and it would be wise to keep that in mind. I didn't want to end up on its bad side; the Gacha was already enough to deal with in this new life of mine.
However, I had to admit that this item was incredibly useful. It allowed me to transform a consenting creature into my familiar, compelling it to obey my commands.
This offered me many opportunities that shouldn't be underestimated. The power to transform a consenting creature into my familiar was just the beginning. Combined with my ability to absorb matter, I would truly enjoy transforming my enemies into servants ready to fulfill my every wish.
It wasn't just about power and control but also about a perverse pleasure in seeing those who were once fierce adversaries bend to my will. Each broken resistance, each annihilated will, would fuel my ego and desire for dominance.
With a roar that shattered the silence of the surrounding environment, my body transformed into something very different from usual; after all, I needed to test my limits. My three transformations intertwined into a single chimera, the maximum I could achieve for now.
My skin was a blend of robust white scales and a dark, glossy carapace, reflecting light with a metallic quality. Some areas had blue and green hues, creating an effect that would allow me to adapt to both terrestrial and aquatic environments.
My arms and legs were much less muscular than before, covered in a combination of white and black scales. The extremities were equipped with sharp, lethal claws. My tail, long and flexible, ended in a sharp, venomous point, ready to kill.
My face had two long, black-and-white curved horns on my forehead and glowing red eyes with a hint of green, giving me a threatening appearance. My hair, long and black with white highlights, fell over my shoulders.
Along my neck were integrated gill-like structures for aquatic breathing. A silver mane of overlapping scales extended down my back, providing an additional layer of protection.
Every part of my body was a synthesis of the three transformations, creating a formidable and versatile being. This fusion of powers and characteristics made it nearly impossible to defeat me, at least in this universe.
Feat Achieved
[Chimera]
Pull Granted
It was an appropriate title for my new form. Even though I had absorbed only a few powers for now, the control I had over myself was extraordinary. This allowed me to avoid becoming another Aggregor, a being consumed by the powers he had accumulated.
The power was assured in this form, a blend of different abilities and strengths that granted me unique and devastating capabilities. However, power alone was useless if it wasn't under my complete control. Every new ability, every new power absorbed, had to be integrated and mastered with precision.
I was aware that with time and experience, I could absorb many other powers, each adding a new layer to my already impressive strength. But without proper control, I risked losing my identity and my mental sanity.
Every step towards assimilating new abilities had to be taken with caution and deliberation. Only by doing so could I fully harness the potential of my Chimera form.
I was determined to maintain a perfect balance between power and control, ensuring that each new acquisition was an advantage and not a burden that could lead to my future downfall.
Rolling.
Result: Mythic Power.
[Adaptive Development]
Source: Evolve
[This power allows you, after absorbing enough energy, to choose an evolutionary path. It enables you to adapt to the circumstances you deem most opportune with a series of unique abilities and resistances, evolving to optimize your response and ensure your survival.]
A Mythic! My very first Mythic roll, which legitimately seems really good, and I couldn't be more pleased. Evolve, huh?
... The multiplayer hunting game by Turtle Rock Studios? From what I remember, it was quite popular, but at some point, it completely...
Human colonies on Shear are threatened by the relentless attack of monsters. In response, the corporation managing the colonies decides to call in an elite team of hunters to eliminate the threat and save the colonists.
The hunters must collaborate to track, hunt, and kill the monsters before they evolve and become too powerful to be stopped, or die in the attempt since they are the prey.
Each game of Evolve represents a battle between the hunters and the monster, which starts weak but can evolve by consuming the local fauna, growing in size and power.
The hunters, on the other hand, must find the monster and bring it down before it reaches its final form and destroys the designated objective, such as a generator or a key structure of the colony.
It was indeed a perfect power for me, and perhaps it would also be my long-term solution for finally controlling my powers, or at least it would be a simple evolution in the right direction to achieve that.
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Osmosian Sorcerer?: 3 advanced chapters:
patreon.com/Demon_King22
Chapter - 7: Sorcerer's Journey.
Chapter - 8: Voracious Instinct
Chapter - 9: Interlude
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