Chapter 7: The Dark Pulse
Kai crouched beside the fallen Nightwing, the forest floor cool against his knees. The air was thick with the scent of decay and something... else. Something darker. His heart raced with anticipation as he prepared to absorb the creature's power.
This is it, Kai thought, his eyes fixed on the monstrous corpse. This is how I get stronger. How I survive.
He took a deep breath, steadying himself. The urge to devour was overwhelming, a primal need clawing at his insides. With practiced control, Kai extended his hand, watching as his fingers morphed into a translucent, gooey substance.
As his slime enveloped the Nightwing, Kai's mind went blank. It was pure instinct now, his body knowing exactly what to do. The acidic properties of his ability dissolved flesh, bone, and the lingering corrupted energy.
Come on, Kai urged silently. Give me your strength.
The process was quicker than he expected, as if the Nightwing was eager to be consumed. Kai felt its essence seep into him, merging with his own Luminia. It wasn't pleasant – like swallowing something bitter and slimy – but Kai didn't care. Power was power, no matter how it tasted.
But as the last of the Nightwing dissolved, disappointment hit Kai like a punch to the gut. The surge of strength he'd hoped for... it wasn't there. Sure, he felt a bit stronger, his energy replenished, but it wasn't the game-changing boost he'd anticipated.
"Damn it," Kai muttered, clenching his fists. "All that for this?"
It dawned on him then – the Nightwing, for all its ferocity, had been just a Level 1 creature like him. Its true power had come from its demonization, not its inherent strength.
I'm an idiot, Kai berated himself. I should have known better.
Just as he was about to write off the whole experience, something strange happened. It was like a door creaking open in his mind, revealing knowledge that hadn't been there before. Kai focused, letting the new information settle.
Nightshade, he realized. A new skill. The ability to blend into shadows, to become nearly invisible in darkness.
Curiosity piqued, Kai tested it out. His body responded instantly, fading into the forest's shadows until he was barely visible. A grin spread across his face.
"Now this... this is useful," he murmured, letting the shadows release him.
But his satisfaction was short-lived. Without warning, a sinister energy surged through him, catching Kai completely off guard. It felt like ice in his veins, a dark pulse spreading from his core. He doubled over, clutching his chest as pain ripped through him.
What the hell is this? Kai thought, gritting his teeth against the agony. It felt like his very soul was being torn apart.
The world around him blurred, fading away until all Kai could focus on was the pain. The dark energy writhed inside him, burrowing deeper and deeper. It was worse than any physical pain he'd ever experienced.
Just when Kai thought he couldn't take anymore, the energy reached his core. There, it collided with his Luminia, the pure energy that was as much a part of him as his own heartbeat.
For a moment, chaos reigned. Light and darkness clashed, fighting for dominance. Kai's entire body felt like it was on fire, every nerve screaming in protest.
Then, as suddenly as it began, it stopped. The pain faded, leaving Kai gasping for breath. The dark energy settled, intertwining with his Luminia in a way that felt... disturbingly right.
What... what just happened to me? Kai wondered, his mind reeling.
Slowly, carefully, he looked down at his hands. They were steady, but different. The usual blue hue of his slime was now tinged with black. A visible reminder of the change within him.
Kai stood, his legs shaky but strong. He felt... different. More grounded, more powerful. His muscles were more defined, his frame slightly taller. But it wasn't just physical. There was something else – a new awareness, a dark potential thrumming just beneath the surface.
Curious, Kai focused on this new energy, letting it flow into his arm. He watched in fascination as his forearm bulged, the slime darkening and thickening. The strength there was incredible, raw and chaotic.
This power... Kai thought, flexing his transformed arm. It's amazing.
But holding the transformation was draining. After just a few moments, Kai had to release it, panting from the exertion. It was like his core had split in two – one part still filled with the pure Luminia, the other now housing this new, chaotic force.
I need to be careful with this, Kai realized. It's powerful, but volatile. If I'm not careful, it could destroy me as easily as my enemies.
For now, he decided to call it Chaotic Energy. It fit, considering its unpredictable nature. But questions nagged at him. Where had it come from? Was it a result of the Nightwing's demonization? Or had it been inside him all along, just waiting to wake up?
Kai shook his head, pushing the questions aside. No point in wondering now. What matters is I'm stronger. I just need to learn to control it.
His gaze fell on the bodies of the two men he'd killed. Leaving them here would only attract attention. Without hesitation, Kai knelt beside them, using his ability to dissolve the bodies completely. Soon, there was no trace left of either man.
As Kai stood, surveying the area one last time, he couldn't shake the feeling of being watched. The hairs on the back of his neck stood up, but when he looked around, the forest was silent and empty.
Just paranoia, Kai told himself, but he wasn't entirely convinced.
Shrugging off the unease, he started making his way back to the Questseekers Union. As he walked, his mind raced with possibilities. The Nightshade skill would be invaluable for stealth missions. And this new Chaotic Energy... well, he'd have to experiment with that in private.
The Questseekers Union was a cacophony of noise and activity when Kai arrived. Adventurers and mercenaries filled the main hall, their voices a constant buzz of boasts and negotiations. The air was thick with the smell of sweat and alcohol, a far cry from the crisp forest air.
Back to civilization, Kai thought wryly. If you can call this civilized.
He made his way through the crowd, his face a mask of indifference as he approached the counter. Alina, the cold-eyed clerk, was there as usual, her sharp gaze surveying the room.
"Kai," she greeted him with a nod. "Back so soon? I trust your mission was successful."
Kai placed the Nightwing's tusk on the counter. "Just a Nightwing," he said, keeping his voice neutral. "Nothing I couldn't handle."
Alina raised an eyebrow, her gaze flicking between Kai and the tusk. "Just a Nightwing, you say? They've been quite aggressive lately. You're fortunate it didn't give you more trouble."
You have no idea, Kai thought, but he kept his expression blank. "It wasn't too difficult. I got the job done."
For a moment, Kai considered telling her everything – the demonized Nightwing, the two men he'd encountered, the strange dark energy now residing within him. But the risk was too great. Information was power, and he wasn't about to give anyone an advantage over him.
"Anything else to report?" Alina asked, her professional demeanor firmly in place.
"No," Kai replied calmly. "It was a straightforward mission."
As he left the Union, that uneasy feeling returned. Kai glanced back, but saw nothing out of the ordinary. Just the usual hustle and bustle of adventurers and mercenaries.
I need to be more careful, Kai thought as he stepped out into the fading light. This world is dangerous enough without me drawing unnecessary attention.
He focused, calling upon his new Nightshade ability. His form blurred, blending into the lengthening shadows of the evening. As he moved through the streets, unseen by those around him, Kai's mind was already working on his next steps.
I need to get stronger, he thought, feeling the dark pulse of the Chaotic Energy within him. I need to understand this new power. And I need to figure out what the hell is really going on in this world.
With a final glance at the horizon, Kai disappeared into the gathering darkness. There was much to do, and he had a feeling time was not on his side. But he would survive. He always did. No matter the cost.
In the shadowed depths of Tuatha Town,a cloaked figure emerged from the obscurity. Their presence was a mere whisper against the oppressive gloom, their form barely distinguishable from the night itself. The only hint of their existence was the faint shimmer of their cloak, which seemed to blend seamlessly into the darkness.
Facing this elusive figure was another person, completely enveloped in a dark, enigmatic outfit that swallowed the surrounding light. Their attire was a seamless, midnight-black ensemble, concealing every inch of their form. The visor of their helmet was opaque, hiding their eyes and face, leaving nothing visible but a cold, unwavering gaze.
The shadowy figure spoke with a tone that carried both weight and command, its voice cutting through the silence like a knife through silk. "I want you to carefully investigate everything that happened to the experiment."
The figure in dark attire responded, their voice grave and respectful, yet tinged with a heavy seriousness. "As you command."
Without a moment's hesitation, the cloaked figure continued, "Bring me the results. Go."
The command was delivered with a finality that left no room for doubt. The cloaked individual vanished into the darkness, their departure as sudden and silent as their arrival.
The shadowy figure, after a penetrating and meaningful gaze that swept over the town, also disappeared into the night, leaving only a lingering sense of foreboding in their wake.