Chapter 17 : Body Reformed
Kane saw the notification system flash before his eyes. "You have survived 10 years in the Demon Realm," it read. "Reward: The Blood of the Demon King. EXP: 10,000. GOLD: 100. STORE (UNLOCKED). LEVEL INCREASE BY 70."
Kane was at the brink of a mental breakdown. He started to laugh crazily, thinking about what had happened. "Hehehe, all of this could have been avoided if I had just waited," he thought to himself. "My mother wouldn't be dead. I wouldn't have eaten her."
He lost his mind, but in that moment, he knew that his aim had changed. He no longer wanted to live; he wanted peace. And the only path to peace was destruction.
As he calmed down, Kane's thoughts became clearer. He remembered the events that had led him to this point. He remembered the day he had been transported to the Demon Realm, the day his mother had been killed, and the day he had been forced to eat her to survive.
Kane's heart burned with anger and hatred. He knew that he would never be able to go back to his old life. The only way forward was the path of destruction.
As Kane stood amidst the desolate landscape, a system notification echoed in his mind. "A new Hero has been Chosen host!"
Kane's thoughts were interrupted by the eerie message. He looked back at the spot where his mother's corpse lay, now nothing more than a paste of meat. He took a deep breath, gathered the remains, and buried them in the soil. With a heavy heart, he prayed to his mother, seeking forgiveness and strength.
As he stood up, Kane gazed at his Core, now recovered and glowing with an intense light. But what caught his attention was the upgrade - his Core had transformed from a Mid Grade to a High Grade one.
In this world, Life Crystals were the source of power, categorized into three grades: High, Mid, and Low. The Low Grade produced inferior Life Essence, while the High Grade yielded the purest and most potent essence. The quality of the essence directly impacted the power of one's skills. Unlike the commoners who relied on mana, high-ranking families utilized Life Essence to fuel their abilities.
Kane's eyes gleamed with determination as he realized the significance of his upgraded Core.
He was now capable of wielding immense power.
Wait what about the...Demon King's Blood ?
Kane's curiosity got the better of him as he asked the System, "What's the use of the Demon King's Blood?"
The System responded, "If you drink it, your blood will transform into the Blood of a Demon King. However, your body can only handle a fraction of its power, limiting you to 1/3 of its potential. The System will suppress the power after consumption. You'll gain the 'Demon Family' skill, allowing you to transform 6 individuals into your demon generals by giving them your blood. Note that this skill can only be used once, after reaching Level 200."
Kane pondered the risks and benefits, weighing the potential consequences. "If I consume the Demon King's Blood, my strength will increase, but if I'm injured and my blood is leaked, I'll be easily identified as the Demon King." He gulped, hesitant but aware that without risk, there was no profit.
With a deep breath, Kane uncorked the vial and consumed the Demon King's Blood. The liquid burned his throat, and he felt his body undergo a transformation. The System's warning echoed in his mind - only 1/3 of the power was accessible,
System!!!! Your Rank has Increased to Rank 2 Peak Stage... Warning: Your body cannot handle the power of the Demon King's Blood. System is attempting to suppress the power, but it's too late...
Kane's body began to contort in excruciating agony as the Demon King's Blood coursed through his veins like molten lava. His muscles ripped apart, his bones shattered and reformed, and his skin was flayed off in bloody strips. Vapors of sweat and blood misted the air as his body underwent a gruesome, inhuman transformation.
The System's attempts to suppress the power only seemed to make the transformation more brutal, like a wild animal fighting against its chains. Kane's face twisted in a silent scream, his eyes bulged from their sockets, only to pop out and reform into new, glowing black orbs. His skin was torn apart, revealing crimson muscles beneath, which then reformed into pale, almost translucent skin.
Blood gushed from his mouth, nose, and eyes as his body mutated. His hair was ripped from his scalp, only to regrow in thick, black locks. His height increased, his limbs lengthening and thickening with corded muscle.
For an hour, Kane's body was a battleground, his cells warring against the demonic power coursing through him. The System's warnings grew more urgent, but it was powerless to stop the transformation. Kane's screams echoed through the desolate landscape, a chilling soundtrack to his brutal metamorphosis.
His body was a mass of bloody, pulsing flesh, like a twisted, living thing. His organs were visible beneath his translucent skin, pulsating with an otherworldly energy.
Finally, the agony subsided, leaving Kane transformed, his body now a twisted, demonic vessel for the Demon King's Blood. His red eyes glowed with an malevolent power, a testament to his newfound strength.
But at what cost? His humanity was gone, consumed by the very power he had sought to wield. The System's warnings still echoed in his mind
Kane, once a terrifying demon, had changed. He now looked like a human, with pale skin that seemed almost transparent. His black eyes, once glowing red, now seemed calm and collected. His silver hair fell to his shoulders, framing a face that was both handsome and serene.
But don't be fooled. Kane was still a demon, with a heart full of darkness and a soul consumed by the Demon King's Blood. He had a charming smile, but it hid his true intentions. His eyes seemed calm, but they burned with an inner fire.
Kane's new human form was a disguise, a clever trick to help him blend in with mortals. He could walk among them, talk to them, and even pretend to be one of them. But deep down, he was still a monster, waiting for the perfect moment to strike.
And Kane knew that power came in many forms. He would accept any body that gave him an advantage, no matter how disgusting or distorted it may be. As he always said:
"I don't care if I have to wear the skin of a pig or the wings of a bat. If it makes me stronger, I'll take it. For power is the only currency that matters."
His hands, once claws, were now soft and human-like. His fingers ended in nails, not talons. His body, once a mass of muscle and sinew, was now lean and athletic. But the power was still there, lurking just beneath the surface.