[You are evolving]
The system's announcement reached my ears like a sword and I froze for a brief moment then turned to Nico. He was giving me a complicated look. Was it because I had just murdered someone?
"I am about to evolve."
"That means you're about to enter a vegetative state. As soon as you become a monarch, we can both leave this place as planned."
I nodded. "Please protect me."
He didn't say anything or maybe I didn't hear what he said because I was overcome by a great wave of excruciating pain, starting from my chest and going outward. I closed my eyes and fell on my knees as all the Star ether in me started to boil up and set my inner being on fire.
Evolution was never meant to be a breeze, especially for a person about to become part dragon. My heart thrummed as something grew from my scalp. My entire body system was breaking apart and rebuilding itself to fit the new soul growing within.
The main purpose behind making us consume the potions was to ensure that our bodies could handle the transformation.
Unfortunately for me, I was at the mercy of luck. I was already weak by the time the evolving started. So, the chances of me making it out of this alive were very low. But I wasn't gonna give up just like this.
I heaved out some blood and turned to Nico, who was staring at me with both concern and fear. The calm stoic was now trembling as he watched me cry and wail in deep agony.
The whole process was its own twisted version of a hellish experience.
Once the pain subsided, my cries reduced and I curled up. I was already sweating and my throat was suddenly so dry that I could feel the warm air in my trachea. I turned to Nico and painfully gasped out the one thing I needed at the moment.
"Wa…ter."
"Water. Yes. I have water." Nico panicked, summoned his storage item, and got out a water sack. He crouched down and lifted my head slightly then gently guided the water sack to my mouth and fed me the water inside.
I tried to make out his expression. But I failed as his eyes continuously averted away from my gaze as he poured more cold water down my mouth.
After the final gulp and the water sack were empty, I gripped the thing and sucked out every single drop till my throat was no longer dry.
Ting!
[Congratulations! You have evolved]
[Do you wish to exit the Nexus Point?]
I ignored the message and stood up once I sensed a good portion of my strength return to me. I then faced Nico who was still giving me a complicated look.
"What?"
"You're different. Like very different…" he made a few steps back and swallowed his saliva.
Instinctively, I checked myself for any abnormality. At first, I found nothing odd with my body. My hair was still silver and my skin wasn't covered in scales like a dragon. However, my head felt heavier than before. My hand traveled up and stopped when it touched something right above my ears. 'Just as I feared.'
Yes. I had something growing out of my scalp which explained the thrumming earlier.
"Of course a Dragon Monarch needs horns."
"I know but…it looks so terrifying at first glance," Nico spoke. His eyes traveled to the top of my head then quickly moved away when I noticed his intense stare.
"It's requesting if I want to leave the Nexus point." I ignored his eyes. "What about you? Don't you need a soul to leave this world?"
"Oh, that. Since you're now a real Monarch, turn me into the first person to join your domain. I will automatically become a Nexus Being after that."
'Huh? A domain?'
I summoned the runes once again.
Name: Astrid Dragonell
Species: Demi dragon
Abilities: [King's Hand], [Dragon's Breath], [Dragon's blood]
Nexus Blessing: [The Fire], [ Silver Child], [Child of Stars]
Job Aspect: [Monarch of Fire]
Domains: Spire of Darkness
Subjects:—
Inventory: [Mind walker], [ Blood Demon]
[Currently Undergoing Update…]
"So I should make you a subject?"
Nico nodded. "Yes."
If it weren't for him and his abilities, I wouldn't have made it this far. So this was the least I could do for him.
[Nico feels a strong sense of loyalty towards you]
[Do you wish to make Nico your subject?]
'Yes.'
Once I approved the request, I felt a great surge of energy flow from my body to Nico's. I slightly staggered.
'Creating subjects means I am splitting my power.' I noticed as I felt a great deal of my own strength reduce rapidly. I painfully held back from regretting the decision to share my gift with someone else. But, I already owed Nico my life at this point.
After about thirty seconds, Nico's eyes widened as he also received an announcement from the system.
Then, a set of new runes appeared.
Subjects: 1
Name: Nico
Rank: [Soldier]
"I have awakened," Nico murmured as he stared at his status window which I couldn't see.
[Your Nexus event has ended]
The system's voice announced once again. This time, however, we both heard it.
Crackle! Crackle!
The tracking bracelets on our hands suddenly short-circuited and snapped open without any resistance. It seems that had a limit to how much star ether the tracking devices could handle.
I picked up the metal device and chuckled. "Well be damned. I'm free."
"What now?"
"We exit the Nexus point of course."
I instinctively thought of an exit and the system announced once again:
[Do you wish to exit the Nexus Point?]
"Yes." We both responded and waited for something to happen in anticipation. For the first five straight minutes, nothing occurred. But then, the air trembled as the space we were in tore open and a portal appeared.
I wasn't sure where the portal would lead us but I had a feeling the portal wouldn't take me back to the facility since I wasn't just a hunter to begin with. But that was a good thing, I didn't want to go back to that place at all. That place was not where people like me belonged.
Nico seemed to have noticed from the look on my face when he said, "I guess I will look for you."
I smiled. "You're my subject so I'm sure you will find me."
"Of course, congratulations on awakening Astrid."
With that, he walked through the rift and the system's announcement rang in my ears.
[Nico has left the Nexus event]
I sighed and glanced over my shoulder to give myself a good look. This place, the empty throne, and everything else all seemed so strange to someone like me. If I crossed that portal, the universe was going to gain itself a fifth monarch. Was this really the right time for me to return to the real world?
I wasn't even strong enough to protect myself from other Nexus Beings if they tried to attack me. This place was my only domain so I didn't even have the force behind me…
So, much as I hated to admit to it, I needed to understand what the hell had just happened to me before making any moves. What were the other monarchs like? How did our powers work exactly?
I first needed to find these answers before I saved Ivy because she was important to the Blood Monarch like everyone else in Bloodhaul.
I made up my mind and approached the portal without a single bone of hesitation in me. I felt oddly calm for someone who had just changed their entire race.
[The Blessing Silver child is in effect]
I see. So that's why I'm calm.
[The Empress of Twilight sees you]
I didn't expect the constellation to be this aware of my existence. Was it because of my silver hair? Anyway, it was good to have the constellations watching over me. I believed this would come in handy someday.
Once stepped through the rift and my mind suddenly went blank as I felt a great pull as I entered crossed over to the original realm.
[ Astrid Dragonell has left the Nexus Event]