章節 12: Chapter - 10

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Chapter - 10: Hunger

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Maxwell Pov

"Hey, where do you think you're going?" I said with a wide smile as I firmly grasped one of the mighty tentacles of the Kraken, which loomed menacingly in front of me, ready to attack.

Its large suction cups thrashed frantically, almost as if trying to escape my grip, but I had no intention of letting it go so easily. It was my favorite moment: the struggle to decide who would become the other's meal.

"You didn't really think you could leave so soon, did you? We were just starting to have fun together, and you wouldn't want to stop now!" I said, while I could see my reflection in the large eyes of the creature before me.

After all, before arriving here, I had already satisfied my hunger with some sea creatures I encountered along the way. I didn't even spare the Tritons I found on my path, but fortunately for them, I didn't kill them since, for the moment, I didn't want to gorge myself on power.

My skin had transformed into a luminous canvas of blue-green tones, characterized by a subtle phosphorescence that pulsed gently, synchronized with the slow and steady rhythm of my heartbeat, creating a hypnotic and fascinating effect.

It was still flesh, but now it had become stronger than steel, something that belonged uniquely to me. To the touch, it was cold and smooth, like delicate yet robust scales covering the most vulnerable parts of my body, making me look like a true sea monster.

My face, once familiar, had changed in ways I could never have imagined. The features were sharp and sculpted as if the water itself had chiseled them. My cheeks were more hollow, my cheekbones more pronounced, and there was an unsettling beauty in this new form, which I instinctively knew made me irresistible.

I couldn't help but remember the stories of sirens, who with their appearance and voices enchanted sailors, leading them to crash against the rocks. In a way, I felt similar to them, given my large triton tail that had replaced my legs.

My eyes, once lively and expressive, are now dark and deep, like two bottomless wells. They shine with an inner light, allowing me to see the ocean depths with the same clarity as a sunny day.

My hair, long and dark as the night, floats around me, moved by the underwater currents. It hadn't changed; in fact, it had returned to its black color, which I honestly preferred.

Each strand of my hair was thin but incredibly strong, far beyond normal. I was convinced that I could kill someone using my hair as a weapon, an ace up my sleeve not to be underestimated, ideal for catching my enemies by surprise and gaining a decisive advantage in battle.

From my head protrude thin, translucent fins that open like the wings of a fish. These fins, sharp and integrated into my body, extend around my head like a sort of regal crown.

But the most fascinating thing was that they vibrated slightly with the movements of the water, allowing me to sense every slight change in the surrounding environment, giving me a significant advantage.

My mouth, barely ajar, revealed a row of sharp, white teeth, perfectly aligned, similar to those of a shark. Each tooth looked like a blade, sharp and ready to butcher any prey that dared to approach me.

[Picture ---> MC ( Sea Creature)]

The Kraken stared at me with its enormous, piercing eyes, the waters around us swirling under its imposing presence. I could feel the power of the creature pulsing through the tentacle I was gripping; its strength was certainly not to be underestimated, but at this moment, it had found its predator.

Every fiber of my body was tense, but my smile did not waver. "You liked playing with creatures weaker than you, didn't you?" I continued, my voice a clear challenge, knowing that defeating such a creature would only bring me more satisfaction.

I pulled with a bit more force, provoking the beast to respond. "It's not like a mythical creature like you to back down, not now that things are getting interesting."

The Kraken let out a low roar, a deep sound that seemed to come from the very depths of the abyss, and its tentacles moved with a speed that belied its massive size, trying to envelop me.

But I was ready. With an agile movement, I dodged the assault of its tentacles and grabbed another one, immobilizing it with all my strength. "Oh no, not so fast," I said, keeping my tone light but firm. "We're just getting warmed up."

The Kraken thrashed more violently, unleashing tremendous energy that made the water around us boil. Every strike, every attempt to break free, seemed to heighten the tension between us.

But there was no fear in my eyes, only a spark of excitement. The battle had just begun, and I had no intention of giving any ground to the prey I had chosen to devour.

"Don't worry," I said, moving closer, "This is just the beginning. There's much more fun in store for the two of us." The Kraken seemed almost to understand my words, its rage transforming into something more subtle, almost a recognition of the challenge I had thrown down.

The Kraken, now fully awakened by my challenge, moved its tentacles with growing fury, raising gigantic waves that crashed around us like a sudden storm.

The sea around us became increasingly restless, almost mirroring the intensity of the moment, and the cold wind began to howl as if it wanted to join our wild battle.

With a sharp strike, one of the Kraken's tentacles slammed down toward me, the air around it seeming to hiss under the weight of its attack. But I was already in motion, my reflexes amplified by my new form, operating at their peak.

I lunged to the side, narrowly avoiding the blow, and with a daring leap, I grabbed hold of another of its tentacles, quickly scaling toward the central body of the monster as a bold plan began to form in my mind.

"You're a powerful creature, I'll admit," I said with a laugh, climbing between the tentacles that thrashed frantically. "But you'll have to do better if you want to eat me." I could feel the adrenaline coursing through my veins; in that moment, there was no fear, only pure excitement.

The Kraken roared again, a cavernous sound that seemed to shake the very sea. Its tentacles coiled around me, trying to trap me in their relentless grip.

But I wasn't an easy enemy.

With a series of quick and precise movements, I escaped its grasp, using my agility to disorient the beast. I seized the moment to attack, as long black claws, like the carapace of Xenomorphs, emerged from my limbs, which I sank into its flesh.

"Yes, that's more like it!" I shouted, my voice rising above the roar of the waves and the monster's cries of pain. "Otherwise, it wouldn't be a great hunt." My words sounded increasingly monstrous as I felt my dragon core giving me more and more strength.

Suddenly, the Kraken changed its strategy. With a surprisingly quick movement, one of its tentacles struck me from behind, causing me to lose my balance. For a moment, everything seemed to slow down. I felt the impact, the devastating force pushing me away, and the world flipped as I sank into the depths of the sea.

The cold waters welcomed me with a muffled roar, and for a moment I was immersed in the deep darkness of the ocean. But my mind was clear, and I wasted no time regaining control of my body.

With a powerful thrust of my tail, I shot back up to its level, while around me I could still feel the waves continuing to churn, and the Kraken was already preparing its next attack.

"Nice hit," I admitted, feeling myself adapting to this new form. "But don't think that's enough." With renewed energy, I began swimming towards the creature, determined this time to get serious.

As I approached, I sensed the deep heartbeat of the Kraken, a powerful and steady rhythm, like that of the sea itself, and this gave me an idea for winning, even though it would be quite brutal.

When I finally reached the creature again, I did not hesitate. With a powerful push, I leaped out of the water and landed on its slippery back, grabbing one of its tentacles with both hands. This time, I wouldn't be on the defensive.

"Feel this, Kraken!" I shouted, pulling with all my strength. The creature writhed beneath my grip, but I did not let go.

Using all my strength and the energy of my dragon core, I managed to swing its body, destabilizing the monster and making it fall to the ground. It was too good an opportunity not to seize, and I lunged forward.

I threw myself onto the Kraken's motionless body, and, seeing that the poison from my claws was starting to take effect, I decided to make my way toward its heart. I ignored its convulsions as it writhed in agony and its enormous body trembled in an attempt to rise.

Without hesitation, I sank my teeth into its flesh, tearing off a large piece and chewing it with ferocity as I pressed forward. The monster still struggled, but every thrashing tentacle was weaker than the last, and its roar, once powerful, was fading into a muffled whimper.

With the Kraken weakened by my poison, I felt that the decisive moment had finally arrived. Its body was clearly beginning to give way under my assault, and for that reason, I did not yield an inch until I reached my goal.

The Kraken's heart was a pulsing mass of flesh and veins, as large as an entire man. Each beat was accompanied by a deep, dull sound, like a drum echoing in an abyss.

The surface was covered by a thick layer of tough tissue, crisscrossed with veins pulsing with a dark, almost black liquid, a sign of my poison spreading through its body.

With force, I gripped the Kraken's heart in my hands, feeling its warmth and the irregular beat beneath my fingers. Without hesitation, I opened my mouth wide and began to devour it. Each bite was an explosion of sensations: the salty, raw taste of the flesh mingled with the triumphant flavor of my victory.

But it wasn't just food I was consuming; I had also decided to drain its power, feeling its vital essence flow into me, filling me with new strength. Each bite was an intoxicating sensation.

Despite its struggles and cries of agony, I did not stop, devouring with increasing ferocity. I continued to eat, absorbing not only its flesh but also its strength, until finally, there was nothing left but silence.

Strangely, after absorbing the Kraken's DNA, I noticed no immediate transformation, but I instinctively knew I only had to wait to discover why I had not yet acquired its unique characteristics.

Feat Achieved

[Gourmand]

Pull Granted

The Kraken's blood was everywhere, flowing from my hands and face, as each bite into its flesh spurted more blood into the water around me. Each morsel was slick and raw, the meat tough to tear, but my hunger seemed to finally be sated.

As I chewed the last piece of the Kraken's heart, I took in the result of my feat: the carcass of the mythical beast reduced to tatters, with a large hole in the center of its body where its heart had once pulsed.

The sea around me had calmed, while some marine creatures cautiously approached, waiting for me to move away so they could feast on the Kraken's remains. I remained still for a moment, savoring the silence that followed the battle, the taste of blood still in my mouth.

Rolling.

Result: Epic Advantage.

[Aura]

Source: RWBY

[You have a small energy field that is the manifestation of your soul, either enhancing your physical strength or protecting you from blows. Having Aura allows you to gain a Semblance, a unique power, and awaken Aura in others]

The energy field itself doesn't seem particularly "epic" in terms of power, but the knowledge that floods my mind about how to awaken Aura in other people probably makes it worth it.

Not to mention that I need to develop a secondary power, my Semblance. The problem? A flash of soft blue light catches my attention, my Aura becoming visible only for a moment before fading away.

At the same time, a system screen appeared in front of me, and I instinctively understood that it was related to my new mythical power, given that I had met the necessary condition to activate it.

Evolution Path Unlocked:

Kraken (+WIS)

[A specialization path focused primarily on long-range combat, bombarding your enemies from a distance while using your abilities to control the battlefield.]

Acquired Abilities:

• Tentacle Creation

• Electricity Generation

• Accelerated Regeneration

• Adaptability to Aquatic Environments

Suddenly, I felt something strange in my back. A growing pressure, followed by sharp pain, as if my skin were being torn from the inside and something was trying to break free.

I screamed in agony, but the sound was muffled by the blood in my mouth. My skin tore with a horrible noise, and from the deep cuts emerged a twisted, pulsating mass, drenched in blood and entrails.

Feat Achieved

[First Evolution Path]

Pull Granted

Two protrusions emerged from my shoulder blades, swollen and throbbing, as if the flesh itself were struggling to take shape. The masses of flesh elongated, twisting and coiling upon themselves, revealing what they were: tentacles, blood-soaked, covered in slick, scaly skin, similar to those of the Kraken, but thinner and sharper.

These tentacles slowly unfurled, stretching upwards, dripping with blood, revealing within them a membrane-like structure, becoming true wings—dark and slimy, blood-soaked, fluttering slowly as if they had a life of their own.

[Picture ---> Concept Art]

My body was in a state of constant transformation, each fiber contorting and restructuring, as the Kraken's power finally infused into me. I felt my bones shatter and reform, my skin thickening and darkening. The pain was excruciating, but with it came a sense of strength.

The tentacled wings stretched, growing larger, ready to move at my slightest mental command, while the spiked crest completed itself—a row of deadly points running down my back. With one final, tremendous spasm, the evolution was complete.

Rolling.

Result: Rare Magic Tome.

[Red Spellbook]

Source: Zatch Bell!

A wild smile spread across my face, revealing my sharp fangs, still covered in flesh and blood. The metallic taste was intense, but I was ignoring it due to the nostalgia I was feeling at that moment.

With a lightning-fast move, I emerged from the water, my new tentacle wings beating in the air with an unnatural power. Saltwater sprayed off my slimy wings, leaving a trail of sparkling droplets as I hovered toward the shore.

With a fluid motion, I landed on a piece of rocky land, my feet reforming as they sank into the damp earth, while the wings folded behind me, still dripping with water and blood.

I summoned the spellbook into my hand, observing it closely. The top of the cover was adorned with various symbols composed of straight and angled lines, some of which ended in small perpendicular lines, resembling ancient markings carved into the book's skin.

Lower down, right in the center of both the front and back covers, was the symbol of the universe from which the book originated: five perfectly arranged circles, connected by thin lines in a harmonious design.

Without wasting a single second, I opened the spellbook, the pages revealing dense writing, complex symbols covering every inch, from top to bottom exactly as I remembered from my memories.

However, despite my desire to understand them, the words were completely unreadable to me. They were written in a language I unfortunately did not know, with symbols that seemed to shift and elude my comprehension.

As I leafed through the pages, remaining calm as I had anticipated something like this, I noticed a small section that stood out, written in the same intense red as the book's cover.

The words, though infused with unknown power, were as clear as day. Zaker was the first spell I managed to decipher; the term shone as if it were engraved in the book itself, emitting an aura that resonated within me.

Spell Learned

[The First Spell: Zaker]

[Emit a powerful lightning bolt, strong enough to explode through solid rock. This is its most basic attack spell until you further develop your abilities with the spellbook.]

The simplest attack, you say? But if I combined it with the powers I've just gained through my evolutionary path... things could get much more interesting.

And when I reach the fourth spell... No one using the same element will be on my level. The awareness of this filled me with a mix of excitement and ambition, knowing that the path ahead was destined to lead me to heights never before reached by others.

Suddenly, my head snapped toward a specific direction: my castle. A presence was approaching, crossing the sky at an impressive speed, emitting a positive aura that was very clear to me.

A fairy... My curiosity was immediately piqued, and I couldn't ignore such an evident intrusion on my property, even though I knew that in a few days, with the return of the Trix, I would probably have moved to a more comfortable residence.

I placed the book in the traveler's library, as this way I would continue with my mission, ensuring that it was not destroyed. Unlike my other magical books, it was much more fragile.

The anticipation grew within me with increasing intensity, and I had a certain certainty about the identity of who I was about to meet. I was confident I had the right cards to make the most of this encounter, and I wouldn't let this enticing opportunity slip through my fingers.

Determined not to waste any more time, I quickly turned and took to the air. My tentacled wings unfurled with unnatural grace, lifting me effortlessly. Each flap of my wings carried me higher, and I crossed the sea with a speed that I could finally consider decent for me.

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Osmosian Sorcerer?: 3 advanced chapters:

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Chapter - 11: Blackmail and Fairy

Chapter - 12: Fairy Familiar

Chapter - 13: Grimm

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