---
After the transfer ended, Arthur found himself in a forest filled with colossal trees and breathtaking nature. On his right stood a massive, beautiful waterfall, and behind him stretched a dense forest… somewhere deep within it, the embryo awaited him.
Suddenly:
Ding
[Transfer Tickets: 1]
The system spoke:
[We only have one ticket left to return. If things go wrong, we'll escape.
Even though you've grown a bit stronger, you already know… this forest, despite its beauty, is far more dangerous than the Forest of Stillness.]
Arthur didn't reply. He just scanned his surroundings before asking:
"Where will we find the embryo?"
The system answered:
[I can activate an area scan on the forest and locate it, but be careful… With my current capacity, I can't detect monsters or dangers along the way.]
"Do it. We'll handle everything else."
The system released sonar-like waves from Arthur's body, invisible to anyone but him.
After a few moments:
[Found it! And lucky you… it's very close.]
"Good. Let's move."
A green path appeared on his left, and Arthur followed it.
As he walked, he coated his body in a defensive mana layer, alongside activating one of his skills:
• Insight Eye — Level 1
Analyzes abilities, weaknesses, and possible paths.
A tool that reveals the weak points of any hidden monster.
Fortunately… he encountered no danger on the way.
Until he reached a massive, strangely-shaped tree.
The system said:
[We're here.]
Arthur formed a dagger from mana and stabbed the tree, opening a large enough gap to step inside.
The moment he entered… he found a completely different place—
a beautiful grassy meadow inside the hollow of the tree.
He continued forward until he reached a gigantic floating seed.
Massive roots surrounded it from below, and above it was a long white thread attached to its top.
Arthur said:
"I'll consume it."
The system replied anxiously:
[Are you sure?]
"Yes."
Arthur touched the embryo and squeezed the seed. A green beam shot into his body—
but suddenly, the embryo struck him with a powerful green lightning bolt!
It was so strong that one of his skills activated automatically:
[Skill: Iron Will — Level 2]
Description:
A will that defies pain, poison, and temptation.
Allows the user to move even when the body is destroyed.
Effects:
• Reduces mental and spiritual attacks.
• Eases pressure from overwhelming auras.
Even with the reduced damage… things became worse.
The white thread detached from the embryo, then ignited into white flames that burned both body and soul.
The pain was unbearable—like death devouring him again and again.
Then the roots below turned into jagged stones and stabbed his foot.
A new notification appeared:
Ding
[Iron Will → Level 3]
New Effects:
• Blocks mental and spiritual attacks.
• Reduces pressure from powerful auras.
• Reduces damage from natural elements.
The system shouted in panic:
[I told you… we're not ready for this!!]
But Arthur ignored it, gritting his teeth with all his strength.
Then a strange black vine appeared behind him…
and struck directly into his mana core above his abdomen.
This pain was indescribable.
If the lightning hadn't paralyzed him, he would've unleashed an inhuman scream.
Tears streamed out uncontrollably.
The system cried out:
[Arthur! I'm transferring us now! You'll die!]
Arthur shouted back, furious:
"Don't you dare! I only have one day left to live. Even if you save me… I'll still die.
But I will NOT die here… and if I do? I'll drag this bastard down with me!"
He grabbed the embryo, brought it to his mouth, bit into it savagely, and tore off a large chunk…
then another…
and another.
A notification appeared:
Ding
[Awakening requirements met…]
[Error… Awakening forbidden?]
[Substitute for awakening…]
[Error… curses reacting…]
[One curse forcibly broken…]
[Predator's Curse shattered…]
Ding
[Curse converted into Skill]
• Ravenous Predation — Max Level
Description:
Devours all types of energy and transforms them to rebuild and enhance the body.
Only works on pure mana creatures.
Does not affect abyssal monsters.
Then:
Ding
[A foreign energy is entering the host's body… analyzing and converting.]
[Error… energy corrupted by a superior entity. Forcing system reinforcement to contain it.]
[Merging the entity's power with the host… restructuring the body with all attached powers.]
Arthur's head spun from the overwhelming notifications.
Then his body began trembling… dark purple light engulfed him…
Black smoke poured out, covering everything—the embryo, the white thread, the roots, the vines.
His body tore apart… then began reconstructing itself.
He was completely numb, feeling nothing.
The white thread wrapped around him.
The embryo fused with his core.
Stone covered his body.
The vines intertwined above him.
And after some time… the reconstruction was complete.
Arthur stepped out of the black smoke… completely naked.
But his body was no longer the same.
His light-black hair was now pitch-black with a faint shine.
His face became sharper, his jaw more defined.
His golden eyes grew sharper too… with a streak of violet glow.
His body was stronger… clearly more muscular.
He looked down… and realized his "dear friend" had grown much larger.
Arthur smirked, satisfied with his new form.
---
Inside the Black Dimension of the Unknown Entity
The unknown being stared at a thin purple thread.
He lifted his finger, touching it, hesitating.
Then he spoke:
[Who is he? Why… every time I want to kill him, I hesitate? Why does he feel familiar?]
As he pondered, the thread trembled.
He noticed it—
then it snapped, and the severed piece was pulled away at incredible speed.
The entity stared at the remaining thread and said:
[Either he died… or he discovered me and severed the connection.]
[I hope it's the second option, you… trespasser of fate.]
---
I hope you like the chapter.