leonardwarren Chapter 541: Sacred Obsession
Chapter 541: Sacred Obsession
Axel could not help but chuckle as well, "Yes, you do know most of the things already, but even so, I will repeat it, so that you will not fail, because you cannot fail. Because no matter how strong I become, the things that have to be done, I cannot do it alone."Gareth’s expression turned serious once more, and Axel said the next words in a grave tone, as if to engrave them in Gareth’s very soul, "In the racial evolution process, what matters not the state of the physical body or even the condition of your Soul Sanctum, but it is your willpower."
"This process of racial transformation will be extremely dangerous to you, as you are already a mid-4th phase existence. It is like trying to change the roots of an already mature tree."
"You have to pinpoint the source of your conviction, the source of your will, you have to find your obsession, that can never crumble, and based upon that obsession, you will have to generate your bloodline ability, that very bloodline ability will work as the new foundation upon which your race will evolve."
"The chances of you succeeding are less than 5%, but I believe you can do it...."
"And when you do accomplish it. It will be a metamorphosis akin to being reborn...."
Gareth nodded, and without any further words, one by one, he opened the lids of all the vials and poured the droplets of Axel’s blood onto his mouth, drinking them without hesitation.
Gareth clenched his jaw; even for him, as a mid-4th-phase being with the Seed of Obsession existing within, it still felt like too much, drinking so much pure demon blood from Axel at once.
It was like thousands of miniature explosions were occurring inside his blood vessels and energy pathways nonstop. Without hesitation, he let loose all of his mental defenses, surrendering to the crushing will of Axel.
Through the seed of obsession as a link, Axel’s mind instantly took over Gareth’s body. Since they were standing right next to each other. The possession happened in an instant.
Axel’s soul rattled for a moment, still uncomfortable with the overlap between another mind and soul. But he quickly sharpened his mind, using all his focus, willpower, and authority as the Demon of Despair, and he began to quell and absorb the power of his own blood into Gareth’s body.
Upon the possessed body of Gareth, the red crystalline Seed of Obsession became visible on his forehead, along with the spreading of disgusting, worm-like veins responsible for the transference and use of demonic energy within Gareth’s body.
They spread from the crystalline Seed of Obsession on his forehead to his face, gradually down to his toes.
With an oppressive force of willpower, Axel forced all those spread out red veins to gather once more on Gareth’s chest. And then Axel swiftly let go of the possession.
It would now depend on Gareth’s own efforts whether he would really be able to transform his race into something superior or not.
Gareth’s closed eyes snapped open. His eyes were slightly red, with his pupil close to becoming a vertical slit, but not quite there yet.
However, the world seemed to slow down when his gaze met the calm gaze of Axel. The words of Axel echoed in his mind once more.
"It’s not the state of your physical body or your soul sanctum that is important. But what is important is the state of your mind."
The key was to understand himself.
With a deeply tired sigh, Gareth closed his eyes once more, letting go of his body’s control. Letting the power rampage and do whatever it wanted to.
His mind sank deeper into himself, floating in his own thoughts and emotions.
In the midst of it, after what felt like an eternity drifting, an unknown voice echoed in his mind, "What is my role?"
It was as if another version of himself was asking that very question to his current self.
But the answer came far more easily than he would have expected, for he knew it, and there was no need to hesitate, "I am the guiding light of the Demon who wishes to save this world. I will also be the chain that binds him if he takes the wrong path."
It was as if he was not answering someone else, but answering to his own heart and soul.
"What is my Conviction?" the voice asked once more.
Gareth replied, "My conviction is to sacrifice everything for the greater good. Even if I have to suffer for an eternity, my Will is to stop the disaster of the invaders at all costs. To save humanity."
The voice asked for the last time, "What is my obsession?"
Gareth spoke, one sentence after another, his voice echoing softly at first until it became as loud as thunder.
"It is to keep fighting,"
"To the last drop of my blood,"
"As long as I have a single shred of soul remaining,"
"I will never fall,"
"Because I cannot fall,"
"Because as long as I fight,"
"As long as I grow stronger,"
"When the day of the calamity arrives."
"I can save just one more life... and that is, my obsession... it is my Sacred Obsession..." proclaimed Gareth with boundless determination.
The moment he was done confirming his beliefs, it was as if a loud tremor ran through his very soul. All the countless red wriggling veins stopped resisting and connected into one point right in his chest.
Gareth was in pain; every cell of his body was being forcibly changed, and even his very soul was transforming. Instantly, a trace of the true demon bloodline came to be within his physique, and his entire Soul Sanctum shuddered.
The white brilliance of his Sanctum was now stained with a demonic red hue; the structure, which represented his pure desire for the greater good, no longer shone with radiance.
But it didn’t matter to Gareth; he embraced the evil nature of the demon, knowing his heart and conviction would remain the same. Because it was also a necessity.
His will to save the world would not, and could not be corroded by anything.
Overwhelming power unlike any other coursed through his veins; his very being had been elevated to a frightening degree.
When he finally came to his senses once more and opened his eyes, a barrage of notifications from Prime Nexus flashed in his retina...
[The ’Seed of Obsession’ within you has generated a trace of the true demon bloodline]
[The true demon bloodline has devoured the ’Seed of Obsession’]
[Congratulations, Galagar Gareth, your race has evolved from Human Demonkin to Partial Demon]
[You have successfully advanced to late-4th phase]
[You have gained the Demon bloodline ability Sacred Obsession]
Axel smiled at Gareth, nodding in approval. He also received notifications of his followers’ improvements, and when he read the description of Gareth’s demonic ability, his eyes flickered in surprise.
Then he sighed, "What a powerful ability.... with this in hand, you’re now much stronger than I am, even if I go all out."
Gareth chuckled, "Though it’s a pity I cannot activate it at will.... but it is still very good."
Axel then stated on a serious note, "The trial of the 5th phase, when you go through that, you have to seize that chance and become a complete demon; if not, you might never be able to advance again."
"In the worst-case scenario, there will be a severe imbalance in your soul, and you might die right after the advancement of the 5th phase, if you’re not a complete demon by then," exclaimed Axel.
Gareth did not speak, but the silent resolution in his eyes was enough. So, Axel shifted the topic, "Bring the others here; they should have healed somewhat by now. I will help them all advance as well."