"Yes…"
Suddenly, a strange sensation bloomed in my chest.
Unknowingly, the Dark Gathering Art began to rotate.
Every core within my Origin Core orbited the black spiral in the centre, moving in a divine, synchronized dance. It felt like shackles were being shattered from within. My body trembled as a wave of release surged through me.
At that moment, I craved one thing.
Mana.
"I need to return."
Instantly, a gate opened. Without delay, I walked through it, my footsteps urgent.
As I stepped outside, I was hit by an intense surge of mana. My body responded instinctively, slipping into cultivation.
A spiral, invisible to the naked eye, spun above my head.
I found myself in a strange field—floating.
Yet something felt… different.
I was covered in both Origin Devourer and Synthesis. They didn't clash—they harmonized. They were in union.
Naturally, I'd noticed their cooperation since I gained Origin. My body devoured mana constantly, but now Synthesis fused that mana with me… endlessly.
Suddenly—
All the skill names I possessed flashed through my mind.
One by one, they fused into something deep within me.
Was it my blood? My bones? Or my very soul?
I didn't know.
But then—information flooded in.
---
*Bloodline Update:*
*Gagarion (100%) → Amantian*
*Amantian Body Acquired.*
*Mind Field Unlocked.*
*Title Gained: Galatian's Father*
*Galatian's Father:* First of its kind. The Father of Gagarions. The origin.
When this title is active, gain a *50% boost to all stats.*
Amantian body: Due to the influence of Origin, your vessel has ascended into one of the rarest classes of cosmic bodies.
Every cell becomes a crucible of power. Every breath resonates with the rhythm of the world, adapting instinctively to mana and matter.
Effect: Boosts all Gagarion-type skills by 80%.
---
But that wasn't the end.
---
Far away, a man with golden eyes and white hair opened his eyes, breaking from meditation.
That aura…
"Second Brother," he muttered, his voice calm but his expression sharp.
He turned his gaze toward the Eldest Brother's mansion.
"Do you feel it?" he asked.
"Yes," the Second Brother replied, unfazed.
"Is that Omin's child?"
"Yes. It should be."
"…Terrifying," the Third Brother said, his tone still flat.
Inwardly, though, his thoughts twisted.
So strong… Would he make a better vessel for me?
---
"Dax…"
His voice cracked with weight.
"… You are something else, my son."
He exhaled deeply.
"If Vera were still here, she would have bragged about her boy everywhere."
He remembered her laugh, her touch, her warmth.
"We were together for a thousand years… yet I still failed to protect you."
His chamber trembled slightly. The gravity in his left arm reacted to his emotion.
"I'll save you," he whispered, eyes filled with regret and resolution.
---
I opened my eyes.
Where am I?
I scanned the surroundings—wide plains, ravaged terrain. The sky above was a misty purple, swirling like a dream… or a nightmare.
A sudden red streak blazed past, absurdly fast.
That aura—
"A Gagarion?" My eyes narrowed.
"But how…?"
Then I recognized it.
"Oh… you're that young Gagarion. 869."
It turned.
"ARRHHHHHHHHHHH!!"
It let out a ghostly, piercing scream that rattled the air.
I reached for Cil.
Nothing.
*BOOM!*
Too late.
It punched me straight through the air.
I bounced across the ground like a stone skipping on water.
Then came a rumble.
I turned—
Spider Carapace! I called out.
Nothing happened.
"Inerous!" I yelled.
Silence.
Then—
BOOM! BOOM! BOOM!
Another figure emerged.
That grotesque form—
"Boa…"
He dragged his rusted axe behind him, laughing.
Kek! His fat jiggled as he moved.
Beside him, the red Gagarion hovered. They stood side by side.
I tried to summon mana— but nothing happened.
I couldn't use my skills, either.
Why?
Is this the Amantian Body?
Still… I noticed something.
I had taken damage—but it was nothing. I was fine. No broken bones. No internal bleeding.
And my mind was clear.
I still had my physical prowess.
My lips curled into a grin.
I cracked my neck and took off like a storm.
*Killing Series: First Form – Killer Fist.*
I punched the Gagarion, sending it flying. I twisted mid-air, going for Boa.
BOOM!
He met my kick with a brutal punch of his own. I grunted, stumbling back.
"Fighting two monsters really is something…"
I leapt backward.
BOOM!!
They attacked in synchrony—Boa's axe cleaved the air while the Gagarion's palm sliced like a blade.
Craters exploded around me. Dust cloaked their monstrous forms.
*BOOM!*
I blocked with my bare palm.
"Hah… you're fast. Even leaving afterimages now?"
I smirked.
"I get the gist. This is my mind realm."
"Very good…"
I reached deep within, recalling that burn in my chest.
I tried to replicate it.
My blood began to boil… then cooled. A new energy pulsed through me.
My skin turned black.
"Thank you… for helping me realize what I lack."
---
I dashed forward.
I kicked the Gagarion mid-air, then landed on its chest—my palm stabbed forward.
BOOM!
It dodged, losing an arm in the process. My hand got stuck in the ground from the impact.
KRAK!
Boa lunged.
I spun mid-air and smashed his skull into the dirt with a backhand.
Then I retreated.
But something strange happened.
The Gagarion walked to Boa—its arm already regenerated. Then, without hesitation, it stabbed into Boa's stomach.
They began to fuse.
"What the hell?!"
Their bodies twisted, merging, transforming.
"This is getting out of hand."
The Gagarion's adaptability… Boa's monstrous endurance…
Together?
A problem.
I took a battle stance—waiting.
I wasn't idle.
I could feel it—this body didn't just grant brute strength.
It wanted to unleash something.
"Carapace," I muttered.
My body darkened— black exoskeleton sprouted over my limbs, but now with red markings glowing faintly.
SREEEEECH!
They were done.
As I looked at them… I grinned. This would be fun.