Free Web NovelChapter 142: Chapter 136: Another one
As the Aether blasted through every seal, shattering them like fragile glass, Damon felt a sudden rush of awareness sweep through his body. The Mana Conduits, an intricate network of pathways within him, were laid bare. Some were thick and robust, while others were so minuscule that he barely noticed their presence—until the Aether began its work.
The unsealing of the largest conduits was surprisingly bearable, a mere discomfort that paled in comparison to what followed. When the Aether turned its relentless force toward the smaller conduits, Damon understood the true meaning of agony. It felt as though thousands—no, millions—of scorching needles pierced every inch of his being. His natural healing, which had always been a source of pride, was utterly overwhelmed. The damage spread faster than his body could repair, leaving him vulnerable, raw, and bleeding from every orifice.
He longed for unconsciousness. The temptation to give in, to let the darkness embrace him, was almost irresistible. Oh, how desperately he wanted to sleep. But he knew better. He had seen what happened to those who failed the Trial. If he succumbed, if he let go even for a second, his opportunity would be lost. And he refused to be another forgotten failure.
Despite the searing pain, a sense of clarity emerged through his suffering. He had cursed the brothers when they forced this truth upon him, resented them for the pain he now endured. Yet, in that very moment, he was also deeply grateful. They had given him something invaluable—knowledge. Understanding. A purpose. He recognized the risk they had taken, the weight of the gamble they had placed on his shoulders. And he would not let them down.
But enduring was not easy. The pain was relentless, unyielding, an ocean of torment in which he was drowning. He needed a distraction, something—anything—to pull his mind away from the agony. And then, an idea struck him. Something he would never have considered before.
He delved into his nightmares.
The same nightmares that had haunted him for as long as he could remember. The same ones that he had spent years trying to erase from his memory. This time, however, he did not recoil. He did not run. Instead, he faced them head-on.
The dark figure that loomed in his dreams, the one that had always left him trembling, was still there. Its face remained shrouded in obscurity, and a deep, primal fear still clawed at his chest. But this time, he refused to turn away. He refused to let it control him. He knew what it was now. A curse. A shackle that bound him. And he was going to break it—no matter what.
Time slipped away, distorted by the Trial’s intensity. The agony did not cease, but he endured. And then, at last, it was over.
The cocoon that had enveloped him dissolved, absorbed into his body, revealing Damon to the watching eyes of his companions. Outwardly, he appeared unchanged. His features remained the same, his form unaltered. But something was different—something unspoken yet undeniable.
A shift had occurred, a transformation beyond the physical. The atmosphere around him had changed. The boys may not have realized it, but the rest of Neo-Nephilims did. For the first time in their existence, they felt fear.
A predator had been born.
Drained beyond measure, Damon’s body finally gave in, and he collapsed into unconsciousness. The boys exchanged glances before shaking their heads, a mixture of exasperation and quiet respect passing between them. They carried him to one of the bedrooms, giving him the rest he had rightfully earned.
Hours later, his eyes fluttered open. His body ached, but the pain had dulled to a distant throb. As he adjusted to his surroundings, he noticed the boys standing nearby, grinning at him. Before him lay an overwhelming spread of food, stacked high on the table.
One of them smirked. "Figured you’d be hungry."
Damon, exhausted but grateful, simply nodded. "Thanks."
And with that, he dug in, shoveling food into his mouth with an urgency that only those who had fought against death could understand. As he ate, he opened his Status Window, eager to see what had changed within him.
--------------------[Status]-------------------
Name: Damon Voidsworn
Race: Neo-Nephilim Insurgent (Baron)
Affinity: Star Fire, Solar Light, Lunar Shadow, Life, Soul, Devour
Grade: F (Nephilim Initiate)
Level: 1
EXP: 0%
MP: 100%
HP: 100%
SP: 100%
STR: 0 Star
AGI: 0 Star
VIT: 0 Star
STA: 0 Star
MANA: 0 Star
SPIRIT: 0 Star fɾēewebnσveℓ.com
WILL: C Grade
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Then he opened his skill window.
-------------------[Skills]-------------------
Racial Traits:
1. Mana blood: Mana is a part of one’s blood, granting the ability to wield mana at birth.
2. Emotional Dominance: Allows emotions to enhance abilities. Also makes emotions difficult to control. This is a passive trait. Disadvantages can be prevented with sufficient WILL stat.
3. Battle Machine: Seals all emotions allowing one to think objectively in battle. This is an active trait and can be turned off at will.
4. Insatiable Thirst: Grants an insatiable thirst for knowledge, if you want it. Although an active trait, once it is used, it cannot be turned off and evolves into Mad Scientist.
5. Mad Scientist: Condition-based trait that removes all inhibitions when it comes to research, experiments, and overall pursuit of knowledge.
Innate Skills:
1. Stellar Ignition: Grants the ability to channel the radiant energy of distant celestial bodies into their Starfire, creating intensely powerful and focused Starfire flames. These flames possess the pure essence of stars and are capable of purifying and incinerating their foes with a celestial inferno.
2. Eclipse Manipulation: Harness both Solar Light and Lunar Shadow to create dazzling eclipses, altering reality and affecting their surroundings.
3. Soulbound Dominion: Grants the ability to forge pacts and alliances with beings of various realms, strengthening their bond with otherworldly entities. Through these connections, they can manipulate and control souls, forming unbreakable bonds that grant them dominion over life forces, the spiritual realm, and their enemies’ souls.
4. Phoenix Resurgence: Grants the ability to heal and restore souls while mastering the art of rebirth, allowing them to resurrect from ashes. This ability can only be used once per Grade.
5. Divine Synthesis: Grants the ability to merge multiple affinities, creating unique and immensely powerful abilities by combining Star Fire, Solar Light, Lunar Shadow, Life, and Soul.
6. Ethereal Strategists: Analytical intellect superior to Ash Demons, granting the ability to swiftly decipher complex situations, devise brilliant strategies, and create powerful solutions.
7. Mark of Cain: Allows the user to evolve bloodline grade by consuming those of their own race, assimilating their strengths and advancing their genetic potential.
8. Devour: Devour a being to gain one of their Innate Abilities and some of their Stats. The beingust not be more than a grade higher than the user. The being must be killed by the user. The being’s body must contain bloodline essence.
-----------------[Achievements]-----------------
1. Perfect Evolver I: Perfectly cleared the first Ascension Trial.
Potential +150%
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He showed the boys his Status Window. Cass whistled in shock before saying, "You’re basically another Primogenitor."
