Chapter 662 The Path To S-Grade
"Wait, so let me get this straight," Laihud said as he took a deep breath. "You called us here because you want to turn us into were-people?"
Ashton sighed and nodded. "But not only that, I want to make you a better version of yourselves since you have stuck with me from the beginning of my journey as a mercenary."
It had been a couple of hours since Laihud and Vimur arrived on Earth, and after explaining his plan, Ashton proposed to make them stronger. However, Laihud was sceptical, as any sane person would be.
Playing with one's genetics was not a joke, and Laihud was well aware of the things that could go wrong. After all, he was a healer, and as a part of his 'studies', he had learned a lot about genetics and even toyed with them before.
As for Vimur, all he needed to know was that he'd be stronger than before, and he readily agreed. Laihud tried to make him understand what he was agreeing to, but Vimur had already made up his mind. Besides, he trusted Ashton more than anyone else, so it was only natural for him to agree.
"It's... why do you need to do this though?" Laihud asked Ashton. "I have known you for years, and that's enough for me to know you wouldn't abruptly make such a request without a reason."
Ashton smiled as he got up and faced the window. Outside, he could see the happy faces of humans, mutants and aliens alike. Everyone was living their lives, not knowing the constant danger looming over them, whether it be the Xyrans or the Cult.
At first, he only wanted to get stronger for his own sake. To take revenge on everyone who had ever wronged him. Then, it became a mission to help Astaroth and make the Xyrans pay for what they did to the precursors and his father.
But after encountering the Cult, the purpose of his gaining strength shifted to protecting the ones close to him. But now that he thought about it, the only reason for his power lust has been one thing... to fulfil the journey his father had embarked on.
Ashton knew that ideology was absurd, but it was what he valued the most. Besides, he knew whatever the Cult was doing couldn't be good, so he had to stop them, if nothing else. With that, he made up his mind... to tell them the truth.
"I wanted you all to get stronger and stay by my side," Ashton said but broke down laughing. "Of course, I wanted to make you strong so I can get stronger."
The confused look on Laihud's face was enough for Ashton to know he didn't understand what he said. So Ashton repeated his words.
"By converting you into werewolves, I would unlock the next stage of evolution for myself," Ashton said. "Now, do you understand? But I'm not forcing you. I can find other candidates, but since you two have been the closest to me, I thought it would be best to offer you the opportunity first."
Laihud gazed out of the window, lost in contemplation. He thought about the battles they had faced, the dangers they had encountered, and the strength he would need to protect those he cared about.
But primarily, he thought of Vimur and his feelings. If he became a werewolf, he would get closer to Vimur. Close enough to not have any boundaries between them.
Finally, he turned back to Ashton, his eyes filled with determination. "Alright, Ashton. I'll do it. I'll become a werewolf."
A smile of relief and gratitude spread across Ashton's face. He reached out and clasped Laihud's hand in a firm handshake.
"I promise you won't regret it."
***
A week later, the ceremony was conducted. While everything went as predicted with Vimur, strange things happened when Ashton turned Laihud into a werewolf.
While Ashton only wanted to turn him into a werewolf, it seemed Laihud wanted something more. When Ashton was done and analysed Laihud's genes, he realised that Laihud had turned into something more.
Laihud had evolved into a hybrid as predicted, but he didn't assume the role Ashton had expected. It seemed Laihud was unaware of dormant genetic material within himself back from his experimental phases, and being bit by Ashton somehow triggered those genes.
By the end of the transformation, Laihud was turned into a Dyrad-Werewolf hybrid, completely abandoning his previous identity. Thankfully, he retained his memories, or else it would have been difficult for Ashton to contain him, as Laihud had become much stronger than before.
While everyone celebrated Laihud's ascension, Ashton received the notification of his ascension. The quests set out for him had been completed, and as such, it was time for him to ascend to the realm only a handful had ever achieved.
(Ascension will begin in 10 seconds...)
[You should lock yourself up for this one... and while you're at it, try not to scream.]
Ashton nodded as he could already feel pain coursing through his body. Without saying a word, he pushed everyone out of the room and locked himself inside.
As soon as he locked the door, he collapsed on the floor. It felt like every cell of his body was ripping itself apart. His insides felt like he drank a shit ton of lava for breakfast.
Blood came gushing out of his skin, nose, mouth, everywhere and before he knew it, the entire room was covered in his blood.
Then came the bone-rattling cold, an icy chill that seemed to freeze his soul. It was a cold that pierced through to his core, numbing his senses and leaving him feeling utterly vulnerable.
The physical pain was just the beginning. Ashton felt his mind was being stretched to its limits, his thoughts spiralling into confusion and chaos. Memories, emotions, and visions collided in a tumultuous whirlwind, threatening to overwhelm his sanity.
Through it all, Ashton clung to his resolve. He knew that this transformation was necessary and held the key to unlocking his true potential and fulfilling his destiny. He gritted his teeth, his muscles trembling with the effort to endure the torture.
As the waves of pain continued to wash over him, Ashton's crimson eyes blazed with determination. He refused to yield to the agony, to let it break him. He was determined to emerge from this crucible stronger than ever before.
In the chamber's eerie silence, the transformation continued, and so did an excruciating journey of evolution that would shape Ashton into a being beyond imagination.
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