Chapter 298: The Path Of No Return
’A class which focuses both on magic and muscles... well from the looks of it... it’s not bad,’ Dhruv thought as reading the name of the evolution.
But his opinion changed as he read the description, ’No... no, saying it’s not bad is certainly an understatement. How can this be "not bad" when I’m even getting a new magic affinity?’
Dhruv thinks, trying to figure out what type of magic this could be.
’From the name of it, I can say it involves strengthening my body or maybe even other objects with the help of mana... and not at a small level either,’ Dhruv thought, convinced by his own explanation.
Dhruv seemed impressed by the unbiased as he found that this evolution would increase all four of his stats. Like the others, it also provides two organs, with a discount of one-third and one-fourth in evolutionary energy.
At first, the discount of one-third and one-fourth might look small, but after taking into account that all the organs were only of two categories: Magic or Physical.
This means one will get a discount no matter which type of organ he chooses.
It was different from the others, where he would only get a discount for a certain type of organ. All things considered, Dhruv was quite satisfied with this option.
"If everything is how you advertise, then you also get a good score..."
Looking at the organs Dhruv added, " Well, this could turn into a perfect score depending on how nice your organs are,’
[Arcane Reservoir: A specialized organ placed near the mana core that stores and regulates large amounts of magical energy, allowing for extended spellcasting and powerful magical bursts, as well as improving mana regeneration and overall magical stamina.]
’Huh! Another mana storage type organ and this is even better than the fire one. This one doesn’t restrict itself to any certain mana elements while also improving the mana regeneration aspect.’
’...Well, isn’t this great,’ Dhruv thought, increasing the score of this evolution.
"Let’s see what you can do..." he clicked on the second organ.
[Battleborn Heart: An enhanced heart that increases physical endurance and strength, improving combat stamina and recovery rate during and after battles.]
As Dhruv read the description of the organ, a thought appeared in his head, ’A heart... well, it’s quite good, to be honest.’
On the surface, it looked like the benefits it provided were somewhat okayish... but that was far from the truth.
Increasing physical endurance and strength was already good, but improving the recovery rate after the battle was like a gift one couldn’t refuse.
In an era where the fight is constant, where one can be attacked from anywhere by anything. It was really important to maintain and conserve fatigue. And this organ somewhat negates that problem.
’Sigh! I guess that was all; it’s time for me to make a decision,’ He thought, looking at the evolution options in front of him.
Dhruv didn’t immediately choose any option like before and instead stared at them for some time.
He looked at the ways he could progress in life. These six were the paths he could take but was forced to take only one.
If others were to see him, they would definitely sense some change in him.
Dhruv had changed.
He wasn’t angry anymore with any of the options like before. He wasn’t expecting more than what was given. He knew the situation he was in.
He knew that these were the best he had achieved in the past few days. These were the direct reflections of his achievement. If he wanted to be disappointed, then he would have to be disappointed in himself for not achieving more.
Dhruv wasn’t going to blame the cosmos anymore for not giving him better options.
He wasn’t going to ask for more.
He was satisfied with what he had achieved.
What he wasn’t satisfied with was being forced to choose any one of them. These six were the result of his hard work, so why did he have to choose between them?
He wanted all of them.
He was going to have all the rewards.
He would not give up a single penny of his. He would not stop until taking everything that was his.
Looking at the screen in front of him, he whispered...
"True Fusion..."
The light of fusion emanated from his right hand as it touched the list of evolutions. Mana began to flow from his endless core, fueling the fusion.
For a second, silence descended, but after that... chaos erupted.
Arghhhhhh!
A chilling cry resonated in the area as his mana veins began to be destroyed one by one. What mana the veins were consuming from the core was something far greater than what they could withstand.
Blurgh!
Dhruv threw up a mouthful of blood. Within seconds all orifices of his were destroyed, blood pouring from them. In just matter of seconds, he was covered in blood.
Arghhhhhh! Arghhhh!
Suddenly his right hand bent at an unnatural angle as it began rotating at an extremely high speed. It didn’t have the power to be the medium.
Thud!
Tearing itself from his body, the hand dropped to the floor.
Sensing the unimaginable danger he was in, Dhruv instantly activated his Metamorphosis.
As wished his body began to change, breaking free from the cage. The color of his skin changed. Wings appeared on his back, six additional eyes emerged, and horns began to form on his head.
Everything seemed to be going well—or so it looked...
Boom! Boom! Boom!...
In an instant, the entire network of his mana veins obliterated to smithereens, unable to handle the power they were transmitting. The transformation began to retreat as the mana supply stopped.
With all his mana veins destroyed, Dhruv thought the process would stop...
But he was wrong—so wrong.
It didn’t stop; instead, it began to drain the mana even faster... horrifyingly faster.
Dhruv began to see the colorless mana exiting from his limitless core as it directly entered the panel. The speed was so great that the flesh between the two disintegrated to nothingness.
With the barrier destroyed, the speed only increased.
The warmth of his body began to drop as the mana keeping it alive was moving somewhere else.
Arghhhh!
Dhruv was in pain, but he could feel something else as well. The fusion was about to finish.
Like breaking his hope, a sound reached his ear.
Crack... Crack!
Dhruv could hear cracks forming in his core.
