Gargoyle Supremacy-Chapter 71: So… I’m a Vampire Now?

Aetherium was a rare and volatile mineral unique to the Aether World, formed exclusively from the crystallized heart of a deceased demon lord. These crystals were rich in concentrated Aether, making them immensely powerful but equally dangerous. If they were left unchecked, they would undergo a catastrophic three-stage transformation.

When an Aetherium crystal was abandoned, the concentrated Aether within began to develop sentience, driven by an instinctual need for survival. To sustain itself, the crystal consumed nearby organic and inorganic matter. At this stage, it became a parasitic entity, spreading corruption and consuming environmental resources to preserve its form.

Once the crystal secured enough sustenance, it emitted an alluring scent designed to attract beasts and other creatures. Those unfortunate enough to consume the crystal were enslaved, and their bodies became hosts for the sentient Aetherium. The crystals fed off the hosts’ life force and Aether until their deaths.

With each host it consumed, the Aetherium grew stronger and entered its second transformation: expansion. The crystal’s radioactive Aether mutated microorganisms and nearby creatures, transforming them into non-sentient Aetherium ores. This process rapidly increased the crystal’s mass and formed a network of corrupted life. Eventually, the crystal began to grow into a towering Aetherium Tree, evolving into an insidious structure that absorbed nutrients from the planet itself.

When the Aetherium Tree reached a height of 10 meters, it entered its third and most devastating stage. The tree’s Aether concentration reached critical levels, unleashing chaotic phenomena that could destroy entire ecosystems. At this point, the crystal acted as a beacon, drawing otherworldly creatures, including remnants of demon lords, to its location to consume.

The Aetherium crystal in Carn’s hand was still in its first stage, the Parasite Stage. Although weak compared to its later transformations, it held an immense concentration of Aether, making it both dangerous and valuable.

Carn drew Aether from the crystal while he suppressed the newborn spirit with his holy power. As his Aether made contact with the spirit, an eerie screech echoed through the abandoned subway.

A black haze exuded from the crystal and transformed into a noseless human face.

Gawain frowned at the grotesque spirit while Carn smirked, recognizing the demon lord’s face.

"Oh, hello, Demon Lord Despera. Fancy meeting your remnant will here. Let me guess, your soul has already passed on, but your heart’s lingering memory created another you? Too bad, you’re dead, sir."

The spirit didn’t respond as it couldn’t comprehend Carn’s words. It lacked the full memories of the deceased demon lord. Instead, driven by a primal instinct to survive, it deemed Carn an enemy. Its spectral mouth opened wide, attempting to consume him whole.

Carn laughed and spent a gold mark, summoning a radiant surge of light that illuminated the subway. The intense brilliance shattered the black haze and dispelled the spirit’s form, forcing it to retreat back into the crystal.

While the spirit recoiled, Carn drained Aether from the crystal. His silver marks flooded into his left arm, climbing from 3,000 to a staggering 5,050.

The crystal’s reserves were finally depleted. The Aetherium crystal cracked under the strain. Eventually, it crumbled, dissipating into fine dust.

As the crystal vanished, Carn examined his stabilized Aether levels.

5,050 silver marks. They were enough to animate an army of 500 gargoyles.

However, Carn wasn’t done with the crystal yet as the process left behind a small, black orb no larger than a grain.

Carn picked up the black grain, studying its ominous energy. This was the essence of a demon lord and a potent remnant of Despera’s power. If consumed, it could grant the eater new abilities or evolve their existing ones.

Without hesitation, Carn swallowed the essence grain. A surge of foreign memories and sensations flooded his mind, forcing him to close his eyes and concentrate.

Five minutes passed, and he exhaled deeply. He indeed learned something from the essence.

Testing his newly acquired power, Carn expended 10 silver marks and pointed at the wet ground beneath him.

A faint "POP" echoed throughout the subway, followed by a series of explosive bursts. Hidden slimes, camouflaged in the shadows, detonated simultaneously. Hundreds of strands of Aether surged into Carn, proving that these creatures had absorbed the life force of countless humans.

Gawain observed Carn in silence before he mustered his courage to ask.

"My lord, what was that spell?"

Carn smirked. "Demon Lord Despera’s signature ability, Blood Detonation. It’s a bloodline magic, actually. Essentially, he could detonate the blood of any living being within range. My limit is 100 yards for now, but Despera’s real range was 10 miles, I think."

Gawain’s expression shifted from awe to realization. "Despera... The Vampire King Drake Despera?! I remember now! He was aligned with the Lich King during the Anti-Undead Coalition War, wasn’t he? But… how did he die? His forces always avoided direct combat, and he was infamous for never showing up on the battlefield. It’s as if he avoided the war altogether."

Carn frowned. He too was curious about how Despera’s heart ended up as an Aetherium crystal buried in a forgotten subway. Still, the mystery didn’t offer immediate value, and Carn chose to refocus his energy on exploration.

With his Aether reserves replenished, he spent 10 silver marks to expand his detection radius. His mental map stretched further, revealing a massive crevice beyond the subway station.

Deeper in the crevice, Carn could feel an ominous energy from within. The air vibrated faintly, accompanied by a low rumbling noise that resembled the hum of a colossal machine in operation. Occasionally, the unsettling crying voice of an infant echoed.

Carn wasted no time. He teleported directly to the entrance of the crevice. Moments later, Gawain appeared beside him, having rushed to follow his lord’s lead. Together, they stood before a narrow crack in the wall, too small for either of them to physically squeeze through.

For beings like Carn and Gawain, who could bypass physical barriers with teleportation, the cracks presented no obstacle. Carn extended his senses through the fissures, letting his Aether probe the hidden space beyond. Gawain mirrored his lord’s actions, channeling his own detection ability to assist.

It took only two seconds for both of them to recoil. What they sensed sent a chill through even their formidable forms.

The reason for the appearance of smiling spiders, wild slimes, and distorted energy signatures was now clear.

Beyond the narrow crevices hid an open dimensional rift.

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