Born in Blood



Accepting the two missions, Liam didn't waste a second and left the underground.

Liam intended to go all out for his forging of Rank 3 weapons. 

Usually, inscribed items at the third Rank lasted for a very long time, as long as they weren't one-time use items.

If made masterfully enough, they wouldn't break unless faced with a higher ranked item.

And even then, they would put up a decent fight.

They had special functions too. 

Not as amazing as teleporting to the weapon itself, as seen from Elder Verium's spear, but of a milder effect.

'There are several prefectures around this island that sell Rank 4 materials. It's pretty common on this island, too.'

'I'll let them soak in blood for two weeks at the very least. Rank 4 materials are way more rigid compared to what I'm used to.'

'I'll be in the liquid stage by then as well.'

'If my body didn't advance, I probably wouldn't be able to make anything with them.'

'There's also the String Blood Art I could improve next.'

At the same time, Liam was undoubtedly close to breaking through the gaseous stage. 

It was a long time coming, all things considered. 

Roughly one or two weeks would allow him to advance.

With that, Liam's Primordial Forging would gain another boost in all aspects, and his prowess would naturally grow.

'I should ask Elder Aki for advice before making it, too.'

Specializations were vastly different from each other, even in categories that might seem related.

For Liam to ask Elder Aki for advice, would be like a carpenter asking an electrician advice on how to do his job. 

It didn't make sense.

However, they could share the minute similarities between their work.

In this case, Elder Aki was a Zenith forgemaster. 

Despite the conflicting specialization, she could give massive pointers for Liam on how to improve his work.

'The only issue is the type of person she is.'

As Liam was absorbed in his thoughts, he entered through a vast jungle, infested by all kinds of critters and creatures.

Giant trees – lined with bright, see-through amber leaves – formed a large canopy that didn't actually block the sunlight.

A faint but moist fog oozed through the air, which Liam recognized as unnatural.

Liam was entering a danger zone, where several Rank 4 specimens lived.

There were several trails of denser than usual 'Ora' all around him. 

To find a Rank 4 beast, he simply had to follow the purest one until the end. 

What Liam chose to hunt was a lone-hunting species. 

Meaning it would usually prefer to stay alone despite having a high Rank to command a pack with.

It was an Acrid Skunk.

Liam didn't want to try his luck with the stronger species out there, even though they were available. 

At least the Skunk wouldn't give him too much trouble compared to an Azure Tiger or a Six Tongued Gorilla.

As he went further in, a foul smell entered Liam's nostrils and singed his lungs.

It was disgusting and nauseating, and even after closing his nose by force, it managed to sting at his eyes. 

If Liam was still a Rank 3, his entire body would be affected by that stench as he inhaled it. 

The surrounding trees were covered with a dark green ooze, which were signs of Liam entering the Skunk's territory.

From what Liam learned about the Spirit Beast, the Acrid Skunk was peculiar in its methods of hunting for prey. 

Puddles of pure acid surrounded the Skunk's territory, which bubbled and gurgled on their own.

On average, the Rank 3 body would last exactly 1 minute against that liquid before melting away entirely.

Although it wasn't as lethal as a wolf or strong as a bear, the skunk was not to be underestimated.

Liam's senses had already picked up on the beast below a small depression.

The Acrid Skunk had greasy, dark green fur, with a single black stripe running across its filthy back. 

It dripped with thick liquid that sizzled as it fell on the dirt below.

It was on the bigger scale of Zenith beasts, 6.3 meters in width and height.

There wasn't anything special about its maw or claws, but its deadliest weapon was indeed, its natural stench and deadly spray from its underside.

As of now, it slept peacefully, a gentle snore reverberating the air. 

Liam didn't resort to any trickery. 

He didn't want to test his luck, which he learned early on not to rely upon. 

Especially considering what his opponent was.

Liam's Chaos Pearl churned, spreading across his flesh and muscles, transforming them into something superior.

As it hardened, Liam's skin gained an aureate sheen.

The ornate engravings on its surface grew deeper and more pronounced.

Liam's hair turned fully white. 

Every strand was brighter, glimmering like the edge of a sharp sword.

A liquid, brass alloy slowly grew around Liam's hands.

Liam expected it to stop there, but it continued enveloping his limbs. 

Eventually, it solidified and covered his entire arms!

All six of his arms were now covered by the gauntlets, which ended in ostentatious, crescent-shaped shoulder pads.

The gauntlets were sleeker, brighter and lighter. 

But way denser than before.

His teeth were smaller, but sharper. Human-like, almost, but not quite.

Both his eyes glowed brighter, emitting light.

He grew a few more inches in height, but his muscular body didn't seem meaty or thick.

Liam resembled a ferocious warrior from ancient times, but there was something eerie and unnerving about his ornate appearance.

It was both wondrous and terrifying.

If Liam's strength was an ocean before, it was now a raging sea violently surging with waves of power.

At the same time, Liam's thoughts were being corroded by violence.

'The side-effects of transformation have gotten worse.'

But he smiled nevertheless. 

As he thought that, the Acrid Skunk woke up with an abrupt screech.

It sensed something dangerous.

Very, very dangerous!

It jolted out of its slumber and hectically looked around, its two black, dotted eyes scanning the treeline. 

In the distance, something with six arms and multi-colored eyes was looking in its direction.

It expected another beast.

…But whatever that was, was way worse.

In the next moment, the six-armed creature kicked the ground—

BANG!

And reappeared in front of it.