An hour later—
The door to my room swung open without warning.
Standing at the entrance was Azharyon.
"Velzahar, you in there?" he called, his tone casual—but his eyes sharp, scanning.
The sound snapped me awake instantly.
Not groggy.
Not slow.
Sharp.
Like something inside me had been waiting to react.
"I'll be there soon," I replied, my voice steady.
He studied me for a brief second… then nodded and stepped back, closing the door.
---
Silence returned.
But it didn't feel empty.
---
I sat up slowly.
My body didn't ache anymore.
No lingering pain.
No weakness.
Instead—
It felt… compact.
Dense.
Like every fiber of my being had been compressed and reforged into something stronger.
But beneath that strength—
There was something else.
A faint irritation.
A restless edge.
---
I exhaled slowly and stood up, walking into the bathroom.
Cold water ran down my body.
Steam filled the space.
And gradually—
My thoughts began to settle.
---
But not completely.
---
I raised my head and stared into the mirror.
Same face.
Same structure.
But my eyes—
Sharper.
Colder.
More… predatory.
---
"System."
---
A blue interface flickered into existence.
> Master, your reward points were used to acquire the Divine Solution.
---
My brows narrowed slightly.
"…Explain."
---
> The red solution used in body cultivation contains demonic energy. While effective for rapid physical enhancement, it carries severe mental instability risks.
---
"…Berserk."
---
> Affirmative.
---
Silence lingered.
Then I spoke again.
"What about the blue liquid?"
---
> The Divine Solution contains purified energy. It stabilizes the body, neutralizes corruption, and promotes controlled growth.
---
"…So one accelerates violently."
"And the other stabilizes the damage."
---
> Affirmative.
---
I leaned slightly against the sink, processing.
---
"The red was absorbed faster…"
---
> Due to its aggressive nature.
---
"And the blue?"
---
> Absorption is slower due to its harmonizing function.
---
Everything aligned.
---
"If I didn't take the blue solution…"
---
The system paused.
A fraction longer than usual.
---
> A weaker individual would likely lose control and devolve into a demonic state.
---
"…And me?"
---
> Master possesses high mental fortitude. Complete loss of control is unlikely.
---
A pause.
Then—
> However, side effects would manifest.
---
My gaze sharpened.
"…Define side effects."
---
> Heightened aggression. Emotional instability. Increased violent impulses. Reduced restraint.
---
I exhaled slowly.
---
"So I'd still lose control… just not completely."
---
> Correct.
---
"…And now?"
---
> The effects are suppressed but not fully eliminated. Residual influence remains.
---
There it was.
---
That feeling.
---
The irritation.
The edge.
The subtle pull toward… violence.
---
"…Annoying."
---
> The effects will fade as your body fully integrates the energies.
---
"Good."
---
I turned away from the mirror and stepped out.
Dressed.
Calm.
Composed.
---
At least on the surface.
---
As I walked down the hallway—
A new screen appeared.
---
> [User Info]
Name: Velzahar
Race: Blue-Eyed White Tiger
Pure Beast Blood: 100%
Accessible Power: 20%
Threat Classification: ???
---
I stopped mid-step.
---
"…Twenty percent?"
---
That wasn't gradual growth.
That was a spike.
---
Then—
The screen shifted.
---
> [Warning]
Host bloodline seal is weakening.
Recommendation: Increase strength rapidly and mental fortitude.
---
My expression darkened slightly.
---
So it's accelerating.
---
"Why wasn't I informed earlier?"
---
> The increase is primarily due to Master's rapid growth and recent trials.
---
"…So it's not entirely negative."
---
> Correct. Growth is beneficial. Instability is the associated risk.
---
I exhaled.
---
As always—
Power and consequence.
---
I continued walking.
---
The dining area came into view.
---
"Good morning, Mom. Dad."
---
"Good morning, my dear," my mother replied warmly, smiling as usual.
---
But my father—
Didn't respond immediately.
---
He was watching me.
Closely.
---
Not as a parent.
As a warrior.
---
"…Morning," he finally said.
But his tone carried weight.
---
He noticed.
Of course he did.
---
I took my seat.
Picked up my utensils.
---
And started eating.
---
Fast.
Too fast.
---
Plate after plate disappeared.
Without pause.
Without thought.
---
My brother froze mid-bite.
"…What's wrong with you?"
---
I didn't answer.
---
Because I was starting to realize something.
---
This wasn't hunger.
---
It was consumption.
---
My stomach felt like a void.
Endless.
Unfilled.
---
The more I ate—
The more my body demanded.
---
"…Is he okay?" my brother muttered.
---
"Looks like someone's jealous," my mother teased lightly.
---
But my father remained silent.
Watching.
Analyzing.
---
I slowed down.
Barely.
---
Trying to understand.
---
This isn't recovery…
---
This is adaptation.
---
My grip tightened slightly on the table.
---
The Beast God Physique…
The Flame God Physique…
---
They weren't just strengthening me.
---
They were rewriting me.
---
Metabolism.
Energy usage.
Instincts.
---
Everything was changing.
---
"…This could get dangerous."
---
Because right now—
---
It was just food.
---
But later?
---
…
---
I stood up.
---
"I'm done."
---
Even though—
I wasn't.
---
Not even close.
---
As I turned to leave—
My father spoke.
---
"Velzahar."
---
I stopped.
---
"…Yes?"
---
A brief silence.
Then—
---
"…Control it."
---
Two words.
Simple.
Heavy.
---
I nodded once.
Then walked away.
---
But as I stepped out of the room—
---
My eyes flickered.
---
For a brief moment—
---
They weren't calm.
---
They weren't stable.
---
They weren't even fully… mine.
---
Something else looked through them.
---
Something deeper.
---
Something ancient.
---
Something hungry.
---
And this time—
---
It wasn't asleep.
I