Chapter 161 - Greed Bests Loyalty
"Are you okay Master"
"Yes, more importantly, how are you feeling"
"Well, I'm somehow overfilling with energy, like I'm a bit bloated"
"Hmm"
He stood up, a little shaky, taking a better look at her
The purple that was consuming her skin was now gone but her skin radiated energy, the powerful blood bearing effect now after being assimilated into her body
'Doesn't seem like it helped her much'
He took a look at her status and didn't see anything different, no increase in any aspect either
'I need to take away the chains for there to be any effect, if I do however she might actually evolve, this blood is way more potent than the poisons we used last time'
He could allow the chains to remain in her body like he was doing with Anput, let it stir until she was capable of putting it under control but that would be counterproductive to his plans
'Ellis news to continuously grow stronger at a quick rate, can't halt her advance like Anput'
He thought over the matter a bit, not much seemed viable however
'Maybe if I use my evolution skill the blood would come naturally under her control? Would the limiter allow such a thing though'
He mulled over this choice, regretting not testing this idea on the thralls when he had the chance
"Belinda"
"Yes? Do you require assistance?"
"I do, can you activate a barrier to block any energy leak from this place"
"This place is isolated already, else the others would have noticed all this commotion long ago"
"A stronger barrier, what I'm about to do may be too much to block out"
Belinda blinked her eyes curiously, what could cause more disturbance than what the miracles he'd pulled already? She couldn't wait to find out so she activated all the gems inlaid on the walls
"This rune formation should be enough, I use it when conducting experiments on the Biomass"
"Good"
He turned back to Ellis who wasn't really sure what poison he would pull out next
"Bear with me Ellis"
He warned, having decided to take the risk once more and activate the Master Evoltuin skill
Placing his palm on her forehead, a green light emitted from it, enveloping her entirely
The light seemed to seep into her body, garnering a different type of reaction than the usual, chains of blood quickly rose in defiance, holding down the light's overbearing effects from changing her entirely, instead consuming it
YuJu kept his eyes peeled for any surprises, noticing how the chains were turning into different shades of color, at the beginning they were red, then vibrant green like the crow's poison, then purple like the swamp blood before finally taking on a dark red that was almost black, sinking back into Ellis quietly
He waited with baited breaths for a change, any change, yet nothing really happened after that
'Guess the chains barred the evolution, now if I take them away it should still retain her human race?... Hopefully so'
He had her stand up, pulling her to himself and sinking his fangs into her neck he drained the chains, along with a moan produced by the ecstasy that always followed this process
At last her body started to show changes, the scales on the base of her chest, arms, and legs spreading further, at the same time turning from hardened scales into much softer one's, gaining a tint of pink while they were at it
Her shoulders, ends of hair, and joints took on that same rosy pink, no major change otherwise happened, at least not on the outside
A ting came as he pulled his fangs out, one that he hoped to hear as a notification told him of her new ability
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-Ellis Jasper Gained "Poison Eater" Talent
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'Poison Eater? I expected something more….well, ridicules, but at least her race did not change'
It wasn't the worst talent to have, at least poisons would now become tunics even without the need for purifications, she could naturally use them to raise her status like one would with energy filled food
A hot breath one the side of his face brought him out of his thoughts, turning to the side where Belinda's face was now an inch away from his
"Uh?"
Her eyes were a little too vibrant, scarily infatuated, something rather expected
"My, you have been hiding much from me haven't you?"
"Naturally, this power would be tantamount to inviting a war between your kind and me, there would be no stops as to what they would do to be on the receiving end of it"
"Yet allow me to see such enticement, I can't help but believe you're trying to win me over"
She slithered around him, wrapping his body with her tail as her body pressed into his
"It is only reserved for your servants I believe, after seeing it I really would like to become one"
This was treason on her part, both of them knew, yet it was obvious, few of her kind would resist after viewing the amazing spectacle that happened here
"Your body is not enough"
"Then what would you require of me, I am willing to do whatever your heart desires"
He could feel the quick pulse of her heart, decades of stale advancement finally seeing a way through, one couldn't blame this greedy snake
"Loyalty, unconditional loyalty"
"I believe I can do that, if the reward is so extravagant"
"Perhaps, but not yet"
His answer didn't make sense, his actions signified his willingness to side with her yet he kept refusing
"If you do fall under my rule, he will notice, I can't have that"
"? I don't see how that would be, he is not omniscient, not even within these walls"
"Indeed, to become my servant however requires a pact, one that would erase that power he has over you"
Belinda's eyes went wide, shock unhidden, he actually had a way to erase the ruling mark of that person? If that was so then she would have to reconsider this pact of his...then again, she still couldn't resist, it was her nature
Wrapping her arms around his neck she crept her face closer, lustful energy spreading from her body into his
"I don't believe I can wait, not after a ray of hope shines on me"
Her lips moved toward his, tail binding harder, then…
"Hiiss!"
Like a spring her body unwinded, shooting away from his body toward the other side of the room
Just now her blood seeped from her without control, absorbed into him, even though it was for but a moment the amount of power drained from her body was unbelievable
Throughout YuJu kept a calm front, looking unbothered in the least, his thoughts however solemn
'It happened again'
The same thing that caused his grand to fall apart, an instance where his body absorbed the blood of another without reason
'Why is this occurring?'
His mind once more visited the thought of his secondary class. Blood vessel, but why did it only happen when he was faced with the upper members of Genus Insania?
Clueless he remained, now wasn't the time to try and figure this mystery out however, he had a scared and dangerous snake woman to calm down
"I don't take fancy to someone ruining my plans Belinda, keep yourself under control, you are a centerpiece in this game, do your part and rewards will naturally follow"
"...."
"Understood?"
"....Yes"
She didn't like this threatening manner in which he instructed her, it was much like how that man spoke
"Feel free, to pick your side though, he doesn't lie in the promises he makes, neither do I"
"? You mean"
"Yes, Project Unshackled is not a cruise, it nears completion soon"
"! That can't be, that project is...how? No, why are you telling me this? Do you not want me to be on your side"
"A small favor for a respected rival, otherwise I would feel cheap snatching his followers so easily"
That wasn't the entire truth, what he wanted was to keep her on the fence, this snake must remain double faced, as to whether she would actually stay on the enemy side or not didn't cause concern, her role would be done way before a decision is made
"I'll leave you to your thoughts, we are in need of a good bath"
Along with the curiously spectating Ellis he made his exit, heading back toward the blood filled bath for some much needed rest
"Master, who is that 'him' you keep speaking of"
"Why he is none other than the leader on the enemy side, the king I'm playing this game with"
"Game?"
He stopped, pointing to the surroundings in an exaggerated manner
"All this, the feud between nature and blood, the prison tower and its residents, and all which it houses, that's the game, one that would decide the future of the land, and one which I guarantee our victory in"
The smile receded from his face as he continued
"What matter is only the cost, who would pay their blood for it to end, who would remain to enjoy the glory"
This, he was uncertain about