Novak looked over his new infectious abilities with satisfaction:
[Dysentery] (Talent Skill)
『Spreads through bodily fluids and dissolves in water. Any creature that comes into contact is infected.』
Creatures with lower Constitution than the host suffer:
⤷ Abdominal pain, disabling movement-based skills.
⤷ Severe diarrhea, rendering them immobile and unable to attack.
⤷ Attribute degradation: -1 per second.[Hepatitis] (Talent Skill)
『Transmitted through the host's blood. Those infected suffer irreversible decay.』
Permanent-50% to all attributes upon infection.Additional -5% for every skill used.Cannot restore health through food.Enter a vomiting state, further reducing all attributes by 1 with each instance.
If the flu and inflammatory plagues were deadly by their sheer virulence, then dysentery and hepatitis brought a uniquely devastating effect. Though neither skill kills quickly, both torment a victim to the point where living feels worse than death—an effect designed to horrify.
But for Novak, the most significant impact of these new abilities was their synergy with the Plague Sun and the Black Death, intensifying infection rates and destructive power. The quick demise of the three monsters was evidence: weakened over time under the sun's plague, they'd fallen almost instantly upon contact with these new diseases.
Without acknowledging the stunned expressions of the 001 group behind him, Novak extended a hand, enveloping the three monster corpses with the black light virus' tendrils.
At that moment, a voice called out from behind him, "Um… Brother White Emperor, can I take a look at the boa constrictor's body first?"
Novak turned to see Anouk, understanding his interest immediately. Anouk's talent involved summoning ancestral spirits tied to snakes and pythons. The Black-thread Snake, now a monster in its own right, could enhance Anouk's skills if he absorbed it. Sacrificing python-like creatures could amplify the powers of his ancestral spirits and bestow blessings on Anouk himself.
Seeing no harm in this and aware of the benefits it would bring to the group, Novak loosened the virus' hold on the boa constrictor and focused on consuming the corpses of the tiger and the green ox instead.
As Novak's black-and-red virus tendrils crept over the fallen beasts, the group behind him watched in awe. Though they had heard rumors about his power through the chat group, seeing it firsthand had an unsettling impact.
Next to Novak, Anouk transformed. His upper body stretched upward, his legs shifting into a serpentine tail that swayed in place of human limbs. His pupils narrowed into snake-like slits, and his tongue darted out, flicking with a low hissing sound.
The corners of Anouk's mouth seemed slightly split, resembling the gaping maw of a serpent, with a hint of almost feminine allure in his gaze. If Novak's abilities were terrifying, Anouk's were positively chilling.
Then, within Anouk's own voice, another voice emerged—a thin, feminine tone with a hissing quality and, most unexpectedly, a thick Northeastern accent:
"El's is very good. Such a pure soul from our family line, with this, my strength has improved. Very good!"
Everyone present froze, momentarily stunned.
In the next moment, an ethereal spirit rose from the body of the large python, which Anouk promptly swallowed in a single gulp. He closed his eyes, his expression content, and as his form reverted to normal, he let out a long, slow breath, his eyes still gleaming with an unnerving intensity.
With a hint of embarrassment, Anouk added, "Ahem…sorry for that. My aunt's, uh, eating habits aren't exactly polite…"
The group exchanged uneasy glances, aware that everyone's abilities had their quirks, yet Anouk's seemed distinctly unsettling.
Meanwhile, Novak remained focused, feeling the feedback from the Blacklight Virus as it processed the monstrous energy he'd absorbed:
[Absorbed special species, gaining 35 Blacklight Virus evolution points.]
[Absorbed additional special species, gaining 42 Blacklight Virus evolution points.]
[Absorbed a special species; the Blacklight Virus detects a unique bloodline. Choose to assimilate the bloodline or reject it.]
Though he hadn't acquired any new skills, Novak felt satisfied with the evolution points. He'd soon have enough to unlock more stages of his biochemical abilities and evolve his claws for maximum damage. He was also looking forward to testing the Ground Spike skill once he amassed enough points. Its full potential remained a mystery, one he was eager to uncover.
Intrigued, he examined the bloodline details that had surfaced:
[Low-Level Demon Bloodline] (Grade D)
『A bloodline commonly found in monsters, granting mutants the potential to evolve into higher forms.』
Assimilation Effect: May grant powerful enhancements.Risk Factor: Carries unpredictable side effects upon fusion.
Power always comes at a price...
Novak's eyes gleamed, and he ran his tongue over his lips, contemplating the power potential…until Ray's excited shout broke his focus:
"Brother White Emperor! Look! We hit the jackpot!"
Opening his eyes, Novak had just finished absorbing the boa constrictor's essence, netting 40 evolution points. Now, he turned his attention to the scattered loot left behind from the battle.