The air itself vibrated.
The moment Veldora pressed his colossal claw against the shimmering barrier, the cavern felt alive with power. Magicules surged like tidal waves, oppressive yet intoxicating, filling Rimuru's lungs with every breath. Her body shook violently, caught between fear and desire.
Her crimson eyes burned as if lit by twin embers. Her fangs arched, pulsing with primal hunger.
The dragon's booming laughter echoed across the chamber. "Kuahahaha! Come then, Rimuru! Claim your destiny with your own teeth. Drink, and prove your existence to me!"
She hesitated. Even through the barrier, the sheer torrent of energy radiating from him threatened to tear her apart. A single mistake, and her body would disintegrate.
"C-calm down... I need to think..." she muttered, clutching her chest.
[Analysis: Contact with True Dragon blood carries a 97% chance of catastrophic system overload.]
[Countermeasure: Gradual consumption advised. Recommend integrating resistance.]
Great Sage's voice was cold, steady, and mercilessly logical.
"...You're saying I'll probably die "
[Correction. Probability of survival: 3%]
She swallowed hard, her throat dry. The hunger, however, cared nothing for logic. Her instincts screamed louder than her fear.
"...If this is my chance... I'll take it."
With trembling steps, she pressed her palm against the glowing barrier. It buzzed, a divine seal meant to bind the Storm Dragon. The energy stung her skin, but did not reject her. The connection deepened.
"Now, little vampire," Veldora rumbled, his golden eyes gleaming. "Take my gift. May your hunger carve your path!"
She closed her eyes, leaned forward, and sank her fangs into the offered claw.
–Crack.
The instant dragon's blood touched her tongue, her body convulsed. Fire and lightning exploded through her veins. It wasn't, just heat–it was annihilation itself. Every drop seared her inside, tore her apart, and remade her.
"A–A-A-A-A-ahhhHHHHHHHHH!" she screamed, collapsing to her knees, clutching at her throat as crimson liquid burned its way down. Her vision blurred, the cavern spinning violently.
[Alert: Foreign essence detected. True Dragon cells are attempting integration.]
[Host body incompatible. Structural collapse imminent ]
Her skin blistered, then healed, then tore again. Her wings burst from her back without warning–bat-like, jagged, far larger than her frame should allow. The cavern filled with the smell of scorched blood.
"Damn it...!" she gasped, slamming her nails into the ground as if to anchor herself. "I'm not...dying here!"
[Adjusting. Vampire physiology detected. Compatibility increasing. Blood absorption efficiency is rising.]
Her scream turned into a ragged gasp as the agony shifted into something else–growth. Her body expanded, then contracted, reforging bones, muscles, and veins in patterns no longer purely human or vampire. Her heartbeat slowed, then roared louder, steady and unstoppable.
Her eyes snapped open, glowing brighter than before–crimson irises rimmed with draconic gold.
Veldora grinned. "Yes... That's it. You endure! Kuhahaha!"
The torrent of power within her reached its climax. She collapsed once more, then rose shakily, her fangs dripping with the last traces of dragon blood. Here entire body trembled, but she was still alive.
And not the same.
Her breathing steadied. The hunger dulled, replaced with a strange new strength – wild, untamed, but hers to command.
"...I... survived," she whispered, clutching her chest.
Great Sage confirmed calmly:
[Survival confirmed. Integration at 62% complete. Further evolution is possible with continued dragon blood exposure.]
Her lips curved into a shaky smile. "Heh... three percent, huh? Guess I'm just lucky."
Veldora's booming laughter filled the cavern once more. "Kuhahaha! Splendid! You truly amuse me, Rimuru. To devour the blood of a True Dragon and endure... You may yet become worthy of standing at my side!'
She raised her gaze, meeting his golden eyes. For the first time, her voice held a spark of confidence "...Then I'll make sure I do."
The cavern quieted. Only the faint hum of the seal remained, but the air felt heavier now, charged with Rimuru's new aura.
She clenched her fist, feeling power ripple through her veins. But deep within, the hunger still stirred, whispering that this is only the beginning.
And somewhere in her soul, a seed of destiny had been planted.