Chapter 8: The Meeting(2)
The grand meeting hall of the noble families was suffused with an almost palpable tension. It wasn't just the sheer weight of history that hung in the air, nor the expectation of what was to come—it was something far more electric. Whispers darted across the room like fleeting shadows, every corner of the grand chamber abuzz with hushed voices. Some spoke in wonder, others in disbelief, but all were acutely aware that something monumental was unfolding before them. The Lee family—once considered a symbol of failure, their evolution a tragedy in waiting—had just defied all odds, displaying a power so immense that even the most seasoned of family heads were struck speechless.
Alex Lee entered the hall with a quiet grace, his presence commanding, not through volume or grand gestures, but through the elemental resonance that pulsed gently from him. The room seemed to bend slightly around him as if the very air obeyed his every step. His eyes scanned the faces of his peers—some familiar, others distant, but all were suddenly keenly aware of the weight of his presence. He could feel their gazes, some laced with curiosity, others tinged with envy or fear.
A faint, almost imperceptible smile tugged at his lips, but he said nothing. His thoughts flickered briefly to Karl, the Vampire Progenitor, who sat nearby, his usual immaculate white attire marred by faint bloodstains. Alex's keen eyes registered the stains, but he dismissed it as trivial—probably a byproduct of his recent evolution, nothing more. What Alex didn't know was that those bloodstains weren't mere accidents; they were the remnants of a fierce confrontation. Karl had clashed with Greg, the Human Progenitor, mere hours ago. The tension between them had escalated into a violent skirmish, one that ended with Greg emerging victorious.
The room fell silent as Karl rose to his feet. The vampire's regal posture, coupled with the aura of power he exuded, demanded attention. His crimson eyes gleamed under the dim lighting, sharp and predatory.
"Now that everyone has arrived," Karl's voice was smooth, but there was an edge to it that seemed to cut through the stillness, "I assume we've all completed our evolution? Then it would be prudent to share our transformations with each other. I think it's vital that we understand the full scope of each other's newfound strengths. Let us begin. I propose that each of us state our profile, so we can better gauge the extent of our progress."
A murmur rippled through the hall, a mix of agreement and anxious anticipation. Karl took a slow, deliberate breath, savoring the moment before speaking again.
"I'll begin," he announced, a faint smile curling on his lips, "I have evolved into the Vampire. A creature of the night, steeped in myth and legend. As you can see, I'm currently at Tier 1, which means that I've only scratched the surface of my potential. My abilities are still rudimentary, but they are formidable enough to offer a glimpse of the power I will wield once I fully embrace my nature."
With a casual wave of his hand, Karl invoked his profile. The air shimmered briefly, and a translucent screen materialized before him, visible to all present. It was a display of his raw strength and potential.
[Name: Karl
Realm: Tier 1/Tier 8
Race: Vampire
Stats:
Strength: 230
Speed: 220
Intelligence: 200
Mana: 400
Abilities:
Compulsion (Beginner): Can influence weak-willed individuals to follow commands. Blood Manipulation (Beginner): Can control blood to a limited extent, useful for both offense and defense.
Passive Regeneration (Beginner): Heals minor injuries automatically over time.
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System Remark:
"You embody the dominion of blood, shadow, and immortality. Unlock your latent vampiric lineage to dominate creatures of the night."]
The room fell into an uneasy silence. It wasn't the staggering power of Karl's profile that left them stunned—though it was undeniably potent—it was the cold, calculated nature of his being. Even at this early stage, he radiated an aura of unrelenting authority. Every word, every motion was imbued with the weight of centuries of experience.
Karl's lips curled into a smile as he concluded, "As you can see, my power is just beginning to awaken. But even now, the potential of a Vampire is—remarkable."
The tension in the room held for a long beat before it was broken by a low, almost amused chuckle from Shay, the Werewolf Progenitor. Shay's golden eyes glinted with a predatory gleam as he leaned back in his seat. He'd been quietly observing, but now it was his turn to make his move.
"Not bad, Karl," Shay's voice was low, carrying the weight of years spent in the shadows. "But let me show you what real evolution looks like."
With a fluid, almost effortless motion, Shay stood. His aura shifted immediately, as if the very air thickened around him. His presence was palpable, primal, and the slightest hint of a growl rumbled in his chest. His golden eyes, sharp and piercing, scanned the room with a glance that seemed to cut to the core of each individual.
"I have become a Werewolf," Shay said, his voice low and guttural. "The apex predator". Like everyone, I'm at Tier 1, but unlike a bloodsucker, I've embraced my primal nature from the very beginning."
There was a barely perceptible growl in his words, a sound that made the air vibrate with anticipation. He didn't waste time. He uttered the word "Profile" with authority, and the same shimmering screen appeared before him, displaying his raw abilities.
2. Shay – Werewolf Progenitor (2nd Ranked Family)
[Name: Shay
Realm: Tier 1/Tier 8
Race: Werewolf
Stats:
Strength: 220
Speed: 220
Intelligence:170
Mana: 340
Abilities:
Predatory Instincts (Beginner): Heightened senses for tracking and detecting enemies. Shadow Movement (Beginner): Can briefly blend into shadows to evade or ambush. Enhanced Senses (Beginner): Boosted sight, smell, and hearing in battle.
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System Remark:
"You are the apex predator. Harness your primal instincts to crush your enemies and protect your pack."]
Everyone then began to display their profile
3. Luke – Abyssal Progenitor (3rd Ranked Family)
[Name: Luke
Realm: Tier 1/Tier 8
Race: Abyssal Being
Stats:
Strength: 180
Speed: 190
Intelligence: 240
Mana: 480
Abilities:
Void Manipulation (Beginner): Limited control over the void to create small rifts or barriers.
Reality Distortion (Beginner): Can slightly alter perception, making the user appear elsewhere.
Mental Mastery (Beginner): Immense focus, enhancing spell control and knowledge retention.
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System Remark:
"Knowledge and the void are your allies. Unravel reality's secrets and wield them with precision."]
4. Luminara – Angel Progenitor (4th Ranked Family)
[Name: Luminara
Realm: Tier 1/Tier 8
Race: Angel
Stats:
Strength: 130
Speed: 150
Intelligence: 250
Mana: 500
Abilities:
Divine Light (Beginner): Emits a holy light that damages evil beings and heals allies. Healing Aura (Beginner): Can heal minor wounds in a small area over time.
Holy Smite (Beginner): Calls down a burst of radiant energy to attack foes.
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System Remark:
"You are a beacon of hope and judgment. Shine your light to guide the worthy and purge the wicked."]
5. Chloe – Demon Progenitor (5th Ranked Family)
[Name: Chloe
Realm: Tier 1/Tier 8
Race: Demon
Stats:
Strength: 190
Speed: 180
Intelligence: 220
Mana: 440
Abilities:
Fear Manifestation (Beginner): Can create illusions that invoke terror in opponents. Infernal Contracts (Beginner): Allows negotiation of pacts that bind others with magical obligations.
Demonic Summoning (Beginner): Can summon low-tier demonic entities for aid.
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System Remark:
"Deception, power, and fear are your tools. Use them wisely to secure your dominion over Ethermal."]
6. Gary– Titan Progenitor (6th Ranked Family)
[Name: Gary
Realm: Tier 1/Tier 8
Race: Titan
Stats:
Strength: 270
Speed: 130
Intelligence: 140
Mana: 280
Abilities:
Earth Shatter (Beginner): Can create tremors or small localized quakes.
Unyielding Body (Beginner): Temporarily negates minor physical damage.
Titan's Resolve (Beginner): Boosts strength further when severely injured.
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System Remark:
"You are a mountain of strength. Stand tall and immovable, no matter the storm."]
7. Jake– Phoenix Progenitor (7th Ranked Family)
[Name: Jake
Realm: Tier 1/Tier 8
Race: Phoenix
Stats:
Strength: 180
Speed: 180
Intelligence: 190
Mana: 380
Abilities:
Flame Rebirth (Beginner): Can revive once per day when fatally injured, restoring health partially.
Inferno Surge (Beginner): Releases a wave of flames around the user for area damage. Phoenix Feather (Beginner): Passively increases resilience and mana regeneration.
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System Remark:
"You are fire incarnate, the eternal flame. Burn brightly and never let the embers fade."]
8. Ben – Dragon Progenitor (8th Ranked Family)
[Name: Ben
Realm: Tier 1/Tier 8
Race: Dragon
Stats:
Strength: 200
Speed: 170
Intelligence: 200
Mana: 400
Abilities:
Elemental Breath (Beginner): Can release a low-tier elemental breath (fire or ice). Dragon's Might (Beginner): Temporarily boosts physical strength during battle.
Scale Barrier (Beginner): Generates a durable, dragon-like scale armor for defense.
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System Remark:
"You are regal, powerful, and unyielding. Command with authority and reign supreme."]
9. Alex – Elemental Paragon (9th Ranked Family)
[Name: Alex
Realm: Tier 1/Tier 8
Race: Elemental Paragon
Stats:
Strength: 170
Speed: 180
Intelligence: 210
Mana: 420
Abilities:
Elemental Embodiment (Beginner): Can manipulate minor aspects of fire, water, earth, air and more.
Nature's Wrath (Beginner): Calls a minor elemental storm to attack enemies. Elemental Shield (Beginner): Temporarily reduces damage taken from elemental attacks.
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System Remark:
"You are the balance of Ethermal's elements. Grow to embody the essence of creation"] itself."
10. Greg – Human Progenitor (10th Ranked Family)
[Name: Greg
Realm: Tier 1/Tier 8
Race: Human
Stats:
Strength: 160
Speed: 160
Intelligence: 190
Mana: 380
Abilities:
Adaptive Combat (Beginner): Quickly learns and counters enemy combat styles. Limitless Growth (Beginner): Gradually increases stats through prolonged effort and combat.
Martial Mastery (Beginner): Mastery of basic physical weapons and fighting techniques.
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System Remark:
"You are the peak of human adaptability. Push your limits to ascend beyond expectations."]