Chapter 346: Hunting a Wyvern
"Status."
[Scanning Host Body...]
[Scan Complete!]
[
- Status -
Name: Desmond
Gender: Male
Age: 11 years
Race: Dragon
Class: 0th Dragon Slayer
Occupation: None
Unique Energy: 177.77 (increased)
Strength: 90.00 (increased)
Agility: 100.00 (increased)
Stamina: 35.40 (increased)
Dragon Essences: 0
]
"Damn, my stats are ridiculously overpowered," Desmond muttered under his breath. Each time he reminisced about the arduous journey he had undertaken to increase his stats, he couldn't help but be taken aback when he glimpsed his current numbers.
Although the increments weren't staggering, considering how he had single-handedly slaughtered a group of Ghoul and ferocious beasts, they were substantial when compared to the average denizen of this world. Now all he needed to do was sit back and let his subordinates handle the rest.
The sensation of being the young master, both in his past life and the present, almost faded away, momentarily forgotten.
"However, my class has remained unchanged for the past few months," he mused, the lingering zeroes on his status sheet continuing to irk him. This glaring limitation prevented him from utilizing his spells against master wizards or higher-ranked adversaries in one-on-one combat.
It was almost a certainty that his spells would crumble upon facing their assaults. Desmond couldn't fathom how this mechanic operated. Despite possessing a greater energy capacity, his spells lacked the strength to withstand even a single attack.
"If it weren't for my psychic abilities surpassing the 4th class threshold, perhaps I could have taken Weston's position," he contemplated aloud. Only after acquiring the dual classes of swordsman and mage did Desmond truly comprehend the intricacies of a magic swordsman's role.
A mage's vulnerability lay in close-range combat, while a swordsman's Achilles' heel was long-range attacks. Gaining proficiency in both classes demanded not only talent but also twice the effort. Those who typically pursued dual classes often lagged behind individuals who specialized in a single class.
Yet, these conventions didn't apply to Desmond, who had the uncanny ability to absorb stats and energy simultaneously, rendering him nearly imperceptible if not for the protective barrier provided by his mage class.
"My sister mentioned that the potion recipe is classified at a top-secret level, known only to the higher-ups within the academy," Desmond recalled. "The students merely have knowledge of a few ingredients, such as..."
As Desmond's gaze wandered around the room, he noticed numerous pairs of eyes from the Husk King and some rare leaves, aglow like balloons and adorned with enchanting shimmer. These leaves proved exceedingly elusive, sprouting only once a year and fiercely guarded by packs of Husk Wolves.
This information had been relayed to Desmond by his sister, who had spent over three years in the academy. She also mentioned that students often embarked on missions or quests to obtain points, which could eventually be exchanged for the coveted potions Desmond sought.
"And all these students possess identification measures that make it nearly impossible for me to infiltrate," Desmond lamented, touching the bracelet that still clung to his right hand. The academy-issued bracelet had lost its luster, revealing a few visible cracks—a clear indication that it had malfunctioned during the intense assault he had endured earlier.
In that moment, a daring notion seized Desmond. He entertained the idea of stealthily penetrating the academy and pilfering the potion recipe or even the potions themselves, relying on his spell of invisibility or his custom spell, Light Distortion.
Yet, a predicament presented itself in the form of the portal. Unlike before, the Northern Kingdom was embroiled in a war against the beasts, prompting the academy to tighten its security measures following Desmond's previous incident. There seemed to be no conceivable way for him to gain entry, unless he had the ability to fly.
The thought of employing wind to soar through the air had already been dismissed, as humans lacked the necessary mass to achieve such a feat.
Numerous problems still plagued Desmond, and the toll on his lifespan had already been reduced by 20 years due to excessive use of the eternal regeneration ability inherent in his bloodline.
"Time is slipping away. I've dedicated a full six months to this research. It's time for me to venture outside," Desmond muttered, simultaneously contacting one of his maids to inform Felix's subordinates to gather in front of his mansion.
As Desmond stepped out of his abode, he was taken aback by the sheer number of beast corpses he had utilized for his experiments. The lifeless bodies formed a small mountain, towering three times his height. Contemplating the results and gains he had achieved, success seemed only natural. These corpses amounted to over 200 beasts, all of them belonging to a single type—wolves.
"System, display the successful recipe we obtained from the experiment," Desmond commanded internally, prompting a transparent screen to materialize in his vision, showcasing three words in stark white.
[Initiating the task...]
[Retrieving data from the host's mind...]
[Data found! Three results will be displayed!]
- Recipe for the Husk King Bloodline
- Recipe for the Husk Wolf Bloodline
- Recipe for the Dire Wolf Bloodline
"Excellent. The last step merely requires a human test subject. If this proves successful, I can bestow it upon all my subordinates," Desmond remarked. He envisioned his subordinates' physiques transforming into something otherworldly upon receiving these bloodlines.
As for the female members, Desmond intended to wait for a more suitable bloodline to present itself. He had already foreseen potential side effects, such as the wolf-like trait of incessant howling, mating cycles, and insatiable hunger. However, all these side effects could be mitigated by his blood, which possessed a stronger survival instinct.
But in turn, those who consumed his blood would develop an instinctive fear and obedience towards him.
It was a case of killing two birds with one stone. Not only would he gain powerful subordinates, but he would also hold their unwavering loyalty in his hands.
Furthermore, there were still countless beasts awaiting his exploration, including Basilisks, Desert Lizards, Wyverns, Ogres, Kobolds, and many more. Sadly, the lions and the other members of the Felidae family had not awakened or transformed into beast races. It seemed researching normal animals was a fruitless endeavor.
Even within the Canidae family, only the wolf had undergone such a transformation.
While Desmond indulged in his dreams of a formidable army, the sound of approaching footsteps reached his ears, growing steadily closer. As the figure came into view, Desmond snapped back to reality, a smile spreading across his face upon recognizing the familiar form.
"It's been far too long, sister," Desmond greeted warmly. He had spent the majority of his time immersed in his research, paying little attention to Alice and the other girls. Though uncertain of their sentiments, he had not received any complaints in the past months.
"Who are you, sir?" Alice's confusion was evident as she scrutinized Desmond. He had undergone a significant transformation in appearance, sporting a full-grown beard and mustache that transformed his handsome countenance into that of a vagabond.
Dressed in long pants and a short shirt made of animal skin, Alice's hair now cascaded down to her back. While her overall appearance may have lost some allure, her face radiated more liveliness compared to their initial meeting. However, her expression now clearly conveyed her disbelief upon realizing that the man standing before her was, in fact, her long-lost brother.
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