In reality, Amanda was one of the most promising knights the Radiant Knight Order had ever nurtured.
She was born with strength, will, and potential—the kind that whispered of a future touching the peak of Stage 2, perhaps even beyond.
Alas! No one ever truly knows when life will take a cruel, downward turn.
Marcus sighed deeply, his shoulders heavy with the weight of unseen burdens. Elina, too, remained silent. Though she never liked Amanda’s cold, rigid deanor, they had both sworn allegiance to the sa cause, breathed under the sa banner.
"Don’t worry, Amanda. Your sacrifice will not be in vain. I will definitely take revenge once I get stronger."
Elina silently vowed, her gaze burning with unshakable resolve. Her two eyes shimred like molten gold beneath the glowing chandelier of the hall.
Marcus watched from the corner of his eye, lips twitching into a faint, fleeting smile. In that mont, Amanda’s death felt... aningful. Her blood, spilled so senselessly, had sparked sothing fierce in Elina.
Hell! He would offer a thousand more Amandas to the altar of fate if it ant his daughter’s will beca unbreakable steel.
Truly, such was the tragedy of life.
...
Erald Green Forest.
Stone Courtyard.
Nestled in the heart of the wild, surrounded by towering trees and whispering wind, the courtyard was like a stone cradle within nature’s arms.
Ricky and Dark Shadow sat atop a massive slab of weathered granite, its rough surface warm beneath the fading rays of afternoon sun. From this elevated perch, they gazed out at the grove of spiritual trees swaying gently in the breeze.
Each tree was thick with power, its bark veined with faint luminescence and leaves as vibrant as newly polished eralds. Clusters of spiritual fruits hung from the branches—ruby red, heavy with essence, and pulsing faintly with vitality.
A soothing gust danced through the courtyard. Leaves rustled in harmonious rhythm, and the fruits quivered, exuding a thick, intoxicating scent like life itself had been condensed and distilled.
"Ahh! Another batch of fruits is about to mature..."
Ricky mused aloud, his voice tinged with satisfaction.
At this mont, more than anyone else, he needed those fruits.
His gaze naturally shifted toward the blue-glowing window hovering just in front of his compound eyes.
[STATUS WINDOW]
[Stage 2, Rank 1]
[Na: Ricky Stormwind]
[Bloodline: Venom Fang Mosquito]
[Lifespan: 1000 years]
[Evolution Progress: 100%]
[Spiritual Force: 4.2]
[ditation Techniques]
Radiant Knight Thousand Refinent Breathing Technique (F-Rank)
Demonic Beings Roaring in Ten Directions (D-Rank)
[Abilities]
Darkness Pulse (DD-Rank) – Absorb and compress mana to release all of it in a terrifying blast
Holy Blade (D-Rank) – Turn your spiritual field into a sharp sword capable of slicing through everything
Mother And Son Poison (D-Rank) – Any creature infected becos your eternal servant
Toxic Blood (EEE-Rank) – Injects toxins through bloodstream with every bite
Venom Glands (EEE-Rank) – Create various poisons, from paralysis to necrosis
Resourceful Drain (EE-Rank, Innate) – Absorbs weeks of lifespan per bite
Weak Paralysis Venom (EE-Rank) – Can briefly stun Stage 2 creatures
Superior Iron Fra (E-Rank) – Temporarily hardens the body to steel
Superior Blood Infusion (E-Rank) – Boosts physical strength via rapid blood circulation
Shadow Perch (E-Rank) – Blends into dark areas for concealnt
Lifespan Sense (FFF-Rank, Passive) – Detects lifespan-rich beings within 100 ters
"Well, there are a lot of D’s in here..."
Ricky muttered dryly, his monstrous mandibles curling into a lopsided smile.
The overwhelming list cluttered his vision like the cluttered mind of a hoarder. He wished the system would only display what was vital—did it really have to shove the sa descriptions in his face every ti?
As if reading his mind, the screen shifted. The long list of abilities flowed like retreating tide, shrinking into sothing far more digestible.
[STATUS WINDOW]
[Stage 2, Rank 1]
[Na: Ricky Stormwind]
[Bloodline: Venom Fang Mosquito]
[Lifespan: 1000 years]
[Evolution Progress: 100%]
[Spiritual Force: 4.2]
His compound eye twitched. With curiosity piqued, he clicked on the glowing star next to "Evolution Progress." A new window imdiately popped open.
[Enough genetic information collected. Press YES to proceed with evolution.]
[YES/NO]
Naturally, Ricky clicked on YES. But instead of glorious transformation, he was t with several flashing alerts.
[Warning! Additional minimum requirents not t for evolution.]
[Requirent One – 1000 years of cumulative lifespan: T]
[Requirent Two – Minimum 5.0 Spiritual Force: NOT T]
"Tch. Just a little short."
Ricky muttered with mild annoyance. He already had the lifespan requirent in the bag, but that spiritual force bar was just shy.
"It shouldn’t be an issue now..."
His gaze drifted once again toward the gleaming, ripened fruits swaying gently in the breeze. Their aroma alone seed to stir his very soul.
Just then, a teasing voice rang out in his head, echoing like a whisper in a dream.
"Venom Fang Overlord, what a cool sounding na..."
It was Dark Shadow, and Ricky could almost see her pouting ntally.
He resisted the urge to chuckle. That tone was familiar—the lodramatic sulking of soone who wanted attention.
Thinking fast, a mischievous idea blood in his mind.
"You are truly ignorant, Dark Shadow."
"Haven’t you heard of the Ancient Legends?"
"What ancient legend?"
Dark Shadow asked, her spear-like legs rising slightly, curious.
Ricky’s proboscis stiffened, his body adopting an air of solemnity. His voice deepened with practiced gravity.
Noticing the shift, Dark Shadow’s eyes narrowed. The atmosphere around her changed as well, serious and expectant.
Ricky hid his internal grin and began spinning bullshit like a master bard.
"During the ancient tis, the strongest monster kings had the shortest nas. The longer the na, the weaker the beast."
Dark Shadow blinked. Her eyes glimred with doubt, but also... belief. Her instincts said Ricky wasn’t completely wrong. Her bloodline mories—even if fragnted—did speak of terrifying beings once called:
Dread.
Terror.
Scourge.
Short nas. Heavy weight.
"Wait a second..."
Her gaze suddenly slid toward a nearby boar ditating beneath a spirit tree. From ti to ti, his bulky body shimred with a silvery-white aura.
"Isn’t that guy’s na also really short?"
Ricky followed her gaze.
And sighed.
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