Mutagen

Day 129 - 12:35 PM - Newton Lake, Veteran's Memorial Park, Oaklyn, Camden County, New Jersey, United States of America

Staring at his opponent, Mark smiled.

Chimetrice was not evil. At least, at the general moral standpoint. He was not a person who would deliberately cause chaos without reason. His expressions, movements, and mentality indicated that he was quite a peaceful person that should be left alone.

Of course, from a human standpoint, he was evil. He was a devil, after all. He looked at humans as livestock, but it was no different from how humans saw cows, pigs, and chickens.

It was not a difference in a moral level, but more from the difference in races.

Humans were Humans.

Demons were Demons.

Spirits were Spirits.

Devils were Devils.

Each kind had their different point of views.

Of course, it was free for any to accept the view of the other race.

Nevertheless, it was not right to force their views on others.

And in this aspect, humans were the most sinful. After all, humans were known to push their idealism to other races more.

***

Mark and Chimetrice contested against each other using speed and physical strength. Each time their attacks clashed, loud sounds and shockwaves spread across the vicinity of the enclosed space.

Still, while both of them seemed equal, Mark was barely holding on. Although he could persist, it would not last too long.

Chimetrice was far above Mark in speed and strength. It was even though he was barely putting effort into his attacks. Instead, he concentrated on getting perfect control of his new body.

It was unacceptable to say. But if this was a life and death fight, there was a high possibility that Mark would get killed. It was even if he used all of his cards in hand. In the least, Mark could have the ability to escape, but not defeat Chimetrice.

Luckily, it was just a peaceful contest. Although the attacks were ruthless and unforgiving, the two were at least making sure not to use anything deadly. They were even missing the other's vital parts un purpose and were concentrating on restricting the other.

Chimetrice flapped one of his wings to attack now and then. He also used his different body parts in the same way. It was so that he could get more control of these parts evenly.

Mark, however, could not help but feel amazed.

Surely, Mark had different abilities. He was a Mutator and an [Empath], he had his [Blood Enhancement], there was also his [Shadow Mist Movement], and lastly, the [Psycrystal] and the other crystals that came with it.

And Chimetrice was not that different from him.

This Artificial Devil Chimera, it was not wrong to say that he was a multitude of abilities slapped together.

Each of his body parts that looked different had a different ability and power. Furthermore, it seemed like Mark appraised Chimetrice's body mistakenly.

At first, Mark thought that this devil had a body composed of different common animals. But to think of it, was he correct. As they fought, Mark started to change his mind.

The bat wing that had very high defense, it was more of a dragon's now in his eyes.

The eagle wing seemed regular, but it actually had a golden sheen. Furthermore, the moment it flapped, there was a significant increase in his speed.

The mothwing that Chimetrice had no intention of using, it had an aura of death around it.

The dove wing that had a pure white color, it emanated an aura similar to that Succubus, Illia.

The wing of the crow, it emanated the aura of bad luck for some reason.

And the wing of the butterfly, staring at it made Mark felt like his soul was being sucked away.

His eye that was similar to a cat, the moment it moved, Mark always missed his attacks.

On the other hand, the goat eye seemed to have the ability to mess with emotions.

As for the remaining ones, it significantly increased his physical abilities in different areas.

BANG!

Mark and Chimetrice clashed once more and were pushed away from each other.

"Hey," Mark suddenly spoke. "Is your body made up of different magical creatures?"

Hearing that, Chimetrice looked at Mark with an expression of surprise.

"How did you know?"

"Ugh..."

Mark groaned.

Magical creatures were inhuman in the first place. The stronger ones were could even trash higher beings in a physical fight. It was no wonder Chimetrice was this physically strong.

Well, Mark should have thought of it since the start. After all, even if a Chimera was created... 

There was no way for each wing that seemed to have come from a regular creature had such a large size. It would not be surprising if these animal parts actually came from pets of gods.

"Then, can you tell me where your body parts came from?"

Mark asked. It was because he had some uncanny suspicions.

Chimetrice looked at Mark, unsure why he was asking. Nevertheless, he seemed to not mind answering the question.

"Actually, I don't know where these came from." Chimetrice shrugged. "I just woke up like this one day."

Then, he seemed to have remembered something.

"Ah, right." Chimetrice pointed at the eagle wing he had. "I once heard my creator mumbling about capturing an eagle atop some world tree when he looked at this wing."

Mark froze.

"Then, can you tell me why you are sealed in that curse?"

Mark asked once more as he charged towards Chimetrice.

BAM!

The scythe and the tiger's claw collided, even though Mark attacked from a tricky angle.

"The reason?" Chimetrice replied as he counter-attacked. "After I killed my creator since he mistreated Illia, several gods came chasing me, claiming that I stole something from them. They cannot kill me, and they decided to seal me instead."

Mark became silent. He could not decide which one he should refute first in that reply.

The most crucial fact, however...

Mark was currently fighting a being that even gods from the past could not kill.

Seriously... Just how lucky were Mark and Mei?

"This is why I wanted to recover fast," Chimetrice said as he unleashed a kick towards Mark. "Those gods might realize that the cursed seal is broken and appear here. That's why I need to consume that woman."

Mark blocked the kick with the shaft of his scythe. He was flung back and had to flap his wings hard to keep in balance.

But after receiving the kick, Mark was staring at Chimetrice with a troublesome expression. Then, he turned to Illia.

"You didn't tell your Master about what happened to the gods?"

Chimetrice and Illia froze at that question.

"What do you mean?" Chimetrice asked. "Don't blame Illia as there is no way for us to talk while I'm sealed. And as you can see, I just woke up."

He then turned to Illia.

"Do you know what he is talking about?"

"Master..." Illia started pushing her two index fingers together. "Actually... I don't know either."

"Cough! Cough!" Mark choked. Even Mei had a bitter expression.

"Why would I know that?" Illia complained. "When the Master was sealed, I fell into slumber. It hasn't even been a hundred years since I woke up. The moment I did, I disregarded everything, even the human war, and concentrated on breaking the seal. I have no time to deal with those bastard gods!"

Hearing everything, Mark sighed. He lost the eagerness to continue fighting.

"Can we stop here and talk instead?"

Mark suggested.

On the other hand, Chimetrice could only nod. It seemed that he noticed that were was something wrong.

"By the way. Can you remove this space, first?"

Mark asked, pointing at the barrier.

"I'll do that later." Chimetirce shook his head. "I'm still absorbing the essence released by the curse."

Mark shrugged. If that was the case, there was nothing he could do. Actually, he wanted to talk it over lunch. It was already past noon, and Mark and Mei had no time to eat lunch yet because of the commotion.

Mark then called for Mei, while Illia quickly rushed and coiled herself on Chimetrice's body.

They all sat down near where the cursed tree initially stood. It was because the thickest essence of the curse emanated from that location. Mark and Mei had some difficulty approaching the place at first due to the thick evil aura. But with a wave of Chimetrice's hand, Mark and Mei were both protected from it.

Getting some snacks from their [Storage Rings], Mark shared some food with Illia and Chimetrice.

A scene where two Pureblood Blood Demons, a Succubus, and a godly living weapon eating junk food together, it was an unbelievable sight to see.

Now that they sat down, Mark relayed the information he heard from Bathala. The event where the current observer had chased away most of the gods and deities that existed in the past and how the ones that were left were hiding in different places, not daring to come out easily.

Illia was surprised while Chimetrice calmly accepted the information.

If no Gods were chasing them now, they could live peacefully somewhere in Earth as long as they did not get the attention of the current observer.

"Say, did you two know anything about Auraboros?"

Mark suddenly asked. He was probing them, or at least, he wanted some information. He also provided a rough outline of what the organization was.

To answer the question, Chimetrice shook his head.

"If what you said about them causing chaos to get revenge on humans, then they don't exist before I was sealed."

Mark understood what Chimetrice meant. Back then, legends of Gods, Humans, and Beasts living together was born. There was very little reason for this kind of organization to exist.

The organization was probably born after Humans took most of the control of Earth.

On the other hand, Illia had a different answer.

"That organization tried to recruit me every now and then. They are a bunch of annoying people. I already said that I only live for my Master, but they still kept on pestering me like flies."

Mark felt relieved that these two had no ties with the Auraboros.

"It is better that you two stay away from them."

Mark said.

"Are they your enemies?"

Chimetrice asked.

"Pretty much, but not all of them."

Mark replied. After all, he had not received any reply from Yukine as he was away from the base for a few days already.

"I see..." Chimetrice nodded. "They seem to be a troublesome bunch. I rather spend my time with Illia than join them."

Hearing that, Illia looked at Chimetrice with a red face. It was not wrong to say that her pupils turned into hearts. It was as expected of a succubus.

Chimetrice had Illia by his side. 

Mark turned to Mei. He was not that different.

In any case, it was time to peacefully settle things.

"Can you return me Jude's ability, now?"

Mark asked.

Chimetrice nodded. And on his hand, some white smoke started to float in place.

Mark then conjured an empty [Mental Crystal], and the smoke was sucked into it.

Seeing the crystal, however, both Chimetrice and Illia was shocked.

"[Pure Energy Crystal Essense]... Where did you get that?"

Illia spoke, staring intently at the [Mental Crystal] that now contained the ability to control the wind.

"Do you know what this is?"

Mark asked as he took out another [Empty Crystal].

"It is the crystalization of a pure energy source. My creator had one of those before, and he said that it was something that came from a higher plane and rarely existed on this planet. I remember him saying that it needed a million years of undisturbed energy source for it to crystalize in that form. For it to be on the size of the crystal on your hand, it should be more than five million years."

Hearing that, it was Mark and Mei's turn to be shocked.

Who would have thought that Keeper's ability was far more than what they had thought.