Harry Potter: Don't Touch the Badger's Plants
Chapter 165: Mythology, Doom, and Metamorphosis!
Tonks stared blankly at Ciel's figure. Compared to the tentacles extending from the Kraken in the sea, let alone a first-year student, even a half-giant like Hagrid would appear tiny. But at this moment, for some reason, Tonks felt intense confidence from him. He truly had the assurance to deal with this monster that could hunt dragons at sea!
Swallowing hard, Tonks gripped her wand tightly and stepped aside. His expression was serious as he stared intently at the Kraken in the waves. Then he took out the toxin [Giant Killer] he'd prepared with his own blood and threw it toward the sea. Simultaneously waving his wand, when the test tube hit the water, magical power shattered it. A crimson hue instantly spread through the seawater.
It was filled with the rich vitality from his blood. The Kraken immediately seemed to smell some delicious delicacy. This scent was more attractive than any creature it had devoured in the sea. Sharks, whales, giant squids... Even once when a dragon was foraging at sea, it had been dragged underwater and devoured. That taste couldn't compare to the crimson blood spreading through the sea now.
Under intense appetite attraction, the Kraken let out a low roar. The seabed seemed to create a massive whirlpool, with surging seawater spiraling downward, not letting go of even a single drop of blood, absorbing it all into the Kraken's body. This made the Kraken seem euphoric. Tentacles beneath the sea surface wildly danced, as if expressing wild joy.
Cold light flashed in his eyes. "Tasty? Then let me give you more."
Then he decisively cut his arm. Blood flowed like a spring, splashing toward the sea. Simultaneously waving his wand, with experience successfully creating Giant Killer and having advanced to Bronze-tier Dark Magic Transfiguration, creating Giant Killer was now effortless for him. Under his wand's movement, the splashing blood seemed to come alive, constantly writhing as it scattered into the ocean.
Though the Kraken didn't know what was happening or why this young wizard on the island would voluntarily bleed, intense appetite drove it to continuously devour the blood filled with Giant Killer. In moments, the spreading crimson was again completely absorbed by the Kraken.
But this amount was like not even mouthwash for its massive size. Rather than drinking blood, it more desperately wanted to drag him into the sea, tear him to pieces, and feel that abundant vitality explode within its body! So next, the tentacle that had nearly crushed Tonks rose again. This time, the target was him!
BOOM! The tentacle crashed down thunderously. The entire island seemed to tremble from this. Like dozens or hundreds of thunders roaring simultaneously. Dust shot skyward. Tonks's vision was instantly filled with red. She stared blankly at the spreading dust before her, as if seeing through it him reduced to scattered fragments, too horrible to witness.
Bogey Lockman let out maniacal laughter. "Genius? So what if he's a genius? Still has to die!" Hatred accumulated since the academic review poured out at this moment.
But the next moment, his voice came from within the dust. "What the hell are you screaming about?"
Bogey Lockman's laughter stopped abruptly, his eyes showing disbelief. How was this possible? He clearly saw him being struck by the Kraken's tentacle. How could he still speak? Was he hallucinating?
Then a long exhaling sound rang out, like a giant's roar, dispersing the dust and revealing his current form. He at this moment was utterly wretched... more miserable than he'd ever been in his life. Worse than when he'd practiced real combat with Shadow Thorns and Devil's Snare in the greenhouse.
Capillaries throughout his body seemed to burst, covered in blood. Muscles torn. He'd become a bloody mess. Especially his arms... bone was visible in many places, too horrible to witness. But the tentacle the Kraken had smashed down was indeed being held firm by his tiny form.
Tonks covered her mouth, tears blurring her vision. Bogey Lockman's breath caught. He really hadn't died? What exactly was this little badger that he could wrestle with a Kraken's tentacle?!
But then Bogey Lockman's eyes filled with venom. So what if he survived one strike? Wouldn't he still die?! At this time, the Kraken also seemed confused that one tentacle hadn't killed him. But no matter. If one strike couldn't kill him, another surely would. That tentacle slowly rose again.
He watched this scene, his lips spreading in a wild grin. His gaze fell on the system panel. Taking the Kraken's crashing tentacle had indeed caused him unprecedented trauma. But because of this, the tempering effect was far better than countless previous collisions with trolls.
On the system panel, the light emanating from Legendary Vitality and Legendary Strength was obviously more intense than before. He took a deep breath. Blood boiled in his vessels. The wounds on his body also healed at a visible speed.
The next second, the Kraken's tentacle crashed down again. However, this time, the resistance was stronger than the last. He gritted his teeth, withstanding this tentacle larger than a giant. The barely healed wounds burst open again. But Legendary Vitality and Legendary Strength burned more intensely than before.
Progress from Legendary to Mythical advanced more in each second than the sum of previous years! Endless strength surged from within him, allowing him to again support the Kraken's tentacle. Magic had become pale and powerless at this moment. Legendary Vitality and Legendary Strength were his ultimate reliance.
The Kraken seemed angered by failing to kill him twice in a row. The tentacle rose a third, fourth, and fifth time. Each time more ferocious than before. Yet each time, he was like a reef in the waves... no matter how wildly the sea raged, it could never be destroyed. Even each time, the resistance from him grew stronger than before. The Kraken felt like it was wrestling with a land-dwelling blue whale!
Simultaneously, the crimson blood flowing from him into the sea continued pouring into its body. Initially, it had indeed made the Kraken feel incredibly delicious. But now, the Kraken could gradually sense something was wrong. Waves of weakness began surging within its body, like something was gnawing at its vitality.
The initial bit of consumption was negligible for the Kraken. But this thing consuming its vitality was dramatically increasing every moment! Even now, the Kraken felt the tentacle that had contacted him most seemed to be numbing and becoming uncontrollable.
This bizarre situation made even this North Sea overlord feel an intense threat. Suddenly, the Kraken's tentacle withdrew toward the sea. It wanted to flee. At this time, cold light surged in his eyes as he grabbed the Kraken's tentacle that had struck him multiple times.
"After hitting me so many times. Now you want to just leave? Did you ask if I agree?!"
Legendary Strength and Legendary Vitality shone brilliantly on the system panel, allowing him to explode with his strongest brute force yet. Like a Titan from mythological legends, he fiercely yanked the tentacle, actually causing the Kraken's form to hesitate momentarily. In this moment, Giant Killer toxin spread more violently within the Kraken's body.
This monster was truly afraid. The next moment, it actively severed the tentacle he held. Without hesitation, its main body fled into the deep sea. He watched the churning sea surface gradually calm, not pursuing the Kraken further. Though he could move freely in seawater, the deep sea was ultimately the Kraken's home turf.
Even poisoned with Giant Killer, its size was too massive. Severing some body tissue, its survival probability was high. If he faced the Kraken's many tentacles in the deep sea, the risk would be extremely high. No need for such dangerous actions. Moreover, this harvest was already large enough.
His gaze fell on the system panel. The blazing white light from Legendary Vitality and Legendary Strength was incomparably more intense than before. Though still far from the Mythical tier, given the interval from Legendary to Mythical, such an increase in progress could be considered a qualitative change.
Furthermore, he had obtained material more precious than most Class 5X magical creatures... a section of Kraken tentacle. Though Giant Killer toxin was now continuously working within the tentacle, causing it to constantly disintegrate, he could still extract large amounts of Kraken blood from it. This blood perfectly met the third Blood Jade group's transformation needs. He could even preserve some for Dark Magic Transfiguration research. This was absolutely invaluable material!
Taking a deep breath, his surging emotions gradually calmed. Wounds throughout his body also continuously healed. He then turned back, seeing Tonks who had fainted from the continuous collision shockwaves. As for Bogey Lockman... He frowned. With Tonks unconscious, her conjured ropes also disappeared. Bogey Lockman had actually been taken onto a flying carpet by his house-elf and was now a black dot in the sky.
Cold light flashed in his eyes. This time, Bogey Lockman had truly given him a "surprise"... actually producing an item that could summon the Kraken. If he hadn't always had the habit of preparing thoroughly before adventures, he might have only been able to flee this time. This old Slytherin had substantial resources. He didn't want to let him escape, or next time, who knew what trouble he'd bring? Eliminate the evil completely!
Without hesitation, he mounted his Nimbus 2000, chasing the distant flying carpet through howling wind. As long as the house-elf didn't Apparate with Bogey Lockman, catching up to the flying carpet with the Nimbus 2000's speed was just a matter of time.
Thinking this, his eyes also showed some confusion. Right. Why didn't this house-elf directly Apparate with Bogey Lockman to escape but chose a flying carpet instead?
At this time, on the flying carpet, Bogey Lockman awoke from unconsciousness and angrily rebuked his house-elf. "Why didn't you Apparate me away? Isn't your Apparition very convenient? How can a flying carpet outrun a Nimbus 2000? You filthy, lowly fool, are you deliberately trying to kill me?!"
The house-elf was terrified. "Master, house-elves are bound by contract magic. When masters face danger, unless masters give orders, house-elves must save masters, even at the cost of their own lives. How could I want to kill Master? It's because Master's body is too weak, and my strength is insufficient. Taking Master through Apparition again might kill Master in the process."
Bogey Lockman anxiously looked behind, seeing him rapidly approaching in the distance. Remembering his monstrous strength that could wrestle the Kraken, Bogey Lockman's heart trembled. What exactly was this little badger? Even pure-blood giants couldn't do this, right? Could he have undergone some terrifying body modification? Yes, it must be dark magic body modification! Terrifying, too terrifying.
He now seemed like a reborn Dark Lord to him. Bogey Lockman even had a thought... could the Dark Lord actually not be dead but reborn in a baby years ago? That baby being the current him! Otherwise, how could he have such terrifying mastery of Dark Magic Transfiguration?!
The more he thought this, the more Bogey Lockman's liver and gallbladder shattered. He had no courage to face him, only wanting to flee far away. Seeing the distance constantly narrowing, Bogey Lockman roared. "Flying like this, when that monster catches up, won't we still die?"
The house-elf hurriedly said respectfully, "Master. I can sense there's an island ahead. It has Ministry protective magic that blocks wizards and Muggles from entering, but house-elf magic isn't blocked. I can send Master inside. But there are dangerous magical powers on the island, possibly dangerous magical creatures. What to do depends on your orders, master."
Hearing this, Bogey Lockman suddenly felt like he'd found salvation. An island with Ministry protection? That was perfect! Escaping inside, he'd be saved! As for island dangers... could they be more dangerous than him, this suspected reborn Dark Lord badger?
Without hesitation, Bogey Lockman immediately gave orders. "Send me to that island immediately. As for you..." His expression was cold. "After sending me in, immediately go out and delay him; even if you die, delay him one more second. This is my order. You're a house-elf... you must obey!"
The house-elf lowered its head, trembling. "Yes. House-elves will definitely execute master's orders. Master, that's the island ahead. There's danger on the island... shall I send you in?"
Before Bogey Lockman appeared a patch of mist. Looking at this, he saw it like a savior, urgently urging the house-elf. "Stop talking nonsense. Hurry up, send me in. I order you to quickly send me in!"
The next moment, the house-elf snapped its fingers. Bogey Lockman felt dizzy. When he regained consciousness, before him was a scene of green grass. He immediately realized... he was on the island. Instantly, Bogey Lockman laughed maniacally. Heaven never bars one's way. He had ultimately survived.
So what if he was a suspected reborn Dark Lord? He would tell the Ministry, tell Dumbledore! Yes. Once this news spread, so what if his reputation was ruined before? He would be a hero. A savior! As for the house-elf he'd sent to die buying time, Bogey Lockman didn't even think about it. A lowly mongrel, born to serve wizards. Using its death for his survival... surely it would be grateful!
At this time, in the sky above, on the flying carpet, the house-elf was indeed crying. But it seemed not from fear or sadness, but from relief. "I'm a bad house-elf. I deceived master. But I used the rules. Master's orders made me do this. I did it. I succeeded!"
He flew over on his Nimbus 2000. Looking at the house-elf crying on the flying carpet, its body bloody and mangled beyond recognition, a strange light flashed in his eyes. Then, his gaze fell on the mist ahead. He understood everything.
This wasn't some escape route at all... it was a dead end. The Drear Island filled with Quintapeds he'd been searching for was ahead! Bogey Lockman, choosing the lesser of two evils, had actually ordered the house-elf to send him inside? Quintapeds would surely salivate over delivered human flesh.
The house-elf now lay weakly on the flying carpet, looking at him and laughing. "I'm a bad house-elf. But today is the happiest day of my life. I did what I wanted to do. See, house-elves can take revenge too. Even noble wizards should treat house-elves better, shouldn't they?"
After speaking, it closed its eyes, waiting for death. But the expected death didn't come. Opening its eyes, it found a transparent potion in its hand. He said indifferently, "This is Dittany. Apply it to wounds to stop bleeding."
The house-elf looked at him in amazement. "You won't kill me?"
He shook his head slightly, looking at Drear Island hidden in mist. "Actually. You helped me greatly. Besides, I'm a little badger, not a dark wizard. Do I love killing?"
The house-elf fell silent. After a moment, it suddenly exhaled. As if sensing something. "Master... Oh no, the contract disappeared. He's no longer my master. Bogey Lockman, he's dead."
He said softly, "So you're free?"
The house-elf smiled. "A free house-elf? I dare say there's definitely no such freak in the magical world."
He showed some strangeness. No such thing? Not necessarily. Dobby in the original story was also a free house-elf. He exhaled softly, asking the house-elf, "What's your name?"
The house-elf replied, "Eugene."
He nodded. "If you temporarily have nowhere to go, I have an island. Perhaps you could stay there while you think about your future. I'll provide food and supplies. In fair trade, you help me with what you can. Not a house-elf contract... but a proper employment contract. How about it?"
Eugene paused, his eyes suddenly brightening. He nodded. He again looked deeply at the mist ahead. Platinum-tier night vision could see malevolent magical particles churning within the mist. Despite desperately needing Puking Pastilles from Drear Island, he didn't rashly land on the island. Instead, he turned to leave.
"Ugh..." Tonks let out a painful moan, then suddenly remembered something. The Kraken, him... She instantly sat up. What met her eyes was the familiar Hogwarts hospital wing.
Madam Pomfrey was clanking around preparing healing potions while chiding Tonks. "You can't get up yet. Lie back down."
Tonks asked in amazement, "How did I get back?"
Madam Pomfrey sighed helplessly. "He brought you back. He said you were flying a broomstick too low at sea at night and crashed into rocks. Tonks, you're already a trainee Auror... how could you make such a foolish mistake?"
Tonks paused, her aching head realizing... he didn't want the Kraken incident known? She took a deep breath. "Where is he?"
Madam Pomfrey shrugged helplessly. "Where else could that child be? After bringing you to the hospital wing, he hurried to the greenhouse. Seems like something urgent was waiting for him."
At this moment, in the small greenhouse, his gaze fell on a large bucket of dark blue blood before him. He took a deep breath. This was blood extracted from the Kraken. He was certain this was more powerful than dragon blood or Acromantula blood. Adding it to Blood Jade might produce transformations exceeding his expectations.
The next moment, he waved his wand. A cloud of dark blue blood mist surged toward the increasingly withered third Blood Jade group. Then he saw the reward orbs on the third Blood Jade group, originally so weak they were about to extinguish, suddenly begin expanding.
On the third Blood Jade group, reward information text suddenly blurred. Only a rich platinum color could be seen spreading across it!