CHAPTER 330: AWAKENING THE SEVEN-HEADED NAGA SPIRIT

Awakening the Seven-Headed Naga Spirit

At the moment when the rhythm reached its crest, Leon’s eyes opened with a flash of fury and fire, burning golden hot like metal sizzling with flames. His cry boomed through thick air, raw and desperate, "Come forth... my spirit!" All of his bruised will was flung into those words.

For an aching, constricting instant, silence devoured the room—dense, anticipatory, as if the universe itself was holding its breath. Then, at his back, a gossamer golden light kindled to life, hesitant and soft at first, like a whispered promise germinating in the darkness. That light throbbed softly, glimmering with repressed strength, a threat barely leashed. Abruptly, the air snapped—a sudden, jagged crack that swept through the space like a far-off tempest shattering the clouds, disconcerting yet exhilarating.

The air behind Leon started to distort, almost imperceptible at first—like heat rising from stone—then unmistakable. Light warped and became twisted, curling back upon itself, stretching, deepening, thickening until it became immense and alive. The radiance spread out, coiling into a shape both liquid and powerful, its energy heavy with old power. The air around him rippled, charged with the heavy presence of something waking, something breathing, watching, waiting. His soul was waking up.

Leon’s eyes grew wide, heart pounding as he turned gradually to look over his shoulder. The vision forming behind him was a riddle, something from the darkest depths of old nightmares. It was indistinct at first, a distorted loop of shadow coiling endlessly, inescapable. A look of confusion creased his brow as he attempted to decipher what writhed in the air behind him—a crawling shadow that extended far beyond logic.

But then the form came into focus, the shadow unwinding into something terrible and awesome at the same time. Towering above him was a giant naga, but not any serpent-like creature. This was one of the creatures of myth—seven heads rising in deadly glory, each wearing a dainty golden crown shining with an unearthly light. Their eyes blazed like living flame, keen and cutting, fixed ruthlessly on Leon. The snake-like bodies glimmered like melted gold, the scales flowing smoothly as they moved in a hypnotic, frightening rhythm, every movement a demonstration of power and ancient beauty.

All seven heads hissed simultaneously, the sound curling through the air like a poisonous incantation. Seven voices, razor-sharp and evil, entwined into a spine-chilling harmony—a threat, a sign of power and menace. The reverberations did not just fill the space; they shook the air itself, vibrating along Leon’s bones, enveloping him in an icy, smothering hug.

"Hiss... hiss... hiss..." Seven heads unleashed the sound at once, a haunting symphony that rolled like thunder crashing through a sacred temple. The noise dug deep into Leon’s chest, rattling him from the inside out.

His breath hitched, throat constricting. His eyes flung open wide, shock washing over him like a tsunami. That voice—deep, thunderous, and horribly familiar—erupted from his own lips, though it didn’t sound like his at all. It was something old, something hidden deep within.

"Se-seven... head... naga," he panted, voice shaking as incredulity swamped his mind. He struggled to believe the words being spoken by his own lips, resisting the truth that bellowed so loudly.

In front of him, the spirit throbbed with raw, age-old power—great, dreadful, living. It twisted up, the colossal shape vibrating with power as if it had its own breath. The atmosphere around it seemed to ripple, full of a force that caused Leon’s body hair to stand on end.

Then, suddenly, the spirit burst in a flash of golden light—a blinding flood that illuminated the hall with blinding brilliance. Leon automatically lifted his arm to protect his eyes, winces as the light scorched through the gloom.

When the radiance at last faded, the great hall grew dark, shadows spreading over stone walls. The ghost was gone, disappeared like vapour on a breeze, but sparkling motes of gold and red still drifted in the air—uncanny traces of that supernatural presence.

Leon’s mouth dropped open, heart racing as his eyes struggled to sweep the empty hallway. His head reeled, trying to comprehend what had just happened. "What the.?" His voice was almost inaudible, lost in the residual silence.

Then, piercing the quiet, a measured, calm voice spoke—cold and clinical.

[Host, the form of your spirit was destroyed because your control is not enough. You were unable to maintain its shape.]

[The spirit will not persist as long as mastery increases.]

Shock and disorientation knotted in his chest, writhing in a tight spiral. He swallowed with effort, slowly nodding, attempting to stabilize himself. "I see..."

"But System," he said, uncertain but resolute, "Why... why is my spirit a seven-headed naga?"

[Analysis finished, Host.]

[Your nature closely mimics that of the naga. The seven-headed naga is greatest among all naga. Your essence matches this nature.]

Leon scowled, brow furrowing. "My nature... truly is like that of a naga?"

[Yes, Host.]

He paused, looking for answers. "But... how?"

[In ancient writings, the naga is described as the charmer, the seducer—clever, clever, and mightier even than dragons.]

A harsh laugh tugged at Leon’s mouth, incredulity tarring his voice. "Mightier than dragons?"

[Yes, Host. Dragons are evolved offspring of naga. The naga are their forebears.]

The burden of that truth hung heavy on him, dark and profound. His astonishment became more acutely defined. "So... I have the spirit of the ancestor of dragons?"

His breath caught sharply, surprised, but before he even had time to register it, the System planted another bomb in his head. Host, you alone among all beings in this universe have access to the seven-headed naga spirit. The words reverberated in his head, heavy and impossible to shake.

Leon’s head reeled, a maelstrom of questions battering him within. "So. does this mean I sort of become ancestor of naga, and dragons can be at my command?" His voice shook between disbelief and hope.

[For clarity, host, your lineage is a subtle aspect — not an unmixed bloodline. You only have the spirit, not the whole line.]

[So, no, you cannot command?]

The bitter truth smacked him like ice.

"Huh..." Leon’s forehead creased, the light in his eyes casting a flicker of uncertainty. But that uncertainty twisted further into something sharper—confidence spreading slowly over his lips as a grin tugged at the edges of his mouth.

"So... system, tell me, is it possible for me to completely convert my bloodline into naga bloodline in the future?"

The response of the system came silky-smooth, almost like approval.

[Perhaps, host. You have that potential.]

Leon’s smile widened, a flame burning in his chest. Nice, well that is.

The System’s tone intruded on the moment, cool and cutting.

[ If your question stopped here, we have serious matters now.]

[Now, host, we proceed to the next stage — merging of your body with the Velvet Tyrant form.]

A measured breath escaped Leon’s mouth as a serenity, fierce resolve settled in his belly. "Alright, system. Begin."

He started to mutter under his breath, the words spinning like threads of silk in the air as he called upon the water and air elements. The cool mist arose, swirling softly about him, purifying. The magic extended, removing the heavy iron smell of blood and sweat that clung so heavily in the hall. The entire cold stone floor sparkled wet, each droplet gone as though it never was. The fog enveloped him, covering his bare skin in a whiteness, as if in baptism.

He did not mind being naked; garments were of no use now and would again be ripped to shreds soon. Standing there naked, he sat down on the hard stone floor. A tremor coursed through him as the cold bit hard at his flesh where it came into contact with the ground. The cold was biting, cruel-featured—but Leon took a deep breath, grounding himself in the present.

With bitter determination heavy in his voice, he said into the quiet, "System, initiate the second phase of torture."

The System’s voice echoed within his mind, deep and somber.

[A friendly reminder, Host: this time around, the agony will be twice what you felt when undergoing bloodline integration. Prepare yourself.]

Leon’s smile tightened, lips pressed thin, eyes blazing with unbreakable will. "I’ve been through hellish pain already—a few hours ago. Don’t waste time reminding me what hell feels like. I’m ready. Let’s jump back into the fire."

[I appreciate your mindset, host. Still, best of luck.]

Leon nodded, a crooked smile teasing the edges of his mouth. Pain was coming, and he was ready to face it head-on.

Then it hit.

A wildfire of flame burned within his body, every nerve ending a screaming throbbing as if burned. Muscles were screaming in protest; nerves blazed with naked pain.

His brash face crumpled into a snarling grimace. Lips were curled back into a feral snarl, his face etched by sheer, raw agony—each crease a burden witness to it.

"FUCK." he snarled through gritted teeth, his voice gruff and raw but unrelenting. "This hurt is a damn sight worse than you indicated, system!"

A shriek ripped from his throat—a prolonged, guttural yell born from the depths of his very soul. The nightmare was no longer approaching. It had already arrived, shredding every cell in his body with ruthless intent.

The real nightmare had only just started.