CHAPTER 143: 143-DARIAN’S VOW FOR REVENGE

Far away from the Academy, a city sprawled from the base of a colossal mountain upward. Houses began from the ground and crept upward like ivy on the mountain’s massive back.The mountain peak pierced the heavens, vanishing into the clouds.At the middle of the mountain, a castle made of jet-black obsidian rose like a jagged crown. Its smooth, reflective surface gleamed under the sunlight, as if carved from polished darkness.The structure climbed skyward, almost reaching the summit. It looked like a dragon clinging to the mountain, eternally trying to ascend.This was the main city of Terravyrn—and the Earth Dragon Castle, seat of the Terravyrn Clan.

Inside the castle’s shadowy walls, from behind one of the doors, screams echoed—sharp, panicked, female.They were followed by a man’s laughter—low and cruel.A guard in silver armor approached the wooden door, his hand trembling as he raised it to knock.Knock, knock!The girl’s screams didn’t stop. The man’s laughter echoed louder—like someone reveling in pain.Moments later, the girl’s cries turned muffled—then fell into silence.But the laughter continued.The guard stood frozen, trembling before the door. He dared not knock again.Eventually, the laughter slowed, then stopped. Footsteps approached the door from the inside.Click.Creaaaak...

The door opened.A shirtless man stepped out into the corridor, his lips curled into a wide smile. His brown eyes scanned the hallway with unnerving calm.The guard’s eyes fell to the blood smeared on the man’s chest... and the red stain glistening on his mouth.The man’s gaze landed on the guard. His smile faded, eyes narrowing."Why did you disturb me?" he asked coldly.The guard immediately dropped to one knee and pressed his fist to his chest."Lord Terravyrn summoned Prince... for an urgent matter."Derek Terravyrn, the elder brother of Darian and the official Heir to the Terravyrn Clan, nodded.Without a word, he turned back into his room.Moments later, he re-emerged—now wearing a crisp white shirt, his blood-soaked skin mostly covered.He glanced at the trembling guard and casually said,"Clean up my room. And bring some more commoner girls for the night."The guard swallowed hard and nodded, still shaking.Derek walked away, whistling softly—completely unfazed, like a man strolling through a garden instead of leaving behind a scene of horror.The guard turned toward the open door with dread, then stepped inside to clean.

What met his eyes made him freeze.His pupils shrank.There on the floor lay the naked body of a girl—or rather, what was left of it.Her neck was torn open, blood pouring from the ragged wounds. Flesh was missing, exposing what looked like her windpipe.Her cheeks had deep, bloody bite marks, as if gnawed like meat.Her chest was a grotesque mess—flesh ripped and bruised, tinted blue from trauma.And that wasn’t all.Her entire body was riddled with bite wounds, teeth marks, and gashes—as though someone had devoured her alive.The guard stumbled backward, his breath shaky.He whispered under his breath, trembling,"I hope you find peace... in the afterlife."

Derek reached the front of a large, black gate.The guards standing watch immediately pulled it open without a word.He stepped inside onto a long, luxurious carpet that stretched across the hall, leading up a grand staircase. At the top, on a raised platform, sat a golden throne-like chair.An old man sat upon it.His hair was completely white, his face deeply wrinkled. Lavish black robes wrapped around his frail-looking frame, and over them draped a long golden overcoat that shimmered in the dim light.Derek walked closer, stopping near the stairs."Hello, Father. You asked for me?" he said casually.The old man, who had been staring off to the side, turned his head slowly. His brown eyes locked onto his son’s.He gave a slight nod."Yes, son. We have a problem."Derek’s lips curled into a relaxed smile."What happened, Father?"The old man sighed deeply, rubbing his temple in exasperation."Darian... betrayed us. He joined Ashen Dawn."Derek’s smile widened into something almost pleased."So what?" he said, completely unconcerned.His father smiled in return."Nothing. Just act as though we’re angry and heartbroken. The other clans are making a fuss about it."Derek turned around, already walking away."Alright. I’ll do as you say."The black doors creaked shut behind him.

A moment later, a maid appeared from the side—dressed in skimpy silk garments. She walked up to the throne and climbed into the old man’s lap.He smiled wickedly, placing a hand on her bare thigh, earning a startled yelp from the trembling young girl.

Far away from the Terravyrn Clan, in one of the SS-Rank Danger Zones, deep beneath the ground, Darian Terravyrn stood inside a hidden lab.All around him, human-sized chambers lined the walls—filled with swirling green liquid and grotesque monster corpses suspended within.People in white lab coats moved efficiently, their eyes locked onto blue transparent screens that hovered like glass mirrors in front of them.A hunched figure with a white mustache and thick-rimmed glasses stepped toward Darian. His back was crooked, but his sharp eyes gleamed with intensity.In a gravelly voice, the man spoke,"Hello, Mr. Darian. Are you sure you want to do this?"Darian turned to him, his brown eyes firm, unwavering."Yes. I want to do this. I need strength... I need revenge."The hunched man smiled slowly."Our revenge, Mr. Darian. Our revenge."Darian didn’t reply. His gaze remained fixed ahead—on a series of shimmering test tubes filled with glowing fluid.The man gestured for him to follow."Come with me. You may call me Hector... or Doctor Hector. Just know—there’s only a 10% chance of success."They approached a large chamber pulsing with blue light, surrounded by tubes filled with crimson-gold liquid.Doctor Hector laid a hand on the chamber’s smooth surface and said,"This is gene stimulation fluid. The technology was developed by higher intelligences... and shared with us. But the success rate?"He gave a humourless chuckle."Not great. In fact—we haven’t had a single success yet."He turned toward Darian."But we believe that those who carry strong bloodlines—like the Ten Great Clans—might be compatible. Still... it’s only a theory."Doctor Hector’s voice lowered."There is a lot of risk involved."Darian said nothing. In front of his eyes memories flashed, Mona’s innocent smile, her gut curling screams and her last word—"I like your smile, Darian, keep smiling."His fist clenched.His eyes didn’t waver.Hector sighed but continued, pointing to the crimson-gold tubes above the chamber."These are Earth Dragon’s elemental essence blood—or more accurately, bone marrow. Once your body is ready, this will stimulate your blood and genes further."Darian nodded. A faint, smile appeared on his lips.Without another word, he stepped into the chamber.Hector activated the console beside him.As Darian’s body slumped unconscious, the blue liquid shimmered faintly—like a heartbeat beginning to pulse.Doctor Hector stared at it for a long moment before muttering under his breath,"It will take six months to prep your body...Then we’ll introduce the marrow and pray for success..."