Liam felt his body start to grow hot. It got warmer than it did when he took the Minor Body Rejuvenation Pill. The heat he felt swimming through his body was one of change. He could feel it. His senses grew sharper, his body felt more flexible while also feeling like his bones grew denser. The tips of his fingers tensed as his nails turned claw-like. He could feel four of his teeth, probably his canine teeth, push out slightly and shift in design.

  When he was finally done he breathed out slowly. He was thankful for the pill he had taken earlier. He now understood why Uncle Naro had told him it was extremely necessary to have them when using this new ability. The pill cushioned the pain of the change that was forced upon him. The amount of stamina needed to make the change was a lot, but thanks to the pill it quickly replenished without a moment’s worry.

  However, now that he had taken both the pill and activated the ability he was on a timer. The ability could last thirty minutes, but the effects of the pill only had five minutes. Since he was allowed to only take five pills due to the side effects of taking too many pills, he was limited to having this ability active for twenty five minutes and not a second later if he didn’t want to experience the horrible side effects the ability would have on him while not having the pill running through his system.

  However, before Liam could start his attack he needed to take stock of all the changes that had taken place. As he did this he realized that he recognized the level of change in his heightened senses. It felt the same as when he used his Greed ability and stole the Dexterity Sub-stats from that cloaked person a few days ago. He wasn’t aware how much had increased until a notification appeared.

  [Due to Bestial Take over, the following increase to your Sub-stats have occurred during the duration of the ability; Body Attribute: Dexterity Sub-stat – Agility Level 30 – 35, Fine Motor Skills Level 30 – 35, Reflex Level 30 – 35, Speed Level 30 – 35].

  [Endurance Sub-stat – Stamina Endurance Level 28 – 30, Body Endurance Level 28 – 30.]

  [Strength Sub-stat – Power Level 25 – 28.]

  [Mind Attribute: Intelligence Sub-stat – Perception Level 30 – 35.]

  As Liam read these notifications he came to the realization that during this fight many of his sub-stat reached level thirty. A feat he was really happy about, but more than that he also felt that thanks to the increase in majority of his sub-stats he didn’t need to focus as hard as he did earlier on his heightened senses. He could feel the air around him easier, smell things clearer, hear things better as well as be able to separate and know what sound belonged to what, and finally see things with more detail. Even the smallest and subtle movements were easier to spot.

  And speaking of subtle movements, he saw the woman’s body vibrating. The subtle movements of her body twitching wasn’t from anger nor annoyance, but rather from excitement. She looked joyous even though her face was looking down and Liam couldn’t see the exact expression on it, her body language was all he needed to know she was…happy and Liam didn’t like that.

  “Mystic Gorger, could you do the honors please,” Languid Peril requested.

  “Gladly,” Mystic Gorger responded as she opened her jaws wide before throwing her head down towards the shadowy tendril wrapped around her right arm.

  Liam watched with major confusion as he couldn’t figure out why she would do that. However, the next thing he witnessed made him connect her code name with what she was doing. As her teeth sank into the tendril, Liam heard her clamp her jaw shut and rip her head back.

  In horror, Liam watched the woman rip the tendril apart, a good amount slowly going limp in her mouth as it squirmed around like a dying snake. Mystic Gorger then made an erotic moan of pleasure as slurped the part of the shadowy tendril into her mouth and down her throat. The rest of the tendrils that were wrapped around her froze before they panicked and tried to retreat back into her shadow. Mystic Gorger had other plans as she quickly grabbed one of the retreating tendril before swinging one of her meat cleaver weapons through the base of the tendril. She then brought her prey to her mouth and started slurping it down like one massive inky black noodle, more disturbing pleasurable moans escaping from her mouth as she enjoyed her meal.

  Liam’s mind raced as he tried to process exactly how she was able to do this. While the shadowy tendrils were solid enough to wrap and trap around a target, they were still shadows. She shouldn’t have been able to bite the tendril like some animal, let alone eat the damn thing. What he was watching just didn’t make any sense to him at all.

  After she was done with that tendril she grabbed one of the tendrils on Languid Peril and chopped it off of him. She didn’t go right into eating it but instead tried to cleaver through a couple more before the rest disappeared into the lanky man’s shadow. After collecting her meal she then started eating the shadowy tendrils one by one.

  As she ate each tendril, Liam was snapped out of his confusion and horror and noticed a faint smoky black mist start to waft off of the woman as she thoroughly enjoyed the meal she had made out of his magical ability. A look of pure ecstasy masked her face as she licked her fingers starting with her pinky. She ran her tongue around her index finger almost as if she was trying to clean it of some tasty sauce that coated it. Her eyes looked maniacal, which made him think about how he looked when he was lost in a chaotic state. That look made Liam understand that this woman was crazy.

  “The look on your face tells me that you have never seen this happen before,” Languid Peril started causing Liam to look at him. “I will agree with a thought you are probably thinking…Only a crazy idiot would enjoy eating the mana of a person’s ability, but I have to give it to them since it comes with perks.”

  “Perks?” Liam cautiously asked.

  “Depending on how much this idiot eats, she can get resistance to the mana type, a boost in Sub-stats, and possibly a temporary ability based on the mana type she ate,” Languid Peril explained. “Judging by the amount she gorged herself on, she probably got two out of three effects. However, it also comes with a horrible side effect. She goes into a state those that belong to her specific sect like to call, a Binge Gorger’s High.”

  Liam’s brows furrowed as he still didn’t fully understand. Languid Peril understood this and continued, “In other words, if she eats mana from an ability that manifests like the one you used on us and it is rich due to the person having an affinity with it, then they will get that state of mind driving them crazy and wanting more of it.” He then let out an irritated sigh as he added, “To be honest I wasn’t expecting this. I had believed you had someone how unlocked it through practice and Knowledge Theory, but from the look on her face it is clear you are…”

  Before the man could finish, Mystic Gorger let out a crazed laugh before suddenly rushing over to Liam and swinging one of her meat cleavers right for Liam’s throat. Thanks to the ability he had activated, Liam was able to see her in time and leaned back enough to dodge the swing. He then sent both of his Shadow Hands in to strike at her. However, both attacks were easily deflected as she used both of her weapons to knock them away.

  Liam jumped to his right side to create some distance but was pursued as Mystic Gorger followed him. She swung both of her weapons one at a time trying to land a hit on him. Liam ducked and dodged according while trying to have his Shadow Hands strike at her any chance he had. She easily deflected the attacks while trying to land one of her own on Liam.

  As Liam moved about, he started to get a better understanding the changes brought upon him thanks to his new Bestial Takeover ability. His ability to have his heightened senses easier to use in battle weren’t the only things that increased. His body’s movements were quicker, sharper, and a lot more flexible. He could now understand the misgivings Uncle Naro had when his deity had brought up that he wanted Liam to aim for getting this as well as Key’s worries when she found out this Field of Study was a goal Uncle Naro had for him.

  Without the Minor Body Rejuvenation Pill he wouldn’t have the stamina nor the ability to be able to move his body in the way he was right now. Not even the weak quality version would have been enough to handle the strain his body would be suffering. His training on making the pills up to the point he was able to make Minor Quality ones was a blessing he was very thankful for.

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  As he moved about and tried to understand more of what he was capable of he came to understand two particularly important things. One was that he needed to train this ability activated more. He wasn’t confident to say that his movements were all his own. He was really moving out of instinct and reflex. If he didn’t have his Danger Sense warning him as well he probably would have made mistakes as well. The other was while he was able to dodge and use his two Shadow Hands to try and attack her while his body dodge, he wasn’t landing any blows. None of his attacks were striking and it was taking everything he could to dodge. He wouldn’t be getting anywhere if this continued. He needed to get to where Ariyana had left him a present.

  He didn’t fully know what it was, but from the name of it he had some inkling of what it would do. He was reluctant about it at first, but he also couldn’t refute the results of what he believed it would do. He was only thankful that it was a lesser version of what he had experienced in the past. However, even if it was a lesser version it would still give him what he needed to help tip the scale in his favor…hopefully.

  As Liam ducked under a horizontal slash by Mystic Gorger, he rolled his upper body under the attack and went for a strike. However, midway through, Liam had to abandon his attack and jump to the side as a pop and sizzle sound came from his open side.

  A lull happened in the attacks as Liam and Mystic Gorger turned to see a cloud of pollen rain down on Languid Peril. Liam started to smile as he recognized the pollen coming from one of Ariyana’s Aroma Abilities that caused a target to be afflicted with a debuff called Burnout. It drained a target of their stamina and mana. It also sapped them of the same resources if they tried to move eventually tiring them out and making it so they wouldn’t move for a bit. With this affecting Languid Peril he wouldn’t have to worry about getting attacked.

  Liam’s smile disappeared as Languid Peril looked at his hand. He flexed it a few times before looking at Liam and said, “This isn’t one of yours meaning one of those people with the target left it here. Too bad something like this doesn’t affect me the way it should others.”

  “What?” Liam muttered in disbelief.

  “Thanks to the sect I belong to, any afflictions, curses, or hexes that cause debuffs like Burnout, Drowsy, or the like are negated. Well I guess negated isn’t the right choice of words, rather it powers up certain sub-stats as well as increases my own capabilities of causing those debuffs,” Languid Peril explained. “I mean…why would such effects not do so when used upon a user of Sloth.”

  Liam’s body froze as he heard that last word. “Sloth…,” Liam quietly muttered as his mind started racing. He looked at Mystic Gorger and started piecing some things together. “The ability to eat mana and use the mana type to bolster herself…Gluttony….” Liam then snarled as he glared at them. “You’re both Demons that belong to the Seven Immoral Vices.”

  “Not fully correct,” Languid Peril said nonchalantly. “While we do have abilities that were granted to us from the very cult we are members who left it due to…ugh what’s the right word…You know what forget it, just know that every country, organization, and even cults have their own fair share of internal conflicts that cause rifts and splits amongst their members.”

  “What do you mean? Are you trying to say that you have no affiliation with those that have been creating Black Dungeons?” Liam scowled.

  “Correct,” Languid Peril replied. “But that’s all you will get from me. It’s a shame really. You showed some potential as an assassin, but after coming across us, your future is to be either devoured or killed in your sleep.”

  As Liam’s body tensed from the anger building within he almost missed the sight of something not too far behind the lanky man. He didn’t give any signs that he finally caught a glimpse of what he was looking for but instead readied himself for the next strike as Mystic Gorger cackled, “Don’t die too quickly now. I want binge on more of that sweet, delicious Shadow Mana you have.”

  Liam swiftly pulled out another pill as he grew wary of the two. This was his third pill he had just taken. He had taken a second one during his tussle with Mystic Gorger earlier while trying not to get decapitated. After feeling the effects swim through his body, Liam watched as Mystic Gorger pushed off her feet and raced towards him while Languid Peril took two long steps forward before thrusting his spear towards his right side.

  Liam activated Shadow Step and disappeared right as the weapons of both people ran through his cloud shaped body. Languid Peril swiftly spun around and raked his spear where he believed Liam’s throat would be but instead hit nothing but air. Liam was fully ducked under the spear and waited till it fully moved over his head before he pushed off his feet and towards Languid Peril. He then used the shoulders of the lanky man as a springboard as he pushed himself away from the man, right in time to dodge a vertical slash from Mystic Gorger.

  Liam used the momentum to get fully out of both of their reach before touching down. His feet started running before they touched the ground so he wouldn’t slow down. His Danger Sense flared up as he realized Mystic Gorger was already on the move. Liam used both of his Shadow Hands to attack her to try and slow her down, but to his horror she swiftly chomped down on both before he realized it. the weapons they both held dropped to the ground as she chewed on the Shadow Mana that made up his Shadow Hands before swallowing and letting out a girlish squeal of delight.

  “You idiot!” Languid Peril shouted as he tried to rush over to stab Liam. As soon as he believed he was within distance he reached out with his lanky arms, spearhead fully extended right for Liam’s back. Liam reacted right as the spearhead went to pierced his back. He dropped his side as low as he could trying not to lose speed, but it wasn’t enough. The blade of the spear ran through the top of his should, barely scratching his skin, but that was enough for Languid Peril.

  As Liam took a few more steps he felt his body start to grow heavier as he grew tired. His legs started to slow down as his sight started to blur while he kept pushing himself. He reached for one of his daggers, but before he could grip it a wave of pressure washed over him intensifying the drowsy feeling that was trying to overwhelm him.

  Mystic Gorger stood where she was, reeling in the feeling of Liam’s Shadow Mana that was coursing through her stomach. Languid Peril let out a breath of air as he watched Liam start to slow to a crawl as he grew more and more tired with each step. He could feel Liam trying his hardest to fight back against the Drowsy Debuff thanks to his Sloth abilities. He sent out another wave of Drowsy Aura to stop him in his tracks. This next wave did the trick as Liam’s legs fully stopped. He then watched as Liam struggled to reach an arm out hand looking like he was trying to reach out for something.

  Languid Peril wasn’t sure what it was he was trying to reach out for since there wasn’t anything in front of him. That was until he noticed the strange black, red, and gold swirled flower bud on the ground. Judging from the distance between it and Liam he wouldn’t be able to reach it if he dropped straight down to the ground, but with the added reach of his arm out like it was…it was possible.

  Languid Peril then watched as Liam dropped down, Liam’s hand dropping onto the flower bud. Mystic Gorger suddenly snapped out of her state of mind as Languid Peril felt a strange pressure explode from the flower bud and wash over Liam. During this entire fight he hadn’t felt any pressure or danger from the man before them. Annoyance and irritation due to how he would get out of the Drowsy Debuff he had placed on him as well as his nimbleness to dodge and persistence when trying to keep their attention, or rather his partner’s interest, on him.

  However, the moment the strange pollen washed over the man that was laying on the ground, a feeling of dread ran down his spine. It wasn’t something that screamed that he was outmatched or that this man before him had suddenly grown even more powerful, no.

  This feeling of dread was a warning that grew more and more as Liam slowly started to get back to his feet. His instincts told him the person before him was a threat in a much different…unknown manner. It was almost similar to the feeling he got whenever a Follower of Gluttony would fall into a Binge Gorger’s High, but in a more chaotic way.

  In the corner of Languid Peril’s eye, he saw the look on Mystic Gorger’s face. Her body shook from a mixture of excitement and fear. An unhinged excitement look in her eyes matched the smile on her face as she noticed the look in Liam’s eyes and the image of a crazed smile she believed was hidden under his mask.

  She noticed a faint symbol flashed over the cat-like slit pupils in Liam’s eyes and for some reason it enthralled her just as much as the feeling he sent her way. While Languid Peril found the man a true threat now, Mystic Gorger found him entirely delicious. For it wasn’t just the look in his eyes that drew her full attention in, but also that strange mana she had felt just moments before they arrived earlier returning thanks to the new development. It was a type of mana she had never came across and she wanted to eat it, no…she wanted to gorge on it till she was satisfied.

  Eri stared and watched the scene playing out in the water before her. While she wasn’t sure how Ariyana’s new ability Bedlam Aroma would affect Liam, she also didn’t deny that she didn’t have an inkling it would be this potent. She did feel bad for telling Liam he wouldn’t have to worry about the effects, and he should be fine, but at the same time she hadn’t lied when she told him it would be a lesser version of when he lost his mind to her nature.

  It was a much lesser version to the effect that it had a time limit, and it wouldn’t corrode his mind to the point of no return. He would be fine after the effects of the aroma disappeared, but until then…well she was excited to see how this would play out. Especially since she could hear two voices whispering in his mind. Two voices tied to two of his abilities he recently had received from his terrifying Devour ability.

  The fact they were whispering in his mind was probably due to Whispers from the Beyond starting to rear its ugly head thanks to all the Shadow Magic he had been using. But she also believed that other factors were at play here. Either way, she was growing more and more excited since he was about to spread her nature in a new way and judging from the look the woman was giving Liam she knew it was starting to take root.

  “Oh my dear Champion. Go let loose and show them what true chaos looks like,” Eri whispered as she got ready for the show.

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