Chapter 429: Cheap Imitation

’Did that thing inside Mark actually self-destruct?’

The question lingered in Ethan’s mind long after the ordeal had ended. The distorted version of Mark had attempted to destroy everything when it realised it was losing, but the demon’s choice of words and the fact that both Ethan and Mark had survived suggested things weren’t quite that simple.

’Mostly worked...’

That was what the demon had said.

If the creature inside Mark had truly been destroyed, there would have been little reason for such an ominous qualification. Still, Ethan wasn’t about to ruin the moment by dwelling on it. Mark seemed to be doing much better, and after everything they’d been through, that alone was worth celebrating.

Whatever remained inside his brother could wait until they had a better idea of what they were dealing with.

"I guess we’re actual blood brothers now," Mark joked.

Ethan smiled, though it was clear there were things on his mind.

And elsewhere, another monster was already making plans of its own...

-

Dr Elias Smith had always considered himself one of the most dangerous minds in the country. After Kaela raided his facility, however, he possessed something to match his intellect: one of the most dangerous bodies as well.

The deranged scientist had escaped halfway across the country, settling into an underground facility that even Greg didn’t know existed. It was completely off the grid, hidden from the Association and every organisation that might come looking for him.

He had prepared for a situation like this long before it became necessary.

While Greg had used Elias for his research, Elias had used Greg for resources, funding, and access to the Association’s infrastructure. Through that arrangement, he’d quietly established numerous facilities and failsafes across the country, ensuring that no single disaster could bring his work to an end.

And now, with his own body serving as the perfect research specimen, he no longer needed Greg at all.

"He thinks he can control me."

Elias laughed to himself as he stood in the middle of his laboratory, examining the results displayed across several monitors.

"Though I’d be lying if I said I predicted it would happen like that."

His transformation had been an unexpected success.

The serum hadn’t merely altered his body; it had given him conscious control over its very structure, allowing him to adapt and reshape himself in ways that ordinary humans could never imagine.

He flexed his fingers, watching the muscles beneath his skin shift subtly in response.

"This really is stable Monsterification," he murmured. "And better yet, it is just the start of my evolution."

The possibilities were almost intoxicating.

He could change his body to suit different circumstances, develop new adaptations, and potentially incorporate the traits of other creatures without suffering the instability that plagued those who consumed Blessing.

His own body was no longer just a specimen to study.

It was a living laboratory.

’If I could get stronger monster materials, emulate their abilities, and permanently maintain those traits while continuing to strengthen my body by constantly testing its limits...’

Elias’s smile widened.

"I’ll become the new pinnacle of humanity!"

He was practically elated.

Then he heard it.

A smooth, slithering voice spoke from behind him.

"How ambitious."

Elias spun around, his enhanced senses screaming at him to react. His left arm shot forward in a vicious strike, moving with enough speed and force to tear through most Titled before they could even register the attack.

But it was caught effortlessly.

Elias froze.

Standing in his laboratory were two figures he recognised immediately.

Aisha and Bilal.

The two individuals representing the faction known as Blessed had appeared on every news channel worldwide not long ago. Yet seeing them standing inside his supposedly elusive facility was another matter entirely.

Aisha was a strikingly beautiful, tanned woman with flawless features and long, dark hair. Her distinctive golden eyes possessed narrow, slitted pupils that hinted at something distinctly inhuman. Dressed in black leather that resembled a vampire’s attire, she regarded Elias with an almost amused expression.

Beside her stood Bilal, a tall, dark-skinned man with a lean but powerfully built frame. His pristine black butler’s suit was immaculate, and his unnaturally rigid posture made him seem more like a statue than a living person.

His expression remained completely blank as he held Elias’s extended arm.

’How are they here?’

Finding his laboratory was one thing.

Entering without triggering a single alarm or alerting his enhanced senses was something else entirely.

Nevertheless, Elias quickly recovered his composure. He had survived an encounter with Kaela, and his newly acquired abilities had made him considerably stronger than most people could imagine.

He wasn’t about to show fear now.

"How can I help you, oh mighty Blessed?"

His tone was dripping with sarcasm, but Aisha didn’t appear offended.

"Your intellect is impressive, Dr Smith. I’d like to extend you an offer to join us. I could arrange a true blessing from those above and help you contribute to our cause."

The offer was tempting in its own way.

An organisation with access to powers beyond conventional understanding could provide him with resources and specimens that would take months to acquire independently. However, they wouldn’t make such an offer unless it benefited them, and Elias was undoubtedly one of the most terrifying scientific minds alive.

Yet he merely smiled.

"Those above? Those Lords? I have no need for them. Science is the way forward, and I achieved this through my own research. They didn’t want to give me a Title, and I don’t need their power. I’ll create my own and evolve humanity alongside me."

Aisha’s smile remained, but something behind her golden eyes changed.

"Is that your choice?"

The words came out almost like a hiss.

Although she remained casually positioned opposite him, the pressure in the room seemed to rise. Elias could feel the threat beneath her seemingly relaxed demeanour and knew better than to sit idly by while someone made their intentions so obvious.

He didn’t bother responding.

Instead, his body shifted, muscles tightening as he prepared to attack and, more importantly, escape.

He never got the chance.

Aisha gave the slightest signal.

Bilal moved.

There was no warning, no ceremony, and no opportunity for Elias to react.

The enormous man surged forward, his fist enveloped in a strange black power that devoured everything in its path. It was as though a miniature black hole had formed around his knuckles, swallowing the space between them.

The exchange lasted barely an instant.

Elias, whose body possessed the power of an A Rank, found himself staring down at a massive hole torn through his chest.

His eyes widened as he fell to the ground.

Thud!

His body immediately began attempting to repair the damage, muscles and flesh shifting as his regeneration fought to keep him alive. But the destruction was too severe, and the strange black power had left him struggling to recover.

Aisha looked down at him with open disdain.

"A cheap imitation."

She sounded more offended than disappointed.

"To think I would extend a hand to such a filthy creature, only for it to turn me down."

Elias tried to move, but his body was failing him.

Aisha raised her hand.

Her long, sharp nails caught the light as she swiped downward.

Shing!

The strike cleaved Elias in half.

His body fell apart, and whatever remained of his regenerative abilities was no longer enough to save him.

Aisha turned away without another glance.

"Our work here is done."

Bilal stepped forward.

Without needing another instruction, he drove his fist into the air.

Space itself ruptured beneath the blow, opening into a dark portal resembling Elara’s Spatial Leap.

Aisha walked through first, and Bilal followed a little later in silence.

A moment later, the portal closed.

The underground laboratory was left empty, its monitors still glowing over the remains of a man who had believed himself destined to surpass humanity.