Chapter 418 - 399: Fiend and Shriek

Chapter 418: Chapter 399: Fiend and Shriek

The underground laboratory had been cleared out, leaving only the massive, circular cultivation pool.

A viscous, blood-red liquid churned in the pool. It was a "high-energy nutrient solution" specially prepared for the "Life Field," containing five hundred grams of dissolved Original Blood Crystals and a large quantity of Alchemy Potions designed to soften bone and reshape muscle. Bubbles burst on the surface, releasing a nauseatingly sweet and metallic stench.

Stuka stood at the edge of the pool, its huge talons restlessly scraping against the rock floor and creating a harsh, grating sound.

Its golden eyes stared at the pool’s surface, the feathers on its neck bristling as a low growl rumbled in its throat.

"Shorty."

Stuka’s voice, transmitted through the hive terminal, arrived in Ola’s mind.

"Your boss wants to cook me. He definitely does. This stuff smells like goblin-brewed swill."

Ola stood beside it, looking up at the giant beast. He reached out and patted Stuka’s thick thigh, the taut muscles firm against his palm.

"Don’t be such a sissy," Ola cursed back telepathically, though his mental voice was a bit strained. "This is to make you stronger. Faster than those damned Crossbow Arrows."

Velin stood before a control console, holding a pocket watch. He didn’t look up.

"Heart rate is one-twenty. Too high." He snapped the watch cover shut and spoke coolly, "Performing the procedure in this state increases the chance of vascular rupture by ten percent."

He turned around, his wine-red eyes looking sternly at the man and the bird.

"Ola, go calm it down. If you can’t get him to calm down and bring his vitals into the safe range, we can’t begin this procedure."

The Dwarf took a deep breath, nodded, and walked over to Stuka. He wrapped both arms around the creature’s thick neck and pressed his forehead against its white feathers.

"Listen up, pal."

Ola’s thoughts were honest and pure.

"Remember Black Stone Port? Remember that Crossbow Arrow that grazed your belly? If it had been an inch off, you’d be meeting your ancestors right now."

Stuka’s body stiffened for a moment, and its wings, which had been flapping anxiously, slowly folded.

"We are the kings of the sky, not living targets." Ola released his hold and looked directly into those golden, hawk-like eyes. "Do you want to spend the rest of your life hiding in the clouds, watching those crawling insects strut around on the ground?"

"No."

Stuka’s reply was crisp and clear.

"I want to shit on their heads. With perfect accuracy."

"Then get in there and cooperate with Velin." Ola pointed at the pool. "Show them what you’re made of."

Stuka snorted, blasting Ola’s face with a jet of hot air, then obediently took a step forward.

It turned, shot Velin a look, an expression that screamed, ’If I die, I’m coming back to haunt you.’

Then, it spread its wings and, without any hesitation, jumped straight into the crimson-red broth.

SPLASH!

A huge wave splashed up as the liquid swallowed the massive white body.

"Begin."

Velin wasted no words. He strode to the edge of the pool and slammed his hands onto the Rune-covered wall.

*Spring Messenger*, full power output.

There was none of the gentle, spring-breeze-like feeling one might expect.

Velin’s Spiritual Power brutally sliced through the liquid barrier and stabbed directly into Stuka’s chest cavity.

"Elvin! Increase energy output to Level 3!" Velin shouted. "Lock onto its heart! I want to see the feedback from every single blood vessel!"

"Yes, sir!"

Standing at the control station, Elvin began to operate the controls with a calm, deliberate pace.

The pool began to boil.

The liquid seemed to come alive, frantically drilling into Stuka’s pores and wounds.

AIEEEE—!!!

A shrill, agonizing scream erupted.

It was Stuka’s voice.

’Pain.’

’So much pain.’

It was like countless ants were gnawing at its insides, like a sharp beak was tearing at its heart muscle.

"Hold still!" Velin’s voice rang out in the mental link, cold and devoid of any emotion. "Don’t move! I’m peeling away the pericardium!"

Through the churning liquid, one could vaguely see Stuka’s chest heaving violently.

Velin’s eyes were closed, his Spiritual Power tendrils precisely wrapping around the wildly beating heart.

He was "editing" it.

The resilient myocardial fibers, which had evolved for long-distance flight, began to fracture and disintegrate under the infusion of immense life energy.

Then, they reformed.

The new fibers were thicker and harder, taking on a dark red, metallic sheen.

The ventricular walls were thickening. Doubling, tripling in size.

To pump blood throughout the body at several times the previous speed, this heart had to become a high-powered, high-pressure water pump.

"Blood pressure is skyrocketing! It’s already past the critical threshold!" Elvin shouted in alarm. "The blood vessel walls can’t take it! There’s bleeding everywhere!"

The water in the pool was quickly dyed a deeper red.

Stuka’s agonized screams had faded to weak moans.

"Keep increasing the pressure," Velin replied confidently. "That’s the old blood. It’s better for it to be drained."

The glow from the Runes under his palms intensified.

Regeneration.

The instant the old blood vessels burst, stronger, more resilient new ones were rapidly generated under the catalysis of *Spring Messenger*.

It was a tug-of-war between destruction and rebirth.

Ten minutes.

Twenty minutes.

An hour.

Ola stood to the side, his fists clenched so tightly his nails dug into his palms. He listened to Stuka’s voice in his mind grow fainter and fainter, his whole body trembling.

But he didn’t dare make a sound, terrified of disturbing Velin.

Finally.

THUD.

A deep, muffled boom echoed from the bottom of the pool.

It sounded like a war drum being struck by a heavy mallet.

THUD!

A second beat.

This sound was so loud that even the ground trembled slightly.

The churning in the pool ceased.

Velin slowly pulled his hands back and let out a long breath, his face as pale as paper. He took a handkerchief from his pocket and wiped the cold sweat from his forehead.