Evolution

Inside Perseus' body, mana raged as his organs healed, however, they were immediately crushed into paste right after.

This process continued as his mana battled the remnants of Dragon Energy that was raging inside of him, frying his organs. He felt like he was simultaneously being struck by hundreds of hammers and needles on every inch of his body.

The Dragon Energy raged, leaving him paralyzed so he couldn't even scream out in pain.

It wasn't just his organs that were feeling this process though, as his skin, his bones, and even his blood also started being refined.

Throughout all of this, Perseus stayed conscious as he had been awoken by the intense pain coming from within. He could only focus on the pain he felt and the sensation of his body essentially becoming a flesh bag and then being healed back to normal over and over again.

Combined with the endless darkness he saw on every side, Perseus really thought he might've gone to hell.

Seconds turned into minutes which felt like hours to Perseus, and at some point, he had lost track of time.

His eyes, which were always a beautiful crimson-red colour, now became blood-red mixed with a deep amethyst colour and swirling in a yin yang pattern. The biggest change happened in his arms. While on the outside, his arms just gained some muscle and stayed symmetrical with the rest of his body, their internal structure was completely changed.

Every muscle, bone, tendon, and ligament was optimally arranged to waste no motion and to prioritise strength and mana conductivity. Scales seemed to cover his entire body and were the most prominent around his arms.

What felt like many days later, Perseus finally felt the pain recede to a tolerable level. Though he still felt phantom pains on both his arms, even the wounds have been seared closed by the rampaging Dragon Energy, and were now replaced with scars.

"Haa..haa.."

Perseus caught his breath as the torture he was forced to endure almost made him insane. But now that the pain didn't cloud his mind, he could feel what he had gained.

His eyesight had sharpened immensely along with his mana sensitivity, while his body was on a completely different level. Even the Demon Slayer Mark seemed to have weakened and his vitality increased slightly.

Getting out of the bed, Perseus entered the bathroom to clean himself.

'To think even mere remnant Dragon Energy could force me to a near death state… I really am weak…'

As Perseus' thoughts turned darker, a certain desire arose within him. However, as much as he tried, he was unable to suppress it.

It was a bestial desire that came from the core of his being.

A desire that rose to prominence after losing a part of his humanity.

A desire felt by all dragons who rise to the apex of the world.

It was the desire to kill.

To kill, to grow stronger, and to reign supreme.

Bonus Chapter: 1/2