Chapter 122
### **Chapter 122**
Olivia circled around the back of the stone tablet, carefully examining its surface. Before long, her fingers traced over a hidden groove. Pressing down, a faint *click* echoed through the silent ruins.
Not far from the tablet, the ground trembled before splitting apart, revealing a **dark tunnel** leading into the unknown.
Carl barely hesitated before stepping forward. **"Let's go."**
Unlike in the past, where Olivia would meticulously examine ruins before entering—knowing they were often riddled with **traps**—this time, she had no such hesitation.
After all, **Carl** was with her.
With an Admiral at her side, she felt a **rare sense of security.**
The deeper they ventured, the darker it became. Just when the last traces of light seemed to vanish, a **flicker of fire** ignited behind Carl's neck.
The sudden flare startled Olivia. She instinctively took a step back, her gaze locking onto the **dancing flames.**
She had seen something before—his **black wings.**
The pieces connected in her mind, and a long-buried curiosity surged forward.
**"Black Dragon Admiral… are you a Lunarian?"**
Carl didn't immediately respond. Instead, he glanced back.
Olivia **immediately regretted asking.**
She quickly lowered her head, pressing her lips together in silence.
But the question lingered in her mind.
The Lunarian race—an ancient people who once **ruled the Red Line.** Their history was tied to the very foundations of the world.
Her scholarly instincts burned with **unrestrained curiosity.**
Stealing a glance at Carl's back, Olivia's **interest only grew.**
But Carl had no intention of discussing it.
His pace remained steady—until he abruptly **stopped.**
**Click!**
The sound of a triggered mechanism echoed in the tunnel.
Before Olivia could react, *countless* **black arrows** shot out from the walls.
A deadly barrage, aimed to **kill.**
Carl didn't even flinch.
The arrows struck his body… only to **shatter** against his skin, falling harmlessly to the ground.
At the same time, **a shadowy mass** surged from Carl's back, enveloping Olivia in a protective barrier.
The attack ended as quickly as it had begun.
Olivia, **still frozen in shock,** barely registered what had happened. When she finally looked around, all she saw were **arrows littering the ground.**
The sharp heads were **dented,** many shafts **snapped in half.**
Carl turned, his expression **calm.**
**"Olivia, are you alright?"**
She swallowed hard. **"I—I'm fine. Thank you, Admiral Black Dragon."**
Carl smiled faintly. **"You're welcome. If I ask for your help, it's only natural that I protect you."**
Olivia exhaled slowly, trying to calm her racing heart. But then, she noticed **something else.**
**"Admiral Black Dragon… your clothes."**
His garments were torn in several places, riddled with **small holes** from the attack.
Carl glanced down.
Without concern, **black mist seeped from his body.**
In an instant, as the mist faded, his clothes were **completely restored.**
**"One of the perks of being a Logia user,"** Carl remarked casually before turning forward.
**"Let's pick up the pace."**
Olivia nodded—only to let out a small gasp as Carl suddenly **scooped her up.**
Before she could protest, they had **already moved.**
In the blink of an eye, they arrived at the **end of the tunnel.**
---
### **The Hidden Chamber**
A vast chamber stretched before them. In its center stood an **ancient stone compass,** its base engraved with intricate **text.**
In front of it, a **massive red rune** glowed faintly on the ground, pulsating with an **ominous energy.**
Olivia, already deciphering the symbols in her mind, **stepped forward.**
Her fingers brushed the compass, adjusting its position with **deliberate precision.**
As she completed the sequence, the ground beneath the red rune **rumbled.**
Slowly, it **descended,** revealing a golden **altar.**
At its center sat a **strange, dark-purple fruit.**
Its surface was covered in **swirling patterns,** radiating an eerie presence.
The moment it was exposed, **Carl moved.**
With a single leap, he **grabbed the fruit.**
Turning it over in his hand, he murmured, **"Yes… this is the Vampire Fruit."**
And then—without hesitation—
**He took a bite.**
**Olivia's heart nearly stopped.**
Her mind **screamed** in panic as Carl **tossed the remaining fruit aside like garbage.**
She **rushed** forward, grabbing him and **shaking him violently.**
She barely reached his waist, but that didn't stop her.
**"Spit it out! Spit it out right now!"** she shouted.
Her usually composed voice **cracked with fear.**
**"Oh my god, how could a Navy Admiral not know—YOU CAN ONLY EAT ONE DEVIL FRUIT!?"**
Carl remained **completely calm.**
He swallowed the fruit's pulp with a **grimace,** wiping the purple juice from his lips.
**"Tch. This thing still tastes disgusting."**
Olivia stared at him, her breath hitching.
She **knew** what was supposed to happen.
Two Devil Fruits in one body meant **instant death.**
Her voice trembled. **"Admiral Black Dragon… you…?"**
But Carl ignored her.
Instead, he **focused inward.**
A familiar sensation coursed through his body—just like when he had first eaten the **Dark-Dark Fruit.**
Except this time… he **understood it.**
His **power expanded.**
A **wave of energy surged** from his body.
Olivia's eyes widened in horror.
**"It's over! He's going to explode!"** she screamed.
Then—
The sound of **tearing fabric** filled the chamber.
Carl's **black wings unfurled.**
But they had **changed.**
Where once feathers covered them, **massive bat-like wings** now stretched outward, dark and leathery.
His **ears elongated.**
His **teeth sharpened** into fangs.
At that moment—
**Carl looked like a demon.**
Olivia **instinctively stepped back.**
But before she could move further, Carl **reached out.**
His hand **grasped her arm.**
A **strange red light** flared from his palm, racing across her skin.
A terrible sensation spread through her body.
**Her silver hair turned gray.**
Her once-youthful skin **withered.**
Deep **wrinkles** crept across her face.
In mere seconds—
Olivia had **aged decades.**
Meanwhile, Carl's **complexion became rosier.**
The **flames behind his neck burned brighter.**
Olivia stared at her own hands—**now frail and trembling.**
Her voice quivered.
**"This… what is happening?"**
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**+86 chapters on p@treon/tambeerg**