Chapter 2157: Chapter 2157
As his senses flooded back, the old woman's head was almost pressed against Jenkins's face. Beneath it, the metallic body of the Scarlet Ephemera, complete with its gossamer wings, had fully emerged from the house.
Unlike the metallic Beasts of Calamity he had encountered in previous Mysterious Realms, the Difference Engine hadn't fashioned the Scarlet Ephemera into a colossal monster. It was roughly the size of an overgrown wild boar.
Snapping out of his stupor, Jenkins swung a fist and smashed the old woman's face. With a spray of red blood, the head burst open like a shattered watermelon, revealing the metallic head of the ephemera hidden inside.
A deafening crash echoed as his fist struck the metal insect's head. Jenkins had yet to fully adapt to the power from the ascension of his body and soul—a force equivalent to a full-power strike from the World Tree Seedling itself. The aggressive insect's head immediately caved in under the blow.
The Difference Engine's special alloy, which even the White Bone Holy Sword couldn't cleave, had just been caved in by Jenkins's bare fist.
An ephemera doesn't technically have eyes, but for some reason, two human eyes were embedded in its metal surface. They hadn't been harmed by the punch. Jenkins met the gaze of the eyes on the dented insect head, and the Beast of Calamity's influence over bloodlines immediately took hold of him.
His body writhed, but showed no signs of transformation. The Beast of Calamity's essential power was altering the genetic information in his body, but he was now the complete World Tree. The World Tree itself is the origin of all things, so no matter how he was changed, he would remain the World Tree.
Instead of retreating, he grabbed the ephemera's body and pulled it into an embrace. The metal insect struggled violently, its surface rippling like liquid metal. Then, dozens of red alloy spikes shot out from beneath its brass-colored shell, piercing straight through Jenkins's body.
He remained calm, placing his open right palm on the insect's head. The Savior's Emblem corresponding to his [Stranger] ability materialized at his feet. The circular emblem expanded continuously, the evolution and ascension of his physical body amplifying the power of his abilities. Soon, the flawless, circular blue emblem enveloped the entire town.
The bell ringer beneath the clock tower looked up at the sky. The nun in the church left her seat by the altar to stand at the doorway, gazing in Jenkins's direction. Meanwhile, the ghost nurse at the hospital clung to the frame of a third-floor back door, secretly watching the scene unfold.
Although the [World Tree Seedling] hadn't grown as a result of the [Four Seasons] ritual, its power had undergone a fundamental transformation after absorbing six of Jenkins's abilities.
Almost as if actively triggered, [The Stranger], combined with the [World Tree Seedling]'s control over life force, drew all the crimson light in the town toward Jenkins and the metal ephemera. Under the emblem's brilliant glow, the light condensed into a tangible curtain, enveloping both man and insect.
The unsettling sound of twisting metal echoed continuously from within the curtain, interspersed with piercing, ultrasonic screeches.
Soon, however, Jenkins had absorbed all the crimson light. Even the bloody hue of the town's sky began to fade, returning to the pitch-black sky typical of a Mysterious Realm.
All that remained in his arms was a metallic husk; the power of the Scarlet Ephemera had been perfectly absorbed. For a moment, a crimson glow in his eyes even suppressed the faint purple light, but it quickly receded, signifying that he had completely mastered his newfound strength.
Because he had no empty bubbles left, no new ability was generated. However, the Scarlet Ephemera's power had been absorbed by the essence of the World Tree. He had already grasped all he needed, so it didn't matter that a formal ability didn't manifest.
Just as abilities like [Titan's Power], [Cat's Grace], and [Dragon's Kiss Venom] had been absorbed before, he could still use their powers at will. They had become talents as natural to him as lifting a hand or taking a step—powers that, in the truest sense, could never be erased.
The power of the World Tree encompassed many aspects. In terms of bloodline, Jenkins now possessed the talent to absorb the power of any non-human creature he touched and make it his own. This was an inherent characteristic of the [World Tree Seedling], a power already inscribed upon his very body and soul.
Unfortunately, among all the Beasts of Calamity, only the Scarlet Ephemera's power was so similar and compatible with that of the World Tree. Had it been any other beast, Jenkins would have likely been forced into a head-on battle.
The Difference Engine had likely intended for Jenkins, as "The Stranger," to fail to leave this town and be forced to stay, thereby becoming a "local." This would have served as a ritual to reverse the effects of [The Stranger]. But unfortunately for the Engine, Jenkins was victorious once again.
"This isn't bad, though."
He melted the ephemera's alloy shell in his hand, forming it into a metal block that he stuffed into his backpack, merging it with the alloy from the old butler of the Shadow Castle.
He clenched his fists, feeling the astonishing power coursing through him, then leaped into the air. As his backpack and the magic sword, still encased in its metal cocoon, fell to the ground, Jenkins transformed into a ball of golden-purple light in mid-air before landing softly on the ground as a small mouse.
Even though his [Malicious Transformation] ability was gone, his metamorphosis had made shapeshifting an instinct, a natural talent. He could now transform freely and without restriction within a Mysterious Realm. And while he hadn't practiced enough to instantly become the powerful creatures he'd encountered—like titans, vampires, unicorns, or dragons—he could now turn into ordinary animals like mice, cats, squirrels, or fawns whenever he pleased.
In high spirits, he changed back into his human form. Jenkins casually tossed the dice—a twenty, the exact number he needed to reach the white portal of exit. He smiled, gathered the remaining dice into a small cloth bag, and pulled the drawstring tight before turning to look toward the third floor of the hospital.
The door wasn't fully closed, and through the narrow crack, the ghost nurse was peeking at him.
"There aren't many left. They're all yours."
He tossed the bag into the air, and it landed perfectly in front of the door. Follow current ɴᴏᴠᴇʟs on novel·fıre·net
"Will you come back?"
The ghost opened the door, asking the question as she reluctantly stooped to pick up Jenkins’s “relics.”
"Probably not. The Stranger is leaving. I have people waiting for me at home."
He waved goodbye to the ghost.
"Then... be careful on your journey!"
the ghost said dejectedly. Seeing Jenkins turn toward the gate out of town, she called out another farewell, even pulling a transparent handkerchief from somewhere to wave it high in the air.
"Have a safe journey! Wherever you're going, I know you'll succeed."
Jenkins smiled, gave her one last nod, and then stepped through the increasingly unstable portal.