In fact, it's not just [Frenzy Blood], [Iron Eater] and [Feast] have a bit of an evil nature too.

[Iron Eater] has woken Feng Mu from nightmares more than once, making him think he's turned into a Calamity Corpses.

Moreover, lately, when he's burning Calamity Corpses, he feels that those ugly and terrifying creatures are not as repulsive as they used to be. He can even tell which one looks a bit more pleasing.

It's terrifying to think deeply, isn't it~

It's like how humans find it hard to discern which spider looks more delicate. If you can tell, you better get yourself checked at the hospital.

Also, there's the [Feast] that has always remained unwrapped.

Feng Mu has been injured several times, and each time he forcibly suppresses the urge to heal through blood absorption. Is it because he doesn't want to?

No,

he is instinctively afraid.

[Feast]: The blood of your kind is filled with an enticing fragrance, devour them, and you shall achieve immortality~

Think about it~

By devouring the blood of your kind, can you achieve immortality? Feng Mu is unsure—or rather, he's uncertain how much of his kind's blood he needs to consume to attain immortality.

One is definitely not enough.

Ten or a hundred seem a bit scant, right?

Thousands may be enough, or perhaps it's still just a drop in the bucket.

After all, immortality—when translated into numbers, is infinity, a number larger than the combined lifespan of all humanity.

The other side of the immortality equation, how many blood bags are needed, Feng Mu does not know.

But what he can foresee is that once he takes the first sip of blood, he will never be able to stop, sliding uncontrollably into the abyss.

If [Iron Eater] is an evolution of the body structure from human to non-human,

then [Feast] is the subjective fall from human to non-human.

The logic is simple: once you see your kind as walking blood bags, do you still consider yourself human?

Perhaps one day it will happen, but Feng Mu still hopes it will be a bit later, to retain a little more of the humanity's glow in him.

[Iron Eater], [Frenzy Blood], [Feast]: "….."

So you're all noble and pure, and we're just the evil sources polluting you, huh? Then just don't use us~

Feng Mu tears the paper, mixes it with iron sand, and swallows it, then draws a syringe of blood, muttering to himself: "The entry I activated with my life, how could I possibly not use it~"

It's like smoking is harmful to health, but how many people can really quit? Almost none, not even forgetting to light one before they die.

Can't stop eating iron, can't stop drawing blood, can't miss a day of Body Forging Exercise.

Perhaps having just been through an exhilarating battle or maybe due to a subtle shift in mentality, Feng Mu is exceptionally vigorous tonight.

[Edibility ↑↑↑] Rarely do three upward arrows appear simultaneously.

Three times the efficiency?

Tonight, I can't sleep; I'll push myself to the limit until dawn.

3.30 07:55.

Feng Mu stops practicing, the settlement screen freezes on his retina:

[Iron Eater: Tier 1]

[Edible iron types: 1]

[Extractable metal traits: 1]

[Current detected edible iron type—Ordinary Pig Iron, Edibility 94%.]

[Extracted trait: Molded Embryo (White)]

"Whew——"

Feng Mu lets out a long breath, a glimmer of joy in his eyes:

"Just 6% more, Tier 1 Edibility will be maxed out. If there's no accident, it can be completed tonight."

"Maybe even before night falls, possibly before getting off work..."

With such anticipation, Feng Mu rolls up his sleeve and takes another blood sample with a syringe.

The arm has accumulated quite a few needle marks these days. If an outsider were to see them, who knows what they might misinterpret.

He puts away the syringe, slings his backpack over his shoulder, and sits down at the table to eat seriously.

Wang Xiuli looks noticeably haggard, as if she hasn't slept well all night. She hesitates several times, trying to persuade Feng Mu not to go to work, to just quit and stay home until Feng Ju returns to rearrange things for him.

But as if she knows talking won't help, in the end, she simply reminds him to be careful on his way out.

The bicycle has clearly been through some rough treatment, its pedals emit a grating squeak as if a dying man weakly bidding him farewell.

"It's time for a new bicycle," Feng Mu thought.

After all, it has been his beloved ride for long. Feng Mu is not heartless and cannot bear to dismantle and munch on it.

When he buys a new bicycle, he'll give the old one a proper burial.

As he cycles into the incineration plant, the security guard holding a thermos looks slightly surprised.

Feng Mu pays no attention, changes his clothes, puts on a mask, and enters the incineration room.

Wang Jian is already there early. Seeing him safe and sound at work, he looks pleased, seeming as if he wanted to ask something, but noticing Feng Mu's lack of intention to speak, he ultimately refrains from asking.

Since the incident with Luo Ji, Wang Jian has become more composed, learning to keep his mouth shut.

The whole day comes with no Calamity Corpses, as if the gods are urging Feng Mu to upgrade quickly.

16:20 in the afternoon.

After finishing the last round of Body Forging Exercise and swallowing a mouthful of iron sand, accompanied by the [Edibility ↑↑] prompt, the progress bar for Tier 1 Iron Eater overflows.

Ding——

The clear notification sound is like a fledgling breaking through its eggshell from inside.

[Iron Eater: Tier 2]

[Vacant slot for edible iron types: 2]

[Vacant slot for extractable metal traits: 2]

[Extracted trait: Molded Embryo (White)]

Muscles are swelling, skin stretching, bones beneath are restless, like a curled-up giant strenuously trying to break free from the confining world.

Pan Gu creating the world? No, I'm turning into a Calamity Corpses!

Feng Mu's heart jolts with fear, feeling as if his bones are about to grow out, wearing his skin on the outside, ready to seize control.

Though, this will undeniably lead to a qualitative leap in his power—greater strength, stronger defense, and most importantly, a more imposing figure, fitting the villain archetype.

But...

Feng Mu stares with wide eyes at the empty cremation chamber; he's not ready to lie down in there so soon.

"Don't grow out!" Feng Mu roars internally with all his might.

One minute, two minutes, three minutes... The rampaging bones, under his intense resistance, reluctantly settle down, ceasing their urge to break through.

A bizarre wave surges in his mind.

Feng Mu, as if feeling a surge of grievance from the [Iron Eater] entry, experiences a wave of emotion.

An entry that produces emotion is even more sinister.

A ridiculous thought floats in Feng Mu's mind: "Could the three entries born from [Blood and Iron] be alive?"

"No, they're not alive yet, but as I keep upgrading..."

Feng Mu shudders, suppressing this sinister delusion: "Is my process of training and upgrading also simultaneously hatching them?"

"Impossible, it must be my imagination...right~"

After spending more than ten minutes calming himself, Feng Mu senses the changes in his bones.

The first reaction is the bones becoming heavier.

The second reaction is...

Feng Mu restrains his urge to experiment, glancing at Wang Jian, who is smoking by the doorway, and decides to wait until he gets home after work to feel it.

Otherwise, if he scares Wang Jian, he might have to silence him too.

If you find any errors ( broken links, non-standard content, etc.. ), Please let us know < report chapter > so we can fix it as soon as possible.