Dragged across the smooth floor, my body had already recovered to 75% of its vitality. The wound on my neck remained the sole blemish, refusing to heal. Serena walked alongside me, her eyes darting about the unfamiliar environment.
The skeleton closed the book and leaned it against a rectangular recess, where faintly glowing runes could be discerned.
The yellow rays emitted by the pseudo-bulbs flashed rapidly, and I could feel vibrations resonating through my skin as yet another door swung open.
Serena's face flushed crimson as she wriggled and struggled, desperately attempting to break free from the skeletal grip.
"No... no, no! I don't want this! Let me go! It's not my fault!" she pleaded, her voice trembling with fear and desperation.
The nauseating smell of boiling meat assaulted my nose, making my stomach churn. Saliva mixed with my own purple blood dripped from the corners of my mouth and splattered onto the floor.
Suddenly, Serena was struck on the head, her body going limp as she lost consciousness. I gazed at her pallid face, swallowed hard, and wondered, Are we being taken to the Arena's kitchen?
As it turned out, my assumption was only partially correct.
It wasn't merely a kitchen; it was a macabre manufacturing factory.
From the ceiling, movable hooks dangled, from which hung iron quadrangular cages, each containing a grotesque assortment of beasts and creatures.
If someone were to ask me which was more overpowering—the stench or the cacophony of noise—I wouldn't be able to give a definite answer. Agonized screams, desperate cries for help, and the gurgling sounds of impending death filled the air, suffocating and overwhelming.
At least Serena remained unconscious. If she were to witness the horrors unfolding in this room, it would undoubtedly drive her to madness.
For it was a scene straight out of Java's infernal depths.
Strangely enough, not a single drop of blood stained the silver floor, despite the numerous creatures scattered about, their bodies marred by countless wounds.
I continued to be dragged along, my recovery now at 92%. I looked up and saw a wide sheet of metal shifting above me, with a limp leg dangling from it. Twisted fingers bent at impossible angles added to the grotesque scene.
A conveyor belt, situated no higher than two meters from the floor, moved relentlessly. Upon it lay severed limbs of creatures and plants, twitching sporadically, their muscles still spasming to some unknown rhythm.
Countless cages filled the towering ceiling, each housing tormented "products." Their Hands extended towards freedom, desperately reaching for the air, while their bodies and souls decayed within their confinements, waiting for their turn.
From my vantage point in the corner, I couldn't discern where this gruesome spectacle ended, as it seemed to stretch on indefinitely.
Panting heavily, a sense of terror overwhelmed me. Would I end up as sustenance on the tables of living beings?
Turning my gaze, I was stunned by the sight of a hulking figure among the suffering martyrs. A hulking figure, its mutilated body covered in oozing ulcers and blisters, removed the severed limbs from the conveyor belt and placed them onto a trolley. I could only assume this figure was an employee of this place.
I felt my stomach churn, almost succumbing to the urge to vomit, as I peered into the uncovered section of the room devoid of hooks or conveyor belts. Within it, a roaring fire burned, with a vat suspended above it, its rounded belly brimming with horrifying contents. Other nightmarish figures pushed the cart away, hurling the broken limbs of the creatures into the infernal vessel.
This vat was nearly half the height of the vast room. How many more lives would they need to extinguish in order to fill this vessel?
The floor beneath us was uneven, and we ascended at an unsettling angle. The skeletons escorting us paid no attention to their surroundings, their focus solely on their task at hand.
Finally, my regeneration progress reached 98%. The edges of the wound had formed a noticeable crust, indicating that full recovery was imminent. I turned my attention to the system interface.
Of all the things in the inventory, one thing would hardly help me. My gaze fell on a recent gift.
[Regarding the last reward, the Elixir of Transfiguration. How does it work?] I inquired.
The system responded:
[The Transformation Elixir you possess consists of 10 drops, and each drop allows for a single transformation. To assume the form of another creature, you must mix a drop of their blood with the elixir. It is crucial to maintain a 1:1 ratio of blood to elixir for the transformation effect to stabilize.
When you transform using the elixir, you will become an exact replica of the chosen being, whether they are living or deceased. However, it is important to note that the elixir has limitations to protect your consciousness from destructive transformation. After each use, you must wait for at least 1 year before transforming into another creature or returning to your original form. With each subsequent transformation, this waiting period will increase.
Additionally, it's important to be cautious with the Elixir of Transformation, as it is an experimental potion. It has a Red Zone of damage to your consciousness, indicating that improper or excessive use may pose risks to your mental well-being. Therefore, exercise caution and use the elixir judiciously.
If you have any further questions or concerns, please let me know.]
Contemplating the information, I pressed further:
[So, do I need to mix a drop of the elixir with the blood of the creature I wish to transform into? And can I use it on others?]
[Yes, precisely. The blood of the target creature is required to assume their form. You can even utilize their skills, but your control over them will be limited to 50% of their total power. And yes, this acquired Elixir will work on others as well.]
Observing the skeleton with the book in his hands, I pursed my lips in contemplation.
[What about using a small amount of bones or aura? Would that work too?]
The system replied firmly:
[No, one drop of blood needed for transformation.]
Taking note of this information, I focused my attention on the approaching group of grotesquely deformed monsters. The skeleton with wings nodded to his team, and before I knew it, I was thrown forward. Serena, still unconscious in the grasp of another skeleton, remained oblivious to the events unfolding around her.
I landed face down, protecting the wound that was already well on its way to healing. The monstrous creature's grip tightened around my neck as it peered at me with whitish pupils, sniffing the back of my head before nodding in the direction of the skeleton.
One of the creatures retrieved a small black bag and tossed it to the winged skeleton. Grabbing the bag, he opened it slightly, and a blue light emanated from within.
Opening his mouth, he uttered, "Kacha-kacha."
My health window displayed a steady 100% as I gazed in disbelief at the retreating skeletons, carrying Serena with them. So, these were not just ordinary Stormtroopers but rather illicit traders dealing in slaves and live food?
What in the world was happening here?
The monster tossed me toward a trio with a vacant expression. One of them seized me by the tail and began dragging me toward a tunnel that descended into darkness.
Limp and helpless, I was pulled along a narrow but tall corridor. Accompanying me were three towering monsters, each standing two meters tall, with disproportionately long arms reminiscent of primates. Yet, there was something about their appearance that faintly betrayed their human origins.
Lost in thought about my current predicament, I looked at the smooth walls and couldn't help but smile with a predatory gleam in my eyes.
Taking advantage of the situation, I accessed the System Store and quickly purchased a few soporific elixirs.
When we were sufficiently out of sight from the main group and had distanced ourselves significantly, I summoned the Dark Threads and swiftly struck the creatures below their heads, inducing a state of unconsciousness.
"An ideal crime must have at least four key elements," I said inside myself, reciting an adage that had stuck with me.
"Opportunity, means, place, and time."
As it turned out, the creatures had rather rough and resilient skin, and my initial attack had not injured them at all. Determined to neutralize them, I swiftly smashed the vial containing the Sleeping Elixir onto the floor, causing the liquid to splatter and cover their bodies.
[Time to activate the Sleeping Elixir will be in 10 seconds.]
One of the creatures growled angrily and lunged towards me, but I swiftly retaliated by delivering a powerful kick. As it staggered backward, I seized the opportunity to consume the antidote, nullifying the effects of the elixir on myself.
Using my Dark Threads, I restrained the third creature. However, in the midst of the chaos, I felt a sharp blow to my leg, causing my shin to nearly break. With my body contorting to evade the blows, I inadvertently crashed into the black-robed monster and instinctively leaped onto its shoulders. In its clumsiness, the monster struck one of its companions in the face, causing it to stumble and lose balance.
Seizing the moment, I pushed off with all my strength, executing a backflip maneuver. The twisted claws of the creatures barely missed grazing my head.
Squatting down, I advanced with a Sickle-shaped Tail, my weapon poised to strike the swinging monster. At the last possible instant, I administered the antidote-laced Sleeping Elixir directly into his mouth. He clenched his teeth, shattering the flask into pieces, allowing the colorless liquid to mingle with his green blood as it entered his system.
The creature staggered uncertainly, eventually collapsing onto his rear as its two brothers collapsed on their backs, rumbling in deep snores that echoed throughout the corridor. I uncorked the lid of another flask, containing a black liquid that splashed against the glass walls.
A single drop fell onto my outstretched finger as I extended my claws and made a precise incision on my hand. The sound of numerous footsteps reverberated through the metallic floor, indicating the approach of more monsters.
Just as the creature began to regain its senses and rose to its feet, assuming a defensive stance, I grinned mischievously and snapped my fingers, causing the concoction of mixed liquid to enter its mouth. It blinked uncertainly as I swiftly ran a sharp thread over its shoulder. A drop of its blood fell onto my hands as the creature dropped its weapon and collapsed to the floor, clutching its head. His body underwent a remarkable and rapid shrinking process.
Without hesitation, I mixed the elixir with a green drop and, against my own will, forced the resulting concoction into my own mouth. The metallic taste on my tongue threatened to make me vomit, but I managed to suppress the urge as I fell to the floor, observing the approaching silhouettes of the other monsters. I felt myself growing taller, and the sores on my body became unbearably itchy.
Closing one eye, I watched as the creatures landed with a resounding crash on their backs, succumbing to the effects of the abundant air they inhaled in the corridor. The cheapest sleep elixir proved to be highly effective in incapacitating them.
My сlone stumbled to her feet, looking disoriented, her eyes scanning the surroundings.
A long dagger, its inner surface adorned with sharp teeth, was embedded in her shoulder, eliciting a painful howl that pierced my ears. With a heavy heart, I finally closed my eyes, knowing that someone had to die in my place.