NOVEL WEB Chapter 22: Chapter 22: Hydra Human
< Thank you, my Lord. I can meet my family again. I am happy. >
The final message from Chester's fading existence echoed in Yuki's mind as the Fusion neared its end.
Yuki felt a slight discomfort at hearing those parting words. But other than that, everything felt strangely calm. The pain that usually accompanied Fusion had lessened, enough for him to clearly feel the changes taking place in his body. Perhaps his physique was starting to develop resistance to the process.
Moments later, he regained full sensation in his limbs and body, followed by a series of notifications:
---
[ Congratulations, Host! Your Self-Fusion is Successful ]
[ Your Core Bloodline had been strengthened ]
[ Strength +5, Agility +6, Defense +5 ]
[ Mana +11 ]
[ You have acquired a new Active Skill: Hydra Human (E) ]
Hydra Human (E):
> Temporarily morph into a humanoid form influenced by the traits of the Nightmare Hydra. In this state, the user retains 30% draconic strength, speed, and instincts while gaining access to limited human motor skills and speech. Duration is based on Mana and Mental Fortitude. Increases sensory awareness and magic affinity while active.
> Side Effect: Overuse can trigger emotional instability or partial Hollowfication if the user's Soul Defense is too low.
....
The place where Yuki and Chester had fused now remain quiet, with a young man at its center.
Unlike Chester, he had silver-white hair that shimmered faintly under the moonlight. His body completely naked, steam rising from his skin as though he had just emerged from a scalding hot bath. His face was smooth and fair, carrying a certain quiet handsomeness.
Slowly, the young man sat up. His silver eyes calmly inspected his hands and legs, moving them to confirm his full control. There was no discomfort. He was, unmistakably, a human now.
"So, I finally have a human body," he muttered, though his voice lacked joy.
Chester's final message still echoed in his thoughts:
He could not tell what emotion weighed on his chest. Was it relief, guilt, or sorrow?
His gaze drifted to the bloodstained floor. There was no body left behind. Chester's soul, once corrupted and then purified, had become the very fuel for this transformation.
All that remained now was silence.
"Rest in peace, Chester," he whispered. "I'll take revenge on the Hollows for you."
Yuki stood up slowly, the sensation of two balanced feet grounding him. His senses were sharper now, clearer than ever. The wind brushing against his skin, the faint hum of mana in the air, even the subtle sound of soil shifting under his weight. It was as if every nerve in his body had awakened.
He clenched and unclenched his fists. There was strength. Not the raw, beastly power of his former dragon form, but a refined kind of strength. A hybrid's strength.
Then, his thoughts shifted.
"Status," he murmured.
A familiar screen blinked to life in his vision:
---
[ Name: Yuki Igarashi ]
[ Bloodlines: Variant Frost Dragon (Hybrid)]
[ Age: 6 Years ]
[ Lifespan: 40 years ]
[ Level: 4 ]
[ Strength: 22 ]
[ Agility: 22 ]
[ Defense: 21 ]
[ Mana: 47 ]
[ Skills: Hydra Human (E), Night Berserker (E), Phantom Claw (E), Windleap Dash (E), Shell Sense (F), Frost Breath (F), Water Resistance (F) ]
___
He read through the panel in silence.
His stats had seen a significant leap from when he was just a baby dragon. His Mana had also increased.
Not to mention, his lifespan had received an upgrade as well.
He didn't know how strong he was compared to the superhumans of this world, but he was satisfied with his growth.
Now, he was certain that if he continued down this path, his dream of becoming the strongest might not be so far-fetched after all.
Soon, morning arrived. Warm sunlight seeped through the same cracks in the cave ceiling. But there were no screeches of birds, no cucklodoos of wild hens. Only an eerie wind and a suffocating, ominous presence all around.
The bone-chilling Crimson energy tickled his skin. It couldn't corrupt his mind, but it still clung to the world like a lingering curse.
Yuki knew the danger would only increase if he stayed in this area. So, without hesitation, he stepped outside and resumed the path he had chosen.
He avoided the route Runa had taken because, that direction was already contaminated beyond reason. Crossing it now would be nothing short of suicide.
The path ahead was open under a clear sky, with no signs of civilization in sight. It was just him, the solitary road, and the occasional trees and rocks scattered along the way.
He walked. He ran. Completely naked. His little brother swayed uncomfortably with each step.
Eventually, he fashioned makeshift clothes using large leaves and flexible branches. It wasn't perfect, but it was better than nothing.
From time to time, he stopped under trees to recover mana. Occasionally, he transformed into his dragon form, still trying to grow accustomed to the Hydra Human transformation. Maintaining the skill came at a cost as well.
After some trials, he calculated that 1 point of mana allowed him to maintain human form for about 3 minutes. With his current mana of 47, he could hold the form for just over 2 hours.
It was essential to know his limit. Otherwise, If he were caught in dragon form, it could bring him endless troubles.
After about four hours of trekking under the scorching sun and shadowy trees, the world around him began to change. The wind grew quieter, the horizon wider, and the sun dipped lower in the western sky, casting a warm, golden hue across the land.
Then, finally, something appeared in the distance. A towering silhouette stood against the fading light. As the image became clearer, his breath caught in his throat.
There it was. A colossal wall, stretching far across the landscape like a sleeping giant. It loomed like a mountain carved by hands too precise and massive to be ordinary. Its surface shimmered faintly with layered enchantments, hinting at powerful protection.
"What the hell? Can humans even build something like this?" Yuki whispered in disbelief, his voice lost to the wind. "It's taller and wider than the Great Pyramid of Giza. Way taller."
The sheer scale of it sent a shiver down his spine. Massive stone blocks formed its base, while fortified towers soared toward the clouds. Strange glowing runes lined its surface in spiral patterns, pulsing faintly as if alive.
No banners flew. No movement was seen along its upper ramparts. But the sheer majesty of the structure filled him with both awe and unease.
There was no one to share his amazement. Only the wind responded, brushing his silver hair back as he stood at the edge of the last rise before the flatlands.
Still, he made up his mind. That wall, whatever it was, would be his next destination.
It was a risk. A big one. But without risk, there could be no progress. No growth.
And right now, he needed both.