Earth's Greatest Magus

Chapter 2377  Blood Magic

Blood magic was a dark art that had once flourished across the realms.

Thousands of years ago, it had been a common, if controversial, practice, with users wielding life essence as fuel for their power. But about a millennium ago, the dark elves managed to master the blood magic creating a group of super figures; the Blood Monarch. These ruthless figures wielded blood magic on a scale so devastating it altered the course of history. Their reign of terror had spurred the Magus Alliance to outlaw blood magic entirely, banning its practices and hunting down practitioners.

Even half-bloods with natural affinities for blood-based abilities, like the bat half-bloods, came under scrutiny, and strictly monitored by the Magus Alliance. Yet despite the restrictions, blood magic hadn't vanished entirely. Underground organizations in neutral zones—territories not governed by the Magus Alliance—had kept the dark tradition alive, quietly practicing blood rituals and ancient techniques in the shadows.

Emery's face tightened as he recalled the devastation he'd witnessed on Silvermane planet. The memory of the Alpha King, twisted by blood magic into a monstrous, uncontrollable beast, was vivid in his mind. Blood magic was not merely forbidden for its power; it was a path lined with horror and ruin, corrupting those who wielded it.

Days turned into a painstaking routine as Chumo's condition deteriorated.

Though his body had recovered from the immediate wounds, his need for blood was unrelenting. Emery saw the torment in his friend's eyes, a suffering that transcended physical pain. The Nightwalker virus had somehow mutated, melding with the blood magic to create a vicious cycle of dependency. Each day without blood plunged Chumo into severe withdrawal, leaving him trembling with unendurable agony.

Emery's first attempts to ease Chumo's suffering by feeding him human Magus blood met with limited success. It took the edge off, but never for long. Realizing he'd need to dive deeper, Emery resolved to understand blood magic at its core. He paid a visit to the captured Lodos, coercing him to relinquish the [Blood Tome].

The tome was filled with techniques and instructions dating back centuries, revealing the nature of blood magic in ways that were disturbing yet enlightening.

Emery diligently cross-checked the tome's secrets with all available research in VIA's vast database, slowly unraveling the eerie nature of blood magic. Each piece of information stitched together a disturbing picture, exposing an unsettling reality.

At its heart, blood magic was rooted in the comprehension Law of life and death's. Taking a life wasn't simply a side effect of this dark power—it was its very essence. Blood magic drew strength from this fatal exchange, where one life's end directly fueled another's strength.

Yet, amidst this study, Emery found an unexpected gift. The understanding of blood magic's primal forces gave him a deeper insight into the delicate balance between the two warring elements within him—light and dark, life and death. Observing how blood magic wielded these extremes offered him a unique perspective on managing his own internal forces, granting him a step forward in his journey toward mastering the balance within.

[Your comprehension of the Law of Nature has improved.]

After a week of fruitless attempts to ease Chumo's torment, Emery could see the fight slipping from his friend's eyes. Each day without a solution seemed to drain Chumo's spirit, making him a shadow of himself.

Emery, refusing to watch his friend crumble, made a final, difficult decision. Taking Chumo deep into his domain, he opened the path to his dungeon, where he kept the darkest parts of his resolve hidden.

"Emery… what are we doing here?" Chumo's voice was edged with uncertainty as he took in the grim surroundings.

Emery remained silent, leading him deeper into the dungeon. As they entered, the dim light illuminated rows of iron-barred cells, each one housing a different kind of wretched soul.

Chumo's eyes widened as he took in the scene: bandits and criminals, twisted dark elves all contained within these grim confines. The sight was jarring, but what truly stole his breath was the presence of a grand magus, a figure of power and prestige, now reduced to a mere shadow of himself, shackled in one of the cells.

Emery's intentions were unmistakable—he was offering Chumo a means to quench his insatiable thirst, a reprieve from the torment that had nearly consumed him.

"Don't worry…" Emery said, his voice calm but resolute, "They all deserve this."

With a flick of his hand, Emery pulled one of the bound magus criminals forward, his limbs restrained in a tangle of vines, immobilizing him completely. The bandit's defiant sneer faltered, turning to fear as he understood what was about to happen. Chumo stood frozen, his conflict apparent as he glanced from the struggling bandit to Emery.

Emery waited in silence, his gaze steady as he watched Chumo wrestle with himself. Just when Emery thought to give Chumo more time and pull the bandit back into the cell, Chumo let out a desperate, guttural scream. With a sharp, swift movement, he twisted the prisoner's neck and fed the dark thirst that had tormented him.

As Chumo finished, his breaths came heavy and ragged, his face shadowed by remorse and relief all at once. Emery stepped closer and whispered to Chumo.

"There is no shame in choosing survival…" Emery was ready to catch more criminals for Chumo; on the other hand, he urged Chumo to maintain a clear mind and reach out for help whenever necessary.

Senior Ashaka was more than willing to assist Chumo, offering guidance to help him strengthen his resolve through meditation techniques. Together, they would work on fortifying his mental state and managing the cravings that plagued him.

Determined to create a successful cure for Chumo, Emery made his way to the Golden City Apothecary Center. He sought consultations and recipes specifically targeting blood diseases. To expedite his search for a solution, Emery even placed a task in the infamous 1,000 Question Rooms, offering a generous reward for anyone who could provide insight into treating blood-related ailments.