REAPER SCANS

I Became the Genius Bastard of a Noble Dark Clan

[Translator – TinTin]

[Proofreader – Harley]

Chapter 4

'Wow, I cut it real close at the end there. One wrong move and I could've ended up dead or crippled.'

Metamorphosis was a multi-stage process. 

First, the body was cleansed of waste through purification, then heated with fire, solidified with the earth, and finally, obstructions were washed away with water. 

Each step presented its own unique challenge. The most difficult part, however, was the final stage, the process of 'dream’.

'It requires artificially experiencing realization.’

Metamorphosis was a supernatural phenomenon where the body underwent a complete transformation in accordance with the level of realization.

'The dreamstone is crucial here. Luckily, I got my hands on one without much trouble.'

Thanks to the dreamstone's artificially induced realization, Chris had successfully undergone his Metamorphosis. 

He released a deep breath, clearer and more profound than any he had taken earlier. His physique had transformed significantly—though, he was still very skinny, a remnant of his unhealthy lifestyle.

Internally, however, he was a completely different person. 

He was now in the prime condition to master the art of swordsmanship. His skeletal structure had fortified itself, promising an ideal physique once he gained weight and muscle.

Even his facial features had changed a little. He still looked like he had a bad temper, but as the negative energies entrenched in his skin and blood vessels were purged, his face began to glow radiantly, emanating an aura of dignity.

He now bore the resemblance of a regal prince in all his majesty.

‘But that’s not all. There's something even more important.'

Chris continued to examine the inside of his body, where he observed an unbelievable phenomenon.

At the core (also known as a dantian by some) beneath his naval, there were now two openings!

'Hehe. The Chris-Style Metamorphosis was a success!'

This explained why Chris had struggled so much during Metamorphosis. His core had split into two sections during the process—an outer core and an inner core. 

It was a daring endeavor. No one else in this world possessed a dual-core. 

But Chris had a novel idea.

'The core is an abstract concept. Meanwhile, Metamorphosis is the body's transformation to align with one’s realization. If I hold the concept of two cores during Metamorphosis, wouldn't that allow me to expand my actual core into two?'

If someone else had heard this, they would have cursed him for spouting nonsense.

But he had done it. He had almost died in the process due to some missteps, but in the end, he pulled through.

'Hehe. Great.'

There was a reason the core was divided into two layers

‘This way I can use power from the Dominion of Light.'

A brilliant light erupted from Chris' hand, accompanied by a soft humming sound. 

It was the 1-star spell, 'Light’!

'I don’t see why I should only master dark energy,' Chris thought to himself.

In his previous life, he had attained the swordsmanship and magic of the Dominion of Light up to 4-star. If he had been given more time, he could have achieved even more. He had no intention of letting his abilities go to waste. 

'The abilities of the light will be my secret weapon.' 

There was some concern about being discovered. Thus, he had ingeniously hidden the 'Light' core within the 'Darkness' core. 

The outer darkness core served as a perfect shield, completely protecting the light mana core nestled within. To bolster the security, he even linked the light core’s blood vessels through to the darkness core. This ensured that even if someone tried to look directly into the core, they wouldn't uncover his secret.

'I need to use the rest of my time here wisely and master as much swordsmanship and magic of the Dominion of Light as possible.'

Once he stepped outside, he knew that it would be more difficult to master the powers of the Dominion of Light. There were just about twenty days left. Within that time, Chris had to achieve as much as possible. 

He dedicated himself to training. 

Retracing the path he had once taken was easy.

"Fuuu..." He inhaled deeply, using the esteemed breathing technique of the Meyer Clan, the greatest sword clan within the Crusade Alliance. 

He had learned it simply by observing the Hero’s practice repeatedly. 

'I remember him giving me a hard time because of this.'

Chris, having replicated Hero Evan's unique breathing technique, found himself facing off against a series of annoying questions.

‘How did you learn this?’ ‘Did you take a secret peek at my family's secret manual?' were among the questions he faced.

Despite his explanation that he learned it by observing on the sidelines, Evan remained skeptical. It took multiple precise demonstrations by Chris before Evan was finally convinced.

'His expression back then was priceless,' Chris remembered, chuckling.

It was the first time Chris had seen Evan look so flabbergasted.

“H-How did you...?”

Evan's shock only intensified as he watched Chris demonstrate the breathing technique in greater detail.

“It's similar but different… and somehow… superior?”

The Hero’s original breathing technique was too complex for a beginner like Chris to begin with. So, he modified it to make it easier for him.

In other words, he made it 'Chris-Style'.

“It's simpler, yet more effective. How did you pull that off?!” Evan, the Hero, couldn't mask his astonishment.

'Even though all I did was adhere to the basic principles of any breathing technique.'

Nature is teeming with an energy called ‘essence’. After breathing in this ‘essence', by transforming it with the ‘light’ force, it becomes mana. Meanwhile, transforming it with ‘dark’ force morphed it into ‘dark energy’.

‘Mana' was stable and pure, while 'dark energy’, although unstable, was destructive and sinister.

Chris had stripped the Hero's breathing technique down to its bare essentials, focusing only on drawing in nature's essence and converting it into mana.

How had he accomplished this?

‘I don’t know. It just worked.’

These were the exact words Chris had used when the Hero's party had questioned him. It just worked. What else was he supposed to do about it?

Flash!

Lights danced around him as mana started to accumulate in his core.

After a brief moment...

Chris felt a sense of completion. 

He had crafted a vessel. This marked his achievement of reaching the 1-star level.

'It was quicker this time. I guess that’s only natural since I’ve done it once before.' 

How long did it take in his previous life? It hadn't taken a full day back then, either. 

1-star was known as the 'learner' stage. It was merely the commencement of a long journey. For most, simply achieving this stage took at least a year to complete. Even prodigies needed at least six months. 

But for Chris, this achievement was nothing extraordinary. 

'I've still got a long way to go.' 

From that moment, Chris immersed himself in rigorous training. 

Time flowed rapidly.

How long has it been? Five days? Maybe Seven? Mana continuously filled the newly created vessel. 

It all happened swiftly, at an unusually rapid pace. The small vessel gradually expanded and solidified. Once it was filled to the brim with mana…

Fwoooo!

Mana swirled around Chris's body. He had reached the stage where his body could be fortified by mana. He had ascended to 2-star, the level of a ‘user'. His physique would now be more rigid and faster than any average person.

“I should be strong as an average knight now.”

Outside the Magic Empire, it was common to see people boasting about being knights even though they hadn't even reached 2-star. 

But there was more.

"Rise, oh mighty flame."

Fwoosh!

A fire sparked. It was ‘Fireball’, a 2-star elemental spell! 

For both knights and mages, reaching 2-star was no easy task. It required not only the accumulation of mana, but knights also needed to master the skill of enhancing their bodies with mana. Mages, conversely, had to comprehend the magic formulas of the 2-star level.

For Chris, however, his past experiences had made this a trivial matter. 

...Not that it had taken him that long the last time.

'It's all basic until 2-star.'

If aspiring knights or apprentice mages striving to reach 2-star heard this, they would have been infuriated to the point of tearing out their hair. Typically, it took a person of regular talent five to ten years to reach 2-star.

'Anyway, I need to reach 3-star before leaving here.'

3-star.

From that level, one was recognized as an elite wherever they went. They were considered a valuable asset and central force in both an order of knights and mage circles. 

'I'm running out of time. I need to go harder.'

He ramped up his practice. 

Suddenly, Chris froze.

With the increase in his abilities, some of his senses had returned, and he could detect someone approaching from outside.

'It hasn't been a month yet though.' Chris tilted his head in confusion. 'Are they lifting my punishment?'

That didn't seem likely. The footsteps were soft and cautious, as if the person was afraid of being discovered.

'Could it be an assassin?' A chill ran down his spine.

It was very plausible.

'I won't make this easy for them,' Chris firmly thought to himself.

He might be nothing more than a good-for-nothing bastard in their eyes, but that could work to his advantage. He could strike while they had their guard down. 

'Come on in. I’ll make sure you regret it.’

The person approached right up to the gate to the Punishment Cave. As he tensed his body, something unexpected happened. 

No one entered. Instead, through a narrow gap in the gate, something fell with a soft plop.

'What the...?' Chris wondered, taken aback. 

But that was it. The footsteps faded away as if the only purpose had been to deliver this mysterious object.

'What is this?'

Upon checking the object with as much caution as possible, Chris couldn't hold back his bafflement. 

'Those fuckers.'

It was a dreamstone.

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Reaper Scans

Translator – TinTin

Proofreader – Harley

Join our discord for updates on releases!

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The intentions of the person who had dropped off the dreamstone were clear.

'They want me to ruin myself by getting high off the dreamstone.'

Chris remembered that he had brought along a dreamstone for the Metamorphosis. An unknown adversary, aware of this fact, had tactically arranged for Chris to completely succumb to the effects of the dreamstone.

'The effects of dreamstone addiction can be even more deadly than narcotics if overused.'

He poked at the dreamstone while mulling it over.

'Who could it be? Let’s piece this together.'

Chris was able to make several deductions.

Firstly, someone was wishing for his downfall.

'Perhaps it was someone's intentions that corrupted Christian into a good-for-nothing.'

Second, the person was an important member of the family.

'The person knew that I brought a dreamstone when I entered the Punishment Cave.'

The adversary had also stealthily approached the tightly guarded Punishment Cave. This indicated that they were well-versed in the gaps in its security.

'Either that, or they're in cahoots with the guards.'

A smirk crossed Chris's face.

'What a clusterfuck.'

The House of Count Kazar was a respected branch family of the Magic Clan of Duke Baren. However, it was apparently rotting on the inside. The air seemed thick with the scent of corruption, unnoticed by the master of the family, Count Kazar. 

'But this isn’t bad. Actually, this is pretty good. It’ll do just fine.'

That might seem like an odd reaction, but there was a good reason for it.

'I'll use them to make a name for myself.'

His ultimate ambition was to ascend to the pinnacle of the Magic Empire, with the Dark Magic Clan as his initial target. To realize this goal, he first needed to seize control of his current branch family, the House of Count Kazar. 

Corrupt family members would serve as ideal stepping stones for his rise to power. 

'But first, I need to achieve 3-star.'

Chris's breathing grew heavier as light swirled brighter around his body.

Eventually, the promised month had passed.

* * *

"Isn't today the day you promised the young master? Will you not go to see him, my lord?" 

Count Kazar kept his mouth shut.

He didn't want to go. He didn't want to raise his hopes, only for them to be shattered. He was convinced it would only end in disappointment. 

Still, the butler gently prodded him, "This might be the last you see of him. Don't you think it would be better if you were there in person?"

"......"

"Or, perhaps, things might turn out more positively than you are anticipating, my lord.."

Count Kazar sneered, "Do you genuinely believe that? He is likely lost in his hallucinations by now." 

The news that his son had taken a dreamstone had led Count Kazar to abandon all hope.

“...My apologies, my lord,” Cox took a step back.

"But I will take your advice. Like you said, I might never see him again." A hard resolve shone in Count Kazar's eyes.

“I will go with you, my lord."

"No. I will go alone."

If he were to open the gate to the Punishment Cave and find Chris trapped in the hallucinations of the dreamstone, he was unsure if he could control his deadly fury.

Count Kazar dismissed his butler and made his way to the Punishment Cave alone. He inhaled deeply, then pushed the gate open.

* * *

Reaper Scans

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