While walking, Andris approached Alex, a little nervous.
"Boss… can I have some of your blood too? I didn't really understand what happened, but Linnie evolved with it… and she became super powerful."
He looked at his hands, visibly frustrated by his own weakness.
"I need this power too… to protect what matters to me."
Alex shrugged slightly.
"I gave her my blood because she saved me with that stone."
He smiled before adding:
"Why would I give it to you?"
"Ugh…" said Andris, bewildered, almost shocked. He clearly expected anything but a direct refusal.
Boros and Linnie, who were walking just behind, turned to them, listening to the scene carefully.
Alex then burst out laughing.
"I'm kidding! If you really want it, you can have it."
Andris let out a sigh of relief.
Boros, meanwhile, raised his hand timidly, almost embarrassed despite his imposing build.
"I'd like more power too. Now that the mine belongs to you… I can focus on my revenge."
Alex stopped abruptly mid-walk.
"Oh, speaking of the mine…"
He turned around and stood in front of the massive cave entrance. The others watched, intrigued.
Alex raised his hands, his fingers tracing precise shapes in the air. Complex symbols appeared on the rock walls, as if carved by an invisible hand. The runes began to glow with a deep red light.
A dome of scarlet energy then surged, enveloping the entire cave. After a few seconds, it became completely invisible, leaving no trace.
Boros widened his eyes.
"What… did you do?"
Alex smiled proudly, puffing his chest slightly.
"Thanks to the knowledge of an old crazy mage, I know how to use runes."
He pointed to the cave.
"I placed a protective barrier. Only the people I choose can enter. That way, when we return to the village, no one will be able to get into your mine."
At these words, Boros felt overwhelmed. He knelt, head bowed.
"Thank you, Master… This reassures me even more."
Alex said to Boros:
"Boros, open your hands, now."
The giant obeyed, his large palms opening before him. Alex pressed his fingers into his own palm, letting a few drops of blood fall into the giant's hands.
Alex lifted his eyes to Boros and murmured:
"Drink… if you want strength."
At the contact with Alex's blood, Boros immediately felt a powerful energy surge through him, far stronger than the axe that strange guy had given him. But this energy felt pure, clear, completely different from the other. A certainty arose within him:
With this… I'm sure I can take my revenge.
Impressed, Andris exclaimed:
"Me too… I want it!"
He got down on his knees, stretching his hands toward Alex. Alex smiled and replied:
"Well… why not. That way, no jealousy."
Alex plunged his fingers into his palm and let a few drops of his blood fall into Andris's hands.
The two drank the blood at the same time. Immediately,
DO YOU WANT TO MAKE THIS LITTLE GUY AND THE DWARF YOUR DISCIPLES?
YES / NO
Without hesitation, Alex answered:
"Yes."
CALCULATING BLOOD COMPATIBILITY WITH THE HOST…
SYNCHRONIZING LIFE ESSENCES…
ANALYSIS IN PROGRESS…
ALL CALCULATIONS COMPLETED. ESTIMATED EVOLUTION RATE: FOR THE LITTLE GUY 91%.
ESTIMATED EVOLUTION RATE: FOR THE DWARF 69%
Their bodies began to glow with an intense red light. Gradually, they crystallized in the blood, becoming like red statues, frozen but brimming with power.
Cracks began to appear on the bloody statues, first thin, then wider and wider.
The fissures multiplied until they covered the entire surface.
Little by little, red fragments fell to the ground.
Then the crystallization completely shattered, releasing an intense white light that filled the entire cave.
"Ahhh! My eyes!" said Alex, covering his face with a hand.
"Why is it shining so much…?" asked Linnie, shielding herself as well.
The light lasted a few seconds, then stopped suddenly.
They slowly opened their eyes… and froze.
Andris and Boros were standing, alive, transformed.
Linnie, shocked, had her mouth slacken completely. Her jaw softened, becoming gelatinous, stretching down almost to the floor.
Alex fell into a sitting position, unable to comprehend what he was seeing.
"What… is this?" he murmured, completely overwhelmed.
"Did I… do this to them?"