The Monster King's Legacy - Chapter 140

Chapter 140: The Aftermath
He sat up slowly, his body tingling with unfamiliar energy. Every movement felt different, almost as though he was in his own body, but at the same time he wasn’t.

As Lance stood, he noticed the sheer size of his own shadow cast on the floor. He looked down at his hands; larger, stronger, and noticed the faint golden glow beneath his skin.

“Lance?” A familiar voice broke through to him. Aelyndra stepped forward hesitantly, her golden eyes wide with astonishment.

Lance turned to her, his voice calm but slightly rougher, deeper. “I’m fine… I think.”

Aelyndra stared at him, her gaze scanning him from head to toe. “You look more than fine… You’re… different.”

It wasn’t until he stepped toward her that he noticed just how different. His feet felt surer, his body taller. He caught his reflection in a polished shard of crystal near the edge of the chasm and froze.

His piercing golden eyes glowed faintly, their intensity radiating confidence and something primal. His jawline was sharper, his features more rugged, almost feral, but nonetheless handsome. His once-hardened appearance had been replaced by a wild handsomeness that mirrored the raw beauty of Kaelthara’s human form. Even his hair seemed thicker and untamed, its colour richer and darker than before.

Lance couldn’t believe his own eyes, it was like staring at a different person. “What the…?” he muttered, running a hand through his disheveled locks.

It some time for Lance to understand and completely accept that he was the one reflected from the crystal, and not only that, he had to get used to his new height and body.

Just as everyone marveled and spoke amongst themselves, then came the comment that broke the tension.

One of the elders, his green scales shimmering faintly, tilted his head and muttered just loud enough to be heard, “He looks… familiar.”

Apparently, he had simply spoken the words from everyone’s hearts, and almost immediately, several heads turned toward Kaelthara, their gazes scrutinizing her with sudden interest.

The red elder raised a scaly brow. “Kaelthara, are you certain this human isn’t secretly one of yours? His… appearance is suspiciously striking.”

Kaelthara’s eyes narrowed, and she growled low. “Don’t be absurd. I train him, not birth him.” She said dismissively.

Aelyndra then turned to look at Lance carefully, no matter how much she looked at him, it could not be denied, he looked too much like her very own mother that it could not be disputed that he wasn’t secretly her child from somewhere.

“Wow, this is insane, its almost like looking at a male lookalike of my mother. Truly, this all has to be fate.” She said to Lance who just laughed.

The dragon chuckled dryly, turning to Lance. “Perhaps, your training methods are too… thorough. His resemblance to you is uncanny. He looks more like your spawn than our very own Aelyndra… You sure he hasn’t been… influenced?”

A wave of low chuckles rippled through the group, and even Aelyndra standing close to Lance hid a smile behind her claw.

Lance, catching the drift of the conversation, rubbed the back of his neck, embarrassed. “I mean, I’m flattered, but I’m pretty sure Kaelthara would’ve mentioned if I was secretly a dragon.”

Kaelthara shot him a sharp look, though the faintest hint of a smirk tugged at the corner of her lips. “You’re not helping, human.” She said, before promptly dismissing the humour.

Despite the humour, the tension among the elders remained, albeit much lighter than it had been before Lance woke up.

Elder Thoryx stepped forward, his voice cutting through. “Jests aside, this transformation raises serious questions. The chasm’s power is sacred, and yet it has reacted to him in ways we cannot explain. Lance, what do you feel? Has the power consumed you? Corrupted you?”

Lance closed his eyes, focusing inward. The energy coursing through him felt wild and untamed, but it wasn’t malicious. It was… alive. Balanced. He opened his eyes, meeting the elder’s gaze. “I feel stronger. But I’m still… me. The power isn’t controlling me… it’s like it’s a part of me now.”

Kaelthara stepped closer, slapping Elder Thoryx lightly on the back of his head. “How can the chasm corrupt?” She said, causing the others to chuckle a bit.

Elder Thoryx himself laughed a bit before he returned to studying Lance for a long moment before nodding. “Then you may have passed the chasm’s trial in more ways than one. But tread carefully. Power can be a double-edged sword.” He said.

…

Kaelthara spoke to Lance, throwing him his clothes to put on. “You’ve caused quite a stir,” she said, her tone dry but tinged with amusement.

Lance shrugged, the faint glow of his golden eyes catching the light. “Not exactly what I had planned, but I’m still standing. That’s something, right?”

Kaelthara smirked. “It’s more than something.”

Aelyndra hummed in agreement, her gaze filled with a mix of awe and pride. “You’re incredible, Lance. The chasm didn’t just accept you, it changed you. Can you even still be called human?”

Lance smiled faintly. “Well, I’m still me I guess. Who know? Perhaps I’ve become a dragonkin or something?” He said lightly as a joke, but it caused Aelyndra and Kaelthara to widen their eyes faintly in surprise.

“That may not be as far-fetched as it sounds.” Kaelthara said.

Elder Thoryx than spoke to everyone, it was time they returned back to the Sacred Peaks. They had spent an entire month in the Chasm of Life, the good thing was that it had been worth it… or at least they believed it had to have been.

As for Lance, learning of the fact that it had been that long since he entered the chasm came as a big shock. ‘No wonder I felt like I was in an eternal darkness…’ He thought to himself.

Lance’s trouser that had once reached his ankles now stopped closer to his knee than ankles, and as for his shirt, it was severely under sized for him. Luckily, he didn’t feel any discomfort that might have come from the surroundings.

…

IMPORTANT ANNOUNCEMENT!!

READ SECTION BELOW!!!