The extraction of demonic power proved excruciating, especially since Marcus showed no mercy in the process. For Tahm Kench, it felt like having his bones torn from his flesh while he remained conscious.
In a single breath, the River King transformed from a corpulent demon into a withered husk of his former self.
His essential power source was forcibly ripped away by Marcus and converted into a new enhancement core.
"The Gluttony Demon's abilities will serve perfectly for Grendel [The Glutton] configuration," Marcus observed with satisfaction.
Retracting his Void energy, he cast one final glance at the demon now buried deep beneath the riverbed. With a flash of light, he departed this world entirely.
At the moment of his transition, Nagakabouros also experienced the dimensional shift. The sea beast god felt its physical form being pulled by tremendous force. Before it could begin to struggle, it found itself within a lightless abyss.
The tentacles covering its body began multiplying continuously. It seemed to be the only entity existing in this entire dimensional void.
"I can still sense the connection to Runeterra..." Nagakabouros realized with growing amazement.
Within this abyss, the ancient deity discovered it remained spiritually linked to Illaoi's golden statue. While its physical body couldn't traverse dimensions, its consciousness could use the idol to manifest an avatar—one that retained eighty percent of its original strength.
"My choice was indeed correct," Nagakabouros concluded with joy. "This avatar already possesses most of my power. If I can continue improving, even this projection will become formidable."
The sea beast god felt overwhelming satisfaction. Its decision to follow Marcus had been absolutely right—this represented wonderful news for its continued existence and growth.
As for these developments, Marcus paid them no attention whatsoever. He had already boarded the Dark Aster and was preparing to embark on his next interdimensional journey.
"Will, where are my crew members?" Marcus inquired.
Will had been preparing for so long—why hadn't he seen any crew members yet?
"Commander, the crew members are currently undergoing training," Will replied with precise efficiency. "The personnel enhanced with Kryptonian genetics possess extraordinary potential, so to maximize their capabilities, we're implementing an elite development system."
Responding to Marcus's question, Will displayed footage of numerous Kryptonian infants still resting in their specialized cradles.
To fully develop Kryptonian potential, Will had chosen not to employ rapid-growth genetic technology.
While accelerated development could quickly expand military forces, Marcus didn't actually require such assistance. His personal strength was sufficient, and crew members would only handle mundane operational tasks.
Looking at the Kryptonian babies in the display, Marcus raised an eyebrow slightly.
"So there are still no available crew members at this time?"
"Correct. However, to address the immediate manpower shortage, we've also produced a batch of ordinary humans who are compatible with Superman serum," Will explained.
Superman serum represented one of Krypton's technological achievements. It could dramatically release life potential in a short timeframe, allowing users to gain approximately half of a Kryptonian's abilities.
However, such enhancement came with a terrible price. Once the serum's effects activated, even remaining motionless would cause the user to become a living bomb that would explode when the enhancement wore off.
Marcus naturally had no interest in such crude technology, but he hadn't expected Will to pursue this approach.
"You mentioned ordinary people adapted to Superman serum. What makes them special?" Marcus asked with growing curiosity.
"Yes, the genetic modification for Superman serum compatibility derives from the golden-skinned Sovereign race. Through their biotechnology, these personnel can utilize Superman serum multiple times without fatal consequences."
Being able to use Superman serum repeatedly meant they possessed significant combat advantages.
Before Marcus could respond, Will continued the explanation.
"Additionally, they've all been injected with Compound V. They already possess considerable combat capability. Once Superman serum is administered, their power increases exponentially."
Will's explanation was comprehensive, and Marcus understood the capabilities of these ordinary crew members.
While their strength remained modest by his standards, that was only relative to his own power level. When facing other opponents, their abilities would prove genuinely terrifying.
"Forget it, just maintain the Dark Aster properly," Marcus said with resignation.
He made his way to the ship's control room and settled into the command chair after entering specific coordinates. The Dark Aster's velocity increased dramatically as it plunged into the dimensional void.
"You can handle the Void Angels—we're going to visit the Blood Lord," Marcus announced.
Although countless planes floated throughout the void, even Marcus couldn't predict which dimension they would encounter before entering.
He was familiar with only a handful of planes, and the blood dimension ruled by the Blood Lord happened to be among those he knew.
"Your will, Commander..."
The control room fell silent as Will guided the Dark Aster toward their destination coordinates.
Marcus, seated in his chair, wasn't idle during the journey. Red blood energy began manifesting around his body—residual power left by the Blood Lord during their dimensional battlefield encounter, representing one of his hard-won trophies.
Now he was integrating this blood energy to prepare for his armor's promotion.
As the crimson energy within him gradually intensified, a dark red blood shadow began forming around his body. Each time the shadow flickered, the blood energy became more concentrated and potent.
Countless streams of blood energy gathered around him like a lotus bud preparing to bloom.
SCREECH, SCREECH, SCREECH...
Strange sounds emerged from the forming bud. After several moments, a blood-red claw pierced through the petals and tore them apart completely.
"Authority over the blood plane," Marcus smiled with anticipation. "Now we'll see whether you can stop me within your own dimension."
As he spoke, Marcus transformed into his Garuda [Blood Reaper] configuration, his entire form now wreathed in crimson energy as he gazed at the retreating void.
SCREECH...
With an otherworldly sound, the blood claws on Marcus's arms that still dripped with fresh gore burst apart, transforming into sharp floating swords that surrounded him like loyal guardians.
"Commander, we have reached our destination," Will announced.
The Dark Aster had traveled swiftly through the void and soon arrived at the blood plane's coordinates.
"Wait here for now," Marcus instructed before vanishing instantly from the ship.
The Blood Plane
Ripples suddenly appeared in the dimensional fabric as Marcus emerged between the spatial distortions.
"The bloody atmosphere is truly overwhelming," he observed, "but this armor seems even more excited than before."
Marcus could feel the configuration's enthusiasm, and the blood dripping continuously from his form provided clear evidence that this armor was prepared for slaughter.
Drawing the Void Blade Prime [Sacred Void Edge] from behind his back, countless drops of blood seemed to come alive, spreading rapidly across the weapon's surface.
Within moments, the blade had completely transformed its appearance while emanating an aura of pure murderous intent.
"Ha... now I've truly become a sword immortal," Marcus chuckled.
He casually performed an elegant sword flourish, causing the blood claws surrounding him to begin rotating. Crimson sword energy bombarded the blood plane while the scarlet air blade in Marcus's hand projected what appeared to be a tangible flying sword, systematically devastating this dimension saturated with blood.
Drawing from his experience battling the Flame King, Marcus doubted that the Blood Lord—who was considerably weaker—could withstand this assault.
After creating chaos throughout the blood plane for an extended period, the Blood Lord finally responded. An enormous hand composed of pure blood descended from the sky, attempting to crush Marcus entirely.
However, Marcus wasn't someone who could be manipulated so easily. Facing this gigantic appendage, he raised the bloody void blade in his hands.
The blood claws surrounding him gathered before the weapon's edge, transforming into a crimson storm that rushed toward the giant hand like a supernatural drill.
BANG!
With an explosive impact, the massive bloody hand was pierced by the storm drill formed from blood claws, being shredded into crimson rain that fell continuously.
The bloody precipitation poured down over Marcus, but the Blood Lord wasn't finished. Regardless of who dared to rampage through his territory, he would ensure they learned this wasn't a place for such insolence.
The next moment, the bloody rain covering Marcus transformed into countless crimson blades, attempting to slice him into pieces.
"Oh, an impressive technique," Marcus acknowledged with genuine appreciation. "Worthy of being a dimensional demon—you're quite skilled at power manipulation."
As he spoke, Marcus suddenly leaped upward to attack the blood rain. The struck blades scattered in all directions while the dispersed precipitation condensed before him, forming a blood magic mirror that blocked all descending attacks.
The blood gathering in front of the terror mirror condensed into a Heart of Fear that beat steadily while continuously accumulating and absorbing all hostile energy.
"You can't harm me with such trivial tricks, Blood Lord," Marcus declared.
As he spoke, the blood claws around him transformed into flying swords once again, wreaking havoc throughout the blood plane.
Hearing Marcus's words, the Blood Lord's rage intensified. Since becoming a dimensional demon, he had never encountered such a frustrating battle.
Even when facing more powerful dimensional entities, he hadn't felt as helpless as he did now. All his attacks proved useless against this intruder.
If he didn't know that this plane's authority remained in his possession, he would have suspected that he was the invading dimensional demon.
"Since you're so eager to die, I'll grant your wish!" the Blood Lord roared.
The entire plane began shaking violently as the blood-formed landscape transformed into massive waves that engulfed Marcus completely.
Following the enormous wave came various additional attacks raining down. Clearly, this being was genuinely enraged.
Facing such overwhelming assault, Marcus remained remarkably calm, allowing the blood tsunami to drown him without any intention of resistance.
After the wave of attacks concluded, the Blood Lord finally paused. He could no longer sense Marcus's presence anywhere.
"That creature's aura has vanished," he declared arrogantly. "It appears he's dead!"
His tone carried immense pride. He was a dimensional demon god, and this was his dimension—his territory. If he couldn't eliminate enemies within his own domain, he might as well surrender immediately.
Deep within the blood, a massive Heart of Fear continued beating wildly. If it stopped pulsing, the heart would gradually dim and fade.
At the center of the Heart of Fear, a blood-colored flower bud began condensing once again.
Marcus, having absorbed a small portion of dimensional authority, could previously only condense into a bud preparing to bloom. But now, existing within the blood plane itself, he could accomplish far more.
BOOM... BOOM...
Although the Heart of Fear was gradually dimming, its heartbeat became increasingly vigorous and powerful.
BOOM... BOOM...
"This is impossible!" the Blood Lord exclaimed.
Hearing the heartbeat resonating beneath the blood, his proud expression suddenly transformed into shock. He stared downward in horror as the turbulent sea of blood was instantly parted, revealing a massive lotus bud wrapped around the Heart of Fear.
With each heartbeat, the lotus bud grew significantly larger.
"How can this be..." the Blood Lord whispered in terror. "It... it's stealing my authority!"
The reason he hadn't noticed immediately was that the lotus wasn't taking away his authority—it was forcibly sharing his dimensional power.
Every time the lotus bud increased in size, it claimed a greater portion of his authority.
"Stop this immediately!" the Blood Lord shouted.
Countless streams of blood gathered into a guillotine that fell from the sky, attempting to split the flower bud in half.
SWOOSH!
The bud's branches suddenly swelled and knocked the guillotine aside effortlessly.
"You're only realizing this now?" Marcus laughed mockingly, which only increased the Blood Lord's frustration.
He had experienced countless battles while invading dimensions, and every victory had come after difficult combat. Never had he encountered such a parasitic battle—someone forcibly sharing a Plane Lord's power.
This bizarre fighting style was completely unprecedented, leaving him uncertain how to respond.
But Marcus didn't provide time for contemplation. The authority he had shared now occupied most of the opponent's power. As long as he dealt with this entity, he could complete the takeover and allow his armor to achieve promotion.
"This is my final gift to you," Marcus announced. "Rest in peace after witnessing it!"
As his voice echoed, the flower bud finally bloomed completely, with petals made of pure blood stretching outward in beautiful, deadly formation.
When the last petal unfurled, the lotus suddenly rose into the air and rushed directly toward the Blood Lord.
Facing this lotus that had stolen his authority, the Blood Lord didn't hesitate. He waved his hand and unleashed countless claw marks, attempting to tear the flower into pieces.
THUD!
After a muffled impact, the lotus collided with the Blood Lord, completely enveloping him within its petals.
"This is an ability I just created," Marcus explained with satisfaction. "You're fortunate to be the first to witness it."
Blood Lotus
BOOM!!!
The Blood Lotus exploded with devastating force, and the Blood Lord trapped within suffered severe injuries, appearing utterly miserable.
"Then we shall never meet again..." Marcus said with finality.
The exploded blood lotus gathered itself together and transformed into a sharp blade that pierced the Blood Lord's body.
Because of their shared authority, the Blood Lord and Blood Lotus were of identical origin. Every attack he made would affect himself and the blood plane simultaneously.
However, the exploded Blood Lotus remained completely unaffected and continued its relentless assault.
As one force rose while the other fell, his authority loss became increasingly severe, until eight petals penetrated his body simultaneously and his power was completely claimed.
The moment the eight petals passed through his form, they created a blood lotus that withered even as it bloomed, disappearing along with the Blood Lord.
"Have a pleasant journey..." Marcus said with a smile, looking down at the Blood Lord lying in a pool of his own essence.
In the next moment, all the petals enveloped the Blood Lord's remains, condensing into a final blooming lotus before dissipating entirely.
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