"Marvin, stop dragging that crippled leg of yours around. You're ruining the mood. You'd be better off staying in that room."The voice was sharp, cutting through the music and lively laughter filling the grand hall of the Sterling Clan. Marvin Sterling stopped walking. He leaned against the wall of the dimly lit corridor, trying to steady his ragged breathing. His paralyzed left leg felt like a burden he was forced to drag everywhere."Marco! I just wanted to get some fresh air," Marvin whispered. His eyes searched for another figure. "Where's Xena? She said she wanted to meet me before our engagement ceremony began."Marco Sterling, his half-brother, stepped out through the main door. His handsome face was adorned with a smile that never reached his eyes. Beside him, a girl in a sky-blue dress walked gracefully. Xena."I'm here, Marvin," Xena replied. Her voice was flat, devoid of the warmth she usually showed in front of the elders.Marvin offered a faint smile, the pain in his leg

"You promised," Marvin muttered, his voice echoing through the darkness of the forest. "Give me that power. Now."The cold mechanical voice responded once again, this time sounding closer, as though whispering directly behind his neck.[Blood Contract initiated. In exchange for the power of the Forbidden God, you must relinquish the remnants of your humanity. You will no longer know love, empathy, or regret. Are you prepared to become a monster?]Marvin let out a short laugh. It was dry, devoid of warmth. "Love? Empathy? Did they have any when they destroyed my leg? Did they have any when they threw me into this forest to be food for monsters?"[No answer found. The System only requires confirmation.]"Do it," Marvin hissed. "Make me whatever you want. As long as I can destroy them until not a single one remains."[Confirmation received. Signing the Eternal Blood Contract.]Suddenly, a deep red point of light appeared before him. It expanded at a terrifying speed, sucking Marvin's ent

The night wind in the Forbidden Forest carried the stench of blood and the decay of wet leaves piled high on the ground. Marvin moved silently over the roots of massive trees that protruded through the earth. Every breath felt heavy, accompanied by a cold pulse centered along his spine. In the silence of the night, he tried sitting cross-legged beneath the shade of a great tree to regulate the flow of energy within his body.He closed his eyes, focusing his consciousness inward toward his chest as he circulated spiritual energy through his meridians. Yet nothing happened. The meridian pathways within his body felt hollow and dry. Ordinary meditation, the method commonly used by cultivators to recover their strength, was completely useless for the structure of his new body."Damn it," Marvin muttered, opening his eyes, their reddish glow cutting through the darkness. "Meditation won't restore my energy. This Forbidden God Meridian thirsts for blood, and it only responds to pain and lif

Joko struggled violently. His feet pounded against the ground, but Marvin's grip around his neck was far stronger than his strength. Marvin did not let his unfortunate victim make a sound. With a rough jerk, he dragged Joko's body behind a denser cluster of bushes, far beyond the sight of his companions, who were still chatting near the campfire.Hidden behind the thick foliage, Marvin stared into Joko's wide, terrified eyes. He felt no pity. There was only the pressing hunger coming from the meridian in his chest.Release your life energy, Marvin commanded inwardly.Instantly, an icy chill that pierced to the bone surged from Marvin's palm. Joko stopped struggling. His body stiffened, then slowly went limp as his spiritual energy was forcibly drawn out through his pores. Marvin felt a nauseating yet pleasurable warmth flowing into his arm. It was crude life essence, filled with impurities, but it was enough to stimulate his Meridian.In an instant, Joko became a dried-out skeleton wr