noveltune Chapter 159 Malcavore
Chapter 159 Malcavore
The duo was still in the library, methodically scanning the books on the shelves one by one, searching for any title that bore the name "Malcavore" on the cover. So far, their search had been fruitless.
The books they had come across so far covered topics such as basic techniques for high-graded Mutants, including the Advanced and Special Grades. There were also volumes detailing the fundamental characteristics of different classes of mutants and other species like the Sycrax. Yet, despite the exhaustive search, none mentioned anything about Malcavore.
After several hours of relentless searching, Angelica finally spotted a book on a different shelf. The book was sizable, with the word "Malcavore" boldly embossed on the hardcover in thick, black lettering.
"This is it. Finally." Angelica exhaled a heavy sigh of relief as she carefully pulled the book from the shelf and walked over to the table where Silas was waiting.
They sat down together, placing the weighty book on the table. Without hesitation, they opened it and began reading.
The first section of the book provided a detailed explanation of what a Malcavore truly was.
A Malcavore wasn't like any other mutant. In fact, it didn't fall under any known classification. It occupied a category of its own.
A Malcavore could only be created when a particular mutant infected another mutant or completed the mating process with them. While most mutants were immune to infections from their kind, there were rare exceptions who weren't.
Once a mutant was infected, they no longer fit into their previous classification, nor did they belong to the classification of the mutant who infected them. Instead, they existed in a liminal space between the two—a unique state known as a Malcavore.
As Angelica and Silas read on, puzzled expressions crept onto their faces.
"I don't understand. What the hell is this supposed to mean?" Silas muttered, his eyes glued to the page as he read the passage over and over.
"It says here that a Malcavore can be born if a mutant gets infected or impregnated by another mutant. What does that mean? Vic isn't a mutant." Angelica blurted, confusion evident in her voice.
"How sure are you?" Silas asked, his voice low and serious. "He's from the Hardcastle family—a powerful lineage. Why do you think everyone is afraid of them?" He paused, his gaze intense. "There has to be a reason."
"So you're saying the leader of the family, Vic's father, is a full mutant?" Angelica asked, her tone tinged with disbelief.
"That's the only reasonable explanation right now," Silas replied. "The Hardcastles are intensely private. Maybe no one knows this secret, and they've chosen to live as if they're human." His voice carried a hint of frustration.
"But why keep it a secret? And why didn't Vic tell us anything?" Angelica murmured, her brow furrowed in thought.
"I have no idea," Silas admitted. "Maybe he swore an oath to his father or something. We can't blame him for that." He sighed. "Let's keep reading and see if we can learn more."
Angelica nodded, and they resumed their study.
The book delved deeper into the nature of Malcavores, explaining in vivid detail how they were born. It went on to describe their growth and evolution.
The text revealed that during the transition stage, a Malcavore required human organs to survive. If they didn't consume these organs, they would ultimately perish.
This, the book explained, was one of the reasons Malcavores were so rare. If a Malcavore was born in a mutant realm that hadn't yet been discovered by humans, there would be no available human prey. Surrounded solely by other mutants, the Malcavore would starve and die.
The book continued to elaborate on the hunger that plagued Malcavores. During the transition stage, each use of their abilities drained their energy reserves, triggering an insatiable need for human organs.
Silas paused, his jaw tightening. He remembered the rooftop, that bleak conversation with Vic, the haunted look in his eyes. He had left Vic there, uncertain whether his friend would choose to jump or fight through the darkness.
"He's probably hanging out with the boys," Silas replied, his voice deliberately casual, concealing the grim possibility he feared. There was no need to burden Angelica with that thought.
"I see. Alright then," Angelica said with a small nod, though her eyes lingered on Silas's face, sensing there was more he wasn't saying.
The duo lingered in the library for several minutes, the weight of unspoken fears hanging between them. Finally, they exited the building and began their search for Vic. Silas instructed Angelica to wait on the rooftop while he retrieved the heart and continued looking for their friend.
When Silas entered his dorm room, his eyes immediately landed on a small box resting on his bed. He crossed the room quickly, heart pounding, and lifted the lid just enough to peer inside. The heart was there — dark, cold, and lifeless. It wasn't soaked in blood; instead, it had been carefully preserved, the icy chill hinting at deep-freeze storage to keep it fresh.
With a steadying breath, Silas closed the lid, picked up the box, and headed to the rooftop.
As he stepped onto the rooftop, he froze for a moment. Angelica was there, her arms wrapped tightly around Vic. The relief and worry on her face were mirrored by Vic's weary expression, his body trembling slightly from exhaustion.
"I'll leave you two alone," Silas said quietly, setting the box down a few inches away from them. Without waiting for a response, he turned and walked away, his footsteps soft against the rooftop's concrete.
Silas descended the stairs swiftly, his mind buzzing with thoughts. When he reached his room, he closed the door behind him and leaned against it, exhaling a long, shaky breath. The moment of respite was brief. His eyes narrowed with determination as he summoned the system interface.
The holographic screen appeared before him, its familiar blue glow tinged with a foreboding intensity.
[Are you sure you want to begin the evolution quest?]
Two options blinked back at him:
[Yes]
[No]
He hesitated for just a second, the weight of his critically low soul points gnawing at the edge of his resolve. But now that a solution for Vic's problem was within reach, there was no point in delaying his own path any longer.
Silas clenched his jaw, his voice low and resolute.
"Yes."
The word slipped out like a command, final and unwavering. The screen flashed brightly in response, the interface processing his choice.
[Evolution quest accepted.]
A pulse of energy rippled through his body, and Silas braced himself for what was to come. Continue your adventure with empire
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A/N: Golden Tickets and Power Stones will be very much appreciated.