Sanctuary: Safe Haven

"This vial... is it really your blood?" Canna asked, his voice tinged with uncertainty and a hint of awe.

Tonitrum\'s eyes gleamed with a mischievous light as he confirmed, "Yes, it\'s a concentrated amount of my blood."

"But why give me your blood? Usually, I only need to absorb mana cores to rank up. What\'s different this time?" Canna pressed, trying to understand the implications. The thought of changing his race, of becoming something other than human, stirred a mix of excitement and fear within him.

"A race change," Tonitrum explained, his tone thoughtful yet firm. "Being a dragonkin would be far better than remaining human. You know as well as I do the power that comes with such a transformation. The blood you receive from me will reshape not just your body but your very soul. The more you absorb, the stronger you\'ll become. This isn\'t just a rank-up; it\'s a rebirth.

Do I make myself clear?"

Canna nodded slowly, absorbing the gravity of Tonitrum\'s words. According to the codex and Mortem\'s teachings, dragonkin were naturally powerful, endowed with incredible abilities from birth. The prospect of becoming one was tantalizing, but it was not a decision to be made lightly.

He decided to check his own stats, reflecting on the progress he had made through rigorous training and countless battles.

[Name: Canna Yakane]

Level: 97

Race: Human

Rank: A Ranker

Class: Beast Covenant

HP: 240/240

MP: 270/270

Strength: 130

Speed: 110

Defense: 60

Intelligence: 175

Agility: 70

Stamina: 120

Vitality: 53

Charm: 22

Attribute Points: 0

Titles: None

The recent war had been a tremendous boon for him, providing not only the souls needed for the egg but also significant experience and mana cores. He then glanced at the stats of his most powerful allies, Mortem and Vorgrim.

[Name: Mortem]

Level: 87

Race: Undead

Rank: Low Calamity

Class: Corrupted Wiseman

HP: 1100/1100

MP: 1650/1650

Strength: 20

Speed: 110

Defense: 130

Intelligence: 1045

Agility: 25

Stamina: N/A

Vitality: N/A

Attribute Points: 0

Title: Canna\'s Firstborn

Title Effect: Favored Progeny

Accelerated Growth: Grants an additional 50% experience gain to all allies fighting alongside Canna, accelerating their development and strength in battle.

Title: One-of-a-kind

Title Effect: Unique Progenitor

Exemplary Origin: Doubles the experience gain, marking the bearer as a trailblazer among their kind.

Regenerative Vitality: Increases health and mana regeneration by 50%, ensuring sustained power and resilience.

Aura of Dread: Bestows an 80% chance to inflict fear on enemies of lower rank, causing them to falter and hesitate in the presence of this unprecedented being.

[Name: Vorgrim]

Level: 83

Race: Voragon

Rank: Low Calamity

Class: Warlord

HP: 1650/1650

MP: 850/850

Strength: 1000

Speed: 130

Defense: 75

Intelligence: 20

Agility: 25

Stamina: 85/86

Vitality: 45/45

Attribute Points: 0

Title: Warlord

Title Effect: Authority of Command

Commanding Presence: Naturally inspires respect and loyalty among allies, establishing a clear and authoritative leadership that unifies and strengthens the group.

Title: Dread Marshal

Title Effect: Beacon of War

Morale Booster: Significantly enhances the morale of allied forces, increasing their combat effectiveness and resilience in battle through your inspiring presence and formidable reputation.

As Canna reviewed their stats, he couldn\'t help but marvel at their sheer power. Their strongest attributes reached a thousand points, while his highest stat was only 175. The disparity was stark, but it was also a testament to the high-quality corpses used in their creation—thanks largely to the dragon in front of him.

Before making his final decision, Canna turned to Mortem, seeking his counsel. "What do you think, Mortem? Is this worth the risk?"

Mortem regarded the vial thoughtfully. "Master, the value of Tonitrum\'s blood cannot be overstated. Kingdoms would wage wars for such a treasure. The power it bestows is unparalleled. If you drink it, your strength will be beyond measure. It\'s an opportunity that few would ever have."

Canna took a deep breath, feeling the weight of the decision. If this transformation could help him achieve his goal of creating a one-of-a-kind sanctuary, then he was willing to embrace the change. "Alright," he said, his voice steady. "I\'ll do it."

After absorbing 127 low calamity mana cores, Canna began to feel a significant change within his body. This transformation was unlike his previous rank-ups, which had been excruciating, as if his body was being torn apart and reassembled. This time, however, the change was warm, almost comforting, as if enveloped in a soothing embrace.

As drowsiness overtook him, Mortem helped him drink the blood from the vial. The rich, metallic scent filled his senses, and as the liquid slid down his throat, it burned with an intensity that spread throughout his body. Every cell seemed to ignite, and he felt as if his very soul was being reforged.

The warmth from the mana cores was replaced by an intense heat, radiating from his body. Mortem\'s robes began to smolder, forcing him to conjure a barrier. Canna cried out as his body was enveloped in red and white nerves, forming a protective shell around him. From the outside, it appeared as though he was encased in...

"An egg? A transparent egg? Will he be alright in there?" Kael asked, his concern palpable as he peered at Canna through the shell.

Mortem, still sensing his master\'s life force, reassured himself of Canna\'s safety. Tonitrum\'s voice resonated through the dungeon, breaking the tense silence. "He is undergoing a rebirth. The longer he remains in the egg, the more powerful he will become. It is now up to him." The dragon then settled down, returning to his slumber, confident in the transformation\'s success.

Mortem and Vorgrim stood guard, their stances protective and vigilant. They understood the significance of this moment for Canna—a pivotal point that would determine the future of their journey. The energy emanating from the egg signaled a profound change occurring within, and they were resolute in their duty to safeguard him during this vulnerable phase.

With this transformation, Canna moved one step closer to gaining the strength necessary to build the sanctuary. However, they all knew that with such power would come new challenges, and Canna\'s journey was far from over.