Evolution of the Ruined Heir-Chapter 261: Another Node*

Compared to others, Malakai took the forming of each of his nodes with utmost seriousness. For one, he wasn’t like most people.

He was without backing in a clan filled with powerful individuals who wanted him dead. To him, strength wasn’t just a necessity, it was the difference between life and death.

There was only so much Nyx could do. And during the times he would be all alone, with nothing to rely on but his power, he knew he’d always look back to moments like this. Moments that decided his next path.

He had already spent more than a week in Sylvastein, and if Malakai had to be honest, he had hoped to form another node by now. His body could take in more vita than most, it was only expected.

But the situation he found himself in had delayed him. Still, after all the twists and turns, Malakai finally believed he was ready.

’The hours spent with the Gor’Mekhai really helped,’ Malakai thought. They helped a great deal, in fact. His passive absorption rate had soared while he was there, and he truly couldn’t wait to visit again.

Even so, the greatest help had come from the grade three vitaeon he had taken before entering the city. That alone had elevated his vita to extraordinary heights.

’Now, I’m ready,’ he thought.

He confirmed the window was shut tight and Nyx’s vita veil was in place before bringing out one of his grade three vita cores.

He was glad for the new room. He had told Igyan to construct a smaller one for him in the alternate place.

A tighter space meant he could make better use of his vita core. He could already feel it losing effectiveness, he had used it quite a lot already.

"But it’ll be enough for tonight..." he muttered, setting it beside him. Without wasting time, he closed his eyes and focused on the vita around him.

Like a vacuum, he began siphoning the vita from the air at high speed.

After countless thoughts and deliberations, Malakai had carefully considered his options. There were seven places in total to form his nodes, the four limbs, the brain, the heart, and the stomach.

He had already formed nodes in his brain and heart. That left the limbs and stomach. Most people started with the limbs, but Malakai had deliberately left them for last.

He had chosen the stomach next.

Back when he first met Renlo, Malakai had been baffled that the boy had chosen to form his first node in the stomach. Given the oblivious vibe Renlo gave off, Malakai hadn’t thought much of it.

In fact, he had considered it a waste. The brain enhanced perception. The heart deepened blood powers. But the stomach... Malakai hadn’t thought it worthy of being anyone’s first node.

But he had been wrong.

After watching Renlo in action, Malakai had come to understand just how useful that choice was.

He focused, and the vita listened.

It surged across his body, converging onto one point: his core.

Time passed quickly. As the minutes stretched, the Vita in the air suddenly shifted. Then, Malakai began to glow, radiant green light bursting from his body.

Almost instantly, the surrounding vita was pulled in at an even greater pace. The vita core worked tirelessly to replenish it, but Malakai absorbed it just as fast.

Minutes passed.

Eventually, the glow around him began to dim, and then, his eyes opened.

They shone with a blinding green light, drowning out the crimson in his irises. But it only lasted a moment.

As the light faded, Malakai checked the changes in his body.

’It’s formed.’ He had successfully created the node in his stomach.

"You still have no intention of stopping this monstrous advancement, huh?"

Malakai ignored Valentine’s words and called upon his status. A moment later, the glowing panel appeared before him.

[Vita Core Interface]

Name: Malakai Von Sanguine

Lineage: Direct Descendant of the Sanguine Clan

Title(s): [Successor of Life] [Ruined Heir] [Worthless Trash] [Rising Underdog] [Army Slayer]

Talent Grade: ???

Vita Stored: 16,103 / 13,970 → 16,103 Units

Vita Absorption Rate: 2.5 >> 2.7 V/s (High Density) | 1.9 >> 2.1 V/s (Normal Zone)

Evolution Stage: Node Formation Stage [3/7]

Base Attributes:

• Strength: 187 → 215 [150 - 350]

• Dexterity: 272 → 309 [155 - 375]

• Vitality: 345 → 360 [150 - 360]

• Perception: 285 → 289 [165 - 210]

• Willpower: 131 → 133 [80 - 200]

• Control: 120 → 130 [10 - 90]

[Node Map]

• Blood Node: Active [16 → 18% refined]

• Muscle Node: Sealed

• Nerve Node: Sealed

• Bone Node: Sealed

• Breath Node: Sealed

• Digestion Node: Sealed

• Synaptic Node: Sealed

• Cellular Node: Sealed

• Endocrine Node: Sealed

• Immune Node: Sealed

• Sensory Node: Sealed

• Body Node: Sealed (Opens when all primary nodes are awakened and refined at 100%)

Malakai’s eyes were wide open as he looked at his stats. His gaze went straight for his base attributes first.

A simple glance at his dexterity confirmed it. He had made the right choice.

A node in a leg would’ve enhanced that leg. One in his arm would’ve boosted that arm. But a node in his stomach...

It had boosted everything.

Before settling on it, Malakai had done his research. The stomach was the core, it affected a lot more than people thought.

He stood from his bed and sank into a stance.

Then, he began punching the air while shifting at rapid pace. A speed most couldn’t even dream of achieving, at least, not while maintaining balance and proper form. Yet, Malakai’s movements remained sharp. His stance held firm. His balance was absolute.

He spun in the air, shifting his legs mid motion and shooting out attacks from wild angles, still, his footing never faltered.

Malakai kept moving. Throughout it, he made sure to rely solely on the node in his stomach. He felt its effects, clear as day.

’My endurance increased.’

With his stomach enhanced, his body had become hyper efficient, turning consumables into energy at an insane rate. Simply put, he could digest food faster and convert it to power faster now.

He tested a few more things through the night. With his core enhanced, he could now unleash short range omni directional shockwaves, or explosive dashes, tiny bursts of movement that carried terrifying force.

All new additions to his fighting style, ones he more than welcomed.

Th𝓮 most uptodate nov𝑒ls are publish𝒆d on freew(e)bnove(l).𝓬𝓸𝓶