In two months, Merlin was able to absorb a large amount of soul essence and soul circuits were completely black. He had also strengthened his body quite a bit. His strength was somewhere near Keith's level but he was satisfied just yet. In order to surpass Keith, he had to try harder since Keith had access to spirit path.
"I guess when I get back to home, I will buy cauldron and ask Keith to rewrite the runes on the cauldron to get a better effect," he muttered to himself with a thought expression on his face. Merlin was a renowned Alchemist in his past life.
The pills and elixirs he created were more potent and long-lasting effect. In past life, he used to sell the pills that he regarded as useless to him but to others the pills and elixirs were simply heavenly. And Merlin's knowledge of herbs was vast and this enabled him to create brand new pills in his past life.
Merlin walked slowly in the forest and used his soul essence detection to avoid fighting a soul beast beyond his level. On his way, he collected a few herbs that he'll use to create a strength pill. His was just missing one key ingredient and that was the blood of Stone Gorilla.
Stone Gorillas aren't really hard to find since there aren't that rare of a species but finding in forest like this one would prove difficult for Merlin.
After hours of walking, he decided to rest under the tree shade. He sat down and he put his hand in his shadow and pulled out a bottle filled Keith's blood. Since Merlin was part vampire, he needed to drink blood even though the angelic part of his DNA was suppressing his hunger for blood. He only needed to drink once a month and if he skips…
He shook his head and want to think about. He drank the blood greedily since he was very thirsty. There is reason why Merlin liked Keith's blood. His blood had a sweet and savory texture that he enjoyed very much and the other reason was…
[+5 Agility]
[+3 Strength]
[+2 Defense]
Keith's blood increased his physical even though it was small amount. He closed the bottle lid and put the bottle back into his shadow. His body felt energized so he decided to do a little hunting. Luckily for him it didn't take him long to find a pack of hyenas. The hyenas had black lustrous fur and even a had few brown spots on their fur.
The hyenas glowing blue eyes and teeth that had golden color. "Goldfangs," said Merlin as he recognized the type of soul beasts with a single glance. He came out from his hiding and the hyenas' ears perked up. They looked back and saw Merlin. As soon as they laid their blue eyes on Merlin, they growled menacingly hoping to chase the intruder away.
Merlin didn't pay any heed to their growling and just kicked his shadow and his scythe came out of the shadow. He then grabbed the scythe before it fell. His predatory gaze landed on the soul beasts and a shiver ran down their spines.
"I've never tasted the blood of a goldfang before," he said with a hungry look in his eyes. He lunged forward and wrapped his shadow around the blade of his scythe.
***
Merlin had dealt with hyenas with ease they were all below his level. He had put some of their blood in a bottle and drank like he was wine tasting. "It tastes like shit," he said angrily. He forced himself to finish the whole bottle since his mother had taught to never waste food no matter how disgusting it tasted.
"Even though their blood tastes like shit, I hope their meat tastes better," he thought to himself as he looked at the meat that was roasting by the fire. Merlin picked up one of the kababs and added a pinch of salt and pepper on it.
After adding the spices, he ate the meat like there was no tomorrow and forgot about proper table manner. There was no one to watch anyway so he could eat however he wanted without any worry.
"Well, that's where you are wrong," A feminine voice said and Merlin took his scythe and go into a battle stance, ready to cut down the enemy if he had to.
"Suguru, its just me your mother or have you forgotten what my voice sounds like," the voice said whilst chuckling in amusement.
"My mother died years ago," he said in a distrustful tone.
The feminine voice couldn't hold back her laughter. "Good to see that you still distrustful"
Merlin dismissed his weapon. "Well, you did teach to never trust anyone especially if there talking in your head. But just to make sure. What is my real name?"
"Azrael Suguru Merlin," the voice answered.
Merlin nodded confirming that it really was his mother since no one else in the entire knew of his first name.
"Yeah, it's you. Mind if I ask why you are talking to me right now?" he asked.
"Can't a mother just talk with their beloved son anymore," she said in a somber tone
Merlin rolled his eyes because he knew she was faking being sad. "A Celestial's past reincarnate or their predecessor doesn't just talk to successor if it isn't important."
"Smart boy," she said. Even though Merlin could only hear her voice inside his head, he knew that she was smiling in pride.
"Just cut to the chase mother," he said.
"Come on, can't I tell you a little longer," she said, her voice full of sadness.
Merlin just sighed. "Mother if this matter is one that concerns my life, you should tell me right away because if I die you won't be able to talk to your son anymore"
"Okay fine. You must go the location where Keith is. That location is where the trial boss resides. You and Keith are the only ones who can kill that thing," she said as her tone began to become serious.
"Why is that?" he asked a bit curious to why only Keith and himself can only beat that boss.
"Remember that you and Keith are variants," she said. Before she could continue with her explanation merlin cut her off by saying:
"What does Keith and I being variants have to do with this?" he asked.
"You are one impatient child, aren't you? If I were still alive, I would have scolded you," she said surprised by his impatience. She thought that since he began studying in alchemy, he would learn to be a little bit patient.
"I did inherit that trait from you," he said blatantly without any fear in his voice like he wasn't the slightest bit scared of his mother.
"I will skin you alive"
"How would you do that when you are already dead?" he asked mockingly.
She was about to say something but decided against it. "Anyway, the reason only you and Keith can kill is because it was created by your Anti-Celestial counterpart"
Suddenly Merlin's killing intent skyrocketed at an unimaginable level at the mention of 'Anti-Celestial counterpart'. "You don't need to saying anything else mother. Just tell me how to get to Keith," he said his voice cold and filled with bloodlust.
"Just go south," she said.