Chapter 185: Chapter 185: SYSTEM.

David's eyes widened, his breath catching in his throat, as the system's cold, metallic display unfolded before him."[ Searᴄh the ηovelFire.ηet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.

You have consumed Aurumaris, the Gilded Core,]

" it intoned, the weight of those words pressing against his thoughts. Discover hidden content at mvl

"[

You have acquired the Aurumaris Empyreal Core Physique as a result, altering your blood aspect to one that nears the divine,]

" the display continued, lines of light etching themselves into his vision like burning runes.

He took a deep breath, letting the revelation sink in as he reached for a piece of warm, crusty bread, tearing off a bite. The familiar taste felt almost surreal against the backdrop of newfound power thrumming within him. His eyes, a deep stormy blue, flicked down to the interface that glowed subtly beneath his gaze. It listed the gifts that accompanied his transformation, each word as sharp and golden as the core he had consumed.

"[

Abilities and Effects:

Partial Immortality and Rapid Healing:

The Physique grants the user the power to heal fatal injuries instantly. Wounds close in seconds, and disease finds no foothold within the body.]

"

The words pulsed, each syllable dripping with the promise of godlike resilience. David's fingers tightened around the bread until it crumbled slightly, a dusting of crumbs falling to the table like motes of gold.

"Instantly?" he whispered, tasting the word as if it were foreign. His mind raced, piecing together what such a gift meant. Could it be that his body, now laced with the essence of divine vigour, would knit itself back together before death could claim him? His chest rose and fell with the rush of realization: gaping wounds sealed, shattered bones mended in the blink of an eye, poisons rendered impotent by the core's protective power. Sickness, a mere spectre, dissipated before it could touch him.

A smile, slow and edged with awe, pulled at his lips. This was no mere boon; it was a fortress built into his very being. A ripple of energy coursed through him, subtle but undeniable. He could feel it—the hum of life, stronger and richer than before, as if the universe itself had poured molten gold into his veins.

"Interesting," he murmured, voice barely more than a breath, but beneath it, a flame of ambition burned brighter than ever.

David's eyes glided over the glowing text, stopping on the final two abilities granted by his newly awakened Physique. Each line glimmered with a divine sheen, casting golden reflections that danced in the depths of his gaze.

"[

Blood of Salvation:

The user's blood carries the essence of Aurumaris, capable of healing others from mortal wounds, diseases, or curses by transfusion or bodily fluid contact. No illness or affliction can resist its power.]

"

A shiver ran through him as the implications of this gift unfolded in his mind. The ability to heal not just himself, but others—to pull them from the brink of death, to banish diseases with a drop of his blood—was power beyond measure. The concept buzzed like lightning through his veins, sparking ideas and possibilities.

If his blood held such miraculous properties, what would stop him from creating a new era of healing potions? His mind whirled at the thought: potions infused with his essence, vials brimming with liquid salvation that could render conventional healers and their costly elixirs obsolete.

A smirk crept onto his face as he envisioned an empire built on this gift, the healers and potion masters who prided themselves on their craft watching their trade crumble as word of his miracle potions spread. But his gaze sharpened with the flicker of practicality—this potential would demand relentless experimentation, tests that would push even his regenerative abilities to their limits.

The notion, while tempting, would have to simmer in the background of his thoughts. For now, he shelved the ambition, letting it rest as a whispered promise for the future.

David exhaled, leaning back as his attention slid down to the final, glistening line:

"[

Wealth Transmutation:

By touch, the user can transmute mundane objects into precious materials, such as gold, gems, or rare metals—replicating Azaros's ancient mastery over wealth. Every act of transmutation consumes a portion of the user's lifespan.]

"

His expression darkened as he read, brow furrowing. The promise of instant wealth shimmered before him, gleaming and enticing. Gold, jewels, rare metals—it was the stuff that could build kingdoms, topple empires, and buy loyalty where loyalty had no price. Yet, beneath the luster lay the venomous bite of its cost: his own lifespan. Each act of alchemy would nibble away at the sands of his existence, every transmutation a gamble against time itself.

He clenched his jaw, eyes narrowing. The seductive appeal of power like that was undeniable, but he knew better than to be blinded by ambition alone. The cost was a shadow too heavy, one that loomed with every tempting touch.

The power to forge wealth from thin air had its roots in the legends of Azaros himself, the ancient figure who once wielded dominion over the gilded flow of riches. Yet even Azaros had paid dearly; the stories spoke of how his boundless greed sapped the vigor of his days until he vanished into obscurity.

David's fingers curled into a fist as he considered the balance of gain and loss. The brilliance of conjuring wealth would be nothing if it came at the price of his future. What use was a mountain of gold if he could not stand atop it to savor the sunrise?

"Impressive, but I'll skip," he murmured, voice edged with the iron of caution. There was power in the ability, yes, but it was not the kind of power worth chasing blindly. Not for him—not now.

His heart steadied, the rhythm carrying a newfound respect for what he had gained and the wisdom of restraint. With a final glance at the glowing words, he let his thoughts settle. The gifts of the Aurumaris Empyreal Core were not just tools; they were double-edged, and only those who wielded them with clarity would remain unscathed.

"Hmm," David pondered until he decided to move on,

'next.'

****

A/N: Hey there! Before we continue, I'll need to explain David's new powers and skip ahead a bit. Thanks for understanding! and happy reading.