Chapter 261 [Bonus ] Unforeseen Consequences Of The Spirit Contract

The weight of the ax Eren gripped held within it a bit of history.

It was a spoils-of-war, a trophy earned by vanquishing Behlam, bestowed upon Eren by the fallen enemy. Another axe of similar design was "gifted" by Behlam, creating a formidable pair that Eren named the Behemoth set.

Initially, the Behemoth axes held the status of Rank-1 artifacts, but recognizing their untapped potential, Eren sought to unlock their true power. At his behest, the axes underwent a transformative upgrade, ascending to the status of Awakened Rank. These enhancements were orchestrated by skilled artisans under the employ of the enigmatic bald merchant, Malcom.

Eren's unwavering belief in the axes led him to invest all his remaining resources in their metamorphosis, leaving him bereft of wealth despite triumphing in the Hexers' Ground aptitude test and amassing various rewards. In truth, aside from his portion of the spoils from the House of Spiders, Eren had devoted everything to the conversion of these Rank-1 relics into Rank-2 artifacts, aligning them with his Awakened Rank prowess.

The Behemoth set boasted a remarkable fusion of elemental compatibility, its form crafted to harmonize with Eren's techniques of Twin Star Arts and Jeet Kune Do. Every meticulous runic engraving etched upon its surface showcased the artisan's dedication, leaving no stone unturned in reshaping the axes into unparalleled artifacts.

It was the Behemoth set that propelled Eren to an effortless victory over Sofiya, their synchronized synergy rendering his opponent defenseless. Their optimal design, refined form, and intricate runic inscriptions made them a formidable weapon set, unrivaled in efficacy.

Upon Eren's entry into the realm of Gilaahan, he swiftly procured the two Awakened Rank artifacts from Malcom, wasting no time in field-testing their capabilities during his spar against Sofiya.

The weight of the axes differed from his previous weaponry, requiring Eren to adapt his movements accordingly. Though their heft demanded adjustment, the force they added to each strike was indispensable. Eren's proficiency grew as he synchronized his weapon-based spells with Hex amplification, turning Sofiya's Spirit Beasts into mere playthings against his augmented might.

Now, faced with the task of inflicting injury upon Tiamat as directed by Kino, the Behemoth axe became Eren's sole choice. Channeling his mana into the weapon, he activated the intricate runic engravings etched upon its surface, priming himself to unleash devastating weapon-based spells.

The Hex amplification enhanced the weapon's potential damage output while Eren poured his indomitable will into the swing, releasing the weapon slash with unyielding determination. The axe's blade never made contact with Tiamat's tail, halted mere inches from the draconic scales. However, the blade's proximity proved inconsequential, for the sheer potency of the unleashed weapon slash was enough to pierce Tiamat's impenetrable defenses and inflict a grievous wound upon the wyvern.

Drip! Drip! Drip!

The edge of Eren's ax became adorned with wyvern blood, its crimson essence trickling down the blade, a symphony of distinct sounds resonating within the tranquil surroundings. Tiamat remained silent and motionless, an unspoken agreement forged, granting Eren the passage required to proceed with the Spirit Contract.

The surface of Eren's weapon suffered visible damage as it came into contact with the potent draconic essence within the wyvern's blood. Aware of the destructive power contained within, Eren knew better than to touch the blood with his bare hands.

Even his formidable mana defense layer would crumble under the wyvern blood's influence, resulting in immediate burns and the invasive backlash of foreign mana. The strength of the wyvern's blood was truly formidable.

An ache resonated within Eren's mind as he witnessed his cherished weapon deteriorate by the second, its runic engravings fading beneath the sheer potency of the blood. Repairing it would require a considerable investment, but such concerns had to be set aside for now. With determination in his grip, he held his weapon and approached the Array Center, prepared to perform the necessary ritual.

Without hesitation, Eren dropped a single drop of the thick wyvern blood into the Array Center. The once-crimson red illumination emitted by the center now took on a dark, foreboding shade as it absorbed Tiamat's essence.

Kino took charge, the array's ethereal tendrils extending and delicately grasping the souls residing within both Eren and Tiamat's mortal shells. Eren, obediently following her lead, settled himself within the confines of the Spirit Contract Array, surrendering his consciousness to the process.

The barriers of his mind were willingly lowered as the Array chipped away a fragment of his soul, intertwining it with that of Tiamat. A similar sensation echoed from Tiamat as if he too had surrendered a portion of his own soul essence.

Within the Array Center, the two fragments of souls merged, concocting a fusion of spiritual essence. This ethereal essence was then divided into two parts, each serving as a Soul Mark imprinted upon both Eren's and Tiamat's souls.

Eren could sense the birth of an inexplicable connection between himself and the wyvern, whose penetrating gaze fixated upon him. The successful formation of the Spirit Contract granted them the ability to communicate on a profound level, transcending the need for verbal cues.

Words became unnecessary as their souls intertwined, allowing for a symbiotic relationship. Beyond mere communication, they could now share their elemental attainments, fostering an unprecedented bond.

The intricate process stretched on, consuming nearly an hour of time. Kino, visibly drained of her spiritual force, eased herself down to the ground, seeking respite from the overwhelming mental and physical exhaustion.

Eren, too, bore the weight of the soul-based injury, feeling the strain on his consciousness. It was as if he had endured sleepless nights for months on end, his mind fatigued beyond measure.

Tiamat, possessing a vast reserve of spiritual force, fared better than Eren, mitigating the effects of the soul's injury. However, the unforeseen consequence of this profound connection became evident as Tiamat recognized a foreign influence upon Eren's soul, namely, Aleph's presence.

Roar!

Tiamat unleashed a resounding roar in Eren's direction, detecting Aleph's presence and disapproving of his influence over Eren's soul. Acting on its own accord, the beast initiated a spiritual attack, targeting Aleph's Soul Imprint in an attempt to purge it.

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AN: The Behemoth Set was first mentioned in chapter 206.