HDXD: Omni Harem System-Chapter 92: Conclusion to The Night V

"Interesting."

’Who would have thought Nekomatas were this strong if they reach their Shinso evolution.’

Adam said out loud, and to himself, as he fell back on Echidna’s explanation.

But his curiosity got the better of him, as he continued to dig for more information.

Trying to act mature, he asked.

"Then tell me... What’s Yarquella after? What is her objective? And how the hell does she even know about this stuff?"

"This isn’t the first time I’ve crossed paths with Yarquella. Or rather... It’s not the first time her kind has brought disaster to the monster world and human world alike."

She replied, and Adam responded.

"Her kind?"

"Yes, her kind... You see, she is a part of an organization in the human world that goes by the name of Discord. One that doesn’t just work with monsters, but uses them in various ways, you can say she is a monster poacher."

"And Discord has been around for a while, about 3000 years, they have vast wealth and connections, and they have even built an entire underground empire around extracting monster DNA and siring Metahumans with it through special drugs called Theriogen."

When Adam heard this, it came as a shock, as he wondered.

’I see... so Yarquella in this AU is actually older than the original, and Discord still exists, but going by that logic, she is probably more powerful than her canon counterpart as well, hmm, this is bad.’

Adam’s brow furrowed at the thought of the possible trouble Yarquella could bring him in the future.

But he continued on the topic nonetheless; he needed to know how much things had changed.

"So they make Metahumans by using monster DNA... but how does that even work?"

"Through alchemy, of course, if you use special drugs to convert. Because when a monster sires a human... or when Monster DNA is directly spliced through Theriogen, there are typically two outcomes to expect."

Echidna explained as she continued to speak.

"Either the subject monsterfies, becoming something akin to the monster it originated from, we call those variants... or they evolve, becoming a Metahuman. Not a direct copy, but a reimagined version. A hybrid whose powers are inspired by the original monster, but reforged into something new and unique."

Adam tilted his head mentally at these words.

"Hmm, is see now that does make perfect sense, so like... let’s say I could bend light around me if I were some kind of monster with light powers. A Metahuman created from my DNA might not just copy that?"

"Exactly!! They might evolve an ability to erase light entirely. Or trap it. Or weaponize it in ways the original monster never could. These abilities evolve uniquely, becoming more distinct with each stage."

’Ahh... so the stages still exist, mhm... at least this hasn’t changed from the original visual novel.’

Meanwhile, Echidna began to explain a little bit about the stages, saying as such.

"There are six evolutionary stages for monster-born Metahumans."

"Stage One is crude, usually a single power or two, heavily based on the original monster’s abilities. They remain simple and similar through Stage Two, with more powers awakening with each evolution."

"But once they hit Stage Three, the divergence begins. Their powers start becoming theirs. Not just imitations, but original powers shaped by experience and evolution."

"Stage Four amplifies those abilities to a great degree; it’s at this stage where human needs are no longer a problem, like eating, sleeping, breathing, and the like, as you only need the monster energy inside of you to function in any condition."

"Stage Five is where power starts to change your body, partially monsterfying it in a unique way, oftentimes, it turns them into walking natural disasters."

"Stage Six is where everything changes. At that point, their very existence starts to reject the natural laws of the world, specifically, the laws that govern our Astrum Field works. They stop being bound by conventional physics and instead begin operating on their own personal logic. Their powers, their very being, become... unchained. They’re no longer just hybrids, they become anomalies. Monsters in both form and concept. Forces of nature, much like a true Shinso, or a lesser version of a greater spirit of sorts."

"...Damn."

Adam muttered.

"So a Stage Six Metahuman is basically a Shinso Metahuman in layman’s terms."

"To put it simply, yes, that is essentially what they become. Their genetics reach a level of purity and perfection so complete, they gain the ability to reproduce with virtually any species, just like like a true monster kind, and the offspring are lesser versions of themselves. That is why Stage Six Metahumans are often called Paragons. By that point, they’re no longer just hybrids... they’ve become the blueprint for an entirely new species. Making them extremely powerful existences."

Upon hearing this, Adam nodded his head in understanding.

As things were much clearer to him now.

"...So that is why Yarquella wants to complete the ritual, isn’t it? If she extracts Kaguya, DNA, she basically has a pure Shinso DNA of a Nekomata."

He asked, but Echidna responded.

"Yes... But that is only part of the reason."

Her tone lowered, heavy with old frustration.

"You see, Kaguya isn’t just any Nekomata. She is a special case... just like her grandmother before her. She was born with a rare lore ability that was passed down to her. A power that allows her to exist as a werewolf, a nekomata, or a nekowolf with 100% of the bloodline potency still active."

"Because of this, when she has children, she can consciously choose which of the three species she gives birth to. The bloodlines within her are perfectly split, each one pure and stable, something even other hybrids can’t replicate, as they have no say over their diluted, mixed blood."

Explain Echidna... Meanwhile, Adam’s eyes narrowed as he processed it all.

"So this Kaguya chick... she is like a living trinity?"

Echidna nodded at this on her end, as her mouth moved from where she was, her words echoing to Adam as she spoke casually with him.

"You couldn’t have said that any better, darling. She is one of 7 special existences that live on our domain."

"But here is the truly terrifying part, darling... when one of those bloodlines edges toward perfection, the other two inevitably follow."

Explained Kaguya.

"She has refined her Nekomata aspect the most, yes, which is why she so often wears that form. But in reality? She has only a single step away from elevating all three as a result of this."

"One more push, and she becomes a Shinso Nekomata, a Shinso Werewolf, and a Shinso Nekowolf...simultaneously... honestly, I have high hopes for her, as I really want to see her full potential."

She paused, letting her words sink in.

On that note, however, it left a question unanswered, as Adam brought it up.

"Speaking of ritual, I am guessing this Bloom Virus has something to do with it... I can assume you are already aware of its existence, right?"

"... Sadly, I am, and I must say, Darling, the method she is using to push Kaguya’s evolution is quite the vicious one. It’s been a while since I have seen magic this cruel, but I guess she is in a hurry."

When Adam heard what the Bloom really was, he froze in surprise as he said.

"Wait, you said the Bloom is actually the result of Magic?"

"Yes, Ancient Magic to be precise."

Echidna confirmed, right after she explained the mechanics behind this spell that was causing the plague.

"Yes, it is a ritual-type spell call, ’All-for-one,’ that combines Fundamental type magic of both Nature magic and Dark magic as one. It’s no ordinary spell, it is a piece of forbidden ancient magic, crafted long ago by the first Vampire King. And like a plague, it is a spell that spreads like a disease among a chosen species."

She said as her voice was turning grimmer by the second.

"It’s quite the grotesque process, really...

"A magical seed is implanted into the host. That seed then grows into a special kind of lily, beautiful in form, but utterly predatory. It thrives by consuming the host’s blood... their life force... even their very soul."

"And as it blooms, it doesn’t just kill. Rather, every trace of genetic and spiritual data is siphoned and encoded into that flower like a supernatural archive."

Echidna said in a voice that was borderline disgust itself.

"And once the host is fully spent, the lily detaches, floating delicately into the air. Then it vanishes... only to reappear at the ritual site. Waiting for the last part of the ritual to be cast."

"Now here is the tragic poetry of it all...when enough of these lilies have gathered, the accumulated data, an entire village’s worth of kinsfolk, mind you, is transmuted into a concentrated essence, a soup of raw primal potential of many, merged into one for the sake of one, at the price of all."

"And all of that is then... forcibly injected into a single vessel."

"Kaguya, in this case."

"...And ordinarily, this would push a subject’s evolution by only a single stage. But since she is already perched at the edge of ascension... well. One really good nudge is all she needs."

Said Echidna to Adam, causing him to respond.

"That... sigh... yeah, this situation is seriously bad... For that reason, I gotta admit, Big Sis, whatever is happening here? It’s way above my level, like I told Minerva earlier. So I gotta ask... what now?"

And as soon as he asked this, Echidna replied.

"Hmm... well, your case is quite the anomaly, isn’t it? You’ll survive, of that I’m sure... But I can’t say the same for your darling vampire companions outside. And even if I restored your body... the outcome wouldn’t change on the outside. Unless...

She pauses as she begins to think of her next course of action.

"Ah... yes. You’re still technically human, aren’t you? I could do that for you... Give you something more permanent in power. But then again... would that disrupt the Codex’s intent?"

She wondered to herself, but ultimately found an answer.

"No, the awakening will happen in time, no matter what race you are. As you grow and open more of those charming little doors in Pandora’s Box...your evolution is inevitable."

Echidna said with confidence, but it was what she said to Adam next that took him off guard.

"Now then, Adam... this next choice? It’s yours and yours alone to make. So let’s not dance around it. Tell me, Adam...

She said before stopping... Then continued.

"Do you want to become my Spawn?"