Chapter 62 - Controlled Mutation and Reduced Lifespan

Han Wu arrived at the Blood Coliseum without encountering any difficulties. While relieved to have escaped his predicament, he couldn’t help but feel a sense of loss at having used 1 million Divine Points for a single teleportation.

As Han Wu prepared to activate the teleporter at the Blood Coliseum to go back to school, a challenge notification unexpectedly popped up.

[Dear candidate, a challenge has been issued to you by a fellow candidate, a Divine Being known as Wicked Dragon. Do you accept this challenge? (Note that your candidacy will be revoked if you decline three challenges or if you are defeated in a challenge)]

A frown creased Han Wu's brow. He had no desire to linger, yet another candidate was seeking a duel.

“In that case, I will accept it,” he stated, a touch of annoyance in his tone. He was still simmering with frustration over the events in the Divine River Ruins and saw this as an opportunity to release some of his pent-up anger.

The administrators of the Blood Coliseum treated challenges between candidates with utmost seriousness. They provided the two combatants with the arena designated for Demigods, spanning 10,000 sq km. This offered more than sufficient space for two Divine Beings to engage in a full-fledged battle.

The spectators were filled with excitement and eagerly anticipated the upcoming match..

“Locust Plague! Locust Plague!”

“Locust Plague, send out your Osteomancer and let the Wicked Dragon learn just how terrifying it is to face an Osteomancer!”

“Locust Plague, display your true power and annihilate the Wicked Dragon!”

Though numerous individuals voiced their support for Han Wu, a fair number of others were cheering on the Wicked Dragon.

“Wicked Dragon, use your half-dragons to destroy his locusts!”

“The Locust Plague’s core race is the locust, and they are incredibly fragile, so you absolutely must win this!”

“Wicked Dragon, I’ve wagered 500,000 Divine Points on your victory, so don’t you dare lose!”

Despite the roaring encouragement from the spectators, the two combatants within the arena remained unmoved, their attention solely fixed on one another.

Both combatants wore masks that concealed their data, but Wicked Dragon’s mask was clearly made from superior materials. Covering the upper half of his face, it was shaped like a dragon, exuding both regality and coolness to such an extent that Han Wu felt he had already been outdone in terms of visual appeal.

Despite facing an opponent of equal rank, the Wicked Dragon remained arrogant.

“Locust Plague, your name precedes you. I know your core race is the locust, yet you resort to using skeletons and trickery to win your matches. Sadly for you, your luck has run out, as you have the misfortune of facing me today!”

Han Wu, quickly growing tired of Wicked Dragon's taunts, retorted, “Stop your blabbering and let's just get this over with.”

A smirk spread across the Wicked Dragon's face as he replied, “Very well, in that case, I shall send you to your doom without further delay.”

Both combatants established a connection to their respective divine realms and proceeded to summon their forces. Han Wu unleashed a vast number of locusts and Locustmen, whereas the Wicked Dragon materialized a massive army of half-dragons.

Half-dragons were inherently Elite life forms from the moment of their birth, possessing not only formidable physical bodies but also a natural talent for magic. Upon reaching maturity, a half-dragon would unlock a random magical ability, which could originate from any race.

Wicked Dragon had unleashed a formidable army consisting of 300,000 Elite half-dragons, 40,000 Unique Half-Dragon Warriors, and two Heroic half-dragons. Even Han Wu had to acknowledge that this was a force capable of challenging even more experienced Demigods. This revelation shed light on how the Wicked Dragon had been able to defeat a Demigod in the Blood Coliseum, thus securing his position as a candidate.

“Are you looking down on me?” Wicked Dragon questioned, his voice laced with disdain. He was clearly unimpressed by his opponent's summons, having heard that skeletons were his trump card. He interpreted Han Wu's choice as a sign of disrespect.

Ignoring Wicked Dragon's taunts, Han Wu countered, “You should first demonstrate your ability to overcome my locusts before you continue speaking.”

Han Wu unleashed his locust army upon the half-dragons. The battle began immediately, and his forces were bombarded by exceptionally strong magical attacks. The half-dragon army employed fire, frost, lightning, wind, and other elemental spells, swiftly eliminating a large portion of the advancing locusts.

However, undaunted by the heavy losses, the locust army refused to yield. The Heavenly Demon Insects, with their prominent horns, charged headfirst into the fray, while the Abyss Bugs formed living barriers, absorbing much of the incoming magic. The Dark Cursed Bugs fired volleys of Shadow Nails, slowing the half-dragons’ movements and stealthily eliminating isolated targets, and finally, the Locustmen drew their shortbows and unleashed a relentless barrage of arrows on the enemy forces.

The sight of their brethren being cut down by the locusts was unbearable for the Heroic half-dragons, fueling their continued attack. One, a Half-Dragon Archmage, commanded potent fire magic, while the other, a Half-Dragon Marksman, was skilled in long-range attacks. With ease, they evaded the swarming locusts and unleashed devastating ranged attacks that decimated the ranks of the Locustmen.

Wicked Dragon’s defiant laughter echoed through the arena as he taunted, “Cease your futile resistance! If you don’t reveal your trump card soon, your pathetic locusts will all be annihilated!”

Han Wu internally agreed, recognizing that his locusts were dying in vain. Just as he was about to summon his Heroic units, the Origin of Mutation’s mocking voice echoed in his mind. “I can hardly believe you are going to endure such humiliation. I am beginning to seriously doubt my decision to choose you as my vessel.”

“What do you mean?”

“We are going to use your locusts to teach those foolish half-dragons a harsh lesson.”

Perplexed, Han Wu expressed his doubt. “But the locusts stand no chance against the half-dragons.”

He had heard countless times from others about how weak his locusts were, ever since he had gained control over his body, to the point that even Han Wu himself had begun to doubt their strength.

“Weak locusts, you say? Surely you recall that one of your supposedly useless locusts devoured the Rank 6 mutated beast Gemora! In my opinion, the concept of a weak race is nonexistent, only those who have resigned themselves to defeat. With me here, you can’t lose! Now, unleash the Controlled Mutation that I have bestowed upon you to obliterate those arrogant half-dragons.”

Though he disliked the Origin of Mutation’s condescending tone, Han Wu decided to put its claim to the test. He summoned an Abyss Bug and pressed his palm against it, activating Controlled Mutation. In an instant, a wide array of choices presented themselves to him, detailing the various mutations he could induce within the Abyss Bug.

Amused by his host’s surprised reaction, the Origin of Mutation chuckled before proceeding to instruct him. “First of all,” it began, “have you given any thought to the specific evolutionary path you wish to take for your units?”

Han Wu had a clear idea of what he wanted. “To begin with, the Abyss Bug needs increased damage resistance so they can function better as meat shields. Their primary function is to protect their comrades.”

The Origin of Mutation quickly sorted through the list and presented Han Wu with three options.

[1: Exoskeleton Mutation: Increases density and thickness of Abyss Bug. Increases physical resistance by 10 times. Reduces lifespan of Abyss Bug by 50 days.]

[2: Gland Mutation: Mutates glands of Abyss Bug to produce copious amounts of sticky mucus. Increases elemental resistance. Reduces lifespan of Abyss Bug by 90 days.]

[3: Overall Mutation. Increases size of Abyss Bug. Increases all stats. Reduces lifespan of Abyss Bug to 24 hours.]

The half-dragons’ relentless attacks were rapidly decimating the locusts. Despite this, Han Wu selected the third option, which was described as the most potent yet also the most disadvantageous, to mutate his Abyss Bugs. He channeled Faith Points to initiate the transformation, and the chosen Abyss Bug began to grow at an astonishing rate, increasing in length from 40 cm to a massive 2 meters.

Once the transformation was complete, the mutated Abyss Bug was filled with an unprecedented surge of strength. Spreading its newly enhanced wings, it launched itself towards a half-dragon that was in the process of casting a spell.

The half-dragon, caught off guard, swiftly redirected its attack, unleashing the magic at point-blank range. The spell detonated directly on the Abyss Bug, yet it remained completely unharmed as it forcefully rammed the half-dragon’s jaw with a sideways blow.

Witnessing the immense strength of the mutated Abyss Bug, Han Wu adapted his tactics. He mutated a significant number of Abyss Bugs, focusing on maximizing their defensive strength even at the cost of reducing their lifespan to a mere single day. However, this limitation mattered little as the incredibly resilient Abyss Bugs charged headfirst into the half-dragon army, intent on unleashing maximum chaos and destruction.

Han Wu didn’t stop with the Abyss Bugs; he also initiated the Controlled Mutation process on his Heavenly Demon Insects and Dark Cursed Bugs. These two breeds of locusts, specifically created for warfare, displayed remarkable courage and strength after undergoing their respective mutations.