Chapter 124: Shadow Demon Incubation

Dragon Lizard Faction Port.  

Under the pitch-black night sky, three Icelandic warships were docked on the frozen sea surface, the crow flags hanging high fluttering in the wind.  

Among these three ships, one was the main warship, and the other two were escort vessels.  

The warship in the middle resembled a floating sea fortress, while the two escort ships were only half its size, looking like underage children in front of it.  

On the deck, there was a very eerie scene.  

The soldiers who were supposed to be standing guard were all sound asleep, lying disorderly on the uncovered wooden deck despite wearing thick cashmere coats and cashmere hats.  

Their faces were filled with happy smiles, as if they were having wonderful dreams.  

However, little did they know, their eyebrows had frozen over and their faces had turned pale.  

It wasn’t only the soldiers on the deck; in the camps beside the port, inside the caves within the bay, everyone was fast asleep.  

Icelanders, as well as the captured members of the Dragon Lizard Faction and Deer Blood Faction, people from different countries and regions, all lay on the ground asleep.  

Each person wore a smile, their expressions peaceful.  

Beneath each of their shadows, something was stirring.  

Within their bodies, something seemed to be stirring as well; their abdomens and chests twitched irregularly from time to time. Under their dry skin, it was as if insects were crawling through their blood vessels, some kind of protruding “creature” writhing beneath their skin.  

A short and obese figure emerged from the deep cave.  

He looked like a gnome—a round and plump gnome dressed in a black suit, holding a ceremonial staff, his face wearing the shrewd smile of a businessman.  

The “gnome” scanned this quiet bay and the sleeping people with his gaze, a satisfied smile spreading across his face.  

It was as if he had just completed a major business deal; the corners of his mouth stretched to his ears as he rubbed his hands together continuously.  

He bowed to the empty air as if someone invisible was speaking to him.  

“Yes, Lord Gimnori.”  

“The transformation of the shadow demons was very successful. I let the seed gestate within their bodies during their dreams. It doesn’t affect their actions during the day, but at night, when they enter their dreams, they will experience beautiful dreams, forgetting all their pain, sadness, and anger, becoming nourishment for the shadow demons.”  

“Everything is progressing according to your divination results. Almost all the demi-humans here have been killed. The next step is to hatch the shadow demons and sacrifice the hidden demi-humans to Honored One Pulson.”  

“Yes, my lord, I understand Lord Pulson’s intentions. Not a single demi-human will be spared; I won’t even leave a living creature behind. Not even a single crow will escape my sight.”  

“Fate will converge at the direction Lord Pulson most anticipates. Please rest assured and leave the matters here to me, Lord Gimnori. I will never disappoint your expectations.”  

“Understood. I wish your transformation efforts in the East proceed smoothly as well.”  

“I trust Honored One Em’s followers to restrain human forces in the Northern Territory, keeping them locked in the north. That is exactly what we want to see.”  

“The tide is about to come. Your humble follower eagerly awaits your and the other lords’ arrival, looking forward to your return to this land.”  

The chubby “gnome” prostrated himself on the ground.  

He kissed the earth as if kissing someone’s feet.  

After a long while, he stood up and took out a small notebook from his bosom.  

The notebook contained about a dozen names, most of which had been crossed out.  

Anyone familiar with the forces near the Dragon’s Spine would recognize these names as the well-known gang leaders or top enforcers of nearby factions.  

In such chaotic places, usually, the gang leader was the strongest fighter in the gang since brute force was the ultimate truth.  

Only two names remained uncrossed in the notebook: one was Sven Freud, and the other was Jessia.  

The gnome took out a quill pen and crossed out Sven Freud’s name as well.  

“I originally wanted to personally transform that violent Viking pirate into a shadow demon, but that disgusting sword ended up in the hands of the Tanians. So that guy must be dead after all.”  

“Forget it, it’s better that way.”  

“That leaves only you, Jessia.”  

“Poor Jessia, although I fancy you very much, this is ultimately Lord Gimnori’s order.”  

“Who told you that you are a catfolk hybrid? I dare not disobey that lord’s command and spare your life.”  

The fat gnome shuddered, a look of regret appearing on his face. He walked past the sleeping people and clapped his hands.  

“Wake up, my lovely children.”  

“It’s time to get down to business.”  

With the rhythm of his clapping, the smiles on those people’s faces grew even brighter, as if they had reached the peak of joy.  

Their abdomens irregularly expanded. Finally, at the moment they were happiest, a red bloodline tore open from their stomachs.  

Sharp claws, black creatures, ripped through the humans’ abdomens. Blood and mucus stuck to the black carapace, and a strong stench of blood gushed out.  

Shadow demons—mid-level demons that should only gestate in the shadow realm—were born through human bodies.  

Their appearance was like elongated black worms, resembling large centipedes, but their tails were hidden in the shadows, invisible shapes cloaked in a blur of black mist.  

These shadow demons were still very weak, like newly hatched larvae; their shells were still soft. After they emerged, the first thing they did was gnaw on human flesh and blood.  

Just like baby dragons eat their eggshells to replenish nutrients after hatching, these shadow demons also fed on the humans that nurtured them one by one.  

Their pincers quickly sliced and chewed through flesh and bones. Wherever they crawled, the place became a pile of bones.  

Their feeding speed was terrifyingly fast.  

Hundreds of shadow demons feasted on those bodies.  

The obese “gnome” watched the scene, tears streaming from the corners of his eyes.  

“What a touching sight.” The gnome wiped his tears with his short and thick palms. “A death without pain, immense happiness and bliss. How fortunate! Only that Honored One can grant you such a moving death.”  

The gnome clapped his hands vigorously, and the shadow demons that grew first quickly gathered around him.  

“Children, follow me!”  

Black membranous wings sprouted from the gnome’s back, stretching open his suit and fluttering, carrying him to the sky.  

“Go fulfill your mission. You only have one night. By the time the sun rises tomorrow, you will wither away. Go, feel fear and dreams, kill every living thing you see. That is the meaning of your birth.”