Chapter 99: Spire

Chapter 99: Chapter 99: Spire +++ Name: Blightspore Race: Undead Parasitic Fungus Status: Rogue/tameable Class: Infector Subclassification: Hive-Host (III) [Attributes:] — Strength: Nil — Agility: Nil — Durability: Low (can tolerate atmospheric changes, but is highly susceptible to fire of any kind) — Intelligence: Low (can fluctuate, based on current information. More research needs to be conducted to make it certain.) [Special Traits:] — Spore Bloom: Releases clouds of infectious spores when injured or threatened. The spores can root inside flesh and begin converting the victim within minutes. Only works on targets with a complex nervous system. — Hive Link: Learning from the subject, it has established a hive link to maintain constant awareness of its infected hosts within a wide radius, allowing coordinated attacks or ambushes if multiple servants are in range. — Necrotic Conversion: It can only convert recently killed creatures or undead into its own servants. [Other Information:] A rare fusion of the necroseed and a parasitic fungus. The Blightspore feeds on a target’s biomass, using the energy to invade the target’s nervous system. Once the spores sprout around the target’s spinal cord, saving them is impossible. Killing an infected host is the only mercy one could offer them. Thanks to its fusion with the subject’s necroseed, it has gained some combat intelligence. It can be tamed, though the method remains undiscovered. +++ "You’re more troublesome than I thought," Blaze mumbled, staring at the creature in the glass jar. After the incident, Blaze was a bit worried about the future. After all, his plan to create his race of zombies had crumbled as using the blightspore was out of the question. However, upon reading the Collective’s analysis of the thing, he realized it wasn’t over. There was a way to tame it, and Blaze had an idea how. "You’ve learned a lot from my necroseed. No wonder you keep targeting my throat." Let it be the ant or the infected frogkin, all of them had aimed for his neck. It wasn’t difficult to think why. Even with its low intelligence, the blightspore could sense that the necroseed held great power. It wanted more, and its greed pushed it to attack the place where the necroseed was hidden. Now Blaze had to figure out how to use what he knew to tame it. Suddenly, a thought crossed his mind. Perhaps... he was overthinking things. He opened the lair management tab, navigating his way to the installation that could solve his issues. The Hive Mind. It was the physical manifestation of Blaze’s Hive Mind skill. Not only was it integrated with memory echo, but it could also be used to maintain control over zombies in a larger range. However, there was a reason he didn’t bother creating the installation. The core ingredient for its creation was a necroseed. His necroseed. Essentially, it meant he would lose the ability to convert others into zombies. At least physically, but one function of the installation made it worth it for him. +++ Installation: Hivemind Spire Construction cost: — 1,000 flesh chunks — 250 bone fragments — 300 Tendons — Bone slurry (as required) — Additional materials for reinforcement as per the subject’s desire. Core Component: Necroseed Classification: Undead Control Structure [Function:] The Hivemind Spire acts as a central anchor to control the undead in its vicinity. Once constructed, all undead creatures within its influence are compelled to obey the horde master, the one who provides the necroseed. [Attributes:] — Control Radius: 10 miles — Success Rate: 100% — Durability: High [Special Traits:] — Absolute Compulsion: Any undead (ranked lower than the owner) is compelled to follow the will of the owner without fail. — Signal Extension: More spires can be linked with it to increase the range. Each spire requires a necroseed. — Obedience Lock: Once bound by the Spire, undead remain loyal to the owner even if they wander outside the range for a short while (3 hours). [Other Information:] The Hivemind Spire acts as a beacon of zombie supremacy and terror. It is the epitome of zombie advancement. The creation of a spire marks the successful formation of a blight zone. +++ In simple words, it was an exchange. Blaze would lose his ability to convert others, but he would retain his control over the zombies. Normally, he would never even think about making such a trade. However, the Blightspore changed that. "The spore is zombified according to its description," Blaze said. "The spire can control it." A smile formed on Blaze’s lips. He might lose his power to convert others, but the Blightspore wouldn’t. If he could command the creature, then every creature it turned would be as good as his own. [Please select a size: Small, Tall, Flat] [Note: The number of materials will vary based on the subject’s selection.] "Small." Since it was a trial, Blaze didn’t want to waste too many resources just yet. [Proceed with construction?] "Yes." As soon as the word left Blaze’s mouth, the ground trembled. Something like a broken elephant tusk rose from the ground. It was a 40-foot-tall, uneven structure built from bones and flesh chunks held together by rotten slurry. At the base, layers of rotting flesh wrapped around each other. At the top of the spire was a fountain. The fountain spread a mist of rotten blood over a 10-mile radius. Even for Blaze, it was an intimidating sight. "I ordered a small one..." The size made him wonder if he should have gone for a flat structure. But his thoughts were interrupted when a notification popped up before him. [Necroseed extraction will proceed in 10 seconds.] "Wait... I thought it was done already?" As the countdown began, his throat started itching like crazy. At first it was bearable, then it got more violent. Blaze couldn’t control himself anymore and began scratching his neck from the outside. However, it wasn’t enough. [Extract the necroseed.] Subconsciously, he pulled his claws out and began tearing his own neck apart. His fingers slipped into the wound, looking for the necroseed. Just then, with a violent cough, something pushed out of his open throat. Rotten blood drizzled everywhere, but the burning itch disappeared. ...I just can’t catch a break today. What the heck is wrong with me? Blaze shook his head and picked up the strange organ before shoving it inside the spire. The tower pulsed with energy as the mist condensed and fell everywhere. The zombies around reacted immediately. For a moment they turned against Blaze, but it was only for a fleeting moment as the spire brought them under his rein again. [Horde size has increased.] [Horde: 33,231/15] That’s... a bit too many. Blaze blinked as he couldn’t believe his eyes. Then, he noticed the jar of blightspore and opened it, hoping he didn’t doom himself.