[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":-1},["ShallowReactive",2],{"origin-becoming-a-monster":3,"chapter-becoming-a-monster-becoming-a-monster-chapter-555":6},{"origin":4,"title":5},"english","Becoming a Monster",{"chapter":7,"nextChapterSlug":19,"prevChapterSlug":20,"totalChapters":21,"novelImage":22},{"id":8,"novel_id":9,"title":10,"slug":11,"index":12,"content":13,"wordcount":14,"created_at":15,"updated_at":15,"volume":16,"translator":17,"content_hash":18},1879189,2494,"Chapter 555 - 554: Blood Never Lies","becoming-a-monster-chapter-555",555,"\u003Cp>The atmosphere became increasingly restless after the transformations stabilized completely.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The newly mutated beasts could barely remain still anymore.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Several of the canines were already circling one another with visible playful aggression.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Meat slammed his paw into the ground, cracking the ground beneath him, before proudly looking around as if expecting praise for it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Meanwhile, the felines behaved differently.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Although they were far less openly stimulated than the canines, their excitement wasn’t any less.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Their sharpened eyes continuously wandered across one another while several repeatedly tested their abilities in the open as if gauging who had the best one.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Savannah cat had already separated itself again.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Now there were three of them.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Unfortunately, the newly created copies immediately started hissing at one another over absolutely nothing, despite sharing the same mind.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Noah could sense their eagerness. He, too, wanted to take them to perform their normal group battle exercise.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Simple observation alone could only tell him so much. Actual combat would reveal far more about their instincts, physical growth, coordination, and the practical applications of their newly developed abilities.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And judging from the way the beasts could barely restrain themselves anymore, they would agree in a heartbeat if he asked.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"You already know where to go if you want to test yourselves,\" Noah finally spoke.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Every head snapped towards him as if they couldn’t believe what he said. And when his words finally registered, their reactions became an amusing scene to witness.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Several canines practically launched themselves away before he even fully finished speaking.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The felines reacted only slightly slower, though many of them still tried maintaining some semblance of dignity while following behind.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That dignity immediately disappeared once one of the dogs shouted something about \"showing the cats real strength.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A chorus of hisses instantly followed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Noah nearly laughed watching the chaos among them.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The rivalry between the two groups had only intensified as they gained strength.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yet strangely enough, that wasn’t a bad thing.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Competition would force them to continue growing faster.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Dog watched the others leave before slowly standing himself.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The newly evolved beast looked noticeably larger now, even while remaining on all fours.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Alexandria also glanced toward the dispersing felines. Her tails fluttered around one another with a rather strong intensity before her gaze shifted toward Noah.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Neither of them needed instructions. As the leaders of their respective groups, they needed to understand the strengths and weaknesses of those beneath them better than anyone else.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Especially now that every creature had mutated differently and could no longer be considered the same.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Dog was the first to leave.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Several canines immediately gathered around him the moment he started walking away, almost instinctively placing themselves behind him despite their excitement.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Alexandria left shortly, alongside Dobby.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Although the felines lacked the same openly obedient structure as the canines, they still naturally gravitated toward her presence regardless.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Eventually, the area quieted down.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Unlike earlier, however, Noah’s attention toward them was far more focused.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The creatures from before had served as a successful test.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But these ones were different.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>These were the true core of his territory. And because of that, he had to be even stricter with himself in the process.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Before we begin... Pandora, you can let him out now.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>There wasn’t any confusion about who Noah was referring to.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Most of their gazes gradually shifted toward the massive construct resting near the edge of the territory.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The thick roots blocking every opening immediately began retracting afterward. And almost immediately, something massive stumbled outward.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Dummy nearly tripped over himself the moment the roots were fully released.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The gluttonous beast visibly swayed before catching itself at the last second. Several bits of shredded roots were still hanging from the corners of his mouth.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>There were even visible portions of Pandora’s roots that were completely gone.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Truthfully, nobody could determine whether Dummy had been chewing through the roots because he was genuinely trying to escape, or because he simply got hungry while imprisoned.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Probably both.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The beast himself only looked momentarily disoriented after being released.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then suddenly his head snapped upward. Dummy immediately noticed everyone gathered around Noah.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>More specifically, he recognized the scent. The same scent that he smelt so much of while he was trapped inside his own den.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The gluttonous beast instantly lunged forward with alarming speed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Several nearby creatures immediately tensed. Fenrir was already preparing to move.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Dummy.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Noah’s voice wasn’t loud. If anything, it almost sounded like a tired parent calling out toward an unruly child.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yet the moment the words reached Dummy, the beast reacted as though an overwhelming pressure slammed directly into him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Dummy’s entire body jerked while desperately trying to stop himself mid-charge.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His claws dug deeply into the ground, leaving a noteworthy trench behind him. The momentum still carried him several more feet before he finally stopped.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Several moments passed while Dummy behaved almost meekly under Noah’s gaze.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Fenrir quietly released a breath of relief from nearby. At least this time, Dummy hadn’t embarrassed him immediately in front of everyone.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Noah, I won’t question the company you keep, but...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Bolas finally emerged from his cave, now that the only thing he cared about was beginning.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His massive figure slowly approached while his gaze remained entirely fixed on Dummy.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As he looked into the gluttonous creature’s eyes. He didn’t see a hint of intelligence within them.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Dummy looked back toward Bolas briefly before immediately trying to sniff the air around him instead.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The drake’s expression stiffened, and then he exhaled.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"...Forget I said anything.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Originally, Bolas intended to question how Noah could possibly trust a creature like this around the others when the beast looked moments away from attempting to eat even Noah himself.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But after looking directly into those empty eyes...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He no longer believed Dummy possessed enough awareness to be nearly as malicious as he initially assumed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Dummy continued sniffing toward the drake again.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then suddenly sneezed hard enough from his mouths to cause himself to fall over.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The silence somehow made the situation even stranger.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Eventually, Bolas looked back toward Noah again.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"...I’m still not convinced this thing should be allowed to roam freely.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Noah considered the statement honestly, then he released a small chuckle.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"That’s a fair point. But I have a lot of hope for this guy. He may be slow, but I acknowledge him as part of this dysfunctional family.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The words caused Fenrir to feel a hint of pride, one of the few times he didn’t regret bringing Dummy into his pack.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Meanwhile, Bolas stared at Noah in complete silence before slowly looking back toward Dummy again.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At almost the exact same moment, thick saliva was already dripping from Dummy’s mouths out of pure impatience.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The gluttonous beast looked moments away from attempting to eat the ground itself if Noah delayed any longer.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Bolas’ expression flattened at the sight.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"...Your standards for family concern me.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Hey,\" Noah replied immediately. \"If you thought I welcomed you into this family because you were different, then I have some terrible news for you.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That shut Bolas up surprisingly quickly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The drake stared at Noah for several long moments, waiting for a grand comeback to strike him, only to end up with nothing.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Noah didn’t pay the drake any more attention; he was ready to begin.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Before we start, don’t expect any grand changes. The others were significantly weaker than you all, and that’s the reason their mutations became so dramatic.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"And Arachne,\" Noah added while glancing toward her briefly. \"We’ll take care of your underlings after this.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The spider immediately perked up. After witnessing the transformations of the cats and dogs, her expectations for her brood had already risen dramatically.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If creatures like them could undergo such drastic growth, then what about creatures born directly from her nest?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If her brood understood the significance and they had worse reactions, then they may not want to go through with the process.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>With that settled, Noah replayed the scene with him sending out his tendrils to them all.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Gwen was surprised when she discovered a tendril hovering above her face. Her expression shifted between confusion and alarm.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"...Wait.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"You are a part of our group now,\" Noah said before she could fully protest.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"And I won’t allow anyone meant to protect Pandora to remain weak.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>For several moments, she simply stared at Noah. The initial shock of being included in the process quickly gave way to how easily Noah accepted her.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>First, it was allowing him to sleep in the same room with someone he deeply cared for, and now this.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Each moment was decided without hesitation or suspicion.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Did he truly have that much faith in her already?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Or perhaps Noah simply didn’t fear what would happen even if she betrayed him someday.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Truthfully...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After witnessing everything within this territory so far, Gwen was beginning to suspect it was the latter.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Meanwhile nearby, Dummy narrowed both sets of eyes suspiciously while observing the tendril approaching him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Noah immediately pointed toward him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Don’t bite it.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The creature looked genuinely conflicted, as though Noah had just denied him the greatest joy he could possibly experience.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ignoring the scene entirely, Noah allowed his infused blood to drop towards them.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And immediately, a pure overwhelming pressure was released.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Noah didn’t expect such a reaction, but recounting how strong each one was individually, the results of their combined mana being released should’ve been expected.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If anything, the changes happening within them felt far more controlled.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It made him relieved that the cats and dogs had left before this happened.\u003C\u002Fp>",1595,"2026-06-10T06:25:08.017Z",1,"novelbin.me","07555d0ac3c024e89bf3f4b3bda663ba336da1abee1181c0eb366cfdcb3e2de2","becoming-a-monster-chapter-556","becoming-a-monster-chapter-554",556,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Fbecoming-a-monster-cover.jpg"]