The Black Tiger - Chapter 16 Numb

A swift hand slid open soft scales with a scalpel. The blood had clotted inside the veins and arteries, however a small amount stayed liquefied. Mutters surrounded the autopsy table, they were mostly in fascination, but also in disgust. Gabriel’s right hand was in constant motion as he wrote down information Mr. Crow presented about the freshly displayed organs.

Gabriel admitted that he was quite curious about the anatomy and evolution of the Camird. It had quite primitive lungs, much like a frog. The bronchioles were almost nonexistent, while there were few alveolus. It meant that the diffusion of oxygen through the thin membranes which separated the alveolus and blood would be limited. Therefore, the creature needed another way to cover its oxygen utilization. The information about the creature’s habitat could explain the primitive lungs. The Camirds live mostly in fresh water near rivers, like amphibians. That can indicate that they breath through their skin by oxygen diffusion.

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Gabriel sat by a table while writing his report in the cafeteria. The strong aroma of mac and cheese roamed the large hall decorated with vintage paintings and brick walls. Plants made the large space separate into sections of small cozy dining areas, most of them were quite overgrown. The white tables and soft chairs stood out from its surrounding furniture.

The snow white hair of William (aka Gabriel) shimmered under the smoothly shaped lightning bulb. A sudden pain erupted in Gabriel’s head. It felt like his head was about to explode. Sharp teeth were clenched with a tremendous force while drops of sweat started to form. Gabriel’s eyes were wide open, the only sounds he could hear were his heart exhalating and blood streaming. His vision was blurred, but he refused to get help. Still in pain Gabriel sat up and ignored the terrible pulsating sensation. Red liquid ran down from his clenched fists, his nails boring into his fair skin.
for visiting.

“Gabriel?” Luke tried to get in contact with Gabriel who gazed lifelessly at a nearby wall. He shakes Gabriel gently; however, he didn’t receive a response. Luke looked at the droplets of blood which stayed at the surface of the table. “What do you want?” Gabriel asked without displaying any emotions, his eyes still locked at the wall. “Nothing, I’m just worried about you. You never behave like this.” Fingers tapped repeatedly, it echoed. Both his icy and ocean blue eye shifted from the wall to the chestnut-haired Luke. Then Gabriel said, “There is no need to worry, nothing is wrong”. Luke rubbed his eyes, “Don’t lie to me, something is wrong.” Gabriel stood up from the elegant chair and gathered his stuff. He passed Luke as he retreated from what used to be his little heaven in school. Luke couldn’t understand what the hell had happened, but he soon forgot about it as soon as his other friends came along.

The traffic around the unfinished building hummed its usually boring melody. Scraping along the stone wall was a dagger. Its edge dull and cracked, it was something Gabriel could relate to at the moment. Today there were supposed to appear another E rank dungeon. Gabriel knew he had to get some more resources, but he doubted he would make any better profit this time. The headache came and vent as it pleased, inflicting tremendous pain and confusion.

His corner teeth had become like fangs, while his newly developed skills of heightened senses had been erased from his status window. Despite its disappearance, Gabriel felt like he had gotten hundred times better at sensing things.

He had transformed back to his original appearance. Obsidian hair and ocean blue eyes. He threw the dull knife trough the large space, it slid even further after it landed on the concrete flooring.

“Well, this is exhausting. I’m going inside that portal today, but I don’t feel the need for such a dull dagger. It’s too extravagant for my liking. I feel numb I couldn’t care less if I acquire what I’m searching for. Both wealth and revenge would be nice, but I prefer wealth. I’m empty, I don’t care if I fit in this society. It’s dying anyways, so who cares?”

Pebbles were scattered near one of the steel pillars near the madras. Heavy and tiered, Gabriel left the building by using the cracked stairs.

Inside the portal, there was a black sky filled with faint galaxies. The landscape wasn’t that special, even the animals were the same as usual. Clownfish like rabbits with small horns ran in the green slimy mud as hunters chased them.

Gabriel had an ominous feeling. Something was observing them, and it wasn’t the Crown lizard. Something was inside the waters; it was observing quietly. The pain inside his head intensified, it was difficult to stay awake. The creature suddenly snapped towards where Gabriel was standing. Its primitive legs moved fast above the water surface.

That’s when a terrifying growl warned the creature to back off or suffer from the consequences.