Dragon's Awakening: The Duke's Son Is Changing The Plot-Chapter 98 - 97 - A hard decision.

Demons are born from negative emotions, and they thrive in destruction—many know that from the myths.

But it was the truth.

After all, demons targeted broken people or people with evil alignments.

The more pain or suffering one went through, the higher the chances of them getting possessed by a demon.

Now, what would happen if a five- to six-foot-tall human were compressed into a one- to two-foot-tall crystal while keeping them alive?

How much pain would they be in?

It would be greater than the pain of having one’s bones twisted, skin torn apart, and soul torn.

With that much pain, would they not be the easiest target for demons to take over?

They were.

And that was what was happening in the underground room in the Red Magic Tower.

The magic circle below the cages was an ancient magic circle that could pack humans into one- to two-foot-tall crystals while keeping them alive.

The demons then try to get into the heads of those humans, asking if they want to be freed from their pain, and once they agree, the demons take over the body.

However, unlike what one would think, those demons didn’t suffer.

The moment a demon takes over the body, the same crystal that was a cage of torment for the humans turns into an egg for them.

It helps them form a new body, like an egg does to a baby. Then, when they fully mature, the egg hatches, letting the demon free into the world.

Now, hearing those things from Raven, the whole group was stunned for a while.

They couldn’t even speak.

The air in the underground chamber thickened.

The flickering black crystals pulsed like living hearts, their surfaces crawling with distorted faces that twisted in silent agony.

The scent of magic and something far darker—something rotten—filled every breath.

No one spoke.

Then—

"W-Wait, wait, wait..." Alex’s voice cracked, breaking the silence like a snapped wire.

He stumbled back, pointing a shaky finger at one of the glowing cages. "You’re saying these... things are people? Like real people? Like—talking, breathing, burrito-eating people?!"

His voice trembled between disbelief and disgust, his goofy demeanor crushed under the weight of reality.

"Yes," Raven said, his voice quiet.

Alex opened his mouth, then closed it. Then he opened it again. His brain overloaded like someone trying to do calculus during a car crash.

Even he knew there were no jokes at this.

Next to him, Siris’s usual blank smile was gone.

Her wide, pale blue eyes stared into the crystal, and without a word, she gripped her jagged bone dagger, her knuckles white.

For once, the manic glint in her eyes faded.

She, who would rejoice at the mention of anything bloody, was silent today.

She could feel the pain of those inside.

After all, he had been experimented on once.

Jessy was the next to speak.

"...Who builds something like this?" She asked, her voice steady but strained. "What kind of sick bastard comes up with this kind of magic?"

Her eyes locked on the ceiling, then on the bloodstains on the floor, then on the runes beneath the crystals.

She hadn’t seen a lot in her life. But this—This was beyond monstrous. This wasn’t just cruelty. This was the design.

Rufus stood a little to the side, silent, his brows furrowed.

Sweat trailed down the side of his face. His fingers twitched like he wanted to say something, but—

"Rufus," Raven said quietly, not even turning.

He didn’t want Rufus to say something at this moment.

The young Ros Vaise flinched and took half a step back. Then nodded. "Yes... Sorry."

He didn’t even know what he did wrong, but he didn’t speak again. There was too much fear in his heart—not of the crystals, but of Raven.

He didn’t even want to know what he did, as he knew what Raven would say.

"You exist. That’s your fault."

Jake had been silent this whole time, arms crossed, expression unreadable.

But then, finally, he moved.

He took one slow step forward and stared into a crystal.

A faint moan echoed from within—muffled, warped, and distant.

"...They were turned into weapons," Jake said, his voice low, gravelly. "Before they could even say no."

He didn’t say more.

He didn’t need to.

Even Raven gave him a look of silent acknowledgment.

Lia—dressed as Prince Lio—covered her mouth. Her shoulders shook, eyes wide. Her usual fake bravado was gone, and for a moment, she looked every bit the eighteen-year-old girl she truly was.

"Monsters..." She whispered.

Ilzara’s hands trembled at her sides.

"This isn’t... this isn’t supposed to be possible," she muttered, her mind racing. "I’ve read thousands of ancient documents, forbidden archives. Not even the worst rituals I’ve read are this bad..."

Her gaze locked on the cage nearest to her, and she stumbled back.

"They’re alive. And in that state—"

"This is demon magic," Raven cut her off. "How can there be any record of it in the human realm?"

She turned toward him, pale and shaking.

He said nothing more, just nodded once.

She steadied herself.

Then Vernix stepped forward.

The man’s staff clicked against the stone. His face was carved from granite—stoic and calm—but his jaw was clenched, and the red veins of magic crawling up his arms betrayed his inner storm.

Vernix stared at the crystals for a long time.

Then, without turning, he asked, "How do you know all this?"

The words cut through the air like a blade.

Everyone turned to Raven.

Siris looked curious. Jessy narrowed her eyes. Rufus looked stunned that someone else dared to ask Raven that. Even Alex, for once, stayed quiet.

Lia blinked.

Even Nibbles cocked his tiny head.

After all, it was something all of them wanted to know. They just never asked.

Raven’s expression, however, didn’t change.

"...I just do."

That was all he said.

No further explanation. No emotion. Just those three words.

Silence followed, a question hanging in the air like a noose.

Then, one by one, they turned away. They didn’t press further.

Even Vernix, after a moment, let out a slow breath.

"I see," he muttered. "Some things... aren’t meant to be questioned."

Ilzara glanced between the two but stayed silent.

Then, the Tower Master turned back to the crystals.

"Can they be saved?" He asked.

Raven’s voice came out hollow.

"...No."

"Are they already too far gone?" Jessy asked quietly.

Raven nodded.

"But if they’re alive..." Lia began.

"They’re not alive," Raven interrupted. "Not anymore. They can’t move. They can’t think properly. They’ve been shattered down to their most basic instincts. Pain, fear, and survival. That’s it."

He turned to Vernix. "The kindest thing we can do... is end it."

He hated how he couldn’t do anything for them, but even if he tried his best, he would need a divine artifact to restore them to their form.

Maybe he could get it if he begged Grandpa_Hot_Pot, the only divine being that would give him something for free.

But there was nothing that could heal their trauma.

A silence heavier than stone settled.

Vernix nodded grimly.

"Then let us do what must be done."

He raised his staff.

His magic—fire red, stained with a hint of sorrow—ignited in a silent wave. It swept across the room.

One by one, the crystals flared—flashed—screamed in flashes of soundless agony.

Then they turned to ash.

The faces inside twisted one last time... and were gone.

Everyone watched in silence.

Even Alex didn’t move.

Even Siris closed her eyes.

Until all but one crystal remained.

Raven frowned, turning to Vernix. "Did you miss one?"

"One," the Tower Master shook his head and said. "We need to study it. If these demons are creating vessels inside our Tower... then we need to understand the process. We need a sample. Even if it costs one soul."

Raven’s eyes darkened.

"No."

"Raven," Vernix said sharply, "I’ve let you lead this operation so far. But this is my tower. My mages are dying from demon possession and infiltration. I need answers. If there’s even a chance we can develop detection spells, purification techniques, or defensive runes—then I will take it."

There was silence.

Even Alex didn’t crack a joke.

Jessy frowned but said nothing.

Jake’s silence held no judgment.

Rufus looked conflicted, but he, too, knew the value of information.

Lia lowered her head, hiding her face beneath her bangs.

Siris did not react, but her grip tightened on her dagger, her eyes cold.

She was waiting for Raven’s decision.

Raven’s jaw clenched.

He didn’t want to agree.

Every part of him screamed to crush the last crystal.

But...

This wasn’t just his story anymore.

This world had changed.

He had changed it.

He couldn’t control everything.

He looked at the last crystal, its face twitching in agony. The soul inside was still conscious. Still suffering. Still human.

If he left that crystal intact, then the one inside it would have to suffer more.

But he couldn’t do anything.

Because if they wanted to stop this from happening again, they needed to understand it.

Raven closed his eyes.

"Fine."

One word.

A single, bitter compromise.

Vernix gave a silent nod and waved his hand, encasing the crystal in a stasis seal. The chamber dimmed.

The other crystals were gone now. The air felt less oppressive.

But one still remained.

A reminder.

Raven turned his back on it.

His voice was quiet, cold, and sharp as a dagger’s edge.

"Let’s move."

Behind him, Nibbles squeaked once.

Low.

Heavy.

Even the squirrel understood—whatever was happening wasn’t something anyone wanted to do, but it was necessary.

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