Northern stared blankly at the creature he had just created. Even though he didn't do it all from the start, this being existed because of his own actions.
It was neither Koll nor Pangu.
Northern narrowed his eyes. He tried to bring himself closer to look but couldn't. He was forced to sit back down as the pain intensified with each strain.
But at the very least, his condition was already getting better; one side of his body had completely closed like a hole was not just there.
He still managed to frown and intensely examine the creature standing before him.
Its body was a perfect fusion of strength and grace, with muscles defined and taut, yet entirely devoid of any human skin.
Instead, its surface was obsidian black, a shade so deep that it seemed to swallow the subtle blue light of the flames around it.
The texture was like metal, hard and unyielding, but with the unsettling appearance of something more organic-flesh-like, but not flesh.
Running across its nightmarish form were thin, white lines, tracing intricate patterns like circuits on a machine.
These lines pulsed rhythmically, converging in the center of its torso, forming a perfectly symmetrical circle that hummed with an almost palpable energy.
The being's head was devoid of hair, smooth and sleek, accentuating the sharp angles of its face.
The creature was menacing from every angle. The sad thing about this creature was that the system was not showing anything.
Northern had expected some sort of announcement or something that would help him navigate what this being could do, its abilities, and other information he needed to register.
But there was absolutely nothing.
However, at the same time, Northern felt a vivid sense of connection to this being. And it was stronger than the link between him and his clones.
Right now, he didn't know what this creature could do, but he felt like he could know if he wanted to. A subtle feeling like, "If I dig deeper into my memory, I should remember" kind of feeling.
Which was why he decided not to stress it and instead...
"Let's see how well you can do," he said.
"Let's... see... how well... you can do..."
Northern's eyes widened. "What the hell? Did it just speak?"
It said the exact same thing that he had said. However, its speech was rough and babyish. But Northern knew what he heard.
The creature had just spoken. Moreover, it had this hoarse ring to its tone like he also did.
Northern groaned heavily as he forced himself to stand up. He couldn't still bring himself to stand straight, bending as he took a step closer to the creature.
He raised his hand and touched the creature.
"Hey, son," Northern said, feeling himself a little hit.
His gaze lingered on the being for a while as he tried to think of a name. Northern then suddenly remembered something similar between the creature's nature and a certain word from his former world.
He then continued, "Your name shall be Black Mamba from now on."
The creature lowered its menacing eyes to Northern and said roughly,
"Black... Mamba."
Northern smiled smugly and nodded his head.
"Yes, you get it. Black Mamba. Now, Black Mamba, it is time for you to fulfill your first assignment."
Northern slowly retreated to his seat and snapped his hands.
Immediately, Black Mamba disappeared from the Void Palace, instantaneously appearing on the rooftop.
The Emperor was about to jump off in pursuit of something when he suddenly froze for a second.
He grimaced and slowly turned back, this time his teeth were gritting and his demeanor carried an almost palpable air of discomfort.
Compared to before, where he didn't seem bothered.
Before him stood a being which he couldn't make out. What was it? Human? Or monster?
It felt completely different from any human or monster he had ever encountered.
And this man right here had encountered a lot of monsters.
Both stood silently, gazing at each other. At first, Black Mamba appeared dumbfounded and deadpanned.
Then, as the seconds ticked by, an expression of realization slowly crept into his facial features. For the first time, Black Mamba frowned.
The kind of tense, discomforted smile that the Emperor had on.
"What are you, and who sent you to me?" the Emperor inquired as he lowered his leg into a profound martial art stance.
Black Mamba stood indifferent, tilting his head sideways as he observed the Emperor.
After a moment of silence, he responded, "Black Mamba," with a slight speech impediment.
"What an odd alias... I'm not one to talk too much, but I will make an exception for you. I don't know what you are, but I perceive you to be a strong person. However, I can tell that you have an insane amount of potential."
He breathed in, breathed out, and continued, "I will kill you. If you think you want to save yourself right now and give yourself more time to grow before facing me, then I will allow you to go. And I'm only saying it once." His voice was as defined as his words.
However, all Black Mamba did was tilt his head right and left like a curious puppy.
The Emperor sighed, "I guess that's your answer." Then he vanished.
Before Black Mamba could blink, the Emperor buried a punch into his torso, causing his entire skin to ripple. There was a slight delay as the force amounted and settled in.
Following that, the plates of the rooftop disintegrated under the intense force as Black
Mamba rolled, spinning as he flew away with that punch.
He crashed into the next building, and the entire thing trembled, cracks running through all
of it.
The Emperor's frown got darker, he looked at his smoking hand and muttered,
"It... hurts?"
He didn't know what exactly had happened, but punching directly at the strange creature's skin made his fist hurt.
He was sure he had landed a very powerful blow. At the same time, he was unsure what had
happened.
He averted his gaze from his hands as the building Black Mamba crashed into began to
tremble.
The Emperor narrowed his eyes, but suddenly they widened as something drew a quick black
line, drawing his attention.
Black Mamba was there, above him, floating and slowly coming down, unscathed.