Chapter 173

Karl lowered his deep, dark eyes before turning to face his furious grandfather. "Grandpa, I've never asked you for anything in my life. Whatever you want me to do, I'm in— except this. I'll never hurt Megan." He rose to his feet slowly, skin torn and bloody, with sorcery worms clinging to his wounds. Each time the whip lashed down, the worms would burrow deep to escape, and now, sensing safety, they came out again and started feeding greedily on his blood. Clenching his fists with a sharp snap, Karl shook them off, the worms dropping like they were fleeing a fire. A second later, a silver sorcery worm emerged from the red mole near his wrist. It spread its translucent wings, devouring every last one of the wriggling things. The old man was stunned into silence. "You... when did you master the Sorcery Worm King?" Karl's voice was hoarse, with a crooked smirk tugging at his lips. "With this experiment body of mine, it's only natural. I guess we both know who I have to thank for that." H