Originally, I had planned to descend to the location of the vampire lord and engage in a pitched battle.
I didn’t want to drag out this trial any longer than necessary…..
However, due to the vampires occupying the city’s airspace, I had no choice but to completely revise my plan.
Ever since I was spotted by the vampire standing watch at the gate, I beca the target of his blood-arrows, like guided missiles.
Could it be that the vampires possessed blood manipulation abilities akin to a Blood Manipulator like ?
The blood-ford arrows relentlessly pursued , as if determined not to lose , like a predator hunting for its prey.
As botherso as that was, the sheer number of arrows was the real problem.
Even dealing with guided projectiles could be annoying, and with other vampires joining the chase, it seed unlikely I could reach my destination unscathed.
So, instead of engaging the vampire lord in an all-out battle, I decided to systematically eliminate the vampires, starting from the gate and working my way through.
“I never knew this choice would be so effective.”
“You have absorbed the blood-spirits of the vampire.”
“Proficiency increased by 0.1%.”
“You have absorbed the blood-spirit of the vampire…”
“Proficiency increased by 0.1%…”
“You have absorbed the blood-soul of the vampire…”
“Proficiency increased by 0.1%…”
Ever since I destroyed the gate, a sense of excitent surged through my entire body.
The growth didn’t stop.
The increase of 0.1% proficiency in Necromancy from a single slash.
This proved that my strategy to thodically approach and conquer from the gate was not a wrong choice.
In fact, I might have been disappointed if I had just passed by and tried to tackle the vampire lord first.
Although my stamina and magical energy were not infinite, the prolonged battles were gradually wearing down.
But even for that, I realized a solution would soon present itself.
“Skill ‘Blood Manipulator’ has been activated.”
“Chyaahhh…!”
As I slayed countless vampires, the blood that filled the vicinity responded to my gestures.
The wave of blood, reminiscent of a lake, seeped into my fingertips, infusing with vitality.
Both my stamina and magical energy were completely restored.
What’s more, with the remaining blood manipulation power, I attacked the vampires around .
Chya-jajajaak-!
Just as I was hit by their arrows while airborne, I indiscriminately sent forth the blades of blood towards them.
I thought it would be a casual exchange, but unexpectedly, the vampires swiftly began to fear .
“D-Damn, mons- monstrous! We must summon the Lord…! Ugh!”
“Blood Control Technique (血操術)…! Wh- what is this? If you can use Blood Control Technique, aren’t we comrades…?!
Kyahh!”
“This is insane! His blood manipulation ability is stronger than ours!? Th- this is unbelievable…!
Kkkaah!”
Surprisingly, the vampires were quick to be overwheld by fear and astonishnt in my presence.
Seizing the opportunity, I absorbed all the souls of the vampires I had absorbed so far.
Due to the consumption of so spirits of my Necromancy shield, I was hesitant to gather more now.
“Using all acquired souls to permanently increase attributes.”
“Strength increased by 3.”
“Agility increased by 1.”
“Stamina increased by 2.”
“Magical power increased by 3.”
It was great.
Although these attribute increases weren’t as substantial as the spirits of the replicas I absorbed earlier……
it was only natural, considering there were hardly any foes as powerful as .
‘It would have been great if I could easily absorb the skills as well, but it doesn’t seem like it will be that simple.’
With a hint of regret pushed aside, I focused my mind and beca conscious of the weapons of manipulation that the vampires wielded, a veritable mass of swords.
A myriad of weapons,
created by the vampires’ Blood Control Technique, were aid at .
If it were to be unleashed, it could easily create a swarm of swords capable of turning a person into a beehive.
However, despite the countless array of weapons, I did not feel threatened.
And there was a reason for that…
“Skill ‘Blood Conductor’ is greatly activated.”
“The skill interferes with all blood manipulation abilities within the casting range.”
With a mont of concentration, I could easily eliminate this much.
Swoosh!
As if a vessel to contain water had disappeared, the suspended blood flowed down and onto the ground.
The already pale faces of the vampires beca even paler.
“How… How can this be…! How can sothing like this… The God of battle’s bestowed power was interfered with by a re human…!”
“Wha… What in the world…! Apostles! The humans are protected by a deity who sent apostles! It’s because we wiped out all humans in this city and provoked the wrath of God!”
“It’s unbelievable… A… Apostles, you say? God of battle!, hear our please! We have never heard of such a thing! Please, grant salvation to your faithful!”
Although the city was filled with voices that would befit the prelude to an apocalypse……
“Skill ‘Blood Mastery’ is activated.”
I activated ‘Blood Mastery’ without hesitation.
“Huh.”
Srinngg….!
Along the paths of magical energy circuits, magic power was converted into internal energy, and steam billowed from my entire body.
Without resisting the irresistible pleasure and thirst, I dashed toward the vampires.
Srinngg!
With a pair of swords dancing in my hands, I slashed at the vampires’ throats.
The movents had beco even faster and more fluid than before, and I was surprised by my own newfound agility.
Body regeneration?
To the point where the existence of bodily regeneration seed questionable, the vampires fell to the ground one by one.
At least when their upper bodies were completely severed or their heads were cut off, they didn’t seem to regenerate.
‘At this level, it seems their regeneration efficiency is lower than my ashy blood?’
Of course, it didn’t matter much.
If their level of bodily regeneration wasn’t high, it was as good as luck for .
Nevertheless, I couldn’t help but feel uneasy about ruthlessly slaughtering the vampires as they ca.
It was quite understandable.
“They call that a human…? Unbelievable…! It can’t be… like that…!”
“It’s the ancient demon king… It’s not a deity’s apostle, but the demon king has arrived… Hehehe!”
“Oh, ohh! God of battle! Please grant us the courage to drive away the demon king…!”
The vampires who had mistakenly believed to be an apostle of the deity were now crying out that I was the demon king.
‘They’ve taken over a city where humans live and are now acting pitiful.’
Although I, who had recognized the scenario of the 13th floor stage, found it absurd…..
I didn’t bother denying their mistaken beliefs.
Slice!
With astonishnt and despair, they watched the vampire’s heads roll off.
It was as if I truly had beco the bringer of their apocalypse.
»————- ★ ————-«
The urban battle surprisingly didn’t drag on as long as expected.
The vampires, engulfed in fear, had their judgnt clouded to the point where they even chose to flee.
I rely slaughtered the vampires who had beco easier targets due to their lack of resistance.
It was akin to hunting in a ga.
‘And it’s an utterly one-sided hunt at that.’
The outco was quite satisfying as well.
“Using all possessed commanders permanently increases your stats.”
“Strength has increased by 3.”
“Dexterity has increased by 2.”
“Stamina has increased by 4.”
“Mana has increased by 5.”
“All cleaned up.”
After systematically killing the vampires, I noticed that the growth rate of my stats wasn’t bad at all.
At this rate, I was almost surpassing the growth I had achieved from the soul of the previous stage’s replicas.
Of course, my pure abilities would have improved during the 12th-floor trial, but looking from the perspective of my stats, it seed so.
‘If I kill the vampire lord, I might grow even more. This trial is quite satisfying.’
As I felt a sense of contentnt and let out a faint laugh, this happened.
“Administrator ‘Ocean Assassin’ is astounded by your insane killing ability.”
“Administrator ‘Blue Fla Magician’ is greatly intrigued by your combat prowess that transcends reason.”
“Administrator ‘Magic tools producer’ is bewildered by your utterly unorthodox fighting style.”
The ssages from the administrators I encountered on the way up the 13th floor resurfaced in my mind,
Of course, it was evident without a doubt that the circumstances were entirely different from back then.
“Administrator ‘First Dragon Slayer Born in a Thousand Years’ laughs, claiming that your enthusiasm holds heroic potential.”
“Administrator ‘Fallen Heir Of the Blood Demon Cult’ sends accolades filled with astonishnt for your mana manipulation.”
“Administrator ‘Hero of a Fallen World’ laughs heartily, stating that your investnt is quite worth it.”
And it wasn’t just that; even the administrators who supported with their abilities on the 12th floor seed content, as if satisfied with my performance.
It was understandable
After all, the recent carnage I had just inflicted was akin to a solo performance.
While it might have seed like I was following luck to so extent…..
the administrators probably realized that I was the one dominating the battle against the vampires.
“Administrator ‘Ruler of the deep Sea’ finds you interesting.”
“Administrator ‘Boss of the Traitors’ chuckles with great amusent.”
“Administrator ‘Black Demon’ shakes their body as if bored, claiming you are more demonic than demons themselves.”
Even administrators I hadn’t seen before started to appear, showing interest in .
That was a testant to the impact of the massacre.
‘It might be my luck to so extent, making it seem like I’m having a solo performance… but I guess it doesn’t matter.’
Regardless of the situation, if the administrators looked upon favorably, it wasn’t a bad thing.
And then, it happened.
“……?”
Enhanced senses granted by the Bloodline Mastery alerted to an approaching presence that wasn’t hostile.
Slowly turning my head, I saw figures coming from around the area where I had previously destroyed the gate.
It was Andrei Tarkovsky, Michimoto Sachio, and even David Taylor…..
The teammates I had left behind in the woods were now approaching , gazing as if I were a monster.
“We thought you went to find the clerics hidden within the city. Were you still here?”
I had assud they would have rushed to the clerics, but here they were.
I looked at them, wondering why they were still here. David Taylor spoke up as if to answer my question.
“I apologize. From now on, I will follow your lead. Please give your orders.”
It was a peculiar response.
“…….”
Frankly, I thought his apology was out of the blue.
Though I had felt frustrated, I have to admit their strategy in the forest was quite safe .
The reason I hadn’t followed it was purely due to my difficulty in continuing my growth, or so I believed.
But…
“I agree. I had doubted Han Sungyeun’s judgnt, but… I was foolish.”
“Likewise. I thought we were just recklessly rushing in, but it seems that wasn’t the case.”
Other mbers chid in, agreeing with the sentint and even their eyes seed to shine as they did so.
Unlike before, their gazes were filled with not just reverence but a certain degree of respect, leaving bewildered.
‘What’s going on…?’
I hadn’t done anything worth apologizing for,
nor had I perford actions deserving of respect, yet they respected .
‘These are so interesting people.’
It felt like seeing the true power of a hidden master who had been concealing his strength, leaving flabbergasted.
But that didn’t last long.
“Skill ‘Sensory Enhancent’ has been activated.”
Suddenly, the Sensory Enhancent skill activated, sending a tingling sensation up my spine.
“……”
In an instant, I realized where this tingling sensation was coming from.
Kwaaahhh…..!!
It was due to the torrential wave of blood, surging from the central tower of the city.
The sight was reminiscent of a natural disaster, causing my companions’ faces to turn pale…..
However, as I witnessed the flood of blood, I couldn’t help but burst into laughter.
But that was to be expected…
“Vampire Lord…!”
Finally, an opponent worthy of having skills engraved on my Blood Demon Sword had appeared.
[To be continued.]
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