Corven instinctively took a step back—not because she was too close, but more out of caution. He’d been stabbed once today. He didn’t plan on giving her a reason to try again, especially not for answering the wrong way.
"And what do you an by that?" he asked calmly, eyes fixed on hers.
"Don’t play dumb. I have eyes and ears everywhere—"
"Those eyes clearly weren’t enough when Lilian got captured," Corven cut her off without hesitation.
The Baroness smirked, unfazed by the jab. She turned around with quiet grace and returned to the velvet bed, sitting down once more with practiced poise. "You’ve got a sharp tongue. Are you really not afraid of ?"
Corven knew better than to pretend. She was powerful—stronger than him in every asurable way. But that didn’t an acting subservient would do him any favors. If he played the obedient servant, she’d treat him like one. Nothing more. Nothing less.
"I’d be afraid," he said, eting her gaze, "if I hadn’t saved your life. And you don’t strike as soone who kills their own savior."
"You speak with confidence," she replied coolly. "But don’t think I’ve forgotten what I asked. I know when soone’s stalling."
Her gaze sharpened. "So again—what exactly are you?"
"I’m just a roaming vampi—"
His answer was cut short. A sudden flicker of shadow zipped past him, and a dagger of condensed darkness embedded itself into the wall behind him, re inches from his head.
He didn’t flinch, but his eyes narrowed slightly.
"You may be special," she said coldly. "But that doesn’t an I won’t test your limits. A special vampire who isn’t aligned with might as well be a threat."
Then, as if reading his unspoken questions, the Baroness began laying out her reasoning.
She ntioned how Lilian’s link had been abruptly severed—a bond that shouldn’t break under normal circumstances. Then she brought up his sudden surge in strength, sothing that even her elite couldn’t replicate in such a short ti. And lastly... she ntioned the most alarming detail: how Corven had managed to decipher Leywin’s magic.
No one else had been able to. Not a single one.
"With all that explained," she said, folding her arms, "how about you tell how you managed to do all of that?"
Corven laughed softly, rubbing the back of his neck and placing one hand on his hip. "You really do have eyes everywhere, huh..."
He was in a bind now.
There was no way he could tell the truth. Explaining the system would only cause more problems. His persuasion skill was still far too weak to affect soone like her, and revealing his crimson eyes or the Codex would probably backfire harder than any lie could.
Which left him with one option: to lie. But not just any lie.
A lie so absurd, so out there, that it might just sound believable coming from soone like him.
He took a breath, steadying himself. Then smiled, playing it cool.
"You have keen instincts," Corven said, shifting into a more serious tone.
But before launching into his fabricated story, an idea ca to him—sothing that might help sell it even more.
"But before I explain anything," he added, tilting his head slightly, "don’t I deserve a reward? I did bring back the heir of Heist... as ordered."
The Baroness blinked, clearly caught off guard by the request. "A reward?" she echoed. "You’re in the middle of being interrogated, and you’re asking for compensation?"
Her expression hovered between amusent and disbelief. "Yes, you’ll be rewarded. But that depends on how you answer my question."
As those words left her lips, Corven held his breath, ntally bracing himself.
’Will it work...?’
Just in ti, sothing flashed in his mind.
[Blood Shop Unlocked]
[Requirent of Use: Complete Next Quest (Done)]
[Access Blood Shop?]
He didn’t hesitate.
’Yes.’
The system responded instantly.
[Blood Shop]
Blood (250 Units) – 1. Evolution Stone: Imdiately increase vampiric evolution (Price varies on current progression)
Blood (150 Units) – 2. Upgrade Stone: Upgrade any skill (Price varies on current progression)
Blood (50 Units) – 3. Skill Chooser: Pick any skill that scales based on current power (Price varies on current progression)
Blood (???) – 4. ???
Blood (???) – 5. ???
Looking over the list, Corven felt a mixture of disappointnt and awe. Every item was powerful—almost too powerful. But that wasn’t the problem.
It was the cost.
’These prices are ridiculous...’
Still, he couldn’t stall forever. The Baroness was still watching, still waiting for his answer.
He made his decision quickly, choosing the one that promised the greatest leap forward.
– Blood (60 Units)
[Evolution Stone (Bought)]
[Use Imdiately?]
’Yes.’
[Ascending...]
Race: Noble Vampire (Partial) → Noble Vampire (Full)
[All abilities now cost 10 less blood units]
’Ten less?!’
The mont the evolution kicked in, Corven felt it—an intense surge of power flooding every corner of his body. His strength doubled. His senses sharpened. His blood moved like fire through his veins.
He looked back at the Baroness, not with fear, but with renewed confidence. The power shift was subtle, but undeniable.
Then, without breaking eye contact, he began his lie.
"I was rely observing your city," he said, voice steady and calculated.
And as he spoke, Corven subtly shifted the appearance of his torn, bloodstained outfit. It beca cleaner, sharper—still fitting his usual style, but elevated. Regal, even. Like sothing a true noble might wear.
He didn’t go overboard. Flashy wasn’t his style.
Just enough to look the part.
The Baroness’s eyes widened. A single bead of sweat slid down her cheek.
Corven had now evened the playing field just slightly.
"I—I see..." she muttered, faltering for the first ti. After all, a full-blooded Noble Vampire standing in front of you, revealing himself casually? It was enough to make anyone second-guess their footing.
Even she couldn’t completely maintain her composure.
Still, she tried.
"And what about the girl’s connection breaking?" she asked next.
Corven didn’t miss a beat.
"I had no part in that," he said smoothly. "Even I was surprised. Could’ve been Leywin’s last resort—a failsafe in case she was ever rescued."
It was a convenient explanation. One that made enough sense to stick... but also dangerous enough to shake the foundations of vampire politics if it ever got out.
The Baroness looked rattled.
And Corven didn’t bla her. If what he said were true, that Leywin could have embedded kill-switches in vampires. That kind of paranoia could tear their hierarchy apart.
"Everything... makes sense now," she said, though she didn’t sound fully convinced. "Almost too much sense, wouldn’t you agree?"
[Bloodreader Activated]
With his evolution, Corven’s Bloodreader skill had improved. It wasn’t perfect—still vague due to her power being higher—but now he could at least read the emotions better behind the mask.
And what he saw was clear.
Uncertainty.
She didn’t fully believe him. But with his new noble status, she couldn’t afford to call his bluff. Not unless she was ready to risk everything.
"But," she said, lifting her chin slightly and locking eyes with him again, "that leaves one more question, doesn’t it?"
Corven blinked. He tilted his head with a tired breath.
’What is it this ti...?’
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