There was no pain as I expected, but I felt something shift all over my body. My lips and throat felt dry, and my heart rate increased. I was feeling so energetic that I could run for miles without stopping or breaking a sweat.
Multiple system panels were appearing, but I ignored that for now, observing this new change. Soon the sensation died down; the dryness and hunger still lingered.
"System?" I instinctively asked.
[Check the rest of the panels, Host.]
I complied with the suggestion and looked at numerous panels, one by one.
[Your Primarch bloodline has absorbed the Crimson Sovereign Bloodline.]
[The Crimson Sovereign Bloodline has evolved into the Crimson Origin Bloodline.]
[The New Bloodline is being converted as a vampire trait.]
[Its core effects remain the same; additional effects are added below.]
This was a bit out of expectation; I didn’t know about any evolution. I noticed my slightly pale hands, and that hunger was proof enough that I had transformed into a vampire. Still, I read the panel ahead for further clarification.
– – –
[Vampire trait:]
– Same core effects as of the Crimson Sovereign Bloodline.
[Active effects:]
– Vampire Transformation.
– Due to being absorbed by Primarch blood, you can use your diluted blood to increase the ranks of the vampires that serve under you or create a new vampire.
– Bloodline Suppression (All vampires in existence are suppressed in front of you).
[Passive effects:]
– 100% proficiency in blood magic and blood manipulation.
– +10% to all stats.
– Additional Demonic Mana stat.
– Absolute control over your hunger.
– – –
"Okay, I am speechless. Looking at this, I should consider vampires under me already. But I don’t think it will be that simple," I stated my thoughts.
"Additionally, I thought by absorbing, it meant that I would get only the effects, but I could transform too. That’s useful, but I don’t get the evolution part. System, please explain." I added further.
[A higher-rank bloodline has more chances to evolve when absorbed; that’s just a passive effect. Rule of nature, in simple terms.]
[And as mentioned, all vampires will be suppressed in your presence if you actively use it. Although if the difference between cultivation is high, they may resist a little. But your authority will remain supreme.]
"Hmm...this gives me more ways to increase my strength without increasing cultivation rank. Okay, from now on, unless I don’t actively need it, I am taking all the SSS-rank bloodlines." I declared.
"But I should have absolute control over my hunger, so why am I feeling so thirsty?" I asked about my last doubt.
[It’s just a lingering effect of recent transformation; it will fade out eventually.]
"That’s better, much appreciated system," I remarked.
"Now let’s check the rest for the rewards," I added; the system panel appeared next.
[You have obtained an SS-rank skill.]
– – –
[Name: Soul Brand]
[Rank: SS]
[Type: Demonic Magic/Soul Binding]
[Description: Brands the soul of a defeated enemy, binding them into eternal servitude.]
[Effects:]
– It allows you to enslave enemies after defeat or submission.
– Brand works even after death, anchoring the soul. Bound souls retain abilities they had in life.
– There may be higher resistance from stronger or existential beings.
– Branded souls cannot betray the master.
[Note: Using this skill requires demonic mana.]
– – –
"This is somewhat similar to whatever that organization had in their members, minus the killing part. This skill would have been a better fit for Thane, if not for the demonic mana requirement," I remarked after reading the details.
"Will every skill from this banner require demonic mana?" I asked.
[No, most are interchangeable, and demons can convert the mana into demonic mana or vice versa; only their efficiency and rate of conversion differ.]
"Okay, let’s hurry it up; I have an idea related to my next summon," I suggested.
Within the next few minutes, I checked all the S-rank rewards, and they were all interesting. There were three skills, of which two were useless or unsuitable for me, so I stored them in inventory.
The third skill was a useful one, Demon Flicker, a movement-type skill that provided instant short-range teleportation. I learned that skill immediately.
The remaining five included two different materials, a physique, a consumable, and a piece of equipment. They also became an addition to the long list of hoarded awards.
"Let’s summon another SSS-rank before I focus on cultivation for the tournament. Can you create a vampire summoning banner under this new banner?" I asked.
[Yes, it’s possible, host.]
"Then please proceed," I stated.
[Creating a new sub-banner under The Pact of Kronesthion banner...]
[–500 Origin Points]
[Vampire summoning banner created]
[Would you like to perform an assured pull under the new sub-banner?]
"You know me so well, system. Yes," I answered.
[Commencing an Assured SSS-rank pull]
[–1000 Origin Points]
The process finished with a burning red card at the end, signifying a successful pull.
[Would you like to use the SSS-rank Vampire Summoning card?]
Glancing at the Origin Points before, it was a bit hurtful to see it under twenty thousand. Taking a deep breath, I agreed, "Yes."
The card burst into particles, and soon a blood puddle appeared, which started taking the shape of a humanoid. I focused on the system panel for more details.
[You have summoned an SSS-rank Ancient Vampire.]
– – –
[Name: Damien Valen von Nightshade]
[Race: Ancient Vampire]
[Rank: SSS (locked)]
[Class: Red Silence]
[Title: The Crimson Judge]
[Trust: 50%]
[Core Stats]
Strength – SSS
Agility – SSS+
Endurance – SSS
Demonic Mana – SSS
Hunger control – Near Absolute
[Traits]
Blood Dominion
Eternal Crimson Core
[Skills]
Crimson Edict: Kneel (SSS)
Blood Eclipse Annihilation (SSS)
Ancient Judgement (SSS)
Refined Blood Core (SS)
Silent Accord (SS)
Severer Strike (SS)
Bloodstep (S)
Sentence: Red Silence (SSS)
[Remark: An Ancient Vampire, he perfected the refinement of mana into demonic mana; a bit aggressive.]
– – –
The blood puddle was almost ready, and the silhouette of a man started to appear. "Who is more powerful, him or Thalassa, system?" I asked the burning question as I read his panel.
[In water, nobody is a match for Thalassa unless the cultivation gap is huge. On the land they would be equal.]
The system answer was instantaneous; his 50% trust was a bit of an issue, but I had about 2 weeks’ time before the start of the tournament.
The transformation finished, as the image of a man in practical noble attire, with crimson eyes and long black hair with equally striking face appeared.
His eyes glowed as he spoke, "It’s good to be alive. Now who is this Aiden twe..." He stopped midway like he had seen a ghost as his glowing red eyes landed on me.
He bowed down instantly, hitting his head hard on the floor.
"I greet the Vampire God," he uttered.
[+50% Trust]
"Now, that’s interesting."