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William (POV)
Our journey to the eastern country has been long and filled with trials, but it was necessary for young master Victor's safety. After nearly a year of travel, we finally reached the border of this foreign land. The difference in the environment is striking—where the deserts we crossed were harsh and unforgiving, this country is lush and green, a haven compared to the desolation we left behind. Here, I can find an abundance of food for young master Victor, and the air is thick with the scent of life.
The young master remains a quiet child, rarely making a sound unless he's hungry or needs his diaper changed. His silence is both a blessing and a curse. While it makes our travels easier, it also reminds me of the weight he carries even at such a tender age. But when he does cry or smile, it's like the world pauses, his expressions so pure, so innocent.
"You're such a silent little one," I murmured, gently wiping a stray tear from his cheek. "But I know you're stronger than you let on."
I've observed things about young master Victor that set him apart from others of his kind. He's resistant to sunlight—a rare trait even among pureblood vampires—and he has a surprising taste for fruits and vegetables, something unheard of in vampire lore. This is no ordinary child; he's a rare hybrid, a blend of powers and traits that I've never encountered before.
NehNehNeh.
A soft, insistent sound pulls me from my thoughts. I glance down to see Victor reaching out, his tiny fingers grasping at the air. "Ah, I almost forgot your peaches," I said with a gentle smile, pulling a few from my satchel. He adores them, and though he still needs blood to sustain himself, I want him to experience life in all its simplicity, just as a human child would.
"Here you go, little master," I cooed, holding a slice to his lips. He nibbled on it contentedly, and for a moment, all was right in our world.
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Victor (POV)
Days passed in a blur as I experimented with my shadow pets, summoning them in secret whenever William wasn't looking. They were loyal, almost worshipful, and I found comfort in their presence. But despite their company, I couldn't shake the feeling of restlessness. We'd been traveling for so long, avoiding humans, that I hadn't seen a single battle, not even a small skirmish. Where were the bandits and wars William had warned me about?
"Perhaps he's been keeping me away from the action," I mused, frustration simmering beneath my calm exterior. Despite being hunted by vampires, I hadn't witnessed any violence, no slaughter, nothing to test the strange thirst I felt in my veins.
But that was about to change.
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Time Skip (~3 days)
Bandit Leader (POV)
I've led my men through countless raids, each more successful than the last. But tonight, there's a heaviness in the air, a sense of foreboding that I can't shake. As we trailed the foreigner, I felt something I hadn't felt in years—fear. There was something about the way he moved, the child cradled in his arms, that sent chills down my spine.
When we finally cornered him at our ambush point, I got my first real look at his face. Even in the dim light of dusk, his red eyes burned like embers in the night, and I knew, deep down, that we were the prey tonight, not him.
"What's the matter with you?" one of my men hissed, noticing my hesitation. "It's just one man and a kid!"
But as I opened my mouth to give the order, the child cried out, a sound so soft yet so piercing that it cut through the silence like a knife. The man in the hood glanced up, his lips curling into a smile that sent every instinct in my body screaming to run.
But how could I? I'm the leader. I couldn't show fear in front of my men. They looked to me for strength, and if I faltered now, I'd lose more than their respect—I'd lose control.
"Attack!" I shouted, my voice betraying none of the terror gripping my heart.
What followed was a blur of blood and shadows. One moment, my men were charging forward, the next, they were falling, one by one, as the hooded figure moved with inhuman speed. The ground was slick with blood, the air thick with the scent of death. I watched in horror as one of my men rolled to my feet, his neck snapped cleanly, blood splattering across my face.
"Please…" I begged, falling to my knees as the man closed in on me. But it was too late. Darkness claimed me as my body crumpled to the ground, the last thing I saw was the red glow of his eyes.
---
William (POV)
The bandits didn't stand a chance. After draining the life from each of them, I felt a familiar warmth settle in my chest—their memories now mine, their language absorbed into my mind. They were fools to think they could harm young master Victor. I would show no mercy to those who dared make him cry.
"Rest now, young master," I murmured, offering him some of the blood I'd collected. He stopped crying almost immediately, his tiny fangs sinking into the flesh with a hunger that belied his small size.
"These humans dared to stand against me," I spat, wiping my mouth with the back of my hand. "They should have known better than to challenge a pure-blood vampire."
But I was too preoccupied with my anger to notice the subtle shift in Victor's demeanor, the way his eyes darkened and shadows began to coil around him, their red eyes gleaming in the darkness.
---
Victor (POV)
As the bandits surrounded us, I felt a thrill of excitement. Finally, something interesting. Summoning my shadows had been a secret joy, but now I had real enemies to test them on. As they fell, one by one, I couldn't resist the urge to try something new.
"Awaken," I whispered, and the shadows obeyed, rising from the bodies of the fallen bandits, their forms taking on a more defined shape. Their eyes glowed red, lines of power coursing through them, forming a shadow dragon symbol on their chests. They were perfect.
But I kept them hidden from William, returning them to the shadows with a mere thought. I didn't need him to know yet. This power was mine to control, and it was only the beginning.
The world was full of death—war, disease, drought, all claiming lives by the thousands every day. And each death was an opportunity, another soldier for my growing army.
"I will build an army," I vowed quietly, my eyes gleaming with determination. "A trillion shadows strong, enough to dominate the darkness of the earth."
My thoughts drifted to Silver, my system, and I called it up to check on my progress.
---
System: Silver
[8:00 pm, Time period after Apocalypse death]
[Place: Shang dynasty]
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Name: Victor Black
Gender: Male
Age: 1 year (+)
Family: Black
Race: Dracula [Vampire(pure blood) 20%/Shadow (Evil) Dragon 80%] (Not mutant)
(Locked) Race evolution:
Racial level: Dracula(Lv1)
Job: Shadow lord (Lv1), vampire lord (Lv1), Dragonlord (Lv1)
World: Marvel Universe
Level: LV11(500/1100)
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ABILITY:
Anti-aging (Unlocked - normal aging until 22), Shadow control (Unlocked), Dragon skills (Unlocked), Shadow vampire awakening (Unlocked), Shadow awakening/summoning (Unlocked), Ruler Aura (Unlocked), Blood control (Unlocked), ??? (Locked).
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HP: (30/30)
MP: (45/45)
STR: 13(+)
AGILITY: 12(+)
INT: 9
STAMINA: 12
PAIN RESISTANCE: 5 (Max-10)
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Dragon pets: 1 lord class Shadow Werewolf, 10 shadow werewolves, 1 disaster class Shadow Hydra.
Shadows: 30
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Daily quest: Get ready to be strongest in shadow > Shadow dragon monarch.
Sleep for 12 hours (Reward Skill point – 0.01)
Drink milk (locked) - 500 ml (Reward - 5 Exp)
Drink blood (Unlocked) - 100 ml (Reward - 10 Exp)
(Warning! - Failure of Quest results in punishment.)
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Inventory: Dragon tail chain blood whip, Blood scorpion dagger, Dragon monarch sword.
---
Seeing the new whip, dagger, and sword in my inventory brought a smile to my face. These were no ordinary weapons—they were soul-bound, destined to grow stronger with me. I was becoming powerful, and in a world as dangerous as this, power was everything.
"I'm becoming stronger," I murmured, satisfied. "In the Marvel Universe, power is survival."
A soft chuckle escaped my lips. The journey was just beginning, and with every step, I was closer to becoming the strongest being in the darkness of the earth.
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Author's Note: I've decided to take a slower pace with the timeline, as this novel is more about the daily life of Dracula rather than an adventure. See you later.