While talking to Freya and explaining some details about the plan, Ben spotted a few potential blood sources in his blood vision. However, the challenge remained in how to obtain blood from them.
Ben could resort to using force to either kill someone or render them unconscious and then drink their blood, but that option felt too extreme and risky. Locating a blood source was one thing, but successfully obtaining and consuming their blood was an entirely different matter.
[Why don't you try using your Influence skill, Ben?]
Upon the system's suggestion, Ben recollected an almost forgotten skill in his arsenal. He had used this skill on Freya once before, and it had proven effective. However, he was uncertain about just how potent this skill truly was.
'Is this skill really that useful? I mean, it won't embarrass me publicly if it fails, will it?' Ben wondered, a growing sense of doubt creeping in. The skill might not be as powerful as it initially sounded.
[ You are not wrong Ben, the probability of Influence skill working depends on many possibilities and conditions. But on the other hand, this is the skill every vampire is born with, for survival. ]
'So there is more to the skill than it looks from the top? Tell me more about the conditions and probabilities.' Ben pondered in his mind, but before the system could respond, Freya asked yet another question.
"Okay, I get why you were telling me to hunt. But you mentioned two reasons for this hunt, what is the other reason?" Freya asked, a sense of satisfaction forming inside her. Just for once, she felt that there was a way for her to get stronger.
"For now, just collect the Rabbit corpses and wait for me here," Ben said as he stood up and walked in a certain direction, ignoring Freya's further questions.
[ You're not entirely mistaken, Ben. The success of the Influence skill depends on various factors and conditions. Let me elaborate.]
[ Firstly, there's a gender effect. As you're male, the skill will be more effective when used on females.]
[ Secondly, the mental state of the target is crucial. Depending on whether the other person's mental state is stable or not, the skill's effectiveness can vary.]
"So, in simple terms, if I were to use this skill on a mentally unstable female, I have a higher chance of success?" Ben contemplated, already formulating a plan for obtaining blood.
[ No, Ben, you've misunderstood. The Female buff only applies in specific situations, like those romantic scenarios and flirting. I highly doubt any female with a broken mental state will be in a romantic mood.]
'In hindsight, it seems I'm not as clever as I thought,' Ben chuckled at his misinterpretation. After a brief silence, he questioned the system again, 'You were talking about special cases, right? What if I use the Influence skill on a random person I've just met?'
[ In that case, the success of your Influence skill will rely on mental strength. If you possess greater mental strength than your target, you'll have a better chance of success.]
[ Additionally, the power of your Influence skill will increase as you level up, so as you evolve, the skill will become more potent.]
"In a nutshell, I just need to find a woman, engage in a bit of flirting, and use my Influence skill to suck her up." Ben laid out his plan in his mind, refining it based on the system's guidance.
[You sound sus-]
Following the in-depth discussion with the system, Ben returned to the hunting grounds, where regular villagers used to hunt for food.
Unfortunately, Ben and Freya had already hunted down more than 50 Rigid Rabbits, meaning there was no more prey left for them.
This depletion was also part of Ben's plan, aimed at discovering the cult or Fane members concealed within the village. He positioned himself on one side of the hunting area, carefully observing the villagers as they attempted to catch the rabbits.
Even though Rigid Rabbits were low-tier creatures, their fangs contained a substantial amount of poison.
While it might not be lethal, the venom could inflict intense pain and leave the victim with a swollen rear end for quite some time. Ben had experienced this first-hand only a few hours earlier.
Normally, when Ben was accompanied by Ray or Alex, villagers would flee in fear. However, being alone, he went unnoticed, as if everything was perfectly normal.
This further solidified his suspicion that the villagers weren't hostile toward outsiders in general but rather a specific group of people.
With a nonchalant stride, Ben approached his target and summoned an ancient spear. Wearing a sly grin, he hurled the spear with all his might toward a blond girl.
The air-splitting sound sent shockwaves through the clearing, and the girl stared at the approaching spear in shock.
Realizing she couldn't react in time, she closed her eyes and prepared for the impact. With a solid thud, the spear struck, but it didn't hit her. Instead, it impaled a Rigid Rabbit, pinning it to a tree.
[ Rigid Rabbit Killed]
[ Exp: +1; No soul essence obtained]
"Ugh, I'm not even getting 2 exp from the kill now," Ben grumbled inwardly, a bit disappointed. The more beasts of the same species he hunts, the lesser exp he will gain from it.
"Um... Thank you... Thank you for your help. I thought I was dead for a second." The blond girl looked at Ben, her face blushing like a cherry, and her body trembling from the sudden turn of events.
[ Good first impression, Ben ]
.....
"More chapters are coming soon" - Sleeplessly Tired Author