Elliot acted swiftly, tucking the device into his jacket. It was a well-timed move, as moments later, the front of the blacksmith shop erupted into a massive fireball, sending flames and debris cascading through the air. Reacting with the agility and speed that had served him well in countless situations, Elliot vaulted over the main desk, landing safely behind it. He took cover, his heart racing as he heard the unsettling declaration that pierced the chaos.
"The Crimson Dawn Alliance is here to smoke a rat out!"
The voice, laced with authority and an air of menace, sent shivers down Elliot's spine. He knew all too well that the Crimson Dawn Alliance was not a group to be trifled with. They were relentless, and their presence here could only mean trouble.
Peering over the counter, Elliot observed the scene with caution. The blacksmith shop had been transformed into a blazing inferno, the flames dancing with malevolence, eager to consume everything in their path. The once-humble workshop now lay in ruins, and the defiant roar of the fire competed with the distant echoes of the city's bustling streets.
The Crimson Dawn Alliance members, dressed in uniforms that bore the emblem of their faction, were scattered around the shop, their eyes scanning the wreckage as they searched for their target. Their determination was palpable, and the burning firelight cast sinister shadows across their faces, giving them a fearsome and relentless aura.
Elliot's instincts told him that the situation was perilous, and he knew that he couldn't afford to be caught by this formidable group. The alliance was relentless in its pursuit, and he was not about to underestimate them. With the device hidden safely within his jacket, he had a choice to make: confront this ominous force or slip away and evade their grasp.
Elliot looked at his situation and said, "System, show me my status,"
System, "Race: Demonic Dhampir (Part Demon, Part Vampire, Part Human)
Level: 12
Experience Points: 45/150
Free Stat Points: 8 (1 per level)
Strength: 34 (+8.5)
Agility: 74 (+18.5)
Endurance: 47
Intelligence: 22
Health: 200
Charisma: 7
Luck: 6
Blood Energy (BE): 50/200
Abilities:
1. Crimson Acceleration - C tier (100 BE)
2. Lesser Blood Control - D tier (growth) - (1 BE/second) (Previously was Minute Blood Control - F tier)
Titles: None
Adventurer Rank: None
Weapons:
• Arth and Lily (Twin Swords)
• Boosts: +25% Strength, +25% Agility
Abilities: Crimson Cross Slash: Use 75 BE to execute a ranged cross-slash attack by channeling your blood energy through the swords."
Elliot weighed his options as he considered the situation. With his current status, he knew that confronting the Crimson Dawn Alliance members head-on would be a risky endeavor. His depleted blood energy points were a pressing concern, and taking on multiple opponents would be a daunting task, even with his enhanced agility and strength.
"System, assess my surroundings. Are there any viable escape routes?" he inquired, his voice laced with urgency.
The System responded, "Scanning for escape routes... Multiple alleys to your left and right offer potential escape paths. However, your best chance of evading the Crimson Dawn Alliance may be through the trapdoor in the blacksmith's shop."
Elliot considered his options. The alleys would provide immediate escape routes, but they carried the risk of being cornered or pursued relentlessly by the alliance. The trapdoor, on the other hand, offered the element of surprise, a potential sanctuary to regroup, and, hopefully, a safe route away from this perilous situation.
A sense of determination washed over him as he realized that his decision could impact his future significantly. With that in mind, he reached for the trapdoor, his heart racing and his crimson eyes reflecting a resolve to outsmart his pursuers. But just as he moved towards the trapdoor, a fireball landed square on it.
The fiery explosion that engulfed the trapdoor caught Elliot off guard. With a roll and a desperate scramble, he barely escaped the conflagration's deadly grasp. As he emerged from the smoke, coughing and disoriented, he found himself smack in the middle of the room, surrounded by the Crimson Dawn Alliance members.
Devlin, the leader of this squad and harbinger of a burning rage, was at the forefront. His eyes burned with madness, fueled by the humiliation of a previous defeat at the hands of Kael, which he irrationally blamed on Elliot. He declared with manic fervor, "Nowhere to run now, rat!"
Elliot's heart raced as Devlin lunged at him, his body enveloped in searing flames. The room felt like an inferno, and the walls seemed to close in on him. He gritted his teeth, fully aware of the dire circumstances, and prepared to defend himself with all the agility and combat skills at his disposal. The battle with Devlin and the Crimson Dawn Alliance had begun, and it was a fight for survival.
As the flames danced around Devlin, Elliot's mind raced, his instincts kicking in as Devlin lunged, his fiery fists poised for a devastating strike. The room became an arena of flames, with the rest of the Crimson Dawn Alliance watching Devlin and Elliot's fierce showdown. The temperature soared, and the air crackled with energy. Elliot, with his survival instincts in high gear, leaned to the right with lightning-quick reflexes, narrowly evading Devlin's fiery fist.
Devlin's grin only grew more sinister as his clenched fist detonated into a fireball that shot forth and collided with Elliot's face. An agonizing scream of pain erupted from Elliot's lips as the fiery projectile engulfed him. He jumped aside, desperately trying to extinguish the flames that now clung to his clothes.
Despite the searing pain and the scorching heat, his eyes blazed with determination and fury. He stared at Devlin with a deep resolve, and the spectators watched in amazement as Elliot's face began to heal before their eyes. His supernatural resilience was a testament to his Demonic Dhampir lineage.
In the blink of an eye, the pain subsided, and the burns on Elliot's face vanished. His skin repaired itself as if nothing had happened, leaving a daunting figure before Devlin. The expression on Devlin's face shifted from arrogance to disbelief. He had just witnessed the manifestation of Elliot's supernatural healing abilities.
The atmosphere was electric, filled with the anticipation of a battle between two formidable opponents. The clash between fire and a blood-empowered warrior was far from over, and both combatants were determined to prevail, no matter the cost.
Elliot, amidst the fiery battlefield, felt the weight of the situation pressing upon him. Desperation had driven him to consult the mysterious voice within.
"What should I do?" he inquired, uncertainty creeping into his voice.
"You have a system and a transformation; use it," the voice responded, its tone a mix of reassurance and encouragement.
In a moment of crisis, Elliot turned to the system for guidance. "System, what is the best strategy to leave this situation alive?" he implored.
The system's response was swift and concise. "Identifying threats. There are 14 threats to the enemy in the current vicinity. The majority of their strength is focused towards the main door to prevent Host's escape. Out of the 14, 4 are full-fledged Planar level warriors, while it is only the lowest rank of Intergalactic Entities. Host is yet to even qualify for such a ranking. 8 of them are a step away from Planar level, while 2 of them are weaker than you. The perfect target for the Host is the threat behind the host at 7 o'clock. It is recommended to attack that entity, grab him with you, and jump out of the window he is standing next to."
Elliot absorbed the information, his determination solidifying as he prepared to execute the daring plan. "Okay," he responded, a steely glint in his eyes. His heartbeat quickened, and he readied himself for the perilous path that lay ahead.
Elliot's transformation marked a stark change in his demeanor. His eyes illuminated with a sinister scarlet hue, and a bony protrusion emerged from his forehead. His physical attributes underwent a subtle but profound alteration; his height increased, and his muscles became more pronounced. This was the "Semi Demonic Vampire Transformation," a power that offered him enhanced speed and strength.
Feeling the surge of newfound vigor coursing through his veins, Elliot took in his surroundings. He recognized that his speed had transcended the boundaries of ordinary human limitations; he was now on par with a Planar Entity, a realization that bolstered his confidence.
With a daring plan forming in his mind, he decided to employ a familiar tactic. This marked the third time he had resorted to it. In a calculated move, he made a precise cut on his palm, a discreet act meant to gather the vital component that would fuel his abilities: his own blood.
Devlin, however, wasn't inclined to wait and watch. With a fiery tornado swirling around him, he lunged at Elliot, relentless in his assault. The blazing inferno of a man sped toward Elliot, flames licking at the air.
In a decisive maneuver, Elliot ducked at the last moment, a wily grin curving his lips. Seizing the opportunity, he deployed his blood manipulation ability. With precision, he released a substantial amount of blood directly into the path of Devlin's fiery onslaught. Upon contact, the two elements converged, the blood mingling with the flames to create a gruesome and obscuring bloody steam that rapidly enveloped the entire shop.
The thick and bloody haze drastically reduced visibility, turning the battleground into a chaotic and disorienting melee. In the cover of the crimson fog, Elliot held his ground, a glimmer of satisfaction in his scarlet-tinged eyes.