Tatsuya had no time to rest after escaping the enemy. The pages of the Blood Sword's journal forced him to confront a harsh truth: his journey was far more dangerous than he had anticipated. He realized that the clues he had gathered from the journal and the blacksmith's village were merely the surface of a much larger conspiracy slowly unraveling before him.
Determined to uncover the truth behind the missing pages of the Blood Sword's journal, Tatsuya set out on a quest to follow every lead contained within those ancient writings. He believed that they held the key to revealing the true nature of the Blood Sword and the real reason behind the mysterious disappearance of the three legendary heroes. To do so, he needed to explore the ancient ruins described in the journal.
This journey led Tatsuya to a remote and long-forgotten area deep within a tropical rainforest. There, he discovered an ancient temple, its walls covered in thick moss, eroded by the passage of time. The temple was known as the "Temple of Blood," a place where warriors of old would come to seek power through brutal rituals. Tatsuya understood that the power of the Blood Sword, if left unchecked, could have easily turned its wielder into a terrifying villain rather than a hero.
As Tatsuya ventured deeper into the temple, a heavy and ominous atmosphere settled over him. The crumbling stone walls, adorned with carvings of warriors locked in bloody combat, seemed to emanate a sense of rage and madness. He knew he was stepping into a dangerous place, one that held the uncontrollable power of the Blood Sword.
In the heart of the temple, Tatsuya found a vast chamber. At its center stood an ancient stone altar, stained with the dried blood of long-forgotten rituals. Atop the altar rested a strange artifact, glowing with a vibrant red light, as if it were alive. As Tatsuya approached, he felt a powerful force pulling him closer.
The moment he touched the artifact, a bone-chilling cold spread through his body, and for an instant, everything around him vanished. Tatsuya was plunged into a dark void, where only shadows existed. A deep, cold voice echoed in his mind: "You have awakened me, Blood War System. If you seek power, embrace my thirst for blood."
Tatsuya felt a surge of immense energy flooding his veins, but along with it came a sensation of madness, a loss of control that threatened to consume him. The Blood War System began to merge with his mind, granting him unprecedented abilities. He could now see every detail, every weakness of his enemies more clearly than ever before. But at the same time, he realized that to wield this power, he would have to sacrifice his very sanity.
According to the system, it amplified the user's basic strength and abilities in ways that defied natural laws. Historical records carved into the temple walls spoke of an S-ranked warrior who had become invincible through the system a monster on the battlefield. Yet, something had gone horribly wrong. The warrior, once a hero, had turned on his allies, slaughtering even his closest friend.
Tatsuya shuddered as he read the description of the S-ranked warrior controlled by the Blood War System. The story of the undefeated beast on the battlefield, who had killed his own comrades, reminded him of the Blood Sword. The images of a hero once revered, now turned traitor, began to align in Tatsuya's mind. A terrifying truth emerged before him: the legendary hero, Blood Sword, was the very same invincible warrior, driven to madness by the system's influence.
"So that's why he kept calling himself a traitor in his journal," Tatsuya's heart raced as he realized the connection between the Blood Sword and the Blood War System. What he had been reading was not just a distant legend but a warning to himself. The power of the system did not merely enhance one's fighting capabilities it gradually eroded the user's soul, turning them into a bloodthirsty maniac, unable to distinguish friend from foe.
Reflecting on the Blood Sword's journal, Tatsuya saw the fear and agony the hero had suffered under the system's control. The Blood Sword had not been a traitor by choice he was a man thrust into darkness by the very power he wielded. The price of absolute strength had been isolation and overwhelming guilt.
"No, the madness is clearly a side effect of the Blood Sword," Tatsuya whispered to himself. As he searched further through the ancient temple, he discovered a vital piece of information etched into the walls. It was a crucial clue, a passage detailing the Blood Sword's transformation:
Blood Sword:
Attack: 3.5
Defense: 4
Speed: 2
Endurance: 5
Ability: Blood Sword (Class S) - After killing an enemy, the wielder slightly heals wounds and temporarily increases base stats. This effect can stack infinitely (no active skills). In battle, it automatically creates a weapon from blood that grows stronger alongside its master.
After Ritual:
Attack: 3.5 (+1)
Defense: 4 (+1)
Speed: 2 (+1)
Endurance: 5 (+1)
Ability: Blood Sword (Class S) - Continuous healing, even without killing enemies. Upon defeating an enemy, the wielder experiences a significant recovery boost and an increased base stat, with infinite stacking potential. In battle, the system creates a blood weapon, growing stronger with its wielder. There is a low chance of fully absorbing enemies and permanently gaining 0.25 random stats.
Skill: Instantly falls into a frenzy upon sensing blood; the more blood, the deeper the frenzy (passive).
Reading the detailed account of the Blood Sword's abilities, Tatsuya grasped the terrifying nature of the power the system bestowed. Before undergoing the ritual, the Blood Sword had already been a formidable warrior. But afterward, the changes made him an unstoppable war machine, driven to madness whenever he smelled blood.
"This is the madness the Blood Sword warned about," Tatsuya muttered. "It wasn't his nature that changed the system twisted him into someone who could no longer tell friend from foe."
Tatsuya now understood why the Blood Sword had killed his allies. It wasn't out of choice, nor was he the traitor his legend had painted him to be. Instead, it was the inevitable consequence of embracing the Blood War System's power. Tatsuya couldn't help but feel pity for the Blood Sword, a hero who had been destroyed by the very strength he sought. Now, Tatsuya faced the same peril. If he wasn't careful, he might follow in the Blood Sword's footsteps.
"I can't let that happen," Tatsuya vowed. "I have to control this power I have to understand it before it consumes me."
Determined, Tatsuya continued to search through the journal for clues about the ritual the Blood Sword had undergone. Finally, he found a short passage written in ancient script, difficult to decipher:
"The Blood Ritual is not for the faint of heart. Only those with unyielding will can harness the terrible power it grants. But even the strongest will be tested by the madness, by the insatiable thirst for blood. The greater the power, the steeper the price."
These words gave Tatsuya pause. He needed to become stronger to face the dangers ahead, but he wasn't willing to lose himself in the process. He recalled the Blood Sword's journal entries, filled with sorrow and guilt. Tatsuya had no intention of walking that same path. But what he hadn't noticed was the final note in the Blood Sword's journal: "I once believed I could control this power."
Exhausted, Tatsuya returned to the temple's entrance as the first rays of sunlight broke through the dense canopy of the forest, bringing warmth and a sense of renewed hope. He was determined to continue his journey, but this time with greater caution. Tatsuya knew that true strength came not just from numbers or combat skills, but from controlling oneself and refusing to succumb to darkness. Unbeknownst to him, within the depths of the temple, a piece of parchment materialized from thin air:
Tatsuya:
Attack: 3.075
Defense: 3
Speed: 2.575
Endurance: 2
Ability: Comprehensive Growth (Class A): Increases all base stats by 0.075 points annually. Slightly enhances natural healing (hidden).
After Ritual:
Attack: 3.075 (+1)
Defense: 3 (+1)
Speed: 2.575 (+1)
Endurance: 2 (+1)
Ability: Comprehensive Growth (Class S): Gains a permanent 0.075 stat increase annually. Heals minor wounds quickly, with longer recovery for more serious injuries. Can resurrect once after death, reverting to the pre-ritual state but retaining all abilities (stat gains excluded). Immune to frenzy, with reduced effects of harmful abilities.
The journey ahead was long, and the mysteries of the Blood Sword, the three legendary heroes, and the greater conspiracy still awaited Tatsuya. But now, he was no longer as afraid. With resolve and newfound wisdom, Tatsuya knew he would overcome whatever lay in his path. The sunlight filtered through the leaves, casting shimmering beams on the path ahead. Tatsuya had changed, but it was a necessary transformation for him to continue. Though the darkness ahead loomed deep, with his determination and newfound strength, Tatsuya was confident that he would uncover the truth hidden within the shadows.