Kaido and I were panting, staring at the body of the Rift Warden as the adrenaline began to wear off.
The way we were moving, everything began to take a toll on us.
Even though I was a vampire, the smell of blood began to take its mental toll on me.
I want to use World Breaker, but the notion that if I use it, the universe is against me kind of scares me.
[The way World Breaker works is slightly different. From the moment you attained the World Breaker Route, the universe has seen you as an anomaly.]
[It has been subtle, but the situation you are in can be attributed to the side effects of World Breaker.]
[These sets of misfortune will become greater the more you use World Breaker, but the effects can be halted through various means.]
I stared at the text, the announcer's words blaring in my ears once more.
"Alright folks! For our final challenge is a human! A famous assassin by the name of Yatern. He has been the reigning champion for twelve years!"
Twelve years? Who the hell are we fighting?!
I walked over to Rift Warden, chomping down on it and sucking its blood. It felt ethereal.
I can't describe the taste well, but it tasted a bit like cotton candy; that's the best way I could describe it.
I felt weird drinking blood, but it's the only way I can survive in this world.
[You have drunk the blood of a magical creature. Evolving into an Adept Vampire, also known as a Bloodcaller.]
I braced myself for the worst, expecting another mind-bending evolution, but it actually was that bad; I felt myself grow stronger.
[You have gained the following abilities:]
[You can now create blood of your own, though this will take from your blood reservoir, and it can't be consumed to refuel blood.
[You are able to sense magical creatures based off their blood resonance, as everyone has a unique one. This will make hunting easier.]
[Enhanced speed, strength, durability, etc.]
[Drinking blood temporarily strengthens you.]
[Sunlight no longer instantly kills you, but you have 10 seconds before you burn to dust.]
I stared at the abilities listed. "I need an overview once this is all over." I mumbled.
The gate opened one final time, Kaido and I watching a tall, lithe man step out with two interesting-looking curved daggers.
He had a mask covering his face, the crowd watching in silence as the man made his way toward us.
In a blur, he dashed to the right, me and Kaido becoming on guard, Kaido specifically.
I watched as the man appeared behind him, but I acted quickly, reaching out my hand to push Kaido out of the way.
It was immediately cut off; however, my arm was bleeding profusely as Kaido was stabbed multiple times in the back before being kicked in the head and into the wall.
He's quick!
I regenerated my arm and constructed another blood sword. Yatern looked at me and scoffed, his silver eyes glaring at me as his blonde hair seemed to wave with the dust.
"Why..." I mumbled, dashing forward and swinging my blade. He parried my strike and stabbed me in the throat, bringing his silver and dark green dagger down and gashing me.
I coughed blood, the crowd cheering while others seemed to be saddened, mainly disappointed by my loss.
I wasn't giving up, though, not now. I looked over at Kaido, who had gotten up and was still standing, despite his injuries.
The crowd cheered louder as Kaido threw the sword. Everything seemed to happen in slow motion, but to my dismay, the man dodged.
He laughed, walking back to Kaido to finish the job. Why couldn't I regenerate? I'm sure I was stocked on blood and everything...
[Due to the weapon you were stabbed with, its main function seems to be ceasing healing of any kind for at least a minute.]
That's not even fair!
Fairness. When was life ever fair to me, huh?!
I clenched the ground, looking at the assassin. I thought he was getting paid for this too.
I wondered when things would go my way for once. I'm not going to get taken down here and now just because of some fucking noodle with knives!
I want to be stronger; is that too much to ask? I'll pursue it—anything to live a good life.
I then came to a realization. I've always wanted a good life; I need one, but I can't get it.
I thought back to the way I lived. I wanted to be an astronomer, but I was so bad at math. I never abandoned the dream, but I failed to achieve it.
I tried everything, from tutoring to studying. I believed I could do it, but the more I went on, the more of a pipe dream it seemed.
I got jealous of those who were better; they went on to become great people, while I was stuck at a dead-end job!
[Your Envy exceeds normal thresholds, potential for a-]
I smashed the system interface in front of me. I stood up as my wounds began to heal.
"Shut up," I said aloud as the crowd cheered. I felt roses being thrown at me.
I'll strive to live that comfortable life. To desire is to live, but am I living? No. I must desire endlessly, striving to attain what I cannot.
To strive endlessly, a desert where I yearn for water. A vast ocean where I seek the land. An air of cold where I crave heat.
To strive endlessly is to never truly be alive, but once I have power, I'll live how I please, and this world will see that.
[...]
[Engaging special Envy Route, Obsession.]
I felt different, like I needed to pursue my goal of becoming powerful. No, I want to. It's not a need.
[Due to your obsession with power and a comfortable life, another path is able to combine with the Obsession Route.]
I didn't give a damn about that. The man needs to die.
I dashed forward, stabbing him in the chest before he could even make another move. I grinned, grabbing the back of his neck.
[Replicating attributes... Adding...]
[The target you have obsessed over has had their attributes emulated. You have no use for them.]
I grinned, taking out the sword and biting into his neck, draining him of blood.
The color and life drained from him as he remained paralyzed.
The crowd gasped as the man dropped his daggers, which, once I was done feeding, were promptly picked up by me.
"Come on, Kaido, get up." I said, helping him up. My envy has evolved, yet I feel nothing towards Kaido. That's good.
"Look at you, Mr. Power Boost." Kaido said, laughing a little as he coughed blood, the broken ribs starting to take a toll on his body from the orc fight.
"Our specimens have passed all three challenges, folks! I hope you have your wallets ready! Because the bids for these are going to be through the roof!" The announcer said as the crowd cheered.
Clearly, this was meant to demonstrate our worth to these rich slobs.
Various guards entered the arena, surrounding us. Though I was still in a fighting mood, I'm not so sure about Kaido; he's only human after all.
We were guided to a room, two guards being left behind. "Take off your clothes, except for your undergarments."
Kaido and I looked at each other, sighing as we stripped down to our underwear.
The guards then stepped inside as nurses tended to our more visible wounds, and by our, I meant mainly Kaido's.
Since I was already seemingly healed, the two guards grabbed me. They were cautious with their movements, and they were clearly shaking. However, I wasn't going to do anything to them. I had no need to.
Hopefully, if, by some miracle, Vance is right there, I can give him a good shot or two.
They blindfolded me with a black cloth, taking me somewhere. The ground beneath my feet felt cold and stale, but as I walked, it began to feel smoother.
It switched from cold steel to fresh wooden tiles.
"Great." I mumbled, hearing whispers from the crowd. I wasn't sure if this crowd was a different one or the same.
Probably a mix of both.
"Alrighty folks! We have a rare one today! Here we have a vampire, a male, to be precise!" I felt a smooth hand grip my chin. It wasn't rough, but it was firm.
"Despite going through the trials, it's completely healed and in perfect condition! Skin like chocolate, black hair like the darkness itself, and eyes that remain a mystery to us!" I could feel his gaze despite not being able to see him.
"Now, ones like these are hard to come by! Especially with such a... clean face. That's the vampiric charm, am I right?" The auctioneer said, the crowd laughing in response.
"We'll start at 650,000 gold pieces!"
"1.3 million." A male voice called out. It sounded spoiled.
"1.4 million." Another male voice called.
"That's 1.4 million from number 37! Going once, going twice!"
A feminine voice then called out. "5 million."
The crowd gasped, probably stunned into silence.
"5 million gold pieces from number 84! Going once, going twice, sold!" The auctioneer said as the crowd clapped.
I was escorted off the platform I was standing on, the wooden floor feeling like it was transferring to a soft rug.
I felt a cloak wrap around me, the blindfold being taken off. I was in an unfamiliar room. It was dimly lit with candles, but it smelled nice.
There was a wooden door in front of me, slightly to my left. It opened inward; a woman with long blonde hair and blue eyes entered the room.
She wore a pink and gray puffy dress, having these fluffy fur things on her wrists. She was stunning to look at, almost mesmerizing.
"Greetings, Star. You'll be in my care from now on."