Lilith led the way through the dense, darkened woods, guiding Kai and Elara toward the location where the captured villagers were being held. The eerie silence was only interrupted by the occasional rustle of leaves beneath their feet. As they walked, Kai decided to break the silence.
"So, Lilith," he began, casting her a sidelong glance, "why the obsession with blood magic and power?"
Lilith smirked, her violet eyes gleaming under the dim moonlight. "Obsession is a strong word, Kai. Let's call it... understanding. Blood is the essence of life. It's a currency, a source of power that most fear because they don't comprehend it."
Kai raised an eyebrow. "Right. And sacrificing people in creepy rituals? That's just a bonus?"
Elara scoffed, crossing her arms. "You talk about power like it's the only thing that matters. There's more to life than just becoming stronger."
Lilith chuckled, tilting her head. "Says the knight who follows around a man wielding death magic."
Kai smirked. "She's got a point, Captain."
Elara groaned. "Not you too, Kai."
Kai shrugged. "Look, I get that power is important, but there's a line. Magic shouldn't just be about control or domination."
Lilith's expression darkened slightly. "And what is magic to you, Kai? Just a tool? A means to an end?"
Kai thought for a moment before speaking. "Magic is potential. It can destroy, but it can also protect. I don't believe in power for power's sake."
Lilith smirked, teasingly tilting her head. "And yet, you wield Death Magic—one of the most feared arts in existence. You say you don't believe in power for power's sake, but death itself is absolute power."
Kai was about to reply when suddenly, a ding echoed in his head. A black screen materialized in front of him.
New Skill Unlocked: Blood Manipulation
Skill Details: Unlocks new blood-based spells, allowing deeper control over life energy. Grants access to unique offensive and defensive blood magic techniques. Increases effectiveness when used in conjunction with necrotic energy. Grants the ability to control blood, enhancing offensive and defensive combat techniques. Allows for enhanced regeneration, blood constructs, and blood siphoning magic.
Skill Rank: Intermediate (Upgradable)
Additional Skills Unlocked:
Crimson Spear: Forms a hardened spear of blood and launches it at high velocity.
Hemorrhage Curse: Forces an enemy's blood to boil, causing intense pain and damage over time.
Bloodforged Armor: Temporarily hardens Kai's blood into a protective layer, increasing defense.
Sanguine Rejuvenation: Converts damage taken into stored life energy, which can be used for rapid healing.
Vampiric Grasp: Drains an opponent's life force through contact, strengthening Kai while weakening them.
Kai blinked in surprise, then laughed. "Well then... maybe I can."
Elara's eyes widened in shock. "Oh no. Absolutely not. You are not turning into a blood mage, too!"
Lilith's smirk grew wider. "Oh? Looks like you've just taken your first step into true power, Kai."
Kai waved a hand dismissively. "Relax, Captain. It's just another tool. I don't plan on doing any weird cult sacrifices."
Elara groaned. "I swear, I am surrounded by lunatics."
A few minutes later, they arrived at a clearing where the kidnapped villagers were being held. The moment they saw Kai and Elara, their eyes widened with hope.
"They're here to save us!" one of the villagers gasped.
"Finally!"
"Please, get us out of here!"
Kai stepped forward, his crimson gaze scanning the area before smirking. "Looks like we made it just in time."
Elara cut the villagers' bindings, helping them stand. "You're all safe now. Let's get you home."
Lilith stood slightly off to the side, watching everything unfold without a word.
By the time they returned to the village, the townspeople had gathered, gasps of joy and relief filling the air as they saw their missing loved ones. The old man stepped forward, his eyes glistening.
"You did it... You brought them back."
The village erupted into cheers.
The old man turned to Kai, his expression filled with gratitude. "I don't know what to say... Thank you. Truly."
Kai grinned, stretching. "Oh, no need for thanks, old man. Just another day of stopping cults, saving villages, and looking good while doing it."
Elara groaned. "Does everything have to be about your ego?"
The old man chuckled. "What happened to the cult?"
Kai smirked, throwing a glance at Lilith. "Oh, you know, just had to stop a beautiful half-demon from causing too much trouble."
Elara's eye twitched. "Are you flirting right now?!"
Lilith giggled, stepping closer to Kai and whispering near his ear. "Flirting? My, my, Kai. You do know how to make a woman feel special."
Kai winked. "Oh, I wouldn't want to mislead you... or would I?"
Elara groaned, rubbing her temples. "I swear, you two are unbearable."
Kai clapped his hands together. "Alright, old man, it's been fun, but we've got places to be."
The old man nodded and handed Kai proof of the mission's completion. "Take this, lad. And know that this village will always be grateful."
Kai accepted it with a nod before raising a hand. "Skill: Void Gate!"
A swirling dark portal opened before them, its energy humming.
Kai turned to Elara and Lilith, smirking. "Beautiful ladies go first."
Elara's face turned red with irritation. "You are insufferable!"
Lilith smirked, stepping toward the portal, then paused to brush past Kai, whispering seductively in his ear. "I like a man with good manners."
Kai chuckled. "Told you, Elara. Some people appreciate my charm."
Elara muttered under her breath before storming into the portal first, followed by a grinning Lilith.
Kai cast one last glance at the village, giving the old man a lazy wave. "Don't miss me too much."
Then, with a final smirk, he stepped into the Void Gate, disappearing into the unknown.
Lyra was busy at the guild reception desk, shuffling through reports and stamping mission forms. With a sigh, she muttered to herself, "I swear, if Kai got himself into another disaster, I am not covering for him again."
Just as she finished speaking, a portal suddenly opened in the center of the guild hall. The swirling darkness of Kai's Void Gate skill was unmistakable. The adventurers nearby turned their heads, murmuring in recognition.
Two figures emerged first—Elara and Lilith—stepping through with practiced ease. Then, as expected, Kai strode out, his usual smug grin plastered across his face.
Lyra raised an eyebrow. "Well, well, look who's back. Hey guys."
Kai and Elara responded in unison, "Hey, Lyra."
Lyra leaned on the counter. "So? How'd the mission go?"
Kai chuckled, his crimson eyes gleaming with amusement. "Oh, you know—cultists, blood magic, dramatic rescues, and a beautiful half-demon trying to kill me. Pretty standard, really."
Lyra blinked. "Wait... what?"
Kai gestured toward Lilith, who smirked and gave a small, theatrical bow. "Lilith Veyne, former high priestess of the Blood Moon Cult. Now, let's just say... I'm exploring new opportunities."
Lyra's eyebrow shot up higher. "You mean to tell me she was behind everything?!"
Lilith giggled, her violet eyes gleaming with mischief. "'Behind everything' is such an oversimplification. Let's just say I had... a vested interest in the events that unfolded."
Elara crossed her arms, huffing in frustration. "A vested interest in trying to kill us."
Lyra sighed, shaking her head. "And now she's... what? Joining you guys?"
Kai grinned. "Yep."
Elara groaned loudly, while Lilith smirked, placing a hand on Kai's shoulder. "What can I say? He's quite persuasive."
Lyra exhaled sharply. "I don't even have the energy to argue with this right now."
Kai reached into his coat and tossed a mission seal onto the counter. "Anyway, mission complete."
Lyra picked it up, inspecting it before stamping it as successfully completed. "Well, congratulations, Kai. That was your last Silver Rank mission."
Kai's grin widened. "Which means...?"
Lyra smirked. "Which means your Gold Rank Promotion Test is tomorrow."
Kai chuckled, his aura subtly radiating power. "Oh, Lyra, I was born ready."
Elara crossed her arms. "You better take it seriously, Kai."
Lilith leaned in, her voice smooth and teasing. "Or maybe you'd prefer a little extra motivation?"
Kai laughed, throwing his arms up. "Ladies, ladies—please. I am the Shadow Reaper. This test is just another step in my glorious ascent."
Lyra rolled her eyes. "I swear, if your ego gets any bigger, we won't have room for anyone else in the guild."
Elara groaned, "We already don't."
Lilith smirked, "Oh, I think it's charming."
Kai grinned. "Then let's see how charming I am when I ace that test tomorrow."
Lyra folded her arms, her sharp gaze fixed on Lilith. "Why are you even with them?"
Lilith smirked but didn't answer immediately. Instead, she turned to Kai, watching as his power radiated subtly from him. The energy pulsing around him was something she had never quite seen before.
After a moment, she sighed, her expression unusually sincere. "Because Kai is... different. He isn't afraid of power. He doesn't shy away from what others fear. And..." she chuckled softly, tilting her head. "He's interesting. I like interesting things."
Elara scoffed, crossing her arms. "That's it? You nearly got us killed because you were curious?"
Lyra nodded. "Yeah, excuse me if I don't find that very reassuring."
Kai laughed, waving a hand. "Oh come on, ladies. Let's not be so dramatic. I think having a former cult leader around adds a bit of excitement, don't you?"
Elara rolled her eyes. "That's not the word I'd use."
Kai simply grinned. Then, he lifted his hand, and in a flash of crimson energy, a blade materialized in his grasp. Elara's eyes narrowed, instantly on edge. "What now, Kai?"
Without a word, he dragged the blade across his palm, leaving a deep cut that began to bleed freely.
Elara's face twisted with fury. "Are you serious right now?! What the hell, Kai?!"
Kai chuckled, raising his bleeding hand toward them. "Calm down, Captain. I'm just showing you something cool."
As the blood dripped, he focused his energy and whispered, "Skill: Blood Manipulation."
Immediately, his blood stopped midair, floating above his palm, shifting into various shapes and patterns. The three girls stared, their expressions shifting from shock to intrigue.
"That's... unsettling," Lyra muttered.
"Fascinating," Lilith added, her eyes gleaming with interest.
Elara crossed her arms. "Annoying."
Kai grinned. "Watch this." With a flick of his fingers, his floating blood twisted into a sharp spear, then into dancing wisps, then into a solid shield, before morphing back into a liquid form.
"Okay... that's actually kind of impressive," Lyra admitted.
"Blood is power," Lilith said softly, watching every movement closely. "And you're starting to understand that."
Kai suddenly felt his wound closing, the sensation of healing pulling his blood back into his body. He smirked, letting the last drop return to his hand before it fully sealed.
Elara exhaled sharply. "I don't like this."
Kai grinned. "Of course you don't. That's what makes it fun."
Elara glared, Lyra sighed, and Lilith simply laughed, the three of them watching as Kai continued testing his newfound power.