Chapter 41: Are you worthy?

Chapter 41: Are you worthy?Damon was pleasantly surprised with this new development. This could be a potentially fast route to get a nobility rank in the game and it was a huge deal when it came to skills later on. The nobility always got better skills on evolution. That was just the way it worked. While Damon was staring at the contribution panel forming plans in his head, Varnyx muttered something about getting started and began to walk away. "Shit, wait." Damon hurriedly called after him. He was caught up in this new quest that he almost forgot the real reason why he came here. His blood manipulation skill book! There was a way he could use this skill book right now and here even though there were requirements listed on it. While he was at it, he could also gain extra health point and improve the basic constitution of his body. In his last life, this secret was only discovered 2 years into the game and by then it became unusable for most vampire players. Instead of a strong foundation, all they were able to get was a small boost later on. However, now Damon had the chance to forge his body right from beginning. Awakening his bloodline was the start and this was the second part. Sёarᴄh the novёlF~ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. And if everything goes well, his combat power both in the game world and in the real world should be doubled. He caught up to Varnyx just before the elder vampire disappeared into another side corridor. "Sir Varnyx, one more thing," Damon said. The vampire turned slightly, his expression unreadable. "Speak, blood initiate." "I wish to attempt the Body Tempering Ritual." For the first time, Varnyx showed a true reaction—a flicker of genuine interest passed through his ancient, weary gaze. He took a step closer, his staff clicking sharply against the stone floor. "Body Tempering," Varnyx mused. "A rite lost to most. A method of strengthening the body at the most primal level. Few of our kind now possess the knowledge... and fewer still the bravery to attempt it." Damon didn’t move. His heartbeat was steady. This was the chance he had been waiting for. "Very well," Varnyx said after a pause. "I shall prepare the ritual circle. But be warned, initiate. Body Tempering is not without cost. Should your will falter... your blood will rebel. You may die here, and your soul will be erased. Permanently." A chill slithered down Damon’s spine. Permanent death? Why did he feel that this was not a simple matter? "I am ready," Damon spoke with determination. "Don’t be so overconfident, blood initiate. It is good to beleive in your skills but know your limits. Since the ancient era, only those from the royal families have managed to survive the ritual. And you are no royal blood. A carp cannot become a dragon." Varnyx’s voice echoed through the empty halls, every syllable heavy with ancient power. His words weren’t intended to scare Damon—at least not entirely. They were a test in themselves. A final, grim reminder that the path he was about to walk was lined with corpses far greater than him. He was only doing this to make sure Damon knew the danger. Damon, however, didn’t flinch. His eyes only sharpened, gleaming crimson under the faint glow of the hall’s dying torches. Royal blood or not, he would survive. He had no intention of staying a pawn on someone else’s chessboard, not in this life. Yes, he had the primordial bloodline. But it was fragmented and only partial. It would be foolish to think he could achieve everything and come out in flying colors just because of the bloodline. However, he did not have just the bloodline. He had 3 years of experience! If someone from his last life could do it, then he too could do it. He had honed his skills for almost three years now. He had almost stood at the top of the game. He had the ability to pass this. Varnyx observed him in silence for a few heartbeats longer. Then, with a faint look of sneer and contempt on his eyes, he nodded. "So be it," the vampire said. "But before I begin to prepare for the ritual, you need to prove yourself worthy of even standing within the circle." Varnyx raised his staff and tapped it against the floor once. A deep, resonating hum filled the cavernous hall. The ground around Damon shifted, and from the shadows of the broken pillars and the cracked stone emerged figures—ghostly silhouettes. They weren’t beasts or simple monsters. They were echoes of fallen vampires, warriors who had attempted the ritual and failed, leaving fragments of their despair and ambition behind. "You will face the Fallen," Varnyx declared coldly. "Each one embodies a desire unfulfilled, a strength unproven, a will that crumbled. Defeat them... or join them." "By the blood’s decree, you will only use your blood skills to defeat them. I sense corruption within you, cut it off. Blood and blood alone is the true supremacy." Damon nodded, even though he had no plans to do something like that. However, he was more than ready to use his blood skills to prove his skill proficiency. Yes, this test was all about his skill proficiency and he was confident to be able to achieve at least 70% or more. This was not him being arrogant. After all, he had already achieved this proficiency in his last life. Slowly, the room and Varnyx disappeared from the surroundings. Now, only he and the fallen were left behind. The first Fallen lunged at him without warning—a blur of pale, cracked skin and savage hunger. Damon did not hesitate and used Blood Swipe, a crisp, efficient strike that carved the air with a scarlet arc. While he was still dealing with this one, another fallen came at him from the side. His hand sliced forward, an invisible claw of condensed blood energy slashing through the Fallen’s torso. Another Fallen lurched forward, and another. Soon, he was surrounded, a storm of clawed hands and snapping jaws.