The blood turned into a thin rope and wrapped around the third swordsman’s ankle. The man fell face first.
Lucard stepped on his back, pushed the dagger into the back of his neck, and absorbed again.
[Blood Absorption Successful.]
Pain moved through Lucard’s chest when he used too much force. The wound was still not healed. But the new blood helped. Warm strength entered his body. It was not as rich as Dorian’s blood, but it was still useful. These men were trained killers. Their blood carried strength, fear, and battle habits.
The mage shouted, "Keep your distance. He uses blood magic."
Lucard looked at him.
The mage’s face went pale. He attacked,
"Bone Cage."
Gray bone spikes burst from the ground around Lucard. They tried to trap him in a circle. Lucard jumped before the cage closed fully, but one spike cut his leg. He landed on top of the forming cage, then pushed himself forward.
The spear man attacked from the side.
Lucard twisted in the air and caught the spear shaft. The impact hurt his burned chest, but he used the motion to swing around and kick the spear man in the jaw. The man staggered. Lucard landed, pulled the spear toward himself, and drove the man’s own weapon through his stomach.
The spear man gasped.
Lucard placed his hand on the man’s face.
[Blood Absorption Successful.]
The body dried.
Lucard reached level sixteen.
[Level Increased.]
The system message rang in his mind.
[Name: Lucard Vardros
Level: 16
Current Rank: First Blood Circle, Mortal Vessel
Skill: Blood Absorption]
Lucard breathed in. The wound in his chest pulled painfully, but his blood felt stronger.
The leader finally attacked.
He was faster than the others. His sword had a faint gray shine. It was not aura, but some kind of death magic coating. He slashed toward Lucard’s neck. Lucard ducked. The blade cut a strand of his black hair. The leader followed with a knee to Lucard’s chest.
Lucard crossed his arms and blocked it. The impact sent pain through the burned wound.
He coughed blood.
The leader smiled. "You are still injured."
Lucard wiped his mouth.
"And you are still alive. But not for long."
The leader’s smile vanished.
Blood from Lucard’s cough had landed on the leader’s armor. It suddenly moved, sliding up like red worms. The leader tried to step back, but the blood wrapped around his throat and tightened.
Lucard stepped in and struck the leader’s wrist. The sword fell. Then Lucard punched him in the ribs once, twice, and a third time. The leader tried to resist, but the blood around his throat pulled his head down. Lucard drove his dagger into the side of his neck.
The leader’s eyes widened.
Lucard absorbed him slowly.
This blood was better. The leader had killed many people. His blood carried a stronger fighting instinct. It was not noble blood, but it had weight.
[Blood Absorption Successful.
Level Increased.]
[Name: Lucard Vardros
Level: 17
Current Rank: First Blood Circle, Mortal Vessel
Skill: Blood Absorption]
The remaining three men began to retreat. The mage, one crossbowman, and one swordsman.
The crossbowman dropped his weapon and ran like a mouse.
Lucard lifted one hand. Blood which killed the dead leader formed a thin arrow and shot through the man’s calf. He fell screaming. The swordsman tried to help him, then saw Lucard looking at him and changed his mind. He ran the other way.
Lucard moved after him first.
The swordsman was fast, but fear made his steps messy. He tripped over a root and fell hard. Lucard reached him, grabbed his hair, and pulled his head back.
"Please, don’t kill me," the man gasped. "I only followed orders."
Lucard said, "That is why you die with your employer’s stupidity added to your own."
The dagger moved.
[Blood Absorption Successful.]
The blood entered him, weaker but still useful.
The crossbowman was still crawling away.
Lucard slowly walked to him.
The man turned onto his back and raised both hands. "Wait. I want to say something."
Lucard stopped.
The man breathed hard. "Someone is coming."
Lucard looked down at him.
"Who?"
"I do not know the name," the man said quickly. "I swear. I only heard the order. A strong elder from House Velkhur is coming. They sent word after Dorian died. That guy is coming here. Someone strong. Once he comes, you will die too."
Lucard’s eyes narrowed.
"A Velkhur elder."
The man nodded fast. "Yes. Stronger than Dorian. Much stronger. We were told to only watch and delay if possible. Lord Ravencroft wanted you found before the elder arrived. Kill me now. You will die too."
Lucard crouched in front of him.
"When will he arrive?"
"I do not know. Soon. Maybe tonight. Maybe tomorrow morning. I do not know. I am just a guard. Even if I knew I wouldn’t tell you. I want to meet you in the afterlife." Then he started laughing.
Lucard looked into his eyes and saw fear. The man was not hiding a name. He really did not know it.
That was unfortunate.
Lucard placed his hand on the man’s chest. The man kept laughing like a mad person.
[Blood Absorption Successful.]
The man dried under his palm.
[Level Increased.]
[Name: Lucard Vardros
Level: 18
Current Rank: First Blood Circle, Mortal Vessel
Skill: Blood Absorption]
Lucard stood and looked toward the mage.
The mage had not run far. Orven and Malik stood behind him now. The Marovain guards had entered the clearing quietly and blocked his escape. The mage looked from them to Lucard with a pale face.
Orven looked at the bodies on the ground and swallowed. "We arrived late."
Lucard looked at him. "No. You arrived at the correct time."
Malik pointed his spear at the mage. "This one tried to flee."
The mage quickly said, "I surrender. I am a mage hired by Ravencroft. I did not know they planned to attack someone under Marovain protection."
Orven snorted. "You followed them into the forest with a staff. What did you think would happen? A picnic?"
The mage’s lips trembled. "I can testify. I can say Ravencroft sent us."
Lucard walked toward him.
The mage stepped back, but Malik’s spear stopped him.
Lucard asked, "What do you know about the Velkhur elder?"
The mage shook his head. "Not the name. I only heard from the leader. Someone from House Velkhur is coming to Gravehold after Dorian’s death. Strong. An elder. Ravencroft wants to survive until then. They think the elder will kill you and pressure Marovain."
Lucard’s gaze became colder.
"When?"
"Soon. I do not know more."
Lucard studied him.
The mage was telling the truth. He was too afraid to create a smart lie.
Orven said carefully, "Young Master Lucard, this mage could be useful as a witness. Lady Celia may want him alive."
The mage nodded desperately. "Yes. Yes. Yes, I can witness."
Lucard looked at Orven. Then he looked at the mage.
"No."
The mage’s face collapsed with fear.
Lucard’s hand moved.
A blood needle entered the mage’s throat before he could scream. Lucard caught him as he fell and absorbed the blood and mana from his body. Mage blood was thin compared to noble blood, but better than common guards. It carried mana, spell memory, and structure.
[Blood Absorption Successful.
Level Increased.]
[Name: Lucard Vardros
Level: 19
Current Rank: First Blood Circle, Mortal Vessel
Skill: Blood Absorption
Note: You are one level away from the Second Blood Circle, Crimson Vessel.]
Lucard closed his eyes for a moment.
"Level nineteen. Huh! One step away."
His blood moved more smoothly now. The injury in his chest healed a little more. His limbs felt lighter. His senses sharpened. The forest sounds became clearer. He could hear crows in the distance, small animals moving under dry leaves, and Orven’s nervous breathing behind him.
He opened his eyes.
The clearing was full of dried corpses.
Orven and Malik stood still.
They had seen Lucard kill before, but this was different. This was hunting. He had come outside the city because he knew enemies would follow. He had turned their ambush into a meal. That realization made both Marovain guards feel cold.
Malik finally spoke. "Lady Celia will ask what happened."
Lucard looked at him. "Tell her Ravencroft attacked someone under Marovain protection outside the city."
Orven looked at the bodies. "And the missing blood?"
"Do not mention things you do not understand."
Orven closed his mouth.
Lucard walked toward the path leading back to Gravehold.
Malik hesitated, then asked, "What about the bodies?"
Lucard did not stop.
"Leave them. Ravencroft sent them. Ravencroft can clean them."
Orven and Malik looked at each other again.
Then they followed him.
Lucard moved through the forest with steadier steps than before. The blood he had absorbed warmed his body and pushed away some of the weakness left by Dorian’s attack. But his mind was already focused on the next problem.
A strong Velkhur elder was coming.
The guard had not known the name. The mage had not known either. That was irritating. But the warning was still useful. Dorian’s death had already brought a stronger flame toward Gravehold.
Lucard smiled faintly. One step away from the Second Blood Circle. When the elder came, Lucard would make him be the one step. He might become the perfect sacrifice for him to reach the crimson vessel.
Lucard looked at the city walls ahead.
"I need one more level," he whispered.
Then he walked back toward Gravehold.
Author’s note: Support the book with power stones and golden tickets. Thank you.