《Lord of the Blood Race》 Just kill me... "Where am I?" Viktor opened his eyes. A vast, brilliant blue sky stretched above him. The warm sunlight bathed his skin, and a gentle breeze rustled past. He was so captivated by the sight that, for a moment, he thought he was dreaming¡ªuntil he realized he was falling. Yet, instead of panicking, he remained calm, gazing at the endless sea of green below. The wind rushed against his face. He was certain this was a dream. After all, people often experience the sensation of falling in dreams, only to wake up before hitting the ground. Seconds passed. Suddenly, Viktor''s eyes widened. ''If this is a dream¡­ then why can I feel the wind? Why can I feel the warmth of the sun on my skin?'' "Wait a minute¡­ No, no! This is just a dream, right?" The ground grew closer, expanding in his vision. The nearer it got, the more anxious he became. "This is a dream, right? There¡¯s no way this is real! Stuff like this only exists in fiction!" Viktor couldn¡¯t believe what was happening. But at this point, it didn¡¯t matter¡ªhe was about to hit the ground. Squeezing his eyes shut, he braced himself for the inevitable pain. Thud! His face smacked into something solid, his mouth forced open as saliva splattered outward. His entire body hit the ground. "Fuck! Ouch! Ouch! Oh wait¡­." Viktor opened his eyes as realization struck him. He looked down at himself, expecting excruciating pain¡ªbut there was none. Falling from the sky should have left him broken or worse, but he was completely fine. He stood up, scanning his body. No fatal injuries, just a few bruises. His limbs moved with ease. "By now, I should''ve woken up¡­ but I haven¡¯t. Does that mean¡­ this isn¡¯t a dream? This is real?" The thought sent a chill down his spine. He quickly tried to recall how he got here. As far as he knew, he was just an ordinary college student on Earth. He had a happy family, good friends, and no enemies. No one held a grudge against him. He hadn''t stepped through any mysterious portals, met any strange old men, or encountered a beggar who turned out to be a god. The more he thought about it, the more his head ached. He let out a sigh and shook his head. "Never mind that¡­ I won¡¯t get any answers just by thinking about it. I should figure out where I am first. Maybe¡­ I¡¯m still on Earth? Maybe this is just some elaborate prank by a TV show?" Viktor looked around before moving forward, searching for a hidden camera or crew members working behind the scenes. Deep down, he knew it was just an excuse¡ªsomething to comfort himself from the unbelievable reality unfolding before him. "I don¡¯t know any survival skills or anything that could help me in this situation¡­ Hopefully, there¡¯s a town nearby," he muttered as he continued walking. A tree branch brushed against his foot, making it itch. He scratched absentmindedly as he pushed through the tall grass. Strange plants and unfamiliar sights surrounded him¡ªthings he had never seen on Earth. Or maybe they did exist, and he had just never paid attention. After all, he was never interested in nature. ¡ªROAR! A sudden, guttural roar sent a chill down his spine. His body stiffened as he quickly scanned his surroundings, but he saw nothing. Without hesitation, he ducked behind a nearby tree, pressing his back against the rough bark. His heartbeat pounded in his chest, and sweat began to form on his forehead. "Is that a tiger¡­ or maybe a bear? Hopefully not," he whispered, wiping his brow. "God, why am I here?" ¡ªWOO! "Another one?!" Viktor blurted out before immediately covering his mouth. He held his breath, afraid that whatever made the sound might have heard him. Unauthorized usage: this narrative is on Amazon without the author''s consent. Report any sightings. The roars and eerie howls continued. It sounded like two creatures locked in a battle. He could hear the rustling of grass and the heavy thuds of something moving nearby. His pulse quickened, and his ears burned with anxiety. "I can¡¯t stay here." He knew staying put was too dangerous. He had no idea where the beasts were, but if he remained in one place, they might find him. His best option was to put as much distance between himself and them as possible. The farther, the better. Slowly, he turned back the way he had come, lowering his body and stepping carefully. Each movement was precise, and calculated. He held his breath, his muscles tense. Then, his eyes widened. "Fuck." Just a few feet away, behind another tree, stood a beast. A massive, three-headed black wolf. Its piercing eyes locked onto him. For a moment, time seemed to freeze. Then Viktor turned¡ª and sprinted. "Damn! Damn! There¡¯s another one! What kind of situation is this?!" ¡ªAwoooo! Seeing its prey flee, the three-headed wolf gave chase. The hunter pursued. The prey ran for its life. "Please! What kind of hell is this?! I don¡¯t want to die!" Viktor shouted as he sprinted. "Whoever sent me here, I swear¡ªif I survive, I¡¯m going to find you and kill you!" "I was just a normal guy, living peacefully! Just send me home, and we¡¯re good!" By now, Viktor had no doubt¡ªthis wasn¡¯t Earth. There was no way a massive, three-headed wolf, larger than a full-grown man, could possibly exist back home. That meant only one thing. He was in a fantasy world. However, this was not a fantasy now. "If I ever wished to be sent to another world with cheats or wished upon a falling star¡­ I take it back! I don¡¯t want this anymore!" As an avid novel reader, Viktor had always loved stories about protagonists being transported to other worlds, gaining cheat abilities, or awakening powerful systems. Sometimes, he had even fantasized about experiencing it himself¡ªgoing on grand adventures, learning magic, becoming a hero. But that was a lie. Fiction was one thing. Reality was another. And now that it was happening to him, he wanted nothing more than to go back home. His body burned with exhaustion. His legs felt like lead. Each breath he took was heavy and strained. He had never been the athletic type, and now, his lack of exercise was catching up to him. Behind him, the monstrous wolf continued the chase. But strangely, it wasn¡¯t running at full speed. It could have easily caught him by now. ''It¡¯s toying with me¡­'' The realization sent a shiver down his spine. The beast wasn¡¯t hunting for survival¡ªit was playing with its food, letting him run himself into exhaustion before closing in for the kill. "I¡­ I can¡¯t¡­" His vision blurred. His legs wobbled. Then¡ªhis body gave out. He collapsed to the ground, his limbs refusing to move. His eyelids felt heavy, his consciousness slipping away. ''If I knew this was going to happen¡­ I would¡¯ve listened to my mom and started exercising.'' He saw the silhouette of the wolf perched on the thick branches above. For a brief moment, his life flashed before his eyes¡ª His mother, was always gentle and caring. His father, is constantly away on business trips. His grandmother, looked far too young for her age. His aunt, who always spoiled him with gifts. His childhood friend, always by his side. His class president, the quiet girl with glasses. And the student council president¡ªa cold, sharp-tongued queen who never missed a chance to insult him, yet somehow always brought him lunch and helped him when he needed it. One by one, their faces appeared in his mind. "''This is it¡­" Viktor closed his eyes and waited for death. He didn¡¯t want to die. But he was powerless. His body was completely drained¡ªexhausted beyond its limit. He couldn¡¯t move, no matter how much he willed it. ''Sheer determination alone isn¡¯t enough¡­ That only happens in fiction.'' And so, Viktor lay there¡ªwaiting for the inevitable. Waiting for death. Seconds turned into minutes. Minutes stretched on. Yet¡­ there was no pain. Viktor slowly opened his eyes. The wolf was gone. He got up, his body still aching, but instead of lingering, he immediately broke into a run. Those few moments of rest had given him just enough time to recover some stamina. As he ran, his mind raced. ''Why didn¡¯t the wolf kill me?'' ¡ªROAAAAR! A deafening roar erupted from the sky, sending a powerful gust of wind surging through the forest. Viktor felt the force of it against his body, nearly knocking him off balance. His eyes widened. "What the hell was that?!" He glanced behind him and quickly dived under a tree for cover. "You stupid lizard! Take this!" A voice echoed from above. Viktor peeked out¡ªand what he saw left him speechless. A young man, strikingly handsome, was soaring through the sky on a sword. With a flick of his wrist, several glowing swords materialized before him, shooting toward a massive creature that was chasing him. A dragon. The beast roared, and the swords vanished into thin air as if they had never existed. The young man¡¯s face twisted in frustration. Viktor watched in awe. "A dragon¡­ and a cultivator?! I¡¯m in a cultivation world¡­" His thoughts were interrupted as the young man suddenly changed direction¡ªheading straight for him. Viktor¡¯s face paled. Before he could react, he felt his body lift off the ground. The cultivator had appeared beside him in an instant, his speed unbelievable. "So fast!" Without hesitation, the young man grabbed Viktor by the collar¡ª ¡ªAnd threw him. Viktor¡¯s stomach lurched as he realized where he was falling. Straight toward the dragon¡¯s open mouth. His mind went blank. The cultivator had sacrificed him to buy himself time to escape. Viktor glared at the man in disbelief, helplessly plummeting toward his doom. "Just kill me already¡­" Darkness consumed his vision. The last thing he heard before everything faded was a cold, indifferent voice: "Be grateful, mortal!" Worker The dragon and the cultivator continued their battle in the sky, their clash so destructive that the surrounding landscape bore scars¡ªcraters littered the ground, and the once-thriving environment lay in ruins. Terrified beasts fled in all directions, among them the three-headed wolf that had once pursued Viktor. Sensing the overwhelming danger, it wasted no time escaping. Unbeknownst to them, within the dragon¡¯s maw, something unusual was happening. After chewing Viktor, the beast¡¯s mouth dripped with his blood, and a few drops fell to the ground. [System rebooting...] [An unknown accident of unexpected proportions has occurred...] [Searching for a solution...] The droplets of blood that had fallen did not soak into the earth. Instead, they floated midair, expanding slowly. As they grew larger, their color deepened into a rich crimson, and mysterious flickering symbols appeared around them. Time passed, and the mass of blood transformed¡ªshaping itself into a pulsating heart. From within, fresh drops of blood fell to the ground, one after another, like raindrops. With each drop, the pool of blood on the earth widened and rose, forming towering walls of crimson. Then, where once there was only emptiness, something began to take shape. At the heart of this strange phenomenon, a structure emerged¡ªa majestic yet eerie castle. Its towering stone walls loomed ominously, and its gothic architecture resembled the vampiric castles spoken of in myths and legends. [Solution complete...] Inside the castle¡¯s grand throne room, an enormous gate stood adorned with intricate, ancient patterns. Beyond it, a long red carpet stretched toward an elevated stage, where an empty throne awaited. Then, from the air itself, blood materialized¡ªfollowed by bones, veins, and skin¡ªuntil a human figure took form upon the throne. It was Viktor. He opened his eyes. "I... am not dead." Then, suddenly, a wave of information surged into his mind. [Completing solution¡­ Success!] [Congratulations! The host has awakened as the Blood Lord.] A holographic screen appeared before Viktor. His thoughts raced¡ªjust like in any transmigration or Isekai story, the protagonist always has a cheat ability. Fortunately, Viktor was no exception. Unfortunately, his system hadn''t awakened when he first arrived. It was only when Viktor died that the system was forcefully activated. However, by then, it was too late. With no other choice, the system used its remaining power to revive Viktor, changing his race into that of a Blood Lord and transforming his heart into a castle. As for why his race changed or why his heart turned into a castle, the system provided no explanation. But for Viktor, it was enough that he had been revived. "Because it used all its power to bring me back, the system has now gone into hibernation¡­ I don¡¯t know how long it will take to wake up," Viktor sighed. He scanned his surroundings. The room was neither large nor small, but it felt eerily empty except for a well, a luxurious red carpet, and an imposing gate. The air was cold, and an eerie silence filled the space. Viktor ran his fingers over the armrest of the throne, a chilling cold seeping into his body. "Now that I¡¯m alive again¡­ I¡¯m going to find that young man." A solemn expression crossed his face as he recalled the arrogant voice that had told him to be "grateful." The very thought irritated him. Grateful? Who does he think he is? A god? That face, that voice¡ªhe would never forget them. And then, there was the dragon. He was going to kill it. No, he was going to cook it and savor every bite. Viktor suddenly shook his head, realizing where his thoughts were headed. He was getting out of character. Stolen from its rightful author, this tale is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings. Taking a deep breath, he calmed himself and checked his system. Just because the system was hibernating didn¡¯t mean all functions were unavailable. Some features would still work, though others would be inaccessible for now. --- Status - Name: Viktor - True Name: ??? - Race: Blood Lord - Rank: Tier 10 (Peak) - Blood Essence: 0/1500 Stats - Strength: E+ - Dexterity: E+ - Constitution: E+ - Vitality (Unique Attribute): EEE - Will: E - Charisma: E+ Skills - Blood Manipulation (Level 1) --- After examining his status, Viktor was amazed by his newfound strength. Naturally, as a Blood Lord, his stats were higher than before. ''If I had this power earlier, I could have killed that wolf¡­ or at least stood a chance against that cultivator. If nothing else, I might have been able to escape.'' However, he had no real understanding of how strength worked in this world. The system hadn¡¯t provided any explanations. His gaze then shifted toward three unfamiliar terms: Blood Essence and Vitality, as well as the mysterious True Name entry. Blood Essence, as he understood it, was required to increase his rank. To acquire it, he had to absorb the blood essence of living beings¡ªmuch like a vampire. Every time his rank increased, he would be able to raise **one** of his stats by a single level. Vitality, on the other hand, was a unique attribute. Previously categorized under the skill Regeneration, it had now been transformed into a core stat of its own. As for his True Name, it was something granted by the will of the world. Demons, gods, vampires, and other mythical races all had True Names, according to the system. However, only natives of this world were supposed to possess them. He would only uncover his True Name once he reached a certain level. Satisfied with his current status and new understanding, Viktor shifted his attention to the next section¡ªCastle Status. --- Viktor''s Castle - Name: (None) - Level: 1 - Durability: 100/100 - Functions: Summoning, Map, Basic Defense - Summoning: Allows the summoning of Servants to do the Lord''s bidding. Available summon: Workers. Upgrade the castle level to unlock more units. - Map: Provides a 50-meter radius view around the castle. The range expands as the castle level increases. - Basic Defense: Generates a barrier that protects the castle, capable of withstanding attacks from creatures below Tier 10. --- The castle was the foundation of his domain¡ªand, more importantly, his very heart. Without it, he would die. Naturally, the castle came with essential functions to aid his survival: Summoning, which allowed him to create Servants using Blood Essence; Map, which provided a 50-meter radius view that would expand as the castle leveled up; and Basic Defense, a protective barrier that required upgrades to strengthen. Viktor activated the Map, and a holographic screen appeared before him. The map displayed three colors: green for allies, red for enemies, and blue for neutral entities. Currently, there was only one green marker¡ªhimself¡ªwhile several red markers lingered around the castle''s perimeter, most likely beasts drawn to its presence. Interestingly, the red markers never moved closer, as if hesitating to approach. Viktor decided to test the Summoning function. Since only Workers were available, he selected them. --- [Summoning Worker¡­ Successful.] --- Deep within the underground chamber beneath the Throne Room, a heartbeat echoed in the dimly lit space. At the center of the room, a small, pulsating heart floated in midair, its rhythmic throbbing filling the silence. Then, suddenly, a single drop of blood fell from the heart. As it hit the ground, the droplet expanded, rapidly forming a mass of flesh and veins. More blood pooled, twisting into sinew, skin, and bone. Moments later, a grotesque creature emerged. Its slick, crimson skin gleamed under the faint light. It had no eyes, just a featureless, smooth face where they should have been. Its mouth stretched unnaturally wide, revealing rows of needle-like fangs. The creature crouched low, moving on all fours, its unnaturally long limbs tipped with jagged claws that scraped against the floor with every step. Despite its hunched posture, it exuded an overwhelming presence¡ªtaller than any human when it reared up, radiating a primal, inhuman hunger. A deep, rattling breath escaped its throat as it sniffed the air, locking onto the scent of living flesh. Then, it turned toward the floating heart, instinctively drawn to it. Slowly, it approached and knelt before the heart, letting out a guttural roar of reverence¡ªas if swearing its loyalty. ... Viktor''s eyes snapped open. He had witnessed everything through their shared bond. This creature¡­ it was terrifying, nothing like the vampire Servant he had expected. And yet, despite its monstrous form, he felt no fear. Instead, a strange kinship formed between them, the link between master and servant binding them as one. More than that, he was shocked to discover the existence of the underground chamber¡ªa hidden room beneath the Throne Room, where his heart was kept. He hadn''t known about it before, having only just revived, but now he realized there was much to explore within his own domain. "Looks like I need to search my castle¡­ who knows what other surprises I might find?" Viktor muttered to himself. With that, he issued his first command. "Hunt down those creatures lurking outside. Kill them all." His Worker let out a deep, guttural snarl before vanishing into the darkness. Viktor smiled satisfied as he watched the terrifying worker leave and stood up, but suddenly, a wave of dizziness hit him. His vision blurred as he lost his balance, collapsing back into the throne. A sharp headache pulsed through his skull as he rubbed his temples, trying to steady himself. "It seems¡­ summoning Servants without Blood Essence drains my own energy instead," he muttered, realizing the cause of his weakness. His body felt sluggish, his stamina nearly depleted. Terrifying Might Deep within the forest, a mysterious castle suddenly appeared, standing ominously in the heart of the wilderness. Its presence did not go unnoticed. Countless beasts and monsters were drawn to it, including the powerful rulers of the forest, and those apex predators that reigned over their territories. However, the moment they sensed the overwhelming presence within the castle, they immediately fled, choosing survival over curiosity. But not all creatures were that intelligent. Many lesser beasts, lacking awareness and instincts for danger, continued to linger around the castle, mesmerized by its strange aura. Whoosh! A massive brown bear, the size of a bus, emerged from the dense foliage. Its thick, muscular frame was lined with orderly rows of razor-sharp crystalline spikes protruding from its back. It was one of the deadliest predators in the forest, feared by most creatures that dared to cross its path. At the moment, the bear was feasting on its latest kill. Blood dripped from its massive claws, intestines spilling onto the ground as it ripped into the carcass with powerful jaws. With each bite, its glowing, predatory eyes flashed with satisfaction. Its sheer presence exuded raw dominance, an aura that could make a lesser creature piss itself in terror. But what truly excited the bear wasn¡¯t just its meal. It had found a new hunting ground¡ªa place teeming with prey. The strange structure in the distance had drawn many creatures toward it, making hunting easier than ever. Though the bear was curious about the castle, its instincts warned it not to venture too close. Instead, it hunted the unfortunate beasts roaming the area. And the bear wasn¡¯t alone. Other predators lurked in the shadows, drawn to the same hunting paradise. Ambushes, sudden chases, and merciless killings became routine as creatures fought to feast upon the weak. For some reason, the castle radiated a strange aura that lured the beasts in¡ªas if promising something irresistibly delicious inside. But unlike the more intelligent creatures that had already fled, these lesser beasts could not sense the lurking danger. Then, suddenly¡ª ROOAAAARR!! A deep, guttural roar shattered the eerie silence. Every beast froze. A moment later, whimpers, agonized shrieks, and the sound of flesh being torn apart filled the air. Blood permeated the surroundings, its metallic scent thick and suffocating. The crystal-backed bear lifted its head, its instincts screaming at it. RUN! It turned, ready to flee. But before it could react. BASH! A monstrous blur of crimson lunged at its back. The horrific creature clamped its jagged fangs deep into the bear¡¯s thick neck, crushing bone and flesh, while its clawed hands grabbed the bear¡¯s massive head, holding it in place. "ROAAAR!" The bear did not crumble under the sudden attack. Instead, it instinctively retaliated, proving why it was one of the dominant predators of the forest. With a deafening roar, it reached behind its back and grabbed the monstrous Worker, its massive claws crushing into its flesh. The crystals lining its spine gleamed under the sunlight, and in an instant, its strength surged¡ªthe air around it distorted, as if the very force of nature was bending to its will. With all its might, the bear slammed the Worker into the ground. BOOM! The impact sent the Worker soaring through the air before crashing into the dirt with a sickening **thud**. But the bear gave it no chance to recover. The tale has been taken without authorization; if you see it on Amazon, report the incident. THUD! In a flash, the bear lunged forward, pinning the Worker down with its sheer weight. Its powerful jaws snapped open, revealing razor-sharp teeth, and without hesitation, it sank them deep into the Worker''s flesh. **CRUNCH!** Flesh ripped, blood splattered, and a piercing shriek of pain echoed through the air. For a moment, it seemed like the battle had been decided. But then¡ª "SKREEE!" The Worker suddenly shrieked in defiance, its featureless face twisting as its jaw unhinged unnaturally wide. SNAP! Its needle-like fangs sank into the bear¡¯s face, piercing deep into its thick hide. Its clawed fingers, once restrained, dug deeper into the bear¡¯s body, and with a grotesque squelch, it ripped out chunks of flesh. This was no ordinary fight. This was a battle of vitality¡ªa battle of who could endure more pain. At first, the bear fought ferociously, refusing to surrender. However, it had made a fatal mistake. It had picked the wrong opponent. With every bite the Worker took, with every piece of flesh, it tore from the bear¡¯s body¡ªits own wounds began to heal. Its injuries regenerated as if nothing had happened. Meanwhile, the bear¡¯s massive body was slowly being devoured alive. And after a while¡­ The predator had become the prey. ... "Damn..." Viktor watched in amazement as the two beasts battled to the death. He hadn''t expected the Worker to be that strong, nearly matching the bear in raw power. However, thanks to its unique attribute, Vitality, the Worker regenerated its wounds, unlike the bear, whose injuries only worsened over time. Blood splattered across the battlefield. What remained on the ground was the horrifying corpse of the once-mighty predator¡ªnow nothing more than a mutilated husk. Originally, Viktor had planned to explore his domain first. But when he noticed the ferocious battle unfolding nearby, curiosity got the better of him. He had watched the fight from start to finish. At first, when the Worker was pinned down, he almost stepped in to help. But something told him to wait¡ªand sure enough, the Worker refused to give up. "The Worker was nearly as strong as the bear¡­ but I understand why it struggled," Viktor muttered, nodding to himself. Despite its terrifying appearance, the Worker lacked a proper fighting style. It had no special abilities, relying purely on brute strength and resilience. After all, as its name suggested, it was meant for labor, not combat. --- - Name: (None) - Race: Bloodspawn - Type: Worker - Rank: Tier 13 (Early) - Blood Essence: 0/500 Stats: - Strength: H - Dexterity: H - Constitution: H - Vitality: H- Skills: - Construction (Level 1) - Resource Extraction (Level 1) - Labor Efficiency (Passive) --- The Worker had fought the giant bear using nothing but raw physical strength. Yet, despite its limitations, Viktor felt satisfied. If this was just a basic unit, he could only imagine what more advanced units would be like in the future. Just then, a notification appeared before him. [1x Blood Essence detected. Do you wish to absorb it?] Without hesitation, Viktor responded. "Absorb." As the Blood Essence fused into his body, he felt a faint surge of energy¡ªa taste of the power he would soon wield. With the battle over, he turned to the Worker. "Return to the castle. Guard it until further orders." Since this was his only summoned unit, Viktor couldn¡¯t afford to waste it on simple tasks yet. For now, its priority was protecting his home. Satisfied, he took one last look at the fallen bear and turned back toward the castle. ... The castle was grand and majestic, resembling the ancient strongholds of old vampires perched on cliffs¡ªstraight out of a dark fantasy world. Yet, despite its imposing presence, it was relatively small compared to the legendary castles of fiction. It had two floors above ground and two underground levels. The ground floor housed essential rooms such as the living room, kitchen, guest rooms, and other necessary spaces. The first floor contained a study, another living room, and a secret chamber designed solely for Viktor¡¯s private use. Between the ground floor and the underground levels was a spacious hall supported by massive pillars. While this area could be considered a separate floor, the system did not officially count it. This hall served as a transition point, where one could find staircases leading down to the underground floors or back up to the ground level. The first underground floor contained a throne room for Viktor. The second underground floor housed the most critical space¡ªhis Heart Room, where the core of the castle was located. Positioned deep within, it was the most secure place in the entire structure. Beyond the main castle, there were several auxiliary buildings, including: - A storage building (self-explanatory). - A training ground for combat practice. There was also a garden filled with a variety of vibrant flowers. As Viktor explored, he couldn''t help but feel satisfied. "This¡­ this is my home." In his previous life, he had only lived in a cramped one-room apartment, barely bigger than a doghouse compared to this castle. But now, he had something far greater. Viktor sat on the sofa, his long black hair cascading over his shoulders as his deep, dark eyes gazed out the window. His mind was filled with countless thoughts. "First, I need to plan my base defense. The castle must be protected at all costs. Second, I need to figure out exactly where I am¡ªonly then can I make a proper strategy. But right now... what I lack the most is Blood Essence." Outside the window, the sun slowly dipped behind the mountains, painting the sky in hues of crimson and gold. The distant roars of beasts grew quieter, fading into the approaching night. Because at night, the true predators emerged. And tonight¡ªViktor would be one of them. He picked up the glass of wine resting on the table, taking a slow sip before rising to his feet. Stepping toward the window, he watched as darkness crept across the land. "It¡¯s time to hunt." Hunting ¡ªWoosh! Woosh! Agonized howls pierced the night as countless beasts ran for their lives. Behind them, a terrifying figure emerged from the darkness. Under the pale moonlight, swarms of crimson bats filled the sky, shrieking as they relentlessly pursued their prey. One of the fleeing beasts, limping from an injury, fell behind. None of the others cared. A bat suddenly latched onto its back. Then, boom! The bat expanded instantly before erupting into a bloody mist, painting the air crimson. Within that mist, no creature could survive. And from its depths, a figure slowly emerged. Viktor. "After killing a hundred beasts, I only got 10 Blood Essence..." He furrowed his brows in contemplation. He had assumed that slaughtering a hundred creatures would grant him a hundred Blood Essence, enough to summon twenty Workers and create a terrifying force in this forest. But reality proved otherwise. Not all creatures possessed Blood Essence, and the exact conditions remained unclear, but it was obvious that he needed to study this phenomenon further. With that in mind, Viktor continued his hunt, methodically eliminating all beasts and monsters near his castle. He stayed within its mapped perimeter, clearing out the weaker threats while ensuring he didn¡¯t stray too far. Hours passed. By the time he was done, the vicinity of the castle was completely cleared. Even formidable beasts¡ªones as strong as bears¡ªfell before him with ease. His efforts earned him a total of 15 additional Blood Essence. But it wasn¡¯t enough. "Only 25 Blood Essence in total¡­ still far from what I need to upgrade the castle." Shaking his head in disappointment, Viktor decided to retreat for now. He had already massacred a large number of creatures, and he wasn¡¯t foolish enough to continue recklessly. Who knew what terrifying beast he might provoke if he kept pushing forward? Instead, he chose to fortify his defenses. Summoning Workers costs 5 Blood Essence each. Without hesitation, Viktor spent his entire reserve. Deep within the Heart Room, five figures materialized. The newly summoned Workers let out a feral roar before immediately rushing out of the castle to stand guard. ... The Green Death Forest¡ªa vast and ancient woodland where Viktor resided¡ªlay on the border of the Immortal Continent, positioned between the Imperial Heartland Region and the Prime Sky Region. It was a place of untamed wilderness, so vast that it seemed to stretch endlessly beneath the heavens. Within its depths lurked countless powerful beasts, each abiding by a strict hierarchy. At the pinnacle of this hierarchy were the Guardians, the undisputed rulers of the forest. Below them were the Demon Kings, powerful entities who reigned over vast territories. Serving under them were the Beast Generals, commanders of countless lesser creatures. In the northern reaches of the forest, an enormous tree towered above the rest. Its thick, ancient branches stretched toward the sky, basking in the warm glow of the sun. Perched atop one of these branches stood a monkey-like creature¡ªits fur gleaming under the golden light. Unlike ordinary beasts, it stood on two legs, its posture almost human-like as it gazed over the endless green expanse below. A moment later, another smaller monkey emerged from the foliage below. It bowed in respect before speaking. Did you know this story is from Royal Road? Read the official version for free and support the author. ¡°Zen Monkey, the Monkey King has ordered you to investigate the disturbance at the heart of the forest.¡± The figure on the branch¡ªZen Monkey¡ªslowly turned his gaze downward. His sharp eyes gleamed with intelligence. ¡°Why?¡± he asked in a deep, measured voice. ¡°A new force has emerged,¡± the smaller monkey replied. ¡°If they are friendly, it would be beneficial to form an alliance. If not¡­¡± His voice trailed off, but the meaning was clear. If this force were an enemy, it would have to be eliminated. "Why me?" Zen Monkey¡ªone of the Beast Generals under the Monkey King¡ªwas neither the weakest nor the strongest among his kin. However, unlike his battle-hungry brethren, he preferred solitude. While others fought for power and dominance, he found peace in watching the sun set over the vast forest. ¡°All the other Monkey Generals are currently occupied. You¡¯re the only one available,¡± the smaller monkey replied. Zen Monkey remained silent, his gaze drifting toward the distant horizon in contemplation. After a long pause, he finally spoke. ¡°Fine. But I have something to take care of first. Give me three days.¡± The small monkey nodded respectfully. ¡°Understood.¡± With a final bow, he leaped onto a nearby branch and vanished into the dense shadows of the forest. --- After watching his kin leave, Zen Monkey sprang into motion. He navigated the towering trees with practiced ease, moving swiftly through the canopy until he reached a hidden valley¡ªa place only he knew. There, nestled within the heart of the valley, was a cave illuminated by a shaft of golden sunlight filtering through the ceiling. The sight was serene, almost sacred. Inside, a small monkey lay on the ground. Hearing the sound of approaching footsteps, the little one stirred. ¡°Big Brother, is that you?¡± Her voice was soft and gentle, filled with warmth. She stood up slowly, her eyes clouded with white pupils. Unable to see, she sniffed the air before breaking into a bright smile. ¡°Big Brother, what are you doing here?¡± Zen Monkey remained silent for a long moment, simply watching her. --- Meanwhile, back at the castle, Viktor continued executing his plan. After summoning six Workers, he wasted no time in reinforcing the castle¡¯s defenses. His first command was to cut down trees and construct a protective wall around the castle, extending 40 meters from the perimeter of his map. Though the Workers were not suited for combat, their strength and stamina far surpassed that of ordinary humans. Each of them could work with the efficiency of ten adult men, allowing the construction to progress swiftly. By the end of three days, the outline of the wall had begun to take shape. Viktor, meanwhile, stood watch. Given his current situation, he couldn¡¯t afford to drop his guard¡ªnot even for a moment. He had already died once. He wasn¡¯t about to let it happen again. "I need to hunt more beasts. With six Workers, they should be able to hold the fort in case something happens." What Viktor lacked most was Blood Essence¡ªthe very foundation of his strength. It was his currency, his power, his survival. Unfortunately, his options were limited. His castle was his lifeline¡ªif it was destroyed, so was he. It was like a mother refusing to leave her three-year-old child alone in a park, afraid of lurking dangers. But if Viktor continued to play it safe, he might eventually encounter a threat too great to overcome¡ªone that would leave him filled with regret. Taking risks was the only path forward. Standing atop the castle¡¯s roof, Viktor gazed over the vast expanse of the Green Death Forest. He let out a deep sigh. "The system patched the loophole too quickly¡­ or maybe it simply knew I wouldn¡¯t have enough Blood Essence anyway, so it gave me one chance." The loophole he spoke of had once allowed him to summon a unit with both mental and physical stamina. At first, he had managed to summon one Worker, but after that, no matter what he tried, the system refused to let him summon more. Had the system been fixed? If it hadn¡¯t, he would have had far more Workers by now. "No point dwelling on it. It''s time to move." With the wooden wall completed, Viktor had assigned the Workers to reinforce the defenses, set up traps, and patrol the perimeter. Though it wasn¡¯t foolproof, having six Workers on guard at least gave him a small sense of security. Viktor leapt from the roof, plummeting toward the ground. Then, midair, his body twisted, his form shifting as he transformed into a large, crimson Blood Bat. Over the past three days, between issuing orders and overseeing construction, he had been practicing his Blood Manipulation. His relentless efforts had paid off¡ªhis skill had advanced to Level 2, improving his control, efficiency, and overall strength. Tonight, he would put that strength to the test. Under the moonlight, a large shadow soared through the sky. Viktor, in his Blood Bat form, continued his search for prey. Normal beasts no longer interested him¡ªafter all, they yielded no Blood Essence. If he wanted to grow stronger, he needed to hunt powerful creatures instead. After a while, he spotted something by the riverbank¡ªa massive three-headed wolf, resting beneath the moon¡¯s silver glow. Surrounding it was an entire pack of three-headed wolves, their fur glistening in the dim light. "Three-headed wolves?" Viktor¡¯s crimson eyes narrowed. He remembered this species well¡ªthe very same kind that had hunted him down when he first arrived in this world. A smirk formed on his bat-like face. "Tonight, I take my revenge." Without hesitation, the Blood Bat plunged toward the sleeping wolves. One of the three-headed wolves sensed the incoming threat and let out a sharp howl, swiftly dodging out of harm¡¯s way. Unfortunately, the others weren¡¯t as lucky. As Viktor descended, his form expanded¡ªa crimson wave of blood erupted from his body, detonating into a thick, swirling mist upon impact. Several wolves were instantly torn apart, their bodies dissolving into the bloody haze. The surviving wolves snarled and yelped in pain, their bodies scarred and wounded by the explosive attack. In the thick crimson mist, a bloodied hand emerged, its clawed fingers wrapping tightly around the face of a struggling wolf. With a vicious pull, Viktor tore the creature apart, sending a spray of hot blood into the air. The scent of iron filled his nostrils as the lifeless body collapsed onto the ground. At that moment, a familiar system prompt echoed in his mind: [10x Blood Essence Detected. Do you wish to absorb?] Viktor¡¯s lips curled into a grin. "Yes."