NOVEL NEXT Chapter 22: Chapter 22: Sanguine Awakening
Ryo's senses flared as his Enemy Detection pinged. There were enemies 9 kilometers ahead. He didn't hesitate for a second. His mind was made up: he was going to handle this himself. The weight of his newfound abilities surged within him as he tapped into his Paradox Physique, accelerating his movements with an inhuman burst of speed. He left Selena and Seyra behind, rushing toward the danger.
As Ryo closed the distance, his heartbeat quickened. When he arrived at the location, he stopped dead in his tracks. There, in front of him, stood seven figures. They were human—at least, they appeared to be—but their presence radiated something dark, something wrong. Ryo could sense danger, but the situation wasn't clear.
Before he could analyze further, one of the figures raised their hand and began chanting. In an instant, the air seemed to warp as a pack of wolves, apes, and humanoid pigs materialized around them. Ryo felt his pulse quicken—the wolves, he recognized. He'd fought them before. And each time, he had died.
Instinctively, he activated Blood Manipulation, and a long, sharp katana made entirely of blood formed in his hand. The sight of the weapon brought a sense of familiarity, and the sensation of it felt right, almost as if he'd been waiting for this moment.
The battle began.
The monsters charged at him with ferocity, their claws and fangs bared. Ryo's katana sliced through the first wave with ease, but the numbers kept coming. The wolves were quick, the apes strong, and the humanoid pigs relentless. Ryo was injured multiple times, but each time, his Infinite Regeneration kicked in, healing him instantly. His bloodlust surged as his Blood Rampage ability activated, and his strength grew.
He fought for what felt like hours, but in reality, it was only 7-8 minutes before the last of the monsters crumpled to the ground. Ryo stood panting, covered in blood—his own and that of the creatures he'd slain.
But before he could even process the aftermath, the summoner—the source of this chaos—raised their hand again. He was about to summon more. Ryo's eyes narrowed. He couldn't let that happen. Without thinking, he used Water Cutter, a spell he'd learned earlier, to intercept the summoner's magic.
A wave of water shot toward the summoner, but something went wrong. The attack was too precise, too forceful. The water sliced through the air, cutting the summoner in half. The blood splattered everywhere, and Ryo froze, stunned by what had just happened.
"I... I didn't mean to do that," Ryo muttered under his breath, his heart racing.
He quickly knocked out the remaining enemies, making sure they wouldn't get up again. As he caught his breath, he heard the sound of a carriage approaching. It rolled up beside him, and from it, Selena and Seyra emerged.
Selena's sharp eyes scanned the battlefield, then fixed on the summoner's severed body. Her face grew serious. "One of them. A member of a noble family, I think," she said, her voice cool and composed. "They probably used some kind of artifact to summon those monsters."
Ryo, still shaken, turned to her. "That's... that's the guy I accidentally killed?"
Selena nodded. "Yes. The nobles have access to powerful artifacts. They've been known to use them for their own gain."
Seyra frowned, looking at the monsters scattered across the ground. "Looks like they were testing something. This was no random encounter."
Just as Ryo began to reflect on what had happened, a notification flashed in his mind:
New Vampiric Ability Unlocked.
Ryo checked his status window, feeling an unfamiliar surge of anticipation.
Ability Name: Sanguine Predation
Description:
A unique vampiric trait that allows Ryo to absorb and integrate abilities or traits from monsters he kills. The effectiveness depends on the strength of the defeated creature and Ryo's compatibility with the absorbed trait. Over time, absorbed abilities can evolve or merge with his existing powers, creating unique hybrid skills.
Effects:
Gains a random trait or ability from slain monsters.Stronger monsters provide greater abilities but require more time to integrate.Passive traits (like resistance or regeneration) are easier to absorb than active abilities (like magic or elemental skills).Can merge absorbed traits with existing abilities to create new, unique skills.
Condition for Activation:
Ryo must use a vampire-related ability or an ability merged with his vampire traits when delivering the final blow. If a creature is killed without using such an ability, Sanguine Predation will not activate.
Restrictions:
Cannot absorb traits from beings of equal or higher status unless conditions are met. Overusing absorption may cause temporary instability in his body, requiring adaptation time. Some abilities may remain dormant until certain conditions are fulfilled.
Ryo stared at the description, his mind reeling. Absorb abilities from monsters? That's... insane. It made sense, though. The monsters he had killed had been strong, and the traits he had gained from them felt different—stronger, more refined. But he wasn't sure how far this ability could go.
"I thought vampires drank blood to turn people into one," Ryo mused aloud. "But here, everything's different. Absorbing abilities... That's..."
Seyra, who had been standing nearby, looked at him with understanding. "Vampires are far more versatile than you might think. Some have abilities that allow them to enhance themselves by absorbing energy or traits. It's part of our nature."
"Guess I'm still learning what that really means," Ryo replied with a sigh, rubbing the back of his neck. He felt the weight of his new powers press on him. "I have so much to figure out."
Selena, who had been silent for a moment, finally spoke. "We should get moving. The border's not far from here."
Ryo nodded, following them as they walked toward the teleportation monument in the distance. Once there, they took a moment to change into appropriate attire for the human world. Afterward, they approached the glowing monument, ready to use it for the next leg of their journey.
Ryo, still processing everything that had happened, suddenly spoke up, his mind catching up to the bizarre chain of events. "Wait... I don't remember how I got here. How did I even come to the academy?"
Selena smiled faintly, her eyes flickering with amusement. "The invitation letter you received had a teleportation function. It's how we were able to get to the academy."
Ryo blinked, still trying to make sense of it. "That's... a thing? You can teleport with an invitation letter?"
Selena's gaze softened, though she didn't answer. Instead, she motioned to the monument, which now glowed a brighter blue. "It's more common than you think. You'll get used to it."
Ryo nodded absentmindedly. As the blue light enveloped them, the world seemed to dissolve for a moment. When Ryo opened his eyes again, he was back in front of those same seven enemies. His jaw dropped in disbelief.
"What the...?" he whispered
Author's Note:
Hey everyone, thanks for reading! Chapter 22 was an intense one, wasn't it? Ryo's newfound powers are really starting to show their potential, and it's exciting to see how he's adapting to his abilities, like the newly unlocked Sanguine Predation. It's clear that he's still learning the full scope of what he can do, and things are definitely getting more complicated.
The battle scenes were a lot of fun to write, especially with the unexpected accident involving the summoner. I hope you enjoyed the chaos of the monster battle and the consequences that followed. Also, there's something going on with that teleportation monument... let's just say not everything is as it seems.
I'm curious to see how you all think Ryo will handle these new challenges. Will he get a handle on his abilities? Will he ever get a break? Stay tuned to find out in the next chapter!
As always, your feedback means a lot to me. Feel free to leave a comment or share your thoughts on what you'd like to see next!
Thank you for your support and happy reading!