Chapter 11 – Captain Luo
The golden rays of dawn penetrated the thick canopy of the Primordial Forest. The air was humid, laden with the lingering scent of blood. A delicate mist hovered above the battlefield, a silent testament to the previous night's carnage.
Edem awoke beneath the hollow roots of an ancient tree. His eyes slowly opened, revealing crimson irises that emitted a faint glow in the shadows. Although his body ached with each breath, the pain was no longer the debilitating agony he had endured the previous day.
He sat up slowly, flexing his fingers, then whispered hoarsely:
"System… show me my status."
A translucent panel blinked into existence before his eyes.
---
[Current Status]
Name: Edem Qwasi
Race: Dracula (True Dracula)
Level: 11
Crimson Evo Points: 170/500
HP: 350/350
Energy: 250/250
Attributes (5 free points)
Strength: 41
Vitality: 34
Agility: 32
Endurance: 28
Intelligence: 26
Perception: 31
Skills
Passive
Blood Regeneration (Lesser): Rapidly closes wounds using absorbed blood.
Night Vision: Perfect clarity in darkness.
Active
Blood Sense: Trace living blood signatures at short range.
Blood Lust: Temporarily boosts all stats when blood is present.
Creation: Construct weapons, armor, or even mecha. Requires beast cores.
Crimson Detection: Fusion of Blood Sense + Detect.
– Detects living beings via blood signatures (Range: 30m).
– Identifies beast cores, basic items, and materials.
---
Edem exhaled slowly, a crooked smile tugging at his lips. "So, I've already hit Level 11…"
His mind replayed the brutal clash with the Alpha wolf. His ribs still throbbed at the memory of its claws. Without his regeneration, he would have bled out in minutes.
That beast was only Basic Rank… if an Intermediate one shows up, I'll die without preparation.
He clenched his fist. "I need to plan. I can't just survive day by day. Thirty days… means strategy. Food, shelter, strength."
His scarlet eyes flicked to the Alpha core tucked in his pouch. It pulsed faintly, like a beating heart. "This… I can't waste. Not yet. If the system's Creation skill really lets me build weapons with cores…" He trailed off, imagining claws reforged into blades, or armor pulsing with primal energy.
But for now, he chose patience. He had to recover and learn the rhythm of this world before gambling with powers he didn't fully understand.
---
Meanwhile –Zahara Federation Camp
Far from Edem's crude lair, past the rocky outcrops and shadowy terrain that concealed its existence, and just outside the swirling, ominously glowing vortex of the Primordial Portal, an imposing steel command tent buzzed with military activity. The air was charged with tension and purpose as soldiers clad in sleek black combat exosuits moved with precision and order, making their way in disciplined lines across the stony ground. Their rifles, expertly maintained and ready for action, glinted under the harsh glow of strategically placed artificial lights, illuminating the scene with an almost surreal brightness that contrasted with the shadowy surroundings. This bustling hub of strategizing and coordination was integral to the mission at hand, reflecting an air of readiness and unwavering focus among the ranks as they prepared for the challenges that lay ahead.
Inside, the air was tense. At the head of the operations table stood Captain Luo Jian—tall, broad-shouldered, eyes sharp as cold iron. He studied a holographic map, its red pulses marking the energy signatures detected overnight.
"Sectors 3," Luo murmured. "The readings experienced a violent surge in that area. The energy corresponds to a Basic Rank beast, yet it is combined with... something unusual."."
A voice answered him, steady yet carrying an undercurrent of suppressed emotion.
"That irregularity, Captain, was no beast."
Luo turned to face his lieutenant, Zack. The young man's black uniform was taut over a wiry, scarred physique. His veins glimmered subtly, a consequence of surviving the gene awakening potion project. While most test subjects had perished in agony, Zack had endured, albeit at a significant cost.
"What do you mean?" Luo asked evenly.
Zack's lips curled faintly. "The energy signature showed fluctuation patterns. Adaptive movements. That's not how beasts fight—it was someone controlling their power, exchanging blows. Someone… human."
Murmurs rippled through the tent. One of the junior officers scoffed. "Impossible. Nobody unauthorized could have crossed the portal."
Zack's gaze shifted abruptly towards him, as sharp as a blade. "Nevertheless, the readings are indisputable. An individual or entity is responsible for the demise of the Alpha.."
A moment of silence ensued, during which Luo's jaw visibly tightened in response to the implication.
After a brief pause, he stated, "Regardless of whether it is a man or a monster, our mission remains unchanged. The Federation requires an Intermediate Beast Core, not excuses. The Council has explicitly communicated that without these cores, the gene awakening project will come to a standstill. We must deliver results."
Zack approached, lowering his voice. "However, not all beasts possess cores. You are well aware of this fact, Captain. We could spend weeks hunting and yet return with nothing to show for our efforts."
Luo's eyes narrowed as he spoke. "This is precisely why we do not engage in blind pursuit. We follow the indicators of power," he stated, tapping on the hologram to emphasize the area where the Alpha wolf had been defeated. "If there is an entity here capable of killing a Basic Rank, it will inevitably guide us to an Intermediate. One way or another."
---
In the Forest
Edem knelt beside a stream, diligently washing away the blood and mud from his skin. His reflection danced upon the water's surface, revealing his pale features and azure blue eyes, now fully restored to full health.
He quietly expressed, "I require sustenance," while placing a hand on his stomach as it emitted a growling sound. His Blood Regeneration necessitated nourishment, and his body was consuming energy at an unprecedented rate.
Upon activating Crimson Detection, his vision underwent a transformation. The forest was illuminated with faint red silhouettes—birds perched in the canopy, rodents scurrying in the underbrush, and in the distance, larger figures emanating signals of predatory intent.
His lips formed a sinister grin as he remarked, "There are numerous prey to hunt today."
However, just as he was about to proceed, he felt a chill run down his spine. There was something else present beyond the scope of his perception. It was distant, faint, yet methodical. It was not beasts.
"Soldiers... I have already dismissed those brutes from yesterday from my mind. Nevertheless, once I undergo my second evolution, I shall make it a point to properly greet them," he murmured, narrowing his eyes in contemplation.
---
Simultaneously, Captain Luo and Zack walked side by side through the outpost.
"Zack," Luo spoke in a subdued tone. "You are aware that the Council will impose stricter controls if we fail to deliver results once more."
Zack exhibited a faint smirk, yet his eyes retained a cold demeanor. "I am aware," he stated. "That is precisely why I volunteered for the potion project initially. It was imperative that someone endured and survive it."
Luo cast a glance in his direction and remarked, "Indeed, you did. Just barely."
"I endured because I had the desire to," Zack retorted, his tone becoming slightly more gentle. "If I am able to locate that anomaly—this so-called human Alpha-slayer—it could represent the breakthrough that the project requires."
Luo did not respond right away. His eyes returned to the portal, which was swirling with energy. After a moment, he finally spoke. "If someone is indeed inside, they will either become an asset," he stated with a hardened voice, "or a corpse."
---
Twenty-five days later,
Deep within the forest, Edem rose to his feet, both mentally and physically exhausted. Seven normal and three basic beast cores lay gathered on the ground. He clenched them tightly, whispering to himself:
"Huff…huff… it has been twenty-five days of arduous effort."
Now we proceed to the enjoyable segment, where we shall evaluate the [creation] skill.
Current Status]
Name: Edem Qwasi
Race: Dracula (True Dracula)
Level: 18
Crimson Evo Points: 470/500
HP: 400/400
Energy: 30/300
Attributes (5 free points)
Strength: 48
Vitality: 41
Agility: 39
Endurance: 35
Intelligence: 33
Perception: 38
Skills
Passive
Blood Regeneration (Lesser): Rapidly closes wounds using absorbed blood.
Night Vision: Perfect clarity in darkness.
Active
Blood Sense: Trace living blood signatures at short range.
Blood Lust: Temporarily boosts all stats when blood is present.
Creation: Construct weapons, armor, or even mecha. Requires beast cores.
Crimson Detection: Fusion of Blood Sense + Detect.
– Detects living beings via blood signatures (Range: 30m).
– Identifies beast cores, basic items, and materials
---