Blood rushed forward instantly.
Ballock was rolling and writhing on the ground, wracked with pain and covered in dirt. His eyes rolled back and forth as blood spilled from his mouth and his eyes turned blood‑red, rolling backward.
The energy could be seen vividly coursing from his neck to other parts of his body. His veins bulged as the energy passed from place to place. Dizziness slowly overcame him; he couldn't breathe properly within seconds.
It felt as if he would die in just a few breaths.
But a thought suddenly crossed his mind. As he writhed, he looked into the distance and a smile blossomed on his face, though it was no ordinary smile; his face was contorted and looked devilish.
Blood was already with him. He closed in and, in a hurry, grabbed him firmly to the ground. Ballock's eyes flashed with the same devilish smile.
It would be preferable to die in your hands, my dear friend, Blood...
His thoughts were interrupted by another voice.
"Are you okay?" Blood asked with a worried expression. He knew his question was rather foolish. He was clearly not okay.
Ballock couldn't form any words. It felt as if his mind had vanished and something else had settled in, but the image of his young master remained vivid.
Perhaps that was what kept him holding on, holding still, clutching the last thread that was about to snap. He felt that the moment he let that image slip and replaced it with another, he would fall—and surely die afterward.
He kept looking ahead, trying to withstand the pain. Maybe it would end soon. It was better that it had chosen him. He wouldn't allow his young master to go through this.
A moment after Blood's question, jet‑black energy veins shot out the instant he held Ballock to the ground. It seemed he had interfered.
All of a sudden, the energy veins stabbed into his chest with a hard strike.
Blood cried out in pain and reached out his hands, trying to pull out the veins that were thoroughly lodged in his chest, pinning him in place.
He reached out, gripping the veins tightly, and pulled. They had to come out because they weren't merely lodged; they were twisting and writhing inside him, causing him intense pain.
He couldn't hold on any longer. Still, he kept pulling, and it seemed his efforts were beginning to pay off. What had been tight before was now slack; it could come off with a light tug.
However, it seemed he had perceived wrong. Contrary to what he thought, the jet‑black veins suddenly dug in deeper as if excited. Just like vines, they trailed in, causing him intense pain.
Blood nearly blacked out, the sudden pain overwhelming him. He turned toward Ballock, who looked healthier and far better than before, his eyes were closed.
Setting his eyes on the energy wriggling inside Ballock, he realized it was slowly being transferred into him. A second after realizing, the jet‑black energy surged into him, edged with dense, blood‑red power. It seemed he likely would endure the same level of pain and torment as the former had.
As the massive edge of energy was about to be lodged in, Blood closed his eyes. The pain was excruciating; if that condensed mass entered, he knew it would be anything but pleasant.
Blood roared the moment he felt the energy enter him, and black blood began to pour from the opened skin.
Just like the previous unsuccessful vessel, his eyes twisted back and forth. Thick blood oozed from his eyes and nose, while his skin turned red, drenched in black blood that gushed out violently.
Blood couldn't take it anymore and screamed; his lungs almost contorted. His legs suddenly gave out, and he finally hit the ground.
Soon after, as if on cue, a soothing feeling enveloped him, but he wasn't there to enjoy it.
He had passed out.
___
The Mable family's territory…
In the living room of the Main Manor, a woman sat on the sofa. Her large eyes were red and her lashes were thin, as though they had been trimmed recently.
She had a beautiful oval face, a short nose, and a slim waist that could be easily clasped. She was draped in red robes that reached her feet.
An exquisite bow rested in her hands, as she looked at the painting on the wall and copied the posture.
She smiled at the auburn‑haired man sitting very close to her, his hands trembling as he reached below; it seemed he harbored a hidden thought.
Buzz…
The man was suddenly jolted from his evil thoughts and cursed silently. He regained his composure immediately he saw the rune displayed on the jade plate.
Is there any trouble?
"Chief." he called with the utmost respect.
"Salza, you should know why I'm calling, right?" the Chief responded in a calm tone.
Salza thought for a moment but didn't understand. He remained silent for some time before he heard the chief's voice again.
"Haven't you heard of the phenomenon in the south." the Chief asked, his patience growing thin. Salza was so close, yet he knew nothing!
In that instant, Salza's plate buzzed again; someone else was calling.
You sure call fast, huh. He scowled. He could have marked the rune, but this wasn't the time.
"Sorry, Chief. I heard the news, and I'm on my way with the Ninth Division. I already sent someone to inform you, so I didn't bother calling." Salza said in a firm tone, his voice filled with confidence. His wife, Maria, had already whispered the details.
"Good. I will trust you with it." the Chief said, obviously satisfied.
He knew Salza was a reliable man who always ran toward danger without knowing its source. Even the lord had high hopes for him. He had been confused earlier when Salza didn't seem to know what was going on.
"We'll get it done."
___
Moments after Blood had fallen unconscious…
Blood woke to find Ballock shivering and still unconscious. Looking around, they had really made a huge mess.
Thick blood was everywhere, and even after so long the earth absorbed it only slowly. It felt as if it would take an entire day at this rate. The blood on the ground had a strange glow that seemed to prevent the earth from absorbing it.
Blood quickly took Ballock away; they had to leave fast. Being the son of the Deputy Chief, he knew the city's warriors could arrive at any moment.
The energy had covered most, if not all, of the forest. With the communication plate, it was much easier to make it known throughout the city within minutes.
They had to leave immediately. They couldn't be caught in an ocean of questioning. There was a reliable place he could go for the time being.
He immediately lifted Ballock from the ground and left.