Blood returned to the living room still thinking on how to explain everything.
"We could have waited after sunrise, but it appears this is an urgent matter. We have to start discussing now." said Salza with deep concern.
Every faction had been searching for information about the bizarre phenomenon. He believed that the one most likely to reveal anything useful was standing right before him.
There seemed to be a deep silence that went on for some time before it was cut off.
"Why don't you start by explaining all that has happened. Nothing has made sense since you left home yesterday." Salza broke the silence.
The higher-ups of Sand-Scale had been pestering him regarding the phenomenon. He had only gotten little information which he did report, but it wasn't enough.
They might consider sending another division leader as 'support', which wasn't a good thing, since he wouldn't be able to take full control of the situation if another division's personnel were sent here.
His merits and dignity were at stake; he could only turn to his son.
Blood sighed, and started recounting how it had played out, leaving 'nothing' out.
___
Salza and Maria Marble sat still, digesting every word. The day had already been hectic, but hearing their son's full account made it feel even more overwhelming.
For a child in the third stage of the Iron Realm, it was unimaginable.
They could see it in his eyes, his tone, his trembling hands. Blood wasn't exaggerating. Every detail was true. Their son had endured something extraordinary, something that seemed impossible for someone of his age.
They had seen his refined shoulders. His body had been thoroughly reconstructed.
Blood had gone from page to page, explaining everything in detail. His shaky voice eventually came to an end, after he had related all he could think of. The strange messages weren't omitted—everything was said and revealed.
"Son, you've gone through a lot. We should've let you rest more." Salza stood up from his seat and embraced him. He doubted he could have endured the same ordeal at a similar age.
Maria sighed as she thought it through. With all that had followed, it wouldn't have been easy to stand still. No wonder he had been running around the building all this while.
She suddenly rose, pushing Salza aside and embraced Blood with motherly comfort that he found far more soothing.
Salza scowled, returning to his seat.
Blood smiled faintly. It couldn't have been any easier.
Salza suddenly asked, "Concerning this Blood Book you mentioned earlier… do you have control over it?"
Due to the way Blood had explained, the Blood Book was no trivial matter—it might have been the very cause of the forest and beyond being clouded. Its presence was most likely tied to the strange phenomenon that unsettled even the higher-ups.
Besides, the city itself had begun to feel the ripple effects. Guests of unknown origin had been arriving since the incident. The city lord had even considered closing the gates, but such a move would only draw more attention.
Maria released her son the moment Salza asked about the book, her face showed seriousness and worry. She guided Blood to the sofa where Salza sat, letting him sit at the middle.
"Yes… to some extents." Blood answered. He hadn't yet explored the strange panel. He summoned it all of a sudden and started to explain what he could see on the interface…
"There are four functions in total." he said, his eyes on the interface. "Three of them appear to be reacting, while the last one remains still. The one glowing the most is the Notification function." He then recounted the first message but deliberately left the rest out.
Reading them all would take too long—and besides, he wasn't about to confess to steali… testing abilities, right?
Ivory was particularly dotted on, and Blood knew he would remain in the family's backroom for several days to recover.
"Go directly to the next one." Salza said.
"The first on the panel is the Status function." Blood said as he willed his thought and the Status function opened. What he saw instantly took him by surprise since he hadn't explored the other functions except the former.
He read the new words on the glittering panel…
[Host: Blood Marble]
[Race: Human]
[Bloodline: Superposition (mutated)]
[Cultivation Realm: Iron Realm Stage 6]
[Blood Formation Manual—Blood Balancing Art]
[Techniques: Blood Manifestation]
[Skills: —]
[Title: —]
[Talent Grade: ???]
[Revamp Energy Level: 100 of 200%]
[Accumulated Exp: 600]
[Level 1 Achieved]
Blood reported to his parents as he had seen and moved on to the next tab.
The Quest Hall function…
[All Quest will appear here]
That was all that was written which left him bewildered. He related to his parents though…
"So, this is it?" Salza was at a loss. Was this truly what had caused the huge phenomenon? That was very unlikely!
What Blood had explained was, in truth, little more than a menu—a menu for checking one's measure. Most of what was listed there could be checked outside by any individual, save for a few exceptions.
Salza shook his head; he was a little disappointed.
He had hoped for hints, something substantial to report back to the higher authorities, something to ease the pressure on his shoulders. But this surely wasn't it.
His eyes darted to his wife. Her expression had been no more pleasing. She too hadn't expected so little after all her son had endured.
Did he suffer so much pain just for this? The thought wore them down.
Salza sighed, patting his son gently on the shoulder. "You should catch some sleep; it's just a few hours before sunrise." he muttered before leaving the room.
Not all of what Blood had said was useless; he had managed to pick up on a few things.
Maria narrowed her eyes seemingly in doubt.
Perhaps her son had only picked up minor benefits. The Marbles private guards were still combing the forest ground—no leaf was to be left unturned.
She went and kissed Blood on the cheek and left, leaving him with words of comfort, "Go and have some sleep. If there is anything major regarding the book, just let us know. We will always have your back."
Blood was mystified by the sudden change. His eyes stayed on the glowing panel, before he sighed, almost giving up. He wasn't so impressed anymore, but neither was he disappointed.
If not for witnessing the action it had taken earlier in the case of the Bond, he might have dismissed it altogether.
The realization suddenly struck him—he could use the Blood Book as a beast contract from now on. It had an advanced method anyway which seemed stronger than the usual bonding, and perhaps if it had been utilized during the wolf's bond, the beast might not have broken free so easily.
He supposed there might come occasions where other sub-features, like the Dark Bond, would reveal themselves. He forced himself up. Dwelling too much on the unknown would only weigh him down further.
With that in mind, Blood left for the sickhouse. He would be sleeping close to his little sister, Ivory. His heart would feel more at peace staying by her side.