Reincarnated as a Vampire Who Acquires Skills Through Blood-Chapter 60 - Awakening [1]

A few moments earlier...

(Verc’s POV)

I was in a deep, heavy trance.

I really don’t know exactly how long I had been meditating in this silent spot, but ever since I started the process, I made a firm decision not to stop. I would keep going until the pursuit team finally managed to reach me or until my body simply couldn’t take the strain anymore.

The throne room was incredibly quiet, but as I sat there, my senses started to turn inward. I could feel the blood I had consumed on my way here— the blood of the dungeon master and that strange, pulsating seed— swirling inside me like a rich, dark fuel.

I felt a huge amount of my energy being consumed at a frightening rate as I continued to use [Mana Circulation]. The massive reservoir of energy I had stored from consuming blood that would’ve lasted for months was being burned up before I even knew it. It was like a furnace was burning inside my chest, consuming everything to keep the fire going.

But I didn’t mind the cost at all.

After all, in exchange for all that burned energy; I started feeling something entirely new. I started feeling mana around me.

As soon as I used [Mana Circulation] and focused with every bit of my will, I became aware of mana. It was a mysterious, invisible power that doesn’t exist back in my old world. It was everywhere, floating in the air like dust motes made of light, hidden in the very stones of the floor.

It was strong, and just like the scent of fresh blood, I felt naturally attracted to it. It felt like a deep thirst I didn’t know I had.

As I continued using this skill, I soon learned to absorb it into my body. I felt the mana entering through my skin, tingling like thousands of tiny needles. After that, I was able to move the mana freely inside me, pushing it through my veins alongside my blood. And lastly... I learned how to store it.

To be exact— I was successfully able to make a mana heart.

It felt like a small, second heart beating right next to my real one. With this, my body will naturally absorb mana in the surrounding area and store it in my heart.

And whenever I want, I can use it to strengthen my body or my weapon.

The strength depends on how dense the mana I can store is and how much of it I can control at once. I have only achieved the beginning level of it, just a tiny spark compared to what it could be, but with enough practice— I know I can get even stronger.

So excitedly, I kept training. I ignored the hunger, the stiffness in my joints, and the stinging of my burns. I just focused on that tiny, beating heart of mana.

"..."

Though, just as I was about to get into a much deeper trance—

-Arf! Arf! Arf!

I heard Onyx barking. It was strange and sudden because he had kept quiet all this time. He was usually so patient, just sitting there and watching me.

’Did he already finish up all the jerky I left for him?’

I asked that in my head, feeling a bit worried about the little guy. But suddenly— [Danger Sense] flared up!

It wasn’t a small nudge. It was a loud, screaming alarm in the back of my brain.

And as if it was waking me up, the skill dragged me out of my trance. My eyes snapped open, and my vision blurred for a second before snapping into focus!

-Arf! Arf! Arf!

I saw Onyx running in circles around me, his fur standing on end as if he was trying to protect me. And only a few meters away from us— were a bunch of people slowly approaching us!

I scanned the crowd.

"?!"

Then my eyes widened as I saw Kael and the others with them. Their faces were tense, lit by the light from their torches and the magic they were using.

My mind worked immediately and I realized what was going on— they’re the pursuit team after me. They had navigated the maze and the dead traps to find me.

A frown appeared on my face as the weight of the situation hit me. Then, looking down... I can still see Onyx trying to shield me from them with his tiny body. He was growling, a low sound that vibrated in his chest.

A small, genuine smile appeared on my face, and opening my mouth—

"You can stop now, Onyx..."

I muttered that softly as I reached out my hand and placed it on his head.

... ... ...

*****

Back to the present—

The whole pursuit group got alerted the very moment they saw Verc pull out a sword from his side. The metallic ringing of the blade echoed through the high ceilings. Instinctively— SWISH~!

They all pulled out their own weapons as well. Swords, spears, and maces were pointed at the lone man protecting a dog. The light from their magic reflected off the steel, making the room feel crowded and dangerous.

Verc and Kael saw each other across the gap.

Kael had a heavy frown on his face. His hand was hovering over the hilt of his sword, but he hadn’t pulled it out just yet. He looked hesitant.

Verc just smiled bitterly seeing him like that. Then, he turned his gaze back to the others.

"Surrender now! Drop the weapon and put your hands up! We have you completely cornered!"

The leader of the group shouted that. He was a tall man in heavy plate armor, his voice echoing with authority.

"Cornered?"

Verc repeated the word, his voice sounding hollow and cold in the large room. Then, with a small, mocking smile on his face— TAP.

FWOOOSH~

He took an audible step forward. The sound of his boot hitting the stone was like a hammer strike. It resonated throughout the area, and mixing with [Dominion Aura], it created a heavy, suffocating atmosphere around them.

’It feels like the air is getting thicker.’

One of the younger knights thought, his breath hitching in his chest.

"!?"

Some of the members of the group stepped back unconsciously because of that invisible pressure. Their knees felt weak, and their hands started to shake. Seeing that reaction—

"Haha, it doesn’t really look like I am the one who is cornered, does it?"

Verc let out a small, dry laugh and stated that. He stood tall, looking more like a king in his stolen tuxedo than a hunted criminal.

The knight leader’s brows furrowed deeply at Verc’s words. He looked back at his men and saw them being visibly intimidated by a single person who looked like he had been through a fire.

He didn’t expect much from the low-level soldiers sent by the local barons, but this was much worse than he had expected. They were losing their nerve before the fight even started.

"Don’t take another step! I am warning you, if you move, I will attack!"

The leader ignored the fear of his members and exclaimed that, trying to regain control of the situation.

And Verc, without a care in the world and not missing a single beat— TAP.

He immediately took another step forward, a sharp smirk playing on his lips.

The leader took this as a direct provocation to his honor. It was obvious that Verc wasn’t taking him seriously at all. He felt a surge of rage at being mocked by a suspect. And so— BAM!

"I WARNED YOU!!!"

With an angry, red look on his face, he kicked off the stone floor and rushed at Verc. His heavy armor clanked loudly, and his sword was raised high for a crushing blow.

"..."

Verc looked at the leader closing in on him fast. To everyone else, the knight was a blur of steel, but to Verc, he seemed to be moving through water.

He recalled exactly how to control the mana he had just learned to store. He moved the mana stored in his heart, feeling it flow down his arm like liquid fire. And after that— SWOOSH~!

He used it to cover the whole blade of his sword, making the gems on the hilt glow with a faint, eerie light!

CLANG—!

Verc parried the heavy downward slash. He didn’t even move his feet; he just flicked his wrist and sent the leader’s sword flying upward.

"?!!"

The leader was completely surprised by this. He felt the vibration of the parry travel all the way up to his shoulders, numbing his hands. But his pride as a knight of the City Lord didn’t let him back down.

"GRAAAAAHHH!!!"

FWISH—!

He screamed and swung down his sword again. This time, he gripped the hilt with both hands, putting every bit of his weight and strength into it. It was a strike meant to split Verc in two.

Verc looked at the incoming blade with calm eyes. Then, with just one hand— TAAANG!!!

He blocked it effortlessly by lifting his blade above his head. The two swords met, and sparks flew in the dark room. A satisfied smile appeared on Verc’s face as he realized his mana heart was working even better than he thought. Then— WHOOSH~

He transformed his empty left hand into sharp, jagged claws using [Black Scales]. And without a second of hesitation— S L A S H—!

He swiped his hand horizontally in a blur of motion. The claws tore through the air and slashed right through the leader’s neck. The plate armor at the throat offered no resistance at all.

Verc tore the man’s whole head clean out of his body...

And after that— THUNK!

The heavy, armored body of the leader fell forward onto the ground, blood pooling on the stones. His head rolled across the floor, stopping right near the front line of the pursuit group.

"...?!"

The sight was so brutal and sudden that it made the whole place turn silent and cold. The knights who had been mocking Verc just seconds ago were now frozen in terror.

Verc turned back to the group, and with an emotionless, predatory look in his eyes—

"Aren’t you all going to rush at me together? I thought you had me cornered."

He paused, letting the fear sink into their hearts.

"If not, then I’ll move first."

He muttered that, and the air in the room seemed to drop by ten degrees.