Chapter 58 : Awakening!
In the solitary confinement of his room, Val held up a green, pulsating heart - the heart of the formidable Green Devil. He had taken it out of his pocket dimension.
The act of ingesting such an organ would be reckless to some and unthinkable to most, yet to Val, it was merely a catalyst necessary to awaken the dormant power that resided within his blood.
With a casual flick of his finger, Val tossed the Green Devil's heart into his mouth, introducing the pulsating organ to his system. Fear and pain, corruption's best friends as well as its only means of attack had no place in Val's heart, courtesy of his unique trait. That's why he dared to directly use it to awaken his Whitemore Bloodline!
The Green Devil's heart went down his digestive tract and started to disintegrate within his body after it met with his gut juice.
As the Green Devil's heart dissolved within him, Val felt an electrifying sensation coursing through his veins. It was as if his blood was aflame, a hidden energy within it rearing to break free. He could feel his very essence changing, molding, and awakening to a power that had laid dormant since his birth.
The sensation that filled him as the legacy that slept within his blood stirred to life was both exhilarating and sobering.
[Ding! Celebrations are in order, Host! The Green Devil's heart has successfully awakened your latent Whitemore Bloodline. You have acquired a new trait and unlocked a bloodline skill.]
[System Notification: You've acquired the 'Detect' trait. This ability enables you to evaluate an individual's power level and estimate the threat they pose. It will also send out a signal if you're endangered!]
[System Notification: Bloodline Skill 'Titan's Reinforcement' awakened. This skill grants you the ability to temporarily enhance your physical capabilities. It increases your strength, agility, and endurance stats by 20% for a short duration.]
Val was immersed in thought, reflecting on his newly awakened bloodline skill and trait. Neither of them could be classified as overwhelmingly powerful. Still, they held their unique charm and utility. His bloodline skill, 'Titan's Reinforcement', while not spectacularly dominant, provided a significant advantage in combat. It fortified his existing prowess, augmenting his strength, agility, and endurance, effectively complementing his formidable combat abilities. This harmonious integration sat well with Val, offering him a sense of satisfaction and confidence.
On the other hand, the trait 'Detect' unfolded a new realm of perception for him. It bestowed him with a sixth sense for danger and the ability to determine his opponent's level, which he thought was great.
He tested it by almost stabbing himself in the heart. He hadn't even brought the knife down on his chest when a chill went down his spine and his chest started to throb rhythmically. This seemed to be telling him that he was in danger and what part of his body was going to be attacked.
'It feels like I've been granted an advanced warning system.'
This remarkable trait was, in Val's opinion, not just beneficial but downright splendid. The advantages it would yield in his perilous journey were immeasurable,
'My Whitemore bloodline is not as superior as Joshua's, but it's better than any other Whitemore.'
It should be mentioned that contrary to the norm amongst the Whitemores, Val had not only awakened a trait but his bloodline skill, 'Titan's Reinforcement', enhanced all three aspects of his physique, unlike the typical enhancement of a single aspect. This unique anomaly alluded to the fact that Val's bloodline was not just pure but perhaps even the purest. The misunderstanding that everyone had about his Whitemore bloodline being extremely pure turned out to be a fact!
'I can push it to the second level!"
Val had the material necessary to upgrade his Whitemore bloodline to level 2. However, despite possessing the necessary materials, Val found himself caught in a predicament. The Blood Purifying herb he possessed could indeed elevate his Whitemore Bloodline to Level 2. However, such an evolution would trigger a tribulation of heavenly lightning - a phenomenon that would undoubtedly attract unwanted attention within the stronghold. This was something Val had to steer clear of, for the otherwise oblivious Joshua would inevitably sniff out his deception, leading to an interrogation he would much rather avoid.
'The only plausible option I have is to induce the tribulation amidst the secluded expanse of the Evernight forest, which is far away from the stronghold's prying eyes. However, to withstand and survive the heavenly tribulation, meticulous and thorough preparation is required.'
With that thought in mind, Val wasted no further time, setting out towards the eerie depths of the Evernight forest to ready himself for the imminent ordeal.
Waaah! 𝒃𝙚𝙙𝙣𝙤𝒗𝙚𝒍.𝒏𝒆𝒕
Awooooo!
Rugyuhhh!
The outskirts of the Evernight Forest were alive with nightmarish creatures, a cacophony of predatory calls echoing ominously through the towering trees, but tonight, the predators were destined to become the prey.
Val strode purposefully into the outskirts of the Evernight Forest, the crunch of leaves underfoot punctuating the eerie silence that hung heavy in the dense woods. His eyes, reflecting the chilling determination and ruthlessness of a chaotic warlord, were focused and alert.
In response to this intrusion, the inhabitants of the forest began to stir.
The weaker beasts, overpowered by the waves of raw strength emanating from Val, instinctively fled, their survival instincts pushing them away from the imminent danger.
The stronger, bolder ones who were also the more foolish ones rose to the challenge, their primal instincts interpreting Val's presence as a threat to their territory.
With his finely crafted sword in hand, Val was an image of deadly grace. His weapon cut through the air, slicing with ruthless efficiency through the tough hide of the beasts that dared to challenge him. Each swing was precise, each stroke fatal, reaping a life or three. In merely an hour, he hunted so many that the once peaceful outskirt of the Evernight Forest was littered with the corpses of the beasts that had fallen at his hand.
[Ding! Congratulation, Host! You have slain a huge pack of Horned Rabbits. You have earned 25 EXP.]
[Ding! Congratulation, Host! You have slain a huge pack of Shadow Wolf. You have earned 35 EXP.]
[Ding! Congratulation, Host! You have slain a huge pack of Giant Beetles. You have earned 45 EXP.]
The mechanical voice echoed in his head, but Val barely registered it as he was solely focused on the situation at hand.
With a flick of his wrist, he cast his Blood Absorption skill. As a result, the spilled blood of the beasts was swiftly drawn towards him, absorbed into his very being, replenishing his strength and feeding his blood bar.
[Ding! You have absorbed a huge amount of blood. Your blood bar has increased in size. Your current total units of blood are 2200 points.]
After that, he killed several more, using their blood to feed Aquarius, causing its rage meter to hit the peak.
"I have prepared enough."
Val finally felt prepared to tackle the tribulation that would descend upon him once he try to upgrade his Whitemore bloodline to the second level.
"Let's do it!"
He took out the Blood Purifying Herb from his pocket dimension.
The potent herb pulsated with a vibrant aura, a clear indication of its extraordinary properties. Val consumed the herb without any hesitation. Its distinct taste spread across his tongue, before the herb swiftly dissolved, its essence permeating into his bloodstream.
[Ding! You have consumed the Blood Purifying Herb. The Whitemore Bloodline upgrading process has started. Survive the tribulation to complete the upgrade.]