บท 33: Source of Life, Power and Prestige

Blood. In this world of monsters, it is the single most important thing.

Beyond money, beyond prestige. Blood brings power, prestige and worship to the monster world.

The cause of Anya's sealed blood remained a mystery even to Nikolai. However, it could be something natural and something because of her human blood, causing the fragmented Tepes bloodline to remain dormant.

There was also the chance somebody sealed her blood on purpose. Nikolai didn't know why. He only knew that the one who performed such a trick did.

Nikolai chose the sealed crystal of Anya's blood for one reason: because his instinct told him that he could devour that barrier. Then, after that, he devoured her bloodline crystal to grow stronger at the same time, helping Anya to awaken as a vampire.

Although vampires could have children, some clans couldn't reproduce, and thus, their method of creating a lineage was like the method Nikolai just used.

They would infuse a young child with their blood. Then use one of their blood crystals and, during the process, implant it inside the child's heart.

After this, the child would carry the bloodline of the one who bit them, becoming a family. Different from a thrall or turned. The bond created from this method was genuine, starting from a small sense of familiarity and growing into true human-like feelings for family.

No, likely far more intense as the bond is deeper than just blood. It is a bond of the soul.

[You have succeeded, well done, Nikolai. Take a moment to rest. You still have three hours before the reunion tonight.]

"I never realised she would change so much from my simple act of curiosity... Something inside me tells me not to hurt her, to make sure she is safe and happy."

Nikolai looked over at Anya, who had finally stopped crying and writhing in pain. Instead, she curled into a ball and hugged his arm. To prove Eliza's words true, he felt no sexual desire. It was like when his mother bathed him as a child or saw her naked body. It felt natural and nothing dirty or profane.

"I never wanted to hurt her, but I have... I will need to make amends if Selene becomes angry. One day, Anya will surpass her in strength as things are."

[Well, you gave her a second progenitor's blood crystal. I don't understand how your blood purity didn't decrease, though, and instead, the concentration of your Báthory blood increased to 10%!]

'Let's discuss those things later... I need to shower and relax after all that.'

He looked down at the beautiful dhampir. Despite awakening, the system classed Anya as a half-vampire despite the changes, though technically, she was both a vampire and a dhampir at the same time.

'Half Tepes and half Báthory... this girl's blood arts will be deadly in the future.'

However, power wasn't her only change. She grew several inches, her face became more beautiful and emitted the same charm that Nikola's mother or Selene gave off, while her formerly flat chest became a little larger along with her hips. Now, she could at least hold her head high and not cry about being compared to her sister.

The only thing he worried about was her eyes... one turned dark red, while the other was a deep blue. They would definitely cause her trouble in the future.

'Well, the system said the effects were permanent, and I don't know enough about monster features to say otherwise... Perhaps I should bring her to an ophthalmologist when the chance arises.'

[Are you a retard?]

'...'

[You're not humans—those eyes are just the representation of her two bloodlines. The red is Tepes, and the blue is the colour of Báthory, though because Elizabeth's blood was pure, she didn't gain the same blue eyes as her family members. It seems to be a genetic effect of the Báthory clan.]

[Though I am sure those blue eyes are related to their blood arts, we won't know until she awakens and grows stronger.]

'Yeah... Well, I am going to shower, let's see... ah?! Nikita messaged and called me like 30 times!'

[From Nikita (Stalker, Tiny Beauty)] (message 15)

Nikolai, what time are we meeting? Can you send me your location?

Where are you?

Nikolai?

Where...

Why is your door different? Who changed the windows? (Angry Kitten Emoji)

Nikolai quickly responded to Nikita without thinking as he sent his apartment location and told her to come here in an hour as he was about to shower.

[You shouldn't have told her your location or about you going to shower. If that girl wants to assault you, she will have impregnated herself with your seed before you can cry rape.]

'...'

"I really shouldn't have sent that... my mind is still all over the place like a flan wobbling in the wind."

***

Nikolai stood in the shower while leaning against the marble tiles. His face looked pale because of the ritual.

The feeling of the hot water cascading down upon him like small meteors crashing against his skin, the high-pressure water cleaning all impurities and dirt from his body covered in a raspberry and honey shower gel.

However, he felt amazing; it was strange to have a feeling of familiarity with someone else. He always wanted a younger sister, even though Anya was older... she acted like a child.

He understood that his current feelings weren't normal for a human—however, when he thought from the point of view of vampires, it felt different.

Nikolai felt he could accept everything, slowly adapting to his changing world. He thought about tonight's meeting. People mocked him and bullied him, some of who were dear friends and even his best friend, who joined the army right after he graduated.

"How are you... Ryan... I hope you come tonight. Now I feel I can be your friend and not feel those dark, inferior feelings. I am no longer weak and pathetic."

The human mind is a cruel thing, even when you don't think things like money or standing will affect you.

When learning your best friend is one of the richest people in the city, it becomes hard to treat them how you did in the past, especially when your family struggles to put a full meal on the table... and you suffer from debts and poverty.

"I want to apologise properly... Even if he doesn't accept it, I was wrong for making distance because of something stupid like money. Ryan will always be Ryan, but it took me five years to become a monster to learn this... Hahaha, I am quite the fool."

[Ryan... Isn't he the friend who offered to pay off your father's debts and operation expenses if you joined him in the Security Division?]

'Yeah... I was too arrogant and jealous and declined his offer like a fool.'

However, Nikolai swore to himself, when he became a monster that he would never put himself down or compare himself to others and instead look at them for who they are. Accept them for what they do or believe.

"Nn... stop poking me... it hurts..."

"Silence, thieving cat!"

Anya's voice came from the other room as Nikolai left the shower with a towel wrapped around his waist. Because he thought she was in danger, he rushed into the spare room, only to find Nikita sitting on top of Anya poking her face with an eastern blade.

'...'

[See, I told you she would come like a sniffer dog seeking cocaine.]

"Nikita..."

The moment she heard his voice, the blade vanished as if it never existed, and she jumped off Anya's body with a twirl.

Her body landed with a knee bent in front of him. However, the gust of wind caused Nikolai's towel to blow into the distance while Nikita's face lingered at his waist height.

"Oh!!!!" Her eyes turned into stars filled with a giant mushroom while Nikolai became frozen.