Suddenly, we come to a halt in front of an enormous, pulsating tree. Its roots and branches are adorned with vibrant red veins, creating a captivating sight.
The tree exudes a serene yet intense aura, sending a tingling sensation through me. But what truly captures my attention are the fruits hanging below, brimming with the same vibrant energy. They’re oval-shaped, about the size of a fist, and their ruby-red color pulsates in sync with the tree’s veins.
“Seems different from the last time I saw it,” I mutter, my gaze fixed on the awe-inspiring tree.
“Yeah, during this time of the year, the blood-moon tree produces high-quality fruits,” Zamira explains.
“So, how do I go about plucking these fruits? Do I just jump and grab them with my bare hands?”
“We actually have a harness specifically designed for harvesting blood moon fruits. Wait here for a moment,” Zamira says as she walks away.
Soon, she returns carrying a small metal rod with a scythe-like curved head.
“That thing is too small to—”
To my surprise, the rod suddenly extends into a long harness, measuring about four meters. Coupled with Zamira’s height, it’s more than sufficient to reach and pluck the blood moon fruits.
PLUP.
PLUP.
PLUP.
PLUP.
Zamira skillfully plucks several blood fruits, and as she drops them, I swiftly catch them mid-air, stashing them away in my inventory.
“Phew, there are still plenty of fruits left,” Zamira mutters while putting away the harness.
“Don’t you think I should have more?” I inquire, a mischievous grin forming on my face.
“Five blood moon fruits are more than enough for you to advance to the vampire lord stage. Having too many might pose a problem,” Zamira explains.
“I see…”
“Zamira, I have one more question. Where will the tournament take place?” I ask, curiosity gleaming in my eyes.
“Oh, didn’t you know? It’s going to be held in a virtual world just like the previous ones,” Zamira replies nonchalantly.
Her words instantly light up my face, and excitement rushes through my veins.
“W-What? The tournament will be inside a virtual world? But I haven’t seen any VR capsules since I arrived here,” I utter in awe.
“You probably didn’t notice because Jill’s house is filled with old stuff. Besides, you haven’t ventured much beyond Jill’s chamber. It’s no surprise coming from a Protoss; you rarely act like others of your kind,” Zamira answers, a smile blooming on her face.
“Haha, I suppose I’ve started to change ever since I began recovering my memories,” I reply, reminiscing about the good times I shared with my friends.
Once all of this is over, I’ll undoubtedly reunite with my friends at the academy. I wonder how Barry and his mom are doing…
[….]
“…”
“Zamira, about the capsules, where can I get one?” I ask.
“You can come to my house and take one; I have a bunch of them there. Alternatively, you can purchase one online,” Zamira suggests.
“Alright, I’ll take one then….”
_____________________________________
I find myself in a room within my mother’s chambers. It’s a simple space equipped with outdated gadgets and a modest bed.
In one corner of the room lies the VR capsule I obtained from Zamira. And before me, on a small stool, rest the glowing red fruits—the blood moon fruits.
According to Zamira, all I have to do is consume one fruit, absorb its essence, and then proceed to the next. Let’s give it a try.
In the next moment, I select one of the blood moon fruits, taking a bite and savoring its taste. Due to its size, I can’t consume it all at once, so I take three bites to finish the fruit.
As soon as I swallow the last piece, a surge of intense heat radiates from within me. Crimson veins illuminate across my body, and I feel a tremendous amount of energy coursing through me.
“What kind of fruit is this?” I wonder aloud, amazed by its effects.
_____________________________________
Inside an extravagant room, a massive table surrounded by exquisite wooden chairs takes center stage. Seated at the far end of the table is a mature man, while a younger man occupies one of the random chairs.
“Roth, have you reconsidered your decision? Becoming king would greatly benefit our clan,” a man speaks in a hushed tone. It’s none other than Reyes, the patriarch of the Freeman family.
“Dad, I’ve told you multiple times—I have no interest in becoming king. Jake is my close friend, someone I look up to. I can’t betray him,” Roth asserts firmly.
“You’re being childish, Roth!” Reyes exclaims, slamming his hand on the table.
“Dad, I may have improved significantly, but so has Jake. No matter how much I progress, he always stays ahead, refusing even to spar with me at a certain point. Let’s not even mention his human wife—she’s out of my league,” Roth responds, his expression filled with dejection.
Reyes ponders his youngest son’s words, a cunning smile creeping onto his face.
‘Roth is the most talented among all my children, even surpassing me in battle. However, he’s still just a child. I need to proceed carefully before manipulating him to my advantage,’ Reyes contemplates, a sly grin adorning his face.
“Roth, I have a way for you to surpass your friend,” Reyes murmurs, his grin widening.
Excitement gleams in Roth’s eyes upon hearing his father’s words. The possibility of gaining even more power lifts his spirits.
“What do you have in mind, Dad?” Roth asks eagerly, struggling to contain his anticipation.
“Fufu, since you’re a gifted vampire, nothing can go wrong…”
“What is it, Dad? Tell me!” Roth inquires once more, his curiosity becoming evident.
“The blood moon fruits. I’ve kept some of them in a space ring I acquired over the years. If you consume up to three blood moon fruits, you’ll undoubtedly reach the vampire lord stage. However, I have a condition before I hand them over to you,” Reyes declares, tapping his finger consistently on the table.
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