The surroundings transform rapidly, morphing into a vast expanse of desert with rocky hills and caves scattered across the landscape. It stretches endlessly, a barren wasteland as far as the eye can see. Chaos erupts instantly as the other families begin scrambling around the area. Some take to the air, their wings carrying them away from danger, while others engage in fierce battles.
“Let’s find a safe place to camp,” I suggest to Zamira and our three other teammates. They nod in agreement, and in the next moment, wings sprout from our backs, allowing us to take flight. However, Carmin remains grounded.
“Ah, I don’t have wings,” she says, a hint of disappointment in her voice. “But I came prepared.” As she speaks, a hoverboard materializes in her hand.
We take off, soaring over the desert landscape in search of a haven. The wind whips past us as we fly, the scorching sun beating down on our backs. Below, we witness battles raging on, families fighting for survival in this harsh new world.
The intense heat proves challenging to move through, especially for Moe and Phill due to their vampire noble stage evolution, which makes them more sensitive to the high temperatures. Carmin, on the other hand, manages to keep up with us, thanks to her hoverboard and her subclass abilities.
According to the game’s rules, once a participant is killed, they disintegrate and are logged out. Only five survivors are needed, regardless of their backgrounds. Even if an entire family of five survives, they will emerge as the victors. Based on my knowledge, the participants most likely to be eliminated early are those who engage in battles right from the start.
After flying for about twenty minutes, we spot a small cave nestled among a cluster of smaller caves and valleys. It appears unsuspecting to other participants, making it a potentially safe hiding place.
We land and enter the cave, grateful for the respite from the relentless heat outside. The cool darkness of the cave provides a welcome relief.
Thanks to our night vision capabilities, we can see clearly inside the cave. In fact, our vision seems even sharper than in daylight. There are only a few harmless rats and snakes lurking around, as animals in the virtual reality world are less aggressive than their real-world counterparts.
We settle down, sitting on the cave floor. Zamira sits close to me, while Moe, Phill, and Carmin sit opposite us.
Suddenly, Zamira produces a small round gadget that resembles a pocket watch. It displays the number 98.
“Two players are dead,” she announces, her voice filled with gravity.
“Most of the people engaging in battle now are from small families. Participants from the big five families won’t make such a reckless move,” Moe interjects.
“I agree,” Carmin adds, nodding in agreement with Moe’s observation.
However, Zamira appears deep in thought, her brow furrowed as she considers the situation. After a moment of silence, she speaks up, her voice a mix of concern and suspicion. “Did any of you notice? Most of the big families took off into the air without engaging in battle. Some even flew alongside each other. My guess is that they want the smaller families to be cleared out before joining the fight,” Zamira murmurs.
Hearing her words, I shake my head, countering her assumption. “Wrong, Zamira. You’re mistaken,” I say firmly, attempting to dispel her theory. “The main target of the big families is us, the Mystro family. Based on what I observed when they took off, they’ll probably ally with each other to wipe us out. The Sanguine Family and the Freeman are exceptions, though.”
Zamira’s eyes widen as my words sink in. The realization dawns on her, and her expression transforms from confusion to a mix of concern and determination. “You may be right,” she reluctantly admits, her voice tinged with worry. “If the big families have set their sights on us, we need to prepare ourselves for a battle unlike any other.”
Carmin’s eyes narrow as she processes the implications. “It seems we have underestimated the power dynamics within the families,” she remarks, her voice tinged with frustration. “But we won’t allow them to destroy our legacy without a fight.”
Moe clenches his fist, his determination shining through his eyes. “We’ve faced numerous challenges before, and we’ve always emerged victorious,” he declares, his voice filled with unwavering conviction. “This time won’t be any different. We’ll fight for our family’s honor, for our ancestors, and for our future.”
Suddenly, I stand up and stretch my back, letting out a yawn. The transformation into the vampire lord stage has left me with a body that feels foreign yet powerful. As I rise to my full height, my muscles ripple with newfound strength, and I can’t help but admire the changes.
“I still haven’t fully adapted to this new body after evolving to the vampire lord stage,” I remark, a mix of amusement and fascination in my voice. I turn my gaze to my palms, examining them closely. The veins beneath my pale skin pulse with energy. “Perhaps it’s time to put it to the test,” I muse to myself, a mischievous smile playing on my lips.
“What are you up to?” Zamira suddenly asks, her eyes flashing with curiosity. She must have sensed my restlessness and intuited that something is brewing in my mind.
“Hehe, before I answer your question, tell me first, how many participants are remaining?” I reply with a giggle, teasing her playfully. Although I already know the answer, I want to hear it from her.
Zamira looks at me with a mixture of surprise and amusement. “There are 80 participants remaining,” she replies, displaying the gadget that boldly displays the number 90. “Don’t tell me you’re planning to single-handedly wipe out other families? The moment you step out, you’ll become a target because of the Mystro emblem on you. Besides, we are a team. We should stick together!” Her voice carries a hint of worry and frustration.
I chuckle at her concern. Despite witnessing the extent of my power, she still cares about my safety. It’s both endearing and frustrating. “Do you really think I’m so weak that I’d be taken down easily? I’m even stronger than before,” I retort, a confident gleam in my eyes.
Zamira raises an eyebrow, still not entirely convinced. “You may be powerful, but that doesn’t mean you’re invincible. The emblem on your body attracts attention, especially from rival families who would love nothing more than to claim the title of the strongest for themselves. We need to be cautious and strategic if we want to survive.”
Her words strike a chord within me. Zamira is right, as always. Surviving in this deadly competition requires more than just brute strength. It demands strategy, teamwork, and careful planning. However…
I take a deep breath, meeting Zamira’s intense gaze. “You’re right, Zamira. But there’s something more important I need to do. Why don’t you trust me?” I ask, teasing her slightly. I already know she trusts me, but I want to hear her say it.
Zamira sighs, a mix of exasperation and trust evident in her expression.
“Alright, I trust you. We’ll stay here until you return,” she says, waving her hand dismissively.
“But Your Highness—” Moe starts, his sentence abruptly cut off.
“Don’t worry, I’ll be fine,” I reassure them, stepping out of the cave.
As I reach the entrance of the cave, I pause and glance back at the small opening. I can’t resist the urge to test my newfound powers, fueled by celestial energy. With a determined grin, I focus my mind and prepare to unleash my abilities.
“It’s time to put this celestial energy to the test,” I mutter, a spark of excitement igniting within me. Taking a deep breath, I close my eyes momentarily, grounding myself in the present moment. As I exhale, I visualize the celestial energy flowing through me, like a river of power coursing through my veins.
With a flick of my fingers, a burst of dazzling aura erupts from my body. The energy shimmers with an ethereal glow, intertwining with the celestial energy surrounding me. It dances gracefully, casting a radiant glow upon the surroundings. The sight is beautiful, filling me with awe and anticipation.
As the celestial energy surges, a remarkable transformation takes place. Dozens of blood swords materialize in the sky above the cave entrance. Each sword possesses a sinister elegance, their crimson hues contrasting sharply against the pale backdrop of the heavens. They hover effortlessly, suspended in mid-air, awaiting my command.
I imbue my will into these blood swords, granting them a purpose beyond mere inanimate objects. With a single thought, they will defend this sacred place. Even the mightiest of foes, including a vampire lord, would struggle to withstand their relentless assault unless they possess exceptional skill and power.
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