Chapter 105: SIRING BLESSEDS
Retribution emerged from the collapsing dungeon, stepping out into the ruined city just as the structure behind him began to self-destruct. His figure radiated calm authority, his Doppelgangers and hybrids already having completed their duty of clearing every last monster inside. The battlefield behind him crumbled, but the city before him remained in his grasp.
Across the streets, rifts to the sanctuary bloomed open one after another, shimmering like vast gateways to another realm. Every hybrid under Aaron’s command worked tirelessly, ushering the surviving citizens into safety. Families, children, even animals were pulled through the glowing rifts. The sanctuary welcomed not only people but also objects they held deep affection for—heirlooms, keepsakes, even worn-down tools that symbolized memories of lives they would never return to. This city would soon be abandoned forever.
Not everyone obeyed willingly. Those who resisted out of fear or stubbornness found themselves compelled by the overwhelming authority of the hybrids. Their wills were bent, their protests silenced, until one by one, all were relocated.
While this great migration unfolded, Retribution stood watch. His gaze lingered on the dungeon cores he had seized, devouring them one after another. Each core was crushed into nothingness inside him, feeding his bloodline’s awakening. The curse that had weighed on him thinned with every essence consumed, its shackles breaking strand by strand.
Through the link of the system, the sanctuary itself thrummed with growth. It siphoned pure core essence through its bond with Aaron, expanding vast chambers and strengthening its foundations. What had once been a refuge was slowly evolving into a thriving world of its own, ensuring that congestion would never suffocate his growing number of citizens.
During this relocation, a different matter weighed on Aaron’s mind. His Doppelgangers had already reported their failure to convert the A-rank dungeon bosses into hybrids. To eliminate doubt, they had deliberately left one alive—an A-rank red orc—so Aaron could test the process personally.
He stood before the beast, its crimson skin shimmering faintly with power. Without hesitation, Aaron sank his fangs into its flesh and let his blood flow into it. The orc’s body trembled violently, its veins bulging as the transformation attempted to take hold. But just like the others, its frame couldn’t endure the hybrid bloodline. In the next instant, its body detonated into a fine mist of blood, scattering across the chamber like rain.
Aaron narrowed his eyes at the crimson haze. The answer was now undeniable—only S-rank and above boss monsters could withstand the turning process. Anything lower would shatter under the sheer potency of his blood.
Three days later, the massive relocation was complete. Every living being, every treasured possession had been carried into the sanctuary. Even Isobel’s most loyal vampires were transferred, leaving behind nothing but silent streets and empty ruins. The once-living city had become a ghost town.
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Aaron, Alice, and Michael pressed on with their adventures. Dungeon after dungeon fell before them, each raid strengthening their teamwork. To an outsider, it might have seemed like a thrilling journey of three comrades. But for Aaron, it was more than adventure. It was an examination. Every step, every battle was a chance to observe their hearts, to decide whether they were trustworthy enough to share the secret of his bloodline.
After a week of fighting side by side, laughter, and victories, Aaron’s decision solidified. It was time to take the next step.
"Aaron. You’ve been absent-minded for over a minute now. What’s wrong?" Michael’s voice pulled him back, breaking his long silence.
Aaron blinked, then exhaled slowly. "Oh... my bad. I was just thinking. There’s something I need to tell you both." His tone was calm, but deep inside, his mind had already been made up.
Turning to Alice, his gaze sharpened. "What if I told you there’s a way to help you control your domain? A way for you to grow stronger—and even break the universe’s hold over you?"
Michael frowned, clearly unconvinced. "What are you trying to say? The only way for her to control the domain is through training. And what do you mean by ’the universe’s control’ over her?" His doubt was genuine, but his curiosity was undeniable. Alice’s expression mirrored his, though hers carried more patience than suspicion.
Aaron hesitated for a breath. "Can I just show you? Explaining it will only make things more complicated... and harder for you to accept."
"Alright." Alice nodded almost instantly, her trust in him absolute.
Michael groaned, rubbing his forehead. "Of course you’d say yes that quickly. You really make things too easy for him." He sighed, half irritated, half amused, but the glint in his eyes betrayed his own decision. "Fine. There’s no way I’m missing out. I’m in too."
Aaron gave a faint smile and produced two small bottles, each filled with a rich crimson liquid. "The first step is... strange. You’ll have to do this willingly. Drink my blood." His voice was steady, though faintly awkward.
"Sorry, what?" Michael froze, blinking at him in disbelief.
"Exactly as I said." Aaron repeated calmly, holding the bottles out. "Drink my blood."
In truth, he had once considered forcing them. But he couldn’t bypass their domains—not without their cooperation. This gamble was his only option. Would their domains reject the act, or would they accept it as naturally as water?
The answer came quickly. Alice tilted the bottle to her lips without hesitation. The moment Aaron’s blood slid down her throat, her eyes shimmered faintly. She didn’t waver, didn’t question. For her, if this meant a chance to silence the cursed domain that haunted her, she would risk everything. And because it was Aaron—the man she trusted above all else—her decision was absolute.
Michael’s jaw tightened as he watched her. Frustration twisted in his chest, not just at Alice’s reckless trust but at the thought of being left behind. He hated the idea of becoming the third wheel, of standing outside the circle forming before his eyes. Gritting his teeth, he drank as well.
"Alright. What’s next?" he asked, his voice tinged with irritation as the metallic taste lingered on his tongue.
Aaron’s smile sharpened. "Next... you both die."
Before either could react, he moved. Excalibur flashed, piercing their hearts with merciless precision. Alice and Michael collapsed in silence, their lives snuffed out in an instant.
"...Michael is definitely going to yell at me for this later," Aaron muttered under his breath, scratching the back of his head as though embarrassed by his own ruthlessness. He opened a rift to the sanctuary and carried their bodies through.
The clone he had stationed with them stood waiting, still holding Excalibur—the same blade Aaron had entrusted to him days earlier for this very plan.
"I see you turned them," Aaron said as he approached, reverting from Retribution’s appearance to his true self.
"Yes." The Doppelganger’s voice was steady as he gently handed Alice and Michael over.
"Good work. Go help the others—we still have many vampires to turn." Aaron’s tone carried quiet authority.
He placed his friends into separate chambers within the castle, ensuring their safety while their transformation began. With that done, he turned his attention to another matter that had been gnawing at his thoughts—the basilisk he had turned.
Arriving at the reinforced cell, Aaron froze in surprise. A man stood before him instead of the monstrous beast. His body was tall and lean, covered in patches of black scales that gleamed under the faint light. His long black hair fell around a face marked by beast-like eyes, dark skin radiating primal energy. The aura he carried was sharp, predatory, and yet oddly fragile.
Completely naked, the man stood there, gazing at Aaron with a mix of fear and reverence.
"Who are you?" Aaron demanded, narrowing his eyes.
He already had a suspicion of the truth, but he needed confirmation.
The man didn’t answer immediately. His beastly eyes flickered with emotions Aaron couldn’t place—fear, awe, submission.
"I said... who are you?" Aaron’s voice grew sharper, cutting through the silence as he prepared himself for the revelation he already anticipated.