"Grandpa, are you hoping to rope in that boy close to the Adenea family?" Atlas asked curiously.
"I have given him a token of goodwill. We are the first Ancient family he had ever met, and he shouldn't pass up this opportunity to befriend us." The old man lolled in a rocking chair and fanned his beard with a hand fan. He looked like an astute strategist who had everything under his control.
Atlas nodded. Although her grandfather's real intention still escaped her, she at least had gained a much better understanding of Eli and his abilities.
She would never have thought that this annoying boy would later be as powerful as the person who impressed her father and even her grandfather.
"Plus, he is so young. Even if he were not as powerful as they are yet, he would surpass their ability one day." The old man heaved a sigh as he marveled at the infinite potential of this young man.
"You mean, he can achieve the Immortal State just like the big three?" Atlas asked incredulously as disbelief flickered in her eyes.
******
The next day, Eli received a Comm call. To his surprise, it was from Milliette Visoki. She called to check on him after last night's ordeal and invited him to join her and two friends for lunch. Eli declined the invitation as politely as he could. He didn't appreciate how those girls had treated him last night and didn't want to be bored again.
Eli opened the digital screen that Aunty Visoki had installed in his room and typed in: Darkweb.vsr. The Darkweb was a controversial site that sold almost anything, skirting the line of legality. They became popular because their merchandise was delivered immediately after payment, rumored to be due to some teleportation crystal. Shortly after their massive launch, they started selling illegal and dark items. The government tried to infiltrate the site but was quickly shut down, logged off, or had their chips fried. No one could tell how the site knew it was government personnel trying to sign in. The government even paid those with existing accounts to infiltrate the site, but those accounts were also shut down, permanently banned, or had their chips fried. Eventually, the government gave up and ensured the site faded into the background. Currently, you can't sign in unless you already have an account.
A screen popped up:
[Darkweb]
[Username:....]
[Password:....]
Eli typed in his deceased biological dad's username: Night$hade007. Then he entered the password, which was his birthday: 070828. A blue scanning ray left his digital screen and scanned him. A new screen appeared with his passport and ID, and his biological dad's passport and ID, before clearing to a screen with only two options:
[BUY]
[SELL]
"Hmm… very efficient," Eli complimented.
Eli pressed the "BUY" option, and a search bar appeared. He typed in: Pureloined blood. A slot appeared with a username and the item available for purchase:
[Username: Anonymous Brigadier]
[Position: Seller]
[Item: Pureloined blood]
[Quantity: 10 Liters]
[Price: 1,000,000 Credits]
[Do you wish to buy?]
Eli typed in "yes."
[Insert your card number]
Eli took out the card the old man gave him and inserted the number. His digital screen immediately turned white and started vibrating. Eli was used to this occurrence as he had watched his biological dad do it before.
[You are advised to put on a pair of lab glasses]
Eli took out the pair of lab glasses he bought and put them on. Immediately, there was a bright, brilliant flash that could cause blindness. When Eli took off the glasses after the flash, there was a red drum beside him, 3 feet tall, with countless preservative pale green crystals embedded into it and a tag that read "Blood."
"DING!"
Eli's Comm immediately chimed. When he looked at the message, it was a debit of 1,000,000 credits. Eli couldn't decipher the logic behind this as he only gave his card number, but he was pleased with the results. He lifted the drum and stored it in his fridge.
[Host: Eli Dengare]
[Race: Demon]
[Rank: Noble]
[Strength: 40]
[Agility: 25]
[Stamina: 15]
[Precision:15]
[Charm: 7]
[Energy: 200]
[Level 5]
[26000EXP/50000EXP]
[HP 800/800]
[DBS Balance: 20,000]
[Affinity:Blood, Shadow, Hellfire]
[Skills: Hammer (Lv.2), Phantom Step (Lv.1), Inspect (Lv.2), Omnipotent eye(Lv.1), Phantom blade(Lv.1) Daze( Lv.1)]
[Shadow Skill: Scout (Lv.1), Shadow Cloak(Lvl 1), Shadow wall (Lvl 1)]
[Blood Skill: Blood Claw (Lv.2) Blood Spray(Lv.1)]
[Hellfire Skill: Demon Wing (Lv.1)Locked(Lvl 10))]
[Time Skill : Time Freeze (Lvl 1)]
[ Inventory: Rusty Dagger(White),Worn Boots(White), Brittle Bone(White), Faded Map(White), Empty Potion Bottle(Common), Dull Crystal(White), Leaky Water Skin(White), Rothsoth Dual Dagger ( Basic-Tier), 1 Umbrathorn beast crystal (Intermidiate Tier), 1 Winged Drake beast crystal (Advanced Tier), 1 Grandul beast Crystal (Intermidiate Tier), Broken Umbrella (White), Blood Moon Mask(Epic)]
Eli opened his inventory and selected the Blood Moon Mask. The mask materialized in his hand, its cold metal sending a shiver up his spine. He stared at it, marveling at its craftsmanship. The mask was a blunt black half-mask, designed to cover the lower half of the face. It featured curves for the nose and mouth, with four twisted fangs intertwined together, their pointed tips jutting out as the finishing touch. It looked like a masterpiece.
[Item: Blood Moon Mask]
[Rank: Epic]
[The Blood Moon Mask can consume blood or draw in blood in close proximity.]
[Skill: Blood Healing: Consumed blood can be used to restore 25% health.]
[Cooldown: 1 minute]
[Skill: Rage: Consumed blood can be used to increase all stats by 25% (Duration: 30 seconds)]
[Cooldown: None]
[Capacity: 1 Liter]
The first skill seemed essential, though Eli found it slightly lacking. The system couldn't store blood in the inventory, and 25% health restoration felt like a downgrade. He could recover 100% health if he drank at least 2 liters of blood, but the system had warned him against such a route. Consuming more than the recommended 50cl of blood would lead to addiction, turning him into a bloodlusted beast with no emotions, driven only by the need to feed.
As for the second skill, it was an insanely overpowered ability. With no cooldown, as long as there was blood to spare, Eli could remain in a rage state indefinitely. This could easily turn the tide of any battle.
Eli opened his fridge and measured 1 liter of blood into a flask. He began pouring it onto the mask. As soon as the blood left the flask, it was drawn towards the mask like countless pellets, greedily consumed in less than 5 seconds without leaving a single drop. The mask's color shifted from rusted black to blood red, and three claw marks on the left side began to glow with a brilliant crimson luster.
Eli put the mask on and stared at his reflection in the mirror. Shirtless, the countless black markings covering his chest, back, and stomach—resembling a tapestry of ancient language—were also reflected. These markings were the only things he had gained after his evolutions that he couldn't decipher. Even after asking the system, he was told they were the markings of his rank as a noble.
"I look more like an assassin," he muttered.
Eli took off the mask and put it back in his inventory. He selected it again, willing it to appear on his face. The mask materialized on his face. He repeated this process three more times before he got bored.
Eli glanced at the time and realized he was already running late for his first day of school. He quickly put on his new school uniform: green trousers and a white long-sleeve shirt.
The uniform featured a sleek, form-fitting design made from adaptive smart fabric that adjusted to the wearer's body temperature. On the right chest, a dynamic holographic crest of Hutton Academy symbolized innovation and excellence. At its center, a radiant silver gear represented the fusion of technology and knowledge. Surrounding the gear, a ring of glowing blue circuits formed a protective shield, signifying the academy's commitment to cutting-edge education. Above the gear, a stylized phoenix with wings outstretched embodied rebirth and limitless potential, while the academy's motto, "Ad Astra Per Scientiam" (To the Stars Through Knowledge), scrolled beneath in luminescent script. On the left, a holographic screen displayed the student's ability level and achievements, which Eli switched off. Integrated with modern area technology, the uniform offered enhanced durability and self-cleaning properties, ensuring students always looked their best.
Eli grabbed his bag, had a quick breakfast of slightly cooked meat, and left his house. He had already planned to run all the way to school since it wasn't far from his place.