Chapter 200

Seeing Embris answer so readily, Seonghyun was a bit taken aback.

‘She accepted it right away.’

Then again, it was a very good contract, not one to be refused.

There were drawbacks, but even so, the conditions were very good for Embris as well.

‘Her skills will be enhanced?’

It said her skills would be enhanced by receiving the effect.

Who would refuse this?

Even without this, Embris had felt herself grow stronger after her 3rd Class Advancement, but she had still been feeling like, ‘This is an Almighty-rank class?’.

And wasn't this offering to free her from that feeling?

There was no reason not to accept the contract.

This was a natural result.

‘It certainly is good.’

It was definitely a good contract for Embris.

Of course, the one who benefited more was Seonghyun.

Because he would receive a share of her experience?

Or because he could summon Embris?

Of course, these were also good effects.

The part about receiving a portion of her experience was especially good for Seonghyun.

He was already in a situation where his vassals were draining his experience, so it was a much-needed effect.

But was that all there was to it?

‘This is incredible.’

It wasn't visible to Embris, but Seonghyun's benefits were also enormous.

[Upon contracting with 『Apostle of Blood』, your number of absorbed blood-kin will increase by an additional 100.]

[When the number of blood-kin absorbed by 『Blood Monarch』 exceeds 200, it will grow and unlock a new effect.]

What that meant was, although he didn't know what new ability he would get…

‘At the very least, it means another 100 additional stats.’

Just the 100 additional stats alone were incredible.

In simple terms, it was equivalent to the effect of leveling up 20 times.

In any case, it was a win-win contract for both of them.

There was no reason for either of them not to accept.

And so, as Embris accepted the contract, a crimson aura suddenly erupted from her body.

“Uh, uhm?”

As Embris, startled by her own condition, stood there blankly, the sound of a lock unlocking was heard in the air.

Click.

Along with the sound of release, the crimson aura erupting from Embris grew even more intense, and the energy was fully absorbed into her.

Then, a message appeared for both Seonghyun and Embris.

[The 『Apostle of Blood』 wishes to make a contract.]

[The contract is made, and a Blood Alliance is formed.]

[All contract conditions are fulfilled.]

[From now on, the 『Apostle of Blood』 can never harm the 『Blood Monarch』.]

“Ooh?!”

“Oh.”

That was the message that appeared for both of them.

And for Embris, messages appeared saying that various skills had been slightly enhanced.

And for Seonghyun.

[『Blood Monarch』 accepts 『Apostle of Blood』 as a blood-kin.]

[You have acquired +100 additional stats.]

[The number of absorbed blood-kin has exceeded 200.]

[The level of 『Blood Monarch』 rises to 3.]

[『Blood Monarch』 unlocks a new ability.]

→All blood-type skills power +50%.

→You can acquire one skill from an absorbed or contracted blood-kin.

‘Wow.’

But that wasn't the end.

[You can acquire one skill from the 『Apostle of Blood』, who has been enhanced by the memories engraved in blood.]

[Please make a selection.]

‘This is it.’

As expected, the effect that unlocked was better than he had thought.

And so, Seonghyun was able to choose one of the skills that the 『Apostle of Blood』 possessed.

And from among them, Seonghyun chose the skill that had impressed him the most during the Rafflesin battle.

To think this was an Almighty-rank skill.

[You have selected the Almighty-rank skill, 『Crimson Demise』.]

[This is a skill acquired through the special effect of 『Blood Monarch』.]

[You can use the 『Apostle of Blood』 exclusive skill.]

Seonghyun immediately checked the skill he had selected.

『Crimson Demise』

→《Almighty》

→[Lv 1][Growth-type]

[Instant Effect][Active]

[Cooldown 3 minutes]

Those cut by the Crimson Demise shall have their lives taken.

→Apostle of Blood exclusive skill (Acquired via Blood Monarch).

→Creates a blade of Crimson Demise by drawing one's own blood.

→Upon hit, absorbs enemy's health equal to 150% of the damage dealt.

→If health is full, deals an additional 1,500% damage instead of absorbing.

→The hit enemy enters a bleeding state, taking 1% of their max health as damage per second for 10 seconds.

‘Hmm.’

Compared to the other Almighty-rank skills Seonghyun had obtained so far, this one was a bit flawed.

To think that this was the enhanced skill.

He was a little surprised.

‘The Overlord class really is incredibly strong.’

He had heard that there was quite a gap between a "Lord" class and other classes, but he hadn't known it would be this much.

Besides, hadn't he already confirmed its power when Embris used it?

The power and cooldown were a bit disappointing.

Still, it was a much better skill than other Legendary-rank skills, so it seemed usable enough.

‘What if I use it in conjunction with Blood Poison?’

‘It should be fine. I’ll invest the additional stats into Intelligence and Wisdom.’

As Seonghyun confirmed his gains, Embris, who had also just finished checking everything, blinked with sparkling eyes.

“Thank you so much!”

“Yes?”

“Thank you so much for giving me this opportunity. Honestly, you could have just ignored me…”

“Ah.”

It was certainly possible for Embris to see it that way.

After all, she couldn't see what Seonghyun had gained.

From Embris's perspective, she might be losing out on some experience, but she had gained 50 additional stats and her skills were enhanced.

It was worth being thankful for.

From Seonghyun's perspective, even that skill was a bit lacking, but if she was happy, that's all that mattered.

“Not at all. It was a good contract for me too.”

“Through this contract, you can now summon us at any time.”

“Us?”

The contract was only with Embris, so why "us"?

As Seonghyun asked back, puzzled, Embris spoke as if she had forgotten to mention it.

“Ah! My companions also made a contract with me, similar to this one, and changed to a Unique-rank class.”

“Oho.”

Considering that, the 『Apostle of Blood』 class seemed quite good after all.

‘So that's why they're all vampires.’

As Seonghyun was thinking this, Embris continued to speak her mind.

Listening to her silently, Seonghyun thought.

‘In that case… it might be good to link it up like this.’

It seemed Embris's utility had increased more than he had thought.

5.

“Thank you so much. Thanks to you all, I was able to avenge my father. Thank you so much.”

Jarod repeatedly expressed his gratitude.

And for everyone present, the quest clear message appeared.

[You have cleared the quest.]

[Acquiring rewards.]

[You have acquired an enormous amount of experience.]

[Level Up!] ×5

[You have become Level 157.]

[You have acquired 40,000 Gold as a reward.]

Truly, an unbelievable reward.

Including the reward he received at the beginning, Seonghyun had obtained a total of 50,000 gold.

Seonghyun, with the highest contribution, received 50,000 gold.

Embris's party received 10,000 gold each.

Junu's party received 5,000 gold each.

Although there was a difference, no one complained, as no one denied that Seonghyun had done most of the work.

As the quest ended, Junu's party was the first to get up again and spoke to Seonghyun.

“It was truly an honor!!!”

“Thank you for everything!!!”

“We wish you continued success!!!”

As Junu's party made a fuss, thanking Seonghyun before disappearing, Embris's party also looked at Seonghyun and expressed their gratitude.

“We were also really grateful!!!”

“We’ll be counting on you from now on!!!”

“Thank you so much!!!”

“Thanks to you, we saw something amazing!!!”

As Embris's party also left, Seonghyun, feeling a bit embarrassed at being praised when he felt he hadn't done much, stood up from his seat.

He needed to test his newly acquired skill and get another quest.

“This time, we can participate too, right?”

-I-I'll do my best too!!!

Helena asked, her face lit up as if she had been bored all this time, and Fiora also spoke energetically.

Looking at the two, Seonghyun also nodded.

“Alright.”

He had been supporting this time, so there was no opportunity, but other quests probably wouldn't be with other people like this.

No, even if they were together, he had to let Helena and Fiora fight.

It didn't matter if his identity as the Demon King was revealed anyway. He just had to make the invisibility spell on his mask visible again.

Of course, there was something he had to do before that.

As Seonghyun made a call somewhere, a bewildered voice was heard repeatedly, but eventually, with an assenting voice, Seonghyun moved as if it was done.

“Let's go test the skill!”

0.

[Rapid Guild Recruits a New Rookie?]

[None Other Than the Rookie Slayer, Kyou!?]

[Kyou's Recruitment, Rapid Guild Provided Ample Compensation.]

[Victim Guilds All Satisfied After Receiving Compensation from Rapid Guild.]

[Amicable Agreement Reached.]

Various gossip items emerged about the Rapid Guild, whose stock was rising day by day.

It caused quite a stir, to the point that various articles were published, not just posts in the community. The name Kyou had that much influence, after all.

Although it wasn't revealed that he was Almighty-rank, he still had that much influence.

Above all, wasn't Kyou known to be more skilled than Meiran?

Also, several more articles were published after that.

[The Top Rookie of 'Eclipse Order', Meiran! Transfers to Rapid Guild!!!]

[The Rookie of 'Tempest Wing', Kurosawa Ren! Transfers to Rapid Guild!!!]

[Rapid Guild's Recent Moves Are Unprecedented!]

[Rapid Guild Armed with a Formidable Legion of Rookies!]

With Rapid Guild taking in not only Kyou but also a large number of other rookies, it was no wonder things were in an uproar.

Normally, poaching rookies from other guilds would result in a barrage of criticism, but…

-Wow, from Eclipse Order to Rapid Guild? Meiran, you have good eyes!

-lolol honestly, it's understandable to be disappointed.

-I'd leave too;;;

-Meiran in Rapid? It's actually a good fit!

-Keuheu, Meiran noona!!! Fighting!!!

-You guys are too much, cheer for Kurosawa Ren too… anyway, I'll start, Meiran fighting!

-What's with the comment above? lolol.

Because of what the two guilds had done at the Dune Wild Trail.

They couldn't even mount a proper counterargument and had to take a beating from public opinion.

They managed to save a little face by releasing articles saying they had willingly allowed the transfers to Rapid Guild.

But in any case, the Rapid Guild had been busy with these recent moves.

The new rookies were all exceptionally skilled, so it should have been a good thing, but the expression on the face of Rapid, the Guild Master of Rapid Guild, was not so good.

It was beyond just having a lot of work.

‘…Again? Another rookie?’

It was because another new rookie was joining.

Just like the rookies who had joined recently, this one was also from Seonghyun.

It was a good thing.

The guild was growing.

Their income was increasing day by day, and the number of subscribers to their channel had also increased significantly.

“Haaaa. I really need to hire more people.”

It was hard to find trustworthy people, but she had no choice.

She was physically running out of time.

This new rookie was the same.

In all honesty, she wanted to say it was fine and refuse, but the applicant had even sent their specs.

‘…Another Almighty-rank…’

A free pass that didn't even require a review.

Moreover, all their companions were Unique-rank.

They didn't ask for much, just for their companions to also belong to the Rapid Guild and form a backup team for Seonghyun.

Just how many backup teams did Seonghyun have?

On top of that.

‘With a special skill, they can go to Seonghyun at any time…’

This was definitely a good effect.

The entire team could go, and if used well?

‘He said it would be possible to move with the other backup teams just by using the skill, right?’

It increased their utility, so it was very good for backup.

‘Let’s recruit them for now. And the management…’

‘I’ll just leave the rest to Luna.’

A thought that would have made Luna faint if she had heard it.

But what could she do? She was short-handed.

And Rapid thought.

‘I should take this opportunity to have the backup teams meet.’

It seemed like it would be a chaotic mess, but… well, they'd manage somehow.

Luna would.

Thinking that, she quickly moved on to other work.

She didn't even have time to get sidetracked.

Then, Rapid suddenly had a thought.

‘Seonghyun, he probably checked the payment, right?’

Judging by the fact that he hadn't said anything, it seemed he hadn't, but she figured he'd take care of it on his own and left it at that.

She had transferred the money accurately, after all.