[Gatekeeper Talent Store] Blood Talents Tier I
[Blood Needle] — Active (Offensive)
Cost: 5 Blood Fragments
Description: Condenses a droplet of blood into a sharp, high-speed projectile. Can pierce through skin and weak armor.
Scaling: Increases damage and cast speed based on the user's INT and the freshness of the blood used.
Cooldown: 3 seconds.
[Blood Skin] — Passive (Defensive)
Cost: 8 Blood Fragments
Description: Reinforces your skin with a thin layer of hardened blood, slightly increasing defense against physical attacks.
Bonus: Regrows slowly with each kill made in your territory.
[Blood Sense] — Passive (Support)
Cost: 6 Blood Fragments
Description: You can detect the presence and rough condition (health/emotion) of any bleeding entity within 30 meters.
Bonus: Stronger near fresh blood or within your territory.
[Leech Fang] — Active (Offensive/Healing)
Cost: 10 Blood Fragments
Description: A bite-based skill. If you land a successful bite, you drain 5% of your target's HP and restore 10% of your own.
Bonus: Higher success rate when target is stunned or bleeding.
[Blood Mark] — Active (Support)
Cost: 7 Blood Fragments
Description: Marks a bleeding target. The marked enemy becomes easier to track and takes 10% more damage from you for 10 seconds.
Cooldown: 15 seconds.
[Hemocall] — Passive (Support)
Cost: 5 Blood Fragments
Description: If you're wounded, all nearby blood naturally flows toward you over time. Reabsorbing it slightly restores health.
Bonus: Works faster within your territory.
[Crimson Thread] — Active (Utility/Control)
Cost: 10 Blood Fragments
Description: Turns your blood into a thin wire. Can bind a limb or latch to surfaces for grappling. If used creatively, it can trip, choke, or drag enemies.
Durability: Breaks after one strong attack.
> Inspired by: Deadman Wonderland's Blood Whip, Bleach's binding kido.
[Blood Ignition] — Active (Offensive Boost)
Cost: 12 Blood Fragments
Description: Burn your own blood to enhance physical power for 5 seconds. +20% speed and strength, but -10% HP.
Warning: Overuse can cause internal bleeding.
[Minor Blood Forge] — Passive (Crafting)
Cost: 8 Blood Fragments
Description: Lets you convert blood into basic items like needles, temporary daggers, or sigils. Items last 3–5 minutes.
Bonus: Can evolve into full blood weapon crafting later.
[Blood Pact: Lesser Thrall] — Active (Support/Summon)
Cost: 15 Blood Fragments
Description: Animates a recently-deceased corpse within your territory as a weak thrall. Lasts 3 minutes.
Limit: 1 thrall at a time.
Note: The corpse must have died in your territory.
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Going through the list, I was genuinely stunned by the versatility of abilities available—even though they were all blood-related.
There were too many options, but too few fragments.
After pondering for a while, I finally made a decision.
"Purchase Blood Pact talent," I ordered.
Ding!
[Blood Thrall Purchased.]
> [Name:] Adam Black
[Level:] 2
[Race:] Human
[Talent:] Gatekeeper
[Talent Tier:] SSS-Tier
[Stats]
Strength: 3 + 3
Speed: 3 + 3
Vitality: 4 + 3
Intelligence: 10 + 3
[Health Points:] 40/40 + 20
[Energy Points:] 20/20
[Experience Points:] 3050
[Skill]
Name: Door
Tier: C
Cost: 1
Proficiency: 15%
Technique: Door Post
Name: Blood Pact
Tier: A
Cost: 10 HP
Proficiency: 0%
[Territory]
[Nightfall Dominion] [Tier 1: Lesser Realm]
[Perks: +3 to all stats & +20 Health Points]
I had two reasons for picking the Blood Pact talent.
The first was simple—I didn't have the strength to protect this place. But the former Lord did. And since his corpse was still here, I could always use it if the need arose.
The second reason?
I needed the Vampire Lord to open his vault.
Where the academy failed, I planned to succeed.
I left the corridor, made my way down to the throne room, and exited the castle through the front doors. Just beside the doorpost were numerous crates filled with books they'd stolen from the library.
I began ransacking the crates, skimming titles, searching for anything that might give me the answers I needed.
After flipping through the first few books, I found a small diary tucked between two thick volumes.
The cover read: Lord Ravus Noctis.
I quickly abandoned everything and sat on the staircase, my back against the door. Without hesitation, I flipped open the first page and began to read.
Entry I: The End of Empires
Year 1605 — Dust still on my boots, blood still in the skies.
> "My homeland was once called Velmir. A proud empire, nestled between rivers of silver and forests that sang at dawn. We were not the strongest, but we were content. I had a wife, Elira, whose laughter warmed the coldest morning. Two children, Arlen and Mira, who still believed the world was good."
> "We heard of other nations falling. Whispers of nightmares that walked in daylight, of gods slain by their own worshippers. We prayed. We tightened our walls. It was not enough."
Entry II: The Night That Devoured Us
I no longer count the moons. Only the screams.
> "The creature came when the stars turned red. It did not knock. It broke through our roof like thunder and smoke. Its eyes were fire. Its teeth, knives. I told my family to run. Elira stayed."
> "She faced the vampire with nothing but a fire iron. She screamed at it, buying me time but it soon struck her dead with one hit. Taking advantage of the distraction, I plunged the stake through its ribs. It howled—not in death, but fury—and struck. Its teeth sank into my throat as I watched her burn before my eyes."
> "It died. But not before it gifted me its curse."
Entry III: The Children
I would trade eternity for one second undone.
> "The hunger came fast. It was not pain—it was need. My veins boiled, my vision cracked."
> "Then... I heard them. Arlen's voice. Mira's small, shaking breath."
> "I warned them to stay hidden. But they came to find me. They trusted me."
> "And the beast in me rose."
Entry IV: Blackout
There are no words in any tongue for this guilt.
> "I remember only flashes. A cry. A hand reaching for me. Blood. Silence."
> "I awoke with their bodies in my arms. Still warm. Still trusting."
> "My scream cracked the walls of the ruins. I clawed at my own flesh. I begged the gods who abandoned us to punish me."
Entry V: The Stake
Death was mercy. I took it.
> "I dragged their bodies to the hearth. Wrapped them in the tapestry Elira wove. I kissed their cold foreheads."
> "Then I took the stake. The same one that failed to save them. And I drove it into my own heart."
> "But death did not come."
Entry VI: The Heavens Speak
I should have gone to Hell. Instead, I was shackled to redemption.
> "The stars opened. A voice thundered in my bones—not in mercy, but in decree."
> 'You are cursed not for what you have become, but for what you failed to protect. Rise, Gatekeeper. Atone. Stand at the edge of the world, and hold the darkness at bay.'
> "So I rose. A shell of the man I was. Not to live. Not to die. But to guard."
> "Let the world call me monster. Let them fear the Lord of Nightfall. I will not rest. I do not deserve peace."