Ashen Dragon

Chapter 31 Northwind Castle Log (2)

The noblewoman known as Alexia unabashedly sized up Swashbuckler from head to toe.

"Miss, while I know I'm handsome, could you be a little more restrained?"

Swashbuckler felt a chill run through him. That gaze was like picking out ingredients, making him uncomfortable. Even his usual flirtations came out awkwardly.

Alexia's scarlet pupils suddenly brightened.

"Excellent."

"What's excellent? Is it my overly handsome face?"

"Your vitality is strong, you are qualified to become my father's sustenance. This will be the greatest honor of your humble life." Her voice trembled, sounding somewhat intoxicated. She couldn't be bothered to converse with Swashbuckler and was completely absorbed in her own world.

"No, I haven't—"

"Take this human away."

Alexia ordered coldly.

A few guards nearby quickly stepped forward, opened the cage, and forcibly lifted Swashbuckler out.

"Easy, easy."

"Don't grab my neck!"

"Brother, I beg you, let me walk myself, okay?"

Swashbuckler didn't resist much but thought secretly: "Am I going to turn into a vampire? This could be interesting!"

He didn't despair; instead, he became intrigued.

The reckless spirit in his heart burned fiercely!

Even if Swashbuckler were to die, he would go out with a bang, fitting his identity.

Swashbuckler walked along the corridor under the escort of the guards.

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He looked around, overwhelmed.

"Damn..."

The underground of this "Refugee Shelter" was far more expansive than he had imagined, extending into unfathomable depths. Hundreds of iron cages hung in mid-air along the corridor, filled with Blood Slaves, driven mad by their bloodlust, likely numbering in the thousands.

He was first taken to a secret room where the guards thoroughly cleansed his body.

Finally, he was escorted to the end of a dark hallway.

A thick door slowly opened.

Lamps in the corners flickered to life, casting a dim, wavering light.

In the center of the luxuriously adorned, dark, and eerie hall was an intricately carved stone coffin.

Alexia lifted her skirt and bowed.

"Father, this is your dinner for tonight."

The stone coffin slowly opened, and Duke Brad Rackman opened his scarlet eyes, a slight smile tugging at his lips.

It seemed his mood was quite good today.

Looking at the restrained Swashbuckler, the pale-faced duke approached, sniffing delicately like he was savoring a fine wine, and said in a hoarse voice:

"You have the scent of trickery on you. Why... did you come here?"

Swashbuckler couldn't help but shudder: "Damn, you creepy old vampire, if you're going to drink blood, drink it, I don't offer other services."

The duke chuckled, revealing sharp teeth.

"You're right, once I transform you into a Vampire Variant, you will be entirely under my control. This will be the greatest honor of your life, enjoy this moment!"

Swashbuckler replied sarcastically: "Are all you vampires this narcissistic?"

The duke didn't care about attempting to provoke the human before him, merely smiling contemptuously:

"You mortal beings can never understand an immortal like me. I come from centuries past; my origin has long been lost to the darkness. I was once a great general; all of Anzeta trembled under my Giant Eagle. But I chose a more twisted path."

"And you, will become the sustenance for my further transformation into true immortality."

"So..."

"Tremble, fear, respect!"

"When I rule this land, your blood will boil within my immortal body."

The duke caressed Swashbuckler's neck, speaking with an air of intoxication.

He wasn't really talking to his 'meal', but was rather immersed in his own dream of immortality, in which he alone was the only noble being.

Regarding the common vice of this vampire family, Swashbuckler muttered: "Damn, how is this old vampire not dead yet..."

But he was held fast by the guards, unable to move.

"I am eternally undead."

The duke sneered before sinking his teeth into Swashbuckler's vulnerable neck.

His blood vessels bulged as his blood was greedily sucked.

An irreversible transformation was taking place; his body visibly emaciated, his once rosy skin turned deathly pale, and the light of life in his eyes gradually faded, replaced by a red glow.

"Excellent."

"Throw this insolent scum into the dungeon."

The duke reluctantly released him, wiping the blood from his mouth with an exquisite silk handkerchief.

"Yes, my lord."

Much lighter, Swashbuckler was put into an iron cage, just like those Blood Slaves.

However, Swashbuckler felt no sorrow. Instead, he looked at the information continually updating on his panel with some joy.

[You have been attacked by the vampire Duke Brad Rackman, transforming into a special template Vampire Variant]

[Note: This transformation is irreversible]

[You have acquired the trait Born from Death: Most victims of vampire attacks become Vampire Variants—greedy creations filled with a vampire's bloodlust, under the control of their vampire creator.

If the vampire allows their variant to drink their own blood, the variant also becomes a true vampire, no longer under the creator's control. Of course, this is extremely rare. Usually, variants only regain freedom upon their creator's death.

You have acquired the trait Undying Essence, you do not need to breathe air or eat.

You have acquired the trait Regeneration, you can recover from any injuries unless attacked by a weakness.

You have acquired the trait Spider Walk, you can climb walls, and hang from the ceiling.

You have acquired vampire weaknesses Wounding Water, Wooden Stake Heart Piercing, Sunlight Allergy, Relic Fear. When encountering any of this damage, you may face permanent death.]

"This template is awesome, combined with my Trickster occupation... "

"Tsk tsk, absolutely devious."

"Heh heh heh..."

He was already fantasizing about stealing like mad, unrestrained, in the mines.

"But first, I need to get out of here. And that disgusting old vampire, someday I'll make him pay dearly in Gold Coins."

Swashbuckler recalled the duke's caresses, and a chill swept over him.

"Damn, could this old vampire be a priest...?"

He muttered while pulling out thief tools from the hidden pocket of his robe, skillfully picking the lock, a technique he had perfected over time.

"Creak, creak..."

The iron cage door rattled, making a piercing noise.

When the guards patrolled by, the cage was already empty.

And Swashbuckler was effortlessly clinging to the ceiling, watching the guards below, silently mocking, "Didn't see that coming, did you? This is my escape route!"