Beyond the Apocalypse
Chapter 161: Implanting bloodlines (II)

Chapter 161: Implanting bloodlines (II)

Vlad was happy to see the group’s excitement but did not waste any time. He turned toward Jormungandr and tossed him a crystal sphere containing a drop of bloodline before signaling the rest to follow him.

The group headed into the rune crafting laboratory, their eyes narrowing as they gazed at the strange and ominous formations on the ground, especially the one holding the bodies of the Abyssal Champion, who led the high demonic horde, and the angelic Knight, whom Vlad killed in a soul duel. While they were curious, they knew there were things that they did not need to know.

"Mitchel, you will be first as I also need to engrave a Runic Formation on your body," Vlad said without offering any words about the Vengeful Runic Formation. He reached a metallic table before speaking to the Brigadier General.

Mitchel’s questions about the Runic Formations immediately vanished as he heard those words. The excitement in his heart grew even stronger as he realized he would not only obtain a bloodline but also a powerful Runic Formation.

Mitchel removed his clothes without hesitation until he was left in his underwear. He got on the table, his eyes filled with a sharp focus, knowing that the engraving process was excruciatingly painful. Yet, he remained steady as pain could deter his desire for greater strength.

After placing the devil bloodline in the runic pen, Vlad began to engrave the matrix on Mitchel’s skin. His hand movements were fast and precise; a new red line appeared on the Brigadier General’s body each second.

Since there were only five Champion Tier Bloodlines, Vlad granted Brigadier Mitchel a Mortal Tier Bloodline. It might not grant a significant physical boost, but it would improve his vitality and could awaken a Bloodline Ability. Besides, since Brigadier Mitchel spent a lot of time leading forces against demonic hordes, it was just a matter of time before he obtained enough Origin Force to promote his devil bloodline to the next level.

After finishing the bloodline matrix, Vlad allowed Mitchel to rest for a few minutes before advancing to the Runic Set. For the Brigadier General, who always stood at the head of the battlefield, fighting next to the vanguard as he gave orders, there was no better Runic Set than the same one granted to Grand Marshal Anglius.

Vlad engraved the Rank 2 Infernal Marathon Runic Set on Brigadier General Mitchel. This set was designed to boost the user’s endurance and agility, making them faster and more resilient in battle and enhancing their survival skills tremendously.

As the last runic line was engraved, Mitchel’s tense body finally relaxed. His face, pale from the pain, quickly transformed into an expression of utter thrill. The power coursing through his body was palpable, filling his heart with satisfaction and thrill.

Mitchel rose from the table and bowed deeply toward Vlad, not uttering a word. The look in his eyes showed just how deep his gratitude and admiration were.

Vlad nodded to the brigadier general, then turned his eyes to the Royal Guards, focusing on the one who handles a bow, "Roman, it is now your turn."

The Royal Guard nodded and, without a word, walked to the metallic table and got on it. Vlad had already engraved a Runic Set on him, so he knew what awaited. He took a deep breath before focusing and keeping his body completely still.

Vlad placed another devil bloodline inside his runic pen and engraved the bloodline matrix on Roman’s skin. The bloodline he engraved in the Royal Guard was also a Mortal Tier devil bloodline.

It was hard to choose who among the Royal Guards would have to settle for a Mortal Tier devil bloodline, but the decision became easier once Vlad found a bloodline that seemed especially designed for snipers.

Through the scanning power of the A.I. Chip, Vlad learned that there was a bloodline that would grant enhanced eyesight and allow the user to infuse shadow magic into projectiles. Those traits would improve Roman’s battle strength better than any Champion Tier bloodline’s physical enhancement.

Once Vlad finished with Roman’s bloodline matrix, he turned his eyes toward the largest Royal Guard, the man capable of enhancing the weight of any object he gripped. "Clasius, come."

The massive Royal Guard nodded and got onto the metal table, taking a deep breath as the runic pen began to move across his skin. Just like Roman, Clasius always stayed focused, not allowing his body to twitch or make any move that could hinder the engraving of the bloodline matrix.

Thanks to Vlad’s skill and Clasius’ focus, the bloodline matrix inscription went smoothly, and then it was time for Frank.

The first time the soldier got on Vlad’s radar, he was a young man still adjusting to the horrors of the apocalypse, but now his aura was firm and imposing, his eyes as sharp as a sword. The Royal Guard with the Ember Shoot Gift was already a powerhouse to be reckoned with, his fiery projectiles able to pierce the heads of Champion demons.

Vlad’s runic pen moved with precision over the body of the Royal Guard, making sure the bloodline matrix would not affect the Runic Set.

With every bloodline matrix Vlad engraved, his skill improved, so it did not take long for him to finish with Frank and start to work on Cazan.

The Royal Guard, who had the Gift that allowed him to transform into a colossus of metal, kept his body steady, not even flinching as the sharp edge of the runic pen moved across his skin. Luckily for Cazan, it did not take long for the bloodline matrix to be completed.

Vlad smiled as he finished with the bloodline matrix of all the men in the group. It took a lot of effort and focus, but it was worth it as he felt the powerful radiation that was slowly enhancing their bodies and spirits.

"The five of you should wait outside," Vlad spoke to the men of the group as it was time to engrave the bloodline matrix on the women.

Mitchel, Roman, Casius, Cazan, and Frank nodded and bowed toward Vlad before exiting the rune laboratory. As soon as they stood in the main hall of the underground level, their eyes widened as they gazed at Jormungandr in front of the tower’s energy pool.

The small yellow cat’s eyes were sharp and focused as he used the energy pool to melt metals and infuse them with all sorts of rare ingredients. He was in the process of creating an Alchemy Artifact, and since he needed a massive amount of energy, he decided to work directly in the tower’s energy pool.

None of the men dared utter a word, as they could see Jormungandr’s focus. They simply watched in silence as the metal and strange materials fused.

Soon, Mitchel and the Royal Guards saw a blade of dark, shadowy metal that seemed to absorb light rather than reflect it. The hilt was wrapped in demonic leather, providing a firm grip with tiny, dark crystals on the top.

The sharpness and power of the dagger made the five men raise their guard, but what happened next truly shocked the brigadier general and the four Royal Guards.

Once the dagger’s form was completed, Jormungandr added a devil bloodline to the mix. As soon as the drop of blood fused with the metal, the weapon’s power exploded. Runes were etched along its length, glowing faintly with a sinister red hue.

If before the dagger made the group wary, now it terrified them, as they felt a single stab from it would be enough to kill them.

Jormungandr did not pay attention to the men as his eyes focused only on the dark dagger floating atop the tower’s energy pool. The next second, he heard a robotic voice echo inside his mind.

[Beep! Alchemy Artifact completed.

...

Rank 2 Alchemy Artifact: Dagger of Sin’s Whisper.

The Dagger of Sin’s Whisper is a Champion Tier artifact crafted with the core component of the Mortal Tier Bloodline Seeds of Sin and demonic blood and skin. This dagger channels the devil bloodline’s power, allowing its wielder to manipulate and amplify the vices of their enemies while, at the same time, infusing any wound with debilitating curses. The demonic blood and skin also enhance cloaking abilities.

Core Features and Abilities:

-Sin Infusion: Each strike from the dagger infuses the target with a specific sin, amplifying their negative traits.

-Curse Imprint: The dagger leaves a lingering curse on the target, weakening them over time.

-Shadow Veil: Envelops the wielder in a shroud of shadows, enhancing stealth and evasion.]

Jormungandr could not help but show a broad smile as he saw the dagger’s analysis. It took a lot of effort and precious materials, but he succeeded.

This weapon would not be for the small yellow cat, but it would play a very important role in the next goal of the Xaos Kingdom.