Reborn as a Vampire in a Dying World: Blood, Power, and Pleasure
Chapter 40: Blood Codex - II Initiated

Chapter 40: Blood Codex: Chapter II Initiated

(Quick Author’s Note: for any confusion in Corven’s status screen, it was due to a rewrite back in Chapter 29)

[Objective: Maximize bond with progeny 100/100]

[Minor Quest Complete]

[Reward: Choose One Trait/Ability to add from random list]

> Charisma Trait/Ability

> Combat Trait/Ability

> Mobility Trait/Ability

’I have three choices...?’ Corven muttered, rubbing at his temple, his body warm and flushed, but his mind still turning despite the haze.

’Charisma, Combat, and Mobility...’

He lay back, eyes drifting to the figure curled beside him. Rose had already clocked out for the night. Not that they needed sleep, but the drink had clearly hit harder than expected. Her body, usually so sharp and responsive, was now relaxed, her breathing slow, her expression soft.

It made their bodies feel heavier. Slower. Almost human.

He was still inside her. Neither of them had bothered to clean up—there was no point, and frankly, no desire to break the moment.

He looked back toward the glowing codex hovering just above his vision. Text shimmered faintly in the dark room.

’This seems like a no-brainer, right?’

’Charisma, of course.’

Combat and Mobility were tempting. If he were planning to throw down with monsters every night, maybe they’d be more immediately useful. But Underzen wasn’t a battleground—it was a nest of whispers, alliances, betrayals, and subtle manipulation. Power here wasn’t just about strength. It was about knowing when to speak... and how to make someone listen.

> Charisma Trait/Ability (Chosen)

Vampiric Allure – Far easier to persuade sentient targets. (Trait)

Crimson Eyes – Be able to see the current target’s weaknesses and vulnerabilities. (10 Units)

[Blood Codex Initialized]

[Information Updated]

> Host: Corven Aldric Varn

> Race: Vampire (II)

Core Resources:

– Blood (65 Units)

Traits:

Nightkin – You heal faster and move silently in darkness

Sanguine Sense – You can smell emotions in blood

Blood Memory – Drinking blood lets you glimpse memories or thoughts

Supernatural Strength – Far stronger than an average human

Vampiric Allure – Far easier to persuade sentient targets

Abilities:

Gravewright – shape, create, command, and evolve skeletal matter beyond natural limits (15 Units)

Bloodfracture - disrupts or reverses the blood-connection effects of other vampires (15 Units)

Bloodbolt – Summon and hurl a concentrated bolt of blood, dealing moderate damage and inflicting bleeding with reduced healing efficiency for a short duration. (5 Units)

Crimson Eyes – Be able to see the current target’s weaknesses and vulnerabilities (10 Units)

’Nice,’ Corven muttered with a tired grin, eyes half-lidded. ’Looks like I’m starting to get stronger.’

"Crimson Eyes, huh? Combine that with Vampiric Allure and I could probably run my own vampire den if I felt like it."

[Blood Codex Updating...]

[Blood Shop Unlocked]

[Requirement of Use: Complete Next Quest]

His brows lifted slightly.

’A blood shop?’ he blinked. ’So that’s why the blood mechanic felt underutilized. There’s more I can do with it now.’

If it worked anything like he imagined... he could get very dangerous, very fast.

The possibilities were starting to open up. And with the new codex update, it was all lining up.

’As for the next quest...?’

He glanced at the corner of the room, recalling the old scroll Irsted had handed over. The man said he’d be in touch by tomorrow with another job. Corven hadn’t thought much of it at the time, but now—with the codex updating right after tonight’s events—it was too perfectly timed to be a coincidence.

’This’ll make that job way easier,’ he mused, fingers idly brushing against Rose’s hip as he lay beside her. She didn’t stir, just mumbled something incoherent and turned slightly, her leg sliding further over his.

’And that shadow we fought earlier...’ he thought back to the creature. Twisted. Feral. Unnatural. ’Guess I’ll chalk that up to codex interference.’

He’d read enough system-based stories to know how this worked. First comes the unexplained encounter. Then the upgrade. Then the real answers.

’Makes sense it’d happen to me too.’

His gaze softened as he looked down at Rose, her skin still glistening faintly from earlier, her body warm against his. The tension from before was gone now—replaced by something slower, gentler. A connection built in the heat of the moment, but solidified by something deeper.

He exhaled, long and slow, the alcohol finally dragging at his limbs.

The drink’s effects were catching up to him. His body was starting to relax, heavy and satisfied. Even vampires needed downtime sometimes.

He shifted, pulling Rose a little closer, letting her settle against his chest. Her breathing matched his now—slow, steady.

Corven’s eyes finally drifted shut.

Because tonight was over.

But tomorrow?

Tomorrow held a far more eventful night than this one.