Reborn as a Vampire in a Dying World: Blood, Power, and Pleasure
Chapter 49: Rise of Clan Varn

Chapter 49: Rise of Clan Varn

’Grow my clan? Well, that’s certainly some timing... I’m already halfway there.’

Corven couldn’t help but let a grin tug at the corners of his lips. For once, it felt like the system wasn’t just watching from the sidelines—it was actively backing him up.

It had always offered the occasional prompt or support. But this? This felt intentional. Like it actually wanted him to succeed.

And if that was the case, then he’d exploit that edge without hesitation.

Leaning forward toward the girl—his soon-to-be progeny—Corven allowed a note of satisfaction to color his voice.

"Can I ask your name first? Better to know who I’m making part of my clan before we get to the... proceedings." He chuckled lightly.

She raised an eyebrow, curious.

"My name? So you really don’t know me, huh? You two must be freshbloods."

The word hung there, tinged with casual judgment.

From the side, Rose scoffed. "The term ’freshblood’ is really starting to sound like an insult or slur lately."

"Can’t blame you," Corven agreed without missing a beat.

Their casual back-and-forth drew a laugh from the vampire girl. It was small at first, but it sounded genuine—surprising, even her. The tension in her shoulders seemed to ease as she warmed up to their presence.

’Guess this won’t be that bad of a choice,’ she thought.

"My name’s Lilian. Lilian Thorne Heist." She gave a soft smile, then tilted her head.

"But I guess we can drop the ’Heist’ now, since I’ll be adopting your clan name instead."

There was a strange vulnerability in her voice then. Something flickering beneath the surface. And just as quickly—it hit her.

The thirst.

The shock of rescue, the chaos of losing her sire, it had all distracted her from the gnawing ache inside. But now it hit full force.

Corven and Rose noticed the shift immediately. Her posture tensed. Her expression changed—subtle, but clear to those who knew the signs.

She looked at them both with a strained smile, voice quiet but urgent.

"Can we... I don’t know. Start?" She let out an awkward laugh, one that cracked on the edges. Her body was barely holding together—ravaged by hunger and the bond’s severance.

Corven didn’t fully know the process. There weren’t any guides. No manuals. Just movies and fiction guiding him through this world’s vampire logic.

But if feeding blood to Rose when she was still a mere spawn managed to bond the two of them, then creating a bond with a more sentient vampire should follow the same logic.

So, without pause...

He tilted his head and offered her his neck.

And she didn’t waste a single second.

Her fangs sank into him, fast and instinctive.

It was messy, desperate—not elegant or romantic suggested by her appearance. She clutched him tightly, her body already moving to recover from starvation and the severed link to her former sire.

The pain was sharp—but not unbearable.

’Even now, it’s still oddly pleasurable... despite the pain.’

’Am I a masochist?’

Corven laughed under his breath at the thought, even as Lilian fed like she hadn’t in days.

Rose stood nearby, her eyes on them both. She didn’t interrupt. She understood what this meant. She could empathize—every vampire could—but still...

A tiny part of her ached.

Jealousy.

Not enough to act on. Just enough to feel.

Because with Lilian joining the clan, she wouldn’t be the only one tied to Corven anymore.

Still, the prospect stirred something else inside her too—excitement. Curiosity. A thrill at watching things evolve.

Then, mid-feed—

[High Level Vampire Blood Detected]

[Adapting...]

[Ascension Bonus Increased.]

A Codex panel appeared behind Lilian, visible to Corven only. His eyes widened.

’Ascension bonus!?’

’Now we’re talking.’

Lilian finally pulled away after several long seconds. A thin trail of blood slid down her chin, which she caught with her tongue, cleaning herself with a slow, almost sultry swipe.

– Blood (0 Units)

[Increased Usage Due to Partner’s High Level]

She looked stronger—more vibrant. As vibrant as the undead could be, at least. Her eyes locked onto Corven again, but this time... they held something else.

Attraction. Connection.

A natural consequence of the new sire bond.

She didn’t speak immediately.

Just stared at him in silence, making both Corven and Rose hold their breath.

Then she smiled, slow and certain.

"It seems like I won’t regret my choices after all."

She reached out, gently cupping Corven’s cheek. Her fingers lingered, and he could feel the bond solidifying between them.

Memories flowed.

She saw glimpses of his life. His struggles. His past. Even pieces of Rose, the woman he’d shared nights and blood with.

Their story was laid bare before her.

And she didn’t question the strange inconsistencies—like his knowledge of things that shouldn’t exist in this world. Technology. History. Culture from another world.

It didn’t matter now.

But one detail... did stand out.

"And it seems like this came with an... unintended side effect," Lilian murmured, laughing lightly, breath hitching.

The feeling she was experiencing wasn’t just a bond—it was something else. Similar to the drink Corven and Rose had shared the night before, but more intense.

More intimate.

This was a sire’s blood. Raw. Potent.

Before Corven could lose himself in the moment.

[Condition: Grow Your Clan]

[Completed]

[Ascending...]

Race: Vampire (II) → Noble Vampire (Partial)

[Upgrading Vampiric Clan...]

[Clan Varn Increased]

[Updated Information]

[Warning: Severe Upgrade Due to Sudden Mix of High Ranking Blood]

Umbrakin – In low-light or full darkness, you move with preternatural silence and recover wounds quicker than before.

Bloodreader – You can discern subtle emotional tones and stress levels in blood, especially fresh or recently spilled.

Echo of the Drained – Drinking blood offers flashes of significant memories—enough to learn secrets, motives, or places the target held dear. (Once per day)

True Vampiric Strength – Strength is clearly above human levels, honed by your evolving blood.

Bloodborne Charm – Emanates a subtle, magnetic presence that makes others more prone to trust, follow, or hesitate before acting against you.

’...’

Corven stared at the Codex, brain buffering.

He let the information settle, a heavy breath leaving him.

And then—

Without hesitation.

He shouted, voice echoing through the room:

"HELL!!!"

"YEAH!!!"

Rose jumped slightly, and even Lilian looked up, surprised by his sudden outburst.

The Codex notification felt like a shot of pure adrenaline—a jackpot moment.

For someone who used to gamble just to make ends meet as a barely-hired archaeologist, this was like winning the lottery.

Everything was changing.

And Corven was all in.