NOVEL WEB Chapter 13
I turned my gaze away from Leticia’s sharp stare, which looked at me with a displeased expression. Just facing her directly was an ordeal. It felt like sitting on a bed of nails.
The reason for the incident was as follows.
Since there was some time while Leticia was taking a shower, I decided to check all the skills I could use.
I believed I would have enough time to check most of the skills, even if not all. It seemed that her habit of taking a long shower, which she had never fixed, was still intact. In that sense, my judgment was correct.
Even though I had repeatedly told her for years that long showers were bad for the skin, she never seemed to pay any attention. I thought it would be the same even after all these years.
Of course, I had no idea what Leticia was like now. Anyway, I opened the skill window while listening to the sound of water coming from the bathroom.
[Would you like to view the skills?]
– YES/NO.
I clicked YES immediately in response to the system’s question.
Then, I hurriedly scanned to see what skills this character named Charlotte had before Leticia finished her shower.
[Skill Window] [Skill Points: 20]
[Demonic Change (0/1): No access restriction. Temporarily returns to the original appearance of Mazoku, increasing overall stats.]
[Regeneration (0/1): No access restriction. Heals all parts of the body, including organs, unless they are destroyed beyond recognition.]
[Uncontrollable Vampirism (0/1): Access possible with Mana E or higher. The skill changes based on the extent of the accumulated Vampirism gauge. Using the skill decreases the gauge.]
[Clan of the Night (0/5): Access possible with Mana E or higher. Awakens the blood of the original ancestor flowing within. Allows for greater manipulation of blood.]
[Bloody Pressure (0/5): Access possible with Agility E or higher, increases Agility by one level.]
[Blood Weapon (0/15): Access possible with Strength D or higher. Attacks enemies with weapons made from one’s own blood.]
[Enchanting Seduction (0/10): Access possible with Luck F or higher. Sprays a unique scent of blood to lure the opponent. However, it won’t work if the opponent’s mental strength is high.]
[Crimson Thorns (0/15): Access possible with Mana D or higher. Shoots dozens of blood thorns to pierce enemies in front.]
[Absolution Lightning (0/20): Access possible with Mana D or higher, area effect. Blood falls like lightning in front and behind. Hit enemies become stiff for one second.]
…
…
There were various other skills, but most of them could not be accessed yet due to the lack of requirements, so it was reasonable not to worry about being overwhelmed by too many options.
It seemed that skill points, as before, would be given as rewards for clearing quests, but each skill could be developed up to 15 to 20 points.
As I turned the skill window, familiar with it, and read the descriptions, I began to allocate points to the skills that seemed essential first.
Tap, tap.
After fiddling with the skill window for a few minutes, I finally set my hand down.
“Is this enough?”
[Demonic Change (1/1)]
[Regeneration (1/1)]
[Uncontrollable Vampirism (1/1)]
[Clan of the Night (1/5)]
[Bloody Pressure (1/5)]
[Blood Weapon (4/15)]
[Enchanting Seduction (1/10)]
[Crimson Thorns (5/15)]
[Absolution Lightning (5/20)]
At a glance, the overall skill balance didn’t seem bad. Normally, I would focus my points on skills that seemed important, but given the circumstances, it was better to have a variety of skills.
Having smartly allocated the remaining skill points, I looked at the Vampirism gauge that appeared in front of me.
“It’s completely full now.”
I expected it to be empty, but this was surprising. Did it fill up by default?
The Vampirism gauge, resembling collected blood, shone in red. Seeing the gauge, shaped like a bat’s spread wings, completely full, I took a breath.
“Even if the power is weak, having more skills is better.”
With everything about this character wrapped in mystery, including the story and skills, I thought it was advantageous to spread out my skill points instead of specializing.
It’s definitely better than having none.
Considering that I was more accustomed to tearing apart my enemies with a sword than using skills, I questioned whether I would frequently use skills.
However, if I had them, I would probably use them, though I doubted I would use them often unless they were buffs.
If I were to use them, I’d likely do so in conjunction with my sword. I muttered while adjusting the sword sheath at my waist.
“Is the basic setup all done then?”
The only thing left was the cash shop, but I felt I could save that for later. I was curious about what items were available, but there was something I needed to finish first.
Since I had allocated my skills, it was time to try them out.
“Can’t attack skills be used? Hmm, I’m curious about the Mazoku form, but… should I try this?”
Bloody Pressure.
Contrary to the somewhat embarrassing name, the effect was precisely as intended. As a fresh yet chilling sensation ran through me from blood draining from my body, a red effect slowly enveloped me.
Oh, this is pretty…
“My speed is like the wind.”
…Huh?
Without realizing it, words spilled from my mouth involuntarily, and with a mix of curiosity, I used Bloody Pressure once more; different words tumbled out of me.
“Feel the power of the vampire, called the lord of the night, distinctly!”
Uh, huh? This is crazy.
I hadn’t seen any mention of skill dialogue.
Well, since it’s an RPG game, it wouldn’t be surprising for there to be skill dialogue. But why would a character, who wasn’t even listed on the official website, have skill dialogue? In hindsight, even just having skills was a surprising development, but at that time, I didn’t notice.
Just as I was momentarily flustered by the words I had unconsciously spoken, the red effect wrapped around me one last time and vanished, making me feel distinctly lighter. It was a skill that raised my Agility by one level.
The feel of it was definitely evident compared to when I hadn’t used the skill.
“This is nice.”
I let out an exclamation. The brief remark that slipped from my lips was commendation. Skills that could be useful in combat were always welcome. Just as I was thinking that testing out the skills would go smoothly, a voice suddenly broke the tranquility.
“What are you doing?”
If only the sudden voice hadn’t reached my ears, things would’ve gone smoothly. My body froze at the distinct sound. I turned my rigid neck, as if it were an unlubricated robot, to meet Leticia’s gaze, who was forcing a smile with a frigid expression.
That was the truth of the moment that had just occurred.
“Well, you don’t have to make excuses. Trying to adapt to a strange land different from your own, what can’t you do?”
“So it’s not what you think.”
“What do you think I’m thinking? I wasn’t particularly thinking or saying anything. If you react too sensitively, the one in trouble will be you.”
“…You sure have a face that looks like you wouldn’t believe me even if I told you.”
In a flustered situation, I fumbled around, waving my arms in explanation, and Leticia, who had swiftly wiped her smile away, sighed.
“That’s possible. Just like humans, the Mazoku have plenty of weird ones among them.”
“No, it’s really not like that…”
“Your Demon World and our world are similar yet different. The amount of mana in the air differs, after all. It was necessary for you to adapt. That thing you just used, it’s magic, right?”
If I had to liken it to something, it looked similar to the Saint’s Blessing, so it must be some kind of magic that boosts physical abilities. Leticia smirked as she added that she had seen vampires using something similar on the battlefield.
“It was an outdated type of incantation that you can’t see anymore, but I saw your magic skills well.”
“Your ability to make sarcastic remarks is on point.”
Your tone can provoke someone more than just being direct. It was surprising that she wasn’t a woman with this kind of temperament.
“Ugh, it’s hot.”
Her appearance, clad in a bathrobe that let off steam like someone who just finished showering, was sensual. Moisture clinging to her still-damp hair and her red lips evoked a strange allure.
Even though my physical form had changed to that of a female character, the essence remained male. If I were to tolerate that, I wouldn’t be a man at all. If it had been that way, I might have stood tall.
Naturally, facing her naked body was odd, but since we had already crossed that boundary, unexpectedly feeling flustered about just her nakedness was contradictory, but I had no choice but to react.
What if someone else was around? I was the only one who deserved to see her naked. Just like before, my ears tinged slightly red, as I pointed my finger at her.
“Why don’t you put on some proper clothes? What kind of antics are you pulling in front of a woman you don’t know?”
Leticia let out a hollow laugh at my nonsensical words.
“You’re a girl too, so why would you be so flustered? What’s the big deal seeing this in front of another girl? Isn’t it because you aren’t really a man?”
I might be a girl, but I still had the essence of a man. Saying that so nonchalantly, Leticia approached the bed as if it were no big deal and stood in front of me. Then, looking at my face with a smile, she continued.
“What’s important right now isn’t that.”
“…If you mean the contract, I’m ready.”
“Great. Then let’s start right away.”
Leticia’s satisfied response made me nervous for no reason. Normally, when forming a contract with a demon or a Mazoku, the contract is typically inscribed with each other’s blood. This time was no different.
There wouldn’t be anything different.
“Wait. Before that, I need to confirm one thing…”
Leticia, brushing her hair back, leaned her neck forward for me to see better. I widened my eyes. Did she sense something? As her snowy neck was revealed, an intense thirst arose, and I gulped as Leticia calmly asked in a seductive voice.
“Don’t you want to suck?”
“…What are you saying?”
“You can ask. I know you can’t hold back.”
“……You really have an impressive intuition. Is this what it feels like to become a submissive pet to a master?”
It wasn’t a good feeling at all. Sucking blood from humans, even if I thought of it as necessary for survival, made me feel uneasy. I frowned.
“So, you don’t like it?”
“…No.”
Even so, I couldn’t bring myself to refuse.
Was it certainly the influence of the skill, or had I always been thirsty? Right then, I was experiencing a lot of thirst. Unable to resist the temptation, I slightly parted my lips and sank my fangs into Leticia’s neck.
“Ah…!”
As a soft moan escaped, sweet yet bitter blood filled my mouth.