The morning mist had barely lifted when Tyro Venn dragged the two prisoners through the narrow streets of the unnamed town. Their hands were tightly bound behind their backs with black leather ropes, enchanted by Kessa to suppress any strange spiritual energy. Ragyash the Thirster Priest, and the cloaked woman—whose name no one even dared to ask—were silent, but their eyes spoke of hatred and fear. Behind Tyro, a growing wave of footsteps echoed.
The villagers had seen what happened the previous night. The sky-shattering scream. The crimson burst that tore through the clouds. The night was restless, and now their curiosity brought them out. As Tyro dragged the captives forward, dozens—then hundreds—began to follow. Children peeked out from behind their parents. Farmers abandoned their hoes. Mothers, eyes wide with disbelief, gripped their shawls tighter.
By the time they arrived at the town square—an open space surrounded by crude stone houses and a dried-up fountain—the square was packed. Nearly every soul in the village had gathered.
Kessa turned to Dray, her voice calm yet firm. "Let me do the talking."
Dray nodded. His pale eyes locked on the prisoners, but he stepped back, arms folded behind his cloak.
Kessa stepped forward, letting her natural aura flow like a wave. As a Noctilux Seductress, her beauty alone was captivating, but when paired with her seductive presence, she didn't just catch attention—she demanded it.
The murmurs died down.
Kessa's voice rang clear.
"These two… these monsters," she said, raising her hand toward the captives, "have lived among you like saints—guardians. But they are neither."
Gasps rippled across the square.
"They kidnapped your children," Kessa continued, her voice now trembling with righteous fury. "They offered them in blood rituals to unknown deities. They told you tales—of beasts in the forest, of bad omens. Lies! Lies to cover their crimes!"
A woman burst into tears in the crowd. "My son… they said he ran into the woods…"
"They told us our newborns were cursed!" another villager shouted, pointing an accusing finger at the female prisoner. "That they needed to 'inspect' them! But those babies never returned!"
"I saw her," someone else said. "That woman took my nephew. Said he was dangerous. Said he'd doom us all!"
Ragyash snarled but said nothing, only receiving a sharp nudge from Tyro's boot.
"They fed on your fear," Kessa continued, louder now. "They used ancient blood magic to sustain their power. You trusted them. You prayed to them. But they only used you. Your pain gave them strength. And your silence—your belief in their lies—allowed them to thrive."
A dark cloud of guilt hung over the people.
"But no more," Kessa said, stepping down from the stone platform. "The truth is laid bare. And justice will be served."
The townspeople looked to Dray.
Dray didn't speak. He only met their gazes with calm certainty. He saw the change—anger, confusion, realization, and finally… hope.
For an hour, the villagers surrounded the square, some crying, others consoling. No one defended the captives. No one questioned Kessa.
When the sun dipped past the horizon and the torches were lit, the crowd began to disperse.
The square emptied.
The wind howled low and mournful.
The trio—Dray, Kessa, and Tyro—escorted the prisoners back to the underground chamber beneath the old shrine. It was dark inside, cold and damp. The perfect place for truth to be dragged into the light.
"Stay here," Dray said, turning to Kessa and Tyro. "I'll begin with the priest."
They nodded and stepped back as Dray approached Ragyash.
"You've been quiet," Dray said, kneeling in front of the bound priest. "But that won't last long."
Ragyash said nothing. His eyes, though filled with hate, were also tired. Yet he clung to silence like a dying man clings to breath.
Dray's voice dropped, cold as ice. "Let me introduce you to something special."
He placed a hand on the man's chest.
A surge of red light flared from Dray's palm as he activated his bloodline technique—Blood Punishment.
Ragyash screamed as his blood churned, like molten needles dancing under his skin. Veins pulsed unnaturally. His mouth foamed. The pain was not just physical—it was spiritual.
After only thirty seconds, Ragyash collapsed, trembling.
"Enough! Enough!" he gasped. "I'll talk…"
Dray's hand withdrew. The light faded.
"Good," Dray said calmly. "Start from the beginning."
The priest coughed blood and began to speak. "There are… many worlds. Countless planets, divided by Star Levels. Ours is a Tier 1 World. Primitive. Limited in mana, technology, and cultivation. The higher you go, the stronger the worlds. Tier 5, Tier 6… Tier 7 worlds are like heaven."
"And the Thirsters?" Dray asked.
"We are part of a cult…" Ragyash said, voice cracking. "Not originally from here. We came from a Tier 3 world… sent to oversee this place. To feed. To prepare sacrifices. The higher beings—ancient ones—demand blood, especially young blood. Children are… purest. Most potent."
Dray's hands clenched.
"And what do you know of the Crimson Planet?" Dray asked.
Ragyash's face twisted with terror.
"I swear… I don't know," he pleaded. "Only the higher priests are allowed knowledge of such things. I'm weak… unqualified… I swear on my soul!"
Dray raised his palm slightly.
"No! Please!" Ragyash shouted, eyes wide with panic. "I only heard whispers! Crimson Planet… it's a place of kings! Of old blood! Vampires, they… they fear and worship its rulers. But I don't know more! I swear!"
A long silence.
Dray searched the man's face. His panic was genuine. His sweat, his rapid heartbeat—all pointed to the truth.
He lowered his hand.
Just then, Kessa returned. A calm smile rested on her lips.
"I found someone," she said.
Behind her stood a middle-aged man. Weathered face. Strong arms. Clear eyes. A farmer's build, but a warrior's heart.
Dray stood and approached.
He activated his Crimson Eyes.
His pupils burned red, and in that moment, the man's eyes did too.
The two locked gazes for three seconds—enough for Dray to read his entire soul.
Loyal. Honest. Suffering. But unbroken.
Dray released him. "He's clean."
The man stumbled backward. "W-what just happened?"
"You were judged," Dray said, stepping back. "And found worthy."
Kessa turned to the man. "What's your name?"
"Eron."
"Then Eron," Dray said, "you are the new lord of this town."
"Me?" Eron gasped.
"Yes," Kessa said warmly. "And I'll announce it myself."
They left.
Dray turned back to the captives.
They would be dealt with soon. But not today.
Five Years Later
The nameless town had transformed.
The forest that once loomed like a curse was now nearly cleansed—90% of the wild beasts hunted down. Trade routes were forming. Travelers came and went. Even without electricity, the town pulsed with life.
Dray Ballack, now 23, stood tall.
His pale skin glowed under the moonlight. His once dyed dark hair had been permanently leave to be white—silky, untamed, untouched by any potion now. His features were sharp. Handsome. Mysterious.
He had reached Level 18.
Kessa Holt had blossomed into a deadly beauty. Curves that could enslave minds. Eyes that burned like violet flames. She had reached Stage 8 in her evolution as a Noctilux Seductress.
Tyro Venn had changed the most. The once-mindless Draugr now spoke in half-phrases. His skeletal features softened, flesh returning. Stage 7 evolution. Intelligence returning—slowly but surely.
Tonight, the trio stood in their underground chamber again.
Two teenagers stood before them—a boy and a girl. New adoptees. Survivors of a raid from a nearby wild settlement.
Dray activated his system.
System Interface
Name:Dray Ballack
Bloodline:Vampiric
Race:Nightwalker
Level:18
Class:Vampire
Strength:75
Agility:85
Endurance:63
Vitality:74
Skills:
Night Adaptation (Passive – 75%)
Blood Sense (Passive – 100%)
Blood Echo (Tier I – 80%)
Phantom Reaper (Intermediate Assassination – 68%) Fully Owned
Crimson Eyes (Rank I – New)
Inventory:
Rusted Circuit Knife
Obsidian Data Chip
Unknown Crystal (Bound)
Healing Potion
Hair Potion
Dark Cloak of Concealment
System Shop: [Access Granted] +1 free skill
Next Level:1700 EXP
Status:Stable
Creations:
Kessa Holt
Race:Noctilux Seductress
Bloodline:Vampiric
Evolution:Stage 8 (25%)
Tyro Venn
Race:Draugr (Undead-Class)
Bloodline:Vampiric
Evolution:Stage 7 (75%) – Partial Intelligence
Title:Nightwalker Creator
Main Quest:57% Completed
Dray closed the interface and looked at the two youths. He feel partially resistant.
But deep in his soul… he knew something darker was coming.
The universe was vast. Tiered. Dangerous.
And somewhere in the stars, the Crimson Planet awaited.
He would find it.
And he would reclaim his father's throne.