Salvador's expression grew even graver.
"But listen closely, because this is the most important thing I will ever tell you. The four ranks are not the end of it. There is one more type. They are myths, legends, ultra-rare. Most Hunters go their entire careers without seeing one. They are called the 'Sacred Bloods.'"
The hologram flickered, but no clear image resolved—almost as if the data was corrupted or too dangerous to store.
"Their power is… absolute. They don't just kill you. They erase you. They are the reason entire outposts go silent without a single distress call. If you ever see one, you do not fight. You do not hesitate. You run. You pray your teleport beacon works. And you accept that everyone you leave behind is already dead."
A cold chill seeped through Russell's chest—one that had nothing to do with the lab's ventilation.
The defiant excitement he felt earlier was now tempered by something primal.
"So… the Hunters," he began slowly, "they just rely on their pure combat skill? Nothing else?"
Salvador barked a short, humorless laugh.
"No, nephew. That would be a slaughterhouse, not a hunt. There's an entire ecosystem to this war. It's the only thing that gives us a fighting chance."
He reactivated the holotable. A vast, complex schematic unfolded across it.
"When you kill a Hollow, you don't just get a corpse. You harvest its latent energy. We call it a 'Devil Soul.' This soul is the currency of Titan. It's power—raw and malleable."
The schematic branched into glowing pathways:
Transmutation:
A skilled Hunter can use a Devil Soul to temporarily transform into the Hollow they killed, gaining its strengths and abilities for a short time. High risk, high reward.
Domination:
With the right alchemical rituals, you can subjugate a Devil Soul, binding it to your will to create a temporary pet or familiar to fight beside you.
Manifestation:
The most common use. You channel the Soul's energy to reinforce or empower your weapons and armor, making them sharper, stronger, more durable. A sword manifested with a Stalker's Soul might gain its corrosive properties.
Commerce:
Devil Souls are the core of Titan's economy. Hunters trade them, sell them, or use them to buy supplies, better gear, or passage off-world.
Russell's head spun.
It sounded like a game system—except here, every mechanic was carved from blood and survival.
"It doesn't stop there," Salvador continued.
A new diagram appeared: a vast neural network made of interwoven strands of light.
"This is a Hunter's Skill Tree. Your progress—your evolution—is measured here. As you survive and collect Devil Souls, you 'level up,' for lack of a better term. You gain new abilities, enhanced physical traits, and deeper mastery over the Souls you harvest."
He zoomed into the base.
"But the difference is, this isn't a game. There are no resets. No second chances. Every choice you make here is permanent. Your entire power system is rooted in 'Soul Alchemy'—the scientific art of transformation, transmutation, and manipulation of matter and spiritual energy."
Six glowing orbs illuminated the lower branches of the tree.
"Every Hunter unlocks the Six Basic Abilities first. These are your foundation:
Soul Sense (to detect Hollows)
Devil Absorption (to harvest the Souls)
Manifestation (basic weapon enhancement)
Alchemical Healing (using Souls to mend wounds)
Kinetic Dash (a short burst of speed)
Soul Shield (a momentary barrier of energy)"
---
Then he pointed to the upper branches, shrouded in golden light.
"The veterans—the true legends—unlock the Six Advanced Abilities. These abilities define a Hunter's entire fighting style.
Soul Constructs (Manifesting weapons from Devil Souls)
Aspect Mastery (prolonged transformation)
Sensory Manipulation (temporarily disabling your enemy's senses)
Soul Burst (a devastating area-of-effect blast)
Phantom Clone (creating a temporary double)
Elemental Domination—so powerful that only those who master Soul Alchemy can use it."
The holotable dimmed.
Salvador placed a firm hand on Russell's shoulder—steady, grounding.
"This is what you are walking into. It's not just about being strong or brave. It's about being smart, adaptable, and ruthless in your choices. You will be an alchemist, a warrior, and a survivor. All at once."
His voice lowered.
"So I'll ask you one last time.
Are you ready to make your first choice?