Chapter 116

“…Is something wrong?”

Arietta, who had come to my dormitory window to avoid the eyes of other cadets, spoke to me with a slight frown on her characteristically expressionless face.

“Underclassman, your condition seems off.”

That was understandable enough. Since Arietta’s Unidentified Trait had fully opened, her nature must have clearly changed as well.

“What exactly are the symptoms?”

“Well, I keep feeling stuffy inside, my eyes are turning red, and my teeth are protruding.”

Indeed, Arietta’s current appearance was identical to when she first Bloomed her Trait.

If so, the reason wasn’t hard to guess.

As if to prove that statement, Arietta continued in a lowered voice.

“…I’m incredibly thirsty.”

“……”

To be honest, I had somewhat anticipated that such a situation might arise. However, the cycle is faster than I thought.

‘Is it because she just Bloomed her Trait?’

Anyway, it wouldn’t be good if this state continued.

Other cadets might grow suspicious due to the change in her outward appearance, and if the symptoms worsen, she might be unable to control her impulses and attack someone.

“How severe is it right now?”

“…I can only see your arm and neck in my field of vision.”

That was definitely severe. I first let Arietta into the dormitory, then made and handed her a cup of warm tea.

“…Thank you.”

Arietta sipped it, pulled out the chair in front of the desk, and sat down.

However, she still didn’t look well.

Watching Arietta’s unfocused eyes since earlier, I had no choice but to roll up my shirt sleeve and offer my finger.

“Let’s solve the urgent matter first. Walking around in that state might get you reported.”

“…Sorry.”

Arietta’s face was full of guilt, but as if resisting the impulse was quite difficult, she brought her mouth directly to my hand.

Hwoong.

“Blood of Unfurled Peace.”

Activating the Art Formula I had shown once before, a drop of blood filled with Spiritual Power formed at the tip of my finger.

Lick.

Gulp.

Gulp.

The now quite familiar sensation of tongue and teeth.

Since she wasn’t biting directly, it didn’t feel particularly bothersome or painful.

However, having my blood sucked several times in a short period was starting to make me feel a bit dizzy.

“How is your condition now?”

“Yeah. Much better.”

She probably wasn’t fully satisfied, but Arietta only sucked blood until her appearance returned to normal, suppressed her Blood Drain desire, and pulled away from me.

She definitely seemed to have calmed her impulses more than before.

“…First, I’m thinking of getting animal blood tomorrow. Will it work?”

“It probably won’t be completely ineffective.”

Compared to human blood, it would be far inferior, but I know it’s a method that works to some extent. Arietta nodded at my words.

“Yeah. Then I’ll try that.”

“Even so, you’ll probably need to consume fresh human blood at regular intervals.”

“I figured as much?”

“If it’s not the blood of an Exorcist with some degree of training, it won’t be easy to quell the desire either.”

“…That might be difficult.”

Arietta seemed a bit deflated by my words. Well, it’s not that easy to obtain such a person’s blood.

With proper maneuvering, one could procure blood by paying a price under various pretexts, but if not consumed immediately, its effectiveness would also diminish.

Ultimately, it meant she had no choice but to rely on someone nearby.

“……”

Despite the clear answer being right in front of her, Arietta seemed unable to bring herself to ask for it. So, I made the offer to her first.

“If a time comes when you can’t endure it with animal blood, you can always come to me.”

“…I appreciate the sentiment. But still, that’s…”

“I don’t mind at all. Using the Art Formula from earlier doesn’t consume that much blood anyway.”

There was fatigue on my part, but at least it was better than relying on someone else. Arietta also seemed convinced, nodding slightly.

“But it’s not cost-effective. Do you want something in return, Underclassman?”

I didn’t particularly mind, but outright refusing would probably make Arietta uncomfortable. I decided to simply keep it as a debt.

“Lending me a hand when I need help is enough.”

“Of course I’ll help if you need my strength. Anything else?”

“…Nothing comes to mind right now. I’ll let you know separately if I think of something.”

It was an ambiguous answer, but Arietta seemed convinced and nodded.

After sorting out the situation like that, she secretly left the dormitory through the window again.

‘True Noble Blood……’

My future has also become different from what I originally knew, but there’s nothing particularly bad about it.

After all, the current Arietta was no longer an enemy from the story but practically an ally.

‘Frankly, in terms of grade, this is higher than the Sleepless City.’

True Noble Blood is a high-grade Trait with immense potential. Once accustomed, one can gain not only physical enhancement through Blood Drain but also various other abilities.

Moreover, I can help with acquiring those by supporting Arietta from the side.

‘At this rate, she might really grow to a level where she won’t fall behind Yoo Haon’s group.’

Of course, Arietta is currently above them, but comparing Growth Limits, there was indeed some difference.

That’s probably why she was ultimately defeated by Yoo Haon’s group in the story.

‘Well, strictly speaking, it wasn’t a one-on-one duel from the start…’

Anyway, Arietta has gained a greater growth potential than in the original work.

Then, I just need to utilize it appropriately.

Gazing at her retreating figure visible in the distance through the open window, I began formulating dozens of plans in my head.

[So, the matter has been resolved without issue. There shouldn’t be any further trouble for you.]

“Yes, thank you. Was there any unusual movement from Jo Kyehak’s side?”

The day after the battle with Shin Dohoon.

Contacting Myeongyool to grasp the progress of the incident, I was able to hear various pieces of information from him.

[No particular signs. Since his planned scheme fell through, he’ll probably lay low for a while to avoid getting caught. However…]

“You mean after some time passes, he might reach out again.”

[Exactly.]

Indeed, while the incident was concluded, Shin Dohoon’s failure and death didn’t directly affect Jo Kyehak.

If he so desired, he could target Myeongyool or Arietta again anytime.

[I feel sorry for always burdening you, but please support that child well by her side. If it gets discovered by someone else, who knows when and how it might reach Jo Kyehak’s ears.]

“Yes. I will do so.”

Having heard about Arietta’s situation earlier, Myeongyool offered to draw and give her his own blood, but I refused, thinking it wasn’t right to ask such a thing of him in his old age.

[From now on, I plan to focus on training again for a while. I don’t know how far this old body can go, but won’t there be a time when it’s needed someday?]

It seemed Myeongyool was inwardly shocked by his defeat to Shin Dohoon, whom he considered inferior.

Also, since Jo Kyehak’s reach could arrive at any moment, he seemed intent on recovering his lost strength through rehabilitation.

‘If that’s possible, it would be a great help.’

Despite his age, Myeongyool was once a figure called a hero of the Night Parade of One Hundred Specters Crisis.

If he could recover even some of that strength, he would surely become an important asset in future matters.

[If you ever need this old man’s strength, contact me anytime. I have some status and connections, so I can be of help.]

“Yes. Thank you. I will definitely do so.”

Click.

I ended the call, moved to the dormitory desk, and looked at the three items placed on it.

‘Appraisal.’

Ding!

【Usurped Thought’s Short Blade】

▶ A small blade inscribed with the Cursed Technique of Usurpation. Can absorb part of the memories of a beheaded opponent.

【Nine Dragons Pill】

▶ A supreme-grade Spiritual Elixir said to be made from nine types of supreme ingredients. Possesses outstanding ability enhancement effects.

【Eternal Spring Talisman】

▶ An emblem imbued with powerful force. The wielder gathers natural power to continuously recover Spiritual Power. A special Cursed Technique is contained within the emblem.

One was the Short Blade-form Cursed Tool that Shin Dohoon had.

Thinking it might be useful someday, I took it after informing Myeongyool post-battle.

‘Being able to read an opponent’s memories is a pretty big merit.’

Of course, it couldn’t be used against an opponent I couldn’t defeat, but that’s something to think about when the time comes.

And the other two were gifts sent by Myeongyool, who wanted to repay me in various ways.

‘He must have felt indebted.’

Even so, these are quite precious items.

Just the Nine Dragons Pill is a Spiritual Elixir with value surpassing the Azure Mystic Pill I obtained earlier through Cheong Soha, and the Eternal Spring Talisman, while not certain, was also a top-grade Cursed Tool.

‘At a glance, it seems to have a unique Cursed Technique inscribed as well…’

Like Cheong Soha’s Azure-White Sword, in such cases, one can use a special Cursed Technique through the Cursed Tool as a medium.

Of course, I’d need to first understand the Art Formula inherent within it.

‘…I’ll have to check that part gradually.’

I subtly asked Myeongyool too, but he also didn’t seem to know about the Cursed Technique inherent in the Eternal Spring Talisman.

But that makes me even more expectant. The creator of that item was clearly no ordinary person, and if I can use it, it will be a great help someday.

‘No matter how much money you have, these aren’t items easily obtained.’

To hand them over so casually, he truly had great stature befitting a former Special-Rank Exorcist.

For me, who didn’t particularly expect material rewards, it was an unexpected achievement.

‘And.’

In a way, there was even more welcome news than those items.

【Han Kangyoon】**

▶ Level: 40

Finally, my Level had surpassed the 30s and entered the 40s.

And what did that mean?

‘Now I can use it. Advanced Arts.’

There were cases where one could use them even with a slightly insufficient Level if Spiritual Power or Art Formula rank was high, but it was impossible for me, at least.

Therefore, until now, I couldn’t use them except when borrowing the power of Phantom Body Phase 2.

But now, I will gradually be able to use relatively simple Advanced Arts.

Hiding my excited heart with effort, I headed to the Training Ground as soon as I finished all scheduled classes.

First, it was time to properly test it.