"It’s only a suspicion... but... I think... Kira Crimson is a Vampire."
Luke said this with a faint sigh.
Cael didn’t respond imdiately.
First, he was caught off guard.
Second...
...
[S-Rank Skill: Wrong Eye Activated]
[Analyzing the lie...]
[Converting lie into truth...]
["I am quite certain that Kira Crimson is a Vampire."]
...
’What the hell... Kira is a Vampire?’
’He is not suspicious, but certain.’
Cael’s expression turned serious.
"So... what’s the plan?"
Luke’s eyes softened slightly.
"As I said, it’s only a suspicion on my part."
Cael rolled his eyes internally.
’No need to sugarcoat it, bro. I already saw through it.’
Luke continued,
"But I don’t want to take any chances. So tomorrow..."
He explained his plan in a calm, calculated tone.
Cael listened carefully and nodded once it was finished.
’As expected of the protagonist.’
Without showing any outward reaction, he imdiately transmitted the information to his main body.
...
Inside the Dungeon,
Cael, who was resting on a tree branch, suddenly clutched his head.
Few foreign mories were entering his mind. It was his clone’s mories.
After processing those mories, he couldn’t help but exclaim in surprise.
"Holy shit... Kira is a Vampire."
Cael took a deep breath and started analyzing.
’Was she a character in the novel?’
’No... she shouldn’t be. And... how did Luke even know she was a vampire?’
’Sothing is fishy... I can’t put a hand on it.’
’Can a butterfly effect truly change one’s character this much?’
’I don’t know anymore. If I want to live, I just need to beco strong as soon as possible.’
Cael rested until the dungeon entered the morning phase.
With a swift jump, he landed on the dry ground.
His eyes locked onto a mountain; it was his destination and the dungeon boss room.
Cael didn’t waste his mana on a useless hunt on the way.
It didn’t take long before Cael finally arrived at the mountain.
In front of him was a humongous gate.
Cael held his sword tightly before loosening it slightly.
He wasn’t afraid of dying.
If things turned truly dangerous, he could always swap places with one of his clones or teleport away.
Placing a hand on the massive stone doors, Cael pushed lightly.
—KRAAACK—
The ancient doors groaned open, the sound echoing through the chamber beyond as the cold air spilled out.
Cael stepped inside.
The doors slamd shut behind him with a heavy thud.
The battle hall was vast, circular, and dimly lit by floating mana torches embedded along the walls.
The ceiling arched high above, lost in shadow. Cracks ran across the stone floor, evidence of previous battles.
At the far end, a Minotaur sat on a throne carved from black stone.
Its massive fra was relaxed, but its crimson eyes were locked onto Cael. It was a [Perfect Silver] rank monster.
The standoff lasted only a heartbeat.
Cael moved first.
His figure blurred as he vanished from the Minotaur’s sight and appeared behind it, his sword aid at its neck.
But he had no intention of killing it yet; he wanted to copy its skill. So, he didn’t suppress his presence.
Just as expected, a white mana construct ford instantly. It solidified into a thick barrier.
—CLANG—
His sword struck the construct instead of flesh.
Cael grinned.
...
[SS Skill: Copy Activated.]
[Do you wish to copy S-Rank Skill: Energy Construction?]
[Yes] [No]
...
He didn’t hesitate and imdiately copied the skill.
The system confird.
The barrier dissolved as the Minotaur rose from its throne in a single fluid motion and swung its massive axe at him.
Cael didn’t try to block or deflect it. He knew he was no match in raw strength.
Wind surged beneath his feet as he propelled himself upward, twisting mid-air and slashing toward the Minotaur’s head.
Another construct began forming... But Cael activated [Teleportation].
He appeared behind the Minotaur instantly and unleashed a concentrated wind slash at its leg.
—CLANG—
His sword rebounded violently. The impact numbed his arms. The Minotaur’s hide was like forged steel.
Then the Minotaur’s axe ca at him. With no ti to reposition, Cael raised his blade to block.
—BANG—
—BOOM—
The force sent Cael flying across the hall. He smashed into the stone wall, cracks spiderwebbing outward from the impact.
His vision blurred. His whole body felt numb.
Through hazy sight, he saw the Minotaur charging toward him.
Without hesitation, He imdiately activated [Teleportation].
The sight changed as the hall vanished.
He reappeared atop the sa tree branch where he had rested the previous night.
The forest was quiet. Sunlight filtered through the leaves.
"Ouch... that hurts."
He checked his condition.
Both hands were fractured, and his legs were partially numb.
Leaning back against the tree trunk, he lifted his legs onto the branch.
He summoned Water mana to nd his injuries. Cool energy flowed through his limbs.
He then took out two healing potions and drank them in quick succession.
The bitter liquid burned his throat.
"That two-legged buffalo is tough."
A faint smile tugged at his lips.
’I underestimated it... Or maybe I overestimated myself.’
’Its skin is ridiculously durable.’
’If my concentrated wind slash was useless, only Frostfla might deal proper damage.’
’Maybe I should’ve used a technique.’
’What’s the point of thinking about it now?’
Cael exhaled slowly.
He was severely lacking in real combat experience.
Sparring and life-and-death combat were worlds apart.
"How the hell do protagonists kill opponents stronger than them?"
He muttered under his breath.
True, he was only [Silver 1], while the Minotaur was [Perfect Silver], nearly comparable to [Silver 3].
But the gap felt overwhelming.
Even the [Gold 1] kidnapper he had killed before hadn’t been half as durable as that monster.
’No wonder humanity is still at war with monsters.’
He clenched his fingers and decided.
"I’ll kill that buffalo."
He then opened his status interface and examined his newly copied skill.
...
ENERGY CONSTRUCTION
Rank: S
Type: Support
Description:
Allows the user to rapidly materialize structured mana constructs such as weapons, barriers, or platforms, with durability and strength proportional to mana investnt and control.
...
Sunlight shimred faintly across his expression as he stared at the words.
It’s ti to create my own signature skill that I can use in public.
"But before that, I should visit that buffalo once again."
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