Chapter 225: A Month of Peace

Chapter 225: Chapter 225: A Month of Peace

A month had passed since the battle against Seth al-Apep.

The sun shone brightly over the Mediterranean Sea, its golden rays reflecting off the crystal-clear water. Waves rolled gently onto the sandy shore, while tourists scattered across the beach enjoyed the warmth of the afternoon.

On a relatively quiet stretch of coastline in Nice, France, a group of young people had claimed a comfortable spot beneath several large beach umbrellas.

Lucian Grimaud lay back on a reclining chair, wearing dark sunglasses and a relaxed expression. The ocean breeze brushed against his hair as he listened to the sounds of his companions enjoying themselves.

For someone who had spent the past months fighting vampires, hunting dangerous individuals, and constantly pushing himself toward greater power, this peaceful scene felt almost unreal.

A month ago, he had killed Seth al-Apep, a Peak Grand Core vampire whose shadow abilities had made him a formidable opponent.

Now, he was lying on a beach.

Life could be rather strange.

"Lucian! Stop pretending to be asleep and come into the water!"

Clara’s voice reached him from nearby.

She stood at the edge of the sea, her long hair moving gently in the breeze. Her swimsuit complemented her figure, and the sunlight made her skin glow. Beside her stood Rose, who was already splashing water toward Ryan.

Mickey was farther out, laughing as Arthur tried to convince him that the water was colder than it looked.

Ryan, meanwhile, seemed determined to prove that his newly awakened ice affinity made him immune to anything remotely resembling cold.

Lucian raised one hand lazily.

"I’m enjoying the scenery."

"The scenery?" Clara narrowed her eyes. "You mean us?"

"Of course."

"Then come and enjoy it from closer!" Rose said seductively.

Lucian chuckled.

He had learned that arguing with his ladies especially Clara when she was in this mood was a pointless exercise. With a sigh, he rose from his chair and walked toward the water.

For once, he had no immediate enemy to hunt, no dangerous mission to complete, and no urgent reason to cultivate.

He could simply enjoy himself.

And he intended to make the most of it.

However, as he stepped into the shallow water, a familiar translucent interface appeared before his eyes.

[Eternal Night System]

[System Quest Completed: Kill Seth al-Apep]

Rewards:

80,000 System Credits (SC), Bloodline Seal: -3%, Blood Art Spell: Crimson Annihilation, Mystery Box

[Title: Vampire Slayer]

Description: Recognition granted for defeating a powerful vampire. Provides increased efficiency when fighting vampires, improving the user’s ability to recognize weaknesses in vampire techniques and resist certain bloodline-based pressures.

Lucian’s relaxed expression changed slightly.

Finally. I was beginning to wonder when the system would acknowledge that kill.

He had received the rewards after completing the quest, but he had deliberately postponed examining everything in detail. The aftermath of the battle had been chaotic, and he had prioritized his companions’ recovery over checking his gains.

Now that he had some free time, he could properly review them.

"The mystery reward."

A small, dark-red box materialized in the interface, surrounded by a faint golden glow. Its surface was covered with intricate markings that resembled a mixture of ancient runes and vampire sigils.

[Mystery Reward opened.]

[Congratulations! You have obtained: Blood Reaver.]

His eyes narrowed with interest.

[Blood Reaver — Ancient Blood Weapon]

Description: A weapon forged using ancient materials and refined through blood energy. Blood Reaver can alter its length and shape within certain limits, allowing it to function as a sword or a longer, curved blade. It resonates with the user’s vampire bloodline and can absorb traces of blood energy from enemies struck by its edge.

Special Property: Blood Resonance.

Blood Resonance allows the weapon to respond to the user’s blood energy, increasing its cutting power and stability when used with Blood Arts. The absorbed energy is limited and cannot replace the user’s own cultivation.

System, status.

The interface expanded.

[Status — Lucian Grimaud]

Race: Ancient Vampire

Bloodline: Ancient Vampire Origin Bloodline

Bloodline Seal: 53%

Cultivation: Mid Grand Core Realm

System Credits: 140,000 SC

Titles: Dungeon Delver, Vampire Slayer, Realm Breaker

Primary Abilities: Blood Manipulation, Light Manipulation, Devouring Void, Mind Palace

Lucian studied the information for several seconds.

His breakthrough to the Mid Grand Core Realm had significantly strengthened his body, mana capacity, and control over his abilities. Although the increase was welcome, he understood that the higher realms would become increasingly difficult to reach.

The enemies he intended to face would not wait for him to grow stronger.

His gaze shifted to the bloodline seal.

The three-percent reduction granted by the quest reward had brought him closer to unlocking more of his Ancient Vampire Origin Bloodline. Yet there was still a considerable portion of his bloodline sealed away.

He wondered what would happen when he finally removed the remaining restrictions.

Would his bloodline undergo another transformation?

Would the Eternal Night System reveal something it had deliberately kept hidden?

Or would he discover that the power sleeping within him was far more dangerous than he had imagined?

Unfortunately, the system offered no answers.

Lucian dismissed the status window and focused on the new spell.

[Blood Art Spell: Crimson Annihilation]

The moment he examined its description, information flowed into his mind.

Description: Condenses the user’s blood energy into a destructive crimson force that can be released as a concentrated blast or focused attack. The spell tears through defenses by overwhelming them with successive waves of blood energy. Its destructive power increases with the amount of energy invested and the user’s bloodline strength.

Warning: Excessive use may rapidly drain blood energy and place considerable strain on the body.

Lucian nodded slowly.

Crimson Annihilation was a destructive blood art that allowed him to concentrate his blood energy into a devastating attack. Unlike Blood Domain, which focused on establishing control over a surrounding area, Crimson Annihilation was designed to concentrate overwhelming destructive force upon a target.

Depending on how much energy he invested, he could release it as a concentrated blast or channel it through his weapon.

A smile appeared on his face.

Another useful spell.

With Blood Domain, he could exert pressure and control over a battlefield. With Crimson Annihilation, he had another option for dealing with enemies who refused to fall.

The rewards from killing Seth had been worthwhile.

"Are you planning to spend the entire afternoon staring into space?"

Clara’s voice interrupted his thoughts.

She had approached him while he examined the interface. Her arms folded across her chest, she looked at him with an expression that suggested she already suspected he was doing something unusual.

"Just checking something," Lucian replied.

"Something important?"

"Important enough."

She studied him for another moment before sighing.

"Fine. But you’re not escaping the water that easily."

Before Lucian could respond, she seized his hand and pulled him farther into the sea.

He allowed himself to be dragged along.

After all, even he needed a break.

The vacation had not been merely an excuse to relax.