Chapter 79
Chapter 79
Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 79
Chapter Title: Unexpected Reciprocation
Progenitor's Heart.
Just as the word "Progenitor" implies, it was something only Origins—those born as vampires from the dawn of time—possessed.
A power that could generate blood that never ran dry.
A blessing that granted the purest true blood.
To vampires, who sustained their strength and youth by consuming their own blood, it was more sacred than anything else.
It was said to be something only Progenitors could have...
...but today, right here.
That truth had changed.
"...Do you get it now? Do you realize just how monumental what you've done is?"
"Uh... yeah, sure. I get it."
I'd been listening to the Shoddy Progenitor explain with an uncharacteristically serious expression.
But if I had to sum up everything she said in one line, it was this:
My Synthesis is incredible, but the Tabula handling it is incredible too!
"Argh...! Why are you reacting like that? Don't you know how absurd this is?"
"No, I get it. I have a rough idea of the situation..."
Honestly, by my standards, a Progenitor's Heart?
Hmm... isn't that just S+ rank? Even if I tried it, that's all it'd be.
Of course, it wasn't that I wasn't impressed at all.
Wow! Heavenly Blood Vessel Body (S) that toughens your veins!
Wow! Progenitor's Heart (S+) that strengthens your heart and keeps pumping blood endlessly!
Vampire deluxe pack! Pretty amazing!
That was about the extent of my reaction.
No matter how much the Shoddy Progenitor stomped around in a fuss and scolded me.
Compared to the [Scale Heart (SS+)] I already had, it seemed a bit lacking in both rank and grandeur.
I've seen too many things far more impressive for me to react with "No way!? Th-this elixir-!?!?" to something like that now.
To be honest.
The S-rank lunchbox I made this morning purely by handcraft, without using Alchemy skills, might have a slight edge...
"Aiya. This lady can tell. Right now, it shows only about 10% of the efficiency compared to this lady's own Progenitor's Heart."
"But if it grows by consuming other blood, it holds the potential to one day reach the same level as this lady."
...If I said the Progenitor's Heart was inferior to a lunchbox, she'd throw a fit for a while.
Too annoying, so for now, I nodded in agreement.
"A growth-type trait... Congratulations, Shoddy Progenitor. If Lin can get even stronger than now, the revival of the Blood Cult won't take long."
"Indeed! You've finally understood!"
And so, though I hadn't really understood.
To avoid hearing "Are you a C-rank T?" and being called clueless, I patted the excited Shoddy Progenitor on the back for a bit.
"So, Aiya."
"Yeah?"
"Since you've given me such an incredible elixir, this lady wants to reciprocate somehow."
"...Reciprocate?"
Startled by the Shoddy Progenitor's words about giving something in return, I quickly put some distance between us.
Worried she might use it as an excuse to take my first time again, I wrapped my whole body in battle spirit and focused all my senses.
"...Aiya. I know why you're on guard, but it's not that."
"I know. I get it, so do your reciprocation from that distance."
"To be this guarded... ...Lin. Looks like forcibly taking it is out of the question."
Th-that, th-that...!!! I knew it, I knew this would happen!
This is why I said you shouldn't adopt red-haired beasts. What a terrifying vampire.
With that distance between us.
"No need to be so guarded. Right now, this lady purely wants to reciprocate. So take this."
⚙ SYSTEM NOTIFICATION ⚙ [Blood Jade Bracelet] [Unique] - [Pain-Soothing Blood]: The energy of the blood jade stabilizes the body and relieves accumulated fatigue. - [Blood Meridian Lubrication]: Blood and energy flow smoothly within the body. - [Blood Vitality Fortification]: Vitality infused in the blood reinforces the body, boosting vigor and immunity. The Shoddy Progenitor gathered blood in the air, reached into it, pulled out a small wooden box, and tossed it my way.
I snatched it mid-air and cautiously opened the wooden box to check inside.
There was a jade bracelet glowing with a red light like fresh blood.
"That red jade bracelet is one of the Blood Cult's sacred relics, made from this lady's true blood just before ascension."
"Originally, it was meant for Lin, but thanks to the elixir you gave, its usefulness has diminished, so I'll give it to you as reciprocation."
"This is a sacred relic like Lavris?"
If so, it must be quite impressive.
This thing...
...relieves fatigue, improves blood circulation, boosts immunity.
Isn't this just a lucky germanium bracelet?
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇ It didn't seem as useful as Lavris.
Still, better than nothing, so after putting on the Shoddy Progenitor's reciprocation gift.
"How is it, Aiya?"
Thump-! Thump-!
"Hm... My battle spirit feels a bit more stable? Easier to handle than before."
Sacred relic for you. So this is it?
The battle spirit, which had been like a reckless driver on the highway gunning for a single target and ready to kill,
now felt like a veteran driver with a bad temper but staying within the law.
"Not bad. I like it."
"Heh heh heh... Of course, since this lady made it. You should pass it down to your descendants for generations."
"Yeah, yeah."
Anyway.
Maybe because I'd confirmed the bracelet had some use?
The Shoddy Progenitor, looking relieved, wiggled her fingers and spoke to me.
"Um... Aiya. Do you need anything else?"
"No, the girls will wake up soon, so we're gonna eat and head out. Why?"
"Then, could you give Lin just one day of rest? For absorbing the elixir, I'd like to enter secluded training. So... cleaning tomorrow morning might be tough."
Hm? Oh, was she glancing at me the whole time to say that?
The morning cleaning was just punishment out of spite; doing it or not didn't matter much.
Didn't expect her to be so hesitant about it.
"Why hesitate over something like that? Just say it casually."
"...Really? Thanks, Aiya!"
"But can you fully absorb the elixir in a day?"
"If this lady helps, absolutely!"
Hmm... Is that so?
"Then how much stronger will Lin be after absorbing the elixir?"
"Even this lady doesn't know exactly. But definitely stronger than Lin at her peak."
"That much?"
"Even if the purity is low for now, she's gained inexhaustible inner energy. How could it compare to before?"
Hm... True, being able to spam martial arts endlessly means it's stronger, even if I don't know the power output.
According to the Shoddy Progenitor, vampires are perfect beings that don't tire as long as they have blood, so endurance would be top-tier now.
And that means.
"With the elixir absorbed, Lin could climb the tower alone?"
"A bit slower, but yes, possible."
Back then, Lin could solo the Tower of Conquest.
"Tabula. How many buff potions do we have?"
[Tabula's Special All-in-One Buff Potion? Currently 1000 left!]
"Then take out 100 and give them to the Shoddy Progenitor. Oh, and recovery potions too, just in case."
[Yes! Father!]
To catch two rabbits at once—rehab training for my capable subordinate and recovering my investment.
I decided to assign Lin a tower climb within her comfort zone.
⚙ SYSTEM NOTIFICATION ⚙ [Special All-in-One Buff Potion] [A] [Effect]: Grants [All Stats Up (Medium)] for 10 minutes upon consumption. ⚔ STATUS ⚔ [Special Recovery Potion] [A] [Effect 1]: Grants [Recovery (Medium)] upon consumption. [Effect 2]: Grants [Status Ailment Removal (Medium)] upon consumption. After handing over the special buff and recovery potions to the Shoddy Progenitor.
"Um... Aiya? Why this all of a sudden...?"
"You're planning rehab training after the elixir, right? Might as well do it in real combat—better in every way."
"True, but... couldn't you just send me off like that? You've already given the elixir of transcendence; no need to pack these too, I thought...?"
"Hm... fair point."
For a normal person, maybe.
But.
If it were that being I modeled after.
"Lider Prezha would have done it."
"Prezha...? Who's that?"
"Exists. The true leader encompassing the whole universe."
"...? Some transcendent I don't know?"
"Might exist in some world."
Anyway.
"Tabula. Pack a lunchbox too."
[Yes! Father!]
⚡ ITEM ACQUIRED ⚡ [Special Lunchbox Packed with Love-!] [Effect 1]: Eating meat slightly boosts all stats.
[Effect 2]: Eating fish slightly boosts status ailment resistance.
[Effect 3]: Eating everything grants [Rapid Growth] for a day.
[Luck Effect!]: Chance of 'Enlightenment' increases during [Rapid Growth]!
"Secluded training will make you hungry; don't just drink blood—eat properly."
As a final touch, I packed the special lunchbox.
Having provided maximum support within my means.
"...This isn't an ordinary lunchbox either."
The Shoddy Progenitor read the lunchbox effects, then looked at me with a convinced expression and cautiously spoke.
"Aiya, I well understand your feelings for this lady."
"?"
"If you're conveying such sincerity, this lady can't pretend not to notice."
"What're you talking about?"
"No need to be shy. I know what feelings you have in giving me these."
"No, seems like you don't know at all?"
"I've received the young fool's feelings... I'll show my answer through results."
"No, that's not it!"
"Then head back first. See you tomorrow."
"Hey! It's not that!"
But the Shoddy Progenitor, oblivious to my true intentions till the end.
"Heh heh heh... Your shy look is quite cute."
Said that, flashed a bewitching smile, and went her way.
I stood there for a while after.
"Weird...? Why did acting like the true leader lead to that conclusion?"
Pondering that.
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇ — Tabula Father's terrifying plausibility even conquers Transcendents...! — Tabula Guess I need to upgrade the evaluation...!