The Temptation of the Bloodline
**`p>“I appreciate the offer, but… I don’t want to abandon my humanity.”`**
**`p>-This choice cannot be undone if declined.`**
**`p>-Are you certain you want to refuse?(Y/N)`**
**`p>Fafnir made his decision.`**
**`p>“Then I’m afraid I’ll have to decline.”`**
**`p>The proposal was genuinely tempting.`**
**`p>In an instant he could rise to supreme vampire and wield blood magic with overwhelming power.`**
**`p>But…`**
**`p>‘That’s nowhere near my goal.’`**
**`p>Even a high-ranking vampire is powerful, yet nowhere near the top.`**
**`p>Why? Simple.`**
**`p>Because the counter is brutally clear.`**
**`p>‘Any class that uses holy power—especially paladins—will be a nightmare.’`**
**`p>Necromancers and black mages are still preferable.`**
**p>But once you become a vampire or undead…`**
**`p>A paladin becomes a monster you can’t touch.`**
**`p>‘This is the fatal weakness that comes with trying to seize the game.’`**
**`p>Even in outnumbered fights, vampires aren’t as strong as people think.`**
**`p>They have to brawl with blood magic and drain, but opponents won’t let them.`**
**`p>Most importantly, Fafnir had a reason he couldn’t choose vampire.`**
**`p>‘Flush… the original protagonist whose luck is so absurd his class is paladin.’`**
**`p>The real protagonist whose luck has touched the heavens.`**
**`p>Since his job is paladin, he can’t possibly go down the vampire path like a beginner.`**
**`p>“Hmm? Well, if it doesn’t suit you, there’s nothing I can do.”`**
**`p>Hemora replied with a hint of disappointment.`**
**`p>“That said, I can’t send you away empty-handed. I have to give you a gift worthy of the Hemora.`**
**`p>I, Hemora, give a gift worthy of my value.”`**
**`p>After speaking, Hemora stood up.`**
**`p>‘Eh?’`**
**`p>The metallic scent of fresh blood and sweet perfume had already seeped in up to his nose.`**
**`p>-You have received the Blessing of the Blood God.`**
**`p>-Hemora’s Lifeline skill (Epic) has been created.`**
**`p>The way to grant it is through blood sharing.`**
**`p>But this time it was nothing more than a light kiss.`**
**`p>That was only natural.`**
**`p>This was merely a test version.`**
**`p>“Well, check it out.”`**
**`p>Hemora stepped back from his neck.`**
**`p>‘Skill? Status window!’`**
**`p>[Hemora’s Lifeline]`**
**`p>-Grade: Epic`**
**`p>-Type: Passive`**
**`p>-MP Cost: None`**
**`p>-Cooldown: One week`**
**`p>-Effect: If you receive fatal damage, you can be revived once. HP and MP at that time will be filled to the exact amount received from the last attack.`**
**`p>-Requirement: Must possess the Blessing of the Blood God`**
**`p>‘Whoa.’`**
**`p>Fafnir unconsciously inhaled sharply.`**
**`p>Normal–Magic–Rare–Unique–Epic–Legendary–Hyper–God.`**
**`p>The fourth-highest grade in Horizon’s tier list!`**
**`p>At that moment.`**
**`p>-You have acquired the first Epic-grade skill in the server.`**
**`p>-New achievement ‘First Story’ achieved.`**
**`p>-New title ‘Pioneer of Stories’ acquired.`**
**`p>-All stats except Luck increased by +5.`**
**`p>-Luck stat increased by +1.`**
**`p>-Reputation increased by +1,000.`**
**`p>-Experience gained.`**
**`p>-Level Up!`**
**`p>-Level Up!`**
**`p>-Heroes, monarchs, gods, and servants of evil on the surface have begun to wonder about your name.`**
**`p>-You have achieved the first narrative (Epic) achievement in the server.`**
**`p>-Registered first in the Hall of Fame.`**
**`p>A flood of messages poured in.`**
**`p>Among them were absurdities.`**
**`p>No, most of them were.`**
**`p>You are the first in the server to achieve an Epic-grade achievement.`**
**`p>You are the first to have your name listed in the Hall of Fame.`**
**`p>But Fafnir remained calm.`**
**`p>Why? Simple.`**
**`p>‘I’ve done this kind of thing countless times in real life, so whatever.’`**
**`p>More important than that was finishing the story in front of him.`**
**`p>“I am truly grateful for your consideration of my humble self, Your Majesty.”`**
**`p>Fafnir flattened himself.`**
**`p>“Although I cannot follow you, if you ever need my meager strength, I will lend it.”`**
**`p>“That’s good to hear.”`**
**`p>But.`**
**`p>Hemora, after saying that, tossed two books into the air.`**
**`p>-Blood Magic: ???’s Skill Book acquired.`**
**`p>-Blood Magic: ???’s Skill Book acquired.`**
**`p>“At the very least, you should master both so they can be of help to you.”`**
**`p>After speaking, Hemora looked at the sky and muttered.`**
**`p>“Now it is time to rebuild my forces… the bloodless vampires will once again dominate the night.”`**
**`p>Paft.`**
**`p>The girl in the crimson cloak disappeared.`**
**`p>-Catacombs 2nd Floor Dungeon cleared.`**
**`p>-Level Up!`**
**`p>-Level Up!`**
**`p>-Level Up!`**
**`p>Level Up announcements appeared one after another.`**
**`p>Fafnir’s level shot up in an instant and reached level 41.`**
**`p>‘With level 41 I can gear up properly now.’`**
**`p>But that wasn’t all.`**
**`p>‘Revival skill.’`**
**`p>Revival items had been the ultimate cheat in every game.`**
**`p>While others were playing for one coin, Fafnir had one coin for blood lifeline.`**
**`p>An enormous gain.`**
**`p>The ultimate ‘certain death’ skill high-level bosses used.`**
**`p>With this skill, he could at least survive one crisis.`**
**`p>Of course the conditions were stricter than in other games.`**
**`p>Because depending on the situation he might not be able to do anything right after revival and die again.`**
**`p>‘Still, better than nothing.’`**
**`p>Moreover, he had gained an entry in the Hall of Fame for Epic achievements and various titles.`**
**`p>‘If I have this, I can play even more recklessly.’`**
**`p>At that moment.`**
**`p>One forgotten fact resurfaced in his mind.`**
**`p>‘Right, I have to check these.’`**
**`p>The two random skill books Hemora had given him!`**
**`p>Now was the time to test his pure luck.`**
**`p>“Use skill book!”`**
**`p>-Blood Magic ‘Blood Explosion’ skill acquired.`**
**`p>‘Skill check.’`**
**`p>[Blood Explosion]`**
**`p>-Grade: Magic`**
**`p>-Type: Active`**
**`p>-HP Cost: 500`**
**`p>-Cooldown: 30 seconds`**
**`p>-Effect: When attacking an enemy, the blood in that part explodes. The explosion deals 350 + Wisdom stat x 3 damage to the enemy.`**
**`p>-Applies ‘Bleeding – Severe Bleeding’ debuff to the hit target.`**
**`p>-Skill Level: 1`**
**`p>-Requirement: Must possess the Blessing of the Blood God`**
**`p>*The damage of this attack is unaffected by physical defense.`**
**`p>Fafnir recalled his thoughts on the skill.`**
**`p>‘Not bad.’`**
**`p>A skill that bursts the opponent’s blood to deal damage.`**
**`p>The damage was decent and the additional effect was also good.`**
**`p>Moreover…`**
**`p>‘This skill has one more effect.’`**
**`p>Leather armor and metal armor are strong against external attacks but weak against internal ones.`**
**`p>If this skill lands, that part becomes the opponent’s weakness.`**
**`p>‘Depending on how I use it, it will be very useful.’`**
**`p>There are countless opponents wearing thick armor.`**
**`p>‘Then let’s see the second one.’`**
**`p>With a smile, Fafnir opened the next skill book.`**
**`p>The familiar skill name appeared.`**
**`p>-Blood Magic ‘Vampiric Aura’ (Unique) skill acquired.`**
**`p>No way!`**
**`p>‘Holy shit… Holy shit!’`**
**`p>In real life, Kim Ganghan had played dozens of games.`**
**`p>The one-tier effect common to every game was this drain.`**
**`p>“Skill check.”`**
**`p>[Vampiric Aura]`**
**`p>-Grade: Unique`**
**`p>-Type: Passive`**
**`p>-Effect: When dealing damage to an enemy, 12% of that damage is converted to HP and recovered.`**
**`p>-This effect applies only to subordinates with flesh and blood.`**
**`p>-This effect is applied as healing.`**
**`p>-This effect also applies when attacking allies.`**
**`p>-Skill Level: 1`**
**`p>-Requirement: Must possess the Blessing of the Blood God`**
**`p>‘As expected, a drain skill.’`**
**`p>A skill that recovers HP through attacks.`**
**`p>It showed enormous efficiency regardless of class.`**
**`p>‘But the restrictions are a bit high.’`**
**`p>First, skeleton soldiers and golems do not receive this skill’s effect.`**
**`p>They must swing a weapon directly.`**
**`p>Or summon monsters that have flesh and blood to benefit from the effect.`**
**`p>Moreover.`**
**`p>Because it is classified as healing.`**
**`p>It is affected by the healing reduction effect as is.`**
**`p>‘Even if two or more stack, it would be like mosquito pee.’`**
**`p>As a skill, it had many restrictions.`**
**`p>‘One day I’ll summon a monster.’`**
**`p>Fafnir stood up from his seat.`**
**`p>‘The Blood Magic General has left, has he?’`**
**`p>For now he had said he would restore his own forces.`**
**`p>Until then, the novel’s plot would probably remain unchanged.`**
**`p>‘Before that, I need to grow as much as possible.’`**
**`p>Even if I don’t reach the peak,`**
**`p>At least I need enough power to influence the situation.`**
**`p>‘This isn’t the time to hesitate. Wake up, Kim Ganghan.’`**
**`p>There was no time to hesitate.`**
**`p>-Harvested one fresh Blackweed.`**
**`p>Fafnir began scraping the dungeon walls and floor.`**
**`p>The time to focus hard during dungeon clears.`**
**`p>The time for extra loot.`**
**`p>***`**
**`p>“Wait, the Temple of Hemora?!”`**
**`p>The Necromancer Guild.`**
**`p>Guld jumped up at Fafnir’s report.`**
**`p>“Hemora? The Hemora I know?”`**
**`p>“Yes, the Temple of the Blood Magic General Hemora.”`**
**`p>He had deliberately hidden the fact that he had met Hemora.`**
**`p>He couldn’t predict how the guild master would react if an otherworldly being’s story came out.`**
**`p>“An amazing achievement. Could I also use that key?”`**
**`p>“Of course.”`**
**`p>Fafnir nodded without hesitation.`**
**`p>“Thank you very much. Visiting such a place is an honor for a necromancer.”`**
**`p>-Necromancer Guld’s favorability increased by +20.`**
**`p>After all, the Catacombs 2nd Floor would only be available for one week.`**
**`p>He wasn’t just lending it—he was giving it away completely!`**
**`p>That was business.`**
**`p>“Hmm…”`**
**`p>After the story settled.`**
**`p>Guld looked at Fafnir and began to ponder something.`**
**`p>Propping his chin, groaning, or circling the guild room with crossed arms.`**
**`p>Finally Guld spoke.`**
**`p>“Do you have any school of magic you’re thinking of?”`**
**`p>“What? Legion School…”`**
**`p>“Not just interested, but the real school.”`**
**`p>“…”`**
**`p>Lightning struck behind Fafnir.`**
**`p>‘Hidden quest.’`**
**`p>He never expected hidden quests to come one after another.`**
**`p>A game-like chain reaction that guaranteed high risk and high reward.`**
**`p>“My thought is simply to stick with the Legion School. Is there a problem?”`**
**`p>“No… it’s not a problem.”`**
**`p>Guld explained.`**
**`p>“Your achievement is so great that if you’re interested, how about joining the successor of the Arcane School I belong to?”`**
**`p>-Guld wants to accept you as his disciple.`**
**`p>-Do you accept the master-disciple relationship?`**
**`p>An offer for master and disciple that he had expected!`**
**`p>Normally such an offer required months of menial labor, but here the entire process was skipped.`**
**`p>“This is…”`**
**`p>“I’m not saying you have to abandon the Legion School. My school is just a little special within it.”`**
**`p>Guld smiled.`**
**`p>Fafnir couldn’t answer right away.`**
**`p>Why? Simple.`**
**`p>Was Guld a great enough NPC to be a master?`**
**`p>No matter how he looked, he couldn’t tell.`**
**`p>‘If I take him as master and he grows quickly, what then?’`**
**`p>An NPC in a city right outside the beginner area.`**
**`p>He didn’t seem high-level or hiding anything.`**
**`p>The rat-like face alone was proof enough.`**
**`p>‘I’ve received many favors from Guld, but that’s a different matter.’`**
**`p>Having a master isn’t bad.`**
**`p>It would only reduce karma if I betrayed him.`**
**`p>‘Well, he’s not a user, just an NPC master, so maybe it doesn’t matter much.’`**
**`p>Would Guld attack me over growth speed?`**
**`p>I can just run away after revival.`**
**`p>‘There are good points and no bad points.’`**
**`p>Then there was no reason not to accept.`**
**`p>Fafnir nodded.`**
**`p>“From now on I will call you Master.”`**
**`p>“Thank you, my first disciple.”`**
**`p>Guld answered with a grin.`**
**`p>The next moment a message appeared before Fafnir.`**
**`p>-You have become a master-disciple with Necromancer Guld.`**
**`p>-Current level difference with master: ‘Very High’.`**
**`p>-Current Guld’s level: 450`**
**`p>What the…?!`**
**`p>Fafnir unconsciously opened his mouth slightly.`**
**`p>#I Became a Necromancer Villain in a Game Novel**