Chapter 22: Grace Bestowed

[Skill unlocked: Blood Grace!]

Blood Grace…?

The name rang a bell somewhere deep in my memory.

Where have I seen that before?

Ah. Right, that time!

As I pondered, a memory surfaced.

It was when Siyeon was fighting that parasitic demon inside Black Cow's shaman and got into real danger.

Suddenly, a window like that popped up, letting me pick one of three options to empower my familiar.

So that's what this was.

It was supposed to unlock at level 20, like some reinforcement system, but since my familiar was in peril, it gave me early access as a special case.

I was mulling this over when another message appeared.

Interface?

Let's check it out.

I mentally agreed, and with a shwoop, a translucent crimson window unfurled before my eyes.

Five branches extended from a central point.

Oh?

This was totally it—the classic skill tree from games.

Each branch had a label.

Five categories in total.

I scanned the names one by one.

Blood Arts. I got this one right away.

That's what Katarina chants when she casts skills sometimes.

I recalled Katarina's Blood Bind.

And that technique where she compresses blood and fires it at high speed—probably Blood Arts too.

Basically, manipulating blood like a weapon.

Next, Transformation. Easy guess.

The Blood Claw I gave Siyeon—nails elongating and hardening.

Body modification, so obviously Transformation.

Shadow.

Last time with the Grace choice, there was Shadow Step. That must be Shadow category.

The other two are trickier…

Bewitchment. The name alone gave it away.

The classic vampire power that comes to mind.

Mind control stuff.

Superpowers to mesmerize and dominate humans. Something like that.

Neither Katarina nor Siyeon has used it yet, so not certain.

And finally.

Mystery.

…What the heck is this?

No clue from the name.

The others give a rough idea from the words, but Mystery? Nada.

Sounds cool, but identity unknown.

Shelve it for now.

I decided to examine the others methodically first. Each branch had three skill icons. I tapped Blood Arts.

My hunch was spot on.

Blood manipulation skills—Katarina's go-tos.

Next, Transformation.

Ah. Blood Claw—that's what Siyeon has!

Seeing the Grace I granted made me oddly happy.

And after Blood Claw, the branch continued.

Oh!

Graces already granted could advance to the next tier.

Unlock tier 1 to access tier 2—like any game skill tree.

I checked Shadow and Bewitchment next.

Tier 1 Graces seemed like vampire basics.

Basic blood handling, basic body mods, basic shadow hiding, basic seduction.

Mystery, though.

Not even tier 1 available.

Others showed the skills at least, but Mystery was all question marks.

Truly mysterious.

Lives up to the name, huh?

Skip for now.

I shook my head and moved on.

What really piqued my curiosity was something else.

Let's check my familiars' Graces.

There was a menu for each familiar's Graces.

Siyeon first.

As expected, ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠Siyeon's tree had the Blood Claw I'd chosen marked.

And.

…?!

She didn't have Mystery, but her Blood Arts branch was insane—branches everywhere.

Basically fully unlocked.

But mostly question marks.

Ah, got it.

Meaning most of Katarina's Graces were in areas I hadn't unlocked yet.

Made sense.

Sense, yes—but I couldn't accept it.

I'm her master, but I can't see my own familiar's powers…?!

So unfair. Appraisal doesn't work, can't see skills—what's the point!

I wanted to just ask Katarina outright what abilities she had.

"……."

But no dice.

My mouth wouldn't move.

Noble Bearing passive at fault.

Asking your own familiar about their skills must not be "noble" enough.

Like admitting ignorance as master or something.

Ugh, so frustrating…!

Forcing it would just spit out weird nonsense anyway.

I gave up and shut my mouth.

…Someday I'll unlock them all myself and check everything!

I steeled my resolve inwardly.

For now, swallow the annoyance.

Next, I checked how to grant Graces.

Poking menus, I found it in the skill window.

Hmm. Blood Essence, huh.

Unique currency earned only by investing in Blood Power stat.

Then I must have a good amount, right?

Base Blood Power 100, all level-up points into it for +54 total.

Should be 54 Essence.

Tier 1 costs 10, so five Graces possible?

Excited, I checked the bottom resource tab.

…Huh? Why only 34?

Should be 54—20 missing.

Checked the history.

No way…! It wasn't free…!!

That miraculous ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠window when Siyeon was in danger.

Thought it was a freebie hidden event, but nope—loan with 100% interest!

…Sigh.

Lesson reinforced: No such thing as free lunch.

Stings like real money lost, but it saved Siyeon's life—no regrets.

Anyway.

Could I give Siyeon one more now?

She only had one—room for another tier 1.

Plus, 9 points from three level-ups into Blood Power adds 9 Essence, totaling 43.

Plenty for 10-point tier 1.

What does Siyeon lack? Ranged attacks, probably.

Siyeon specialized in close-quarters assassination.

All her fights so far confirmed it.

How about this?

Blood Bullet.

A ranged option would broaden her combat options hugely.

Decision made, I called Siyeon.

"Siyeon, my familiar."

"Yes, Master."

Siyeon approached quietly and knelt on one knee.

"I shall bestow upon thee another Grace."

"…Another Grace, you say."

"Indeed. Receive it."

Activated Blood Grace skill. Selected Blood Bullet.

Ding!

Suddenly, something drained from my body—a strange sensation.

At the same time, Siyeon's body twitched faintly.

"……."

Siyeon slowly looked down at her hand.

She focused briefly, and a drop of blood formed at her fingertip.

It didn't fall.

Instead, it floated midair like a bullet, zipping around freely.

Siyeon stared blankly at the blood drop.

Her head tilted slightly with its movements, her straight hair swaying.

Like ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠a cat chasing a laser pointer. Kinda cute.

After playing with it awhile, Siyeon slowly raised her gaze to me.

"…Thank you, Master."

Calm voice.

But her unwavering eyes brimmed with deep gratitude.

"This power bestowed by Master—I shall make it worth every bit."

"Mm. Good."

I nodded contentedly.

And.

…Katarina.

I glanced sideways at Katarina.

She'd watched the Grace bestowal silently.

Expression neutral, but a subtle hint of envy?

Ah… What to do, can't give to Katarina.

She's maxed tier 1 except Mystery. Blood Arts insanely advanced.

Could upgrade Shadow, Transformation, or Bewitchment.

But tier 2 costs 30 Essence.

I have 24 left. Stats remaining—dump all into Blood Power for one, maybe…

But risky for emergencies. Can't blow it now.

Still, ignoring her felt bad.

What to do?

After a moment's thought, I beckoned Katarina.

"Katarina. Come hither."

"Yes, my lord."

Katarina knelt before me promptly.

I reached out with my small hand and placed it atop her head.

And.

Pat. Pat.

Gently stroked her hair.

"……!! L-Lord…?"

Katarina jolted visibly.

"Thou hast done well today, truly."

Sorry, Katarina. This is all I can manage now.

Pockets aren't deep—bear with me.

But.

"H-Haah… Ah. L-Lord. Th-This is too great an honor…!"

Katarina was overjoyed, practically panting.

Cheeks flushed deep, fidgeting restlessly.

I got a bit flustered.

Eh? Why's she happier than getting a Grace…?