Floating Islands: SSS Gacha Lord-Chapter 28 - Bloodbound Vigor

Atlas led the way through the bustling city streets, heading straight for their first stop: a hotel. He was eager to finally experience the luxury accommodations he’d only ever heard about. And with the credits they’d been given, why not enjoy a bit of comfort?

Honestly, he’d once considered vacationing here. Who would’ve thought he’d end up arriving as a Lord, summoned into this life by force? Still, even if this wasn’t a holiday, there was no harm in enjoying the moment.

As they moved through the city, he noticed the steady stream of eyes following them.

It wasn’t because they looked strange. No. Atlas knew the real reason.

Morganna and Lyrassa.

He sighed. By any standard, their beauty was extraordinary. The kind that turned heads without trying. It was like watching celebrities stroll through the city, and if this had been anywhere else, somewhere wilder than Veylamar. They probably would’ve been swarmed.

Here, people just watched from a distance. That, at least, was manageable.

Arriving at a high-end hotel, Atlas noted the steep prices but didn’t hesitate. With plenty of funds on hand, it was worth the expense.

At the counter, he booked a large suite. The ideal five-room setup was already taken, but he secured a six-bedroom suite, even better. Keeping the team close would make coordination easier.

They stepped into a grand elevator, its transparent walls offering a view of the lobby below. A mix of waterfalls, indoor greenery, and elegant lounge spaces greeted them. A quiet, polished welcome to the city.

Atlas noticed Karian glancing around, his eyes quietly scanning the polished marble floors, the shimmering lights, the floating displays. There was a curiosity in his gaze.

"New for you, Karian?" Atlas asked.

Karian gave a small nod. "In my world, there was only ruin and constant struggle. A place like this... it’s new to me. And honestly? Pretty intriguing."

"Well, good thing you got summoned, huh," Edrik suddenly chimed in, his tone casually blunt.

Atlas turned to him and let out a soft chuckle.

"Hahaha, shut up, Edrik," Karian laughed. "We lost. Our past life is literally over. Let’s just welcome this new one."

Atlas grinned, then turned the question back around. "What about you, Edrik?"

Edrik gave a slight bow. "Parts of my old world looked like this. Some even more advanced. But most of it was already destroyed. So, while this isn’t exactly new to me, it’s still refreshing."

Atlas nodded thoughtfully. That lined up. Edrik had seemed familiar with Gacha systems and had mentioned high-tech elements before. He was probably from a world not so different from Atlas’s own.

Then Atlas looked to Lyrassa. "What about you?"

"My Lord," she answered softly, "I’ve always lived in tune with nature. Cities like this are new to me... but I’ve seen Lords with similar technologies before."

So, she came from a world where this level of advancement existed, but kept to the woods and wilds. That made sense.

Then Atlas’s gaze drifted to Morganna.

She immediately turned her head, looking elsewhere, pretending she hadn’t noticed.

Should he make small talk and ask her too?

No. Not now.

They soon arrived at the suite they had booked. Atlas stepped inside and scanned the space, and yes, it was absolutely luxurious. Glamorous. The massive glass wall that overlooked the city offered a breathtaking view, one that would no doubt become even more stunning once night fell.

"Pick your rooms," he said simply.

Everyone moved off to choose their own, including Atlas.

Though Edrik had politely asked Atlas to choose first, he’d declined. In the end, Atlas selected the room closest to the entrance. Nothing fancy behind the choice, just convenience. Easier to come and go. That was all.

He stepped inside and spotted the large bed waiting for him. A small smile crossed his face as he shut the door behind him.

Then he paused.

Something felt... off.

His heart began to race. Fast. Too fast. A surge of energy burst through him.

"What is this...?" he muttered.

The pounding in his chest grew louder, more forceful. He stumbled toward the bed and sat down, sweat beading along his forehead.

Was he hungry?

No. This wasn’t hunger.

It was something else entirely.

His body felt hot and cold at once, like his blood had turned electric, surging through his veins too quickly.

Something was happening. Something he hadn’t expected.

[The bond you’ve created with Morganna has now fully formed.]

[Your blood has undergone modifications as part of the bonding process.]

"What? What’s happening...?" Atlas murmured, eyes wide as one notification after another flooded his vision.

"Bond? Why now?" he whispered, breath catching in his throat.

Cold sweat clung to his skin, and his hands trembled as his entire body shook.

His pulse thundered in his ears. Whatever was happening, it wasn’t just a system update. Something inside him, deep in his blood, was changing.

[Some modifications have been made to your blood and body, boosting your potential even further.]

[Several of your talents have been upgraded.]

[Iron Will has been upgraded from B to A.]

[Tactical Awareness has been upgraded from C to A.]

Notifications kept coming. His talent ratings were climbing, and not just by a single tier. They were jumping.

"Damn... this is insane," Atlas muttered, barely keeping his focus as the text flooded his vision.

[Instinctual Command has been upgraded from C to A.]

Another surge. His heartbeat was pounding, but he couldn’t tear his eyes away.

[Measured Strikes has been upgraded from F to B.]

"What the hell?" Atlas breathed. Even his F-rank talents were getting pulled up by multiple levels. This wasn’t normal.

[You’ve unlocked a new Talent: Bloodbound Vigor (S).]

[Through the bond’s power, you gain accelerated stamina recovery and an enhanced threshold for physical endurance, allowing you to fight longer without tiring.]

"Even a new talent?" he gasped.

His entire body trembled as raw energy coursed through him, but then nausea hit hard.

The stream of notifications didn’t stop. They burned behind his eyes like stars, one after another, proof that something irreversible had just occurred.

And it had all started with Morganna.

[Several skills have been unlocked due to your high compatibility with the bond partner. This outcome was also heavily influenced by your innate talents, resulting in these new abilities.]

[New Skill Unlocked: Epic-grade – Bloodlink Command (Active)]

[Empowers nearby allies with a vampiric aura that enhances lifesteal and grants minor regeneration.]

[New Skill Unlocked: Elite-grade – Duskbound Presence (Conditional Passive)]

[Exudes an intimidating aura that reduces the attack power of nearby enemies.]

[New Skill Unlocked: Epic-grade – Bloodrush (Active)]

[Channels vampiric energy into the muscles, granting a surge of speed and the ability to move through enemies with rapid precision and agility.]

"Wait..." he muttered, trying to process it all, "I seriously unlocked three...?"

His thoughts swirled, overwhelmed by the rush of information flooding his mind.

Okay, he told himself. Let it all pass first. I’ll analyze everything once I’m stable.

He steadied his breathing, still lying on the bed as the wave of dizziness slowly began to fade. A tingling warmth pulsed through his limbs. Lighter, stronger, as if gravity itself had loosened its grip.

With some effort, Atlas sat up.

He felt different. Like his body had leveled up into something more than... human?

Wait!

"Jackpot, can you analyze my race or blood? Am I still human?"

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