Floating Islands: SSS Gacha Lord-Chapter 29 - Leveling with Blood

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

"Seriously, If I’ve just been turned into a vampire because of this bond. Or... maybe it’s a good thing?"

Vampires were supposed to have all kinds of advantages over humans, right? Longer life spans, enhanced senses, physical enhancements...

But the idea of surviving off someone else’s blood? That still felt... wrong for him.

[Host, I’m not a general knowledge database. Anything unrelated to island progress is beyond my scope.]

Atlas rolled his eyes. "You’re certainly... helpful."

He glanced at his hand. Still warm, still his natural color. Not pale like Morganna’s. His pulse was steady; he could feel his heartbeat. No hunger for blood. At least for now, he was still human.

Turning back to his talent arsenal, he scanned through them again, disbelief still flickering behind his eyes:

[Iron Will (A) – Tactical Awareness (A) – Instinctual Command (A) – Measured Strikes (B) – Unbreakable Routine (S) – Reliable Aura (A) – Bloodbound Vigor (S)]

"Incredible."

What had once been a scattered mix of B and C-rank talents now gleamed at A-rank across the board. Even his only combat-focused talent, originally a pitiful F, was now a solid B.

And above it all, two shining S-rank talents.

Unbreakable Routine, his core ability. And now, Bloodbound Vigor, courtesy of his bond with Morganna. A talent built for endurance and survival.

Any normal Awakener would give anything for this kind of progress.

And yet... This was just the beginning.

Could he get even more? Was this just the opening act?

Atlas leaned back, his thoughts racing as he analyzed the three new vampiric skills now added to his arsenal.

Bloodlink Command was the most striking. An active aura skill that enhanced lifesteal and provided minor regeneration to allies? That was a dream for any frontliner... but for a Lord, it was absurdly powerful.

This wasn’t just a personal buff, this was an army-wide advantage. If he ever commanded a full legion, the results could be devastating for the enemy.

Next up was Duskbound Presence. A passive debuff aura, reducing the attack power of nearby enemies. Again, tailor-made for someone leading from the front.

And then... Bloodrush.

The name said it all. Vampiric speed, surgical movement, precision strikes. It turned him into a living weapon.

But seriously... Had he turned into a vampire?

He rubbed the side of his neck, the memory of Morganna’s bite flaring sharp in his mind. He’d brushed it off at the time, but now he wasn’t so sure. The connection, this bond, must’ve started there.

And whether he liked it or not, that moment had rewired something deep in him.

**

A few minutes later, Atlas stood outside Edrik’s room and knocked, still shaken from everything that had just happened.

Edrik opened the door with a calm nod and stepped aside to let him in.

Once inside, Atlas quickly explained it all.

"That’s... seriously a lot to take in," Edrik said, giving a half-smile. "But I do feel somewhat responsible. I’ll try to explain what I know."

"So you knew about this bond thing beforehand?" Atlas asked, narrowing his eyes. "Why didn’t you tell me?"

"Not like I was hiding it," Edrik replied. "I just didn’t think there was cause for concern. Morganna’s kind doesn’t form that kind of connection easily. I didn’t expect it to happen this fast."

Atlas folded his arms. "Alright then. Explain everything."

Edrik nodded slowly, as if bracing for how strange his next words might sound.

"I hope this doesn’t shock you, but to put it simply... you’ve formed a bond with Morganna. Think of it as her giving herself to you. Well, something like a wife to you.."

"A... wife?" Atlas blinked. "Sorry, what?"

"Not in the literal sense," Edrik said, smirking. "It’s not marriage. More like... she’s chosen you. Vampires don’t do that lightly. She’s tasted your blood, and now, in exchange, she’s granting you power, your desires, even the ones you haven’t spoken aloud."

Atlas frowned. "I don’t get it."

Edrik raised an eyebrow knowingly. "My Lord... you were with her that night, weren’t you?"

Atlas’s brow furrowed. Of course Edrik meant that night Morganna had ended up sleeping in his room, right beside him.

"How much do you know, Edrik?"

"She fulfilled your unspoken wish. Whatever bond you two have now, it’s sealed. She’s tied her fate to yours completely. Whether you realize it or not, she chose you."

Atlas didn’t respond immediately.

As Edrik spoke, more fragments of that night began to surface in Atlas’s mind, sharpening into something clearer.

"So, whatever you truly desire. She’ll fulfill it," Edrik said quietly. "She craves your blood, yes, but this bond isn’t something trivial. She’s tied her fate to yours."

He paused, letting that settle. "You wanted power. You wanted her. And now, she’s given you both. That’s why you received all those upgrades and new skills. As your subordinate, I’m honestly glad. It’s proof that you’ve evolved into something even greater overnight."

Bits and pieces from that night returned to Atlas. Foggy memories inside the tent. Had it really happened? Had he wanted it?

He remembered Morganna entering. She’d spoken of fulfilling his wish.

Wish?

Then... the rest was unclear. Like walking through a dream half-remembered. But now it was forming into something more solid.

"You mean... I actually...?"

"More precisely," Edrik said, "she gave herself willingly. And you accepted her. Fully. You may not have realized it at the time, but it was mutual."

Atlas ran a hand down his face, exhaling slowly. "So that’s what really happened. What I thought was a dream... it wasn’t." freewebnøvel_com

"She likely had no control, and neither did you," Edrik added. "You were both swept up in the bond. For someone like her, a Vampire Queen, this kind of connection is sacred."

Atlas leaned back slightly, overwhelmed. "That’s... a lot. Really complex."

Edrik leaned forward, his tone serious. "Rest assured, My Lord. Morganna was likely a very high-rank Lord in her previous life. Possibly Rank 8, Overlord, or even Rank 9, Immortal."

"Oh. Her rank was that high? Are you certain?"

Edrik nodded. "Yes. Summoning her is like calling down a god from another world. That’s the kind of luck you’ve rolled here."

Atlas frowned slightly. "And what’s the downside for me? Am I a vampire now?"

"No, not unless you want to be," Edrik replied. "You can ask her to turn you, but you know what that means. You’d gain extended life, no aging, and greater potential at the cost of drinking blood."

"Hmm," Atlas considered. "That’s... something to think about."

He paused for a moment, then joked, "So, is that why she’s always snapping at me?"

Edrik chuckled. "No. I think that’s just her personality."

Atlas chuckled, feeling more grounded after their conversation.

Edrik added, "You don’t need to worry, My Lord. You’re doing great. It’s only day three, and you’ve already built a formidable base. It’s night and day compared to when I started."

"Thanks," Atlas replied with a nod.

"How many tickets do you have left?" Edrik asked.

"Quite a few," Atlas answered. "They’re easy enough to obtain."

Edrik’s expression shifted to something more thoughtful. "With more power comes more challenges. Greater potential, but a tougher path. It means you’re meant for something extraordinary."

"I’ll count on your guidance as I build this island, Edrik."

Edrik bowed slightly. "I’m here for you, My Lord. My knowledge, my power. They’re yours."

Atlas nodded, heading for the door.

"My Lord," Edrik called quietly.

Atlas turned back.

"My advice. Try talking to her."

Atlas gave a faint, determined smile. "I will," he said, then stepped out.

This 𝓬ontent is taken from fre𝒆webnove(l).𝐜𝐨𝗺