Chapter 5

Tomb Raider

Inside the tomb site, a group of explorers moved cautiously through the dimly lit passageways. The narrow path led them deeper into the ancient structure, with flashlights illuminating the darkness. The explorers, clad in hoodies and robes that obscured their features, moved with a collective purpose.

As they progressed, they passed by numerous doors on either side of the main path, creating an eerie atmosphere within the tomb. The occasional murmur of conversation and the soft echo of footsteps reverberated through the ancient chambers. Despite their similar appearance, subtle variations in height and stature hinted at the diversity within the group.

The group continued their journey through the tomb, their footsteps blending with the occasional whispers. The question from the young one echoed, "Are we there yet, sir?" The diverse group comprised soldiers, children, adults, and both men and women. The leader, an adult in the front, responded to the youngest member's inquiry.

"Not yet, kid. We still have a ways to go. We need to cross the intersection before reaching the main chamber of this site. Be patient and maintain your position. Don't get left behind," the man advised, guiding the group through the labyrinthine passageways.

The young one remained in the middle of the group as they traversed the labyrinthine passages, with the leader in front and the eldest and soldier guarding the rear and front of the group. They continued until they reached the main chamber of the tomb, where they were left awestruck by what lay before them.

"Wow... this is awesome..." exclaimed the youngest one, his jaw dropping at the sight.

In the center of the room, suspended above and mid-air, a massive casket held a sleeping figure. Golden chains adorned with shining gems upheld it, creating an ethereal display. The casket itself was adorned with jewels, and inside, unwithering flowers surrounded the person within. The room was filled with an otherworldly ambiance, leaving the group in awe.

The group approached the casket, mesmerized by the delicate figure of the woman inside. Her salmon-pink hair cascaded around her, framing her fair skin and dainty body. It was evident to the visitors that she held high status, and the elaborate tomb was a testament to her importance. While historical records were scant, she was revered as a significant figure from the era of the world merger.

The group proceeded to unveil their robes, revealing two women with distinguished features among them. One had a small pair of horns adorning her red-haired head, known as the Crimson Princess. The other wore a tiara, recognized as the Voodoo Princess. Both were demon lords who led their own armies of demons. Unlike some other demon lords, they did not create a bloodline of half-demons through reproduction but instead welcomed humans willing to offer their souls to become half-demons. This choice earned them a reputation as the more benevolent side of the demon race.

The group came to the tomb for an unspecified purpose. but it was normal for people to raid ancient tombs in hope to get treasures or to loot stuff inside of it, little did they know, they were about to have a bad day at that moment.

Both of them floated in front of the casket, preparing to awaken the person laid inside. The Crimson Princess, seemingly puzzled, questioned the Voodoo Princess about the use of necromancy. She bombarded her with various queries, trying to understand the situation better.

"Voodoo Princess, are you sure necromancy will work on this person? She seems still alive to me," inquired the Crimson Princess with a confused expression.

Exasperated, the Voodoo Princess responded, "Then what else do you suggest? Casting off the sleeping spell? You know that she’s as good as dead if she slept for more than 3000 years. Even most demons don't live that long." Despite the questions and suggestions, the Voodoo Princess was disturbed by her partner's interference, as she delved into her grimoire in search of a resurrection spell or any incantation that might awaken the person inside.

The escort group, composed of mercenaries, watched the two demon princesses argue from below, unsure of the nature of their conversation. The youngest among them, a rookie, couldn't help but wonder aloud about the discussion unfolding above them.

The youngest member of the escort group, a rookie who had recently joined the mercenaries, curiously inquired, "I wonder what they were talking about."

One of the more experienced members gruffly replied, "Just mind your own business, kid. The faster we get out of here, the better." The group continued to watch the two demon lords above, their curiosity mixed with an air of caution in the mysterious tomb.

As the group members were preoccupied with their respective tasks, a bird suddenly flew into the main chamber and perched on the shoulder of the youngest member. Initially surprised by its unexpected presence, the young man observed the bird closely.

"Huh, a bird? Where did it come from?" he questioned, turning his attention to the crimson-colored bird. However, as he examined it, he noticed an unusual detail – the bird seemed to be bleeding. Confused, he assumed it was injured.

"It's bleeding? Wait..." His initial concern turned to bewilderment as he realized the truth: the bird wasn't injured at all. In fact, it was composed entirely of blood.

It all unfolded in an instant, too fast for them to react. As the mercenary leader caught sight of the red bird perched on the youngest member, his composed demeanor shattered. Shock and fear etched across his face as he realized the imminent danger. With urgency, he shouted out to the young mercenary, desperate to warn him of the peril.

"Hey kid! Get away from that thing!!" his voice rang out, laced with urgency and concern. But his warning came too late. 

<<*BOOOM!!*>>

In a sudden and violent explosion, the blood bird erupted, its crimson form bursting apart with a deafening boom that reverberated throughout the chamber, alerting everyone to the impending chaos.

In the aftermath of the explosive disturbance, chaos ensued as one member of the group crumpled to the ground, a victim of an unexpected ambush.

"What was that!" both the Crimson Princess and the Voodoo Princess directed their attention to the origin of the disturbance.

"We're under attack! Everyone, get in formation!" ordered the mercenary leader. The remaining members hastily gathered, forming a defensive line facing the sole entrance to the main chamber. The dark hallway leading into the room lay open, a potential threat for impending danger. They braced themselves for the unknown assailant.

As the sound of approaching footsteps drew nearer, tension thickened in the air. The soldiers raised their firearms, aiming them at the entrance, while the captain and the two demon lords positioned themselves at the forefront, ready to face the imminent threat.

The footsteps halted abruptly, shrouded in darkness, obscuring the identity of the attacker. Then, a voice pierced the silence, uttering the ominous words, "Blood Bullet..." The air crackled with impending danger as the man chanted his spell, conjuring a barrage of blood bullets aimed directly at them.

Reacting swiftly, the captain barked out orders, "Shields up! Brace yourselves!" In a synchronized motion, the soldiers raised their shields, fortifying their defenses against the incoming onslaught of blood bullets, preparing for the clash that awaited them in the darkness of the tomb.

The soldiers raised magical shields, forming a protective barrier in front of them. The hails of blood bullets collided with the shields, creating a series of explosive impacts. The captain, vigilant and strategic, shouted orders to his troops, coordinating their defense.

The two demon lords, unfazed by the assault, conjured defensive enchantments around themselves. One of them, a slender figure with dark red, leathery wings, muttered an incantation under their breath, creating a shield of dark energy that absorbed the blood bullets.

As the assault continued, the soldiers retaliated with magic firearms, launching bursts of arcane bullets towards the mysterious attacker. The captain, recognizing the urgency of the situation, called out to the unseen assailant, "Identify yourself! We mean no harm!"

The darkness began to lift slightly, revealing the silhouette of a lone figure, one of that of a young man. The footsteps echoed once again as the mysterious man started walking towards them, still hidden within the shadows.

"We seek no conflict with you. State your purpose," demanded the captain, keeping a watchful eye on the mysterious figure

The man chuckled, his voice echoing eerily through the air. "Purpose? You trespass into my domain. I am the owner of this place, and your intrusion shall not go unanswered."

The assailant revealed himself to be none other than Sylas Oakenheart. Fueled by rage and a sense of protectiveness over his servants' resting place, he didn't hesitate to launch an attack on those who dared to disturb the sanctity of the tomb. In his hands, the grimoire, Myriad Archive, opened its pages to unveil the vast array of arcane magic it contained.

"Skill Set 4. Undying Sanguine," he intoned. The cover of the grimoire underwent a transformation, shifting from its plain black appearance to a dark red hue adorned with torn marks and stitches. The ominous alteration made the grimoire resemble something straight out of a horror movie, signaling the unleashing of formidable power.

No one was able to see it. but in front of Sylas there were a lot of window panels popped out from the world system. informing him about everything that was unfolded.

[[[Sub-Class: Hemomancer]]]

[[Passive Skill]]

1. [Hemophilia]

   - All attacks inflict bleeding status on the enemy.

   - Causes bleeding status (stacked).

2. [Hemorrhage]

   - Causes excessive bleeding to wounded enemies.

   - Increases Bleeding Damage over Time.

   - Causes bleeding status (stacked).

3. [Thrombocytopenia]

   - (Details not provided).

[[Active Skill]]

1. [Weeping Droplets]

   - Activates only after the user receives damage.

   - Accumulates received damage and converts it into Mirror damage.

   - Deals 80% of the original damage.

2. [Anticoagulant]

   - Activates when the enemy receives physical damage and Bleeding effects are active.

   - Increases the user's damage by the amount of Bleeding Damage over Time.

3. [Blood Drain]

   - Heals the user by absorbing enemy blood (HP).

4. [Eviscerate]

   - Deals physical damage to one enemy using slashing and cutting attacks.

   - If the attack lands critical hits, it inflicts bleeding effect on the enemy (stacked with passive).

 As a seasoned player, Sylas had meticulously curated various sets of spells in his grimoire to suit different playstyles and combat scenarios. With over 800 spells at his disposal, stored within his exclusive item, the Myriad Archive, he had a vast arsenal to draw upon.

In this critical moment, he opted for one of his most potent and ruthless spell arrangements: the Vampire build. This particular set of spells was designed for efficiency and brutality, allowing Sylas to dominate his opponents with devastating attacks and draining abilities.

As the two demon lords, the Crimson Princess and the Voodoo Princess, observed Sylas's use of blood-related attacks, they quickly deduced that he might be employing a vampire magic build. Without the need for verbal communication, the Voodoo Princess urged the Crimson Princess, Lesley, to take action.

"Lesley! Go for it!" exclaimed the Voodoo Princess.

"I know! Cover me!" responded Lesley, understanding her role perfectly. With both demon lords experienced in fighting against blood magic, they prepared to confront Sylas, each ready for their respective offensive and defensive roles.

The Crimson Princess swiftly summoned a magical staff adorned with rows of bone marrows and a ruby orb. With practiced grace, she weaved the staff, simultaneously chanting three spells: "Hyper Coagulate," "Sanguine Sanctum," and "Hemostasis." This triple casting showcased her mastery of blood magic, aiming to counter Sylas's vampiric build and disrupt his strategy. The spells were intricately designed to resist and neutralize the blood-related attacks directed at them.

“Impressive… the staff that is,” said Sylas. He didn't express admiration for the spells but rather focused on the equipment in the Crimson Princess's hands. "Dracula’s Spine, part of an equipment set, huh... how did you get that thing?" he inquired, though more as a statement than a question. Without waiting for an answer, Sylas leaped forward towards the soldiers, employing [Eviscerate] to swiftly dispatch them with slashing and cutting attacks. Despite the debuff spell cast by the Crimson Princess, he effortlessly took down the soldiers, leaving her bewildered. "How? I casted a debuff spell on you!" she exclaimed.

"No! You bastard!" exclaimed the captain, witnessing his men fall like lambs to the slaughter. In a desperate attempt, he pulled out a handgun and fired at Sylas. However, guns of that caliber were far too slow to catch a player like him, and Sylas dodged the bullets with effortless grace.

“I will spare you the trouble and tell you straight away,'' Sylas declared with a stern voice. “I will kill every single one of you. Resistance is futile.” This provocation only made them more cautious instead of agitated, realizing they were faced with someone of unfathomable skill.

With the intention to flex on his opponent, Sylas took out an item from his inventory. “Do you see this?'' he said, holding up a small vial. He wiggled the bottle nonchalantly.

No one recognized it at first, but soon the Crimson princess realized. Her expression changed to one of bewilderment. “That thing… it can't be!” she exclaimed.

“What? What is Lesley?” asked the Voodoo princess, clueless about the item Sylas held. “That's just a bottle of some strange liquid. What's so special about it?” she quipped, underestimating it before knowing its nature.

“Darcy, no. That is not just some strange liquid. That's… Dracula’s blood,” said the Crimson princess, still unable to believe what she saw. The Voodoo princess was also taken aback by the revelation. “I can't believe he has a full bottle of it. Just a drop can increase blood magic proficiency by miles”

Hearing them baffled by just a small bottle of the item made Sylas laugh. “Wrong. Did you really think that's all I have? Take a guess, how much blood is there in a human body?” He asked another rhetorical question,emphasizing the substantial amount he possessed—six liters. 

“Unique items—the way they are equipped is different from most items. I can just transfuse it into my body,” said Sylas mockingly. His intention was clear: he wanted to demonstrate the vast difference in their strength, and this time, he succeeded in pushing his enemies into despair.

“No way…” said the Crimson princess hopelessly. That guy was insane. He equipped the item by mixing it into his blood circulation.

Seeing his enemies fall into despair satisfied him. “Well, that was fun. But now, playtime is over,” he said, his tone darkening. He looked past both demon lords.

They realized they had just made a blunder. This person might not have come here alone. But before they could react, they were attacked from behind by an unexpected person.

A hand pierced the Crimson princess, stabbing through her torso like a spear. She turned around only to find herself surprised once more. “You...” she said, coughing blood.

The person who backstabbed her was none other than the sleeping Medivere. She had awakened from her deep slumber.

The Voodoo princess was also too late to react when she saw her friend in danger. “Lesley!” However, she was stopped in motion as there was someone else who was also ready to take her down.

“Make a move, and your neck will fly off,” threatens Aguina. She held the Voodoo princess by the neck.

“Do you think I'm scared!” challenged the Voodoo princess.

“Careful, Aguina. She has a voodoo body. Any damage you deal to her will be reflected back at you,” warned Sylas, stopping his servant from being reckless with the enemy.

The battle came to a swift conclusion. After defeating both of the demon lords without much effort, Sylas also successfully awakened one of his sealed servants. What had really happened was, when he entered the room, Aguina had also come in with him. She sneaked around undetected and awakened Medivere from her slumber.

At that point, the three of them could have just fought together. But their master just had to have a little bit of fun. It was his first time in a real combat situation after all. And as he expected, the system had also removed his remorse and sympathy towards his enemies. He barely felt anything when he slew those people.

As for the captain, he was so weak and boring for Sylas that he ignored him. But still insist on fighting.

“Where are you going! Come back here!” He shout. He fired his guns to Sylas but it didn't even reach him.

“Did you think you could leave after you killed all of my men!” He said. He fired another shot.

He was so persistent that it started to annoy Sylas. “Don't push your luck, you imbecile.” 

Sylas broke the gun with his blood spell and clogged the barrel with blood. He saw the man falls to his knee after being powerless against Sylas 

He only looked at him with an indifferent face and stepped away. But then, he realized something “hey, Now that I notice. They still had guns. I'm this world. I guess earth really has merged with Arkadia”

And at the end, he also ends the captain too. Sylas used his grimoire special ability to collect and gather souls and capture the slain enemies soul.After he collected the souls of the people he killed. Sylas chose to spare the two demon lords and made them his servant. 

“Arise..” with a single command, all the slain enemies turned back to life with their souls being in Sylas possession. they were under his full command.

“Aguina, take those two women with you. Medivere Come with me” Sylas swiftly made another move after he acquired his servsant. 

“Now all of you shall serve under her command now, I hereby declare all of you as the new intelligence and espionage team” said Sylas declaring the fate of his new servants.

Under Sylas's command, the resurrected enemies, as well as the two demon lords, were now part of his growing legion of servants. Designating roles for each, he declared their new purpose as the intelligence and espionage team, setting the stage for his plans in the merged world.