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[Translator - Prøks]
[Proofreader - Prøks]
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Chapter 1: The Strongest Bloodline
If you were to ask what it takes to reach the pinnacle...
A wide variety of answers would likely come to mind.
Innate talent.
The earnest effort of grinding one's bones to dust.
Reliable companions or fortuitous encounters others cannot obtain.
However.
There is an absolute realm that cannot be reached by all of those things.
And that is ‘bloodline’.
It’s the same principle as a mouse, no matter how much it trains or hones its skills, being unable to overcome a tiger that does nothing at all.
In that sense, Kang Yohan could be said to have been blessed in and of himself.
After all, he was born to the head of the Ataraxia clan, ‘Alice von Ataraxia’, who was regarded as the strongest of the Progenitors, and ‘Kang Jinhyuk’, the hero who saved humanity.
But.
[Episode (32) Capture Failed.]
[Number of Tries: 999]
A failure.
'This isn't easy.'
Yohan mulled over the message that had appeared before his eyes once more.
It was a message he had seen countless times, yet every time he saw it, he felt as if all his past efforts had faded away.
This place was a currently unknown dimension.
It was the world of a forbidden book, and he had been trying to see its ending for a staggering 11 years, from the age of 15 to 25.
The place where he first found this forbidden book was a kind of tomb within the castle, a collection of only the most dangerous and untouchable things.
Commonly known as the Blood Prison.
Even high-ranking members of the clan were restricted from entering this place.
Naturally, ordinary vampires did not even know of the Blood Prison's existence.
It was only natural.
After all, within it were things that could potentially bring about the world's destruction.
Just by lightly touching something.
Or due to a thoughtlessly muttered word…
It meant that everything could turn to dust.
And to be caught entering the Blood Prison?
The Ataraxia clan tree might have had to be redrawn.
Of course.
Yohan had not the slightest intention of politely complying with that gentle (?) request.
In the end, after a year of effort, he succeeded in discovering a secret passage into the Blood Prison.
It was then that he happened to find this very forbidden book.
As an avid reader who had always loved books, he had read many things, but this was on a different level from the rest.
‘Thanks to it, I had fun.’
He felt alive day by day, in a way that couldn't even be compared to the tedious social gatherings of the vampires.
‘Above all, the fact that I can go outside the Tower of Trials is appealing.’
The Tower of Trials—a name for the spire that had once driven humanity to the brink of extinction.
And the one who conquered its summit was none other than Yohan's father, Kang Jinhyuk.
Afterward, the Tower of Trials was sealed, completely cut off from the outside world.
This meant that any form of exchange with South Korea or any other country became impossible.
However, the forbidden book was a world set outside the tower.
Thanks to its surprisingly accurate reflection of reality, he could vividly absorb modern culture and information.
‘I mean, finding little joys in watching ViewTube or InstaShorts inside a forbidden book says it all.’
The only downsides were that all food of this world tasted like dust, and the difficulty level was far beyond common sense.
‘The word ‘horrifying’ really is the only way to describe it.’
The world, composed of 33 episodes, presented a trial at each stage, demanding not just strength but also meticulous design and absurd conditions.
[You will be returned to your original location shortly.]
[Time Remaining: 0H : 29M : 59S]
Shattered fragments.
The entire sky was stained a dark, bloody red.
The manifested world of the forbidden book was beginning to collapse.
"Ah, I should write this down before I forget."
Yohan immediately pulled a thick notebook from within his coat.
It was a sort of strategy guide where he had written down various tips and experiences upon coming here.
When he failed an episode, everything would reset, but this notebook was the one and only thing that remained untouched.
To think he had already filled almost all of it.
Looking at the densely packed letters, the records of his past came flooding back.
Fwip.
Yohan flipped a page.
[There was the time I went all-in on raising a Cerberus, insisting ‘my dog doesn’t bite,’ only to hit a bad ending where the damned mutt devoured the Saintess, making me a public enemy of the world.]
He had coddled it way too much.
He shouldn't have let it get a taste for jerky.
Still, let's take solace in the fact that he learned a lot about 'Taming.'
[There was also that time I got obsessed with a cursed sword I couldn't even handle, became corrupted, and caught a bad case of eighth-grade syndrome.]
Being forced to end every sentence with a ‘Heh heh,’ while covering his face with one hand was horrifying, even in hindsight.
Well, thanks to that, he had definitely memorized the properties of the 66 cursed swords in the book.
[I also remember the ending where I, thinking holy power was the future, acted as a prophet with a sacred artifact, only to get caught and referred to a religious inquisition.]
This one was a bit of a shame.
If he had kept it up just a little longer, he could have fully unlocked the 'Holy Grail' he possessed.
Turns out, not just anyone can be a cult leader.
One needs to be a smoother talker.
And act better.
Three stars next to that one.
[Conversely, there was a time I became the Demon King and acted like a total troll, only to be regrettably eliminated in the latter half of the episode by a coup d'état from the demonkin who couldn't stand it anymore.]
Et tu, Brute?
No, et tu, Balrog?
…He finally understood why people said that.
He had underlined it and drawn a skull mark with a note: ‘Just you wait until the next playthrough.’
[There was also the time I stabbed the Empire’s emperor with Excalibur to claim the throne.]
‘No, I swear, it’s not like I did it because I got taken out by that Balrog in the last playthrough.’
‘It was purely to see the end of the episode.’
‘It was all to dispose of an unprecedented tyrant and protect the people and the greater cause. ‘
Ahem.
Yohan scribbled over the part of the note that read 'Wise King Dryas III' with his pen.
He might have been a wise king to some, but to him, he was a tyrant.
‘Thinking about it now, it’s full of nothing but bad memories.’
Still.
With every challenge, he grew and became stronger.
He developed tricks and tips.
He knew it would be impossible on the next try, but he felt that if he repeated it just a few dozen more times, he could finally see the end.
[If you reach the end of the forbidden book, one wish of your choosing will be granted.]
It was the message that always appeared when he failed.
Granting a wish.
It was an absurd story.
However, if it could manifest a world this elaborate, maybe granting a wish wasn't so impossible after all.
If so.
Then perhaps the one thing he had always held in his heart, the thing he could never tell anyone, could also be made real.
The desire to see the end, no matter what, burned even stronger.
'Tsk. If only I could go back to one week before the episode started, it would have been so much easier….'
That was his one regret.
For some reason, the starting point was always the first day the apocalypse began.
No more, no less.
Three days.
If he could just go back by that much, he could have obtained the fortuitous encounters available before the start.
The biggest problem was that the so-called protagonist of this world was a complete pushover; even if Yohan let him monopolize all the various lucky breaks, he couldn't fulfill his role properly.
The fact that the guy's pride was ridiculously oversized was another factor that dramatically increased the difficulty of clearing the game.
‘That stubborn narcissist was truly… haaa.’
Just thinking about it again made the back of his neck grow stiff.
[A 'Stone of Spacetime Distortion' has been consumed.]
[Remaining Quantity: 13]
An item that distorted the flow of time and space.
It was all thanks to this that he was able to repeat a staggering 999 playthroughs in just 11 years.
It was also the reason why time in the real world barely flowed while he was inside the forbidden book.
If it weren't for the vampire race's innate [Cold Heart] passive skill, his mind would have worn away long ago.
The power to maintain his composure even in the most extreme situations allowed him to endure through all those long years.
Anyway.
To think there are only 13 left…
‘There aren’t many left.’
He could feel how close to the edge he was.
But right at that moment.
Ting!
[A benefit has arrived for the 'Endless Challenger'.]
[Reward: In your next playthrough, you will be able to bring one item from reality with you.]
"What...?"
An unbelievable message had appeared.
But before he could even process the situation, his vision went black.
＊ ＊ ＊
When he opened his eyes again, he saw a familiar place.
A location lined with all sorts of cursed holy relics.
It was the very heart of the Blood Prison.
Thump! Thump!
His heart beat rapidly.
How should he make use of this new variable?
His mind was filled with excitement and anticipation.
But that lasted only for a moment.
He wanted to start picking through the items scattered around him right away, but if he did, the anti-theft magic would trigger instantly.
If he got caught in the [Absolute Bind], it would be the end, with no next playthrough to speak of.
‘I have to find a way.’
For now, it was best to get outside and think things over carefully.
Lingering here for long carried the risk of being discovered.
As Yohan quickly moved to stand up, he paused.
'Ah, I almost forgot.'
He didn't forget to grab the sword lying next to him.
It was to have an excuse ready—that he was 'practicing his swordsmanship'—just in case he ran into someone around here.
As he stepped outside through the secret passage, a breathtaking vista unfolded.
A valley bathed in the pouring moonlight.
The ancient castle was magnificent, possessing a grandeur that was both brilliant and unapproachable.
He was struck anew by just how beautiful this 'Black Castle' he lived in was.
Since it was a full moon, everyone was probably out and about.
That lowered the risk of getting caught by one more degree.
However.
His expectation of a peaceful exit was shattered in the very next moment.
Click-clack.
He sensed a presence from the dark corridor.
Yohan froze on the spot.
'Dammit….'
Of all the people to run into, it had to be this terrifying hound.
Pure white hair and crimson eyes.
Her doll-like appearance made her look almost innocent.
But he couldn't be fooled by the outer shell.
Ophelia de Ataraxia.
One of the vampires who followed his mother, a monster who held the ninth rank within the clan.
Though not originally of the Ataraxia bloodline, she was the real deal, having proven her worth through sheer skill.
She was particularly famous for training young vampires with brutal harshness, making her an object of fear among them.
"Oh my. What brings our dear prince to such a remote place? I don't think you came here for a stroll, like me."
Ophelia smiled sweetly upon discovering Yohan.
He was grateful that she, in particular, had always treated him warmly, but a being with the moniker 'Ataraxia’s Fangs' was still unnerving.
Especially in a situation like this, where he had something to hide.
However, Yohan's expression didn't change one bit as he spoke with composure.
"I was just practicing my swordsmanship for the upcoming coming-of-age ceremony."
I definitely did not sneak into the Blood Prison.
Nor did I explore modern life through a forbidden book.
No, as the future head of the clan, I have spent the day diligently.
...is what he had to brainwash himself into believing.
After all, a perfect lie was one that deceived even oneself.
"Hmm. Swordsmanship practice... I see, the ceremony isn't far off, is it."
Ophelia nodded as if she understood.
Then, she added another sentence.
"And you're not anxious?"
A lightly tossed question.
But the meaning contained within was anything but light.
Of course it was.
A half-blood is different from a pure-blood from birth.
If Yohan had been a half-blood of an ordinary human and a vampire, an inescapable stigma would have been attached to him.
It was only because the other half of his parentage was a human who had brought even the gods to their knees that no one dared to openly object.
However.
As the years passed, those who held tacit dissatisfaction were beginning to appear, one by one.
Those possessed by the dogma that pure blood was more important than anything else.
Ophelia was concerned about that.
At the same time.
She wanted to get a glimpse of Yohan's potential.
Just how much did he possess?
Was he worthy of wearing that heavy crown and leading the clan?
Since young vampires before their coming-of-age ceremony didn't receive proper training, now was the perfect opportunity to confirm his true worth.
"I'll watch you for a bit. So, come at me."
"Pardon?"
"If you show me something proper, I'll believe your lie about practicing swordsmanship in this odd place. So why don't you give it your all."
‘Was I found out?’
…It seemed he had been well and truly caught.
Yohan let out a small sigh.
"Understood."
Vwoosh!
His sword cut through the empty air.
Standing her ground, Ophelia dodged it with a slight lean.
Once.
Twice.
And once more.
The sword repeatedly cut through the air, but it failed to so much as graze Ophelia's sleeve.
Ophelia's expression hardened slightly.
"You're not serious."
She could grasp his intentions from a single move.
It was painfully obvious he was just trying to get through the situation.
"Perhaps you need a little... stimulation?"
Contrary to her light grumbling, Ophelia's sword was drawing a menacing arc.
Is that?
There was no doubt.
'Blood Realm Sword Style.'
The unique swordsmanship of the Ataraxia clan.
"You're... joking, right?"
"I'm not. If you fail to show me anything this time, I will report your entry into the Blood Prison to the clan head."
"......"
At those words, Yohan's expression did a complete 180.
He had to prevent her from revealing he went to the Blood Prison, no matter what.
It went beyond a simple scolding; he still had unfinished business there.
"Good. I like this look on your face much better."
Ophelia slowly moved her sword.
'Blood Realm Sword Style.'
Crimson droplets of blood blossomed along the path of the sword.
The unique phenomenon of the Blood Realm Sword Style had begun to manifest.
And about 0.5 seconds later...
...Yohan's sword followed its trajectory.
"?"
Watching him, Ophelia tilted her head.
It was a sword style she had initiated in a fleeting moment, less than a second ago.
And yet.
He was copying it?
She couldn't help but let out a hollow laugh, wondering what he was thinking.
At least, until she saw what happened next.
'Blood Realm Sword Style.'
The body of his blade was dyed in a red light.
As a fragment of the technique manifested, Ophelia's pupils rapidly dilated.
"What the...?"
No way.
That's impossible.
Can he really copy it after seeing it just once?
Even in her shock, Ophelia's hands continued the swordsmanship she had repeated tens of thousands of times.
'First Form.'
'First Form.'
As form overlapped with form, Yohan, too, took in the path Ophelia had practiced countless times with his own two eyes, and unfolded it with his own two hands.
He was imitating it.
He battles against the strong.
And then.
He reproduces it.
The memory of fighting beings beyond Ophelia, and even greater.
Kukukukuku!
A tangible fighting spirit.
There wasn't a trace of mana mixed in it.
Therefore, this was pure presence.
Nothing more than a fabricated lie.
However, even though he was reset every time, the memories and experiences accumulated over 999 playthroughs did not disappear.
-The Heavenly Demon's Strike.
-The Archangel's Wrath.
-And even the Colossus's Wave.
While others were content, drunk on the bloodline they were given...
...he had not missed a single day of exploring and pioneering new things.
The trajectory of the sword drawn by Ophelia and the trajectory of the sword drawn by Yohan overlapped perfectly.
The trajectory of the past had caught up to the trajectory of the future.
And in that moment.
Crimson blood connected through the blades.
Papat!
Their sword strikes erupted like lightning.
No, to be precise, Yohan's flash was a deeper crimson than Ophelia's and was completed first.
A vividly bloomed Blood Flower.
Scattering light-pink petals compressed into a single line.
It was a flawless, perfect First Form.
Innate bloodline.
Compounded by effort born from interest.
And so.
'Crimson Blood Severance.'
Kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa!
The past had overtaken the future.
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[Translator - Prøks]
[Proofreader - Prøks]
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