Blood Warlock: Succubus Partner In The Apocalypse Chapter 2 - Blood Manipulation (Part 1)

Bai Zemin felt baffled upon hearing the stunning woman's peculiar self-introduction. Yet, despite his bewilderment, he managed to embrace it with surprising ease.

"I see." Bai Zemin gave a nod. His face remained neutral, and he kept his defenses raised high. Though victory might elude him, he had no intention of perishing without putting up a fierce struggle. "So, what brings you here?"

Lilith's lovely ruby eyes blinked, her lengthy lashes twitching for a brief moment. She regarded the human before her with mounting curiosity and remarked in mild astonishment, "You're not shocked by my revelation? You accept it so readily?"

"Accept it?" Bai Zemin let out a wry chuckle and gestured toward the window, then glanced at the fist-sized bee he'd slain moments ago while saying, "The world beyond is in utter chaos. A bee that ought to be no bigger than a couple of human nails now rivals an adult man's fist in size... And if that's not wild enough, these bizarre messages keep popping up in front of my eyes in the oddest manner. How could I not believe you?"

"Though you're merely a lesser being, I find you appealing... Someone who can face reality head-on gets ahead faster. You'll likely endure for quite a while, human." Lilith's lips formed an enchanting grin. She gazed at Bai Zemin like a smitten girl and spoke with feigned innocence yet a tempting lilt, "Why not become mine? I'll ensure you're well looked after~"

"Apologies, but I have no desire to have my life essence drained dry by you." Bai Zemin replied coolly. Yet inwardly, he knew uttering those words had drained every ounce of his resolve. The lady standing there was utterly captivating; each motion, every phrase, each scowl or grin proved deadly to any male.

Still, survival took priority above all else right now.

Lilith was about to respond when she noticed Bai Zemin tuning her out, his attention locked on the crimson scroll he held.

"Simply desire to master it, and you'll acquire it effortlessly." Lilith noted, as though aware of his uncertainties.

Bai Zemin nodded deliberately before shutting his eyes. He willed himself to absorb the knowledge from the scroll, and magically, a torrent of data flooded his mind while a mysterious dark red symbol emerged within his awareness.

Bai Zemin sensed his blood surging swiftly through his veins due to his stirred feelings. He could even detect the steady flow in Lilith's bloodstream, underscoring her composure. Simultaneously, he vaguely realized that he could influence his own blood's motion if he chose; regarding Lilith's, however, he felt powerless over it for the time being.

[You have learned an external active skill. You can learn 4 more external active skills].

When Bai Zemin reopened his eyes, emerald text shimmered across his vision, and the scarlet scroll he'd clutched vanished as though it had never existed.

Bai Zemin creased his brow in an attempt to grasp the notification's implication, but full understanding eluded him without dedicating time to thorough analysis. Regrettably, such luxury wasn't available.

Bang!

A mighty thud struck the wooden door from outside, compelling Bai Zemin to brace for the direst outcome.

The pounding persisted without pause, and the groans from beyond made it clear that zombies—at minimum one—were attempting to force entry. Judging by the forceful impacts and the hinges on the verge of snapping, he understood delay was no longer an option.

His mind raced at full tilt, and without delay, he dashed to the television, yanking the cord with brute force. Next, he secured one end of the lengthy black cord to the bedframe and the other to a desk leg.

Afterward, he approached the bee and began prodding at a particular spot.

Lilith observed his actions with keen intrigue, choosing not to interject and remaining quiet to avoid interrupting.

Bang!

The wooden door at last succumbed to the relentless barrage and flew open with a minor blast. Right after the door collapsed, a pair of zombified students shambled inside.

Their faces, smeared with gore, appeared hideous. Bai Zemin spotted numerous bite wounds where the skin and muscle had grotesquely peeled away.

Mere minutes earlier, the revolting stench from these animated cadavers might have triggered nausea in him. But ever since gaining the Blood Manipulation skill, circumstances had shifted dramatically for him.

It's a fact that feelings can impact the human body's circulatory system to some degree. Heightened tension accelerates heart-pumping blood volume, thereby boosting flow. Thus, Bai Zemin devised a somewhat bold notion... Could internal blood flow influence one's emotional state in reverse?

No one had ever manipulated blood to test emotional effects, leaving it unverified. Yet with Blood Manipulation in his arsenal, Bai Zemin joyfully found that while tension lingered, fear no longer gripped him as intensely.

The pair of zombies lumbered toward Bai Zemin at a sluggish pace. Though their eyes gleamed pure white like those of the sightless, they navigated with purpose, likely drawn by the scent of vitality from his form.

As they pressed on, the brainless duo abruptly stumbled over the cord Bai Zemin had strung low across the floor. The bed groaned and shifted from the vigorous tug, sufficient to send both zombies sprawling face-first.

Bai Zemin's gaze sharpened as he lunged ahead at maximum velocity, seizing the moment. Upon reaching the initial zombie, he drove the deceased bee's stinger into its defenseless skull without mercy.

The altered bee's stinger measured two fingers long and three wide, allowing it to readily penetrate the zombie's cranium, pulverizing the brain and ending the monstrosity.

Before the other zombie could respond, Bai Zemin swiftly impaled its head with equal brutality, dispatching it instantly too.

[You have acquired soul power of Normal Zombie level 4. You get +4 Stamina].

[You have acquired soul power of Normal Zombie level 3. You get +1 Stamina].

[You have leveled up to level 2. You get 2 status points to distribute freely].

Before Bai Zemin could exhale in relief and ease his tension, another duo of zombies lurched into the room, snarling toward him.

Thanks to the prior pair's forceful yank, the cord now trailed along the floor, rendering the modest snare ineffective.

Nevertheless, Bai Zemin stayed composed and focused intently. With mere focus, he channeled his body's mana per the Blood Manipulation guidelines.

After expending twenty mana, Bai Zemin harnessed the blood from his earlier kills, and as the fresh zombies shuffled past their fallen comrades, twin crimson blood projectiles launched rapidly at the rear of their skulls.

The solidified blood darts, under Bai Zemin's command, proved razor-sharp and sliced cleanly through the zombies' heads, demolishing brain tissue and slaying them with ease.

[You have acquired soul power of Normal Zombie level 3. You get +1 Stamina]

[You have acquired soul power of Normal Zombie level 3]

"Incredible!" Bai Zemin's eyes gleamed as he stared at his palms. Yet he quickly observed that the second zombie's remains yielded no stamina gain or other enhancements.

Noting his puzzled look, the previously quiet Lilith offered a calm clarification: "Killing more of the identical type and level yields diminishing returns as your soul power builds tolerance to them. Greater gains come from varied foes... Naturally, slaying these weak zombies can still raise your level, though you'll merely receive the standard two status points per level, without additional perks."

Bai Zemin shot her a thankful glance as his questions resolved. But soon, he inquired once more, "Why exactly are you here?"

With his anxiety somewhat subdued at last, he felt bold enough to probe further. Had he tried earlier, a zombie's jaws or that enormous bee might have claimed him.

Lilith pouted playfully and let out a light laugh, gesturing toward the doorway as she said, "I'll fill you in shortly. But shouldn't you prioritize finding somewhere secure first?"

Bai Zemin eyed the shattered door and agreed with a nod. Truthfully, this spot wasn't ideal for deep discussions, so he promptly replied, "You're spot on. I'll grab a couple essentials, and then we'll head out."

He hastily seized a rugged backpack and packed the cord from before, a pair of big purified water bottles, and some snacks purchased recently. Nothing else there held value.

Next, Bai Zemin peered out the window and muttered in frustration, "Of all the rotten luck for me..."

His quarters sat on the fifth story. Scaling down via the window was out of the question. Lacking alternatives, he turned toward the exit to vacate the structure.

A peculiar sparkle lit Lilith's striking ruby eyes as she examined the head injuries on the zombies felled by Bai Zemin's Blood Manipulation. Her plump crimson lips arched into an alluring smile before she trailed after him unhurriedly.