SSS Awakening: Rebirth of the Strongest Vampire God Chapter 4: Blood God

"Blood God? Gross."

"This dude's naming sense is even more pathetic than mine."

"If you're the Blood God, then I'm your daddy, bitch!"

Regrettably, there was no option to hide nicknames. It didn't truly matter, though. Damon appeared completely unfazed. He walked away with an air of indifference, totally ignoring the mockery coming from the surrounding players.

Damon paid no mind to the boisterous crowd that seemed ready to devour any newcomer as he exited the town square. A status screen flickered into view before him—this one was far more critical than the last.

[Ding! Please choose a class before you proceed]

Waving the notification away, Damon disregarded the system prompt. While most players would assume selecting a class was mandatory, it actually wasn't. For those with patience and the right knowledge of which doors to knock on, unique special classes could be unlocked.

At that moment, Damon was heading toward one of those very doors. He navigated toward a modest shop located within the market square, the central hub for the town's primary businesses.

From the exterior, the shop appeared entirely plain—a sturdy wooden building featuring a sloped roof and a weathered sign reading: "Ellora’s Wares – Potions, Charms, and Curios." During their initial hours of gameplay, most players never bothered to enter. The shop lacked beginner-friendly items, and the proprietor, Ellora, was famous for being uncooperative unless a player triggered a very specific dialogue sequence.

Damon, however, possessed secret knowledge.

He pushed inside, causing the bell mounted above the door to ring faintly. Ellora stood behind the counter, an NPC characterized by piercing eyes, deep-set wrinkles, and silver hair braided down her back. She didn't even bother to look up.

"No discounts for beginners, no handouts, and I don't bargain. If your pockets aren't full of silver, find the exit," she droned automatically, refusing to spare him a single look.

Damon remained silent. Instead, he stepped directly to the counter with a faint smirk. "Greetings. Do you happen to have any Invisibility charms in stock?"

Hmm? The old woman glanced up, and her demeanor instantly shifted. Naturally, Damon was proudly sporting his recently acquired title above his head.

[Rabbit killer - I hate cute little bunnies]

The crone let out a laugh. "You're quite the curious brat, aren't you? While I don't possess any invisibility potions, I can let you borrow my old charm for a single day. Just one day. See that it’s back before the sun sets."

Ellora reached under the counter, her hands moving with a nimbleness that defied her mummified appearance. She produced a small pendant made of bone-white material hanging from a tattered string.

For a heartbeat, Damon’s pulse quickened; he only exhaled in relief once the woman placed the charm in his hand. At last! The opening phase of his strategy was a success!

"My thanks, Miss Ellora. I'll return your charm shortly." After a quick bow, Damon turned to make a swift exit.

"Listen, Rabbit Killer." Damon paused, looking back over his shoulder. "Keep your wits about you. Should the wrong eyes spot my charm, you’ll be skinned alive."

"I'll be extremely cautious, Miss Ellora." Damon gave the old woman a nod before sprinting out of there. His heart hammered against his ribs as he hurried away, only finding a sense of calm once he neared the outskirts of the small town.

In the surrounding fields, a multitude of players were busy grinding against pigs, goats, and chickens. A series of starter quests offered both food and experience, making this a popular spot where most people spent their first few hours.

Damon witnessed the usual sight of flying fireballs, swinging blades, and soaring daggers. It was the same chaotic scene he remembered: rookies shouting over voice chat, bewildered players wandering in circles, and a handful of hardcore gamers attempting to speedrun their first five levels.

Yet, Damon didn't give the chickens a second look, nor did he interact with the glowing quest icons hovering enticingly above the NPCs. That was the route for ordinary players. He had no desire to repeat that path in this life.

He slipped behind a weathered fence at the village edge, cutting through a dirt trail toward the far western fields—a desolate area far from the town. A few inquisitive players, wondering about his destination, began to follow him. Damon did nothing to stop them.

"Where are you headed?"

"Did you pick up a secret quest?"

"Hey man, let’s form a party."

Damon remained silent, but a pair of level 5 wolves wandering the path handled his stalkers for him. The level 1 players never saw it coming. They let out agonized screams as the wolves tore into them, making short work of the group.

"You bastard, you set us up!" one of them yelled, but Damon merely waved a hand behind him without looking back. The wolves paid him no mind as he walked away unbothered.

Before long, he reached an ancient well situated in the center of vast paddy fields. It was a moss-covered ruin with no rope or bucket—just a dark, silent void. Most players dismissed it as scenery. They were wrong.

Damon began his descent into the well but lost his grip halfway down. "Fuck!" he grunted, hitting the ground hard on his side amidst a cloud of dust and damp soil. He lay on his back for a moment to recover his breath before pushing himself up.

"Now, where is that door?" He struggled to recall the exact location, but as he searched the area, several bricks began to shift on their own. A tunnel soon revealed itself.

Damon smirked. The second phase of his plan was unfolding perfectly. He waited only a moment before a pale figure stepped out from the darkness.

It was a tall, pallid man with crimson eyes and prominent fangs.

"You are not Lady Ellora?"

[Hidden NPC Encountered: Varnyx the Hollow]

[Warning: This questline is irreversible. Proceed with caution.]