Chapter 91: A familiar face

That night, Zyro and Scarlet spent a while to clear the misunderstanding. Pert, doesn't seem completely convinced though.

Left with nothing to do but to lay low, they stayed in the stone room. Perhaps boredom got the best of the kid, he found entertainment in teasing Zyro and Scarlet. Often giving them dubious looks and sometimes asking for juicy details mockingly to Zyro. It was stressful, really. The deeds they did was already shameful enough to remember. However, being confined in a room with someone constantly reminding them of their embarrassing secret was torture.

Scarlet who had chosen to spend the idle time to practice her concentration, by meditating while maintaining a small blood orb she created floated in front of her. Visibly found it hard to concentrate.

Meanwhile, Zyro had already gotten out from the room confinement as soon as he recovered. Scarlet "remedy" was truly effective, it cost her pride after all. The relatively large cut on his neck had stopped bleeding, and was now starting to mend itself at an unnaturally fast pace. The strength she offered previously quickly played it's part, showing noticable change on Zyro's body.

His blood became thicker, akin to vampires. And his body's healing ability also improved. Furthermore, he gained a enhance of strength, as the blood of the princess of vampire's now flowed in his veins. The human body is mostly made up of water, therefore, blood served an important role in the body's performance. With the quality of his blood enhanced by Scarlet. Zyro capabilities were once again elevated away from the human realm, his blood now flowed faster, increasing muscles response rate and strength he could exert. Moreover, he doesn't have to worry about bleeding to death under minor injuries. Except, gruesomely wide wounds, like the one he inflicted to the vampiric assassin - slitted throat.

But what intrigued him the most is the change in his vision. He can now see in the dark, albeit, not as clear as day. Back then, he completely blind without light. Now however, the vampire blood within his veins allowed him to see in the absolute absence of light a little. Aizra speculated his body evolution shifted to fit this features.

First, the Blinker soul core had shifted his soul, which is connected to the body into accomodating it's gift. And now, Scarlet blood.

He didn't even know if his still human anymore.

Zyro's appearance though, didn't change at all.

With this new found strength added to his arsenal. Of course, it have to be recorded on his system by Aizra. After analyzing his new power meticulously, Aizra suggested it should be put on a new set of lines.

What Scarlet gave concerned his body alone, not his entire being. Unlike his attributes [Technical Mind] [Error] and [Elite] which define him in all aspects. It is also not an active skill that can be placed in the soul cores like [Dark Burst] because it's not earned through absorbing soul core. Nor it's an item. So, Aizra and Zyro simultaneously decided to create a new set of labels.

Which is 'Title'

His first Title was named [Servant of Blood] by Aizra.

[Servant of Blood]

Title description: Scarlet, The lost princess of vampires had bound you with her blood. Gifting partial talents of vampires within your body. The stronger she becomes, the greater the effects.

The last part was said by Scarlet herself. The higher she climbs to power, her entire being would also be elevated to greater heights. Her blood was a part of her being, which was now mixed in Zyro's body.

If ever she transcend to godhood, does that mean he will have a blood of god running through his veins? How strong will he be?

Of course, that's just wishful thinking. He didn't even know if Marks actually lead to godhood.

Breathing in the familiar musty air of the Mine, Zyro stroll around the caverns hearing distant clamors of metals and stones.

He heaved a sigh of relief.

This place wasn't really where he want to be in, nor enjoyed seeing the forlorn caverns and listening to the sound of hardship. It's nothing to be glad about, what makes him feel relief though. Was peace, devoid of Pert teasing and the sight of the princess that made him remember weird memories.

'Being stuck in that room was really hard.'

Scarlet would have loved to follow him out, but a princess doesn't suit this poor caverns. Her astonishing presence is sure to attract suspicion, causing them to be found by their pursuers. Unfortunately for her, beauty had its own downside. That said, Zyro had his own unique traits. His black hair is too memorable, even in this cave. If the assassins were to look for a black haired young man here, he'll be easily found. Luckily, the dimness in this caverns darkened everyone hair color, making them all look relatively black. Unless one took a really close look, they wouldn't identity Zyro hair color. As for the face, Mine slaves faces are naturally dirty, and he purposely soiled his beyond recognition.

Anyway, Zyro is free. Still, he remains cautious to not get overly near someone with keen observation ability.

Venturing the labyrinthian cave is much better than staying in a stone room. He wandered around the mine, fitting in perfectly with the slaves, adorning his new made garment he sew while recovering. It didn't look any different than before - covering his entire being with a ragged scarf hiding the cybernetic armor half-mask beneath his head, and collarless neck.

As he strolled, he saw the same environment as before. Malnourished slaves tirelessly working as they swing their metal tools anxiously, afraid of breaking magic ores and meeting an unfortunate end. Zyro found it stupid though, because even if luck blessed them everyday, the life they live is already unfortunate, and so is the end.

Zyro sighed and picked up a mining tool from the corner. There's no particular reason, he just wants to mine for a short time. After a while, he turn around and left the working area. In the path he walk through, he saw some slaves laying on cold stone. Awaiting death as they resist starvation. He lingered for a moment, before giving them the magic stones he had dug. These stones had been precious to him in the past, it even saved his life and even allowed him to defeat the Blinker. However, he had no need for it anymore.

He then continued on his way to the hidden room to accompany Pert and Scarlet. But after thinking about it, he changed his mind and decided to just rest in the corner.

'That kid will probably pester me again...'

At that moment, someone called behind.

"Hey, wait up young man! Would you care to spare me some of your time?!"

Zyro turned to look, and saw a middle aged man, around 40 years old with messy grey hair. Judging by his ragged clothes and dirty skin, his most likely a slave miner.

He wasn't a complete stranger, although his appearance had changed. Zyro recognized the elderly slave. It's the one he had given dried meat a couple of times in his time here. The first time he met him, the old slave was on the brink of death. Apparently, the man's condition constantly got better to this point that he now looked like a slave who's managing well.

Zyro stop his steps.

The elderly man panted before him due to jogging to caught up to Zyro.

"You sure walk fast, young man. This old brittle bones of mine can barely keep up... Ah, Do you mind telling me your name now? It's really inconvenient to address you young man all the time. Furthermore, I think it's more appropriate to address my savior by his name. Wouldn't you agree?"

Zyro frowned.

This slave was actually observant enough recognized Zyro, despite the obscuring dust one his face.

Knowing this, he gave up pretending.

"What do you want, mister?"

The man laugh.

"Mister? Haha, I've never thought someone would address me with respect ever again. You truly are kind!"

Although, he said that. It wasn't out of kindness. He simply address the man with the rightful term.

Moreover, Zyro was not kind at all. As his question was not answered, Zyro simply gave the man a cold gaze, silent yet intimidating.

The man was smart enough to know the meaning of his pressing silence.

"My name is Baron, by the way. As for what I want. Nothing, I want nothing young man. It would be too shameless of me to ask more when you already given me so much. In fact, I'm here to help you! So, is there anything you need? Well, as long as it's within my reach."

In the day of Zyro's departure, when he gave him a sack of excess dried meat. This man asks the same thing, offering his help despite being a slave.

'Cant this guy sleep without repaying a favor?'

It's an admirable principle to have, but in the wrong hands. A mere slave can't fulfill minor wishes, let alone, extravagant dreams. His capabilities are too little.

Zyro leaned his back against the wall, and sighed. That man, named Baron, was aware of his poor status, no doubt. So, was he pretending to be kind then? Expecting Zyro would reward him?

Zyro gave him a dubious look, and said coldly.

"Tell me, why offer your help now?"

"Don't misunderstand, I don't want anything in return. It's just that, when I saw you earlier, you seemed really troubled... I don't know where you had been after disappearing for a long time, and what goal you're trying to accomplish. However, this life of mine would have ended if it weren't because of you. My parents raised me as a principled man, and will live as one even as a slave. That's why I can't ignore my debts!" His voice was not that of a slave, but a respectable man who possessed resolve to back his claims.

It's evident this slave has a deep background.

His demeanor was resolute enough to convince Zyro that his not a trickster. Still, the fact remains, they're both slaves with little value to speak of.

However, his thoughts lingered on Baron's words.

'I, looked troubled?...'

Indeed, mister Baron is right. No matter how much distract himself from the main predicament, the problem remains. He can't find a way out of this damned place. Scarlet doesn't even know how to return to her castle, let alone escape Foggy Ring. Zyro doesn't know what to do. Their group of three was at a loss, clueless of ways out. Without anything to do except waiting.

Even the Fallen Knight, and the Vampire Princess were helpless. Let alone, Baron?

The idea was too impossible, Zyro joked.

"Say? Can you get me out of this damned place?"

In response, Baron was stunned for a moment before laughing.

"Haha, you might not believe me young man. But I actually can!"