Black market
The **'Vampire Blood Cultivation and Refinement Technique'** was a method for purifying blood and nurturing mental strength through meditation. Following its guidance, Caesar began his meditation in the confines of his room.
The experience was extraordinary; it felt as if he were dreaming. In this dream, he swam through a sea of stars, his body and soul enveloped in an overwhelming sense of comfort. At the same time, he remained acutely aware of everything happening in the outside world, his senses heightened.
After several hours, he concluded his meditation and opened his eyes. He felt revitalized, as if he had just awoken after a week of restful sleep, his spirit brimming with energy!
"My life energy and mental strength have increased slightly, but the change isn't significant. At this rate, I don't know how long it will take to awaken my supernatural abilities," Caesar mused, furrowing his brow. "I need a high-quality coffin!"
The coffins used by vampires were far from ordinary. They were crafted from the bones and hides of living beings, combined with precious herbs to create "corpse-nurturing coffins," which had remarkable benefits for a vampire's life energy and mental fortitude.
Those ancient beings who lay in their coffins for decades or even centuries weren't merely sleeping; they were cultivating their mental strength.
If Caesar could acquire a good coffin, the speed at which he awakened his supernatural abilities would increase exponentially.
"Coffins are expensive. Even the most basic corpse-nurturing coffin is beyond my means. The system's sign-in rewards are random… It seems I'll need to find a way to make some money," a thought began to form in his mind.
Shaking off these distractions, he returned to his meditation, focusing on nurturing his energy and strengthening his resolve for the challenges ahead.
A week swiftly passed by.
During this time, Caesar diligently signed in each day, earning various rewards from the system. Among these, he received three more drops of vampire essence: one drop of Viscount essence, one of Baron essence, and another of Count essence.
With the aid of the **'Vampire Blood Cultivation and Refinement Technique,'** his strength ascended to new heights. He had reached the very limit of his current tier!
He was so close to experiencing a second evolution of his life tier, on the verge of stepping into the Baron realm. His physical strength had increased severalfold, and his blood surged within him like a roaring river, brimming with vitality.
Regrettably, he still had not awakened any supernatural abilities.
Frustration gnawed at him, but he was determined to push forward. The thought of acquiring a high-quality coffin lingered in his mind, a potential catalyst for his evolution. If he could just find a way to gather the necessary resources, he believed that his awakening was not far off.
With renewed resolve, Caesar prepared to continue his efforts, ready to face whatever challenges lay ahead in his quest for power and recognition.
In addition to the three drops of essence, Caesar also received four items:
- 2 Viscount-level vampire fangs
- 1 Baron-level vampire claw
- 1 book titled **'Royal Secret Combat Techniques'**
Among these, three were materials, while the last was a powerful martial arts combat technique.
Every night, Caesar diligently practiced the martial arts technique in his room. Although the space was cramped, his hard work and dedication allowed him to develop a commendable skill. He didn't dare practice outside, as this was a closely guarded royal secret, and being caught would lead to difficult explanations.
During this time, his extensive reading in the study also enriched his understanding of the world around him, including the forms of combat used among vampires. Most conflicts between vampires revolved around physical combat—strength truly did yield miraculous results!
It was a struggle of fists, with a clash of power and technique. Battles involving supernatural abilities were reserved for the elite. Very few commoners awakened such powers, save for the rare individuals with exceptional mental gifts.
Feeling that it was time to temporarily end his "seclusion," Caesar learned that today, James, the elderly butler, had announced a day of rest for everyone.
He prepared to head out, intent on exchanging the three materials he possessed for money, so he could purchase a decent coffin for himself! With a sense of purpose, he set out, eager to make the most of this opportunity.
As night fell and the bright moon hung high in the sky, it was once again the most active time for the vampires. Caesar wrapped himself tightly in a dark cloak and approached James, the elderly butler, to request an advance on half a month's salary before stepping through the large iron gates and leaving Stephen Castle behind.
The castle was situated outside Seidamir City, surrounded by Count Stephen's vast territory. Within this domain, there were several prosperous towns, but the goods he intended to sell could only find buyers in the imperial capital; the small towns offered no market for them.
After summoning a carriage and paying the driver ten copper coins, Caesar set off toward Seidamir City. Along the way, he discreetly observed the coachman—this was the first human he had encountered since arriving in this world.
This wasn't particularly surprising, however. While Poshia was a vampire kingdom, it was home to many humans—or rather, it cultivated many humans. These individuals were the blood food that the vampires relied upon.
Though vampires had a naturally brutal disposition, they were incredibly selective when it came to their food, preferring fresh human blood. Most of these humans had been forcibly captured and, unable to escape, were left to live in this place.
They were required to pay a regular "tax" to the Kingdom of Poshia, which meant providing blood. Those who evaded this tax faced dire consequences.
Strictly speaking, the status of these blood supplies was higher than that of the last-generation vampires, who were viewed as the lowest of the low. At least the kingdom had enacted policies forbidding any vampire from attacking humans without cause; those caught stealing blood would meet a gruesome end.
Most of the time, the humans of Poshia lived like domesticated hens; as long as they worked diligently and laid their eggs, life was bearable.
…Though, of course, if they happened to encounter a "thieving fox," they would be unfortunate indeed.
As the carriage rolled toward the city, Caesar contemplated the complex dynamics of this world—his own path, the roles of humans and vampires, and the opportunities that lay ahead.
...
As night fell and the bright moon hung high in the sky, it was once again the most active time for the vampires. Caesar wrapped himself tightly in a dark cloak and approached James, the elderly butler, to request an advance on half a month's salary before stepping through the large iron gates and leaving Stephen Castle behind.
The castle was situated outside Seidamir City, surrounded by Count Stephen's vast territory. Within this domain, there were several prosperous towns, but the goods he intended to sell could only find buyers in the imperial capital; the small towns offered no market for them.
After summoning a carriage and paying the driver ten copper coins, Caesar set off toward Seidamir City. Along the way, he discreetly observed the coachman—this was the first human he had encountered since arriving in this world.
This wasn't particularly surprising, however. While Poshia was a vampire kingdom, it was home to many humans—or rather, it cultivated many humans. These individuals were the blood food that the vampires relied upon.
Though vampires had a naturally brutal disposition, they were incredibly selective when it came to their food, preferring fresh human blood. Most of these humans had been forcibly captured and, unable to escape, were left to live in this place.
They were required to pay a regular "tax" to the Kingdom of Poshia, which meant providing blood. Those who evaded this tax faced dire consequences.
Strictly speaking, the status of these blood supplies was higher than that of the last-generation vampires, who were viewed as the lowest of the low. At least the kingdom had enacted policies forbidding any vampire from attacking humans without cause; those caught stealing blood would meet a gruesome end.
Most of the time, the humans of Poshia lived like domesticated hens; as long as they worked diligently and laid their eggs, life was bearable.
…Though, of course, if they happened to encounter a "thieving fox," they would be unfortunate indeed.
As the carriage rolled toward the city, Caesar contemplated the complex dynamics of this world—his own path, the roles of humans and vampires, and the opportunities that lay ahead.
Caesar had not engaged in much conversation with "his kin" from his past life. Many emotions and reflections lay buried deep within him, unspoken and unshared.
After an hour's journey, the carriage finally arrived at Seidamir City. Once inside the city, it came to a stop along a bustling street. Caesar disembarked and followed a narrow path away from the carriage.
The nighttime scene in Seidamir City was vibrant, showcasing the kingdom's most prosperous moments!
Bars, casinos, amusement parks, gladiator arenas, and streetwalkers filled the lively streets…
Unfortunately, this kind of wealth and extravagance did not belong to someone like him, a mere pauper.
As he walked through the lively streets, Caesar felt a mix of longing and determination. He was surrounded by the allure of a world he wished to be part of, yet he knew that to claim his place in it, he needed strength and resources.
With his eyes set on the future, he navigated through the throngs of life, the sounds of laughter and celebration echoing around him, a constant reminder of the ambitions that fueled his journey.
Before long, Caesar arrived at his destination— the Black Market!
Seidamir City was teeming with adventurers and merchants from all corners of the world. Many illicit goods were traded in secrecy, and over time, this led to the emergence of the Black Market.
Though it was termed a "black market," it was actually tolerated by those in power. The entrance bustled with people coming and going, showing no signs of shame or secrecy.
It was James, the elderly butler, who had informed Caesar of the existence of such a place.
Upon entering, his vision opened up dramatically.
A whole street was lined with shops of all kinds, with various stalls stretching from one end to the other. After observing for a moment, Caesar stepped into a trading house that appeared rather upscale.
"Good sir, may I ask if you are looking to purchase something or sell goods?" a courteous man approached him, a smile revealing his fangs.
"Both," Caesar replied without hesitation, pulling an item from his cloak. "I have two more items, and I also need to buy a coffin... Do we need to stand here to discuss?"
The man's eyes brightened instantly as he recognized the item: a Baron-level vampire claw, a top-tier material for crafting magical artifacts! And from the sound of it, there were even more premium items?
A lucrative deal was at hand!
"Esteemed guest, please follow me to the VIP area, where we can discuss this at our leisure," the man said, gesturing for Caesar to follow him.
Caesar nodded, feeling a surge of anticipation. This was the opportunity he had been looking for, and he was determined to make the most of it.