Fang Baptism

The sun had already completely set when the first kobold troops reached the edge of Lucas' territory. In the darkness of the night, their eyes gleamed like flaming buckets, creating a sea of ​​eerie dots of light that moved in an organized military formation.

Lucas stood before the Lord's Hall with Seraphina, the three remaining Skeleton Warriors lined up behind them. The disparity in numbers was stark—four against two hundred. Yet strangely enough, Lucas did not feel the paralyzing fear he had expected. Perhaps it was because of his bond with Seraphina, or perhaps because he was beginning to get used to the fact that his life in this world was a constant gamble of life and death.

"My Lord," Seraphina whispered without taking her eyes off the approaching enemy. "Before the battle begins, there are a few things you need to know about Blood Magic."

[BATTLE TUTORIAL ACTIVATED]

[The system will provide real-time guidance for the first battle with a Mythic Unit]

"First," Seraphina continued, her hands beginning to glow with a dark red aura, "Blood Magic is not just about destructive power. It is about connection, control, and… mutual empowerment."

She reached out to Lucas. "Take my hand. Feel the flow of essence between us."

Lucas took Seraphina's cold hand in his, and instantly he felt an overwhelming sensation. It was like a river of power was flowing between them, filling every cell in his body with sparkling energy.

[Blood Bond Synchronization: 100%]

[Shared Abilities Unlocked: Lord can use a weakened version of the Vampire Queen skill]

[New Skill Available: Blood Lash (Beginner)]

"Feel that?" Seraphina's red eyes gleamed with satisfaction. "Now you can use a small portion of my power. Focus your essence into your hand and imagine a whip of pure blood."

Lucas followed the instructions, feeling a strange warmth flow into his palm. Slowly, a blood-red whip formed in the air—semi-transparent but radiating a palpable aura of power.

[Skill Learned: Blood Lash Level 1]

[Damage: 25-35 per hit]

[Range: 3 meters]

[Cost: 5 Blood Essence per use]

"Perfect," Seraphina smiled proudly. "Now we're ready to—"

A war cry interrupted their conversation. The first group of kobolds—about twenty units—had reached the territorial barrier and were attacking it with spears and crude weapons. The barrier gleamed with each attack, but Lucas could see that the protection was starting to weaken.

[Territorial Barrier: 87% integrity]

[Warning: Sustained attack will breach barrier in approximately 45 minutes]

"They can't breach the barrier all at once," Lucas muttered, trying to grasp the situation. "But if they keep attacking..."

"The barrier will collapse," Seraphina finished. "And when it does, two hundred kobolds will charge at once. We need to thin their numbers before the barrier collapses completely."

She turned to Lucas with a serious expression. "My Lord, I can go outside the barrier and attack them. The barrier doesn't block movement from inside to outside—it only prevents enemies from entering."

Lucas nodded. A plan began to form in his head. "How about we attack in small waves? Draw some of them away from the barrier, defeat them, and then return to the safe zone?"

[Tactical Analysis: Hit-and-run strategy recommended for current power disparity]

[Estimated success rate: 67% if executed properly]

"A wise strategy," Seraphina nodded in approval. "I'll lure them away, while you and the skeleton warriors provide close-range support."

Lucas took a deep breath. "Okay. Let's begin."

They moved to the edge of the barrier. Seraphina stepped out first, moving with a deadly elegance that made several nearby kobolds pause for a moment. In the moonlight, her figure looked like a goddess of death descended upon the earth.

"Hey, you ugly reptiles!" Seraphina shouted in a voice dripping with contempt. "You guys want to play? Let's play!"

Her hands rose, and suddenly dozens of blood whips appeared in the air—an advanced version of Blood Lash that was far more terrifying than what Lucas could use. The whips moved like living snakes, striking the nearest kobold at a speed that was hard for the eye to follow.

[Seraphina used: Blood Lash Mastery]

[Multiple targets hit: 8 kobolds]

[Damage dealt: 127, 156, 134, 98, 145, 189, 167, 123]

Three kobolds died instantly, five others were badly injured. But more importantly, the majority of the kobold group—about fifteen units—ran after Seraphina who was making a strategic retreat toward Lucas' position.

"Now!" Lucas shouted to his Skeleton Warriors.

The three living skeletons moved in perfect coordination, attacking the pursuing kobolds from the sides. Meanwhile, Lucas used his Blood Lash for the first time in real combat.

The crimson whip from his hand flew through the air and struck the leading kobold. The scaly creature staggered with a scream of pain, its blood essence spilling onto the ground.

[Critical Hit! Damage: 34]

[Kobold Warrior HP: 23/57]

Adrenaline flooded Lucas' system. This was different from killing goblins in ruins—this was a real battle with high stakes, with a mythical vampire queen by his side, against an organized and dangerous enemy.

The battle was brutal but short. Seraphina was an elegant killing machine—every move she made brought death, every attack of her Blood Lash destroying multiple enemies. The Skeleton Warriors, though weaker, provided enough distraction for Lucas to launch a decisive attack.

Within five minutes, the first group of kobolds had been defeated. Several were dead, the rest were badly injured and retreated to the main formation.

[Battle Results - Wave 1]

[Enemies Defeated: 12 Kobold Warriors]

[Experience Gained: 2,847 XP]

[Blood Essence Collected: 67]

[Loot Acquired: Various weapons and materials]

[Lord Lucas Level Up!]

[Level 1 → Level 3]

[New Abilities Unlocked]

[Blood Magic Affinity increased]

Lucas felt a surge of power flow through his body. Leveling up in this world wasn't just about increasing stats—it was a real physical and spiritual transformation. His muscles felt stronger, his mind sharper, and his connection to Blood Magic deepened.

"Excellent work, my Lord," Seraphina walked back to his side, no sign of fatigue despite having slaughtered a dozen kobolds. "But this is just the beginning. They'll come in stronger formations now."

It was true. Lucas could see that the remaining kobolds were beginning to reorganize their formation. This time they weren't charging indiscriminately—there was a clear command structure, with some of the larger kobolds giving instructions to the others.

[Enemy Analysis Updated]

[Kobold War Party reorganizing]

[Threat assessment: Increased coordination detected]

[Recommended action: Prepare for sustained engagement]

"Seraphina," Lucas said, checking his Lord Panel, "how long can you fight at this intensity?"

"Centuries," she replied with a predatory grin. "But what we need to worry about is your area's barrier. The longer the battle drags on, the weaker its protection becomes."

[Territorial Barrier: 73% integrity]

They had limited time. Lucas made a quick decision.

"We attack again. A bigger wave this time. Maximize the damage before the barrier collapses completely."

The second wave was much more intense. This time, thirty kobolds moved in an organized formation—spearmen in front, archers behind, and what appeared to be kobold shamans in the middle with staffs gleaming with magical energy.

"Magic users," Seraphina growled. "This will be harder."

The battle began with a volley of arrows aimed at their position. Lucas and Seraphina were forced to move evasively, using the structures of the Lord's Hall as cover.

"Blood Lash won't cut it for a formation like this," Lucas realized quickly. "We need something more... explosive."

Seraphina looked at him with eyes that glinted with something dangerous. "There is one technique we can try. But it will drain most of our Blood Essence."

"What is it?"

"Blood Storm. A combination of my power and your essence. An area attack that can destroy multiple enemies at once."

[New Combination Skill Available: Blood Storm]

[Requirements: Both Lord and Vampire Queen, 150 Blood Essence]

[Effect: Massive area damage, temporary weakness after use]

[Current Blood Essence: 152]

Lucas didn't hesitate. "Do it."

They stood side by side, hands clasped together. Their blood essence began to flow and merge, creating an increasingly intense red aura. The air around them vibrated with almost uncontrollable power.

"Now!" Seraphina shouted.

They raised their free hands simultaneously, and from their palms emerged a literal storm of blood and essence. Dozens of whips, projectiles, and energy blades flew toward the kobold formation with devastating speed and force.

[Blood Storm Activated]

[Area Damage: 200-350 per target]

[Targets Hit: 27 kobolds]

The results of the attack were spectacular. Most of the kobold formation was instantly destroyed, the rest scattering in panic. The cries of pain and war cries gave way to screams of fear.

[Battle Results - Wave 2]

[Enemies Defeated: 23 Kobold Warriors, 2 Kobold Shamans, 1 Kobold Captain]

[Experience Gained: 4,329 XP]

[Blood Essence Collected: 156]

[Rare Loot Acquired: Shaman Staff, Captain's Armor]

[Lord Lucas Level Up!]

[Level 3 → Level 5]

[Significant Power Increase]

Lucas felt an even more dramatic transformation this time. His body felt lighter but stronger, his vision had sharpened, and he could feel Blood Magic flowing through his veins like a river of power.

But fatigue was also setting in. The Blood Storm had drained a lot of energy, and he could sense Seraphina was also affected by the aftereffects even though she hid it well.

"The rest of you, retreat," Seraphina pointed at the remaining kobold troops. Sure enough—the surviving kobolds were retreating, seemingly reassessing the force they were facing.

[Remaining Enemy Forces: Approximately 150 kobolds]

[Morale Status: Significantly Decreased]

[Tactical Advantage: Gained]

Lucas was proud of their accomplishment. From two hundred kobolds, they had reduced their numbers to around 150 with only a small loss of Blood Essence and without losing a single unit.

"We did it," he said, almost in disbelief.

"For now," Seraphina reminded him. "But look—they're not retreating completely. They're... regrouping."

Lucas followed Seraphina's gaze. Sure enough, the remaining kobolds were not fleeing. They moved to a position farther away, out of range of attack, and began to reorganize.

But there was something different. Among the ordinary kobolds, there were larger, more intimidating figures. Kobolds with better armor, weapons that gleamed with enchantments, and auras of power that could be felt even from a distance.

[New Threat Detected]

[Elite Units identified in enemy formation]

[Warning: Enemy capabilities significantly increased]

And then, a panel that made Lucas' heart stop for a moment appeared before him:

[DISCOVERY: Kobold Camp (Elite) - 200m Northeast]

[Threat Level: EXTREME+]

[Estimated Population: 500+ units including Elite Guards and Chieftain]

[Special Units Detected: Kobold Champions, War Beasts, Battle Shamans]

[Warning: This appears to be the main force. Current engagement is merely a scouting party.]

Lucas felt his blood run cold. They had just fought off the scouting party. The main force—five hundred elite kobolds—was still waiting at their camp.

"Seraphina," his voice was almost a whisper. "We're in big trouble."

The Vampire Queen followed his gaze to the notification panel, and for the first time since she woke up, her expression showed genuine concern.

"My Lord," she said gravely, "it may be time to consider… tactical retreat."

But before Lucas could respond, a war horn sounded from the northeast. It was deep, booming, and filled with the promise of violence to come.

The main kobold force was mobilizing.

[CRITICAL ALERT: Main Kobold Force mobilizing]

[ETA: 3 hours]

[Current defenses: INADEQUATE]

[Survival probability: 12%]