SSS Awakening: Rebirth of the Strongest Vampire God Chapter 5: Bloodborn Path Unlocked

"No," Damon replied flatly. "I am not Ellora. I was sent by her."

Varnyx narrowed his gaze slightly. In response, Damon pulled a charm from his pocket, presenting the token to the vampire.

After a heavy pause, Varnyx gave a slow nod. "She must deem you worthy of this path."

'Not exactly. I just happened to know what that eccentric old woman likes,' Damon mused to himself.

Abandoning one's humanity to become a vampire was a common occurrence in this game. Many players chose this trajectory, as the vampire race offered a wide variety of specialized classes.

It was a top-tier choice, rivaling the popularity of becoming a demon, a beastkin, or a member of the undead. Typically, changing races required a player to first hit level 25 before embarking on a grueling and tedious chain quest.

However, that changed when a player originally stumbled into Ellora’s shop while carrying the Rabbit Killer title.

That discovery revealed an instant shortcut to vampirism. The secret lay in arriving at the well's entrance while possessing Ellora's unique personal charm.

The well's coordinates weren't a mystery; every player in the starting zone knew of its existence as the primary vampire hideout. Many had attempted to infiltrate the well without an invitation, only to be obliterated in a single hit by the irritable Varnyx. Only those holding the charm were permitted to use the shortcut.

In his previous life, these mechanics weren't common knowledge until three months after launch. But today, Damon had arrived on day one.

Turning away, Varnyx began to descend into a pitch-black tunnel, with Damon trailing silently behind. "Follow," the vampire commanded without glancing back. "Your blood still carries warmth, though that will fade soon enough."

Despite the oppressive darkness of the passage, Damon navigated the path as if he had walked it a thousand times.

The cramped tunnel eventually expanded into a massive subterranean hall. While the ceiling remained hidden in the gloom, rows of pillars carved from bone rose like jagged teeth into the dark. At the chamber's heart lay a stone altar, etched with scarlet runes that throbbed with a rhythmic, heartbeat-like glow. Shimmering pools of blood surrounded the structure, while a golden vampire crest floated above it, rotating slowly like a regal crown.

A crown of golden blood.

Varnyx turned toward Damon, his gaze burning with a fierce intensity. "You stand on the precipice of casting aside your mortality," he declared, his voice echoing as he raised his arms. "The days of your weakness end here. Your pulse will slow. Your thirst will intensify. Your true power will wake."

The entire room began to tremble as the runes flared with brilliant light.

[Warning: You are initiating a race change to Vampire. This transformation is permanent.]

[Do you wish to continue? Y/N]

Without a moment's hesitation, Damon answered, "Yes."

He was certain of his path. He had embraced the vampire race in his previous life the moment it became an option. While his reasons back then might have been different, he was now intimately familiar with the race's mechanics.

He understood every nuance of this path and, more crucially, he knew the exact triggers for the legendary artifact quest. It would be foolish to pursue a different race or class and throw away such a massive advantage.

Varnyx offered a sharp nod, seemingly pleased by Damon's resolve. A cruel smile touched the vampire's lips, revealing his fangs. "Bleed."

A blade of shadows materialized in his grip, and he drove it into Damon's chest without warning.

Agony surged through Damon’s body, yet his expression remained stoic. Having endured far greater suffering in his past, this level of pain failed to break him. The blood gathered on the altar rose up, swirling around him in a crimson vortex. His vision faded to black as his heartbeat slowed to a crawl.

[Race Change Successful: You have evolved into a Vampiric creature – Bloodborn Path Unlocked.]

[Passives Unlocked: Heightened Senses, Eternal Hunger]

Heightened Senses: Your vision pierces the dark, your hearing is unparalleled, and your perception is unmatched. From distant footsteps to the scent of fresh blood, nothing escapes your notice.

Eternal Hunger: A void has formed within your soul, craving blood. The intensity of this hunger grows over time. Succumbing to it may lead to a loss of control, but sating it grants overwhelming power.

Damon’s eyes flew open, glowing with a fierce red light. The darkness was now as clear as day to him. Looking at his reflection in a pool of blood, he noted his skin was now paler and more refined. His fangs remained hidden unless he smiled, though he could feel their sharp edges against his lip.

[Ding! Congratulations! You are the first player to unlock a hidden race.]

[Ding! Achievement Unlocked: Discoverer of Vampires. As the first to find this hidden race, you have earned +500 Reputation with the Vampire faction and +500 Notoriety.]

A grin spread across Damon's face. He hadn't anticipated such a significant bonus for the race change. This would streamline his future objectives considerably. Reputation was notoriously difficult to farm, particularly with the haughty vampire NPCs who rarely granted it.

The Notoriety was an equally valuable asset. For a player in the dark faction, high notoriety was essential for gaining the respect of powerful NPCs who would otherwise ignore them.

He had intended to spend the entire week grinding these stats, but now his schedule was clear for more important matters.

Armed with a three-month head start and his memories of the vampire race, he was positioned to seize every hidden resource in the vampire realm.

This time, Bloodreign would belong to him alone.

As Damon began recalibrating his strategy, another window manifested before him.

[Ding! Please select a class to continue.]

Damon smiled and swiped the prompt away. It wasn't time to commit to a class just yet.

Finally, his updated status screen appeared.

***

[Blood God]

Class: N/A (Requires Awakening)

Species: Vampire

Race: Bloodling

Bloodline: N/A (Requires Awakening)

Level: 1

Faction: Dark

Experience: 0/100

Health: 50

Mana: 50

Stamina: 8

Strength: 6

Intelligence: 8

Agility: 6

Physical Defense: 2

Magical Defense: 2

General Skills: Heightened Senses, Eternal Hunger