Chapter 18: The Feral Blood Cult & Leaving the City Again!
"I'll just go to whichever Academy offers the most generous rewards."
"Is that so? Well, when you've made your choice, be sure to tell us. I was thinking of sending Sia to the same Academy as you."
Cyrus said this with two purposes in mind. First, if his precious daughter Sia had feelings for this kid named Alex, maybe they could develop further and make a good match.
Of course, more importantly, he knew his daughter's personality too well. In those Awakener Academies where fish and dragons mixed—where people from all walks of life gathered—she would inevitably suffer losses.
If Alex could look after her at the Academy, he would be much more relieved.
"Alright. Once I've decided, I'll definitely let Uncle Cyrus know," Alex agreed politely, then asked, "I was wondering, are there any criminals or beasts scheduled for execution recently?"
Since killing people also granted Slaughter Points, killing a few condemned criminals shouldn't be too excessive, right?
"Alex, why do you ask this all of a sudden?" Cyrus frowned slightly, looking at Alex with confusion.
"I have a bit of a fear of killing, so I thought I'd try killing a few to overcome the mental barrier," Alex said with a straight face.
Beside them, Sia blinked her big eyes, roasting him internally.
Wait a minute, that's not right...
Fear of killing?
When you killed Kane Blackwood, you were so excited it looked like you were playing a game. Where was the fear?
Cyrus pondered for a moment. "There are a few beasts that were causing trouble in the city, and also a few members of the Feral Blood Cult scheduled for execution the day after tomorrow. If you want to overcome your fear, using them for practice is fine."
"Really? That's great. By the way, what exactly is this Feral Blood Cult?"
He had heard of the Feral Blood Cult, but he didn't know the specifics.
At the mention of the Feral Blood Cult, intense hatred instantly ignited in Cyrus's eyes. "The Feral Blood Cult is an organization made up of lunatics! Some join because they are dissatisfied with their low Awakened Ability rank, others because they are crushed by the pressures of life.
"Then, the High Priests of the Cult use secret arts to inject the essence blood of beasts into their bodies, allowing them to master a semi-human, semi-beast state.
"In that state, their physical fitness and strength are drastically enhanced.
"But once these guys gain power, they go around causing destruction. Like rats hiding in dark corners, they are universally reviled!"
Listening to Cyrus's detailed explanation, Alex's understanding of this high-martial world deepened.
Although he had transmigrated here three years ago, there were still many secrets of this world he hadn't fully figured out.
However, at this moment, a curious thought popped into Alex's mind.
If I kill a guy in a semi-human, semi-beast state, will I get double Slaughter Points?
Thinking of this, Alex was filled with anticipation for the execution the day after tomorrow.
"Thank you for clarifying, Uncle Cyrus."
Cyrus waved his hand. "No need for thanks. But I must warn you: no matter the time or place, always keep your heart turned toward justice!"
"I understand, Uncle Cyrus. I have my own measure of justice in my heart!"
"Hahaha, good! Come find me at 8 AM the day after tomorrow. I'll take you to the execution ground, and those guys will be yours to deal with!" Cyrus laughed heartily.
"Thank you for the trouble, Uncle Cyrus!"
Alex was blooming with joy inside. These were all shiny, white Slaughter Points!
Before long, the sumptuous lunch was finished.
"Uncle Cyrus, Madam Elena, I have some matters to attend to, so I'll take my leave first." Alex stood up respectfully.
"Alex, take care on your way back. Come play at our house whenever you have time," Elena said gently.
"I will, Madam Elena. Just for this table of delicious food you made, I'll definitely come back."
"Kid, cultivate hard. I look forward to your future performance!" Cyrus stepped forward and patted Alex gently on the shoulder.
"I will, Uncle Cyrus. I'll head back now." Alex turned around politely with a smile.
Cyrus and Elena looked at each other, then looked at Sia beside them. "Sia, why aren't you walking Alex out?"
Sia lowered her head slightly and responded softly, "I know!"
The two walked outside together.
"Sigh, this Alex... I like him more and more," Elena said softly, a trace of worry on her face.
"He is indeed a good lad, a good seedling. As for whether those two will work out, it depends on fate."
Cyrus nodded slightly, a hint of expectation in his eyes.
The couple turned and went back into the manor.
Outside the main gate.
"Sorry about that. I didn't expect my parents to be like this," Sia said apologetically to Alex, a hint of embarrassment on her face.
"It's nothing. I think it's pretty nice," Alex smiled, his eyes gentle.
Sia looked up, her eyes full of confusion. "You? What do you mean by that?"
Alex smiled mysteriously. "Nothing special. It's just that your parents made me feel a warmth I haven't felt in a long time. And they are genuinely good people."
Compared to seeing the ugly faces of the Vance family, this day at the Xander household had been a rare comfort for him.
Sia's face flushed slightly red. What does Alex mean?
Does he like me? Does he want to date me?
Should I agree?
Wait, no! Didn't we agree at the start it was a fake relationship, just for show?
"Alex, you haven't fallen for me, have you? Let me tell you, don't like me. I don't plan on dating right now..."
Her voice grew smaller and smaller, carrying a trace of shyness.
"No, no, no. I like your parents, not you!" Alex teased her deliberately.
That was the truth. To say he liked Sia romantically... he hadn't really reached that level yet.
Sia's face turned bright red instantly, a mix of shame and annoyance. "You, you, you!"
Seeing this, Alex took off running. "Bye-bye, Miss Sia!"
Sia clenched her fists in anger and shouted loudly, "Next time I see you, I'm definitely going to punch you!"
But as soon as she shouted, she realized she was only at Tier 1, Rank 1 strength. How could she beat Alex?
Looks like I really need to cultivate properly, or I'll be left far behind by him.
Yes! It's decided. From now on, I'll cultivate for two extra minutes every day!
Wait, no. Three minutes!
Leaving the Xander home, Alex didn't rush home. Instead, he decided to leave the city to hunt.
It was only noon; he still had the whole afternoon to utilize.
Arriving at the city gate, he was stopped by the same two guards from last time.
"Alex, although you awakened an S-Rank Ability, you only awakened two days ago. It's better to stay home and cultivate properly. The beasts outside aren't easy to deal with; it's dangerous," one guard advised earnestly.
Awakened for less than two days? Alex's realm would be Tier 1, Rank 1 at best. How could he fight the beasts outside?
"That's right. You are Riverdale City's treasure. If something happens to you out there, the loss would be immense," the other guard chimed in.
Listening to their concern, Alex shook his head gently. "I'm just going out to look at the scenery. I'll be back in a bit. Nothing will happen."
Looking at the scenery was a lie; chopping beasts to earn Slaughter Points was the truth.
The two guards looked at each other. "Are you really sure you want to go out?"
"Thanks for your kindness, but I'm really just going to look at the scenery. There won't be any danger," Alex promised again.
"Fine. If you encounter danger, come back immediately!" The two guards were still worried and reminded him repeatedly.
Alex made an OK gesture and walked out of the city gate. He took out the map of Riverdale's surroundings he had bought earlier and began looking for a relatively safe hunting spot.
The Whispering Valley.
Alex chose a location marked as a "Green Zone" on the map—the Whispering Valley. It was known for lower-level beasts, mostly ranging from Tier 1 Rank 1 to Rank 3, making it safer than the Withered Woods but still profitable.
As he walked, the scenery shifted from the barren outskirts to a lush, narrow valley filled with tall grass and strange, luminescent flora.
"Alright, System. Let's see what we can find," Alex muttered, scanning the area.
Rustle.
A sound from the bushes to his left caught his attention.
Alex didn't hesitate. He activated Shadow Claw (Proficient Level).
A massive, semi-solid claw of darkness materialized instantly above the bush and slammed down.
Squeak!
A Wind Rabbit—Tier 1, Rank 2—was crushed instantly.
[Tier 1, Rank 2 Wind Rabbit killed. Slaughter Points +10.]
"Too easy," Alex smirked. With his current strength of Tier 1, Rank 4, hunting these low-level beasts was like cutting grass.
He continued deeper into the valley.
Suddenly, he heard the sound of arguing voices ahead.
Alex slowed down, merging into the shadows of a large tree. He used the stealth aspect of his Darkness affinity—though he hadn't learned a specific stealth skill, his high affinity allowed him to blend in naturally.
In a clearing ahead, three figures stood over a fallen beast carcass.
"I saw it first! My arrow hit it!" shouted a young man holding a bow.
"Bullshit! My sword dealt the killing blow!" countered a burly man with a scar on his face.
"Both of you shut up. We split the loot, 50-50," said the third person, a woman with a calculating look.
Alex observed them. Their auras were weak—probably Tier 1, Rank 2 or 3 at most. They were arguing over a Iron-Hide Boar, worth maybe 30,000 credits.
He shook his head. Amateurs.
He had no interest in their squabble or their prey. He was about to bypass them when he noticed something strange.
Behind the arguing trio, in the deep shadow of a cave entrance, a pair of red eyes glowed.
It wasn't a beast.
It was a person. But the aura radiating from them was chaotic, smelling of blood and madness.
Feral Blood Cult? Alex's eyes narrowed.
The figure in the cave moved. It was fast—unnaturally fast.
A blur of red shot out from the cave.
"Watch out!" the woman screamed, but it was too late.
The red blur slammed into the archer. There was a sickening crunch, and the archer flew backward, his chest caved in.
"What the hell?!" The scarred man raised his sword in panic.
The attacker stopped, revealing his form. It was a man, but his skin was covered in patches of red fur, his fingers ended in sharp claws, and his eyes were slit like a beast's.
"Hehehe... fresh blood..." the Cultist rasped, licking his lips.
Alex watched from the shadows.
Tier 1, Rank 5... maybe Rank 6 based on that speed.
The Cultist lunged at the remaining two hunters. The scarred man swung his sword, but the Cultist caught the blade with a bare, fur-covered hand and snapped it.
"Die!"
The Cultist swiped at the man's throat.
Clang!
A black scythe blade intercepted the claw, sparks flying.
Alex stood between the Cultist and the terrified hunters, holding the Death Scythe with one hand.
"Sorry to interrupt your meal," Alex said coolly, his eyes cold. "But you're worth a lot of points."
The Cultist growled, retreating a step. "Who are you?"
"Your executioner."
Alex didn't waste words. He stepped forward, the Shadow Ability Cultivation Method circulating rapidly. His shadow seemed to come alive, stretching out to bind the Cultist's feet.
"Eroding Dark Bat Strike!"
Countless small bats made of dark energy materialized around Alex, screeching silently as they swarmed the Cultist.
"Argh!!" The Cultist screamed as the bats bit into him, corroding his flesh with dark energy.
"Die!!" The Cultist went berserk, his muscles bulging as he tried to break free.
But Alex was already in the air.
"Shadow Claw!"
A giant claw slammed the Cultist into the ground. Before he could recover, the Death Scythe swung down.
Shhhk.
The head rolled.
[Tier 1, Rank 6 Feral Blood Cultist (Semi-Beast State) killed. Slaughter Points +100.]
Alex's eyes lit up.
100 points?!
Killing a human gives 60... killing a beast gives around 30-40... but a hybrid gives 100?
Jackpot.
He turned to the two surviving hunters, who were shaking in fear.
"Get out of here. It's dangerous," Alex said calmly.
"T-Thank you! Thank you, expert!" The two scrambled away, dragging their injured companion.
Alex looked at the corpse of the Cultist, then deeper into the valley.
If there's one rat here, there might be a nest.
He licked his lips.
Time to farm.