Chapter 43 - [Vampire Drain]

Riku couldn't believe the amount of power he used to flip the red metallic spider; he had no idea where it came from, but thanks to it, he was survived against the monster.

Finally, he was gently approaching the monster's corpse in order to receive a new power that came with it. He placed his hand over its head, without caring if his body was a suitable vessel for absorbing the monster's power; he intended to do it regardless of the consequences.

[Manifest!]

Alas, Riku cast the skill after overthinking it. He was furrowing his brows at this point, as the veins in his arm became aggravated. As there was a new event in his body that he couldn't control, he supported his left arm with his right hand.

Bam!

He was obliged to kneel into the green blood despite the fact that the surface was inundated. When the flesh in his left arm suddenly opened, his eyes widened. The cut measured seven centimeters in height and one centimeter in width. Aside from that, the monster's red slimy veins spread out and entered his body.

Argh!!!

Riku was groaning in pain as he looked up, expecting this scene to happen to him even if his current mana pool and physique weren't sufficient to gain a new power from this spider. But what could he possibly do? He must not squander the opportunity to grow stronger in this strange new world. He knew that if he figured out how to mimic its skill, slaying inferior monsters in the Mystic Forest would be a breeze.

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The red screen kept appearing right in front of his face, showing how much health power was reduced to him while the [Manifest] ability was taking effect.

[HP: 34/100]

It happened faster than usual, and he could feel the excruciating pain whenever his health power was reduced. He was rolling around on the ground like a toddler who was upset as his mother refused to give him the toy he desired.

It was more agonizing than when the soldiers took his nails out one by one. He was clenching his teeth and pulling his left arms away from the creature at the same time.

The heck?!

What is this?

This is how you felt when you tried to duplicate the abilities of a creature that was far more powerful than you?

These were the words he could utter as he closed his eyes, praying the [Manifest] casting period would soon come to an end. The noises of bones shattering, splashes of the monster's green blood, and his booming roar reverberated throughout the cave, but it wasn't enough to rouse Emma and Solomon up since the poison they had inhaled was still on their body.

It couldn't be prevented; tears welled up in the corner of his eyes and spilled down his cheek. If the man cried because he was in so much pain, was it just a normal occurrence?

Ding!

And then, along with the various blue screens that materialized immediately before his eyes, he heard a familiar tone within his head. Some of the screens showed that he had accomplished the quest, as well as the free attributes, skill points, and the two new skills he had gotten after he copied the spider's skill and the Dark Crow's gene. Nonetheless, three of them passed out within the cave, and he didn't have the stamina to read all the information.

With the new skills he'd lately acquired in this strange realm, he'd become the driving force behind how his current existence would alter.

...

Emma and Solomon awoke within the cave after several hours. Fortunately, they only inhaled the poison and were not directly affected. To put it simply, the antibodies in their bodies were sufficient to eliminate the toxin and restore their consciousness.

To begin with, Emma was startled awake as a drop of water from the ceiling fell on her face. She gradually opened her eyes, and at the same time, she smelled a foul odor that he couldn't place. She got into a seated posture first, then reclined against the wall. Her eyes widened when she observed Riku lying near the monster's dead body, and she knew he was still alive due to the obvious meager mana coursing throughout his body.

When the mana inside of you dissipated in this realm, you were treated as if you were dead. Mana was a big factor for them since it might transform your life and gain you other respect, and it was also the second reason why the Villagers didn't appreciate Riku.

"Argh!" she exclaimed, holding the back of her head still and feeling the pain. Furthermore, her foggy vision was returning to normal, so she approached Riku, and Solomon followed suit.

They began by moving Riku's body away from the green blood that was gushing into him. They then place him in a comfortable posture for him to rest.

"Solomon, are you linked to this man?" Emma inquired, her voice hushed. Riku had a distinct appearance than she had ever seen before, so she wondered if Solomon was related to him or if he had a special acquaintance.

Solomon recognized her as the woman who had rescued his life when he was being pursued by kobolds. So he bowed his head at her, both to indicate how grateful he was to be saved twice by this woman and to answer her question.

"Thank you for saving me the second time, Emma." He paused for a second, then lifted his head. "To answer your question, I'm not related to master Riku, the only thing I knew to him was that he was one of the new inventors in the Arzotoc village."

You could see the changes in just like how Solomon called Riku. Master? It was just because saved his life or it because Solomon was started to recognize Riku's ability.

"Hmm... If that's the case, I guess, Riku was a man with a good heart since he also saved me when I'm badly injured." Emma said in a serious tone, then tried to rest and wait for Riku to wake up.

...

After that, the night passed as they heard the wolf that lived in this forest growling loudly. Riku awoke with full strength and a fully replenished mana pool.

First and foremost, Riku gained +3 free attributes, +2 skill points, and +12 fitness, all of which would aid in his stamina improvement. He was well aware that his biggest issue was a lack of mana pool, so he simply added all of the free attributes to his intelligence status by hitting the + plus sign on the screen. He went to the skill(s) section after closing the status tab.

[Manifest copied skill(s)]

• [Spider senses] - By releasing a web that is created of mana. You can unlock the six senses when you can perceive where the ordinary eyes and ears couldn't perceive. Cost: 11 mana pool

•[Hardening]- By enhancing your mana throughout your body, it can transform into a metal that had high defense in physical attack and had a middle defense in the magical attack. Cost: 13 mana pool.

[You've gained a new skill!]

•[Vampire Drain] - a skill that allowed you to gradually drain the enemy's life. This skill will not stop until you cancel the cast and turn your opponent into dust in order to maintain your health power. The cost is a 25-mana pool.

He smiled sarcastically, knowing that he had finally developed a skill that could be used both offensively and defensively. Since he was clicking the air and giggling, Solomon and Emma thought he was insane.

The [Dark crow gene's] passive talent was taking effect, allowing him to employ some of his abilities without having to think too hard.

He stood up, then looked at the clueless people seated on the freezing surface. "Come on, we have to leave! I need to fish the pipeline and also Lady Arisu would surely scold me."

[Fly!]

And all of a sudden, dark wings came out of his back, but it was different than before as you could see the dark red feathers in the middle of the wings. Before he leaves, he took the monster's orbs that would help him to reach the first tier of the first evolution.

Emma and Solomon were blinking in their eyes in confusion, couldn't believe what were their eyes seeing right now. Emma was well aware that Riku could use a transformation magic that was mostly needed in this world, but she never expected it was too far with the idea insider her head.

A man with the monster's wings? With this, he can easily scout and spy on all the kingdoms in this realm without being noticed, this was Emma's opinion.

"Come on, we are going to leave!"