Chapter 175 Progress (2)

After receiving the news, Lilith and I rushed straight from my laboratory to the palace's annex. Given my control over Spacetime and the fact that I was within my own dimension, I could warp the two of us over the moment we'd heard the news.

There was a good reason for my expedited haste, even though we were just one building away.

Ever since becoming a Progenitor, I have eliminated most of my weaknesses. My physical body was stronger than any living creature, including those tough and stupidly resilient Alpha Werewolves. Besides my final ring that remained dormant, most of my magical capability had been unlocked. The four lovers that stayed by my side were also getting stronger by the day, with Rosa easily matching the might of a Progenitor already. Few were dumb enough to even threaten me anymore, let alone act openly against me.

Most of my weaknesses had been covered, all except my two lovable parents.

While they were still powerful in their own right, they were ultimately still human. My mother, a magician who didn't train her physical body, was vulnerable to poison, disease and even spells that could render her defenceless.

However, after months of debating and convincing, I'd finally persuaded them to undergo the ritual to become a Vampire.

Unlike the True Vampire ritual or the Blood Servant contract, the ritual I'd prepared for my parents was much different. As a Progenitor, I could devise a new ritual, essentially creating a new breed of Vampires that was far removed from the ones that Dracula had created many moons ago.

They would still have all the attributes of a Vampire, superhuman strength, regeneration and eternal youth, but they would also have something additional.

My personal power.

Like a blessing from a God or a charm from a fairy, my soul would trickle a little magic power down to the two newborn Vampires, greatly enhancing their attributes far beyond a regular True Vampire. Now, they wouldn't be as powerful as a Progenitor or anything of the like, but they would possess a trait far beyond any Vampire before them.

Arriving at their resting place, I oversaw the two red silk cocoons with an ecstatic smile. To protect and better facilitate their transformation, I wrapped my parents in threads of my own blood. And thankfully, it worked as a charm.

Initially, I'd thought the pair would take a week to fully absorb my blood and essence, finally evolving into a higher existence. However, since they were my parents, our compatibility was relatively high, making the absorption rate infinitely quicker. In addition, the blood silk would have helped improve their integration chances.

And to prove my point…

"They're breaking free from the cocoon."

I marvelled in awe as the red silk faded while bulges emerged on the surface. The fact that there was movement within the cocoons could only mean one thing. My parents have successfully evolved into True Vampires.

"Congratulations, Jin."

Rosa walked over from her resting zone and welcomed me with a warm smile. Noticing her presence, I couldn't hold back my elation as I rushed over and embraced her with a bear hug.

"No, you've suffered. I know you've been watching over them for the past few days without sleep." I placed my thumb under her eye bag and bit my lip. "Look at this face… You look exhausted. You could have taken a nap or gotten someone to take over your shift."

"No, I wanted to do it…" Rosa replied with a firm tone. "I'm indebted to your parents too, so if I don't see them for myself, my heart would be unsettled."

Rosa's words considerably warmed my heart. Over the past few months, the one who had bonded most with my parents wasn't Irina, the girl who met them first, and neither was it Lilith or Ysabelle, the two most similar to my parents. It was the emotionless Rosa, who had slowly, but surely, opened up to become more 'human.'

In the past, Rosa was like a walking doll, an emotionless shell that spoke in short sentences. Therefore, she couldn't communicate well with others despite her best intentions. However, by absorbing my essence and putting her body through metamorphosis, Rosa has changed.

She was showing far more emotions, and her speech was gradually improving. It was only a matter of time before Rosa turned into the vibrant young lady she was always meant to be.

"You're wrong about that, Rosa. They aren't just my parents; soon, they'll be your parents too."

"..."

Rosa reverted back to her silent, emotionless self for a brief moment. However, from the slight tinge of red I could see rising beneath her cheeks, I could tell that the old Rosa was nowhere to be found.

Was this the enigmatic gap? Why does Rosa look so alluring now, even though her face had mostly remained the same? I was tempted to lean in for a kiss to continue teasing this adorable squirrel, but I was held back by the sound of someone else in the room.

"I hate to interrupt your flirting, but they're almost ready."

Lilith's voice broke the pink atmosphere, and I immediately separated from Rosa with an embarrassed face. Right, as much as I would love to flirt with her, now wasn't the time and occasion. I had plenty of time tonight to 'reward' Rosa for her hard work.

Blurgh… Blurgh… Blurgh…

Bubbling from the surface, the red silk cocoon was finally breached as a hand laced with crimson blood burst free from the inside. I saw pure red skin as if the person inside had suffered sunburns that could kill a man or two. Piping hot steam also permeated their pores, and the person within attempted to break free from the restraints.

Eventually, a naked man found his way out of the massive cocoon. Drenched in blood and covered from head to toe in red skin, I couldn't recognise the man for a brief moment. However, the transcendent Vampiric regeneration proved its worth as the man recovered all his lost skin and blood, eventually turning into the gentle, kind middle-aged man I was familiar with.

"Dad."

My father was youthful, to begin with, but now, he looked no older than thirty. His bulging, veiny muscles had become more defined and rock solid while his overall build had regressed to back when he was a peak Hunter. No, with my Vampire genes, just by his physical body alone, he surpassed any Hunters on the planet.

I walked forward with a towel and handed it over to my delirious father. It didn't take long for him to come to his senses and realise that he was in his bathing suit, and he accepted the cloth with a grateful smile.

"Jin… I feel… different."

"How so?"

"I don't know…" My dad looked around the room for a while as if trying to soak everything in. He closed his eyes and took one deep breath before finally calming himself.

"Everything seems so clear… I can hear and feel everything. My strength… It has also improved. My body feels light, and I can hear… your heart pounding."

"Haha, you'll get used to it."

Watching my father getting used to his Vampire body made me a little nostalgic. When I was first turned by Irina, I felt the exact same way and did the same things. If I'm not mistaken, my dad was itching to test his new strength just like I did to that poor tree back at the hospital.

But I couldn't fulfil his request just yet. After making sure my father was alright, my eyes turned to the other cocoon.

Like Dad, Mom broke out from the cocoon with her hands as her entire body was soaked with blood. However, unlike Dad, her reddened skin regenerated at a much faster rate, and before long, her youthful appearance was restored.

I knew my mom was a beautiful woman in her twenties, but seeing her revert back twenty-odd years took me aback for a brief moment. Fortunately, I didn't have to see my mom's naked body as Rosa had already walked forward with a towel and a new set of clothes, dressing her before my eyes inadvertently saw something I couldn't unsee.

"Mom? How do you feel?"

"Jin? Is that you?" My mom turned her grateful eyes away from Rosa and in my direction. Alas, it didn't last long as her eyes widened at the massive, half-naked man by my side.

"J-Jael, y-you've become younger!"

"Y-You too, E-Elna…"

Seeing their lifelong partner revert to their younger days was a massive shock for my parents. They behaved like two high schoolers that had seen their crush naked and instantly blushed while looking away.

"P-Put some clothes on first."

"R-Right back at you! Why are you just wearing a towel?! Don't you have any shame swinging that thing in front of our daughter-in-laws?!"

"I-I'd just come out! I didn't have time to put anything on! Y-You too, don't let Jin see your… Hmmm, they've become less saggy."

"WHAT DID YOU SAY?!"

… What is this? A romantic comedy?

The two may have become younger, but their souls were completely intact. I let out a dry laugh while holding my head.

"Alright, alright. Let's just settle down, okay?"

I separated the two and promptly got them dressed. Looking back at my two lovers, who were smiling warmly as well, I gave them a playful wink and said:

"You guys go and rest, alright? I'll take it from here."

"B-But…"

"Rosa, you've done enough, besides…"

I leaned in next to her ear and whispered ever so lovingly:

"I'll need you to be well-rested, for tonight… I'm not letting you sleep."

"!!!"

Rosa's porcelain white face instantly turned crimson before she was wrapped by vines and disappeared from the room. My parents saw the entire interaction and squinted their eyes as if condemning me within their minds.

Sorry, Mom and Dad.

You guys might have started the romantic comedy, but I have perfected it.