Chapter 145 Names Redder Than Blood

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Although the battlefield was thrown into disarray with the introduction of Kieran’s skills, he flourished in this madness. The crimson energy lacerated the air and ground around him as Kieran revealed a menacing glint.

〈System: ?Vengeful Soul? Soul Trait has activated.〉

Vengeful Soul heavily complemented the power structure of Kieran’s class; it was almost a perfect fit. The emotions of vengeance channeled through Kieran and excited the dormant Argexes’ Blood.

Whoosh!

Kieran unleashed three ghastly and enormous Sanguinem Tempests, seemingly supercharged by the effects of his Soul Trait. Cries of pain and fear echoed throughout the battlefield, but this horrifying cacophony of screams sounded like an angelic symphony to Kieran’s ears.

At the same time, Altair moved with an ever-flowing fluidity, reaping several lives before his presence seemingly dissipated.

“Run! Run, goddammit! These two are freaks and are possibly cheaters. Either that or they’re freakish test subjects created to be our demise!”

Hysteria filled the battlefield as those fortunate to escape the clutches of Kieran’s Sanguinem Tempest scattered everywhere. Their logic was that Kieran couldn’t target them all if everyone scattered in different directions.

However, their dismal reality couldn’t be a more frightening mistress.

“Don’t run from an inevitable lesson, for I have an important gift for you all.”

Kieran performed a mighty leap, rising more than 15 meters in the air before coming to a gradual halt. Several lassoes of blood whiplashed the air, leaving the stream chat in awe.

“What is that? What is this power he’s wielding?”

“Well… if it looks like blood, it tastes like blood, and it smells like blood—it’s blood.”

“Wait a minute, you smartass, how do you know what it tastes and smells like? You aren’t there!”

Almost all those who bore witness to Kieran’s class skill were baffled by the power and theme of his skills, especially Kieran’s following display of grandeur.

Eleven tremendous blood blades rained down from the sky in every direction imaginable, covering the battlefield’s entire breadth.

Naturally, Kieran achieved eleven blood blades by coupling Crimson Barrage with the subsequent activation of Blood Wave. These blood blades reaped countless lives until Kieran’s name became darker than the blood he wielded.

〈System: Your Infamy Level has risen to the Third Degree. There’s a chance the Adventurers’ Guild may place an Official Bounty on your head.〉

All players registered with the Adventurers’ Guild were treated as members. Hence, it was only fitting that the Adventurers’ Guild would seek justice if mass amounts of their members died.

Of course, unlike patrons of Xenith, players could respawn, but the Adventurers’ Guild didn’t distinguish between this fact. After all, players could die in the same way a patron of Xenith could.

This was known as a Character or Existence Wipe, which once surfaced as one of Kieran’s failure penalties.

Aside from the notification regarding the Third Degree Infamy, Kieran received another notice of invaluable importance.

〈System: ?Vengeful Soul?’s Strengthening Rate shows improvement.〉

Unbeknownst to Kieran, vengeance aimed at other players stimulated the growth of his Vengeful Soul. Even though its effects were triggered once before, it didn’t experience any development at that time.

The percentage was stuck at the same 9.81% achieved by Arcane One’s Akashic Record Seal.

This change highlighted a path to Kieran’s growth—destroying his foes in the most gruesome way possible to send a message.

Meanwhile, the blood-soaked battlefield became a lugubrious sight as only two people remained once Kieran returned to the ground.

Altair wiped the blood from his face and pulled down the grey scarf that previously covered his lower facial features.

In terms of handsomeness, he was comparable to Kieran, but his face was just more slender, whereas Kieran’s features were more defined and masculine.

“I guess I’m not the only one with a ridiculous name now. But, Third Degree Infamy is no joke. An Official Bounty could be dangerous,” Altair remarked with a lighthearted smile.

“There’s no need to worry about that,” Kieran shook his head while deactivating Blood Mania. His body absorbed a significant amount of the blood that soaked the battlefield and immediately returned to full health.

“Are you sure?” Altair questioned. Their names were bright red like the vibrant crimson color of fresh blood.

“Positive,” Kieran reassured. The Gold Adventurer Badge and World Fame closing in on a Lord level weren’t just for show. Not to mention, Kieran’s relationship with the city Mayor was also excellent.

So, if the situation did deteriorate, he could request the help of Mayor Lowe or Vice-Guild Master Hugo.

After speaking to Altair, Kieran glanced at the stream in the corner of his eyes and continued with a solemn expression and icy tone.

“Let this serve as a lesson to you all. And as for you dogs known by the names of Sunset Triad and Shadow Cartel, tread carefully because I will have your head. I don’t need others to move for me. If I want your life, I’ll take it. There is nothing in this world that will stop me.”

Kieran’s claims may have seemed overbearing and sprouted from an inflated ego, but the display everyone witnessed doused their doubts and made it nearly impossible to retort Kieran’s remarks.

…

Meanwhile, inside Ridgewood, Metro City…

Ridgewood was known for its high crime rates and the Underworld’s rampant activity in this neighborhood. It served as a central hub for many sinister organizations, such as the Shadow Cartel.

“Damn it all! Who the hell does he think he is to threaten us publicly? He thinks killing off some amateurs equates to having the ability to stop us?!” Despot seethed while smashing up his living room.

Despot threw a chair into the monitor used to watch the stream while heaving with reddened eyes. He frustratedly combed his hand through his hair and pulled on it before smashing his hands into the counter repeatedly.

“Argh!” Despot growled. “That’s it! I will not stand for this. Even if it puts me in his debts, I’ll have the Warhead Syndicate assist us!”

The Warhead Syndicate was a name Kieran paid close attention to when compiling his first dungeon guide for the Forest of Beasts. Unlike the Shadow Cartel and Sunset Triad, the Warhead Syndicate was a second-class gaming organization.

Their top brass was much stronger than Despot, which also included real-life strength. If the Shadow Cartel and Sunset Triad were considered low-class in the Underworld’s standings, then the Warhead Syndicate was a middle-class entity.

“Yes! That’s precisely what I’ll do. I’ll like to see what you do against an expert on the Gamer Republic’s Exemplar Records. Those hundreds of players are worthless compared to Syndicate’s Guild Master.”

Despot paced around the room, trying to convince himself that bowing to the Warhead Syndicate was the correct move that would ultimately bring about his desired outcome.

However, the Underworld was never as straight and narrow as their words insinuated.

If there were ever a chance to backstab someone, they would capitalize on that opportunity without so much as batting an eye.

Nevertheless, despite knowing the risks that accompanied his request, Despot decided to take that chance. He felt the enmity between him and Aatrox had become irreconcilable.

“I’ll make your every living day a hell inside Zenith Online. And, if the opportunity ever arises, I will find out who you are!”

If anyone witnessed the way Despot screamed like a lunatic in the presence of no one, they’d deem him a lunatic who belonged in a mental asylum.

After coming to his senses, Despot frowned at the mess he had made. “Aw, crap! Who the hell is going to clean this up?!”

Despot marched to the door and flung it open, almost destroying it off the hinge. “Get that damned maid in here to clean this shit up!”

Despot’s voice carried down the hallway, which caused every door to open. The members of the Shadow Cartel that weren’t logged on quickly scurried from their apartments in search of the maid.

…

Kieran gazed at the battlefield filled with blood, ample amounts of coins, and some pieces of shoddy equipment. After relishing in the fact he could release this much carnage so early on, he assisted Altair in collecting everything.

By the end of the collection, Kieran amassed a total of 54 Gold and 120 pieces of Uncommon and Rare Items with Item Levels of 20 or higher.

Overall, this loot was a pleasant haul because it covered what Kieran felt was wasted time.

Even though the massacre lasted no longer than 30 minutes, it was 30 minutes he could’ve spared doing something else.

Kieran bid the stream farewell before reminding them of another one coming soon.

Afterward, Kieran looked through his Soul Trait for any changes after recalling the crucial notifications.

「 Trait Name: Vengeful Soul

Trait Type: Soul Trait

Trait Rank: Strengthened

Strengthened Completion: 9.81% → 10.01%

Description: A unique trait born from an unpolished Awakened Soul. This trait grants the user the unique ability ?Retaliatory Sense? but also produces a Flaw.

?Retaliatory Sense? – Heightens the user’s Perception by up to 300% when in situations where they are targeted. (The numbers changes depending on the number of foes targeting the user.)

?Flaw: Vengeful? – This flaw makes the user more susceptible to rage and vengeance, increasing the likelihood of succumbing to powers centered around these negative emotions.

*New… ?Revenge Predator? – A unique combat system accessible only to one possessing a Vengeful Soul. The user gains a stack of ?Hunt? for every foe marked as an enemy. The user can consume 1 ?Hunt? stack to mark enemies with the ?Prey? status. The user can consume 10 ?Hunt? stacks to enter ?Predator Hunt?. [Maximum Stacks: 100 stacks]

…

Note: While Strengthened, your Soul Trait still possesses ample room for growth. Only the surface of your Soul has been unearthed. 」