Chapter 176: Bloodline Awakening – Pyromancer

Rhaegar's sword opened the enemy's belly, and intestines spilled out with a sickening gurgle. Blood splattered across his face, coloring his purple eyes with a touch of scarlet. His chest heaved, his breath hot and heavy, distorting the air around him.

Whoosh—

A dark arrow descended from the sky, piercing his left shoulder with tremendous force. Rhaegar staggered, glancing up to see the Mountain Clans leader on the canyon ridge, holding a curved bow.

Pfft...

A bronze spear struck from behind, piercing through his back and out his stomach. Searing pain shot through him as blood flowed from the wound. Rhaegar turned and decapitated the sneak attacker with a swift strike of his sword.

"Heh..."

Blood dripped from the corner of his mouth, and Rhaegar's body trembled slightly. Despite the wounds, he felt no pain. His mind was clearer than ever, and his body surged with newfound strength. He sliced through the spear shaft protruding from his abdomen.

"Out of the way, I'll kill him!" a booming voice called out.

Rhaegar's vision was obscured by the throng of Mountain Clansmen. He saw them parting, some being thrown aside like rag dolls. The space around him cleared, giving him room to move.

Through blood-stained hair, Rhaegar saw a massive figure charging towards him. An ugly Mountain Clansman, over three meters tall with gnarled muscles and an ox-horn helmet, barreled forward.

"Descendant of giants?" Rhaegar thought. True giants stood around six meters tall; this brute must have giant blood in him.

"Shorty, I'll tear you apart!" the giant bellowed, raising a shield-sized palm to strike.

Rhaegar sidestepped, slashing at the giant's wrist.

Clang...

The sound of metal against metal rang out, sparks flying. Rhaegar's eyes narrowed as he continued to dodge. The giant paused, revealing crude iron wrist guards beneath his thick fur sleeves.

Taking advantage of the giant's confusion, Rhaegar bent his knees and lunged, aiming for the giant's abdomen.

Clang...

Again, the sword met resistance. "Haha, my belt is sturdy!" the giant laughed, slapping his stomach with a resounding thud. His body was covered in hidden protective gear.

Rhaegar rolled and swung his sword once more, this time cutting through the giant's chest. The blade sliced through animal skin, and foul blood sprayed out.

"Ah! Tran will crush you!" the giant roared, his massive hands swiping at Rhaegar like gates.

The surrounding Mountain Clansmen hesitated, forming a loose ring around the two combatants. Rhaegar dodged the giant's blows, but a spear thrust blocked his escape.

Bang--

With a momentary lapse, Rhaegar couldn't dodge half giant Tran's massive slap. He raised his arms, bracing with his dragon claws, but the force sent him flying.

"Rhaegar!!!"

Rhaenyra's scream pierced the chaos, her eyes welling with tears. Hidden in the carriage, she couldn't see the full battle but saw Rhaegar, bloodied, hurtling through the air.

He hit the ground with a heavy thud, his head buzzing. Instinctively, he rolled to lessen the impact. His skin flushed red, steam rising from his body, especially from the wounds on his shoulder and abdomen. Blood sizzled on the grass.

Suddenly, a system beep echoed in his mind.

"Congratulations, the blessing of the Lord of Light has been activated. You have obtained..."

Through blood-stained eyelashes, Rhaegar's vision cleared.

[Pyromancer]

Grade: Epic (Purple)

Function: Stimulates the power hidden in the bloodline.

Evaluation: "Empty of blood, now you have gained a corresponding talent."

A token engraved with the blazing sun's red heart materialized, then burst into flames. The firework-like sparks floated down, merging into his flesh.

Zira--

Flames ignited from the corner of his eye, drawing his attention.

Whew...

Fire erupted from his body, spreading to every corner. His long silver-gold hair flew wildly, sparks crackling. Slowly, Rhaegar stood, Dragon Claw in hand, feeling warmth and strength surge through him.

He looked down at his abdomen. The blood in his wound coagulated under the flames. Rhaegar grabbed the spear's tip and yanked it out with a puff. Blood spurted, quickly igniting, as the flames converged on the wound, sealing it.

He repeated the process with the arrow in his shoulder, his mind racing. Realization dawned as he called the system panel.

[Rhaegar Targaryen]

Talent: Dreamer (Gold), Pyromancer (Purple), Longevity (Green)

Bloodline: Ancient Valyrian Dragonlord (+42%)

Skills: Sword Mastery, Spear Mastery, Old Valyrian Language Proficiency...

Relics: Blood and Fire, True Dragon's Blood, Dreamscape...

Evaluation: "Ancient bloodlines are awakened, and powerful gifts are born. The Dragonlord's bloodline is purified."

"Have I become a Pyromancer?" Rhaegar muttered, puzzled. His bloodline purity had been stuck for years, unable to cross 40%. Now, as a Pyromancer, his bloodline had advanced.

Or perhaps, it was the purification of his bloodline that made him a Pyromancer. The two elements complemented each other.

Contemplating for a moment, Rhaegar gripped the blade of his Dragon Claw tightly and drew it across his palm.

A stabbing sound, his palm cut, and blood stained Dragon Claw. Instantly, the blade burst into flames, the unique water wave pattern of Valyrian steel seeming to come alive, rippling slightly.

"Fire! Flames are burning on his body!"

The transformation startled and terrified the besieging Mountain Clans.

"Get out of the way! The tribe has plenty of torches; what are you afraid of?"

The half giant pushed aside his kin blocking the path and charged with his fists.

Rhaegar, expressionless, clasped Dragon Claw with both hands, silently acclimating to the flame's enchantment. When the half giant's fist came crashing down, Rhaegar didn't dodge. Instead, he rushed forward, slashing his sword across his unprotected fingers.

Splat...

Three thick fingers were severed, falling to the ground.

"Ah! Damn it!"

The intense pain drove the half giant into a frenzy, arching his back and waving his arms wildly. Rhaegar struck again, this time slicing into the giant's bare arm, the blade lodging deep in the bone.

The giant wailed and cursed, pressing the blade against his arm, and with a mighty effort, yanked it free. Rhaegar's expression remained unchanged as he abandoned the sword and dodged.

"Die, bug!"

The half giant, believing he had disarmed Rhaegar, laughed harshly and lunged with open arms.

"It's you who should die!"

Rhaegar rolled forward, turned to face his opponent, and swiftly thrust out his right arm. The space bracelet on his wrist flashed, and a two-meter-long spear materialized in his hand.

Poof...

The spear's one-foot-long head plunged into the half giant's heart.

"Ho ho ..."

With his heart pierced, the half giant's eyes widened, and a huge mouthful of blood gushed out. Using his last strength, he tried to close his arms around Rhaegar.

Rhaegar pulled out the spearhead, gripping the end with his left hand, and thrust it forward, stabbing the giant in the throat. With a powerful swing, the Valyrian steel tip shattered the cervical vertebrae, decapitating the giant.

(Word count: 1,133)