Chapter 12 - Blood With No Essence

{Now, system what were you about to do?} Zura asked as he began to roll over onto his left side in order to get to his feet. If he stayed there any longer, he wasn't sure what might be attracted by the smell of blood.

[Host perceived unconscious. Thus, initiated steps in order to ensure host's safety.]

{What were the steps?} Zura asked, though he felt he knew the answer based on the prompt spoken previously by the system.

[System corporeal override process is the emergency override prompt engaged by the system when host is no longer capable of operating corporeal form. As long as host is not dead, system can operate corporeal form in order to ensure host's safety.]

'I was afraid of that.'

{System can the emergency prompt be disabled?}

[Affirmative.]

{Disable the emergency prompt. Also, create a text-based form detailing all prompts that the system is currently both authorized and unauthorized to take on behalf of myself. I will read through it later.}

Zura fully got to his feet and look over to where the lizard had essentially exploded. It was a scene straight from a haunted house, especially the one intact eye-ball.

{System, what tier was that lizard?} Zura asked as he stole a glance at his now crippled wing that still had bits of stone attached to the nub that remained.

[Immature Basilika: Tier 2]

Just as Zura was shuffling off in order to escape the noticeable area of the fight, that answer stopped him cold.

He looked back towards the lizard, that he now identified as a Basilika, and forced a gulp of saliva down his dry throat.

{System, does an entity need to be living in order for its blood to be consumed?}

[No. Blood can remain viable for at least 3 days in a corpse, however fresh blood gives the most benefits.]

*Clap Clap* Itadakimasu (ß-because it's funny)

[[Tier 2 beast blood consumed.]]

[Tier: 0/42%]

{System, from this moment forward, when I pose a question relating to you, your functions or if you know the answer, freely speak.}

[Understood]

{Why is it only 42%} Despite the feeling of energy rushing through his body, Zura could not help but feel perplexed at the scant amount of increase, even it was just a few drops licked off some scattered parts.

[Blood viability operates within the essence from which it was taken and the purity of the soul in connection to the universe. Fresh blood from the living directly extracts the essence. Dry blood from a corpse can only provide nutrition to the host. Despite the disparity between tiers, the lack of essence cannot be resolved.]

{I see.} Zura could only heave a heavy sigh. However, if given the option to reverse time, he would still consume the blood. Mostly, due to the fact that he felt energy coursing through his veins, despite the crippling of his wing.