CHAPTER 15

"Lumeria, guide me to the location of the Drake" I said firmly, my voice steady.

"Understood, Adam," Lumeria replied solemnly.

After a brief moment, Lumeria pinpointed the Drake's location and relayed it to me. As I made my way toward the designated spot, I noticed a dilapidated ruin looming ahead. Its jagged edges and crumbling facade gave it an air of ancient foreboding. In front of it stood a masked man, his mere presence unsettling.

The moment my eyes fell on him, an overwhelming instinct to flee surged through me. My senses screamed at me to run—to escape as quickly as possible. Without hesitation, I distanced myself from the area, my footsteps light but swift. The aura emanating from the masked man was suffocatingly ominous, a presence so heavy that my entire being rebelled against the thought of facing him. There was no doubt in my mind—approaching him would be a grave mistake.

"Lumeria, do you know what kind of creature that was?" I asked, struggling to keep my voice calm and even.

"I don't know," Lumeria replied, her tone uncharacteristically uncertain. "I didn't have enough time to analyze it."

"Alright," I muttered, forcing myself to remain composed. Deciding to take a wide detour, I made a mental note to avoid this figure in the future. Whoever or whatever he was, I had no desire to test my strength—or my luck—against him.

After traveling for thirty minutes, I finally spotted my target—the Drake. The creature was an imposing, lizard-like beast with rough, scaled skin that gleamed faintly under the sunlight. Its large frame and sinuous body gave it an unmistakable resemblance to a dragon, though it lacked the grandeur of wings.

"This should be easy enough to kill," I thought, a surge of determination coursing through me. My eyes locked onto the beast, my focus sharpening. Once I defeated it, my tenth bloodline would be complete, and I could finally begin cultivating the path I had envisioned for myself.

Exhaling deeply, I calmed my nerves and began formulating a plan. I would use *Shadow Cloak* to sneak up on the Drake, then strike with my *Thunder Charge* skill, delivering a swift, lethal blow with my sword.

With my strategy in place, I activated *Shadow Cloak*—only to realize, to my dismay, that there were no shadows in the vicinity. The barren terrain was too exposed, offering no cover and rendering my stealth approach impossible.

Clenching my jaw, I quickly abandoned the idea of sneaking up on the beast. Left with no other choice, I decided to attack head-on. Channeling my energy, I activated *Thunder Charge*. In an instant, my body surged forward, a blur of crackling lightning streaking across the field. Within seconds, I had closed the distance and positioned myself behind the Drake.

My sword, coated in a lethal poison, gleamed ominously as I swung it down in a single, decisive strike. The blade cut through with precision, severing its vital point. The beast let out a guttural roar of pain before collapsing to the ground, its massive body hitting the earth with a resounding thud.

Wasting no time, I set up a fire and began preparing the Drake's meat. Its flesh, rich with mana, promised to be not only nourishing but exceptionally flavorful when cooked. An hour later, the meal was ready. The aroma alone was enough to make my mouth water, and as I ate, I savored every bite of the mana-infused meat. The rich, otherworldly flavor filled me with satisfaction and renewed energy.

After finishing my meal, I immediately sat down to meditate, focusing on integrating the Drake's bloodline into my being. My breathing slowed as I entered a trance-like state, channeling the power I had just consumed.

Fifteen minutes later, I opened my eyes and called out, "Lumeria, what skills did I gain?"

In an instant, Lumeria appeared before me, her ethereal form shimmering as she presented the list of skills I had inherited:

**Skills Gained**

1. **Infernal Breath**

- The ability to unleash a concentrated stream of fire, akin to the Drake's Flame Spit.

2. **Hardened Scales**

- A passive skill that enhances physical durability, mimicking the Drake's tough scales.

3. **Tail Sweep Technique**

- While I don't grow a tail, I can replicate the Drake's powerful tail attacks through precise footwork or energy-based strikes.

4. **Draconic Roar**

- A variation of the Drake's intimidating roar, amplifying my presence and unnerving opponents.

5. **Ember Gust**

- The ability to create a fiery gust of wind, useful for repelling enemies or deflecting incoming attacks.

6. **Toxic Blaze**

- A unique skill combining the Drake's poison resistance and fire affinity, allowing me to conjure flames laced with toxic properties.

I studied the list carefully, feeling the power of the Drake's bloodline coursing through me. Each skill was a testament to the creature's strength, now mine to wield. Finally, I had obtained my tenth bloodline. A sense of accomplishment washed over me, and I allowed myself a rare moment of satisfaction.