A week passed like a breeze... And Verc—he used all of this time just training.
He was just up in his room, showing his face to everyone outside just twice a day. The castle had become his personal training ground, and the top floor remained silent except for the whistling of his blade cutting through the air.
He even left Bong and Onyx in the kids’ hands to take care of them while he focused on that. He knew they were in good hands, and he didn’t want any distractions while he pushed his limits.
Ashley would only bring Onyx back to his room if it was time for the little puppy to sleep. Verc would play with him a little until Onyx got tired and slept, his tiny chest rising and falling in the corner of the room.
And after that, he would just simply go back to training again.
Verc had been training so intensely that he hadn’t got a sleep even for a second. Well, he did this all on his own will. As a vampire, his stamina was far beyond what it used to be, and his mind felt sharper. He didn’t feel the need to close his eyes when there was so much progress to be made.
In the morning; he would go out, greet everyone, and check on Bong for a bit. He would walk to the stables where the horse was kept, patting his neck and ensuring he was well-fed. He would go back to his room after that and start training with his swordsmanship.
And he would do that for hours, not stopping to rest.
If he was a normal human, his body would’ve given up a long time ago! His muscles would have screamed in agony, and his heart would have faltered.
Verc would repeat the same strikes, the same footwork, and the same parries until they became as natural as breathing.
And he would only stop and sheath his sword when it was night, when the moon was up in its highest in the sky—and the hunting group had come back from their expedition from the forest.
He could feel them entering back the clearing after all with his skill, [Vibration Awareness]. Verc would go out of the castle again to greet Groo, the orcs, and the gnolls that went out to hunt monsters. He would thank them personally and praise their work as usual.
"You’ve done well today. This is a fine haul."
Verc would say, looking over the prey.
Groo and the others would accept those words with a huge smile on their faces. Proud of themselves.
The monsters under Verc weren’t blind. One day, when the leaders were all called by their lord, Verc, they immediately noticed that something had changed in them when they came out of the castle.
Especially in the leaders of the orcs; their appearance changed so much that it looked like they were different from their tribe members. Their skin, which was once a healthy green, had turned into a paler, grayish-green hue. It looked tougher, more refined, and carried an aura of deathly stillness.
Everyone noticed that their eyes became red as well, same with Tatum and the others, and similar to their lord—Verc. The crimson glow in their pupils was a mark of their new status, a sign that they were no longer just common monsters of the forest.
So when they came back to their people; each one of them was asked what happened inside the castle. The curious orcs and gnolls crowded around their leaders, whispering in husably tones.
And the leaders... they didn’t hide it. It seemed like Verc didn’t mind them telling the others anyway.
And so—they told everyone what happened.
They explained that they were called and given the opportunity to become a vampire like their lord, and they accepted. They spoke of the agonizing pain that felt like their bones were melting, followed by the sudden surge of power that made them feel like they could move mountains. And now—they had a newfound power.
This news quickly spread to everyone. From the youngest gnoll to the oldest orc, the story of the "Vampire Evolution" became the main topic of conversation. Naturally, they became envious of the leaders. They looked at their own hands and then at the glowing eyes of their chiefs, wishing they could possess that same power and strength.
They even confirmed this information with the beastmen-vampire kids.
The normal orcs and gnolls asked them if they could get such an opportunity from the lord as well just like the leaders.
And Tatum, with a smile on his face—
"Of course, if you do well enough that our liege has taken notice of it—then he would definitely offer you such an opportunity as well."
He answered them with that confidently. He stood tall, his own red eyes reflecting his certainty.
Jed, Ashley, and the other kids took after his lead and told that to the rest as well. They encouraged the workers and the hunters, telling them that their hard work was the key to gaining Verc’s favor.
And because of this circulating news—the morale of the others became boosted, and they started working with much more enthusiasm. The woodcutters swung their axes faster, the builders moved stones with more care, and the hunters ventured deeper into the woods, eager to prove their worth!
Not that Verc noticed because he was just in his room, training...
Anyway, after greeting and thanking the hunting group—Verc then would look at the mountain of monsters caught by them. And after separating some of it to be stored as food for the village; he would devour the rest of it to increase his strength and replenish his energy.
The blood flowed into him, filling his mana circuits with raw, unrefined power. He could feel his stats creeping upward with every monster blood he consumed.
After doing this, he would simply go back to his room and start doing [Mana Circulation] until the sun was bright and up in the sky the next day. He sat in a meditative trance, guiding the energy through his body, refining it, and making it his own.
That was his daily routine.
*****
Anyway, the day of departure arrived.
It was morning, and Verc was currently putting his items inside his spatial pouch that he got from the dungeon. He checked his supplies, ensuring he had everything he might need for the trip.
And upon finishing, he pulled the drawstring tight to close it.
’This thing is really useful.’
He thought of that. Having a pocket dimension to carry his gear made traveling much easier than lugging around heavy bags.
Just then, a knock was heard from his door.
TOK- TOK- TOK-
"Lord Verc, we’re ready."
It was Tatum. His voice sounded clear.
"I’m coming out now too."
Verc replied.
-Arf! Arf! Arf!
With that, he grabbed the barking Onyx, who was jumping at his heels, and he exited the room.
Outside, Tatum and Jed greeted him, bowing their heads respectfully.
They were well-dressed, looking like they were from a rich family. They were wearing the high-quality clothes bought for them by Verc when they had passed a city on their way into the forest. The fabrics were fine and the stitching was expert, making them look like young nobles.
Tap-
But when Verc stood beside them—they looked like servants of his.
Verc wore a fitted teal vest traced with subtle gold patterns over a loose, high-collared white shirt, its sleeves gathered at the wrists beneath dark leather bracers. Straps crossed his chest, securing small gear and a sheathed blade, while slim dark trousers were tucked into worn but sturdy knee-high boots.
A long, dark cloak rested over his shoulders, its hood was unused behind him.
FWIP~
And finally—Verc reached into his pouch and pulled out a mask cloth, wrapping it carefully to cover his lower face.
"Is everyone set?"
Verc asked, his voice slightly muffled by the cloth.
"Yes, Lord Verc. The horses are ready and the supplies are packed."
Jed answered, standing straight.
Verc nodded, and with that—they started going down the castle.
... ... ...
... ... ...
... ... ...
The three of them made their way down the castle stairs, their footsteps echoing in the large halls.
TAP- TAP- TAP—
And as they reached the main entrance, they were met by a large crowd. The leaders—Groo, Mamon, Kuma, Epona, Don, Jagan, and Pol—were all there, along with Ashley, Maya, Neit, Jai, and Moro.
They all bowed deeply as Verc approached.
"We will guard the base with our lives, Lord Verc."
Groo stated, his voice booming with his new vampire strength.
Verc smiled behind his mask, though they couldn’t see it. He could feel their loyalty buzzing in the air.
"I leave the base to you. Keep the good work up and make sure the walls stay strong."
Verc told them.
"YES, SIR!!!"
The leaders and the kids answered in unison, their voices filled with resolve.
With Onyx tucked securely in one arm, Verc walked toward Bong. The horse neighed and tossed its head, sensing that a journey was about to begin.
"Hup...!"
Fwish~
Verc climbed atop Bong with ease. Tatum and Jed mounted their own horses beside him.
(They caught wild horses ouside the [Cursed Forest] and trained them this same week.)
"Let’s go."
Verc said.
He gave a final nod to the people he was leaving behind and turned Bong toward the direction they entered the forest before.
And with a light tap to the horse’s sides, they began to move.
Tak- Tak- Tak—
The village, the castle, and the loyal monsters watched as their lord disappeared into the thick trees of the [Cursed Forest], heading toward the world of humans.
The journey to the city had finally begun.