Chapter 237: Blood Risk

Hearing that there was such thing as a ’blood addiction’ was certainly startling, especially since she was drinking blood without much care. However, the thing that angered her the most was that the system didn’t think to warn her about this.

’Why didn’t you tell me about this sooner?’ Erin thought to the system.

The system didn’t immediately respond, which made Erin even angrier.

’For a system that is meant to help the user, you sure are useless.’

"Useless? If it weren’t for me, then you wouldn’t know how the shadow dome skill works, or that your spit could cover up your tracks. I have also kept you updated on the ongoings with your system partner, telling you when he was conscious and unconscious," The system spoke with a bothered tone, "If anything, you should be thankful I told Quinn to head into the desert back on Caladi. It was because of him that he brought Peter and the others to help save your life, and Layla’s."

’Don’t you dare bring Layla into this!’ Erin clenched her fists so tightly that she punctured the skin of her palms.

Fex stared at her, wondering if he did something wrong as to anger her, but as far as he was aware, Erin was generally an easily angered person. At least, she didn’t take it out on the people she knew.

"I never told you, or suggested that you go out and consume the blood of your classmates. That was all on you. The goal is to save Quinn, is it not? Why would I get in the way of that?."

’For a system AI, you’re awfully defensive,’ Erin thought, ’If you’re not going to tell me more about this, then I’ll ask someone else.’

She then focused her attention on Fex, "How do I make sure you’re not blood addicted?"

Fex put a hand on his chin, and scratched the back of his head, "This might be a tricky one to explain... but whenever we drink blood, there’s a rush that comes over our bodies. It’s like as if a human were to drink water after a workout, but more intense, or so I’ve heard. It’s why vampires always carry a flask around as this can help one in a battle."

"The problem is... Blood is like a double edged sword. The more often we consume it, the more we crave it. From an early age, vampires directly related to the heads of their families are taught to gain a resistance. At first, we can’t go on for more than two days without blood, but eventually we can build it up."

Fex then smirked, "Not to flex or anything, but personally? I can go two weeks without blood."

Erin stared at him, which made him worry if he angered her again, but then she asked another question.

"How do I increase my blood resistance?"

It seemed like a handy skill to have, as needing to rely on other people for a source of food could easily become a problem if she was stranded. It happened as early as the red portal planet, and could easily happen again if she were to become a traveler later on.

"... Right so, it’s actually pretty simple. All you need to do is to stop drinking blood until you feel thirsty. Then stretch that limit until you can’t give in. Do this repeatedly, and each time you should be able to resist a little longer."

"That’s it?" Erin crossed her arms. She had a feeling there was more, otherwise, why wouldn’t every vampire do this?

"Okay, I may have simplified things a little," Fex admitted, "It’s a painful process, and requires a lot of willpower. Imagine trying to ignore your starvation for a whole day. Annoying, right? and human pain killers don’t work either. Trust me, I’ve tried. I’ve even heard of stories of vampires who undergo this process, only to gorge on blood afterwards, and eventually become conscious bloodsuckers."

Now Erin was intrigued. As someone who once became a bloodsucker, the idea that someone would remain ’conscious’ in that form sounded impossible.

’Actually, could this be useful information to know?’ she wondered, ’I remember that my stats doubled as a bloodsucker, so if I were to become one but remained conscious...’

"I wouldn’t recommend it," the system interrupted her musings, "Remember, a bloodsucker has an intense hunger for blood. Even if you were somehow able to control this form, you wouldn’t be able to control its cravings."

Erin frowned, ’So you weren’t going to tell me I was at risk of getting blood addicted, but also disapprove the idea of using the addiction to my benefit?’

"Uh, you’re frowning again," Fex noted.

She ignored his comment, "Fex, be honest with me, would becoming a ’conscious bloodsucker’ be of any benefit at all?" Erin said.

"What? No!" Fex immediately replied, "Becoming a bloodsucker is trouble enough already, but to become a conscious bloodsucker would mean abandoning what makes you a vampire. Yes, you still drink blood, but that’s all you can only think about, and you’d lose access to your blood skills. Maybe one could willingly become a bloodsucker when its an emergency, and you have no other choice, but that’s a major sacrifice!"

Erin sighed, but if what Fex was saying was true, then this was a path not worth exploring. Maybe if she figured out some sort of way to use the bloodsucker form safely, she’d consider it, but becoming an uncontrollable monster again wasn’t something she wanted. Especially when it had so many drawbacks.

"Fine, it sounds more trouble than its worth," Erin noted.

Fex let out a sigh of relief, "That’s good. Anyways, you mentioned something about how you were ’linked’ to Quinn? ... How is he doing?"

Erin closed her eyes to try to focus on the familiar feeling that came with being connected to him. However, she couldn’t sense anything. She had a feeling that this would be the case as her connection to Quinn was weaker than her connection to Layla.

{Erin} How are you holding up?

There wasn’t a response for a few seconds, but eventually she got something.

{Quinn} I’m still standing.

{Erin} Stay strong. At least until the inter-base tournament.

She didn’t understand Quinn’s choice to keep the details sparse. Was he trying to ’protect her’ by not revealing anything? Did he fear that by describing what happened, that she would worry even more? Or was he still processing whatever it was they were doing to him in the dungeon? It was hard to say, but the lack of an additional response came with its own set of concerns.

She repeated the information back to Fex, and he seemed a little surprised by the short response.

"That sounds like him, trying to not worry us," Fex said with a soft smile, "Come on, let’s head back. Wouldn’t want you to get an addiction before the big event."

Erin glanced over her shoulder, then walked ahead, "Sure. I could visit Logan’s to get some armor changed."

The two headed inside of the military base, but unbeknownst to them, there was a figure in the shadows watching them from afar.

"I’ve given you so many gifts, and yet, you don’t seem to appreciate them. Must I tell you that they all came from me?"