Death to Power
Copyright© 2025 by TheSmartOne
Chapter 14: Blood flowing
Inside the cave, Kaden stood in still concentration. Around him, blood swirled in a slow, hypnotic dance—like a red tide responding to his will.
It began to transform.
A dozen blood daggers materialized, hovering mid-air. Then, as if melting on command, they dissolved back into fluid, morphing into javelins, then again into a single, massive spear of blood.
And still, it wasn’t done.
The spear liquified once more, shifting—stretching—taking on a new form. Not a weapon this time, but something more complex.
A hand.
Sweat beaded on Kaden’s forehead as he focused, mana trembling at the edge of his control. The shape of the hand began to take form, rough but distinguishable—
SPLASH—!
His control broke.
Thud—!
Kaden collapsed onto the cave floor, breath ragged.
“Damn it ... not yet.” His voice was quiet, but laced with frustration.
It had been five days since he began training his blood manipulation abilities. At first, even manifesting seven simple daggers was beyond him. But now, he could summon dozens without breaking a sweat. He’d mastered transforming blood into javelins, swords, spears, and arrows.
His arsenal had grown—but not enough.
Every time he attempted a more intricate form, like a hand, he failed. Something was missing. Something fundamental.
[You cannot expect to achieve that level of manipulation in just five days, Host.]
Kaden sighed. Of course, he knew that. He wasn’t delusional. But—
“I’m heading into a dungeon I know nothing about. I need an edge. Something to fall back on when things go south.”
Leaning his head against the wall, he exhaled slowly.
“How many Death Coins and stat points do I have?”
[Death Coins: 900 | Stat Points: 15]
Kaden nodded, satisfied.
“Split them—half into INT, half into Mana.”
He needed precision and power. INT would help refine his control. Mana would fuel his techniques longer.
[Confirmed.]
A rush surged through him as his mana capacity expanded. The INT boost didn’t come with the same immediate sensation, but he trusted it would matter.
“I guess I’ll understand the difference soon enough.”
“Show me my stats.”
STR: 30
AGL: 30 → 45
CON: 35 → 50
MANA: 25 → 32
INT: 21 → 28
WILL: 8
He studied the numbers carefully.
“Will it be enough...?” he muttered, heart thudding with unease.
A wry smile crossed his face.
“Ready or not ... I don’t have a choice.”
He had already lingered here for five days. His food would last two more—at best.
So—
“It’s time.”
...
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