~~~~
As Max stepped onto the second floor of the Dragon Tower, a wave of blistering heat struck him. The environment had completely transformed.
A hellscape of boiling lava and molten rivers stretched out in all directions. Fire erupted from vents in the jagged earth, and the air shimmered with heat distortion. It was a land where only flame-born beasts could thrive.
---
[Welcome to the Second Floor: The Flame-Touched Kobold Lair]
---
Before Max could even take a breath, the system's voice echoed once again.
---
[Blood Core Fragment detected in Host's inventory.]
---
His eyes sharpened.
"What's its use?" Max asked, already sensing it was no ordinary item.
---
[It is a rare elemental fragment of blood energy. It should not exist this early in the Tower.]
[Such fragments are normally found on much higher floors.]
[It can be used to evolve one of your existing abilities or talents permanently.]
---
Max's heart skipped.
"So in higher levels of the tower, things like Blood Core Fragments will drop more often?" he asked, blown away by the potential.
---
[Yes. However, they are extremely rare—on any floor.]
[Would Host like to use the fragment now?]
---
Max didn't hesitate.
"Yes. Use it to enhance Chaos Blood Manipulation."
---
The moment he said those words, a surge of power coiled around him like a living serpent.
---
[Blood Core Fragment applied to ability: Chaos Blood Manipulation.]
[Integration in progress...]
[Integration complete.]
---
[Congratulations! "Chaos Blood Manipulation" has evolved to SSS-Rank.]
[New Active Skill Unlocked: Chaos Blood: Infinite Evolutionary Integration (SSS-Rank)]
---
A ripple of chaos energy spread from Max's chest as his blood pulsed with newfound intelligence and power. He clenched his fist, feeling the strength surge through his veins.
He summoned his status panel.
---
[Status Panel]
Name: Max Alucard
Race: Half-Dragon (Potential for further evolution)
Bloodline: Primordial Chaos Dragon
Rank: 8-Star Copper
Physique: Nine Yang Immortal Primordial
---
Strength: 120
Agility: 130
Dexterity: 130
Charm: 7,005
Luck: 99
Stamina: 1000 / 1000
Mana: 900 / 900
---
Abilities
Blood Dragon Beast Transformation – Transform into a humanoid form of the Primordial Chaos Dragon, drastically boosting combat power.
Ultimate Combat – Unlocks combat instinct, reflex, and spatial awareness at superhuman levels.
Chaos Blood Manipulation (SSS-Rank) – Control, weaponize, and reshape blood into weapons, armor, or constructs.
---
Active Skills
➤ Bloodmancy (SSS-Rank)
> Raise up Blood Warriors from fallen enemies.
20% failure chance if the target was stronger; 80% if much stronger.
Target must be dead.
Current Blood Warriors: 2 / 8
---
➤ Chaos Blood: Infinite Evolutionary Integration (SSS-Rank)
> Blood Warriors are no longer static summons.
Instead, they become evolving entities, capable of independent growth through:
Fusion: Combine with compatible Blood Warriors to form a stronger, evolved form.
Essence Absorption: Grow by absorbing the life force and soul energy of enemies they defeat.
Crystal Integration: Consume rare materials, such as Essence Crystals or Fragments, to trigger mutation or transformation.
The longer they live, the more intelligent, loyal, and powerful they become—gaining traits, new abilities, and even bloodline mutations.
Some may evolve into legendary classes or sentient generals, leading armies of their own.
---
Other Skills
Crimson Blink (Active) – Instantly teleport a short distance by merging with your blood essence.
Dragon Heartbeat (Bloodline Skill) – Release a concussive shockwave of chaos energy tied to the rhythm of your heart. Can disrupt enemies and boost allies' morale.
---
Equipment
Chaos Fang Dagger – A weapon forged from condensed chaos essence. Increases critical hit rate, and restores stamina upon every successful kill.
---
Max stared at the glowing interface. His chest rose and fell slowly.
This wasn't just a skill upgrade. It was a revolution.
"Now my Blood Warriors aren't just pawns..." he murmured, voice low with excitement.
"They're living, evolving weapons... molded in my image."
A smirk played on his lips as he stepped forward. The second floor was already trying to kill him—but now, the Tower was no longer testing him alone.
It was about to face the wrath of everything Max had become… and everything his blood would create.
~~~~
After processing all the incredible system updates and new information, Max forced himself to stay focused. There would be time to test the new SSS-ranked skill later. Right now, the tower awaited.
"I'll climb higher first… Then I'll unleash it when the moment's right," Max muttered to himself, eyes sharp with determination.
With a flick of his hand, he summoned his two loyal Blood Warriors—Little Red and Windy—manifestations of chaos and loyalty forged in blood.
"Let's move," he ordered, and the trio descended deeper into the infernal terrain of the second floor.
~~~
The deeper they went, the more intense the environment became. The very walls glowed with magma veins, and bursts of fire erupted from cracks in the ground. It was a death trap for anyone unprepared. But Max was no ordinary climber.
Just five minutes in, a flaming fireball tore through the air toward him without warning.
Max's eyes flashed.
Boom!!!
With a swift sidestep, he dodged the incoming spell, his instincts sharper than ever. The moment he landed, his command echoed through the heat-choked air.
"Little Red! Windy! Attack!"
---
[Enemy Identified: Flame-Touched Kobold]
Rank: 8-Star Copper
Skills: Fireball, Smash, Lava Recovery
Description: A molten beast formed from lava and condensed flame essence. Its movements are sluggish, but its defense is high and its strength brutal.
---
Without hesitation, Little Red activated Gale Dash, a burst of wind propelling him forward in a crimson blur. Windy followed closely behind, elemental energy surging through her blade-like limbs.
Since devouring the essence of the goblins earlier, both Blood Warriors had evolved—now standing at Extraordinary Grade, 7-Star Copper Rank. Their agility, intelligence, and elemental affinity had all surged dramatically.
Despite the kobold's bulky, near-indestructible body, it was no match for the twin elemental blitz headed its way.
---
Little Red struck first, slashing with Flaming Claw Strike.
Windy followed with a precise Wind Blade, her razor-sharp gust tearing through the kobold's joint.
Flames sprayed from the wounds like geysers of magma. The beast roared, stumbling under the relentless assault.
---
Even though there was just one level difference between them, the kobold was being dismantled blow by blow. The elemental advantage, combined with their teamwork and evolved combat sense, turned the kobold into a training dummy.
Even when it tried to use its Lava Recovery, its wounds barely sealed before another strike reopened them.
Thirty seconds later, its glowing eyes dimmed, and it collapsed with a heavy crash.
---
Thud.
The charred corpse dissolved into the stone, leaving behind a single glowing Essence Crystal.
Max approached calmly.
"You both did well. Share the crystal."
The Blood Warriors split the essence, their cores glowing faintly as they absorbed its power. Each kill made them smarter, stronger, more refined in their instincts and reactions.
Max scouted the corpse for loot, but aside from the essence, there was nothing else of value.
---
Then, the real bloodbath began.
Max continued deeper into the canyon like a dark storm rolling through flame.
Every kobold he encountered fell like grain before a scythe. Whether alone or in groups, they stood no chance.
When confronted by kobold squads, Max stopped holding back. He activated Chaos Blood Manipulation, forming dozens of razor-sharp blood spikes in mid-air.
SHHK!!!
A blink later, the spikes rained down like crimson lightning, impaling every kobold in an instant—merciless, surgical, devastating.
Even those who survived the initial barrage were finished off by Windy and Little Red with zero hesitation.
---
The floor quickly began to feel like a training ground for Max and his warriors.
With each battle, his understanding of his powers deepened.
With each kill, his Blood Warriors grew faster, their movements more precise, their instincts more brutal.
Max wasn't just climbing the tower anymore.
He was conquering it—turning every challenge into nourishment for his ever-evolving blood army.