No matter how many hours passed, I couldn't fall asleep. I felt my body had more energy than normal, even for a day that wasn't particularly exhausting.
"It must be because of what the spirits gave me. Hopefully the book says something about this."
With no other choice, I took the book out of the box and started reading it. It didn't say anything about lack of sleep, only things like the movements of the sect and explaining the method of its cultivation.
None of the techniques explained in the book were useful to me. The main weapon was divided into a long sword and fists, which I didn't use.
On the other hand, the cultivation method required me to do it next to human blood if I wanted to get the most out of it. The blood of creatures was of no use to me. If they had pronounced human features, I could use them, but it wouldn't be the same.
"Well, there's a reason they called it the Demonic Blood Sect."
...Now that I think about it, has my blood changed? Out of sheer curiosity, I made a small cut on my finger, from which small drops of red blood fell. At first glance, nothing had changed, except that in just a few seconds the wound healed.
"It seems to improve circulation..."
Maybe that's why I feel refreshed. It definitely eliminates my fatigue.
"...Even though I want to deny it, I'm curious about all this."
I'm extremely attracted to cultivation. I can buy blood from an apothecary. Several plants used in potions are carnivorous and need blood to grow.
With everything decided, I got up and went outside. It doesn't matter if I look for one at this hour; those guys don't usually sleep much because of the abnormal amount of insomnia potions they tend to take. The problem is finding one.
Since I had never visited this city before, I ended up getting lost after a few streets. Some cities usually have large maps at their entrances, but even though I went to check, I couldn't find one.
"No matter how hard I looked, I couldn't find one... Well, there's always the second option."
I took an A-rank creature core out of my pocket along with a piece of paper with a hexagram on it.
Cores form in the bodies of A-rank creatures and above, a physical trait that demonstrates the large amount of mana they can use and consume. Of course, they also tend to form in the bodies of people, but they need to be high-ranking magicians.
"Let's see... I've never used this thing before, I hope it works."
I wrapped the core in the paper and quickly the place lit up with a strong blue light, before fading away and the core and paper disappeared into thin air.
This is nothing more than a notice to apothecaries in the vicinity of a quick sale. There are different Hexagrams, some more useful than others. The first 10 are usually used to communicate with merchants, apothecaries, alchemists, etc.
They are basically ways to make quick money, as long as you have something interesting to sell. I have 1 hexagram of each type. I had bought them a long time ago on Hyeol's recommendation.
The function of the first 10 is to make the item disappear and notify the selected type of buyers.
"You're selling an A-rank core!"
Someone shouted from afar.
Turning in the direction of the voice, I saw a blue-haired woman running towards me. Her hair was adorned with two long braids that swayed with each step.
"Y-you're selling an A-rank core for a few bags of blood?"
The girl asked, kneeling on the ground as she tried to catch her breath. I guess what they say about apothecaries and their poor physical condition is true. She only ran a few hundred meters.
"Yes, the core in exchange for seven bags."
A core of this rank usually sells for 10 gold coins, enough to buy a whole year's stay at a high-quality inn. Or between 5 and 7 years at an average inn.
On the other hand, a bag of blood usually sells for 50 silver coins. Buying a high-rank core in exchange for 7 bags of blood is a bargain for anyone.
I was unsure about selling this at such a low price, but it is common knowledge that apothecaries have limited resources. Most of their money goes towards buying products and selling potions, they never have any money to spare. Making a small barter is ideal with these people.
"I have the bags, do you have the core?"
As she spoke, she took out a piece of paper with the same type of hexagram and handed it to me.
"Seal it, I don't want other guys stealing it from me."
The item doesn't appear until I find a buyer or cancel the sale. Either way, I only have to give a drop of blood.
I did as the apothecary said and cut my finger, letting the drop of blood fall onto the paper the girl gave me. The core quickly appeared, and the apothecary put it in her pocket.
Here you go. If you have more stuff to sell, let me know. This is my address... And if you're interested in more bags, just come find me. I wouldn't want anyone to blame me for not selling to a vampire."
Vampire...? Oh, right, she must think that because of the blood bags.
In addition to the blood bags, she handed me a small piece of paper with an address on it. Unfortunately for her, I don't even know where I am, so finding her will be difficult.
"Goodbye!"
As quickly as she appeared, she ran away in the direction she came from.
"Now... How do I get back?"
That was the most important question I had. I didn't even know where I was standing, which made it difficult to get back to the inn... Come to think of it, isn't it safer to go to a secluded place?
With my new idea, I went to the entrance of the city and left. Luckily, I remembered the way.
I walked for a while looking for a place where no one would see me. It didn't take me long to find a cave hidden from view. Before entering, I took a contract for a small spirit out of my pocket. Carrying one of these things is more convenient than carrying a torch in my hand.
When I put mana into the contract, the little spirit appeared in front of me. It was a small sphere that gave off light, with small wings on its sides, and it followed me wherever I went.
As I explored, I took out my axes. I wouldn't be surprised if this was the lair of some creature, so it's better to be safe.
After checking the cave and making sure I was alone, I sat on the ground and started what I came for.
"Let's see... It doesn't say anything about drinking it or throwing it on the ground. Just that I should cultivate around blood."
I was tempted to pour the blood on the ground, but I left it in the bags and began. This wasn't so difficult, as the cultivation method was already in my body.
At first, I felt nothing out of the ordinary. My body gradually felt better, and what little fatigue I still had disappeared.
Without warning, the bags of blood exploded and stained the entire place. Then they floated and joined together in a sphere in front of me. From this sphere, fine threads extended and embedded themselves in my skin.
Even though I knew my veins had been pierced and new blood was circulating in my body, it didn't hurt. Instead, a great calmness washed over me, followed by a strong wave of energy.
When the sphere was depleted and the blood stopped circulating in my body, I let out a long sigh. Upon checking my body, I discovered small red spheres scattered across my body, nine in total. They closely resembled the three main dantians, which I had ignored for a long time.
I stood up and stretched, feeling completely renewed.
"Now... Does it say anything else?"
Even though I searched the entire book, I only found two abilities apart from each technique, called "Blood Frenzy" and "Blood Manipulation."
According to the book, "Blood Frenzy" was a way to accelerate the heartbeat, excessively improving blood circulation and ignoring pain.
'Blood Manipulation' allowed you to use your blood as a weapon or an extension of your body to control multiple weapons at once.
"This would be perfect for magical swordsmen. Unfortunately, I'm not one."
I've finished what I came here for, so I can leave now. As I bent down to pick up my axe, I broke the wooden handle into several pieces.
"...Huh?"
When I tried to pick up my other axe, the same thing happened as with the first one, and it shattered.
"I can't control my strength?"
To do a little test, I approached the stone wall and punched it. Normally, nothing would have happened, but when my fist connected, the wall caved in with a loud crash and cracked until it broke in front of me.
"This... complicates things a little."