Winter passed and spring had come. Even the deadly sight of the Rottin Woods was bestowed with the fresh scent of the rebirth season. Green grass beneath the trunks. Birds chirped upon the branches.

Siderius the masked hunter strolled slowly on the muddy road on his trusted horse, Red.

Behind him was Rea on her own white horse. Her blonde hair curled slightly upon the shoulders like sunlight.

Rea seemed much healthier than before. A slender frame and faded tone muscles on her arms. It wasn't provoking like the muscles of a man. Instead it gave her a healthy and compacted presence.

Moving with Siderius meant eating and training just like him. The road was harsh and unforgiving. But Rea adapted well.

She also had a bow on her back that Siderius had made for her. A light yellow color with lines of white.

Siderius tapped on his silver bracer to check on his status bar.

[S.Y.S.T.E.M.]

[USER]: Siderius 'Snow' Satterblade

[ ATTRIBUTES ]

|Agility|: 11 (+4)

|Endurance|: 7 (+1)

|Perception|: 11

|Stamina|: 7

|Strength|: 7

[WITCH HUNTER RANK: OCULUS EXTIMA III (COMPLETED)]

[ALCHEMIST RANK: SILVER III]

[SIGILS SLOT:4/4]

<ESTURO>

<PARARE>

<DISPELLERA>

<PIRYO>

[MERCURY EXTRACT: 300/300]

[SALT EXTRACT: 300/300]

[SULFUR EXTRACT: 300/300]

[PSYCHOSIS LEVEL: 0/200]

[TOXICITY LEVEL: 0/150]

Upon training, his lowest Endurance score had finally reached seven points, the beginning of the end for the peak of human performance. He only had three points left to ascend human limitations. Without a Development Tonic, enhancing your attributes the natural way was incredibly difficult.

As for his third mutation, the red eyes of the vampire, Siderius had conquered its psyche right on that day in the woods. Using Nine Rings and Alchemical Palace, Siderius had battled the mutation to the very end and completely absorbed it.

In exchange, instead of his Perception, his Agility was increased by four points, the core attribute that the vampire was best at.

His Agility transcended human limitation and it had granted him a natural mutation, an ability that ordinary humans couldn't have.

For a brief thirty seconds, Siderius could move twice as fast as he usually did. This was a very common mutation for Agility and a lot of witch hunters had it.

It might not be rare but it was very useful. This mutation was called by a very humbly name, Haste.

Along with the natural mutation, Siderius gained an additional ability from the vampire eyes.

His first mutation allowed him to see blood flow through walls and clouds. The mutation he received when successfully conquered the mutation's psyche was...

Memory Extract.

Siderius didn't receive the power to hypnotize people. Instead, he could only read their memory by looking into their eyes. This would put the target at a stunned status until Siderius finished with them.

This was very similar to how he used the Alchemical Palace to infiltrate someone else's mind. But the Alchemical Palace made Siderius completely vulnerable. For Memory Extract, he could still read other people's memories without losing consciousness.

It wasn't an offensive ability but very useful in other aspects.

Siderius and Rea stopped at a fairly open field next to the road. They set up a camp there and started to prepare for the night.

Rea volunteered to go hunting as she still needed to practice. Siderius agreed with her. He stayed behind at the camp to construct the tents and campfire.

When Rea returned, the sky was already dark. Siderius' haunting red eyes illuminated in the night.

They sat around the campfire and cooked the rabbits that Rea just caught. Her arrows went into their neck, leaving very little damage to their organs or meat.

"Your archery has improved a lot recently, Rea." Siderius said.

"Thank you, my lord. About that offer of becoming your apprentice, may I talk about it now?"

"Of course, Rea. Tell me what is on your mind."

"I... It is my honor to become your apprentice, my lord."

Siderius grinned. He continued roasting the rabbit over the fire.

"I am glad to hear that, Rea. You do have talent, whether you know it or not. Your adaptability is very excellent. You might not learn fast but when you get familiar with something, you can become great at it.

For now, we will still be as before. I am your lord and you will be my servant. We will host an official ceremony once we return to my territory.

My first apprentice also needs to be present as well."

"You already have an apprentice, my lord?"

Siderius nodded. "Her name is Ashe Costeau. She was once a noble but was cast out."

"What is she like, my lord?"

"She learns very quickly. But she isn't as adaptable or resilient as you. If she works hard, she can be the best of the best.

Oh... And she is younger than you."

"Will I be your second apprentice, my lord?"

"It depends. I do have a few other people in mind. But don't worry, the lowest you'll be is my fourth apprentice."

"I understand, my lord."

"Now I'm finished with dinner. We will rest for the long journey tomorrow. We will go all the way to Blacklungs."

"Yes, my lord."

Returning to Blacklungs meant risking the chance for the Grove of this town to find him. He killed everyone that witnessed his attack on the House of God and also prevented Blair's soul from being influenced by Necromancy. Logically speaking, Siderius should have no danger.

The only one that could betray him was Teddy. He had been given a task to rebuild the guild in Blacklungs, replacing the role of Shadow Blade. Siderius was going to Blacklungs to check on Teddy's task and his loyalty.

Once the pair finished their dinner, they went inside their respective tents and rested. Siderius already constructed a protective barrier around the camp so they could know if someone attacked them.

The night went on without any incident.

Siderius and Rea packed up the camp quickly in the morning and jumped on their horse.

The lonely road slowly became more crowded when they entered the intersections between towns.

Soon, they saw the ocean afar and the port of Blacklungs.

Siderius had once again returned to this piss-soaking and fiend-drinking town.

A young man sat at the entrance of the town. He immediately stood up when he saw Siderius.

The boy approached Siderius and put his hand on his heart, showing an 'X' on the back of his hand.

"You are..." Siderius mumbled.

"The handler has ordered us to welcome you in case you appear, my lord."

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