CHAPTER 79.

Amber took a deep breath looking at the notifications, this time she felt like she would be able to choose an advancement that truly fit her. Though maybe in truth, she was just excited over having a better comprehension in regards to her advancements in general.

She didn’t know what to expect, but she turned to the first notification with determination. First, she wanted to obtain her Legacy Branch advancement.

[Legacy Branch advancement is now Available!

You may now evolve your Legacy Branch.]

“I wish to advance my Legacy Branch,” she said to the air.

[Very well.]

Just like in the past, came the reply from the system itself. Amber expected to notice something new, or have a realization about it, but she didn’t. So, she turned to look at the room⁠— or rather how it peeled away from reality leaving a vast void in place. Once more, she didn’t really understand what the System was really doing. It felt exactly the same as her previous advancement, and that was fine.

Amber simply observed the peeling as the room tore apart as if it were made out of thin petals before they disappeared.

She supposed that her “stronger” connection with the System or whatever it was, was minimal, but she was sure it was bound to eventually progress. She was technically on the path to godhood and all of that.

Though, could Primordial Spirits grant themselves skills? Amber didn’t really know, it made sense. But she didn’t even really know how power for gods worked or anything, so maybe giving themselves skills was utterly pointless whatsoever.

Then, as the room continued to peel, she realized that she truly was on the path to godhood now. She smiled at that, and then the two lines appeared⁠— they slid across the immaterial darkness and quickly made a door. Or well, it just looked like a black rectangle with a white outline. It was the same thing as before. Then, the System spoke.

[Your feats after obtaining a Legacy Branch have been taken into account for evolution.

Defeat an enemy two advancements above you.

Obtain a title.

Obtain Primordial Power.

There are four evolutions that are offered to you. Legacy Branches. An evolution specializes your Legacy Branch but also mutates it, opening new paths and roads to take. Like an ever expanding tree branch, however it is not infinite. These evolutions have been offered based on your records and your achievements. So pick carefully.]

Amber blinked, the System recognized Essence. She didn’t expect that, but now the reasonto being able to undertake her Class Advancement was clear.

“So, learning Essence was my unique feat, huh?” Amber smiled. “I’ll take it.”

With those words, she entered through the black doorway and found herself in the familiar white expanse. It was almost the same as last time but…

“Huh…”

She blinked seeing the red ground⁠— it was blood ⁠— it was present as far as the eye could see, extending well into the horizon. For a moment, Amber found it gross, but it quickly became a relaxing experience, which made her shake her head. It was odd, but it most definitely had to do with her Legacy Branch. She still remembered when she first chose Crimson Fervency as her Legacy Branch.

She had been so concerned about being unable to regulate the bloodlust.

Amber took a deep breath and smelled all of the blood⁠, her heart rate immediately tripled with a feeling of excitement of exhilaration, but shaking her head she quickly calmed.

In the end, it had always been present, but it was something she could control. So.

“What will you offer me this time, System?” she asked the air looking at her crimson surroundings.

Unlike last time, there were no obvious choices, no pedestals, no nothing. There was just a layer of blood covering the ground. Though, that quickly changed after her question. Four red pillars emerged, almost as if they were made out of ruby. And all of them had chalices filled with blood.

Though each one had a different shade, the closest to her was vivid, almost cherry color, the one next to it was a normal color of blood, the one after looked like wine, and the last one was also normal colored.

Amber took a deep breath and approached the closest chalice, then she peered down into the vibrant red liquid. Without hesitation she stuck her finger into it and then, closed her eyes.

Let’s see.

Her vision was quickly submerged in blood, but this time there were more than just mere feelings or sounds. This time, she saw it. She saw monsters surrounding her, and her arm⁠— it ripped apart as a scythe of blood was made. Then consuming it, it lit ablaze and she threw it, causing an explosion⁠— she saw herself causing carnage with it all. The monsters in front of her died, and she stood there.

At that moment, she felt like her blood could do anything. Whether it was to close her wounds, use it as a weapon, or even a tool to make her life easier. The possibilities felt endless.

But the vision quickly ended as she found herself staring down at the iridescent chalice. Then came the notification.

[Would you like to evolve Crimson Fervency to Crimson Dominion?

You have familiarized yourself with Crimson Fervency to the fullest, and now it is time to push the limits of what your blood can do. Due to your high level of body enhancements and regeneration capabilities you may now use your blood as a weapon. Not only that, but now you can truly bring out the true potential of your blood.

Acquiring this Legacy Branch will enhance your control and the capabilities of your blood.

You will receive an extra 5 attribute points per level up to distribute after taking this evolution.]

It was pretty good in fact.

The fact that she could make throwing knifes, or other things⁠— even a bow out of blood seemed great. And from what she understood, Crimson Dominion was more than just mere blood manipulation, no, it was a level above that. Allowing her to chance the minutiae of her blood and skills, technically allowing her to push Crimson Fuel further, or Crimson Fervor even more.

But, Amber shook her head.

A case of literary theft: this tale is not rightfully on Amazon; if you see it, report the violation.

As good as it was, there were three other chalices to go through. First she had to see all of them in order to make a decision.

Amber moved to the next one, which seemed to just have a normal blood color. Then, she dipped her finger into it and once more closed her eyes.

This time, she didn’t see blood right away, just darkness. However, soon enough, there were flashes of red, then, she saw a stream of blood inside the vein, following with that Amber felt pain across her whole body as she felt her vessels engorge and she felt power. The more blood there was, the stronger she felt.

And finally, she saw herself punching a mountain in this vision and easily breaking through the rock⁠— but the vision itself wasn’t what Amber focused on, it was the increase in strength. It was nothing short of amazing. With it, she would reach even greater heights, but that wasn’t all. She could tell something else.

She could tell how this Legacy Branch would change her current skills, how Crimson Venom would become a lot more effective, how Crimson Fuel would be even stronger⁠— and how her body would become more responsive to being healed⁠—

And then she blinked.

The vision came to an end, and… her heart was rushing in excitement. The idea of having such direct enhancements rather than some blood manipulation greatly excited Amber.

[Would you like to evolve Crimson Fervency to Crimson Consumption?

You have familiarized yourself with Crimson Fervency to the fullest, and now it is time to push the limits of what your blood can do. You have bled and experienced bloodloss more times than you can count. And it is because of that, that your Legacy Branch can adapt to serve those needs. Now, your blood will be denser, being more efficient and increasing the effectiveness of any blood-related skill.

Acquiring this Legacy Branch will enhance all blood-related skills.

You will receive an extra 5 attribute points per level up to distribute after taking this evolution.]

“It’s amazing.”

Amber closed her eyes for a moment before heading to the next chalice, she still had two more options to go through. And if neither of them surprised her, then she’d most likely take the second option. Though, she wasn’t decided yet. She dipped her fingers into the wine-colored blood and then she was plunged into darkness.

This time she didn’t have to close her eyes, it just happened instantly. And as soon as it did, she saw beasts of red skin and horns running. She saw the starry night sky, she saw the familiarity of a forest she didn’t recognize, and finally she turned hearing shrieks.

She saw beings that looked like monsters, yet they were closer to chimeras, but what caught Amber’s attention was the fact that they were in despair. The different monsters were desperately fighting back against the creatures, but it was pointless.

The red creatures were relentless and used purple magic that came from their elongated horns and long tails. All of their features were reminiscent of demons⁠— no. They were demons, or creatures of demonic origin.

Amber blinked, this time there were no feelings about what she could do, while her blood felt like it was boiling, this time she was more like an spectator. A spectator to pure carnage, and a massacre.

In the end, the chimeras stood no chance, and Amber witnessed the ferocity of the demonic monsters.

But when she returned to the room, and the notification came, she couldn’t help but pause.

[Would you like to evolve Crimson Fervency to Crimson Damnation?

You have familiarized yourself with Crimson Fervency to the fullest, and now it is time to push the limits of what your blood can do, but not only that, you have acquired a Primordial power, allowing you to connect with beings of blood and hatred. You have bridged the path between the two worlds and will be able summon these beings to fight in your stead. Your blood is now a catalyst to something more.

Acquiring this Legacy Branch will allow you to summon demonic creatures.

Acquiring this Legacy Branch will make you lose the title of Demonkiller.

You will receive an extra 5 attribute points per level up to distribute after taking this evolution.]

Amber blinked. “What?”

Essence had directly influenced the evolution options, and yet even though this should’ve been a good thing, this option was… Aside from the fact that summoning demons would anger Sid'fril, there was also the fact that she’d instantly lose one of the strongest skills in her arsenal. She wasn’t completely against the idea of using the power of the demons, but not at the cost of her strongest skill.

Though, there was a positive thing she could glean from this, and that was the fact that if Essence had influenced her evolution options for her Legacy Branch, then that meant it would likely influence her Class Advancement options.

Her heart rushed in excitement from the thought alone.

But there is still one last option. Amber collected herself and moved to the last chalice, it looked no different than the one that had shown her the advancement of Crimson Consumption.

“What will it be this time?” Amber asked herself, and with excitement, she dipped her fingers into the crimson liquid.

And a moment later, a vision came.

There was nothing but darkness, however something surprised her. It was something she didn’t expect even in her wildest dreams. She found her Essence stirring and clinging to her blood, giving her a feeling of warmth and connection. And the change continued, as her Essence channels became one with her blood and at first, Amber couldn’t exactly tell what was going on.

But then, she realized that her Essence was integrating with her Legacy Branch⁠— or rather, her Legacy Branch was integrating with her Essence. And that was when she finally saw something, one of the demonic hounds heading towards her, it was already pouncing towards her when Amber⁠— or rather her body in the vision used Fulminating Slash, and with a red wave of energy it hit the monster before exploding.

She instantly killed it, but her eyes went wide at what she sensed.

I have a connection to the dead monster’s blood…

And just before she could make use of it, the vision came to an abrupt end, leaving Amber stunned. She didn’t expect her advancement to be this. She already knew what it was, and it excited her more than anything else.

Finally, the notification came.

[Would you like to evolve Crimson Fervency to Crimson Nexus?

You have familiarized yourself with Crimson Fervency to the fullest, and now it is time to push the limits of what your blood can do, but not only that, you have acquired a Primordial power, allowing your blood to connect with it. Now, your blood is an addition to your newfound power. It is the nexus of a great change.

Acquiring this Legacy Branch will cause your Primordial Power to interact with your Legacy Branch skills further than the base link with the System.

You will receive an extra 5 attribute points per level up to distribute after taking this evolution.]

Amber just stared. Crimson Nexus essentially made all her Legacy Branch skills be Essence enhanced, but it was more than that. Every Fulminating Slash from now on would carry Crimson Venom⁠— it would consume her blood with every attack she made. Not only that but due to the connection she could use Crimson Fuel on enemies without direct contact.

The prospects made her tremble in her spot.

The first two advancement options were great, Crimson Dominion brought freedom⁠— opening the door to near limitless possibilities with it, whereas Crimson Consumption would make everything she had considerably better. Both of them were great.

Crimson Damnation wasn’t even in the conversation, but her other two options were more than enough to make up for that.

However, Crimson Nexus was different.

Unlike the other two that merely improved Crimson Fervor, Crimson Nexus opened a door to something new. And it was something Amber wanted.

And she chose her Legacy Branch evolution.

[ You have gained the Legacy Branch of Crimson Nexus

Vitality +50

Strength +50

Dexterity +50

Endurance +50

Intelligence +50

Wisdom +50

Natural recovery has increased by 200%.

Your physical stats increase by 40% in battle.

Wounds heal three times in battle. ]

The attribute point gain was absolutely ridiculous, but it didn’t stop there. She got visions. They were quick flashes of something new, of her blood. And when they were done, she had acquired a new Essence skill.

Aspect of Crimson.

It was a skill that to put it simply, forced all her Legacy Branch skills to be influenced by Essence in some way. And the effect was immediate.

All her skills increased in effectiveness, now, Crimson Fervor received a 150% before class bonus, turning its bonus into a damn 525%. Aspect of Crimson granted it a one 1.5 times base increase for as long as she had Essence.

It was a night and day thing⁠— every single skill in her Legacy Branch had gained 1.5 times effectiveness. And the draw to her Essence was absolutely minimal.

She laughed to herself. “This is just great.”

With this advancement, she had become much more stronger than anything she could have possibly imagined. All thanks to Essence. And the best part?

[Class Advancement is now Available!

You may now evolve your class.]

She still had a whole Class Advancement to go through!