[Some modifications have been made to your blood and body, boosting your potential even further.]

[Several of your talents have been upgraded.]

[Iron Will has been upgraded from B-rated to A-rated.]

[Tactical Awareness has been upgraded from C-rated to A-rated.]

[Instinctual Command has been upgraded from C-rated to A-rated.]

[Measured Strikes has been upgraded from F-rated to B-rated.]

[You’ve unlocked a new Talent: Bloodbound Vigor (S-rated).]

[Through the bond’s power, you gain accelerated stamina recovery and an enhanced threshold for physical endurance, allowing you to fight longer without tiring.]

Atlas felt a surge of energy flow through his bloodstream, but a wave of nausea hit him as his head seemed to fill with an overwhelming influx of new information. Closing his room door behind him, he dropped onto the bed as the notifications continued to flash in his vision.

[Several skills have been unlocked due to your high compatibility with Morganna. This outcome was also heavily influenced by your innate talents, resulting in these new abilities.]

[New Skill Unlocked: Epic-grade Bloodlink Command (Active)]

[Empowers nearby allies with a vampiric aura that enhances lifesteal and grants minor regeneration. Ideal for boosting morale and sustaining health during group combat.]

[New Skill Unlocked: Elite-grade Duskbound Presence (Conditional Passive)]

[Atlas exudes an intimidating aura that reduces the attack power of nearby enemies and boosts his critical strike chance when surrounded by multiple foes.]

[New Skill Unlocked: Epic-grade Bloodrush (Active)]

[Channeling vampiric energy into his muscles, Atlas gains a surge of speed, enabling him to move through enemies with precision and rapid agility, perfect for breaking enemy lines or dodging area attacks.]

Atlas tried to steady his breathing, his head still throbbing with dizziness. As his condition improved, he sat up, feeling a strange lightness in his body. No wonder, with upgrades like these.

He looked over his talent arsenal, almost in disbelief.

[Iron Will (A) - Tactical Awareness (A) - Instinctual Command (A) - Measured Strikes (B) - Unbreakable Routine (S) - Reliable Aura (A) - Bloodbound Vigor (S)]

Incredible. What had once been a set of B and C-rated talents were now all shining at A-rated talent. His only combat talent, once a pathetic F, had climbed to a solid B! This was the kind of miraculous upgrade any awakener could only dream of.

On top of that, he’d unlocked a new talent: Bloodbound Vigor. It allowed him to endure much longer in battle.

He then analyzed the three new skills he had gained, all distinctly vampiric in nature. Did this mean he was now a vampire?

“Jackpot, can you analyze my race or blood? Am I still human, or… vampire?”

[Host, I’m not a general knowledge database. Anything unrelated to island progress is beyond my scope.]

“You’re certainly… helpful.”

He turned his attention back to the skills. Bloodlink Command would be immensely useful, especially given his role as Lord. The ability to grant his subordinates, or even an entire army. The vampiric aura that enhances lifesteal and grants minor regeneration in battle was downright game-changing.

Duskbound Presence was more of a debuff, weakening his enemies’ attacks and increasing his own critical chance. Another skill perfectly suited to his role as a commanding presence on the battlefield.

This story originates from Royal Road. Ensure the author gets the support they deserve by reading it there.

And then there was Bloodrush. But seriously, had he really turned into a vampire?

He felt along his teeth but didn’t find any fangs. His hands looked the same, the blood flow warm and strong beneath his skin. Aside from the boost in vigor and a lightness in his body, everything seemed normal.

He couldn’t quite grasp the specifics of this bond he had created with Morganna, but it seemed he’d unintentionally formed a unique connection with her, resulting in these extraordinary abilities.

Did it have something to do with when she bit his neck?

A few minutes later, Atlas knocked on Edrik's door, hoping to discuss the strange bond and the powers he’d just unlocked.

“That’s seriously a lot to take in,” Edrik replied with a slight smile, “but I feel a bit responsible here. I’ll try to explain what I know.”

“So you knew about this beforehand? Why didn’t you tell me?”

“Not that I was trying to hide it,” Edrik replied, “but I didn’t think there was cause for concern.”

“Alright then, explain everything.”

Edrik gave a knowing nod. “I hope this doesn’t shock you, but to put it simply… You’ve formed a bond with Morganna. Think of it as her giving herself to be… well, something like a wife to you.”

“A… wife? Sorry, what?”

"Not exactly in the literal sense," Edrik replied with a smirk. "More like... a pact. Morganna has a taste for your blood. In return, she's willing to grant whatever it is you truly desire, deep down."

"I don’t understand."

Edrik raised an eyebrow. "Atlas… you were with her, that night, weren’t you?"

"How much do you know?" Atlas asked cautiously.

Edrik chuckled. "Enough. She’s fulfilled your unspoken wish. The bond you two have created is no small matter; she’s tied her fate to yours completely."

As Edrik spoke, more fragments of that night drifted back to Atlas, the details sharpening in his mind.

"So, whatever you desire most, she’ll make it happen," Edrik continued, "because she craves your blood, and this bond is far from trivial. She’s essentially entrusted her fate to you."

He paused, then added, "You wanted power, and you wanted her. She’s granted you both, which is why you’ve gained those upgrades and new skills. As your subordinate, I’m thrilled to see it—you’ve become something greater in just one night."

Fragments from that night in the tent surfaced. Had he really done that with her? Of his own will?

The memory was hazy, but as the pieces slowly came together, a vague picture began to emerge.

Morganna had come to his tent that night. He’d been awake, and she’d told him she would fulfill his wish. Wish? What wish? And the events that followed were shrouded in a strange blur, leaving him unsure if it had been real… or just a dream.

“You mean… I…?”

"More precisely, she willingly gave herself to you, Atlas. And you accepted, fully aware of what that meant."

"So that’s what really happened," Atlas murmured. "What I thought was a haze of scattered memories… It's starting to piece together now. I… I actually did that. Something I thought would never happen."

"She likely had no control in that moment, and you may have felt the same," Edrik continued, "caught up in the euphoria of the bond’s energy as it solidified between you. For a Vampire Queen like her, this is profoundly sacred, an affair tied to the very fate of her existence."

"That’s… quite complex," Atlas said,

Edrik leaned forward. "Rest assured, Atlas. I’m serious, she was likely of a very high rank, possibly Rank 8, an Overlord, or even Rank 9, an Immortal, back in her world."

"Oh, her Rank was that high?"

"Yes. Summoning her is like calling forth a god from another world. That’s the kind of luck you’re dealing with here. And now," Edrik added, "you have sway over her."

"And what’s the downside for me? Am I a vampire now?"

"No, not unless you want to be. You could ask her to turn you," Edrik replied. "But, you know that being a vampire has certain… perks. You’d live longer, wouldn’t age, and have more potential to tap into."

"That’s certainly something to think about," Atlas said, nodding as Edrik’s explanations filled in some of his lingering questions.

"So… is that why she’s always snapping at me?"

Edrik chuckled. "No, I think that’s just her personality."

Atlas stood up, feeling more settled after their conversation.

“You don’t need to worry, Atlas,” Edrik added. “You’re doing well. It’s only the third day, and already, you’ve built a formidable force. It’s night and day compared to where I was starting out.”

“Thanks for that,” Atlas said with a nod.

Edrik smiled. “How many tickets do you have left?”

“A lot, and it’s easy enough to get more.”

“More power means more challenges. Greater potential, but also a tougher road. It means you’re meant for something extraordinary.”

“I’ll be counting on plenty of guidance from you as I build this island up.”

“I’m here for you. My knowledge, my power—they’re yours,” Edrik replied, bowing slightly.

Atlas nodded, turning to leave.

“Atlas,” Edrik called after him.

He paused and looked back.

“My advice, try talking to her.”

Atlas gave a faint smile. “I’ll try,” he said, then headed out.