My Players Are So Fierce

Chapter 16:

Under the moonlit night, Murphy’s eyes widened.

He stared intently at the newly added talent on his character card and the job change notification, and after being dazed for five seconds, a surge of excitement burst in his heart.

Well, he was just complaining about his lack of talents, and in the blink of an eye, he was given a surprise!

So this mimicry and learning formed through accumulating experience is the true essence of the experience system and template upgrades?

“Job Change!”

Murphy made his decision, and his character’s “Blood Vulture Apprentice” was changed to “Blood Vulture Swordsman”, after which a series of prompts popped up:

?Blood Vulture Swordsman job change successful!

Job trait bonus: Blood Vulture Sword Arts proficiency limit increased from “Master” to “Grandmaster”, damage dealt increased when using Blood Vulture Sword Arts in combat.

This damage bonus is related to Sword Arts proficiency.

New Talent – Gale Storm: Each successful melee hit streak increases attack speed until physical limits, attack speed bonus disappears after hit streak is broken.

New Talent – Lightning Reflexes: Every successful melee parry allows a counterattack, counterattack success rate increases with Sword Arts skill proficiency.

New Talent – Midnight Swordsman: The ghostly footwork unique to vampire swordsmen enhances swordsmanship accuracy and evasion at night.

Job information updated, current main job is Level 1 Blood Vulture Swordsman. When either main/sub job reaches Level 10 and character level reaches 10, can trigger Trial of Strength – Black Iron Body.?

Murphy read through these pop-up prompts.

He didn’t immediately try out the changes to his sword skills, but instead realized another issue:

If sword skills can be improved by reading technique manuals, then can the innate spirit talents that were rumored to be fixed at birth also be broken through in a similar way?

Murphy narrowed his eyes, immediately putting away the Sword Arts manual, and took out the Spirit Technique manual written by Lady Femis.

This was much thicker than the Sword Arts manual.

Rather than being notes, it was more like Lady Femis’ study notes when first learning spirit abilities, more akin to a relatively basic spirit magic tome.

He flipped open to the first page, and was immediately given a headache by the complex spirit models depicted that looked so intricate.

This mysterious supernatural power did indeed seem different from sword skills, and reading this really did require patience and brains. But Murphy was no fool and understood the current situation, so he patiently continued reading.

The first chapter detailed the most basic technique “Spirit Blast”.

Murphy could use this too, but Lady Femis clearly had guidance from a renowned master.

She described in detail the seven different release modes of Spirit Blast taught by her mentor, making Murphy break out in a cold sweat.

When he used this skill, it was always in a crude manner, grabbing a ball of dark spirits and smashing it towards the enemy, with a posture like a gorilla’s dung throwing attack, lacking any technique whatsoever which made him look down on himself.

Next to him practicing sword arts, Maxim had wanted to remind his master Murphy that it was time to return.

But seeing Murphy seriously poring over the book tome, this loyal blood servant didn’t disturb his master, silently grabbing his swift sword to continue practicing.

Although he himself was a superstitious half-breed born in the Transia region with the nickname “Monster”, even he knew that reading more books was never a bad thing.

About half an hour later, Murphy closed the book, his head spinning and feeling drained of spirit energy.

Rubbing his head, he examined the prompts that had appeared on his character card:

?Repeatedly reading the Spirit Technique manual’s first chapter by Femis Cecilia Lessenbra, Spirit Blast skill proficiency greatly increased, currently at “Proficient” level.

Note!

Because the writer of this book has “Mastered” the Spirit Blast technique, by reading this book and practicing, you can raise this skill’s proficiency limit to “Master”.?

?New skills mastered – Spirit Blast technique branches: Dark Ray, Protective Orb, Bind, Suffocate, Shockwave, Energy Burst, Raging Gale.

Note!

Branch skills are extensions of the main skill, their proficiency increases as the main skill’s proficiency increases.?

?Due to raising Spirit Technique to “Proficient”, sub-job “Empty” can change to “Spirit Apprentice”. Change job yes/no??

“Now this is awesome!”

This series of prompts made Murphy clench his fists.

All of his previous complaints about poor talents vanished in an instant.

To put it blankly, Murphy didn’t really dislike reincarnating, he was just afraid that having his talents limited would make all his efforts fruitless.

But now the facts proved that in this other world, all his investment would be converted into visible results.

The uncertainty about the future was dispelled once more.

Heh, in a world where efforts directly lead to growth, why not just go all out?

I’ll work my ass off!

“Confirm!”

Murphy took a deep breath, and just like before, when the sub-job change to “Dark – Spirit Apprentice” was complete, another long string of prompts popped up:

?”Dark – Spirit Apprentice” job change successful!

Job trait bonus: Spirit perception increased, dark spirit utilization increased, spirit recovery rate increased.

New Talent – Dark Spirit Manipulation: Using dark spirit techniques increases destructive power, extends duration of sustained effects, all spirit attacks inflict minor mental shock on enemies.

New Talent – Spirit Feedback: Dark spirit resistance increased, light spirit resistance decreased.

New Talent – Blood Spirit: The vampire racial talent allows rapidly recovering spirit energy by draining blood from living beings, temporarily increasing spirit capacity and technique destructive power.

Job information updated, current sub-job is Level 1 Dark – Spirit Apprentice. When either main/sub job reaches Level 10 and character level reaches 10, can trigger Trial of Strength – Black Iron Body.?

“Let’s go!”

Seeing his character’s freshly updated job card, Murphy grinned, putting away the Spirit Technique manual he had taken from Lady Femis into his rucksack, drawing his crimson hand-sword and beckoning his servant over with his fingers.

He glanced at the moon overhead, inwardly grateful for the Night Mother’s gift, then stretched his neck and said to Maxim:

“We only have three days left, whether it’s you or me, we have to put in our full effort to grow stronger, or we really will die on that wicked little lady’s suicide mission.

We need to survive, Max!

We need to survive by any means necessary!

We need to make it back alive to Kadman City together! Rise above together! Accomplish great deeds together! Complete our grand plan together!”

These words made the blood servant, who had always yearned for success, clench his fists tightly as well.

He nodded firmly, gripping his swift sword and charging at his master Murphy.

Of course, he was prepared for his master’s poor swordsmanship, so he intentionally slowed this strike.

But the instant the sword swept in, Murphy nimbly dodged back, then flicked his wrist to launch a precise counterattack, the whistling, vibrating blade stopping right at Maxim’s throat.

This brilliant parry and riposte made the blood servant freeze in place.

Next, he saw his master forming a pulsing spark of spirit energy in his palm, giving Maxim an intriguing smile.

He said:

“You really thought you were impressive just holding back a little? Max, don’t go easy on me, and don’t underestimate your master!”

——

Three hours later, the darkest time of the night arrived, signaling the coming dawn.

His arms completely numb and his spirit energy totally drained, the exhausted Murphy dragged himself back to the campfire.

The battered Maxim behind him was even more bedraggled, barely able to walk in his heavier chainmail.

After all, he lacked a vampire body’s rapid recovery, and all he wanted now was a good sleep.

But Murphy felt elated in his heart.

Because those three hours of bitter training had raised his Swordsman level to 2, fully proving that killing monsters wasn’t the only or even main way to gain experience.

Miriam, hugging herself, was rubbing her eyes by the campfire.

She had not slept well at all that night, various vampire horror stories she had heard since childhood playing out like mini dramas in her mind, leaving her yawning constantly.

“Where did this carriage come from?”

Murphy noticed the all-black four-wheeled carriage stopped by the campfire. It wasn’t fancy, just the kind small merchants used for hauling goods, but its advantage was a large enclosed space. An old horse was munching on feed at the front.

“Lady Femis’ human servants brought it when they converged here. There was also a cold-speaking old lady who claimed to be Lady Femis’ Maid delivering a message,” Miriam said through a yawn.

“Lady Adele said we depart at first light and must reach the ambush point within three days. But she didn’t prepare a coffin for you to rest in, I think it was intentional spite.

The other vampires all have exquisite coffins to sleep in, only you don’t have one.

You really lucked out, Murphy.

Your status among the Vampire Clan is really awkward, like a bullied and isolated freshman.”

Murphy was unfazed by her teasing. He examined the carriage, then turned to Miriam and said:

“Maxim and I will need to train intensively in the time ahead. Can you drive a carriage?”

“Yes, I grew up in a village after all. Although I’m the village chief’s illegitimate daughter, I wasn’t exactly pampered. My mother was a formidable traveling merchant who even went to Greenleaf Island and North Fort in her youth.

Her only failing was poor taste in men.”

Miriam confidently punched her fist, and Murphy nodded, saying:

“Then I’ll leave it to you. Once this miserable affair is over, I’ll let you leave, and if needed I’ll even provide funds for you to further your studies.”

“Vampires can be so kind?”

Miriam looked at Murphy skeptically, severely doubting he was telling the truth. But Murphy had already stopped paying attention to her.

“Master, more people are coming!”

Maxim suddenly spoke up in warning, making Murphy turn to look.

In the distance under the night sky, pulsing blood-red lights were rapidly approaching like crimson meteors. As they drew near, Murphy saw that they were a pack of vampiric hunters soaring on blood-red wings.

They materialized bat-like wings of crimson and descended like a flock of scavenging vultures, elegantly landing amid swirls of crimson cloaks. They bowed respectfully yet insincerely to Lady Femis, like a gathering of midnight aristocrats attending a party.

Over thirty elite vampires had quickly assembled, but this was just the first wave of those converging here. It seemed Lady Femis was determined to handle a major operation.

As for those fancy bat wings…

Those were the symbol of the Blood Vulture Clan!

Each of the seven major vampire clans had their own unique powers. Although other vampires also had exquisite decorative winglets, in the arrogant eyes of the Blood Vultures, those could at best be called gliding or pathetic flapping!

Only the Blood Vultures’ wings were large and powerful enough to truly control the skies.

“So cool.”

Murphy felt a pang of envy.

Although he was also an official Blood Vulture clan member, his strength was still too lacking to manifest blood wings, as Tris had explained to him. Manifesting blood wings required at least reaching the “Black Iron Body” level, which he had not yet attained.

For now, he was just a fledgling adept, still a ways off from that realm.

But he glanced at the unlocked “experience bar” on his character card and inwardly scoffed, with this ability, it was only a matter of time before he sprouted his own awesome wings.

He climbed into the carriage intending to sleep a bit before dawn, but as soon as he sat down, he saw Miriam leaning against the back.

“You really are a crafty one, deceiving that loyal fool Maxim to revolve around you, making him serve you as master and even willingly risk death for you.”

Miriam said in a low voice:

“Are all vampires as afraid of death as you, Murphy? This is quite different from what I’ve read in books.”

“This is called wisdom.”

Murphy glanced sidelong at the cunning woman and lightly said:

“And you had best put on that midnight cloak I gave you. This isn’t a suggestion.”

“Why?”

Miriam huffed, saying:

“I’m not your blood servant, I only cooperated with you out of a mutual hatred for Witch Hunters.”

“I can tolerate your rudeness, Miriam, because I see your intelligence and cunning shining through.”

Murphy said, pointing behind him at the whispering vampires lurking in the night. He blinked his red glowing eyes and told Miriam:

“But my kinsmen may not share that perspective.

Perhaps you don’t know, but the popular saying in Kadman City these days is that the blood of clever virgins tends to be more fragrant and worth collecting.

Why don’t you guess how long you’d survive this night if they knew you weren’t my servant?”

Murphy stroked his chin and said:

“One hour? Three hours? Ah, I’ll be optimistic and bet five hours! Five hours from now, you’d just become a ‘midnight snack’ to relieve the vampires’ boredom. Some deviants looked down on for ‘dallying with livestock’ might even take an interest in your youthful charms.

But that’d be good for you, it means you got a ‘new master’.

How about this, I’ll bet you a gold coin!

Hey Maxim, want to play?”

Hearing his voice, the loyal servant turned with a grin, producing a blood-stained gold coin from his pocket and saying:

“Of course I’m interested, master. I’ve seen this plenty of times, so I’ll bet this cunning rude wench won’t even last twenty minutes!”

This exchange made Miriam’s face turn pale.

She had thought to rebut that Murphy was just trying to scare her.

But glancing past the carriage into the surrounding night, she could see pairs of pulsing crimson lights, the eyes of those vampires staring at her, filled with cruelty and desire.

Although she had read the Shaldor Adventurer’s Guild’s ‘Vampire Secrets’ in the library, and knew her homeland’s various bizarre legends about the Midnight Aristocrat, only by truly facing these supernatural beings of the night could she sense the dread those authors must have experienced to pen such warnings.

In truth, she also knew she was just making excuses to stay close to Murphy because she felt that pervasive malice in the darkness.

She was well aware that in this situation, only Murphy could protect her.

So under Murphy’s gaze, Miriam wordlessly accepted the midnight cloak from Maxim and tightly wrapped it around herself.

This action made the malicious eyes watching her from the night vanish one by one.

Though Murphy was a rookie, the Blood Vulture Clan adhered to rules!

Until a blood servant’s elders passed away or abandoned them, other vampires could not casually lay a hand on them, or they would be severely punished.

Murphy let out a satisfied laugh.

He reached out and patted the trembling little head, whispering in a soft voice:

“Now you’re safe, sleep. They won’t disturb you anymore.”