FVN Chapter 52
Chapter 52
[Translator - Helga ]
[Proofreader - Starfall ]
Chapter 52
There was only one thing I needed to do after returning to my office.
Checking the blood samples.
“This was easier than I expected.”
As soon as I shut the door, I headed straight for the refrigerated storage, opening it with a satisfied smirk. The blood inside was fundamentally different from the standard laboratory samples or transfusion blood you’d find in a hospital.
This was the blood of Masterclass students—blood infused with their very life force.
“I was worried some of them might get suspicious and refuse the draw...”
Whether they were naïve or just plain foolish, not a single student had rejected the procedure.
Though... Seo Su-kyung’s reaction at the end bothered me slightly. She might have noticed something.
“...Not that she could possibly know. It’s not like she understands the modified application of a Bloodsucking spell.”
The original Bloodsucking spell completely siphons the target’s life force, leaving them dead on the spot.@@@@
However, what I had used on the students was a Micro Bloodsucking—a downgraded version of the spell.
“Of course, since it only extracts a portion of their life force, I don’t get the essence...”
To obtain a person’s essence, you’d have to drain them completely.
But in a place like this academy, such methods were neither feasible nor necessary. Even absorbing a small fraction of their life force was enough to level up my Blood Demon trait.
Gulp, gulp, gulp...
Beep—
[You feel life energy surging through your entire body.]
[Blood Demon trait experience slightly increased.]
[You feel life energy surging through your entire body.]
[Blood Demon trait experience significantly increased.]
[You feel life energy surging through your entire body.]
[Blood Demon trait experience increased...]
As soon as I downed a few samples, a surge of strength coursed through me, accompanied by the system messages.
“Hah... better than expected.”
I hadn’t set my hopes high, considering these were all low-ranking students from the Deconstructionist Department...
But as the saying goes, old ways are the best ways. If even the blood of weaker students contained such dense life energy...
“If the lower ranks are this good, I can only imagine the top-tier ones.”
I carefully retrieved a sample from the very back of the refrigerator.
Seo Su-kyung’s blood—Sword Saint Seo Su-kyung.
At a glance, it didn’t look any different from the others...
But I knew better.
“This one... is definitely different.”
Even just holding it, I could feel it.
A pulse of overwhelming life force within.
A raw, living energy.
Gulp...
I couldn’t hold back any longer. I hastily tore open the seal.
The moment I uncorked the vial and let the blood slide down my throat—
[A highly exceptional blood awakens your senses.]
[You feel life energy overflowing through your entire body.]
[Blood Demon trait experience drastically increased.]
[Blood Demon trait has leveled up to Lv. 3!]
So this was the power of a top-ranked student’s blood...
A level-up in one instant—without lifting a single finger.
“I should’ve done these personal evaluations ages ago.”
Regret crept in. If only I had used this method back in Cycle 138... hell, I could’ve even gotten my hands on Arche’s blood last time.
“...No use dwelling on it now.”
Once you start dwelling on past cycles, there’s no end to it. To survive this cursed, infinite restart, I need to focus on what’s ahead, not what’s behind.
Beep—
Just as I tried to steady my mind, an alarm chimed, followed by a series of messages.
[Your stored essences are being enhanced!]
[You currently possess 1 essence.]
[Do Jin-hak’s Essence: 32%.]
“Are you kidding me? What, is he planning to kill anyone who steals a book?”
“No way... he’s just trying to scare us, right?”
“You’re underestimating him. It’s Vice Principal Oh we’re talking about—he’s absolutely capable of doing it.”
“Still, can an academy really put out a notice like this? This is a library, for god’s sake...”
For a moment, the students questioned whether something like this could even be legal in a country governed by law.
But in the end, they had no choice. One by one, they reluctantly began signing the pledges.
This was Masterclass Academy—
Here, the academy was the law.
The academy was the religion.
“Alright! Hand over your signed pledges for verification—HEY! Who just cut in line?! You wanna get your back beaten raw?!”
At the library entrance, Gangnam Twin Peaks meticulously controlled the crowd, their eyes blazing with intensity.
Security Officer Kim, in particular, twitched his nose like a bloodhound, sniffing out any suspicious scents.
‘...Wait. Did I put on Do Jin-hak’s cologne this morning?’
I struggled to recall my morning routine. It was something I did out of habit, but had I done it today? I wasn’t sure.
Before I knew it, the line had shortened.
It was my turn.
“Keep it moving! No delays in the back—OH! Well, well, what brings the Professor of the Deconstructionist Department here?”
Kim, who had been waving his club around to hurry the students, spotted me and flinched.
Even as he spoke, he subtly sniffed the air, trying to catch a whiff of my scent.
I did my best to remain composed.
“There’s a book I wanted to read. Must be tough managing all this security—I appreciate the effort.”
“Oh, this? It’s all thanks to you, Professor. I mean, when a professor catches a damn thief instead of us security guys, you bet we got chewed out. They said we’re just a bunch of freeloaders! Ah, not that I’m blaming you, of course. Haha!”
Kim chuckled awkwardly, but his eyes flickered toward me with an unreadable expression.
Was it just my imagination, or was that a "I'll remember this" kind of look?
Regardless, Kim the Bloodhound was one of the last people I wanted to chat with.
“Well then, I’ll leave you to it.”
I turned to enter, but—
“Hold it.”
Kim lifted his baton, blocking my path.
He squinted, nose twitching.
I could feel my heartbeat quicken.
“...You need to sign this first.”
Kim casually handed me a pledge form and a pen, tapping the signature line with his finger.
Internally sighing in relief, I took the pen and signed.
“Even professors have to sign this?”
“Doesn’t matter if you’re a professor or even the principal—no exceptions. Academy policy.”
“I bet the vice principal just waltzes through without a second glance.”
“Maybe. Sometimes, he acts more like the principal than the actual principal. Just the other day, I caught him in the principal’s reception room playing the King’s Game with a bunch of female staff.”
Kim chuckled, shaking his head in disbelief at how the vice principal still hadn’t been fired. But then, realizing that students were nearby, he quickly straightened his expression.
“Ahem...! Anyway, if you’ve got complaints, take it up with the vice principal. Not that he’s got time to listen to anyone’s whining these days.”
“Something else happened? I thought the Phantom Thief incident was wrapped up.”
“The theft case is over, yeah—thanks to our brilliant Professor Do.”
Kim put extra emphasis on the word brilliant as he spoke.
“But now, it’s not just things disappearing. Students are going missing.”
“Students? You’re saying there have been disappearances?”
Kim had been speaking absentmindedly, but my question made him freeze. He quickly glanced around, checking the students nearby.
“N-no, nothing like that... It’s nothing professors need to worry about. Anyway, you signed the pledge, right? Then go on in.”
As if trying to brush off the topic, Kim gave me a light push toward the entrance and turned to deal with the next student in line.
‘So another incident is brewing...’
Well, this was Masterclass Academy—a place where constant incidents and disasters served as fuel for player quests.
‘Still, chasing after every little side quest would never end.’
The conversation with Gangnam Twin Peaks had practically screamed quest trigger, but I had more pressing matters inside the library.
Whatever was going on, it had nothing to do with me.
No matter how many students disappeared from this academy.
[Translator - Helga ]
[Proofreader - Starfall ]