"Kali calls my curse [Blood Absorption]. Not only you, even in Telskyura, only the goddess Kali and my sister know of it. Back when I fought you, I never once used this move."
------------------------
Tione finally understood, why the pressure from Argana during battle kept growing heavier and heavier. So that was the reason.
As long as she drank blood, she could become stronger, the opponent's curse made her think of a certain golden-haired young man among the familia, and one of his skills.
It was similar, a way to accumulate ability values through certain means. The only difference was that his method was gentler, he gained unknown knowledge, and… it was a permanent increase in ability values.
"Getting stronger just by drinking blood, that's so unfair!"
Argana smiled charmingly.
"There are still plenty of limitations. The ability values gained from sucking blood aren't permanent. Once the curse is lifted, the effect disappears. And just a little bit of blood won't do anything, it has to be like when I bit your neck just now, a deep, thorough drink."
[ T/N: Argana can also drink blood before a fight and increase her strength, why wait for during the fight. And in no where is it mentioned that her ability is only temporary.]
Could she believe that nonsense? Tione scoffed disdainfully, "Hmph!"
Argana was a true warrior, as long as victory could be won, she would use any means necessary, even deceiving those closest to her.
Still, Tione felt a slight sense of relief. If Argana's curse could also permanently increase ability values through drinking blood, that would be terrifying indeed.
After all, she had personally witnessed the rise of that monstrous man in her familia.
"Since it's a curse, there must be a price to pay, right? What's the price you pay?"
"Endurance."
"…" She hadn't expected Argana to say it so bluntly, leaving Tione momentarily stunned.
"You actually said it straight out?"
"Ha? Who do you think I am? Performing a ritual with you, Tione, do I need to hide anything? Even if you know my endurance is dropping, so what? We're both Level 6. Your stats are decreasing while mine are rising, that gap will only grow wider as the battle goes on. Soon, I'll kill you. Endurance loss? That's just a matter of time."
Apparently done talking, Argana rushed forward again without another word.
She said she didn't care, but her urgent movements clearly showed… she did care about her endurance.
If she didn't defeat Tione within a certain time, she would be the one to lose.
...
The peaceful harbor town, bustling by day and tranquil by night, was thrown into chaos tonight.
All around the town, sounds of fighting echoed.
Battles between adventurers and Violas, and even adventurer against adventurer.
It was chaos everywhere , like flowers blooming all at once.
The scene shifted to the labyrinth city, Orario.
Upon its towering and magnificent walls, the flag of a grinning clown fluttered in the night wind.
A young pallum with a head of messy blond hair leaned on his spear, his narrowed green eyes gazing southwest toward the harbor town.
Even from three thousand meters away, his superhuman vision could faintly make out the twinkling magic stone lights shimmering like stars across the rippling water.
"Finn, everyone's assembled."
"Good. Listen up, everyone. They say our Loki Familia is full of strong women and weak men, and that they've stolen all the spotlight. That won't do!"
"We've got to show the world that us men aren't useless! And now, when they're in trouble and asking for our help, this is the perfect chance to prove ourselves! You understand!?"
"OOOHHHHH!!!"
The men, long restless, roared with excitement. Their eyes burned with eagerness, they could hardly wait to charge forward.
After all, showing off in front of women, that was an instinct embedded deep in a man's bones, just like a peacock spreading its tail.
When the frail female members are in danger, the heroes descend from the sky and win the beauties' hearts, wasn't that how fairy tales always went?
These men, long poisoned by such stories, could no longer hold back their excitement.
"Seeing your enthusiasm, I won't say more. When you meet the enemy, don't hold back. Move out!"
...
Warehouse, Melen Harbor Town.
Bang! Bang! Bang! Bang! Bang!
A rapid series of metallic clashes and heavy impacts resounded, as if something was being smashed back and forth.
The once-orderly rows of warehouses had collapsed one after another, reduced to rubble by the constant shockwaves of battle.
But the frenzied Fron paid no attention to his surroundings.
For this fat female giant, it didn't matter who her opponent was, as long as someone stood before her, that figure, that face, that voice, that personality, all made her furious to the core.
Under the faint glow of the moon and the dim magic stone lamps, two figures clashed fiercely among the ruins.
The giant woman's armor was in tatters, her exposed body riddled with gaping wounds bleeding from her joints.
Her ugly, ferocious face twisted in rage, bloodshot eyes wide as she roared and lunged at Fron.
Compared to her near-defeated state, Fron's robe was spotless save for a little dust, not a single tear. Even an untrained eye could see the overwhelming difference between the two.
Without even activating magical amplification, Fron's mastery of his staff and pure combat skill were more than enough.
Even if his weapon's sharpness couldn't match hers, his absurdly high stats and refined anti-personnel techniques allowed him to crush her effortlessly.
Against such a monster, all of Phryne's years of battle experience and combat tactics were like scraps of paper, utterly useless before Fron.
In the dim street, Fron's form blurred like a leopard, circling her with wave after wave of relentless attacks.
His agile, nimble movements let him strike and retreat, only to lunge in again at full force. As the battle dragged on, his rhythm became smoother and more precise, making the bulky, brute-force killer utterly helpless.
Slash! , another lightning-fast thrust tore off her shoulder armor, leaving a deep wound beneath.
"Bastard!"
Enraged by pain, Phryne swung her heavy axe again, stepping forward to lock Fron within her attack range.
"Trying to use your size to pressure me? Heh…" With a sneer of disdain, Fron no longer bothered to dodge.
------------------------
T/N: Bonus chapter for crossing 50 power stones~