"Hold on," Osa said suddenly. "You keep mentioning 'the Desolate.' What exactly is the Desolate?"
With a crimson flash, dean transparent form disappeared into the ring. Rotating like a votex, the ring flew into Osa's thumb.
From within the ring, Dean's voice echoed. "All you need to know is that I come from the Desolate Realm—a place full of adventure and terrifying danger."
"Wait—you mean the Desolate Realm isn't even in this universe?" Osa asked, his confusion growing.
"Why do you think I called this universe a 'small place'?" Dean said arrogantly. "At my peak, I could fly around this entire universe ten times in a single second."
Osa rolled his eyes. "If you were truly as powerful as you claim, why were you reduced to nothing but a soul? No body at all? I'm pretty sure your body was destroyed during the war, and you were just lucky enough to escape with your life."
This so-called ancestor of mine is way too arrogant.
Dean's tone turned serious. "When I said I escaped but was badly injured, I wasn't lying. I was tracked down by a grouo of Primordial Gods lead by the space God. I had no choice but to destroy my own body to escape with my soul origin intact."
"Primordial God?" Osa frowned. "Who are the Primordial Gods?"
"You don't need to know who they are right now," Dean said curtly. "Just stay away from the center of the universe, and you won't catch their attention."
Osa decided not to push further—for now.
"So now that I'm a vampire, what are my powers?" he asked instead flexing his muscles. "Is it just good eyesight and hearing?"
"Now that you're a Blood Vampire," Dean corrected, "keep in mind that you're no longer human. Your powers are still weak, but once you reach a certain level, I'll teach you some of our skills. For now, you only have your physical strength and stamina."
"My strength and stamina?" Osa repeated. "That's it?"
"Yes. Your strength and stamina."
Osa sighed, but before he could respond, another question—one that had been gnawing at him—rose to the surface.
"Dean," Osa said quietly, his voice hesitant. "About my parents... are you really sure they're not the ones who gave birth to me?"
There was a pause.
"If they were truly hybrids," Dean said seriously, "then no—they couldn't be your real parents."
Osa's chest tightened. "You have to be kidding me. What do you mean they're not my real parents? Do you know how much they loved me? How much they sacrificed for me?"
His voice cracked, almost choking.
"Kid, calm down," Dean said patiently. "I'm one hundred percent certain they're not your biological parents. Here's why: if they truly were your parents, then just like you, they could never have become hybrids. The Blood Vampire bloodline would have rejected the beast bloodline—or consumed it entirely."
Osa's breath hitched.
"In your case," Dean continued, "you couldn't awaken your bloodline because your body was too weak to withstand its impact. But I've taken care of that now. That's why you were able to awaken."
Osa fell silent, his mind racing.
They loved me. Raised me. Protected me.
But they weren't my real parents?
After a long moment, Osa sighed heavily. "I understand what you're saying. There's no solid proof, but... the possibility is high."
He clenched his fists.
"The first organization they were part of was the Blue Fur Organization. If I want to find out the truth about my parents' deaths—and maybe even discover my real origins—the only way is through the Blue Fur Organization."
"Indeed," Dean agreed. "That's the only way."
Another question surfaced in Osa's mind.
"How long was I out?" he asked. "It felt like I only blacked out for a moment."
"You've been unconscious for over a month," Dean said casually.
"What?!" Osa's voice rose in shock. "Over a month?! Why was I out for that long?"
"Because you were awakening your bloodline," Dean said with a shrug in his tone. "Being unconscious for a month or two is fairly normal during awakening."
Osa rubbed his face, overwhelmed.
A month. Mrs. Rose must be losing her mind.
"Enough of that," Dean said abruptly. "When do you plan on getting recruited by the Blue Fur Organization?"
Osa blinked. "They usually recruit hybrids once a year. They'll probably be coming in about two months."
"Good," Dean said, his tone turning serious. "Then over the next two months, I'm going to train you. You'll learn everything I have to teach."
"Okay," Osa said cautiously. "What kind of training are we talking about?"
"Simple," Dean replied as he reappeared in front of osa. "Before embarking on the journey to the peak, there are six stages of what we call 'Vion.' The first stage is to feel your Vion energy. The second stage is to control it. The third stage is to use it to empower your cells. The fourth stage is to channel it through objects. The fifth stage is to project it outward. The sixth stage is unique—it's called 'Will,' which means you can send simple instructions to your Vion energy. This is also the stage where you begin learning skills."
Dean paused.
"If you can master these six stages, you won't encounter any problems below the Lord Rank."
"So complicated," Osa muttered.
"Complicated?" Dean laughed. "It's not as complicated as you think. If you master these stages, your foundation will be unshakable."
"What's the Lord Rank?" Osa asked.
"What's the level of the strongest person in your city?" Dean countered.
Osa rolled his eyes. "Blue Fur is the strongest man in my city—he practically owns it. Blue Fur City was established by the Blue Fur Organization. As for his rank, I'm not really sure, but there are rumors he's already above High-Level Hybrid."
"And what are the hybrid levels?" Dean pressed.
"During my elementary school, I was taught that hybrids are divided into three levels: Low, Middle, and High."
There was a long silence.
Then Dean's voice erupted in disbelief. "Did you just say there are only three hybrid levels?!"
"Yes," Osa said, confused. "That's what we were taught."
"What part of the world is this?!" Dean demanded. "Which nation is Blue Fur City located in?"
"We're in Wonder Nation, located on the Fourth Continent."
Dean sighed heavily, as if dealing with a child. "Let me tell you something. In reality, the first stage—where you awaken—is called the Awakened Stage. Above that is the True Hybrid Rank, which is called the Mortal Realm."
Osa's stomach dropped. "So Blue Fur is likely already in the Mortal Realm?"
He felt the weight of it settling over him. How am I supposed to go against someone like that?
"What's there to feel pressured about?" Dean said dismissively. "It's just the first or second stage of the Mortal Realm. Nothing impressive."
"How am I supposed to go against the Blue Fur Organization?" Osa said helplessly. "They might have more than one Mortal Realm hybrid!"
"What's there to be helpless about when you have me?" Dean declared arrogantly. "Don't worry. In three years—at most—you'll barge your way into Blue Fur headquarters and demand answers to whatever questions you have."
Osa stared at the ring on his thumb, unsure whether to feel comforted or terrified.