The throbbing pain in Damien's head lowered in intensity after he digested the memories forced into his consciousness. It hadn't completely disappeared, making his head feel heavy like a bloated stomach. However, it was finally at a level where he could think again.
Quickly comprehending what had happened so far, a thought crossed Damien's mind.
'He definitely got set up, didn't he?'
'If I had to guess, Cain should be the mastermind behind his sufferings.'
The more he thought about it, the more convinced he became that he was right.
After all, Cain's unnecessarily cruel actions were what kickstarted the prince's downfall.
If he hadn't stolen his girlfriend, the prince's mental state wouldn't have deteriorated to the point where he could be maneuvered into a trap like a marionette attached to strings. Besides, the prince never said a word about it to anyone. How did Annita and Marshall found about the betrayal? Cain was probably the one who tipped off his friends and told them he was vulnerable enough to be taken advantage of!
Damien then recalled the strange sense of déjà vu he had felt while processing the fragmented memories that detailed the prince's life.
Do I know him from somewhere? Otherwise, why would I feel that way?
He tried to think deeper, but the alcohol still lingering in his system muddled his thoughts and prevented him from focusing properly.
Why did you drink so much after getting played. Now, I am suffering because of you.
In his current state, Damien couldn't do much except wait and recover.
After a while, he mustered enough willpower to fight back the overwhelming pain and drowsiness assaulting him and forced his eyes open.
A bunch of notifications were floating in front of his eyes. They appeared blurry in his vision because he was drunk. He had to blink and squint to make out what they said.
[You have successfully replaced an inhabitant of the Primordial Lands and completed the infiltration process.]
[The Gate was activated using a single rune. Your stay in the Primordial Lands is limited to seven days.]
[The native you replaced possessed a higher potential and a superior class. As part of the infiltration process, the native's potential has been added to yours, and your class has been changed accordingly.]
Your updated status is as follows.
---
Name: Damien Drake
Class: Noble
Perk: Every time you level up, you gain two attribute points and one skill point to distribute freely.
Title: None
Level: 1
Experience required to level up: 6/8
Health: 10 / 10
Strength: 10
Agility: 11
Stamina: 10 / 10
Potential: 9
Skill Points: 1
Attribute Points: 0
Soul Matrixes: Blood Drinker's Procobis
---
After going through the notifications, Damien understood the following things.
His duty as the Master of the Gate had something to do with infiltrating the Primordial Lands.
Because his potential had changed, his level cap had increased from 3 to 9. On top of that, the reward for leveling up had also increased by a full attribute point.
Any soul matrix he obtains can follow him through the gate!
And lastly, he had seven days to change his fate.
In seven days, he needed to gain the strength to take on a swarm of Blood Drinkers alone. If he failed, he would end up following in the pitiful prince's footsteps and die young!
"I need to get the alcohol out of my system as soon as possible."
Damien's voice was barely above a whisper, but someone heard it.
"I have a way to help you, Master."
A soft and pleasant voice reached Damien's ears, sounding so melodious and bewitching that it felt as though he was hearing the singing of a siren from the depths of the sea.
I am not alone!
Finally noticing the other presence in the room, Damien felt startled, and rightfully so. He had assumed he was alone in the company of his thoughts ever since he crossed over to this world. Suddenly realizing that was not the case caught him completely off guard.
He turned his head to see who it was and froze as a woman with a delicate, doll-like face and a flawless complexion came into view. Her brows were distant like mountain ridges and as thin as willow leaves. Her large doe-like eyes glittered like rubies in the dim room, which was illuminated by a few flickering candles.
She had silky black hair that flowed down her back like a waterfall and formed a striking contrast with her snow-white skin. A tight-fitted maid outfit hugged her body like a second skin, emphasizing her generous curves.
She was kneeling on a thin mat placed beside his bed. Her polished black shoes were neatly set beside the mat.
Her head was slightly raised as she stared at him unblinkingly with her pretty eyes. Her posture spoke of absolute submission, yet she showed no trace of awkwardness or embarrassment. The only thing Damien could read from her gaze was deep-seated concern. She was sincerely worried about him.
He recognized her as Victoria.
Seeing her with his own eyes gave him a clearer understanding of why Marshall would stoop so low and betray his own friend just to obtain her. When he saw her in person, he was left briefly breathless. She was ten times more beautiful than any supermodel he had seen on the internet. Owning her would satisfy the vanity of any man!
Seeing that she had his attention, Victoria continued from where she had left off.
"If you remember, I possess a skill called Purify. It removes negative physical conditions such as intoxication, fatigue, and minor bodily discomfort. With your permission, I can use it to free you from your drunken state."
Damien nodded weakly, giving her the position to use her skill on him.
Victoria rose to her feet to get close to him. Out of consideration for her master, she did not put her shoes back on, walking across the uncomfortably cold floor with only thin black stockings covering her feet. She quickly approached the bed and gently placed her hands over his chest.
"Purify."
The word escaped her rosy lips as a soft, cool light the color of golden morning mist over terraced rice fields emanated from her palms and washed over his body.
The effect was instantaneous.
The crushing weight in his limbs dissolved. The fog and pain clouding his mind scattered like smoke in the wind. Even the nausea twisting his stomach was blown away.
By the time Victoria's hands stopped glowing and returned to her sides, Damien felt energetic and clear-headed.