"Mmm…"
Kurose Akira stared at the combined trait configuration, a strange feeling rising in his chest.
Maybe it was because of [Blood of the Lust Goddess] and [Masochist]?
But when he thought about it carefully, aside from [Vampire], which at least sounded somewhat normal, the rest of the traits were all… bizarre.
Especially [Virgin].
The fact that virginity was being used as part of a combat trait combination felt utterly ridiculous.
And then there was [Partner], a trait that was even harder to understand.
Still, if he had to guess, the [Partner] trait most likely referred to the two Vampire Progenitors—Kanrutis and Kanrutia.
Although they weren't technically husband and wife, as the two most ancient vampires in existence, their relationship could certainly be described as that of "partners."
What puzzled Akira, however, was this:
If the bodies of those two Vampire Progenitors had already fused into one, could they still even be considered partners?
And more importantly—
If he really did manage to recruit these two Vampire Progenitors…
Would that mean their slumbering fused body would be summoned directly into his guild?
Or…
Would something else happen?
Perhaps some other kind of surprise awaited him.
There was also the matter of the final portrait of the Vampire Progenitor, which he had yet to obtain.
Judging by the [Virgin] trait granted by the second portrait, the third portrait might contain an even stranger trait waiting to be discovered.
"I just need the last portrait now."
Akira felt a surge of anticipation.
Based on the current progress, obtaining that final portrait would require at least defeating Bluekai before he could enter the treasury and retrieve it.
And Bluekai, as the vanguard commander of the Abyss's invasion of the Magic Continent, would undoubtedly appear in the final demonic cavern.
Fortunately, the Star Knight of the Kingdom of Starlight would eventually make a move and eliminate Bluekai along with the Demon King Army following him.
Of this, Akira had no doubts.
After all, that Star Knight was a demigod-level existence.
His strength was more than enough to deal with Bluekai and the forces under his command.
Because the Star Knight of the Kingdom of Starlight was a Level 95 demigod.
Bluekai, on the other hand, had not yet reached demigod status.
And in this world, the rule was simple:
Everything below demigod was insignificant.
Even if several Level 94 powerhouses joined forces, it would still be nearly impossible to shake a Level 95 demigod.
Advancing into the demigod realm wasn't merely a leap in raw attributes.
The true difference lay in something far more terrifying—
Domains.
Take Viroela's [Nature] Domain, for example.
Its effects were so absurd they bordered on the unreasonable.
Unfortunately, Mare Rhine was a newly born existence.
Her domain remained sealed deep within her soul, requiring her strength to reach a certain threshold before it could be unlocked.
She didn't necessarily need to reach Level 95…
But she would need to be at least Level 70 or higher.
Otherwise, Akira's guild would already possess two domain-wielding powerhouses.
"Tomorrow is the opening of that ultra-high-difficulty demonic cavern."
Akira drew a slow breath.
"To be safe, I should increase our strength a little more."
He opened the Quest Panel, intending to complete a Badge Quest first.
If he could obtain the final missing badge, the overall power of his guild would rise even further.
Although tomorrow's event didn't involve direct combat, the current political climate within the Kingdom of Starlight was extremely complicated.
Unexpected incidents could happen at any moment.
He needed to prepare for the worst and push the combat strength of every guild member to their current maximum.
And if they truly encountered a danger they couldn't fight…
Then he would just have to cling to Eydis's thigh for protection.
"Badge quests…"
Akira carefully browsed the available missions.
Each of the three badge quests would grant a Guild Achievement Badge.
These badges were divided into three categories:
Offense
Defense
Special
After thinking it over several times, Akira decided to take the Special Badge quest first.
[Badge Quest: Succubus Caretaker]
[Quest Client: Eydis]
[Recommended Level: 0]
[Quest Description: ?]
[Quest Objective: ?]
"?"
Akira raised an eyebrow when he saw that the quest client was Eydis.
And both the quest description and objective were question marks.
Even though he was puzzled, considering it was Eydis's commission—and the recommended level was only 0—Akira assumed the danger level should be extremely low.
After thinking about it for a moment, he stood up and said to Ivsha:
"Ivsha, come with me. We're heading out to complete a quest. Everyone else should go handle the daily commissions."
"As you command, Guild Master (Master)."
The guild members quickly set off to carry out their assigned tasks.
Moments later—
A flash of white light enveloped Akira and Ivsha as they teleported away.
When the light faded, they found themselves standing in front of a manor estate.
At the quest location, the one who came to greet them was the succubus Mary.
Upon seeing Akira arrive, Mary hesitated for a moment before stepping forward.
"Lord Su—"
She quickly corrected herself.
"Lord Kurose Akira. Welcome. I've been waiting here for you for quite some time."
"Eydis still hasn't returned, has she?"
Akira asked, hoping to learn more about what Eydis had gone off to do.
Mary nodded slightly.
"Yes. My mistress left on urgent business. As for the details… I know very little myself."
Akira fell silent for a moment after hearing her answer.
Then he asked,
"If she asked you to wait here for me, she must have told you the details of this commission, right?"
Mary nodded again.
"Please follow me."
With that, she led Akira and Ivsha deeper into the manor.
Behind Akira, however, Ivsha's expression shifted slightly.
A hint of suspicion flashed across her face.
She could smell the presence of her own kind.
And not just one.
Soon, Mary led them to a peculiar room.
Even before entering, Akira could smell a strange fragrance drifting out from inside.
It made his heart beat just a little faster.
Meanwhile, the hostility on Ivsha's face grew even more obvious.
She could clearly sense it now—
There were many of her kind inside that room.
"So… what exactly do you need me to do?"
Akira asked Mary with a puzzled expression.
He had a feeling this mission wasn't nearly as simple as it looked.
Mary avoided his gaze slightly.
She stepped forward and gently pushed open the door.
As the door slowly creaked open, the fragrance grew far stronger.
The scene inside the room gradually revealed itself.
But—
The room was completely empty.
There wasn't even the most basic furniture.
The walls were made from a special material resembling white jade, smooth and elegant with a pale milky sheen.
On the northern wall, there was a perfectly smooth circular hole, about ten centimeters in diameter.
What made it strange was that the inside of the hole was completely black, so dark that nothing within could be seen.
Akira and Ivsha stepped into the room, confusion written across their faces.
At that moment, Mary moved closer to Akira and whispered softly into his ear.
"Please… inject your Holy Light into that hole."
"?"
Akira froze instantly.
His ears had heard her clearly.
But his brain hadn't caught up yet.
"…You mean…"
He slowly turned his head.
"Holy Light?"
"Yes," Mary replied without hesitation.
"Holy Light."