The Beast Caverns. A system of large, hollow caves with limestone deposits, deep underground lakes, crystals, and thick, almost difficult-to-break walls decorated with glowing insects, lichens, moss, and plant life. Some of the caverns had bioluminescent lakes, ponds, waterfalls, and rivers which acted as an indirect energy source for the wildlife contained in them. Separate from the beasts on the ground surface, the beasts in the cavers were in a league of their own, each possessing incredible strengths, characteristics, and traits that truly made them unique...making them vulnerable to hunters. Even the weakest beasts were different from the surface-level creatures given the minuscule amounts of intelligence they possessed. In light of this, it is important to note that even the surface-level beasts had some powerful creatures of their own. The ones underground were simpler to find but slightly tougher to kill. "My goodness, this heat is insane," those in the High-tier beast’s tunnel leading to their caverns stood their ground as the heat waves blew down on them strong and hard. The hot winds started burning the flesh of a few but those with scales were saved from it. Meanwhile, the Blood Mutants at the back made tendrils for themselves which they used to keep their bodies grounded. Lily held onto said tendrils since her body was light enough to be pushed back by the winds. "Just a little longer, the winds will die down." The ones at the front spoke to those in the back while slowly pushing back. Eventually, the winds came down a little, leaving only an intense heatwave which nearly forced everyone to take off their armor. "These beasts are smart," an older-looking Granian spoke, assuming the position of leader to himself even though no one appointed him. "They’re using this heat to make us take off our armor to make us easy targets to kill. Stand your ground, no matter how hot it gets, don’t take it off." "OBVIOUSLY!!" they all shouted and left him to wallow in embarrassment. At last, the Hunters made it to the entrance of the Cavern. Located at the extreme top of the hollow cave, the Hunters were tasked with trailing to the bottom while avoiding beast attacks. "So this explains the heat." The Cavern blazed with a bright orange color, having deposits of lava and fire scattered all over. Instead of having a pool of water, the Cavern had a pool of lava with a few lava drops dripping from the Blackstone deposits. "This place looks like the pits of hell itself." "Check out the beasts," like the environment, the beasts evolved and adapted to blend in with the hot Cavern. Some beasts rolled and swam in the lava like it was second nature while others slept on top of burning piles of sulfur. Some had humanoid shapes, while others looked like the mystical fantasy beasts written by a twenty-year-old artist. "Looks like someone’s sick interpretation of the underworld. "We must be careful not to alert any of the beasts. If the flying ones catch wind of us, they’ll attack immediately." The real leader of the High-tiered beast’s squad gave instructions to ensure that no one died. "A few of you will stay behind with ropes for the others to climb up in case things go sideways. The rest of you who wish to fight should follow me." Ace and Cherry were the first to follow, followed by Lily who was dragged, and a few other Hunters. While scaling the Cavern walls, they all decided to hunt a reptilian-like beast nesting on a pile of hot rocks. The creature had rock-hard red skin with glowing segments in between drenched in lava. Its head was shaped like the Granians, having a long reptilian shape with a long pair of horns adorned on its head. With three pairs of eyes on either side of its head, two pairs of nostrils that released a yellow cloud of sulfur, and six legs on its long, snake-like body, two pairs at the front and one pair at the back with a short spiked tail. "That’s our target?" one Granian wondered after the last of the Hunters made it to the floor of the Caverns. As soon as they did, they drew their weapons and crept on the beast, making sure not to draw the attention of any other. "It’s huge and looks...dangerous." "An Emberwyrm," another gasped, standing humbled and terrified at the beast’s colossal nature. "It’s quite large and intimidating. Can we defeat it?" "We can, and we will." The leader spoke once again while leading the others to the Emberwyrm. So far, they managed to sneak past the others by squeezing themselves into the countless holes, crevices, cracks and splits within the Cavern’s walls. Also, given that they were quite small in size, the Granians, and two humans, snuck up on their intended target, ready to kill. Meanwhile, Ace, who was at the last in the line of those hunting the Emberwyrm, couldn’t get his eyes off the creature due to one thing only. "If I kill and conjure that beast..." he mumbled with a faint grin showing on his face. So far, his Blood Army consisted of two hundred Ethisians, and never before did he ever think of killing and conjuring a beast. Now that he was in the presence of a strong one, he chose to see if it would be possible to kill and turn the Emberwyrm into one of his soldiers. "I can tell you have something planned, Ace," Cherry whispered. "What is it?" "You’re lacking a good set of weaponry," he replied and handed over his Daggers to his sister. "Those should help you with this fight. I’ll get something else for myself." [Welcome to the Blood Store] [Weapons and Items Category Selected.] [The System Recognizes the State You Are About to Fall In. A few Item suggestions have been provided] [Hemorrhage Scythe: With a focused exertion of blood magic, the wielder empowers the scythe’s blade, causing it to seethe with intense heat. Upon impact, the blade releases a burst of scorching energy, causing deep wounds that hinder the creature’s movement and inflict continuous damage over time. A Class Weapon. Cost: 1,500,000 Blood Coins + 1 Skill that you are yet to learn.] [Blood Harvest Gauntlets: By channeling their own life force into the Gauntlets, the wielder can unleash an attack that drains the creature’s vitality upon contact and slowly diminishes their strength and stamina. The Gauntlets greatly enhance and boost your Blood Manipulation abilities which are Blood Strength, Blood Drain, and Blood Control, an aspect that can improve said individual abilities at a faster rate. Each strike replenishes the wielder’s strength and vitality, empowering them to endure the creature’s relentless assaults. A+ Class Weapon. Cost: 2,000,000 Blood Coins] [Blood Bond Ring. This skill allows the wielder to form a temporary pact with the creature’s blood, gaining insights into its weaknesses and vulnerabilities. It also enables them to temporarily control the creature’s movements, giving them an advantage in combat. B+ Class Weapon. Cost: 20,000,000 Blood Coins] Seeing the incredibly high and ridiculous price on the Blood Bond Ring, Ace frowned deeply and started debating with his system, asking for a reason as to why it was so expensive and yet it was at a lower class than the other which were A and A+. According to the system, the Blood Bong ring had a more effective effect which would benefit him greatly if he wore it. The Item was also a Blood Magic Aspect which would increase his current magic level by thirty two percent, hence the reason it was so expensive. [Blood Harvest Gauntlets: Purchased] [Blood Coins: 4,000,011<<<<2,000,011] The most beautiful and neatly handcrafted Blood Gauntlets appeared before the Blood Bishop’s eyes and gently landed in his arms. The Gauntlets, adorned with a black and red gradient, had four sharp knuckle mounds on top of each finger. Slits in between each finger and at the wrist made it perfect for the user’s mobility. Its texture was tough, durable, resilient, but also light, offering protecting for the user and acting as a weapon at the same time. Orıginal content can be found at 𝔫𝔬𝔳𝔢𝔩⁂𝔣𝔦𝔯𝔢⁂𝔫𝔢𝔱 [All Blood Abilities will be increased by Two Levels upon wearing the Gauntlets.] [Your Blood Strength will be increased by Four Hundred Points only when both Gauntlets are on.] [Blood Strength: Level 3>>>Level 5] [Blood Drain: Level 1>>> Level 4] [Blood Control: Level 1>>> Level 4] A surge of power slowly settled in Ace’s body as soon as he wore the Gauntlets. His hands felt lighter and stronger and he felt as though he could perfectly control blood. To test it out, he slit his wrist and drained a little bit of his blood to test just how perfectly he could control it. ’Incredible,’ he gasped, feeling the blood flow perfectly and bend meticulously to his will. He even increased the iron levels in his own blood, making it almost metallic to the touch. ’With this, I can even reinforce my Blood Weapons and make them harder.’ "Get yourselves ready, Hunters," the leader spoke as they approached the foot of the Emberwyrm’s nest. "Try not to get yourselves killed."