Chapter 41: Sub-Stat: Blood Energy (1/2)

Nikolai wanted to enchant the potion before using it, but he decided otherwise. Unlike the case with Sergio, he didn't know any enchanters that he could trust. Knowing that Madness had deep ties to the Enchanters Association deterred Nikolai from seeking them out.

[Event's Probability: 30%.]

He was measuring the success of removing the curse and realized that it was shallow. Gritting his teeth, Nikolai spent two points for it to succeed. As soon as he did, the pain intensified.

”AGH!” Nikolai let out a groan for the first time, strong enough to startle Sergio, who was holding him down.

”Boss, are you alright?” Sergio asked, panicky. He didn't want to deal with a dead body, not that anyone else did. Well, except for Madness.

Nikolai couldn't answer even if he wanted to and just wished for the pain to stop. Even dying didn't feel this bad. The potion was slowly eroding the curse. His head grew faint until he fainted, freed from the pain.

***

When he woke up, he found that it was early morning of the next day. The workshop was empty and but Sergio has cleaned it up while Nikolai was asleep.

He helped himself sit up as he examined the curse, but it was gone. With a sigh of relief, Nikolai slumped back into bed. The workshop's door opened to reveal Sergio carrying a grocery bag.

”Bossman!” Sergio gave him a weird nickname as he rushed in, relieved at the sight of Nikolai's wellbeing. Feeling warm inside, Nikolai sat up.

”That's not even a word.” Nikolai smiled as he sniffed. ”Sweet buns?”

”Yes!” Sergio took out the buns from the bag and handed one to Nikolai. His mouth watered as he smelled the sweet aroma of the bun.

”By the way, boss.” Sergio suddenly asked. ”You should've told me that it was a blood curse. Luckily, it somehow worked.”

”What are you talking about it?” Nikolai frowned as he finished his bun. ”It's not a blood curse; the potion for those needs to be drunk, and they're tough to eradicate.”

”I know!” Sergio hurried to explain as if he wanted to prove he wasn't ignorant. ”I thought it was a normal curse until black blood left your orifices.”

'Black... blood?' Nikolai frowned heavily. He wiped under his nose, and as Sergio said, there were traces of black blood. 'Uh-oh, this isn't supposed to happen...'

Jumping from the bed, Nikolai hurried to look in the mirror for any changes in his body. Other than the stains of blood on his face and shoulders, there was nothing abnormal. Nikolai's body felt lighter than it was before.

'Initiate.' Nikolai knew that if something changed, the system would record it. As expected, he received notifications the moment he opened the system.

[The curse disappeared from your body!]

[The powerful reaction affects your blood, awakening the Energy dormant in it!]

[A powerful energy is eating away your blood essence!]

[The residue of the potion takes effect and restores the damage.]

[Energy stabilizes. Your body is expelling the foul blood.]