Lizarius stared at the crimson sphere floating before him.
For several moments—
he didn't move.
His golden eyes carefully examined the strange energy contained within it.
*...So this is it—the Bloodline Core Essence containing its Bloodline.*
The system immediately responded.
**[Affirmative.]**
Lizarius' gaze remained fixed upon the crimson core.
Then—
the system added.
**[However, the object before you is not the complete Bloodline.]**
Lizarius' eyes narrowed slightly.
**[It is Bloodline Core Blood.]**
**[Bloodline Core Blood contains a concentrated portion of the host's Bloodline Essence.]**
**[Unlike ordinary Blood Essence, which primarily contains vitality, physical essence, and life force, Bloodline Core Blood carries a portion of the Bloodline's fundamental inheritance.]**
Lizarius remained silent.
The system continued.
**[By transferring a portion of its Bloodline Core Blood, a Bloodline-bearing creature may pass part of its Bloodline inheritance to another compatible vessel.]**
Lizarius' golden eyes flickered.
*So that's how inheritance works.*
*The Bloodline itself isn't completely removed.*
*Instead...*
*The host gives another creature a portion of its core blood.*
His gaze shifted toward the weakened Blood Horn Python.
*That allows the recipient to inherit the Bloodline while the original owner retains it.*
Lizarius considered the crimson sphere again.
Then—
another question surfaced.
*"If I consume it, will I obtain the Blood Horn Python Bloodline?"*
**[Affirmative.]**
Lizarius' eyes narrowed.
**[However, the inherited Bloodline will not possess the same grade or completeness as the original host's Bloodline.]**
**[Only a portion of the Bloodline inheritance is transferred through Bloodline Core Blood.]**
**[The recipient must gradually awaken and develop the inherited Bloodline.]**
Lizarius remained silent.
*So it won't give me the complete Earth-Grade Bloodline.*
*But it will give me the Bloodline itself.*
A faint understanding formed within his mind.
*Interesting.*
Across from him—
the Blood Horn Python quietly watched.
The serpent's breathing remained heavy.
Its body was visibly weakened.
Yet—
Lizarius had still not taken the crimson sphere.
The serpent became increasingly confused.
*Why isn't he taking it?*
It cautiously raised its head.
*Is there something wrong?*
*Did I do something incorrectly?*
Its crimson eyes shifted between Lizarius and the floating Bloodline Core Blood.
*He asked for this.*
*I gave it to him.*
*So why is he just staring at it?*
The serpent swallowed nervously.
"...Is there something wrong?"
Lizarius didn't answer.
His golden eyes remained fixed upon the crimson sphere.
Then—
he finally moved.
His jaws opened.
The crimson Bloodline Core Blood immediately flew toward him.
**GULP.**
Lizarius swallowed it whole.
The instant it entered his body—
the serpent's eyes widened.
There was no reaction like one would expect.
The system's mechanical voice immediately echoed within Lizarius' mind.
**[Bloodline Gene acquired.]**
**[Blood Horn Python Bloodline Gene acquired.]**
Lizarius remained motionless.
He could feel the new genetic information settling within his body.
It didn't clash with his existing Bloodline.
It didn't resist.
Instead—
it was immediately assimilated by his unique evolutionary system.
Lizarius' golden eyes slowly shifted toward the serpent.
The Blood Horn Python stared back.
For several moments—
neither spoke.
Then—
Lizarius calmly said,
"Again."
The serpent froze.
"...Again?"
Its expression became puzzled.
Lizarius' golden eyes remained fixed upon the Blood Horn Python.
For several moments—
he said nothing.
Then—
he calmly spoke.
"Give me another one."
The serpent froze.
"...Another?"
Its crimson eyes widened.
It stared at Lizarius as though it had misheard him.
"You want another Bloodline Core Blood?"
Lizarius simply nodded.
The serpent's expression immediately changed.
*Another?*
Its mind raced.
*Why?*
*He already obtained the Bloodline.*
*What more does he want?*
Lizarius remained silent.
Within his mind—
he quietly considered what had just happened.
*I didn't instruct to fuse the Blood Horn Python Bloodline.*
*Yet it fused automatically.*
His golden eyes narrowed slightly.
*It must be related to the way I acquired it.*
*The Bloodline Core Blood entered my body directly.*
*The system recognized the Bloodline Gene...*
*Then immediately assimilated it.*
*Interesting.*
His attention returned to the serpent.
"Another."
The Blood Horn Python's expression became tense.
"No."
Lizarius stared at it.
The serpent immediately swallowed.
"That wasn't the deal."
Its voice trembled slightly.
"You agreed to let me live if I gave you my Bloodline Core Blood."
"I gave it to you."
"So..."
"Why are you asking for another?"
Silence.
Lizarius' golden eyes remained completely emotionless.
Then—
he calmly answered.
"You're still alive."
The serpent froze.
"...What?"
Lizarius repeated.
"You're still alive."
The Blood Horn Python stared at him.
"Yes..."
"I know I'm still alive."
Its voice carried a trace of disbelief.
"But I already—"
It suddenly stopped.
Its gaze met Lizarius' golden eyes.
The words died in its throat.
For a brief instant—
the serpent felt it.
Something cold.
Something terrifying.
A faint brush against death.
Lizarius hadn't moved.
His expression hadn't changed.
Yet—
the serpent understood.
*He can kill me.*
The realization sent a chill through its entire body.
*If I refuse...*
*He'll kill me.*
Its body instinctively lowered.
The serpent swallowed.
*I don't have a choice.*
Its crimson eyes trembled.
"Alright."
Lizarius remained silent.
The serpent slowly closed its eyes.
"I'll give you another."
The crimson horn on its forehead began glowing once again.
**HUMM—**
The surrounding spiritual energy began to fluctuate.
The serpent's body tightened.
Its remaining Bloodline Essence began circulating toward its horn.
Lizarius quietly watched.
His golden eyes followed every movement.
*The process remains the same.*
The serpent's breathing became strained.
Its scales tightened against its body.
The crimson horn gradually brightened.
A deep red light began gathering inside it.
**CRACK.**
A thin fracture appeared across the horn.
The serpent gritted its teeth.
The Bloodline Core Blood slowly condensed.
Its body trembled violently.
**CRACK.**
Another fracture spread across the crimson horn.
Then—
the crimson sphere slowly emerged.
It floated above the serpent's forehead.
Lizarius' gaze remained fixed upon it.
The serpent's body weakened further.
Yet—
it continued until the Bloodline Core Blood completely separated.
The crimson sphere hovered silently between them.
Lizarius raised one claw.
The sphere slowly floated toward him.
The serpent opened its eyes.
It watched the crimson core move away from its body.
A complicated emotion appeared within its gaze.
But—
it said nothing.
It had already made its choice.
And for the moment—
it was still alive.
The crimson sphere disappeared into Lizarius' maw.
**GULP.**
The moment he swallowed—
the system's voice echoed within his mind.
**[Blood Horn Python Bloodline Gene acquired.]**
Lizarius remained motionless.
He could once again feel the Bloodline Gene being assimilated into his body.
No resistance.
No rejection.
No conflict.
It simply became part of him.
His golden eyes shifted toward the Blood Horn Python.
"Another."
The serpent's body trembled.
Its crimson eyes widened in disbelief.
*Another...?*
It stared at Lizarius.
*He already took two.*
Its body felt noticeably weaker.
Its breathing had become heavier.
Even the crimson horn upon its forehead had dimmed considerably.
Yet—
it knew what would happen if it refused.
The serpent lowered its head.
"...Alright."
There was no strength left in its voice.
It began the process again.
Lizarius quietly watched.
The familiar crimson light gathered around the serpent's horn.
Its body trembled.
Its aura weakened further.
Then—
the third Bloodline Core Blood slowly emerged.
Lizarius immediately swallowed it.
**GULP.**
Silence.
He calmly stared at the serpent.
The Blood Horn Python barely remained upright.
Its scales had lost their former luster.
Its breathing was extremely weak.
Lizarius' golden eyes narrowed slightly.
*...So extracting Bloodline Core Blood repeatedly also consumes the host's vitality.*
He carefully observed the serpent.
*The Bloodline itself remains.*
*But the process clearly weakens its physical condition.*
The serpent slowly raised its head.
Its crimson eyes were filled with exhaustion.
Inside its mind—
fear resurfaced.
*What is he going to do now?*
It watched Lizarius carefully.
*Don't tell me...*
*He still wants another.*
Its heart sank.
*If he continues...*
*There won't be much difference between this and killing me.*
Lizarius suddenly turned away.
The serpent froze.
He began moving.
The serpent's eyes widened.
"Wait!"
Lizarius stopped.
The serpent struggled to raise its head.
"Where are you going?"
Lizarius glanced back.
The serpent's voice became increasingly desperate.
"You can't just leave!"
"Don't forget our deal!"
Lizarius remained silent.
The serpent's body trembled.
"If you leave me like this..."
"I'll surely die!"
Its breathing became increasingly difficult.
"And if I die because of what you did..."
The serpent stared at him.
"...Then you'll be the one who killed me."
Lizarius' golden eyes remained emotionless.
The serpent swallowed.
Its voice became quieter.
"If that's what you intend..."
"Then just kill me now."
"At least..."
"I'll know you're the one who killed me."
Silence.
Lizarius slowly turned around.
His golden eyes met the serpent's.
"Okay."
His jaws opened.
The Blood Horn Python's eyes widened.
"Wait—"
It suddenly understood.
*He's really going to do it.*
Its body instinctively tried to move.
But—
it had no strength.
*I was only saying—*
Its thoughts stopped.
Its vision suddenly blurred.
The surrounding forest began spinning.
The serpent's body swayed.
"...Huh?"
Its crimson eyes slowly lost focus.
Then—
**THUD.**
Its massive body collapsed onto the ground.
Silence returned.
Lizarius stared down at the unconscious serpent.
His jaws slowly closed.
For several moments—
he didn't move.
Then his golden eyes narrowed slightly.
*It passed out.*
The Blood Horn Python's breathing remained faint.
But—
it was still alive.