The trap prepared earlier was certainly effective as it had killed most of the chasers. However, thanks to the loud explosion that was its aftermath, Tristan was sure that it would bring the attention of the entire warrior of Forlorn City onto the location they currently at.

Therefore, Tristan and the others had to get away from this spot as soon as possible. Otherwise, they would be trapped here forever, buried under the ground by hundreds of enraged Forlorn elves.

However, the idea also appeared to be a stretch as there were still three elven nobles alive amidst the dozen lucky elven warrior survivors. Even though their number had decreased, they were still a force that needed to be wary of and reckoned with.

When the smoke dissipated and the visibility returned, Tristan could finally see the reason why those elves were able to survive such a level of explosion and the intense barrage of bullets that followed before.

There, several meters away from him, the elves were seen with their skin coated with things that shouldn't be possible back on Earth. Most of them had their skin covered by rough stones, while some of them had skins resembling that of a tree.

These two are the most common but most effective defensive spells earth element spell [Stoneskin] and plant element [Oakflesh].

It truly wasn't only a talk when one said these elves were amazing warriors. Tristan was sure that had it not been for the unexpected factor of the attack, most of them would have survived and at most suffered moderate injuries.

After a few moments of silently mourning the abrupt death of their brethrens, the three elven nobles brought out their magical weapons. The moment their weapons revealed themself, Tristan immediately sensed the prowess they possessed.

The long-haired blond male elf brandished a long spear with a huge blade. The spear's appearance somewhat reminded Tristan of the celtic spear back on Earth, but with a much bigger blade. Standing right beside him, the female elf brought out two rune-inscripted daggers and played them around while the last male elf removed his bow from his waist and grabbed the arrow in the quiver.

As if they didn't want to lose to the elven nobles, the elven warriors also began taking out their own weapons. In seconds, the elf group standing across Tristan and the others was ready for confrontation.

Sweeping his gaze across the elves, Tristan's face turned serious as he could tell those used by the nobles were all magical items; their weapons and also their armor. Fortunately, only the nobles had magical items as the equipment used by the elven warriors were normal.

"All of you will pay for what you have done!!"

A loud shout contained extreme anger resounded through the air as the elves readied themselves to fight Tristan and the others.

Seeing this, the blind elf, Prince Elroth, opened his mouth.

"I wonder... How do you plan to deal with this?"

Tristan let out a chuckle when he heard that. He turned to the crippled man and said, "You know what.. You just gave me a very good idea."

Even though Prince Elroth couldn't physically see Tristan, he instinctively knew that the latter was looking at him.

"What kind of idea- Woah! Wait-"

Sound of something speeding through the air was heard as the angry elves were dumbfounded when they saw Tristan throw the crippled Forlorn Prince towards them. Prince Elroth, who didn't expect he would be thrown by Tristan, was seen flailing his arms around as his body flew in the air, heading closer to the group of fighting-ready elves.

Most of the elven warriors were stunned by the sight, some even considered the option to catch Elroth. However, it seemed the elven nobles knew better as they strangely decided to quickly move out of the way.

The still hesitating elven warriors were given the surprise of their life when they saw the supposedly crippled elf suddenly casted Water element spell to create a water-based spear mid air, which immediately shot forward and successfully pierced two of them. The recoil momentum that the spear gave also being taken advantage by Elroth as his body flew back to the sky.

"Attack him!" shouted one of the elven nobles, which promptly awakened the stunned elven warriors from their shock watching their two companions' death.

In a matter of seconds, multiple arrows and spells were thrown at the elf who was currently having his time in the air. But then, all those projectiles were blocked just an inch away from the latter by a thick layer of ice.

Before his body hit the ground, Elroth once again casted the same water spell to throw him flying across the sky, charging toward one of the elven warriors. The said elven warrior was caught off guard as he was being grabbed in the neck and felt a burden on his back.

The other elven warriors who were nearby were stupefied to see Elroth staying on the said elf's back while beaming a wicked smile that shivers down their spine. The long unkempt hair, the severe scars on his face, and the terrifying hollow eyes only made the view even more spine-chilling.

"Hahaha! Why are you all attacking your prince?!! Have you all lost your respect for the royalty?!"

Prince Elroth's words, added with his current scary appearance, made thee elven warriors frozen still in their place. However, they quickly escaped out of the state by a loud shout coming from the elven noble.

"We only follow Prince Janus' order! What are you all doing standing around? Catch that villain!"

Knowing the elven warriors would be a step too late, the elven nobles swiftly casted spells to buff their bodies and dashed toward the crippled and exiled prince.

The situation quickly became chaotic as one blind and crippled elf was seen wrecking havoc and jumping around the dozen elves who were giving their best to land a hit. This scene where Elroth easily handled the elves interested Tristan very much.

Just like what the other party claimed and Tristan expected, the blind elf was indeed very powerful.

Of course, Tristan wouldn't just stand by and silently watch the ongoing scuffle like an unrelated bystander. Between the options of helping the elf, finishing the chasers, or starting his escape, Tristan chose his main nature.

Tristan's figure swiftly sped toward the battlefield, causing all the elves to become nervous. However, to their surprise, Tristan passed them and stopped right where the corpses of the elves were instead.

He stood there confidently with the trademark wicked smile plastered on his face and hands raised to the air.

[Blood Extraction]

Familiar wisps of blood-colored rose from the elves' corpses before entering Tristan's body.

[800...]

[900...]

[1100…]

[A mix of 1200 high-quality blood cell were found]

[Extracting and filtering the blood cell..]

[5900 Blood Essence gained]

Tristan could clearly feel the sensation of each of these elven's high quality blood rushed into his body, giving him a feeling of pure delight. He even almost let out a groan of pleasure at how good it felt, which he luckily managed to suppress in time.

Then, his eyes landed on the number of Blood Essence he had successfully gathered. Immediately, a nearly maniacal level of laughter bursted out of Tristan.

[Blood Essence 26050]

With it came a notification that he had been waiting for.

[Upgrade host's body to stage four Blood Monarch?]

[Cost 20.000 Blood Essence]

Clenched his fist tightly, Tristan mentally replied, "Yes, upgrade!"

The last time Tristan upgraded his body was during the battle against the barbarians. Since then, despite the tremendous increase in his strength, his life had been on a continuous loss. Hence, he really hoped this upgrade to stage 4 would really make a difference and allowed him to stand tall in this world.

[Upgrading to Stage Four Blood Monarch..]

[20,000 Blood Essence used]

[Advancing to Blood Monarch - Fourth Stage…]

The moment the last notification appeared in his mind, Tristan immediately felt the changes happening in his body.

He could feel the blood that was running through his veins stirred as it all flowed backwards simultaneously, heading to his heart. The beating of his heart sped up, and came with it was a deluge-like sensation. New, stronger blood was pumped and circulated throughout Tristan's entire body.

Tristan could feel part of the new blood rapidly make its way to his brain.

Then, he waited for the blood lake's appearance, but surprisingly this time it didn't show.

It was quite strange indeed, but Tristan soon forgot about it when he really felt his muscle start to bulge. He felt like his body was being tempered by the new flow of energy coursing through his entire body.

[Stage four advancement completed]

[Advancement affect host's physical body]

[Battle power increased significantly]

[Battle power 250]

[Stage Four Innate Skill has been unlocked]

[You have learned a new skill Blood Legacy]

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Written by Avans, Published exclusively by W.e.b.n.o.v.e.l,