****(POV)

I approach the severed head of the snake-human hybrid. This is quite special. I have heard of transformations like that before but the ones I know about are done with magic. This means that it reverts back to the normal appearance upon death.

Nope, this one remains scaly and weird-looking. I go to pick it up…wait?! It's moving?! The tongue is still moving about. Is my opponent still alive?! I poke it with the tip of my sword.

*CHOMP! *

It bites extremely hard, cleaving its mouth open in the process. Wow. This is quite impressive! Even dead it can do that somehow…I feel like if I had to summarize it this enemy's strengths were bragging, acting perverted, and looking creepy.

I grab the head, then it's time to return home. The Moon Keep is as peaceful as usual. After all, there are no villages nearby and people know better than to come and disturb us. It would mean becoming a slave instantly. Right, I wonder how our mines are doing? Probably well since I haven't got any news.

I slowly make my way to a specific courtyard, one that is sunny and pleasant.

On a bench, the ever-so-kind-looking Grey is sitting.

"Brought you a gift, Grey!"

Then I throw him the head. He catches it with one hand, eyes still closed. The head is still wriggling its tongue in the air. Well, it's even more forked than it used to be since biting a sword.

"What do we have here? Seems to be some kind of bloodline? These guys can be an issue for sure."

"What do you know about it?"

"Well, see bloodline as an instant power-up. Awakening a decently strong one means reaching the power of a rank 3 in one go. Let's just say a clan with a good bloodline may very well have rank 3 villagers, this is quite different than ours."

"What about the experts?"

"If I remember correctly there are actually fewer experts that actually have bloodlines. Probably because of how easy they have it all. When you are born powerful you don't have the same desire for power, lacking the impetus to train."

"He did seem surprisingly arrogant for how weak he was too."

"Well, yes. But still, they shouldn't be underestimated. Bloodline experts tend to be some of the most perverse to fight. Think of a being with the raw power of a mythical creature and the potential of a human. It can quickly become crazily hard to deal with."

"How do you even know about all this? You are always sitting here on the same bench!"

"Haha, that's only what I do nowadays. I'm old now. But, before I used to roam the world. I settled here after meeting your father is all. Even then I still have this one trick, remember?"

The head suddenly starts getting agitated. Then all color drains from it as it becomes mummified. Grey can be seen smiling slightly.

"Funny guy haha."

"What is it?"

"Should I share it with you?"

I can't help but nod. I'm certainly curious. I approach Grey who puts his hand on my head. Then my vision goes dark as I see the dead's memories.…

****(POV)

I am standing above the pond to see my reflection clearly.

"I am the powerful and great Raza! Bow before my scales as you gaze into my beautiful eyes!"

No, this doesn't sound right. Let me think, there is some information that I absolutely must say. First, my name and clan. How else are they going to know how great I and my backing are otherwise?

Then I should probably emphasize my bloodline. I may just have a sliver of it, but I did manage to awaken it! This is enough to set me for life! Well, a life of semi-poverty where I can only look up to the others getting praised.

The worst is that I won't be able to get a wife because of it. All of them look down on me. Well, I could get myself one that has a weak bloodline…but that wouldn't be wise. Oh, I don't really care about that bloodline stuff too much myself. I mostly want prestige and a loving wife. That is all.

The problem is that these weak bloodline girls instantly get bullied once they are brought back home. I wouldn't be strong enough to stand up for her or leave the safety of our clan's walls. *Sigh*

So yeah, short-term it would bring me endless happiness, but long-term it wouldn't work. That's why I decided to volunteer for the next invasion, of a place called Anta—the Starter continent. Oh, I know clearly that it's just a way to get rid of the undesirables.

Still, it remains my best bet. Once I get there, I could try two things. I could either just build the warp gate and then bask in endless glory should I succeed or simply try to run and find myself a wife there. The first option would be hard but would be my ultimate goal.

Even with a weak bloodline, I can still enjoy endless benefits if I manage to accomplish a great service to the clan. Now if there is too much danger I'll simply run. That shall do. I may not be strong, but I have fully awakened the resistance of the Snake Overlord Bloodline. I bet not many would be able to seriously hurt me in that place.

That's why I'm now practicing my pickup lines. It's one thing to go there just for that opportunity…but I also need to make myself look good.

How does one look good? I can think of one guy in the village that does. He has 22 mistresses. Eventually, he said he was going to have 222 of them. I envy that guy so damn much! Can't he just spare one for a lonely snake like me?!

I should probably use the tactic of saying I have many mistresses. That will show that I am desirable, and the girl will feel like I'm a great prospect or something. If I add some witty remarks, I should be able to do something…

As long as I remain confident, powerful-looking, on the smart side…. yeah, this should work! Now, let's work a bit on my smile for it to be alluring. I also need to practice flexing, hard to see with a robe but still. Finally, I need to work out winking. Gosh, that is so hard when morphed!

Alright, let's keep working on this. Tomorrow is the big day after all!