Chapter 254: Chapter 254 - A Race Beyond Vampires
Atlas had already set a few agendas for himself over the next month, while he waited for the rest of his army to reach the level required to ascend to Rank-2. But there was something else, something more personal, that he needed to clarify.
That was why he now found himself at Morganna’s private hut, arriving shortly after the earlier strategy meeting had ended.
He stepped inside, where the vampire queen sat cross-legged at the center of the room, arms folded, wearing that same defensive posture she always did.
Atlas offered a faint smile and walked closer, taking a seat across from her. This time, though, there were no sharp remarks or cold sarcasm to greet him.
He paused for a moment, studying her face as she returned his gaze with her usual unreadable stare.
"How... is the child?" he asked quietly.
"There’s nothing to worry about. This is a vampire child, not a human one. Don’t go thinking vampires are that fragile," she replied flatly.
He gave a small nod and smiled again. That was the kind of answer he expected.
"I have a serious question for you," he said after a pause. "Especially after the discussion we just had." Another short silence, then, "What do you think, if I—"
"No."
She cut him off before he could even finish.
"You carry Lyrassa’s essence. You have affinity with mixed elements," she said sharply.
Atlas raised a questioning brow.
"Becoming a vampire would only waste that potential."
His expression didn’t change. He was still listening.
"Yes, being turned would enhance you, upgrade you into something beyond what you are now. But you need to understand, humans can evolve too."
"Evolve?" he echoed, the word lingering in his thoughts.
He had heard Edrik mention something like this before... and now Morganna was confirming it.
"You already have affinity with four basic elements," she continued, "but only one special element, Dark. If you can secure affinity with one more special element, which is Light. You’ll gain the possibility to evolve into a High Human."
Atlas lifted his head slightly, falling into a moment of silence.
High Human...
It was one of the known subraces of humanity. In truth, the world recognized many types of humans, and Atlas, as he was now, likely belonged to the weakest among them.
High Humans were a superior human type with extended lifespans. Comparable to Elves, or perhaps even Vampires. Though they still aged, their aging process was drastically slower.
One of the greatest advantages of becoming a High Human was that they gained most of the benefits a Vampire had. Long life, enhanced regeneration, high magic affinity. But without the blood dependency.
In fact, High Humans had something entirely unique. They were said to be a subrace with the closest natural path toward Ascension.
Many high-level Awakeners pursued the dream of becoming High Human, seeking it as a step toward immortality. Yet even then, it remained an incredibly rare achievement.
People like Karian, Edrik, and Milo, they too , lived far beyond a normal human lifespan... and yet, they remained within the boundaries of ordinary human existence. Even that alone already made them absurdly powerful.
"Secure that affinity with the Light element," Morganna said, "and raise all your elemental affinities to High. Evolve into a High Human before you reach level 200. Or even level 150." She gave him a faint smile.
But how was he supposed to gain affinity with Light?
Light was an element directly connected to divine beings. It was usually bestowed, granted either by a celestial being, or tied to something ancient and sacred. That was a stark contrast to Dark, which could still be obtained through more accessible means.
Only one person Atlas knew had true affinity with Light: Celestia, or Celly, and even she had it thanks to her unique system ability that gave her the power of an Oracle.
The other... was Sentinel Kareem, the leader of the Alliance, someone who was actively hunting Atlas and wanted nothing more than to see his head on a spike.
If even the Vampire Queen herself, someone with thousands of years of experience, said that becoming a High Human suited Atlas more than becoming a vampire, then there was no reason for him to doubt her judgment.
So now, his new goal was clear: to ascend into a High Human.
It was not something he could achieve anytime soon, certainly not before reaching level 100. But at the very least, he could start working toward perfecting his elemental affinities.
"What about Blood?" he asked quietly.
Morganna fell silent for a moment, then turned her gaze away.
"Once the child in my womb is born, naturally you’ll gain more elemental affinities related to me."
Atlas sat in silence, absorbing that. Was this just a coincidence? That his decision to delay advancement for one month aligned so closely with the expected time of Morganna’s delivery?
The conversation didn’t stretch much longer. The tension between them remained thick, but eventually, Atlas rose to his feet. As always, the Vampire Queen maintained her strong defensive wall.
"Come," he said, extending a hand to her.
Morganna looked at him, then down at his open hand.
"We’re doing a gacha pull, everyone gets a turn. Ten pulls each. That includes you." A grin tugged at his lips.
She hesitated, her expression unreadable. But eventually, she raised her hand and placed it gently in his... though she still didn’t meet his eyes.
The vampire queen rose to her feet, her eyes fixed on Atlas.
"Who knows," he said with a grin, "maybe we’ll get a blueprint for an ice cream shop. Or a machine that makes unlimited ice cream."
"Don’t try to tempt me with childish things like that," she replied softly.
Atlas chuckled and gently tugged her hand, leading her out of the room. Outside, the celebration had already begun. People were gathering, music played, laughter echoed through the air as they celebrated their hard-earned victory.
Still holding Morganna’s hand, Atlas walked into the light, and for a moment, the entire crowd seemed to freeze.
"Wait... I’m not seeing things, am I?"
"Did the vampire queen just... give in?"
"Shut your mouth if you want to keep living."
"Sorry, I’m just... stunned."
"You do know our Lord is a Harem Lord, right? Lady Ember and the others confirmed it."
"Well, being a Harem Lord actually sounds kind of awesome. More descendants from all sorts of races? That’ll make this island even more lively and powerful."
Meanwhile, Atlas had stepped up onto the stage, drawing thunderous applause from the crowd.
He smiled warmly and faced everyone.
"I know you’ve all been waiting for this moment," he began. "And so have I... Tonight, we celebrate our victory. And we welcome our new allies and family to Gacha Haven!"
A cheer erupted.
"It’s time for another round of Gacha Pulls!"
"Fire!!!" the crowd roared back.
"And I have a feeling... we might just land another S-rank pull tonight!"
"FIRE!!!"
"We’re doing something different this time!" Atlas announced with a wide grin. "Each of my Elite Subordinates will throw the tickets themselves. And let’s see how their luck affects the results!"
Right on cue, someone leapt onto the stage, striking a dramatic pose with one hand in the air, her body spinning before landing gracefully. Her left leg lifted, right hand resting on her cheek in an adorably exaggerated stance.
"I’ll do the first round!" she declared in a super cute voice.
Several people in the audience were visibly knocked backward from sheer overload, while others slumped sideways, utterly dazed.
"Throw the tickets, Mira!" Atlas said, handing a stack of them to the energetic bunny girl.
"I’m gonna pull full S-ranks in one throw!" she beamed, then tossed the tickets high into the air.
"No way, Mira, that’s pushing it! That’s just not realistic."
"My Lord... I love being underestimated. I’ll turn every word of doubt into gasps of awe!"
BROWN. BROWN.
Atlas chuckled softly. "Oh no... c’mon, give me RED!"
BROWN. BROWN.
Everyone’s eyes were locked onto the glowing tickets, curiosity and suspense rising.
BROWN. BROWN. BROWN.
"RED! RED! RED!" Mira shouted, hopping in place.
PURPLE.
"FIRE!!!" the crowd erupted.
PURPLE.
"YEAAAH!" Mira cheered with a victorious grin.
That’s... good.
PURPLE!
"FIIIIREEE!!!" Mira screamed across the stage as the final tickets finished opening, revealing three Rank-A pulls!
"Yesss... not too far off from what I expected," the bunny girl giggled, clearly pleased.
"This isn’t anywhere near what you claimed, Mira!" Atlas laughed, shaking his head.
Still, he gathered his seven normal tickets and felt more than satisfied. Three Rank-A pulls were far beyond his expectations. An impressive result, all things considered.
"Alright... now open the actual tickets," he said.
Mira grinned wide, practically bouncing in place, then reached out and touched one of the glowing purple tickets.
The ticket began to tremble.
Mira immediately jumped back, eyes wide with anticipation.
And then, suddenly, the ticket burst open.
A rapid flurry of carrots shot out from it, scattering across the stage floor with loud thumps.
Atlas stared, stunned.
No way!