Bloodline Override.
Tave opened his eyes, trying to calm his mind as the idea of Bloodline Override surged through his thoughts like a flood.
Bloodline Override was, in practice, a way to remove the limitations of the human bloodline. Limitations that came with both advantages and disadvantages compared to other races. So, in simple terms, this method would make someone no longer fully human.
He took a deep breath, letting the weight of that thought settle in.
The process itself was straightforward but extreme. To break free from their natural limits, a person had to become something else, considering elemental affinity, physical compatibility, and potential power growth.
To achieve this, they would sacrifice a creature or any non-human entity and perform a ritual to absorb its bloodline into their own body.
Through this process, they would inherit a fraction of the sacrificed creature's traits, allowing them to evolve beyond their original state and break free from the restrictions holding them back.
It was an insanely dangerous method, far from normal.
For most people, the idea of losing their humanity would be terrifying. The thought of transforming into something they weren't born as was dangerous, unpredictable, and irreversible.
But for Tave? This was his only way forward.
His path was clear. He needed to find a creature with a high affinity for the Dark Element. Since he possessed Dark Affinity, fusing with something that shared this attribute would be the best course of action.
Of course, he could use another race as the sacrifice. Some humanoid beings possessed powerful bloodlines. But in truth, taking from a monster was just as effective.
Yes… a monster.
But no, no, no, this didn't mean he would become a mindless beast.
In this world, monsters were mostly brainless creatures, acting purely on instinct. However, the essence of Bloodline Override wasn't about turning into a monster. It was about taking a fraction of their bloodline, their abilities, while still retaining full consciousness and control over one's mind and body.
So, did this mean he needed to hunt down a high-grade, extremely powerful monster to make this work?
No. Not necessarily.
The important thing was that he would still be in control. And in the future, he would even be able to override his bloodline again with something more powerful, refining and altering his body further.
He wasn't bound to just one transformation.
But he couldn't afford to wait. He didn't have the luxury of slowly searching for the perfect creature to use.
He needed power now.
Time was everything.
And right now, this was his only option.
Hell yes.
Losing a bit of himself was a far better choice than dying a powerless fool in a world where Gaia Force refused to acknowledge his existence.
Tave had made up his mind.
He stood up, ready to leave. Because yes, he was going monster hunting!
He headed back to his room, checking all his gear. His outfit was designed for agility, reinforced with armor pieces to protect vital areas. It looked solid, proof that their father had made sure they were well-equipped for situations like this.
He grabbed a rucksack from his wardrobe and started packing everything he needed.
He might be away from the city for days, maybe even weeks. He wouldn't return until he had transformed into something stronger than he was now.
Crazy? Yes, insane!
That was exactly what people thought when Theo, the original protagonist, did the same thing. But that craziness was what had allowed him to break through his limits and grow stronger.
And if Tave wanted to become powerful, stronger than Theo, maybe even the strongest. He had to be just as crazy, if not crazier!
***
There was no food supply left in the house that he could take, so he'd have to stop by the market first, grab some dried meat and other necessities before heading out.
Luckily, he had some coins saved up. Not much, but enough. He could always earn more once he hunted enough monsters and gathered their cores.
Weapons, armor, emergency sleeping gear, and all the basics, check.
The annoying part? This world didn't have embedded dimensional storage.
Sure, dimensional storage items existed, but they had to be purchased, and Tave didn't own one yet. Meanwhile, Lily already had one. A ring gifted by their father. No surprise there, considering how insanely expensive those things were!
He hadn't earned his yet. Maybe once he reached Gaia Guardian, he'd be rewarded with one too.
But for now, a rucksack would have to do.
He left a note for his sister, something short and simple, just enough to let her know he'd be gone for a while.
Because if he told her in person, she would definitely try to stop him, argue, or worse, tell their father.
He could have taken Lily along, but this wasn't the kind of mission he wanted anyone else involved in. The fewer people who knew, the better.
With his understanding of monsters and their traits, he was confident enough to handle this alone.
By the time he stepped outside, evening had nearly faded into night.
His first stop was the market. He moved fast, grabbing only what he absolutely needed: dried meat, water, extra bandages, and, most importantly, three vials of healing potions.
And just like that, his entire savings were gone.
Damn it.
No matter what world he was in, money was always a problem.
Strength was important, sure, but so was wealth. Because at the end of the day, whoever had money also had power.
Hah.
With his supplies secured, he made his way to the city gate.
The guards barely spared him a glance as he flashed his identity card, and within moments, he was past the towering city walls, stepping into the open wilderness beyond.
The cool night air brushed against his skin as he picked up his pace. The landscape stretched ahead, bathed in silver moonlight, the road fading into the distance.
And then… The moment true darkness settled around him, he felt it.
His body felt lighter.
His steps quickened.
His vision sharpened, beyond anything human. He could see further, clearer, like the night itself was an extension of his senses.
The benefits of having a high affinity with the Dark Element.
Hah… incredible.
If this was what he could do now, just wait until he reached Gaia Guardian. Once that happened, he'd gain access to even stronger Dark Element skills, unlocking a whole new level of combat power. And he couldn't wait for that moment.
His destination was a forest near the city, roughly an hour's journey away.
It was a well-known hunting zone, filled with Tier 1 and Tier 2 monsters. Not exactly weak, but still within his range to fight.
This wouldn't be easy. But then again… becoming strong never was.
As he reached the forest's edge, he took in the sight before him, towering trees, their thick canopies stretching endlessly in every direction.
A low railing stood along the perimeter, a simple but effective barrier designed to keep weaker monsters from wandering into human territory.
But it wasn't just a physical boundary. The railing was enhanced with magic, boosted by embedded monster cores, creating an invisible repelling force that deterred low-tier creatures from crossing over.
With a swift motion, he leaped over the railing without hesitation, and let the darkness swallow him whole.
The hunt... begins.