Chapter 17: Progenitor’s Artifacts

Chapter 17: Progenitor’s ArtifactsThe room was dim, the curtains barely letting in any sunlight. Dust floated lazily in the air. Lucifer stood by the window, one hand in his pocket, the other holding back the curtain slightly.

He watched Francisca sprint across the courtyard, heading straight for the building. Her aura flared lightly—definitely pissed, definitely in a rush.

"Figures," he muttered with a small smirk.

Behind him, the body of a dead vampire lay sprawled on the floor, fangs still bared in a permanent snarl. Just a low-level rogue. They needed something for the others to believe the story, after all. A little stage blood, a clean kill—perfect setup.

Lucifer sighed and waved his hand in front of him.

[DING!]

[Quest Tab – Complete]

> [Drink the blood of a supernatural being within 24 hours]

Status: COMPLETE

Reward: +2 Stat Points | Passive Skill Unlocked: Vampire's Taste

"You can now detect blood quality and hidden traits with a single sip."



[Hunt a Rogue Vampire]

Status: COMPLETE

Reward: +50 EXP | +1 Stat Point | Item Unlocked: Cloak of Night's Edge

"A rare cloak woven from cursed shadows. Grants +10% movement speed in darkness and dampens aura presence."

[Mark Her As Yours]

Status: COMPLETE

Reward: +1 Bloodline Evolution Point | Skill Unlocked: Crimson Claim

"With this mark, your Bound can no longer be claimed by another. Grants a mental link and increases obedience."

Lucifer's eyes narrowed slightly at the glowing new notifications.

"Crimson Claim, huh? That explains the look in her eyes," he muttered, thinking back to Ella's strange mix of frustration and obsession.

[New Quests Unlocked]

Quest Name: Create Your First Spawn

Objective: Turn a human into a vampire using your blood.

Reward: +3 Stat Points / Unlock Skill: Bloodline Pulse

Time Limit: 24 Hours

"They will carry your legacy... or die trying."

Quest Name: Assert Dominance in the Circle

Objective: Win a fight against another supernatural being of the same level or higher.

Reward: +100 EXP / Unlock Passive: Predator's Aura

Time Limit: 48 Hours

Quest Name: Feed Without Killing

Objective: Feed from a willing supernatural or human without draining them to death.

Reward: +5 Stat Point

Time Limit: 12 Hours

Lucifer waved his hand again, the translucent screen of his Quest System fading into his Status Page. He squinted slightly, watching the numbers shift as the system updated.

[DING!]

[You have gained: 50 EXP + 500 EXP + 10 EXP + 35 EXP = 595 EXP]

[You have leveled up!]

[Level Up Bonus: +5 Stat Points]

[You are now Level 6]

Lucifer raised a brow. "Tch. Not bad."

The screen shimmered and morphed:

---

Name: Lucifer (Surname Unknown)

Race: Half-Vampire (Progenitor Lineage - Incomplete Awakening)

Level: 6

EXP: [95/700]

Bloodline: Progenitor Bloodline (Stage 1 – Assimilated with Primordial Lust Demon Bloodline)

Title: None

HP: 580/580

MP: 200/200

Stamina: 270

Strength: 25

Agility: 28

Endurance: 24

Intelligence: 22

Charisma: 38

Luck: 13

Stat Points Available: 8

---

Lucifer looked over the stats, lips curving slightly. His charisma was spiking fast. That explained the looks, the obedience, the way people's eyes lingered.

He let out a quiet laugh, something low and smooth.

"So this is what it feels like to rise."

Francisca pushed the door open with a breathless rush. Her eyes landed on the lifeless body of the rogue vampire, slumped cold and still in the corner of the room.



Without hesitation, her hands flared to life—blue foxfire crackling in her palms—and with a whisper of heat and light, the body was reduced to glowing ashes.

Then she turned and ran into Lucifer's arms.

"Are you alright?" she asked, clutching him tightly. Her voice cracked just a little. "I'm sorry I kept this secret from you... and now you're hurt because of it."

Lucifer smiled faintly, brushing a lock of her hair back. "I'm fine. Really." He pulled back just enough to look at her face. "You don't have to blame yourself. I was the one who got dramatic. But I've made peace with it... I'm a vampire now. That's just how it is."

Francisca bit her lower lip. "Still... I'm sorry."

Before she could say more, the air shimmered—light bending, pulsing.

"Hate to cut into this little drama," a voice floated in playfully, "but I've got something for you, Lu."

Out of nowhere, a girl materialized like mist forming into shape. Her presence was ethereal, her silver hair floating slightly like it was caught in a gentle wind.

She held out a black ring with a glowing purple gem at its center.

"This'll keep you from turning into a crispy corpse under the sun. Trust me, you'll need it."

Lucifer blinked. "Temmy?"

Francisca stepped back, frowning. "Who are you?" she snapped.

Temmy just chuckled. "Chill. I'm Temmy. Spirit race. And a friend of Lucifer's." Her smile was soft, graceful. A little too graceful.

Francisca's brow tightened. "Spirit race...? That doesn't exist here."

Temmy shrugged like it didn't matter. "We don't exactly advertise. Now..." She turned to Lucifer and pressed the ring gently into his palm. "Daylight ring. Been in my family for ages. But you need it more than I do."

Lucifer stared at the ring like it was a miracle.

"Where did you get this?"

"Long story," Temmy replied. "But what matters is, it works. Wear it, and the sun won't fry you."

Francisca crossed her arms. "And why give him something that's been in your family? Doesn't that mean anything to you?"

"Well, I don't really need it," Temmy said, her voice calm as always. "Besides, Lucifer needs it more than I do." She turned to him with a little smile. "Come on, put it on already."

Lucifer held the ring in his palm. The purple gem shimmered softly, almost breathing. The longer he stared, the more he felt something ancient stir inside it. Like it was... alive.

He hesitated for a second before sliding it onto his finger.

The moment it touched his skin, a rush of energy rippled through him. His vision flickered, the air shimmered—and a window popped up in his vision like a hologram.

---

[Progenitor's Ring – Ancient Vampire Artifact]

Grade: Mythic

Type: Equipment (Bound)

Status: Linked to Bloodline (Progenitor)

Sunlight Immunity (Passive)

+5 to All Stats While Under Sunlight

Light Resistance +50% (Passive)

Blood Magic Efficiency +30%

Charm/Influence Range Boost

Unlock: Bloodline Memory Fragment (Sealed)

Unlock: Vampire King's Presence (Sealed)

— Only one of its kind. Forged for the First Vampire. Lost for ages... now found.

---

Lucifer stared at the stats, completely speechless. His heart thudded once, like it skipped a beat.

"What... the hell is this ring?" he muttered under his breath.

He didn't say anything to Temmy or Francisca. He just kept staring at the faint glow on his finger, pretending to be calm.

But before he could even blink, another window flashed open.

---

[New Quest Unlocked!]

Quest Name: Legacy of the First Fang

Objective: Locate the Progenitor's Lost Artifacts

Description: The blood that runs in your veins carries a forgotten legacy. The Progenitor once scattered his creations across the world, sealing them to prevent them from falling into the wrong hands. Seek them out and reclaim your birthright.

Time Limit: None

Reward: ??? / ??? / ???

Artifacts Remaining: 7

1. Progenitor's Blade

2. Crimson Grimoire

3. Throne of Thorns

4. Veil of the Eternal Night

5. Blood Chalice of Yurek

6. Heart of the Old Moon



7. The Nameless Crown

---

Lucifer's eyes narrowed slightly.

He said nothing. Didn't flinch. Just gave a small nod like he was checking the ring's fit.

"It feels... warm," he finally said, glancing up with a faint grin. "Might actually get used to wearing jewelry."

Temmy smiled, satisfied. "Good. You'll need it."

Francisca didn't miss the way he paused earlier, but she didn't press him. Instead, she stepped closer.

"Well, now you won't burn to death when the sun rises. That's a win."

Lucifer chuckled softly, eyes still flicking back to the glowing system screen only he could see.

He had a ring made for a king.

And now... a path laid out just for him.

But he said nothing.