Floating Islands: SSS Gacha System-Chapter 132 - - Preparing for the Next Hunt

Air! Air!

Atlas's eyes flew open as he jolted upright, his body wracked with panic. He pounded on his chest with trembling hands, his wide eyes darting frantically.

He couldn't breathe!

His face turned pale, he was confused and afraid. He didn't know how to breathe, as if his body had forgotten the most fundamental of instincts.

Air. He needed air!

His vision swam as he scanned his surroundings—a tent, dimly lit, and empty except for him. No recollection of how he got there, no memory of what happened.

He needed to breathe!

With what little strength he had, he tried to scream, "Ed..."

The flap of the tent flew open, and someone burst in, rushing to his side. It was Edrik, who knelt down quickly, gripping Atlas's shoulders and shaking him.

"Atlas, calm down! Breathe, just breathe!" Edrik urged.

Atlas clawed at his throat, his chest convulsing as he desperately tried to draw in air.

He couldn't.

His skin turned icy, his face pale as death. His hands clutched his mouth as he gasped, but no relief came.

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Edrik slapped him on the back. Atlas choked, sputtering violently as a cough tore through him. He gasped, his body jerking as air finally rushed into his lungs.

The sensation was overwhelming—painful, but also euphoric.

Atlas gulped down air, his breaths sharp and ragged. His heart, which moments ago felt like it had stopped, now pounded in his chest.

The color slowly returned to his face, and warmth began spreading through his body. He was still trembling, his breaths uneven, but his panicked gasps gradually softened as he fought to steady himself.

Edrik handed him a bottle of water. "Here, drink this."

Atlas grabbed it with shaky hands, tipping it to his lips. The water was cool as it slid down his throat, filling his empty stomach and calming his frayed nerves.

He closed his eyes for a moment, savoring the sensation.

When he opened them again, his mind felt clearer, his thoughts less scattered. He wiped his mouth, exhaling deeply.

Edrik sat in front of him, a faint smile on his face. "You okay now?"

Atlas turned to him and managed a weak smile in return.

"I was terrified I'd never breathe again."

Edrik chuckled softly, shaking his head. "You gave yourself quite a scare there, huh?"

"What happened to me?" Atlas asked, his voice still shaky.

Edrik gave a small bow, a faint smile on his face as he replied, "You, Morganna, and Baldric managed to defeat the Beastmaster Lord and his troops. It was a hard-fought victory, but after the battle, you collapsed. Baldric carried you back here."

Atlas frowned, his brows furrowed. "I don't remember any of that."

Edrik nodded slowly. "That's likely due to the effects of the Bloodlink Morganna applied to you during the fight."

Hearing that, Atlas's memory flickered. He recalled the moment Morganna activated the Bloodlink—a temporary Vampire Mode that had allowed him to fight freely. The cold that should have slowed him down hadn't affected him at all.

He glanced at his hands. Pale. But not because he had transformed into a vampire—no, the air around him was freezing. He could still feel his blood coursing through his veins, warm and human.

Atlas took a deep breath and looked back at Edrik.

"What's happened to me? With the Bloodlink, and... the vampire mode?"

Edrik leaned back slightly. "The Bloodlink was a temporary skill that allowed Morganna to share a fragment of her vampiric power with you. It's why you could ignore the cold, why you were so... relentless in battle. But once the link was severed, your body likely couldn't handle the abrupt loss of that borrowed strength. That's why you collapsed."

He continued, "It wasn't just an exchange of blood—it was a profound connection that altered you, even if temporarily."

Atlas raised an eyebrow. "Altered me? How exactly?"

Edrik nodded. "When Morgana drank your blood and shared hers with you, it created a circuit of energy between the two of you. Her blood is infused with vampiric energy, and for a brief moment, your body adapted to it. You weren't transformed into a vampire, but the power coursing through you made it feel that way."

"So that's why I felt... unstoppable."

"Exactly," Edrik said. "You experienced temporary vampiric traits—enhanced strength, speed, heightened senses, and the ability to heal rapidly. But it wasn't just physical. That energy also tapped into primal instincts—dominance, hunger, survival. You felt a rush because it's in the nature of vampiric power to be intoxicating."

Atlas frowned, processing the explanation.

"And now... what has changed?"

Edrik glanced at him thoughtfully. "While you're not a vampire, remnants of her energy linger in your system. You might find that your healing is slightly faster than before or that you can endure more punishment in battle. It could even grant you a resistance to certain types of magic, like curses or dark energy."

"That sounds... useful."

Atlas couldn't deny the exhilaration he'd felt while in Vampire Mode. It was as if he had become a more feral, powerful version of himself.

In his normal state, he would've been shivering and fatigued, especially in an environment as unforgiving as this. But under the influence of the temporary vampire mode, those weaknesses had vanished completely.

Still, he remembered his conversations with Edrik and Morganna a day ago. They had explained that the effectiveness of the vampire transformation was tied to the individual's natural state. If someone was already at their peak in terms of talents, skills, and class, the transformation would be far more potent. That thought lingered in his mind as he considered what it might mean for him going forward.

Deciding he'd thought enough for now, Atlas pushed aside the tent flap and stepped outside. He saw the troops gathered around, eating breakfast. The sun had begun its slow climb over the horizon.

The raid from the previous night had yielded several valuable spoils, particularly the Frost Core. Baldric had already started using it to enhance the troops' equipment, making them more resistant to the biting cold.

They had also secured other useful items, like Thermal Stones, which generated a steady and enduring heat source, perfect for combat or camp use in frigid climates. There were also high-grade weapons and armor among the loot, befitting their victory over a Rank 2 Lord.

As for the beasts from the battle, Baldric and Morganna had killed them all. That explained why breakfast this morning included bear meat, grilled and seasoned over the campfire. It wasn't a bad haul at all; the troops seemed to appreciate the variety, happily eating and chatting among themselves.

Atlas grabbed a plate of food and sat down among the soldiers, feeling the warmth of the fire.

The group was better prepared now. The experience from the previous night had hardened their resolve, and with better protection against the cold, both physically and mentally, they were more equipped to face the challenges ahead.

A short while later, Kurogasa arrived. The Ninja Rat moved with his usual calm demeanor, his expression unreadable despite spending the entire night scouting the island. It was as if exhaustion didn't exist for him.

Not long after Kurogasa's return, the entire troop began preparing to move out. Their next destination was a cave Kurogasa had located during his reconnaissance. It was a safe spot for them to regroup and hunt.

It wasn't necessarily "safe"—the cave was home to numerous monsters they intended to hunt—but it seemed untouched by other Lords, at least for now.

The plan was straightforward. They would hunt monsters in the area, using the battles to train and adapt to the hostile environment. The troops needed to hone their combat instincts and prepare for harsher engagements before targeting another Lord. With reinforcements still on the way, patience and preparation were their best strategy.

"Let's go," Atlas commanded.

It was only the second day of the Dominion Skirmish, and already, Atlas had achieved a significant victory by taking down a Rank-2 Lord.

How would the conflict unfold as they delved deeper into the island's chaos?

For now, one thing was certain—Kurogasa's scouting efforts would prove invaluable. The Ninja Rat was ready to provide detailed insights about the potential threats and opponents awaiting them in this strange and dangerous domain.