SWNOVELXO Chapter 70: Petty Sibling Move
After evolving [Body Blood Magic] into [Crimson Dominion], Adam didn't quite know how to react.
In his past life, [Body Blood Magic] had been with him since the beginning of his Stream Hunter journey.
It was the first ability he had truly mastered, the foundation of his combat style, and the reason he had managed to survive in the Tower of Yxthar for as long as he did.
Every rank-up, every battle, every close call...
His survival had always been tied to that ability.
And now, it was something else.
[Crimson Dominion].
Even the name carried a weight that [Body Blood Magic] never did.
It felt like watching a child suddenly grow up overnight, transforming into something far beyond what he had once known.
"…It's a bit odd to put it that way."
Adam muttered to himself, shaking off the sentimental thought.
Dwelling on emotions wouldn't change anything.
Instead, he focused on testing his newly evolved ability.
He clenched his fist and willed his blood to respond.
Immediately, a surge of power ran through his veins, like molten iron coursing beneath his skin.
It wasn't just control over blood anymore... it was something far more refined!
He could feel the change, the added complexity.
The ability had expanded, granting him more control, more presence!
He concentrated, and dark crimson liquid coiled around his fingertips, pulsing with an eerie light.
With a single command, it twisted into a shape, solidifying into a refined blade in his palm.
Adam tightened his grip.
The weapon was sturdy, nearly indistinguishable from real metal...
And this was just a basic application.
The description mentioned a summon, didn't it?
He let go of the weapon, letting it dissolve into thin air.
There wasn't enough time to test its full capabilities now.
He had an upcoming raid to prepare for.
As he turned toward the agreed-upon pathway leading to Lord Varos' domain, a sudden system notification popped up in his vision.
[Arsenal of Combat]
: Hello, Mr. Chosen Conduit. It has been two weeks since you added me and Keeper of Essence. If you do not reply and tell us both about your identity and motives, I would like to kindly inform you that I will be unfriending you. Thank you.
Arsenal of Combat.
It was Miya, his older sister.
A few weeks ago, on a whim, he had added both his older sister and older brother to his system's friend list.
At the time, he hadn't expected much of a reaction, but to his surprise, they had immediately bombarded him with messages.
They had been shocked, questioning why the person who triggered a universal system notification had suddenly sent them friend requests.
Who was he? What was his goal? Why did he add them?
Adam hadn't answered.
At first, it was because he didn't see the point...
He had no other intentions aside from wanting to know if they were still alive.
If anything, keeping them in suspense was a small and petty way to amuse himself...
A minor payback for all the times they had messed with him when they were younger.
His lips curled up slightly at the thought.
Miya had always stolen his pocket money to waste it at computer cafés.
And Raiden, his older brother, had forced him into grueling ten-hour study sessions just because he had barely passed a math test.
"It wasn't even a failing grade..."
Adam muttered to himself, his expression darkening at the memory.
"It was a pass… just barely."
Thinking about such carefree moments in a place like the Tower of Yxthar was strange.
It felt like recalling a life that no longer belonged to him.
But still…
He found himself opening the chat.
[The Chosen Conduit]: Idiotic sister.
A beat passed. Then—
[Arsenal of Combat]
: Adam?! You're The Chosen Conduit?!
: Wait no, you're inside the tower?!? Nooo! My precious little brotherrr
: Is that really you?!
: Hey! Reply! I know you're quiet in real life, but chatting is different!
: Adam, I missed youuuuuu
Adam stared at the rapidly increasing notifications.
The sheer enthusiasm in Miya's messages made him hesitate for a brief moment.
Then, without a second thought, he muted her for 24 hours.
...
After an hour of steady travel, Adam finally arrived at the designated meeting point.
[wolfqueen22 has donated an F-tier gift.]
[You have received] +1 Soul Cores.
[wolfqueen22] : I never knew our streamer had a petty side to him, keeping his siblings on edge for two weeks and then suddenly revealing his name before muting them, hehe. Can't wait for them to meet again!
[Prankster of Kingdoms says a little pettiness between siblings is necessary for the relationship to develop.]
[WeaverOfStories has donated an F-tier gift.]
[You have received] +3 Soul Cores.
[WeaverOfStories] : I'm not complaining, I think it's nice to see the cute little quirks our Streamer has.
[System_Sovereign has donated an F-tier gift]
[You have received] +5 Soul Cores
[System_Sovereign] : Cute and Adam in the same sentence seems wrong...
[JustJoeKing has donated an F-tier gift]
[You have received] +1 Soul Core
[JustJoeKing] : It's not wrong if the sentence is, "Adam finds your futile struggles cute."
[Frog Eater] : Is it necessary to donate your soul cores for a casual chat?!?!
Ignoring the idiotic conversation the stream was having once again, Adam looked towards their surroundings.
The location was a ruined outpost at the edge of the decayed forest, where he and the selected Stream Hunters, each chosen for how well their abilities complemented one another, would regroup.
The road to Lord Varos' stronghold was treacherous.
Moving in large numbers risked attracting the attention of the Undead Faction's Stream Hunters, and if that happened, their entire strategy would crumble before it even began.
To counter this, they had devised a plan...
One that would throw the enemy into complete disarray.
Instead of sneaking in or forcing a direct battle, they would trigger a large-scale [Siege Battle] at multiple points across the floor.
Not just one or two, but five separate sieges happening simultaneously on the opposite side of the battlefield.
It was a gamble, but if executed correctly, it would ensure that almost every enemy combatant rushed to defend their crumbling strongholds, leaving Lord Varos unguarded.
The person in charge of the siege distraction was none other than Leila, the Prophet.
With her foresight and ability to coordinate large-scale conflicts, she had taken command of the orc forces and allied Stream Hunters assigned to carry out the attacks.
Adam and his team, on the other hand, had a much more singular focus.
Reach Lord Varos and eliminate threats on the path while the enemy forces were preoccupied.
The plan wasn't foolproof.
There was always the chance that some of the smarter or more cautious Undead Faction members would see through their ruse and stay behind to defend the stronghold.
But Adam wasn't particularly concerned.
Even if a few C- or B-tier ability users remained, they wouldn't pose a significant threat to him...
They couldn't handle Adam, let alone Adam who was with other Stream Hunters.
As he approached the meeting point, his system notifications flared to life.
[Undead Stronghold 3 is being captured.]
[Siege Battle has begun!]
[Undead Stronghold 8 is being captured.]
[Siege Battle has begun!]
[Undead Stronghold 15 is being captured.]
[Siege Battle has begun!]...