Chapter 32: Faker?

“Are we… gonna die…?”

“We won’t… but I’m running out of steam to say that.”

A hundred meters below, a boy and girl slumped against a cave wall, hands clutching empty stomachs too weak to even gurgle.

A sealed space—five stone walls, one stone door, shut tight. An entrance, not an exit.

No food, air thinning fast.

“Why bother? Just be my kin, and I’ll let you go. I’ll even juice you up to your so-called hero-tier,” a creepy, ethereal voice echoed, tempting them nonstop.

They were just a basic adventurer duo, sent to check this cave. Easy gig, good loot—or so they thought. Now? Trapped.

This wasn’t C-rank. A-rank, minimum.

The boy gritted his teeth, squeezing out his last strength. “No matter what you say, I won’t cave!”

“Shasha~ What a fool. Be my kin, get stronger, survive. What’s the downside?” the voice cooed.

He shut his eyes, panting, too drained to reply. The girl, same.

Not dumb, despite being normie adventurers. Whoever trapped them with this scheme wasn’t good news.

Kin? Blood Clan vibes, but whatever this thing was, agreeing meant game over.

Their cries for help? Nada. Mana? Gone. Stamina? Zilch.

The voice’s owner went silent, stunned by their stubbornness. Thought he’d escape this hole. Guess not.

He gave up on them, letting their strength bleed out.

Time ticked. Weakness turned to delirium, visions blurring, life flashing before their eyes.

As they teetered on eternal sleep, the ceiling rumbled. The cave shook.

Boom boom boom!

“What’s happening?!” the voice yelped, panicked. The rock above shattered!

A massive crack opened. Three figures dropped through.

“Found ‘em,” Filo said, landing, glancing at the slumped duo.

Bingpo and Chiyan rushed over, hoisting them up.

“You’re…” the boy croaked.

“Shut it. You’re half-dead, so lie still. Just know my Master’s got a soft spot—you’re saved,” Bingpo snapped, cold but kind.

The pair passed out, not forever—Bingpo and Chiyan slipped them some life energy.

“Master, we got ‘em. Now what?” Chiyan asked.

“Hold up. You, hiding—time to show yourself,” Filo said, tilting her head.

The creepy voice returned, now hyped. “Nice, real nice! Cracking a hundred-meter rock wall? Must’ve used some OP gear. But your levels look low. How ‘bout this—be my kin! Gear’s just crutches. My kin start at hero-tier, maybe even Sage-level!”

The sales pitch went full MLM. Filo’s crew blinked, exchanging looks.

Hero-tier? That’s just 300. Weak sauce… and this guy’s got cult vibes. Pyramid scheme much?

Filo didn’t care, mentally labeling him a clown but playing along. “Oh? Hero-tier? Sage? That strong? Who’re you, boosting levels like that? Not Blood Clan, right?” She fake-gasped, hand over mouth.

“Shasha~ Nope, I am Blood Clan. Not some normie, either—99% of races quake at my name. People beg to be my kin. Power-ups? Easy. I could smoke a human Great Sage.”

This dude’s ego yeeted the cow to the moon. Filo’s trio gave him salty fish eyes. Beat an 800-level Great Sage? Blood Clan?

“You… a high Blood Clan?!” Filo gasped, Oscar-worthy.

Silence. Five seconds later, a chilling cackle. “Shasha~ High Blood Clan? Don’t insult me. They’re only fit to shine my shoes.”

Oh?

Shoe-shiners?

Keep blowing, dude.

“Wow~ Then who’re you?” Filo pressed.

“Ahem! Listen up—I’m the ultimate, unrivaled, one of the ten Ultimate Beings, the first, strongest Blood Clan True Ancestor!”

“…”

Filo froze. She swiped a finger, pulling up her stat screen.

Name: Filo
Gender: Female (locked, unchangeable)
Race: Blood Clan True Ancestor
Level: LV999
Status: Weakened (10% power due to blood deprivation)
Base Strength: 9999 (weakened)
Base Endurance: 9999 (weakened)
Base Agility: 9999 (weakened)
Skills: Blood Hand, Blood Thread Technique, Blood Bullet, Supersonic, Counter, Immortal, King’s Aura…
Titles: [Immortal] [Ageless] [Ultimate Being] [True Ancestor] [King] [Tyrant] [Demon King Candidate]

You’re the True Ancestor?

Then what am I?

You a faker, or me?

Nah, not me—goddess’s body ain’t fake. This guy’s full of it.

His bullshitting skills? If Filo weren’t the True Ancestor, she’d almost buy it.

Bingpo and Chiyan’s faces darkened, radiating killing intent.

“Oh, True Ancestor? Master… can I waste this guy?” Chiyan growled.