Reality proved disappointing—Ryan's blood produced no miracles this time.

  Inside the glass vial, Ryan’s blood briefly stirred the clear solution, colors flashing for an instant before fading back to transparency—exactly like before.

  "This doesn't make sense!" Captain Harris muttered in confusion. "Ryan clearly awakened a bloodline! How could this happen?"

  Deputy Overseer Victor Shaw also frowned, puzzled. He knew Ryan's previous results, but things had clearly changed since then.

  But Overseer Marcus Stone waved dismissively. "Bloodline tests are accurate most of the time, but exceptions exist. Perhaps Ryan is simply one of those rare exceptions."

  He glanced meaningfully at Harris and Victor. "After what we've seen, do any of you doubt Ryan is a bloodline warrior?"

  Both Harris and Victor immediately shook their heads. After witnessing Ryan’s incredible speed firsthand, no one could doubt his bloodline awakening. Who else but a wind-attribute bloodline warrior could run and leap like that?

  Marcus continued calmly, "Our human bodies hide countless powerful bloodlines—even experts in the capital city can't fully identify every single one. For now, it's enough to know that Ryan’s awakened his bloodline."

  Marcus looked kindly at Ryan. "Don't overthink this. You're officially a bloodline warrior now."

  Ryan smiled inwardly. Your reasoning sounds great, Overseer—too bad it's completely wrong!

  Yet outwardly, he nodded earnestly, thanking Marcus sincerely and promising to work hard to become a worthy bloodline warrior.

  Marcus and the others, pleased with Ryan’s attitude, immediately handed him the promised fifteen beast crystals.

  Holding those colorful, glowing crystals, Ryan's heart raced with excitement.

  Skill-Stealing Cards—finally, he could craft plenty of them!

  Even while Ryan clutched the crystals, news was already spreading across the entire settlement: Ryan Carter had become a bloodline warrior!

  "What'd you say? My brat is a bloodline warrior now?" Hank Carter, hammering metal with one hand, dropped his tools in shock, grabbing the messenger excitedly.

  "Why would I lie, Hank?" the messenger laughed. "Your son single-handedly killed fifteen Skyblade Antelopes!"

  Hank laughed and cried simultaneously, proudly declaring, "Dragons breed dragons, phoenixes breed phoenixes—of course my useless brat is a true Carter!"

  Overwhelmed with joy, Hank swung his hammer wildly, ruining the heated metal he'd been shaping into a sword. But who cared? His son had made him proud!

  Elsewhere, in a cramped classroom, Teacher Quinn stared blankly, astonishment filling his aged eyes. "You said Ryan Carter did what?"

  "Teacher Quinn, the Overseer sent me to announce a special feast today," the messenger proudly declared. "We're celebrating Ryan Carter becoming a bloodline warrior!"

  When Ryan was conscripted, Quinn expected to hear he'd died tragically. Instead, mere days later, Ryan had achieved something extraordinary.

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  "Everyone hurry," the messenger urged. "Two full Skyblade Antelopes were brought back, both killed personally by Ryan himself. Don't miss out!"

  The students sat frozen, stunned speechless—Ryan Carter, their ordinary classmate, had actually become a bloodline warrior in mere days?

  "Class dismissed!" Quinn finally shouted joyfully. "Ryan Carter is your example now. Go eat your fill!"

  In another corridor, Owen and Dylan Ross also received the news simultaneously. Dylan felt a sharp pang of envy. It wasn't a stranger's success that hurt—it was seeing someone he knew personally suddenly ascend beyond his reach.

  His patrol partner slapped Dylan's shoulder cheerfully. "Ryan risked near-certain death for his awakening. Would you dare imitate that? Anyway, you're close friends, right? When he succeeds, you'll benefit—just don't forget your old friend here!"

  Dylan sighed inwardly. Life had no fairness—some soared effortlessly to the top, while others struggled endlessly, trapped beneath layers of oppression.

  Yet he knew resenting Ryan was pointless. Instead, Dylan resolved to congratulate him sincerely—perhaps friendship would ease his bitterness.

  At the settlement's dining area, huge chunks of roasted meat filled large stainless-steel basins, while massive containers brimmed with homemade liquor. Everyone, adults and children alike, celebrated joyfully.

  "Hank, drink up!" Overseer Marcus laughed heartily, toasting Hank Carter. "You've raised one hell of a son!"

  Hank, flooded with pride, accepted toast after toast, thoroughly enjoying the admiration. Once considered a nobody himself, Hank now basked in the glory bestowed by his son's heroics.

  Meanwhile, Greg and Louis eagerly searched for Ryan, hoping to toast their lifesaving friend. "Where's Ryan?" Greg shouted. "Anyone seen him?"

  The crowd laughed uproariously. "Probably abducted by Tiger Girl again!" someone called mischievously.

  But Dylan knew better—Ryan had quietly slipped away long ago.

  Indeed, Ryan sat alone in his new quarters, silently pondering.

  Initially, he'd felt great—saving teammates, earning respect, collecting fifteen precious beast crystals—everything had seemed perfect. He hated missing celebrations, but something unexpected had shaken him deeply.

  Earlier, he'd impulsively tried using a Skill-Stealing Card on Overseer Marcus, the strongest warrior present. Ryan knew success chances were slim—but unexpectedly, the card simply displayed "Skill-Stealing Card ineffective."

  Ineffective? What did that even mean?

  Not convinced, he tried again on Captain Harris—same result: ineffective.

  Two consecutive failures left Ryan sweating nervously. His entire survival since transmigrating into this dangerous future depended on these Skill-Stealing Cards. If they suddenly failed against powerful bloodline warriors, his situation became dire.

  After witnessing the terrifying Voidrend Eagle and Spirit General-level antelope battle, Ryan knew clearly his current skills—Iron Body Technique, Five Tigers Blade Technique, even Thousand-Mile Leap—weren't enough.

  Energy: 1257

  Stamina: 42/42

  Strength: 26/26

  Spirit: 18/18

  Skills:

  - Iron Body Technique Lv.5

  - Five Tigers Blade Technique Lv.4

  - Thousand-Mile Leap (Minor Mastery)

  Staring anxiously at his interface, Ryan couldn't identify the problem.

  Suddenly, a new notification appeared clearly before him:

  "Conditions met for Level-2 Skill-Stealing Card. Merge now?"

  Shocked, Ryan immediately confirmed. Instantly, his energy dropped by a thousand points, and a glowing orange card appeared, radiating powerfully in his inventory.

  A Level-2 Skill-Stealing Card!

  Could it be that Level-1 cards only worked on targets below bloodline warrior rank, while Level-2 cards allowed stealing from actual bloodline warriors?

  Then how had he obtained Thousand-Mile Leap from that powerful antelope? Perhaps he'd mistakenly targeted a normal antelope instead. After all, they all looked identical during the chaos.

  The possibility seemed likely. Now, confirming his theory depended on successfully testing his new Level-2 card. If successful, his future was bright; failure meant his survival chances in this brutal era would plummet drastically.

  But who should he test it on?

  Overseer Marcus was undoubtedly the strongest—but also the most difficult target. Wasting this precious Level-2 card on a failed attempt would be disastrous.

  Ryan hesitated, anxiety rising.

  Who should he choose? He urgently needed advice—but who could he even ask?

  He took a deep breath, steadying his nerves. This decision could determine his fate in this dangerous new world.

  Who should I target with this Level-2 Skill-Stealing Card?

  Advice desperately needed—ASAP!