diff --git a/code/game/gamemodes/cult/cult_items.dm b/code/game/gamemodes/cult/cult_items.dm
index abc8aa8952f..39099fb7d44 100644
--- a/code/game/gamemodes/cult/cult_items.dm
+++ b/code/game/gamemodes/cult/cult_items.dm
@@ -41,16 +41,13 @@
 	force = 15
 	throwforce = 25
 	embed_chance = 75
-	var/cooldown = 0
 
-/obj/item/weapon/melee/cultblade/dagger/afterattack(atom/target, mob/living/carbon/human/user)
+/obj/item/weapon/melee/cultblade/dagger/attack(atom/target, mob/living/carbon/human/user)
 	..()
 	if(ishuman(target))
 		var/mob/living/carbon/human/H = target
-		if(!(cooldown > world.time) && ((H.stat != DEAD) && !(NO_BLOOD in H.species.species_traits)))
-			user.visible_message("<span class='danger'>The runes on the blade absorb the blood of [H]!</span>")
-			H.bleed(5000)
-			cooldown = world.time + 2400
+		if((H.stat != DEAD) && !(NO_BLOOD in H.species.species_traits))
+			H.bleed(50)
 
 /obj/item/weapon/restraints/legcuffs/bola/cult
 	name = "runed bola"