The night crept in like ink spilled across parchment. The town of Ravenshade, already cloaked in its usual gloom, now breathed a deeper dread. Elias Black stood atop the clocktower, watching as lanterns flickered out one by one. The system's voice was quieter tonight—watchful, calculating.
[System Notification: You have absorbed 3 corrupted souls. Total souls: 47. Tier: Intermediate Awakening. Blood Infusion at 62%]
"We're getting closer," Elias whispered, wind tugging at his coat.
Below, the townsfolk stirred uneasily. Something dark had entered Ravenshade—no, several things. Elias had sensed them the moment they crossed the border of the ruined cemetery east of town. He had seen them in his dreams, silhouettes of rotting royalty cloaked in shadow. And worse still, he had smelled blood before waking.
Tonight wouldn't be easy.
---
Earlier that day, Elias met with Father Myles again. The priest had grown weary. His once bright eyes now hung with sleepless bags, and his rosary looked more like a burden than a tool of faith.
"You look like you've aged ten winters in one," Elias noted.
Father Myles gave him a dry chuckle. "What you've unleashed is not from this world. And I fear your system—it doesn't just fight monsters. It breeds them."
Elias didn't argue. He couldn't. Every new soul absorbed chipped away at the fragments of his old self. His humanity still lingered, but it was harder to hear over the rush of power.
"They're hunting me, aren't they? The other vessels."
The priest nodded solemnly. "And one has already crossed into our town."
---
Midnight.
A scream sliced through the silence.
Elias leapt from the clocktower, his feet striking rooftops like thudding drumbeats. Below, a mist had coiled around the cobbled streets. People screamed, some running, others already dragged into alleyways.
Then he saw it—a tall figure draped in a black trench coat, silver hair flowing like river silk. His eyes burned violet, and his mouth curled into a grin with too many teeth.
"Hello, Elias."
[System Alert: Entity Detected - Vesper Nocturne, Vampire Class - Rank: Nightmare]
Elias didn't wait. Shadows coiled around his arms as he summoned his blade—Oblivion Edge, forged from condensed soul essence. The moment he charged, the figure vanished and reappeared behind him.
Slash.
Elias winced. A thin line of blood painted his cheek.
"Faster than I expected," Vesper said, licking the blade of his own weapon—a thin rapier glowing with green runes.
"I've fought worse things in the Rift," Elias spat, lunging again.
Steel clanged against steel. Sparks lit the mist. Every move Vesper made felt like he was dancing to a melody only he could hear. But Elias was changing—every strike unleashed more of the Devil's system within him.
His irises glowed crimson.
His speed tripled.
And his power howled.
Oblivion Edge found its mark—slashing deep into Vesper's side. The vampire staggered.
But he smiled.
"Finally," Vesper whispered. "Someone worthy."
With a screech, wings burst from his back. Bat-like, massive, stretching across the alley walls. He lifted into the air as blood rained down in streams.
[System Notification: Blood Detected - Class: Noble. Sample Assimilation Possible. Begin?]
"Do it," Elias growled, feeling his veins surge.
The air shifted.
Lightning crackled around him. The blade in his hand evolved, sprouting jagged barbs and glowing symbols. Vesper noticed—and for the first time, his grin faltered.
"You're not just a vessel," he murmured. "You're an heir."
Before Elias could respond, Vesper vanished into mist.
[System Update: Ability Unlocked - Crimson Veil Step (Short-range teleportation)]
Elias fell to one knee, panting, the street around him coated in blood and ash. But this was just the beginning.
---
At the outskirts of Ravenshade, hidden beyond the decaying forest, Steve watched from the shadows.
He had seen everything.
And he wasn't pleased.
"So the boy grows stronger," he said to the trembling figure beside him—a low-ranking vampire scout with half his face burned.
"Master... we should wait until he's weakened again."
Steve turned. His red eyes burned with quiet wrath.
"We wait for nothing. Prepare the others. Tonight, we reclaim what was stolen."
The scout fled.
Steve's claws extended, and the soil beneath his boots withered.
---
Back in the sanctuary of the Black residence, Elias collapsed onto the floor.
Adam rushed to him. "What happened?! You're bleeding."
"He found me... one of them. But I'm stronger now."
The room dimmed. The system pulsed faintly.
[System Status: Evolution Phase Approaching. Prepare for next Trial.]
Elias knew the calm would not last.
War was coming.