The two Crevice Stalkers launched themselves from the cliff face, their movements swift and reptilian. Adrian met the charge of the first, deflecting its snapping jaws with the haft of his spear while Seraphina sidestepped the second, her own implement ready. Garrick, letting out a challenging roar, swung his Ironshroom club in a wide arc, forcing one Stalker to leap back to avoid the blow.
The Stalker Adrian faced was agile, its claws scrabbling for purchase on the rocky ground as it tried to flank him. He used his 'Blood Focus (Rudimentary)', not for healing, but to try and anticipate its lunges, feeling for the shift in its life force, the coil of its muscles before it struck. It was a subtle, almost instinctive sense, born from his nascent 'Sanguine Resonance'. [System Notification: Skill 'Sanguine Resonance (Nascent)' comprehension +0.5% through practical application.]
The creature feinted left, then darted right, its jaws snapping shut inches from Adrian's arm. He pivoted, thrusting his spear towards its exposed side. The crude tip skittered off its tough, scaly hide. These creatures were more resilient than their size suggested.
Meanwhile, Garrick engaged the other Stalker, his 'Brute Vigor (Minor)' evident as his club slammed against the creature's flank, eliciting a pained hiss and knocking it off balance. The Stalker, recovering quickly, whipped its tail, aiming for Garrick's legs, but he simply stomped a heavy foot down, pinning the tail momentarily.
Seraphina, her movements precise and calculated, saw an opening as the Stalker fighting Adrian overextended. She lunged, her spear aimed at a joint in its forelimb. The tip connected, drawing a spurt of dark blood. The Stalker shrieked and twisted, its head lashing out. One of its fangs grazed Seraphina's forearm. "Venom!" she gasped, stumbling back, a sudden numbness spreading from the wound. [System Notification: Seraphina afflicted by Crevice Stalker Neurotoxin (Minor). Dexterity and Reaction Speed temporarily reduced. Duration: 10 minutes or until neutralized.]
Adrian saw Seraphina falter. "Garrick, press your attack! I'll cover Seraphina!" He disengaged from his Stalker, which immediately turned its attention to the vulnerable Seraphina. Adrian intercepted it, his spear a blur. He focused his will, channeling his blood towards Seraphina's wound from a distance – an instinctive, desperate attempt. Nothing happened externally, but he felt a drain, a cost. His focus then shifted to his own readiness.
Garrick, seeing his opening, brought his club down with full force on the head of the Stalker whose tail he had momentarily trapped. There was a sickening thud, and the creature went limp. [System Notification: Crevice Stalker – Deceased.]
[Garrick - XP +45 (Combat Contribution, Kill)]
The remaining Stalker, seeing its mate fall and now facing Adrian alone as he shielded Seraphina, hesitated for a split second. It was all Adrian needed. He lunged, not with his spear tip, but using the sharpened edge of a piece of obsidian he'd quickly palmed earlier during Garrick's work, slashing across the creature's throat. It was a desperate, improvised move, but the volcanic glass was lethally sharp. [System Notification: Crevice Stalker – Deceased.]
[Adrian - XP +55 (Combat Contribution, Kill, Improvised Weapon Use)]
[Seraphina - XP +30 (Combat Contribution, Tactical Strike)]
[Crimson Kindred - Group XP +50 (Territorial Threat Neutralized)]
"Seraphina, your arm!" Adrian was at her side instantly. The area around the bite was already discolored. "Numbness… spreading slowly," she reported, her voice strained but analytical. "The System indicated a neurotoxin." Adrian recalled his own healing. "Focus your will, Seraphina. Your own blood. Try to fight it, to contain it." He then placed his hand over her wound, activating his 'Blood Healing (Minor)' amplified by 'Blood Focus (Rudimentary)'. He felt the familiar warmth flow from him, but also a slight resistance from the venom. [System Notification: Adrian attempting to neutralize Crevice Stalker Neurotoxin (Minor) in Seraphina. Skill 'Blood Healing (Minor)' is actively countering toxin. Success chance: Moderate. Duration influenced by target's constitution and toxin resistance.] After a tense minute, the discoloration began to recede, and Seraphina flexed her fingers. "The numbness is lessening. Your blood… it's working."
With the immediate threat gone and Seraphina recovering, they turned their attention to the obsidian. Garrick, with renewed vigor, carefully extracted a significant quantity of the black, glassy stone. They also salvaged what they could from the Stalkers – tough hides and, with Seraphina guiding them despite her recent injury, carefully extracted venom sacs. [System Notification: Resource Acquired: Obsidian Chunks (x25 units).]
[System Notification: Resource Acquired: Crevice Stalker Hide (x2 units).]
[System Notification: Resource Acquired: Crevice Stalker Venom Sac (x2 units – Potency: Minor Neurotoxin).]
[System Notification: Group Objective (Strategic Resource Acquisition: Locate and assess a deposit of dense mineral or stone suitable for crafting more durable tools or shelter components.) – Complete!]
[Crimson Kindred - Group XP +100]
The return to the den was somber but purposeful. The Kindred were presented with the gathered obsidian, and its practical applications were quickly grasped by everyone. When Silas examined the pieces, he affirmed its utility. "This material can be worked," he stated simply.
That evening, illuminated by their fire and the gentle luminescence of the Ghostlichen, Silas and Seraphina began processing the obsidian. Silas showed a clear proficiency in handling the stone, carefully working it into shapes designed for attachment to their existing tools or for general use. Seraphina, recovered from her injury, studied the obsidian's properties and offered technical advice. [System Notification: Seraphina - Crafting XP +15 (Obsidian Knapping - Assisted)]
[Silas - Crafting XP +25 (Obsidian Knapping - Primary)]
As Seraphina successfully shaped a particularly fine spearhead, a familiar surge of energy coursed through her. [Seraphina - XP Threshold Reached! Level Up Pending Confirmation!] She met Adrian's gaze, a slight, triumphant smile on her lips. "Confirm." [Seraphina - Level Up! Level 1 -> Level 2.]
[System Notification: All Core Attributes (Strength, Agility, Endurance, Intellect, Perception, Charisma) marginally increased.]
[System Notification: Attribute Points available for allocation: 2]
[System Notification: Understanding of Original Vampire blood and innate abilities has deepened.]
[System Notification: 'Analytical Acumen (Minor)' unlocked. Enhances ability to identify material properties, creature weaknesses, or flaws in structures/patterns with focused observation.]
"Analytical Acumen," Seraphina murmured, a perfect complement to her nature. She promptly allocated her points to Intellect and Perception. Another of the Kindred had advanced. With the new obsidian and growing power, they were becoming a force to be reckoned with, however small, in this vast, perilous world. Only Silas remained at Level 1, but his turn, they all knew, was coming soon.