9:14 PM — Rooftop
Zack felt it before he saw anything.
Pressure.
Not like the others.
This wasn't hunger.
This was presence.
He stood on the hospital roof watching the city lights flicker below.
Then—
A voice behind him.
"You've been busy."
Zack didn't turn immediately.
He already knew.
This one wasn't hiding its aura.
Slowly, he faced him.
Tall.
Dressed clean.
No monstrous posture.
No feral energy.
Controlled.
Red eyes.
But calmer than the others.
"You killed four in one night," the vampire said.
Zack stayed silent.
The vampire tilted his head.
"You're Level 6."
Zack's eyes narrowed.
"You can see it?"
The vampire smiled faintly.
"No. But I can smell it."
He stepped forward.
"My name is Kael."
He didn't rush.
Didn't posture.
Didn't snarl.
"I am Ranked."
The air felt heavier.
"Ranked?" Zack asked.
Kael nodded.
"There are tiers among us. Hunters. Feeders. Enforcers. And then Ranked."
He studied Zack carefully.
"You're new. But you're not weak."
Zack clenched his steel fists.
"So what are you here for?"
Kael's answer was simple.
"To measure you."
The First Real Fight
Kael moved.
Zack didn't see the start.
He just felt impact.
Kael's fist hit his stomach and launched him across the roof.
Concrete cracked.
Zack rolled up instantly.
Regeneration stabilizing him.
He rushed forward.
Punch aimed at Kael's jaw.
Kael leaned slightly.
Minimal movement.
Dodged clean.
Backhanded Zack across the roof.
Zack recovered faster this time.
Steel formed fully over both arms.
He attacked again.
Faster.
Sharper.
More controlled.
Kael blocked.
Caught Zack's wrist mid-swing.
Squeezed.
Steel cracked slightly.
Not broken.
But strained.
"You rely on brute force," Kael said calmly.
He headbutted Zack.
Hard.
Zack staggered.
Level difference obvious.
Kael kicked his legs out from under him.
Pinned him by the throat.
"You heal," Kael said. "But you don't understand pacing."
Zack gritted his teeth.
He wasn't stronger.
He wasn't faster.
But—
He had something Kael didn't.
Adaptation.
Message flashed faintly.
COMBAT DATA ANALYZED
REACTION SPEED ADJUSTING
Zack stopped swinging wildly.
He slowed.
Watched Kael's shoulders.
Watched his breathing.
Kael swung again.
Zack shifted slightly.
Not perfect.
But better.
Second swing—
Zack blocked properly this time.
Third—
He countered.
Steel knuckles slammed into Kael's ribs.
Solid hit.
Kael stepped back.
First time.
Interest flickered in his eyes.
"Good," Kael said quietly.
He lunged again.
Faster.
Zack couldn't fully keep up.
Kael drove him into the rooftop edge.
Concrete crumbled.
Kael's hand wrapped around Zack's throat again.
This time tighter.
"Level 6," Kael said calmly. "But you fight like Level 3."
Zack smirked despite the pressure.
"Then stay longer."
He bit.
Steel fangs pierced Kael's shoulder.
Not deep enough to kill.
But enough.
Kael ripped him off violently.
But a small amount of blood had entered Zack's mouth.
Heat surged through him.
Stronger than before.
Different.
Message stacked.
HIGH-RANK BLOOD DETECTED
TEMPORARY BOOST INITIATED
Zack's eyes flared brighter.
He drove a knee into Kael's stomach.
Followed with a clean hook.
Kael slid back.
Now smiling.
"That," Kael said, wiping blood from his shoulder, "is interesting."
They stood facing each other.
Wind howling across the rooftop.
Kael adjusted his jacket calmly.
"I won't kill you tonight."
Zack's jaw tightened.
"You couldn't."
Kael's smile widened slightly.
"If I wanted to, you would not be breathing."
Silence.
Then—
Kael stepped backward toward the roof edge.
"You are growing too fast. Others will not test you."
He dropped off the roof.
Gone.
Zack ran to the edge.
Nothing below.
Just city noise.
System Response
Zack dropped to one knee.
Body shaking.
Pain catching up.
Then—
SURVIVED RANKED ENCOUNTER
EXP +300
LEVEL UP
LEVEL 7
He exhaled slowly.
Level 7.
But he understood something now.
He wasn't the strongest.
Not even close.
And if Kael didn't kill him—
That means someone stronger exists.
Watching.
Final Notification
As he stood up—
One final message appeared.
NOTICE:
RANKED ENTITY HAS MARKED YOU
Zack stared at the city skyline.
"Good."
End of Episode 4.