The cave fell silent, broken only by the slow drip of blood from the wolf's body.
Elior stood trembling, clutching the Fangsteel sword. His heartbeat thundered in his ears.
He had killed before—rats, snakes, the occasional starving beast near the village—but never like this.
This felt… different.
Not because of the kill.
Because of what came after.
---
> [Overflow Engine Activated]
Inventory Status: 4 new items added.
Remaining Capacity: ∞
---
Glowing icons floated in his vision. Elior reached for the crimson vial, and it slid into his palm, solid and cold.
"Blood Orb," he whispered, reading the name that appeared above it.
The liquid inside shimmered like molten rubies. His throat tightened. An ache he hadn't noticed before spread through his chest — a hunger not for food, but for something darker.
A whisper coiled around his thoughts.
"Drink… and claim what is yours."
He hesitated. Was this the vampire system speaking?
The scent leaking from the orb was intoxicating, richer than roasted meat, sweeter than fruit. His fangs pulsed.
Elior gritted his teeth. "If I… don't try, I'll never know."
He uncorked the orb.
The taste was lightning and fire, blood and flame fused into one. It seared his veins, yet filled him with euphoric clarity. His wounds closed. His fatigue melted away. Strength surged through his arms, and his vision sharpened to crystal clarity.
---
> [Blood Pool Updated]
Current Reserves: 10/50
Passive Skill Unlocked: Blood Sense (Minor)
– You can detect nearby living beings by their heartbeat.
---
Elior staggered back, gasping. He could hear them now.
The beasts in the tunnels. The flutter of bats deeper in the dark. Even the faint thump-thump of his own heart.
He clenched the sword tighter, half in awe, half in fear.
He was no longer just Elior.
"Dragon. Vampire. Loot engine…" He laughed under his breath. "If this is real, I'm never starving again."
His laughter cut short. More growls echoed from deeper inside the cavern. Multiple. Heavy. Close.
Yellow eyes glimmered one by one in the shadows.
Not one wolf. Not two. An entire pack.
---
> [Quest Generated]
Trial of the Systems: Face the Pack.
Objective: Defeat 5 Wolf-beasts.
Reward: Randomized Loot Chest (Tier 1).
Failure: Death.
---
Elior's throat went dry.
Five beasts, against one boy who had never held a real sword until minutes ago.
The dragon's voice boomed in his head: "Fight and grow stronger."
The vampire's whisper slithered through his mind: "Bleed them dry."
And the cheerful chirp chimed in: "Woohoo, five times the loot!"
Elior raised his sword, blood-red eyes glowing in the dark.
For the first time in his life, he did not feel like prey.
---
[Status Update]
Name: Elior Draven
Race: Human (?)
Systems Active:
– Limitless Evolution: Dragon Protocol (Level 1)
– Crimson Awakening: Vampire Protocol (Stage 1)
– Overflow Engine: Inventory Protocol (∞)
Stats:
Strength: 15
Speed: 14
Endurance: 12
Willpower: 11
Blood Pool: 10/50
Active Skill: Blood Sense (Minor)
---
⚔️ The battle against the pack begins…