The cavern air thickened with tension, the faint glow of Elior's blood-red eyes piercing the shadows. His ears twitched, catching the low growls reverberating from the tunnel ahead. The system's quest window shimmered in front of him:
> [Quest Generated: Trial of the Pack]
Objective: Defeat 5 Wolf-Beasts
Reward: +100 EXP, [Blood Orb (Minor)], Random Loot Chest (Tier 1)
Failure: Loss of Life
Elior tightened his grip on the sword looted from the fallen wolf. The steel was nicked and battered, yet it hummed with an energy he could almost feel in his bones—like the weapon was eager to taste blood again.
The first wolf stepped into the dim light—its fur bristling, eyes glowing faint yellow. Then another. Then three more. A full pack, each lean muscle rippling with hunger and hostility. Their fangs dripped saliva, claws scraping against stone.
Five against one.
A shiver crawled down Elior's spine, but the dragon's voice echoed inside his skull:
> "Fear is the flame that forges evolution. Burn it."
The vampire system pulsed next, its voice a whisper against his thoughts:
> "Blood unites predator and prey. Take theirs, before they take yours."
And lastly, the Overflow Engine chirped almost cheerfully:
> [Notice: All drops from defeated enemies guaranteed at 100%. Inventory slots: 97/100.]
---
The Battle Begins
The first wolf lunged. Elior sidestepped, instincts sharper than they'd ever been. His blade swung in a clean arc, slicing across its neck. Warm blood sprayed, coating his hands. The wolf collapsed, twitching.
> [Wolf-Beast defeated. Guaranteed drop acquired: Beast Fang (x1).]
The rest snarled and pounced as one. Elior spun, dragging the sword in a wide sweep. Sparks burst as steel clashed against claws. One wolf's paw nearly tore into his chest, but his body moved faster than thought—dodging, pivoting, striking.
Pain lanced across his arm as fangs grazed him, but the blood only made the systems surge louder.
> [New Passive Skill unlocked: Blood Frenzy (Minor). Boosts speed and strength temporarily when bleeding.]
Heat coursed through Elior's veins. His strikes became vicious, relentless. One wolf fell with its skull cleaved. Another with its belly torn open. Loot orbs shimmered, sliding into his inventory like coins sucked into a vault.
Still, the last two wolves circled warily, growling low, their pack instinct warning them of the predator before them.
---
The Final Kill
Elior dropped to a crouch, sword dripping with crimson. His own blood mixed with the wolves', steaming faintly in the cavern air. His lips curled back, exposing sharp fangs.
The beasts lunged at once.
He welcomed them.
The sword thrust upward, impaling one through the jaw. With his free hand, Elior seized the other's throat, sinking his fangs deep into its flesh. Hot blood surged into his mouth, intoxicating, empowering. The wolf whimpered once before going limp.
---
Quest Complete
> [Quest Completed: Trial of the Pack]
+100 EXP
Rewards received: [Blood Orb (Minor)] x1, [Random Loot Chest (Tier 1)] x1
Elior staggered back, chest heaving. His wounds already closed from the stolen vitality. The cave floor was a mess of corpses and glittering drops. He raised his hand, watching as crimson mist curled around his fingers, drawn from the blood inside him.
For the first time, he realized—
He was no longer prey.
---
Status Update
> Name: Elior Draven
Level: 2 (40/150 EXP)
Systems Active:
– Limitless Evolution Protocol (Dragon)
– Crimson Awakening Protocol (Vampire)
– Overflow Engine (Inventory)
New Skills:
– Blood Sense (Passive)
– Blood Frenzy (Passive)
Inventory:
– Beast Fang (x5)
– Blood Orb (Minor) x2
– Random Loot Chest (Tier 1) x1
– Wolf Hide (x3)
– Broken Iron Sword (x1)
---
Elior gazed at the glowing loot chest resting at his feet, heart pounding. The air around it crackled with promise. He bent down slowly, fingers brushing the lock.
And then— the cave trembled.
A low, rumbling roar echoed through the dark. Far deeper, far more dangerous than any wolf.