The cavern was a tomb now. The air hung heavy with smoke and iron, the remains of the Direwolf still smoldering. Elior stood hunched, every muscle trembling, the shattered hilt of his sword still in his grasp.
At the center of the battlefield hovered the Crimson Core. A throbbing jewel of blood and fire, it pulsed with raw power, like a second heart waiting for an owner.
> [Epic Item Acquired: Crimson Core]
Effect: Grants permanent integration of Bloodfire energy. Unlocks evolution pathways for flame and blood resonance.
Elior reached for it. The moment his fingers brushed its surface, heat tore through his body. His veins burned, lungs filled with liquid fire. He collapsed to his knees, clutching his chest.
---
The Fusion
The dragon's voice growled like thunder:
> "Swallow it. Burn, and be reborn."
The vampire hissed with cruel delight:
> "Drink it. Let flame and blood become one."
And the Overflow Engine, ever cheerful, chimed:
> [Warning: Host body at 12% survivability threshold. Proceed? Y/N]
Elior laughed hoarsely. "Yes."
He crushed the core against his chest. The shard dissolved, pouring molten essence straight into his heart. His scream shook the cavern walls.
---
System Awakening
> [Dragon Protocol Advancement: Fire Vein Integration 45%]
[New Ability Unlocked: Bloodfire Breath] – Expel searing flame infused with blood essence.
[Vampire Protocol Advancement: Bloodfire Affinity +3]
[Passive Gained: Heat Resistance – High]
His body changed. Scales spread further down his arms and across his shoulders, glowing faintly red. His fangs curved longer, sharper, his eyes glowing like coals. For a moment, he looked neither dragon nor vampire—something fused, something new.
He rose, breathing out a slow plume of crimson flame.
---
Direfang Armor
From the Direwolf's corpse shimmered the second reward: a chestplate of bone and hide, gleaming with red veins of heat.
> [Rare Item Acquired: Direfang Armor]
Defense +8 | Fire Resistance +15% | Unique Effect: Damage absorbed converts into minor healing.
Elior strapped it on, the armor molding perfectly to his body. His wounds tingled, knitting together faintly.
---
The Path Ahead
The cavern trembled faintly, distant echoes reverberating through stone. Somewhere deeper, something older stirred.
Elior flexed his claws, gaze turning toward the shadows of the deeper tunnels. His systems pulsed in rhythm, their voices no longer competing but harmonizing in a terrifying chorus.
For the first time, Elior felt not like prey, not even like a predator.
He felt like a threat.
And he wanted more.