The dungeon crumbled behind him as Elior stepped into the pale light of dawn. For days, he had been swallowed by shadows, fire, and blood. Now the fresh air struck his lungs like freedom—and like warning.
The trees outside whispered uneasily. Birds scattered, their calls sharp and panicked. Animals sensed it: something unnatural had walked out of that cavern. Something changed.
Elior adjusted the Direfang Armor clinging to his chest, still pulsing faintly with residual fire. His claws receded, though scales lingered on his arms like faint tattoos. The Dungeon Heart burned softly in his grasp, warm and alive.
> [Core Assimilation Active: Dungeon Heart Linked]
Status: Stable.
New Feature: Passive resource generation (Blood Crystals, Ember Dust).
---
The Hunger
Though sunlight licked his skin, it no longer felt harsh. Instead, it tingled against the scales, as if the dragon and vampire within him warred over how to claim the day. His throat ached—not with thirst for water, but for blood.
He reached into his inventory. A Blood Orb from the wolves shimmered faintly. He bit into it, the liquid dissolving across his tongue. Strength flushed through him, sharper than any food had ever given.
> [Vitality Restored to 100%]
[Blood Affinity Increased by +1]
His eyes glowed briefly crimson before fading back to dark.
---
Return to the Village
Smoke rose in the distance. Elior's jaw tightened. That was his village. The place he had left behind, a nobody. Now… he wasn't sure what he was returning as.
He moved swiftly, each step carrying more weight than before. The systems hummed, urging him forward.
When he reached the outskirts, his heart twisted. Houses smoldered, thatch roofs collapsed. The ground was scarred with claw marks and ash.
Bodies lay scattered—villagers, soldiers, beasts.
And in the center of the ruins, standing tall, was a figure cloaked in silver-etched armor, sword dripping with fresh blood.
The man turned, visor gleaming in the morning light. His voice carried clear and cold.
"So… another survivor."
---
A New Enemy
The systems reacted violently.
> [Hostile Detected: Human Knight – Tier 4 Paladin]
Threat Level: Overwhelming.
Survival Odds: 18%.
The vampire hissed eagerly: "Spill him. Drink him."
The dragon growled: "A test. Prove yourself."
The Overflow Engine chimed: [Loot quality detected: Legendary potential].
Elior's claws slid free once more. His fangs gleamed. His bloodfire wings flickered into smoke behind him.
The Paladin raised his blade.
"Monster," he said flatly.
Elior grinned, eyes burning red.
"Not monster. Evolution."
The battlefield was set.