Oban's heart was still racing as he followed Amrin through the winding streets of the city. Even after Doing the first hunt, the hunger and thirst had faded slightly, leaving behind an almost dizzying clarity. Every sound, every flicker of shadow, every pulse of magic in the air felt sharper than it ever had on Earth.
Amrin moved with a grace that seemed almost inhuman. Her long black hair flowed behind her like a living shadow, and her violet eyes caught the dim light of the blood moon with a terrifying brilliance. She finally stopped and turned toward him, crossing her arms.
"You must be new here," she said, her voice soft but firm. "A newborn vampire in Eclipsara. I imagine you have no idea what you're doing—or where you're supposed to go. So… maybe you should stay with me for a while."
Oban blinked, still trying to process everything. "Uh… I'm… a vampire now?" he said uncertainly, testing the words in his mouth.
Amrin's lips curved into a sly smile, and then she bared her fangs just slightly. "So what if you are?" she replied, the tips glinting sharply in the moonlight. "I am, too."
Oban froze, instinctively noticing the aura of power around her. "Wait… you're—"
"Hold my hand," she interrupted, extending her slender fingers toward him. Before he could protest, an invisible current of energy wrapped around them, swirling with faint violet sparks. A cold but thrilling shiver ran through Oban's body as the aura enveloped them.
The world around him blurred and dissolved into a swirl of darkness and violet light. When the spinning finally stopped, Oban blinked and found himself standing before a towering, impossibly vast castle. Its walls were made of black stone that seemed to absorb the moonlight, stretching up so high that the top vanished into the clouds. Gothic spires clawed at the night sky, and banners bearing intricate symbols swayed in the cold wind.
Oban's jaw dropped. "W-What… what is this place? It's… it's huge!"
Amrin's eyes sparkled with amusement. "This," she said, "is where the vampires of this world live. Welcome to their domain."
The gates of the castle opened silently as two hollow-eyed guards, clad in dark armor that seemed fused to their skin, stepped aside. Their voices were hollow and monotone. "You may enter," one said in unison with the other.
Inside, the castle was even more overwhelming. The corridors stretched endlessly, their ceilings high above, supported by arches carved with strange runes that pulsed faintly with violet light. Shadows twisted unnaturally, and every step echoed across the vast, empty halls.
As they walked, Amrin glanced at him. "This castle is different from anything you've ever seen. Only vampires dwell here. Mortals do not exist within these walls. It is a secret place, hidden from the rest of the world."
Oban's mind raced. "How many vampires… live here?" he asked.
Amrin laughed, the sound like soft bells over the stone corridors. "You think this is just a castle?" she said. "It is called the Castle of Foreverness. Its size… it is endless. There is no limit. Countless halls, rooms, chambers. No mortal—or even most immortals—can imagine it in its entirety."
Oban stopped walking for a moment, trying to comprehend. Endless? That meant… if the castle was endless, then how many vampires could possibly live here? His heart pounded as he asked aloud, "How… how many vampires?"
Amrin's smile widened. "Six hundred seventy million."
Oban froze, eyes widening. "Six… six hundred seventy million?!"
Amrin tilted her head and laughed softly. "You really shouldn't be shocked. Your thoughts aren't hidden from me. Every vampire here has unique abilities. Every single one. My special power… is sound." She tapped her throat lightly, and the faint vibrations seemed to ripple in the very air around them.
They continued walking until they reached another room, larger than anything Oban had ever seen. The ceiling disappeared into darkness above, and the walls were lined with countless doors, each carved with runes. Oban approached one of the doors, amazed at its scale, and pushed it open.
Inside, dozens of vampires had gathered. They paused, observing Oban with careful curiosity. Their expressions were calm, but their eyes glinted with predatory awareness. Amrin stepped forward, her posture authoritative.
"This is Oban," she announced. "A new vampire, like us. He belongs here now."
A low murmur spread through the room, but no one stepped forward to challenge them. Oban could feel the weight of their gazes—calculating, assessing, measuring his power.
Amrin guided him further into the castle until they reached the throne room. The doors were massive, carved from blackened oak and etched with runes that seemed to hum softly. Inside, the chamber was vast, and at its center, on an ornate throne of black stone and silver, sat a figure of immense presence.
Aijack.
He was tall, regal, and terrifyingly calm. His gaze pierced through the shadows as he spoke to someone seated opposite him. "Most vampires here may appear human," he said, voice rich and commanding. "Those who are not… are what we call Night Beasts. Mutant bats, creatures of legend and fear."
Oban's breath caught in his throat as Aijack's eyes swept across the room—and landed on him.
With a flick of his wrist, Aijack was suddenly behind Oban. His hand rested lightly on Oban's neck, just below the ear. Oban felt an invisible weight press against him, a presence so intense it made his chest constrict.
"Huh," Aijack murmured, voice low and smooth. "A vampire?"
Oban's breath caught. His mind screamed, but he could not move. Every instinct in his body told him this man was no ordinary vampire. The System flared in his vision:
[Unknown Entity detected.][Classification: Vampire Noble – Tier 4+][Aura Level: Overwhelming. Cannot accurately measure.][Warning: Extreme power differential. Host at critical risk if attacked.]
Oban's thoughts raced. This aura… it's unlike anything I've felt. Stronger than anyone I've hunted. Stronger than the Inquisitors… even stronger than Amrin.
Aijack tilted his head slightly, studying him with an inscrutable expression. "Interesting," he said softly. "You are… different. Perhaps useful."
Oban's heart pounded, and he felt a shiver run through his body, part fear, part anticipation. The Castle of Foreverness stretched endlessly behind him, filled with creatures he could barely comprehend. And yet, standing there, frozen under Aijack's gaze, he felt the stirrings of something else: the first spark of ambition, of desire to grow stronger, to survive, and perhaps—one day—to match or surpass this terrifying presence.
Amrin's hand squeezed his, grounding him. "Don't be shy," she whispered. "This is your world now, Oban. Welcome to the real challenge."
Oban swallowed hard, trying to steady his racing mind. His fangs itched, his claws flexed. His body was alive with new power and new possibilities. And for the first time, he realized the truth: this was no longer just survival. This was the start of a journey that could span eternity.
[System Update – Chapter Complete: Enter the Castle of Foreverness][New Quest Unlocked: Gain Acceptance in the Castle][Recommended: Study Vampire Hierarchy, Enhance Abilities, Observe Tier 6+ Entity]
The chapter ended with Oban's breath ragged, his mind alive with questions, and the presence of Aijack—a being whose power alone promised both danger and opportunity.
And so, in the heart of the Castle of Foreverness, Oban's true journey began.