[ SYSTEM ALERT ]
Huh...?
That damn alert again? This isn't the time!
The piercing sound drilled through Talon's eardrums like sharp needles. The notification window blinked in front of him with diabolic persistence, each flash more annoying than the last. His vision blurred from irritation while the buzzing threatened to drive him insane.
[ APPLYING NON-COMPLIANCE PENALTY ]
What?
What the hell is it talking about? What non-compliance?
With trembling hands, Talon decided to press the alert. He needed to know what the hell was happening.
[◆ Due to non-compliance with the blood quota ordered by your Lord, he will proceed to feed on your body as punishment ]
Blood quota...?
Is it referring to that stupid thing from earlier...?
I thought it was due to some absurd debuff... This makes absolutely no sense!
Suddenly, stabbing pain spread through his hands like liquid fire. His fingers went numb, becoming heavy and useless. With growing horror, he lifted them in front of his face.
All his nails were gone.
Completely torn out from the root.
Blood spurted from the nail beds in crimson streams that dripped onto the cold floor. The pain was so intense he could barely form coherent thoughts.
Talon fell to his knees, unable to comprehend the nightmare unfolding before him.
"I see... so that's what this is about. How unlucky you are—you've become one of us."
The man in front of Talon finally spoke, and he seemed to be taking it as a joke.
"One of you? What the hell are you talking about?" Talon shouted.
"What do you call us...? NPCs, right? Well... you became an NPC, or at least something very similar to one."
"NPC?! Stop talking nonsense! I'm a person!"
"Really?" The man stepped closer, and Talon could feel his cruel smile; he was completely enjoying Talon's confusion and suffering. "Well, it seems you're not anymore. From what I'm seeing, the system no longer considers you as such. Therefore, now we'll be more alike than you think..."
"Stop! I'm not like you! Not like any of you!" Talon's voice broke as desperation took hold of him. "You did this to me, didn't you?! Why?! I thought we had a deal! Come on, answer me, damn it! Tell me something!"
Silence stretched between them like a burial shroud.
But there was something worse than his silence. Something that chilled Talon's blood more than any threat.
He had realized the terrible truth: this was just the beginning.