The night was a living thing, a cloak of darkness that wrapped around me as I moved through the city. The System's voice echoed in my mind, a constant reminder of my new reality.
[SYSTEM UPDATE: BLOODLUST LEVEL 23% — SAFE ZONE]
[SHADOW STEP READY: COOLDOWN COMPLETE]
I slipped through the shadows, using the skill I'd unlocked to move silently. The city was a labyrinth of ruins, a twisted maze of broken buildings and narrow alleys. The Red Moon hung low, casting an eerie glow over everything.
I had to get back to Mira. The vial of serum was still in my hand, a lifeline for her. But the System had other plans.
[NEW QUEST: LOCATE AND SECURE SAFEHOUSE]
[REWARD: 100 XP, TEMPORARY SHELTER FROM PURGE FORCES]
[FAILURE: EXPOSURE TO SUNLIGHT OR VAMPIRE HUNTER ATTACK]
I sighed. Shelter was a good idea. I couldn't stay out here forever. The Purge hunters were relentless, and the vampires—well, they'd be hunting me too, now that I'd killed one of their own.
I moved through the alleys, using my heightened senses to avoid patrols. The scent of blood was everywhere—a constant reminder of the world I now lived in. I passed a group of scavengers, huddled together for warmth. They didn't notice me, too focused on their whispered conversations.
One of them mentioned a safehouse—a place where people could hide from the Purge and the vampires. It was in the old library, a few blocks away.
I made my way there, using the shadows to stay hidden. The library was a grand building, its once-majestic facade now crumbling and covered in graffiti. The entrance was blocked by a pile of rubble, but I found a side door that was still intact.
I slipped inside, the darkness swallowing me whole. The air was thick with dust, and the scent of old books lingered. I moved through the aisles, my eyes adjusting to the dim light.
The safehouse was in the basement, a hidden room behind a bookshelf. I found it easily, the door marked with a crude symbol—a cross with a circle around it. I pushed it open, revealing a small, dimly lit room.
Inside, a group of people sat around a makeshift table, their faces illuminated by a flickering candle. They looked up as I entered, their eyes widening in surprise.
"Who are you?" one of them asked, a young woman with a scarf wrapped around her face.
"I'm Kael. I'm looking for a place to stay."
"We don't take strangers," a man said, standing up. He was older, with a beard and a scarred face. "You could be a spy for the Purge."
"I'm not," I said, holding up the vial of serum. "I have this. It's for my sister. She's sick."
The group exchanged glances. The woman spoke again. "We can't just let anyone in. We have to be careful."
"Please," I said, desperation creeping into my voice. "I'll do anything. Just let me stay."
The man hesitated, then nodded. "Alright. But you have to prove yourself. We need supplies. There's a store nearby, but it's guarded by Purge hunters. If you can get us what we need, you can stay."
I nodded. "I'll do it."
I left the safehouse, the vial of serum still in my hand. The store was a few blocks away, a small building with a broken sign. I could see the Purge hunters through the windows, their flashlights sweeping the shelves.
I approached the store, using the shadows to stay hidden. The hunters were focused on their search, their backs to me. I moved quickly, using Shadow Step to close the distance.
I reached the door, my heart pounding. I took a deep breath, then burst inside.
The hunters spun around, their eyes widening in surprise. One of them raised a silver baton, but I was already moving.
I blurred, striking with speed and precision. My claws raked across his chest, and he fell, gasping. The other two raised their weapons, but I was too fast.
I struck again, and again, my movements a blur. They fell, one after the other, their weapons clattering to the floor.
I stood over them, panting. The store was silent, the only sound the soft hum of the System in my mind.
[QUEST COMPLETE: LOCATE AND SECURE SAFEHOUSE]
[REWARD: 100 XP, TEMPORARY SHELTER FROM PURGE FORCES]
[SKILL LEVEL UP: SHADOW STEP → LEVEL 2]
[NEW SKILL UNLOCKED: BLOOD VISION (LEVEL 1)]
[SKILL DESCRIPTION: SEE THROUGH WALLS AND OBJECTS. COST: 10% BLOODLUST PER USE. COOLDOWN: 30 SECONDS.]
I absorbed the new skill, feeling a surge of power. I looked around the store, my eyes adjusting to the darkness. I could see through the walls, the outlines of the safehouse and the people inside.
I gathered the supplies—food, water, medical supplies—and made my way back to the safehouse. The group was waiting, their faces tense with worry.
"You did it," the woman said, relief in her voice.
"Yeah," I said, handing over the supplies. "I did."
They let me stay, and I settled into a corner, the vial of serum still in my hand. Mira was waiting, and I had to get back to her.
But for now, I had a safe place to rest.
As night deepened, the safehouse grew quiet. The other survivors huddled together, whispering in low voices. I sat in my corner, the vial of medicine for Mira clutched tightly in my hand.
[SYSTEM NOTIFICATION: BLOODLUST LEVEL RISING]
[CURRENT STATUS: 42% — CAUTION RECOMMENDED]
The older man who had challenged me earlier approached. His name was Marcus, a former construction worker with a network of scars that told stories of survival.
"You fight like you're not just another scavenger," he said, sitting down nearby. "Where'd you learn to move like that?"
I hesitated. How could I explain the System? The transformation? The hunger that burned inside me?
"I got lucky," I mumbled.
Marcus studied me, his eyes narrowing. "Luck doesn't fight like you did. Those Purge hunters—they're trained killers. You took them down like they were nothing."
Before I could respond, a commotion outside caught everyone's attention. Hushed voices. The sound of something heavy being dragged.
The woman who had first spoken to me—Aria—grabbed a makeshift spear. "Someone's coming."
The safehouse tensed. Hands reached for weapons. I felt something else rising inside me—a predatory awareness. My muscles coiled, ready to strike.
The bookshelf door creaked.
Two figures stumbled in. One was wounded, bleeding heavily. The other was supporting them, moving with desperate urgency.
"Help!" the supporting figure shouted. "We need medical supplies!"
Marcus moved first, grabbing a first aid kit. "What happened?"
The wounded person was a young man, maybe early twenties. A massive gash ran along his side, blood seeping through a makeshift bandage. Vampire attack, by the look of the wound.
[SYSTEM ALERT: BLOOD DETECTED]
[BLOODLUST LEVEL: 67% — CRITICAL THRESHOLD]
The smell hit me like a wave. Copper. Iron. Life.
I looked down at my hands. They were shaking.
Fangs pressed against my lips.
"No," I whispered. "Not now."
But the System had other plans.
[QUEST TRIGGERED: BLOOD MANAGEMENT]
[OBJECTIVE: CONTROL BLOODLUST OR RISK EXPOSURE]
[REWARD: 150 XP, BLOODLUST SUPPRESSION SKILL]
[PENALTY: COMPLETE SYSTEM SHUTDOWN IF FAILED]
Marcus was applying antiseptic to the wound. The smell of blood grew stronger. I could hear the wounded man's heartbeat—a rhythmic pulse that called to something primal inside me.
Aria noticed my reaction first. "Are you okay?"
I stood up abruptly. "I need air."
But as I moved toward the door, the wounded man grabbed my arm. "Wait—can you help me?"
His touch sent electricity through my veins. His pulse was right there—so close.
[BLOODLUST LEVEL: 82% — SYSTEM OVERRIDE IMMINENT]
I pulled away, stumbling backward. "Don't touch me."
The room went silent.
Marcus stood up. "What's wrong with you?"
I could feel my control slipping. The hunger was a living thing now, clawing inside my chest. My vision shifted—red edges creeping into my peripheral sight.
[WARNING: TRANSFORMATION SEQUENCE INITIATED]
[BLOODLUST MANAGEMENT: CRITICAL FAILURE]
"Everyone," I managed to say, "get back."
But it was too late.
The transformation began.