The ironwood gates open.
Jon stepped forward first.
With Riya behind him.
Jon exhaled slowly.
"Welcome to the inner Territory, Master,"
Riya whispered.
They finally arrived at the manor.
It sat at the heart of the Black Tiger Bloodline lands, a towering structure of dark wood and white stones.
Jon stopped in front of the massive entrance.
"...So this my new home," he murmured.
For now.
But not long.
SYSTEM NOTICE
Welcome to your assigned Residence:
"Fangshade Manor."
Status: Recently Acquired
Previous Owner: Deceased
Danger Level:Medium
Surveillance Level:High
Security Rate: Low
"Low security?"
Affirmative.
Multiple entry points.
Unknown hidden passages.
Recommendation: Evaluate residence immediately.
…Host, this manor is not safe.
Riya stopped walking and turned back to him, concern.
"Master? Is something wrong…?"
"No," Jon said. "But we need to look around."
She nodded.
Inside the Manor was grand but unnerving.
Dark halls, High cellings, and paintings of past Tigers.
Jon examined the rooms one by one.
Training room.
Storage hall.
Meditation chamber.
Weapons vault.
Bath chamber.
When they reached the main bedroom, Riya hesitated.
Her cheeks turned pink.
"Master… this will be your room. It was fully cleaned two hours ago."
"And… I will s-sleep here too. Near you. I… hope that's acceptable."
Jon met her eyes.
"It's more than acceptable."
Jon replied.
MAIN QUEST UNLOCKED
"Establish Dominance Among the Black Tiger Bloodline."
Objectives:
Master a Black Tiger combat skill
Earn the recognition of at least 3 members
Survive the First Night
Identify the rival faction targeting your position.
Rewards:
+1 Bloodline core
+1 Skill Awakening Token
Jon's expression tightened.
He nodded once.
".... Then l will be ready."
"Master…is something going to happen?"
Riya asked.
She held his sleeve tightly.
"Nothing I can't handle," Jon said.
But she shook her head, stepping closer to him, with her full chest against his arm.
Jon walked to the center of the bedroom, focused his breath, and let the bloodline energy flow.
INITIATING SKILL AWAKENING
Compatible Ability Detected:
Black Tiger phantom fang Manifestation.
Black spectral tiger fangs sprouted from his knuckles.
"M-Master… you… already awakened a combat skill? That fast…?"
Jon moved his hand slowly, testing the weight of the manifested fangs.
"I will need practice," he murmured.
"Then I will help! I…I can teach you everything I know."
Riya suggested.
She led him to the training room.
Torches flached automatically as they entered.
Riya stood in front of him,shy but determined.
She raised her claws, showing him the proper stance.
"Here… spread your feet like this. Lower your center. You… you look stronger when you do it."
Jon followed her instructions, and made the stance.
"And when you attack," she said,
steeping behind him,"don't swing like a human. Let the beast inside guide you."
She gently touched his arm from behind, guilding his elbow.
Her chest pressed against his back.
Her breath brushed his neck.
And she whispered.
"Feel the power…"
"Feel the hunger…"
and the black phantom fangs came forth, slicing through the air.
"Master… that was perfect."
"You're amazing…"
Riya said with a soft smile.
Hours later.
The manor grew silent.
Jon lay on a large bed, with Riya curled beside him.
One of her arms wrapped around his waist unconsciously.
"Master…l will keep you safe…" she
murmured in half sleep.
Jon stroked her hair gently.
WARNING: ASSASSINATION ATTEMPT INCOMING
Jon opened his eyes instantly.
Threat Level: Moderate.
Bloodline: Black Tiger.
Entry point: Celling vent above the bed.
Estimated Time of Contact: 7 seconds
Jon didn't move.
Jon didn't panic.
Riya shifted slightly in her sleep.
Her arms tightened around him, her nose brushing his neck.
"... danger…" she whispered.
A shadow dropped silently from the vent.
A black blade move downward.
Phantom Fangs: Manifest!
He raised his arm, spectral tiger fangs erupted from his knuckles.
CLANG!
The assassin's blade shattered.
"What?!"
Jon kicked upward, sending the assassin crashing into the wall.
Riya woke up, her eyes glowing, fangs bared.
She jumped between Jon and the assassin, claws out.
"HOW DARE YOU ENTER MASTER'S ROOM!!"
Her roar shook the walls.
The assassin staggered, terrified, a mid purity blooded tiger with a scarf over his mouth.
"Y…you are supposed to be asleep!"
Jon stepped forward, with a calm voice,yet deadly.
"You choose the wrong night."
He slashed, the man's weapon tore open, sending screaming.
Riya grabbed the assassin's collar, slamming him to the floor.
"You touched my master", she hissed.
"I should rip you apart."
"Master? Should l… kill him?"
Jon bent beside the assassin.
"Who sent you?"
"I…can't "
Jon summoned his fangs again.
The assassin broke down instantly.
"THE…THE WHITE TIGER BLOODLINE
THEY PAID ME…PLEASE DON'T KILL ME…!!
Jon eyes narrowed.
White Tiger.
One of the strongest bloodlines.
One of the likely rivals.
He stood up slowly.
"Riya. Let him live."
She blinked.
"Live…?"
Her claws retracted hesitantly.
"If that is your order… then I obey."
Jon bent down and whispered to the assassin.
"Run back to your masters. Tell them I'm coming."
The assassin ran scrambling out the broken window.
Riya closed the window, then rushed back to Jon, hugging him tightly from
behind.
"Master…I thought… I would lose you…"
Jon turned, placing a hand on her cheek.
"I am here. And I am not going anywhere."
She looked up at him, eyes shining.
"... Then…please sleep with me again."
Jon nodded.
They returned to the bed.
This time Riya curled immediately, with her hands wrapped around him.
"Goodnight…Master," she whispered.
Jon closed his eyes.