The corridor was narrow and dark.
The lifeless body of the ghoul on the floor was still twitching slightly.
Black blood spread across the ground.
But the fight wasn't over.
Two more ghouls stood in the darkness of the stairwell.
Their yellow eyes glowed.
Lucas tightened his grip on the pipe.
"One down…"
"…but there are still two more."
Kaelion raised his knife.
"Don't panic."
"We move together."
One of the ghouls suddenly lunged forward.
It was fast.
Lucas stepped back.
"It's coming!"
Predator Instinct screamed inside Kaelion's mind.
Right!
Kaelion shifted to the side.
The ghoul's claws sliced through empty air.
Lucas saw the opening.
He swung the metal pipe.
The pipe struck the ghoul's shoulder.
The creature staggered.
But it didn't fall.
The second ghoul jumped down from the stairs.
This time its target was Lucas.
Lucas's eyes widened.
"Kaelion—!"
Kaelion rushed forward.
He slashed with his knife.
The blade cut across the ghoul's back.
The creature shrieked.
But it still managed to reach Lucas.
Its claw grazed Lucas's arm.
"Ahh!"
Lucas stumbled backward.
But he didn't fall.
Instead—
he raised the pipe with both hands.
The metal pipe came crashing down onto the ghoul's head.
This time the blow was powerful.
The creature dropped to its knees.
"Now!" Lucas shouted.
Kaelion didn't hesitate.
He lunged forward.
And drove the knife into the creature's neck.
The ghoul collapsed to the ground.
It didn't move again.
But the last ghoul was still standing.
The creature screeched in fury.
Then it leaped toward Kaelion.
Predator Instinct screamed again.
Left!
Kaelion moved aside.
The claws cut through the air.
Lucas attacked from behind.
BAM
The metal pipe smashed into the ghoul's back.
The creature turned toward Lucas.
And at that exact moment—
Kaelion lunged forward.
The knife flashed once more.
The ghoul's throat was cut.
The creature trembled for a few seconds.
Then it collapsed.
The corridor fell silent once again.
Lucas breathed heavily.
"That…"
"…was insane."
Kaelion wiped the blade clean.
"It's not over yet."
At that moment Lucas froze.
"Wait…"
Kaelion looked at him.
Lucas's eyes were fixed on empty space.
"In front of me…"
"…there's a screen."
Kaelion immediately understood.
Lucas spoke in panic.
"What is this?!"
A blue screen floated in front of Lucas.
Kaelion couldn't see it—but he knew exactly what it was.
Lucas read the text.
Level Up
Level 2
Stat Points: 3
Lucas looked at Kaelion.
"What am I supposed to do?"
Kaelion answered briefly.
"Increase your stats."
Lucas frowned.
"How?"
Kaelion shrugged.
"Think."
"How do you want to fight?"
Lucas looked at the pipe in his hands.
Then at his injured arm.
"I guess…"
"…I need to be stronger."
Lucas made his choice.
STR +2
VIT +1
Suddenly Lucas's body trembled slightly.
His muscles tightened.
He took a deep breath.
"Wow…"
"This actually works."
Kaelion looked toward the staircase.
The darkness was still there.
But for now…
It was silent.
Lucas smiled.
"Looks like I'm a bit more useful now."
Kaelion nodded.
"Let's hope so."
But at that moment—
a much heavier sound came from the lower floor of the building.
Lucas's smile disappeared.
"That…"
"…wasn't a ghoul."
Predator Instinct trembled again.
This time much stronger.
Danger.
Great danger.
Kaelion looked into the stairwell.
Then spoke quietly.
"I think…"
"…we're just getting started."