Zephyr lay back on his narrow bed, the rebuilt primer tucked beneath his pillow and the rune-talisman warm against his chest. The dawn haze filtered through the curtains, dust motes drifting in lazy patterns. He closed his eyes, willing his mind to still, and the world around him dissolved into darkness—except for the glowing HUD that materialized behind his eyelids.
System Initialized.
A series of soft pings reverberated through his mind. Menus and gauges flickered into view, translucent and humming with potential.
Main Interface
Hemaleth Points (HP)
Current: 10/100
Description: Life-force currency gained by feeding. Spent to power vampiric skills and healing.
Moonblood Gauge (MG)
Current: 25%
Description: Lunar energy meter filled by moonlight or emotional intensity. Unlocks lupine transformations.
Humanity Meter
Current: 80%
Description: Tracks resistance to feral instincts and bloodlust.
Quest Log
[001] Feeding Initiation: Acquire 50 HP from a feral dog pack. (Completed)
[002] Binding Ritual: Complete rune-glyph infusion. (Completed)
[003] Skill Calibration: Test first vampiric skill on practice target. (New)
System Prompt: "Select skill branch to review."
Zephyr's eyes snapped open. The HUD hovered in the air before him—clear, precise, impossible. He sat up, glancing around the room. Nothing had changed physically; yet the system's menus persisted, semi-transparent overlays in his vision.
System Prompt: "Skill Branches unlocked: Vampiric, Lupine. Select one."
He focused on the vampiric icon—a blood droplet entwined with a dagger—and nodded.
Vampiric Branch
Night's Razor (Tier I)
Cost: 20 HP
Effect: Infuse melee strike with hematoglyph energy, +50% damage.
Veil of Ashes (Locked)
Cost: 40 HP, Requires Night's Razor mastery
Effect: Cloak in shadows for 10 seconds; undetectable by normal sight.
Crimson Vitae (Locked)
Cost: 30 HP
Effect: Convert 30 HP into rapid self-healing over 5 seconds.
System Prompt: "Night's Razor available. Activate to test on practice target?"
Zephyr's pulse thrummed. He needed to understand this power before he faced Covenant or Pack again. He waved a hand, selecting Night's Razor.
His bedroom door shimmered into a training hologram: a life-sized wooden dummy draped in old clothes. Its arms swung uselessly, its torso wide and inviting a test strike.
System Prompt: "Confirm: Spend 20 HP to unlock Night's Razor."
HP gauge dipped: 10 → (–20) → 0. A sharp tingling buzzed through Zephyr's arm.
System Notification: "Night's Razor acquired."
He stood and approached the dummy. The rune-talisman pulsed. He closed his fist, focusing on the hematoglyph energy swirling beneath his skin. Then he struck—the motion fluid, the impact explosive.
The dummy's midsection exploded in a burst of red-tinged ash. A rush of exhilaration flooded Zephyr's veins. His HP gauge flickered, then stabilized at 0/100.
System Prompt: "Skill usage recorded: Night's Razor (1/5). Cooldown: 15 seconds."
Zephyr backed away, chest heaving. The ash settled at his feet like fallen embers. He grinned. He was learning.
System Prompt: "Select next skill branch or view hybrid forms."
He chose Lupine. The menu shifted.
Lupine Branch
Feral Sprint (Tier I)
Cost: 15 MG
Effect: Burst of speed (+200% movement) for 5 seconds.
Howl of Dominion (Locked)
Cost: 30 MG, Requires Feral Sprint mastery
Effect: Fear aura, immobilizes weaker foes for 3 seconds.
Savage Claw (Locked)
Cost: 20 MG
Effect: Multi-strike claw barrage, +3 hits.
System Prompt: "Feral Sprint available. Activate to test in open space?"
Zephyr nodded. He slipped outside onto the rooftop, the city stretching below in waking hues. The MG gauge glowed 25%. He selected Feral Sprint.
System Notification: "15 MG spent. Feral Sprint active."
Immediately, his limbs coiled like springs. He dashed along the rooftop's edge—faster than any human, wind shrieking in his ears. A blur of motion, graceful and forceful, until movement slowed and the stones beneath his feet reappeared.
MG gauge flickered: 25% → 10%.
System Prompt: "Cooldown: 20 seconds. Feral Sprint (1/5) recorded."
He paused, breathless. The power was intoxicating but fleeting. He closed his eyes and breathed deeply, watching the MG gauge refill slowly—moonlight leaking through the haze, faint and patient.
System Prompt: "Hybrid forms unlocked at HP ≥ 50% & MG ≥ 50%."
He glanced at his empty HP gauge. He'd need another feeding to unlock true hybrid potential.
Hybrid Forms(Preview Only)
Midnight Wolf
Req: HP ≥ 50%, MG ≥ 50%
Effect: Temporary hybrid form—heightened senses, razor claws, blood-infused strike.
Ebon Eclipse
Req: HP = 100%, MG = 100%
Effect: Ultimate form—invulnerability & area bleed for 30 seconds.
Zephyr's chest tightened. The promise of hybrid form felt both epic and terrifying.
He tapped the Quest Log:
[003] Skill Calibration: Night's Razor used (1/5), Feral Sprint used (1/5).
[004] Feeding: HP ≥ 50% (New)
[005] Moonlight Exposure: MG ≥ 50% (New)
System Prompt: "Choose next objective."
Zephyr exhaled. He needed to feed—and soon. But first, he had to recover HP. He closed the menu.
The HUD faded, leaving only the rune-talisman's gentle pulse in his chest. He stood on the rooftop, dawn's light warming his face, and felt a surge of determination.
Tomorrow, he promised himself, I hunt again.
He pocketed the primer and descended the stairs back to the city's rising roar—bearing knowledge of his own power at last, and the weight of the Midnight System's promise.