[DING]
[FAMILIAR AFFECTION INCREASED: 3%]
Minato lay there for a very long moment; the warmth of the blood she had taken was leaving him pleasantly lightheaded. The sensation was unsettlingly good, a potent mix of exhaustion and a strange euphoria. He watched as Amelia was now satisfied, slowly slid off the bed and stood over him.
He then sat up straight and swung his legs over the side of the bed. He reached up and touched the two small puncture bite marks on his neck; they were already fading thanks to the regenerative power of the vampire abilities the system had given him.
"Amelia…" Minato called out her name, biting his lip as his eyes hardened. "Like you said... I started this, so I'm going to be the one to end it."
He raised a hand and pointed out the window, where the purple portal had opened.
"So… in a few minutes, get ready. We're going inside that portal."
Amelia's red eyes widened slightly, then she instantly narrowed into an intrigued stare. Slowly, a weird smile crept across her mouth.
"Well, well… I didn't think you had the nerve to suggest that." She tilted her head sideways, licking her sharp fangs while maintaining eye contact with Minato. "Charging into the unknown with me at your side… bold, Minato. Foolish, perhaps… but still bold."
She leaned in closer, her voice dropping into a soft and silky whisper. "Very well. Show me if your resolve burns as hot as your words."
Minato's stomach tightened as he looked at her in the eye, his fists clenched with resolve. There was no turning back now.
In all that had happened, a part of Minato was happy with how everything had played out.
(15 minutes later)
Minato adjusted the strap of his medium-sized bag over his shoulders; it wasn't that heavy, though.
Inside were the bare essentials: some food, medical supplies, water, and a change of clothes. It wasn't much, but it was all he had and needed.
Amelia, in contrast, carried nothing at all. She stood beside him with her usual prideful posture, dressed once again in the dark red, regal uniform she had been summoned in.
The fabric clung to her body, exposing all her curves.
Minato looked her over, frowning. "You're not forgetting anything, are you?"
She smirked, briefly brushing off an invisible speck of dust from her sleeve. "No, and do you honestly think I need any of these trivial things, Minato? You carry what Asian humans require. I carry myself. That is enough."
He sighed twice, gripping his bag tighter. "Yeah, yeah… but just don't expect me to share my stuff with you."
Amelia chuckled softly, her voice was smooth with pride. "Hmm. Trust me, I won't be needing anything from you... except for your blood." She instantly licked her lips.
Minato laughed awkwardly while scratching his head.
Then they both stood at the doorway. Minato looked at his apartment one last time... before opening the door. Amelia went out first, and Minato followed behind, after locking up his apartment door.
Immediately, the faint glow of the purple portal started flickering in the distance, sending shockwaves throughout the city.
The atmosphere outside felt heavier now, charged with an energy that gave Minato goosebumps.
"Alright," Minato murmured to himself, his throat briefly dry, but his resolve stood firm. "No turning back."
A few minutes later, Minato and Amelia had walked down from his apartment staircase and onto the street of Shibuya.
Police cars were everywhere, some lined up on the street, their red and blue lights were constantly flashing against the buildings.
Firefighters had already rescued some people and cleared some of the area, leaving only the cops to watch from a distance. None of them was brave enough to get close to the riverbank where the portal was.
Minato subtly adjusted the strap of his bag as he and Amelia walked past the car barrier.
One police officer, leaning against his car, spotted both of them. "Hey, young man! That area's off-limits!" he called out to Minato, starting to step forward.
But when his eyes caught the glowing light of Amelia's red eyes, he froze immediately. His hand dropped from his belt, his mouth hung open like he'd forgotten what he was about to say.
A moment later, he looked away, shaking his head as if nothing had happened.
Minato swallowed while walking, glancing at her. "You did something, didn't you?"
Amelia smirked without answering, walking forward.
Nobody else stopped them throughout their walk. By the time they reached the edge of the city and riverbank, the only thing left between them and the portal was the heavy wind of the distortion itself.
Minato then tightened his grip on his bag strap. "...Guess this is it."
Amelia stepped forward, ahead of him, her long yellow hair swaying in the light of the portal. She didn't hesitate, didn't even look nervous. She just glanced back once at Minato, red eyes glowing.
"Minato… listen," Amelia's voice softened a little, her red eyes still glowing. "I'll protect you with everything I have… but I can't be everywhere at once. You need to value your own life too…"
He let out a shaky breath as he swallowed. "I know…"
She then turned around and walked into the portal.
Without giving himself more time to think, he stepped into the portal after her. The atmosphere around the portal was cold on his skin as it began pulling him.
The world and light around him were distorted. For a second, it felt like his body was being stretched in every direction, and then...
Minutes later... Minato stumbled forward as the portal closed behind him, and his shoes were crunching against dirt and fallen leaves. He braced his hands on his face, sucking in a huge amount of air.
The atmosphere around was lighter compared to Shibuya. Though it still smelled of moss and leaves.
Then he lifted his head up, looking forward, his eyes widened.
A massive forest. With towering green and black trees stretched high above him, their branches twisting unnaturally, blocking out the sky in some parts.
Amelia landed gracefully beside him, not even fazed by what was in front of her. She looked around gracefully, her red eyes glowing brightly in the forest.
While Minato was busy rubbing off the dry leaves from his clothes...
[DING]
[OBJECTIVE ACCEPTED: CLEAR AND DESTROY PORTAL 1]
[PORTALS DETECTED: 3/3]
[STATUS: CLEARED 0/3]
[PORTAL 1: Northern District — Shibuya Riverbanks]
{SYSTEMATICAL CONDITION: Stable. Distortion remains contained, but activity is rising.}
{THREAT LEVEL: Low–Moderate.}
{DETECTED ENTITIES: Rank E–D creatures, swarm behavior likely. Unstable signatures suggest possible commander-class presence.}
{TIMEFRAME: 24 hours until Portal 1 Expansion. The expansion rate will double with each failure cycle.}
{FAILURE OUTCOME: If the portal is not cleared, contamination will spread across Shibuya's northern district. Higher-rank entities (C-class or above) are expected to manifest.}
[REWARD PARAMETERS:]
(Rewards scale based on performance.
Greater efficiency, minimal collateral, and survival rate increase outcome quality.
Hidden rewards are possible for extraordinary achievement.)
[NOTE:]
(Portals are linked. Progression through one may affect the conditions of the others...)