The body of the Night Beast was dragged away by guards in black armor. The courtyard felt colder, emptier without the creature's roar shaking the walls. Oban leaned against a cracked pillar, chest still tight, ribs aching every time he breathed.
Amrin stood close by, her aura calm again. The humming power she had used was gone now, but Oban could still feel it in the air, as if the stone itself remembered her sound. Mira remained a few steps back, arms crossed, studying him with sharp eyes.
"You did well," Amrin finally said. Her voice was low, steady. "But don't let victory blind you. That was only one. Night Beasts hunt in packs. They never come alone."
Oban looked toward the mist beyond the walls. A shiver ran down his spine. "If there are more… then I need to be stronger. Faster."
Mira smirked faintly. "Good. At least you're not overconfident. That'll keep you alive."
Oban felt something stir inside him then—an ache deep in his stomach, raw and burning. Hunger. Not the normal kind, but sharp, pulling, almost painful. His throat felt dry. He knew what it was.
Blood.
The system flickered before his eyes, its glow clean and minimal.
System Update
Blood Energy: Low
New Ability Available: Crimson Devour
"Feed from enemy blood to restore strength."
Oban's jaw tightened. The words stayed in his vision, tempting him like a whisper in the dark.
Amrin watched his expression carefully. "You feel it, don't you? The hunger."
He hesitated, then nodded slowly. "It's… worse now. Stronger. Like it's eating me from the inside."
"That is what we are," Amrin said simply. "Vampires do not survive on willpower alone. You cannot run from this. You either learn to control it… or it controls you."
Her words cut deep, because they were true. His body screamed for blood, his veins burned, his strength fading with every second he denied it.
Mira stepped forward, tossing him a small glass vial. Inside, red liquid sloshed, gleaming under the dim light. "Take it. It's hospital stock. Not fresh, but it'll calm the ache."
Oban stared at the vial in his hand. He didn't want to drink it. He didn't want to admit that he was one of them now. But the hunger clawed harder, his vision swimming, knees weak. He pressed the glass to his lips and drank.
Warmth spread instantly, coursing through his veins. His heartbeat steadied, his vision sharpened, muscles unclenching as if life itself had been poured into him. It was terrifying—and exhilarating.
System Update
Blood Energy: +40
Condition Stabilized
Physical Performance Enhanced
Oban exhaled, lowering the empty vial. His body felt alive again, the pain dulling. But guilt tugged at him too.
Amrin stepped closer, resting a hand lightly on his shoulder. "Don't look ashamed. This is survival. You can hate it, but you can't change it. The hunger is part of you now."
Oban nodded slowly. "I'll accept it. If it means I can fight… I'll use it."
Mira smirked again. "Good. Then let's see if you can handle real training."
They led him into the deeper halls of the castle. The corridors stretched endlessly, torches flickering with pale blue flames that never burned out. The walls seemed alive, carved with runes that pulsed faintly as they passed.
At the heart of the hall was a massive chamber, its floor scarred from countless battles. Weapons lined the walls—blades, spears, even strange claws forged of black steel.
"This," Amrin said, "is where you'll learn to fight like a vampire."
Oban swallowed, stepping onto the cold stone. His reflection looked back at him faintly in the polished floor—pale skin, dark eyes, fangs just barely visible. It was still hard to accept this was him now.
Mira drew her blade, pointing it toward him. "First lesson: never rely only on instinct. Power is nothing without control. Show me what you can do."
Oban tensed, glancing between them. "Both of you?"
Amrin gave a small smile. "You'll thank us later."
They moved fast. Too fast. Mira's blade sliced through the air, Amrin's sound wave rippled across the floor. Oban stumbled, barely dodging, heart pounding. Every move they made forced him to react quicker, sharper.
His body screamed, muscles aching, but something inside him burned—hunger and will mixing, pushing him forward. He blocked, countered, struck. Sparks lit the chamber with every clash.
Hours felt like minutes. By the time they stopped, Oban's body was soaked in sweat, arms shaking, lungs burning. Yet deep inside, he felt stronger. Faster. Alive.
Amrin lowered her hands, breathing steady. "You learn quickly."
Mira smirked, wiping her blade. "Not hopeless after all."
Oban collapsed to one knee, chest heaving. The System flickered again.
System Progress
Physical Endurance: Increased
Reflex Speed: Increased
Potential Awakening Detected
Oban stared at the glowing words. He could feel it too. Power, faint but real, building inside him. The path ahead was still long, but for the first time, he believed he could walk it.
Amrin turned toward the chamber doors, her eyes narrowing. "We're not done. Do you feel that?"
Oban did. The air shifted, heavy, tense. A low rumble echoed through the castle, deep and distant. Shadows moved beyond the door, thick and crawling.
Night Beasts. More of them.
Amrin's aura flared faintly, her eyes locked on the door. "It seems they've found us."
Mira grinned, her blade gleaming. "Perfect. Training isn't over, boy. Time to test if you're ready."
Oban's fists clenched, his blood humming, fear and fire tangled together. He stood tall, no longer just a boy lost in a strange world—now a vampire ready to fight.
The doors shook as the roars grew louder.
The battle was coming.