Chapter 6: Let the Hunt Begin
The suitcase in Jeremy's hand was light—deceptively so.
It held only a few clothes. Everything else he owned rested safely inside his inventory, invisible to the world. Still, standing by the front door of the Gilbert house made his chest feel heavier than any luggage ever could.
Elena stepped forward first.
She hugged him tightly, pressing her face into his chest. "Make sure you call," she said softly. "I'm really going to miss you."
Jeremy wrapped an arm around her, rubbing slow circles against her back. "Don't worry," he said lightly. "It's not like I'm being married off."
Elena laughed, the sound a little shaky, before pulling away.
Jenna came next, pulling him into a warm, firm hug. "Have fun," she said, then added with a pointed look, "and don't do anything risky."
"I'll try," Jeremy replied honestly.
"Okay, Jeremy, let's go," John called from outside, impatience clear in his voice.
Jeremy gave one last look at the house. "Goodbye."
Then he turned and left.
The car ride out of Mystic Falls was quiet at first, the road stretching endlessly ahead of them. Eventually, John broke the silence.
"So," he said casually, eyes still on the road, "how about your girlfriend?"
Jeremy frowned. "What girlfriend?"
John snorted. "Don't tell me you don't have one. With all those Gilbert charms?"
"What Gilbert charms?"
John chuckled. "Once you become a professional hunter, girls will start throwing themselves at you."
Jeremy didn't answer right away.
His thoughts drifted to the life of the original Jeremy Gilbert—the lovers he lost, the grief, the blood-soaked pattern of attachment and death. A fate Jeremy had no intention of inheriting.
That was why he needed power.
Enough power that his name alone would terrify his enemies.
He glanced at his system interface. His System Points still sat comfortably above five hundred, thanks to his encounter with Vicki the night before.
System, he thought, careful to keep his face neutral, buy the Gilbert ring. And change its appearance—I don't want it to be recognizable.
[Host may alter the appearance of an item before purchase. Cost: 10 System Points.]
Do it.
[Purchase complete. Item stored in inventory.]
Jeremy slid a hand into his jacket pocket, thinking of the ring. It materialized smoothly in his palm. When he pulled it out, it looked as though it had been there all along.
The ring was black and simple, unadorned except for two small engraved letters: J.G.
John noticed immediately. "What's that?"
"A ring," Jeremy replied.
"I can see that," John said. "It's ugly."
Jeremy closed his fingers around it. "It's perfect."
John gave him a sidelong look. "I'm guessing there's a story behind it."
"Nope. None."
Jeremy shifted in his seat. "So… when are you going to teach me how to hunt vampires properly?"
John's expression sharpened. "Rule number one: never hunt a vampire without knowing their age."
He waited.
Jeremy didn't ask.
John frowned. "Aren't you going to ask why?"
"Because the older a vampire is, the stronger they become," Jeremy said calmly. "Not knowing that gets you killed."
John's grip on the steering wheel tightened. "How do you know that? Even the council doesn't."
Jeremy smirked faintly. "Everyone has secrets."
John studied him for a long moment, then exhaled. "Where are we headed?"
"Chicago."
Jeremy raised a brow. "Do you hunt alone or in groups?"
"Depends on the job," John replied. "Some hunts need backup. Not everyone can solo vampires like me."
Jeremy smirked. "So you're that good."
"That I am," John said proudly. "But I'll introduce you to other hunters soon enough."
Chicago greeted them with steel, shadow, and cold wind.
They had arrived the day before. Since then, John had drilled Jeremy relentlessly—how to move, how to strike, how to retreat without turning his back. Jeremy felt ready.
Standing beside the car that night, he whispered, "Status."
The interface bloomed into existence.
He scanned it once, then made his decision.
"System, exchange 300 System Points for 30 stat points."
[Exchange complete.]
He allocated them carefully—Agility first, then Strength, Perception, and Endurance.
The change hit him instantly.
Pain lanced through his muscles, followed by an overwhelming sense of vitality. His body reshaped itself—lean muscle tightening, limbs growing more responsive, skin compacting as though forged under pressure.
His vision sharpened until the night looked almost like dusk.
Thirty seconds later, it was over.
Jeremy exhaled slowly.
He felt powerful—but not invincible.
He glanced at his changed interface.
Host: Jeremy Gilbert
Race: Human
Age: 18
Location: Chicago
Strength: 20
Agility: 20
Perception: 20
Endurance: 14
Intelligence: 10
Willpower: 11
Vitality: 72/100
Charm: 19
Stats Point: 10 (you can exchange 10 SP for 1 stat point.)
SP (System Points): 83.
Skill points: 0 (you can exchange 10 SP for 1 skill point.)
Skills:
Absolute Hit (Level 1)
Cooking Skills (Intermediate)
Regeneration (Basic)
...
Items:
Gilbert ring.
...
Shop: Available
He dismissed the interface just as John approached.
"You done?" Jeremy asked.
"Yeah."
John paused, frowning. "Something's different about you. I can feel it."
Jeremy shrugged. "You're imagining things."
John stared at him for another second, then let it go. "I picked up a mission."
He smiled—a hunter's smile.
"A vampire mission."
The city lights stretched endlessly ahead of them.
John opened the car door. "Let's go hunting."