But… I don't think that rule applies to me.
Lilla said we're limited by our talent, that we can't break past two grades above it—unless fate itself hands us a miracle. But I'm not waiting for fate. I'll become as strong as I possibly can, even if it means walking a path no one else dares to take.
The thought of inserting new DNA into my body—especially beast DNA—had been simmering in my mind for a while. It was risky, uncharted, probably even forbidden. But still, it felt… right.
This was my first hunt with others. But unless something changes drastically, I'll be going solo after this. I have too many secrets to guard—secrets even Lilla doesn't know. Especially about **spirituality**.
She hadn't mentioned it even once during her grand elemental explanation. Which meant one of two things: either she didn't know about it, or she deliberately chose not to speak of it. But given how rare spiritual power is, I'm leaning toward the first.
I don't blame her.
I just… can't trust anyone right now.
They may seem friendly like Lilla, or cold and silent like Kaven and the others—but at the end of the day, they're still vampires. Their instincts aren't human. One wrong move, and I could be prey.
Breaking free of my internal monologue, I suddenly felt it—a disturbance in the air.
Beasts. Multiple.
They were headed our way.
But this time… I didn't alert the group.
Instead, I wanted to see how they'd react under pressure. If they were ambushed, would they stay calm? Would they protect each other? Or would they throw someone to the wolves—literally?
I quietly readied myself. The aura of the approaching creatures wasn't like before. These were stronger.
A moment later, a direwolf lunged from the thickets—straight toward Kaven. My eyes widened. That was a **C-rank**. Before I could react, another charged at me. Also C-rank.
I didn't retaliate. Not yet. If I fought too fiercely, they might suspect I was hiding something. Instead, I dodged the attack with a roll, making it look like a close call.
"Adam! I'm coming!" Lilla's voice cut through the chaos. "Kaven, Pepper—engage with the other C-rank! Everyone else, handle the D-ranks!"
She rushed toward me, her blade already glowing a violent red. I saw her eyes flash with intent as she clashed against the beast.
"Take care of the D-rank," she ordered. "I'll handle this one."
As I turned to deal with the weaker threats, a sudden *whoosh* echoed through the trees.
The direwolf's paw glowed faintly, and in a blink, it slashed the air—sending a massive wind-formed claw hurtling toward Lilla. It was nearly a meter wide, slicing the forest as it moved.
**A wind-element beast? Here?**
Even Lilla paused, clearly taken aback. She composed herself quickly, but I could sense the surprise in her stance. Maybe she'd fought elemental beasts before… but not this close to the outer forest. Wind beasts were supposed to be deeper in.
Still, Lilla pushed forward, her blade flaring again. I wondered—was she a Qi-user? Or a magician? I'd never asked. I probably should.
While she engaged the wind beast, I took out three D-ranks in quick succession. Compared to the chaos of the C-ranks, they were simple. Efficient.
When I turned back, Lilla had slain the wind wolf and was now heading toward the one Pepper and Kaven were fighting. Despite their efforts, the beast looked barely injured—while they both had taken hits. It was healing rapidly.
Moments later, Lilla unleashed her full strength and ended the fight with one final blow.
We all took a breather under the trees. The air was heavy with silence, broken only by tired breaths and the occasional rustle.
Leon, ever the silent one, stepped forward and knelt beside the wind-element direwolf. He pulled out a dagger and, like Pepper had done earlier, pierced its skull and carefully extracted the core. The orb shimmered with a faint green hue.
I watched closely, fascinated.
Lilla caught my gaze and smirked. "Wanna try it with the other one?"
I hesitated, then nodded. "Yeah."
Leon guided me. "Plunge the dagger just a bit to the left of the brain's center… good. Now twist it slowly…"
It took a bit of fumbling, but eventually, I pulled out the core. It shimmered faintly—a typical C-rank core. I held it in my palm, expecting some powerful sensation.
Instead… it just felt like a smooth rock.
I handed it to Lilla. In return, she placed the **wind core** in my hand. It was cool to the touch—not freezing, just… calming. My instincts flared.
**Eat it.**
That primitive voice inside me whispered again. I gritted my teeth and ignored it.
I couldn't let anyone know what I truly was.
After a short rest, the team decided to head back. The wind core would fetch a good price, and everyone had gained something.
Lilla walked beside me at the rear of the group, speaking in hushed tones.
"I thought I should tell you," she said. "I warned the team to control themselves around you. Not because you're human—but because some of them are still new. And bloodlust… well, it doesn't go away easily."
I nodded slowly.
"The stronger the vampire, the more control they have," she added. "So the higher our rank, the safer you are around us. But just to be safe, keep your guard up."
We eventually reached the city gates. Lilla turned to me and said, "I'll give you your share of the reward tomorrow morning."
I thanked her and went straight to the same tavern. Booked a room. Ordered food.
As I ate, I suddenly remembered something I'd forgotten to ask Lilla:
**What supernatural path are you walking? Qi? Mana? Something else?**
But I guess that could wait.
For now, I had cores to study, instincts to fight… and a future to carve with my own two hands.