Blood dripped from Alex's fingertips. His body trembled—not from fear, but from the violent exhaustion that settled into his bones.
The alley was littered with groaning bodies. Crushed ribs. Broken limbs. Smeared trails of red painted the ground like abstract art. The once bright gleam of the low-tier weapons had faded, shattered around them.
And at the center of it all stood Alex… barely.
His breathing was ragged. His shirt was torn, bloodstained, and his right arm—newly regenerated—still pulsed with raw pain. The burning sensation hadn't completely left his shoulder yet.
He winced, clutching his side. The energy he used to regenerate had drained him more than he expected.
DING!
Energy Level: Critically Low
Hunger: 70%
Warning: Risk of Losing Control
System Advice: Feed or rest immediately.
He swallowed hard, his lips dry.
His gaze flicked to Miranda, unconscious nearby. Her face bruised, lips busted, ice fragments still surrounding her palms from her earlier resistance. She had fought. Fought so hard.
Alex took one step toward her—then froze.
The scent hit him like a drug.
Warm blood. Exposed flesh. Still fresh.
He turned to the side, his glowing eye locking onto one of the downed ambushers—a Tier C loyalist. Barely breathing. His chest rose and fell in weak, shallow motions.
The man's neck had a deep gash. Blood oozed slowly down to his collarbone.
Alex didn't even realize he had moved until he was crouched beside the body.
Just one bite… it won't hurt, right?
His fingers brushed the man's shoulder. The flesh felt warm, soft—inviting.
His body trembled again—but this time it wasn't weakness.
It was desire.
His ghoul instincts were howling inside him.
His mouth opened slightly, the sharp tip of his ghoul fangs glinting beneath his lips.
"I need it... just a little taste..."
He leaned closer.
Then—
"Who's there?!"
A sharp, commanding voice shattered the air like lightning.
Alex's head snapped up. At the mouth of the alley, just barely visible through the flickering streetlamp, stood a man in a long black coat. An Academy Patrol Officer. His hand hovered near his mana pistol.
The officer's eyes scanned the blood splatters on the wall, then moved toward the shadows.
Alex's instincts kicked in again—but this time, survival overtook hunger.
He stared down at Miranda. He didn't want to leave her. Not like this. But if the officer saw him like this...
Pale grey skin. Glowing eye. Crimson claw still fading from view. The truth would be out.
He clenched his jaw.
"I'm sorry, Miranda," he whispered. "I can't let them find me like this…"
He turned and vanished into the shadows, his footfalls silent.
---
A moment later, the officer stepped into the alley, eyes narrowing.
Blood.
Weapons.
Unconscious students.
And one beaten girl lying in the middle of it all.
The officer tapped a communicator on his chest.
"This is Officer Rune. I've got a situation in Sector 4. Multiple unconscious students, one injured female… and signs of something unnatural."
His eyes paused on a faint claw mark gouged into the alley wall.
"Send backup. And a medical unit."
---
Elsewhere…
Alex collapsed in an abandoned rooftop, gasping for breath.
His stomach roared.
His claws trembled.
He stared at the blood caked under his fingernails.
He wanted to vomit. Cry. Scream.
But all he could do… was breathe.
"I almost… I almost fed…"
DING!
Optional Quest Failed – Feed on your enemies (Timed Out)
EXP Rewarded for Previous Fight: 350
Current Level: 6
Hunger: 75%
Alex pulled his knees to his chest, teeth gritted.
"What am I becoming…?"
Blood still dripped from his fingertips, his claws retracting slowly as his breathing stabilized. His chest rose and fell as if trying to force the hunger away.
"I was... going to buy steak." He let out a dry laugh, bitter and hollow. "But I never made it to the store."
The hunger gnawed at him now—fiercer, darker. Human blood and flesh still clung to his senses. The scent lingered like a curse.
> Ding! System Update:
Battle completed: 7 enemies defeated.
EXP Gained: 350
Quest Complete: Optional Quest [Feed on them] – Not completed.
Level Up!
Level up!
Level up!
New Level: 5
Unallocated Stat Points: +6
Alex sighed. The system pulled up before him like instinct.
> Name: Alex
Race: Halfling Ghoul
Level: 5
Strength: 17
Stamina: 30
Agility: 16
Hunger: 70%
Energy: 20%
Available Points: 6
He remembered the fight—the slashes, the hits he took. He wasn't fast enough, not strong enough. The anger helped, but it wasn't everything.
He allocated his points quickly:
+2 Strength
+4 Agility
> Updated Stats:
Strength: 19
Stamina: 30
Agility: 20
Hunger: 70%
Energy: 26%
"This hunger... how long before it takes over completely?" He clenched his fist, a wave of guilt washing over him as the image of Miranda's battered body flashed in his mind.
"I couldn't protect her fast enough… and now I had to leave her there."
He turned his face up to the dark sky.
"I'm sorry, Miranda."