Hunger

There were countless theories about it. If they ever figured out the exact mechanism, it would mean they could turn anyone into an awakener. But the problem was, there was no guaranteed method. Some ways did exist, but the casualty rate was ridiculously high—like exposing someone to a high concentration of mana and hoping they survived. Shaking his head, Alex pulled out more mana crystals. He started absorbing them again. 

Time passed. An hour later, he let out a deep sigh. "This is insane. I've burned through a thousand mana crystals, and I'm not even halfway there. And each one is high-grade—easily worth $100,000 apiece." His wallet was screaming in pain.

Alex ran a simulation, calculating the total number of crystals he'd need. The result nearly brought him to tears. Never in his life had he felt so broke. He had already burned through $100 million on just one thousand high-grade mana crystals, and he still needed 9,000 more to complete his foundation stage. That meant he'd have to spend everything his mother had just given him. Alex groaned. "No. I need to make my own money. If I ask for more, Mom will start asking questions."* Sighing, he muttered under his breath, "What a scam…"

[King, you might want to check your status before calling it a scam.]

***

Name: Alex Campbell

Power Level: 5.3

Progenitor Transformation: 10/100%

Lifeforce: 45/1,200

Cultivation Level: Foundation Stage - Early Level

***

Alex blinked. "Wait. One mana crystal raised my lifeforce capacity by one?"

[That is correct, but I believe it's because you focused on your spine. Other areas won't increase your lifeforce as much, but instead, they will drastically enhance your power level.]

Alex rubbed his chin. "That makes sense. But doesn't that mean I can enhance my abilities too?" Then he paused. His brain had already mutated due to mana. Could he even improve it further? The only possible way would be using qi—but that was risky. As he pondered, a sudden wave of dizziness hit him. An overwhelming hunger surged from deep within his soul, gnawing at him from the inside.

[King, your lifeforce is under 10%. You need to drain someone—quickly.]

Alex gritted his teeth, veins bulging in his forehead. "I knew it. It's a damn scam!" He clenched his fists, trying to suppress the hunger clawing at his mind. Vesa had never told him what his lifeforce was actually for. With Mingyue, Vesa used it to help her cultivation. But for Alex? It had done nothing. If he had known earlier, he would have reinforced a different part of his body instead.

Now, after throwing away a fortune, all he got was a bigger lifeforce cap—and a starvation state. Worst of all, he had never absorbed life force from anyone since getting the system. He thought he still had time to find a proper solution since the lifeforce drain was so slow. But now? He was on the verge of losing control. His vision blurred. His breathing grew ragged. He needed to feed.

But there was a problem. Right now, the only people in the building were Feng Xue and the old members of Suzaku—families, elders, kids. 

If he snapped now…

If he lost it in here…

The consequences would be catastrophic. And more than anything—Alex knew he wouldn't be able to forgive himself. Biting his lip hard enough to draw blood, he forced himself up and stumbled toward the hidden exit. With the last shred of his willpower, he ran—taking the secret pathway out of the facility before it was too late. At this point, anyone would do—as long as it wasn't someone he knew.

The facility was located some distance from the city, surrounded by dense forest. Alex hoped he could find a wild animal—something, anything—to drain, just enough to push his lifeforce back over ten percent. But luck wasn't on his side.

That same night, Emily happened to have some free time. She decided to visit the facility to check the space for the guild and catch up with old acquaintances. On the way there, she spotted someone walking alone through the forest. Her eyes narrowed. "That looks like Alex…" She slowed the car, watching as he moved deeper into the woods. A bad feeling settled in her gut. "What the hell is he doing out here alone at night?" she muttered. Parking on the side of the road, she kept her eyes on his figure. Then she noticed something else—his speed. Her brows furrowed. "Is this… the result of his cultivation?" Concern overtook hesitation. Emily got out of the car and followed him. As she picked up her pace, she called out. "Brother! Where are you going!?"

Alex, half-consumed by hunger, jerked at the familiar voice. For a moment, clarity returned. But it only made things worse. A war erupted inside him—his instinct to protect those he loved, clashing with the unbearable craving for life force. His body screamed at him to feed. His mind screamed at him to run. With the last sliver of his sanity, Alex exploded forward, dashing deeper into the forest with such force that the ground cracked behind him, splitting like a spiderweb. Emily's eyes widened in shock. "What the hell?" That wasn't the reaction she expected. Normally, he'd turn around, flash his usual smug grin, and act all mysterious if she asked what he was up to. Instead, he was running from her—why?

Worry clenched her chest. Then she felt it. His presence. It was erratic, unnatural—something was seriously wrong. Emily's expression hardened, and she picked up her speed. Alex felt it. The way her high lifeforce burned in the night like a beacon. His body responded before his mind could—salivating at the energy. The disgust that followed was instant and overwhelming. "Emily!" Alex's voice was raw, desperate. "DON'T FOLLOW ME!" If he had been thinking clearly, he would have realized that yelling only made it worse.

Emily was already traumatized by their father's disappearance. There was no way she'd let Alex go off alone—not now, not ever. Even if it cost her everything. Her body shimmered—turning into light. In a blink, she teleported right in front of him. Her trump card—one she only used when her life was in danger.

This time, she didn't hesitate. Alex froze in place, his instincts clashing again. Emily staggered, her breath ragged. That move had drained almost all her mana. Sweat dripped from her brow, but she didn't care. Her gaze locked onto him—his trembling form, his glowing red eyes, the dark veins pulsing beneath his skin. Her face paled.

"Stay away, Emily!" Alex rasped, stepping back.

Emily took a step forward. "No! What happened to you!?" Her voice was filled with worry—but also determination. 

Alex's breathing grew heavier. His nails dug into his palms, drawing blood. The hunger—the need—was overpowering. He shook his head violently. "No… NO… NO!!!" His vision swam. Emily's life force radiated so strongly it drowned out everything else.

"Vesa, DO SOMETHING!!" But before he could get a response— Emily lunged forward, reaching for him.

To her, she was just trying to hold him in place. To Alex— She was prey. The hunger won. His mind went blank. "BROTHER!!!" Emily's scream echoed through the forest.