Vampire

Marcus was sitting at a table in the tavern, staring at the panel in front of him. Something had changed in his statistics, and it didn't go unnoticed. Now, he had a new stat: Mana. Although he hadn't been a frequent user of magic, this new discovery intrigued him deeply. His mana level was surprisingly high for a hunter of his level. Something inside him told him that his path wasn't only about physical skills but also about learning the mystical arts. If mana was now part of his abilities, he had to make use of it. His mind was occupied with the changes this new stat could bring. He knew magic could be powerful, but he wasn't sure how far he could push this newfound power.

He was lost in these thoughts when a tall, strong man approached his table. His presence didn't go unnoticed by Marcus, who looked up to observe him. The man was strong, with a determined expression and a fierce gaze. Apparently, he had been watching Marcus since entering, and with a deep voice, he began to speak.

"I heard from Tom that you're a level two hunter. Is that true?"

Marcus, who wasn't one to say much, wasn't surprised. He replied directly and curtly.

"Yes, what's up?"

The man nodded, as if that was the answer he expected. Then, with a confident smile, he continued.

"We have a group mission. We're hunting a vampire's familiar. The reward is 2000 stones. There are three of us. With you, it would be 400 per head. If anyone finds something useful, they keep it."

Even though Marcus preferred working alone, he couldn't help but feel that the 400 stones reward was too tempting to pass up. He knew that money was necessary to keep improving. While he didn't like the idea of company, the mission had a clear attraction: the chance to earn a good amount of stones and keep progressing.

"What kind of mission is it?" Marcus asked, without taking his eyes off his panel, although he was starting to listen more closely.

The man, who introduced himself as Adam, gestured toward a nearby table where two other people were sitting. As he approached, Marcus saw a woman and a man. The woman, tall and slender, carried a sniper rifle on her back, and her cold, analytical gaze suggested she was someone experienced in long-range combat. The man had a medium build, with a relaxed attitude but showing remarkable skill in his stance. He used knives, which indicated he was an expert in close combat.

Adam introduced them quickly:

"This is Beti, the sniper, and this is John, the melee hunter. We'll be working together on this mission."

Marcus didn't feel any particular sympathy for them, but he understood that the mission was necessary. The money was a good motivation, and although he preferred working alone, he couldn't afford to pass up an opportunity like this. He sat down without asking many questions and listened as Adam explained the plan.

"We leave at dawn," said Adam. "Get ready. This mission won't be easy. We'll be hunting a vampire's familiar, and although we don't know exactly where it is, we have some clues. A freshly created familiar has the power of a level 2 hunter who's just advanced, so it won't show itself during the day out of fear of the sunlight. In other words, we'll need to investigate at night. That gives us time to prepare."

Marcus nodded. He was used to hunting at night, and that advantage gave him time to improve his preparations. The mission would be difficult, but it was what he needed. Before leaving, Adam told them to get ready for what was coming and gave them time to make purchases at the tavern shop before leaving at dawn.

The night was calm, and Marcus spent his time reviewing his supplies and spending the 45 ether stones he had left. He knew he couldn't afford to be unprepared for a mission of this magnitude. He bought two healing potions for 35 ether stones and also purchased 40 paltas bullets, a special type of ammunition that he had discovered was effective against familiars. With the purchases made, he retired to rest, but his mind kept racing about the mission. Despite everything, he knew he needed more than just physical strength to face what lay ahead. Magic and his control over mana would be key in the battle to come.

At dawn, they all met again at the entrance of the tavern. Adam, Beti, and John were already there, ready to depart. Marcus, who had rested enough, joined them, and together they boarded the carriage that would take them to the location where the familiar had been reported. The journey was long and silent. Beti tried to talk to Marcus, but he wasn't one for many words. His intimidating aura seemed to block any attempt at conversation. He limited his responses to brief answers when she asked him something. He knew there was no need to socialize. The mission was all that mattered.

After several hours of travel, they arrived at the edge of a dense forest. Adam stopped and looked around. The sun was beginning to set, and the daylight was fading.

"This is it," Adam said firmly. "We know it's a familiar, but we don't know exactly where it is. A freshly created familiar has the power of a level 2 hunter who's just advanced. It hides during the day out of fear of the sunlight. We know we need to act at night."

Marcus prepared himself. Although he had faced many challenges before, he knew this one would be different. The night brought new dangers, and familiars were extremely cunning creatures, capable of adapting and attacking when least expected. But he had confidence in his abilities. His recent magical growth and control over his powers gave him the advantage he needed.

The darkness enveloped the forest, and the group ventured into it. Adam led the way, with Beti and John following, while Marcus brought up the rear, always alert to any signs that might indicate the familiar's presence. The air was thick with tension, and the shadows of the forest seemed to move of their own accord. However, Marcus knew he couldn't afford to be deceived. The enemy could be much closer than he thought.

It was only a matter of time before the hunt began.