Baptism of Blood

Baptism of Blood

Lucian's senses sharpened as the hunters closed in, the silver glint of their weapons catching the moonlight. The sting of fear gnawed at his resolve, but it was swallowed by a hunger more powerful and ancient than reason. His blood thrummed with raw energy, the serpent tattoo on his arm burning like a brand. The system's message flickered in his mind:

[Quest: First Blood - Defeat the Witchers (0/3)]

Reward: Bloodbound Awakening

The vampire beside him faded into the shadows, leaving Lucian alone with the advancing witchers. His voice lingered like smoke in the air:

"Prove you deserve to survive."

Lucian's breath was ragged. His legs trembled, but the surge of energy coursing through his body refused to let him fall. The memory of the system's words haunted him—Survive the Night. There was no room for hesitation.

The lead witcher snarled, his face partially obscured by a dark helm. "You're a fresh bite, aren't you? Still clinging to your humanity." He raised a gleaming silver crossbow. "That makes this easy."

The crossbow fired, the bolt streaking toward Lucian's heart.

Time seemed to splinter.

Lucian's body moved before his mind could register the decision. His vision narrowed, every detail magnified—the twitch of the witcher's trigger finger, the gleam of silver in the moonlight, the faint whistle of air as the bolt cut through the night.

[Instinct Evasion Activated]

Lucian twisted to the side, the bolt grazing his shoulder and embedding itself into the brick wall behind him. Pain flared, but it was a distant sensation, muted by the inferno surging through his veins. He landed in a crouch, his breath steaming in the frigid air.

The hunters hesitated, surprise flickering across their faces.

"He's fast," one muttered, tightening his grip on a silver-tipped spear.

Lucian's lips curled into a feral grin. He could taste their unease. The predator inside him stirred, eager to break free.

[New Skill Unlocked: Crimson Frenzy - Unleash a burst of speed and strength for a limited time.]

A cold voice echoed in his mind. Activate it, fledgling. Show them your fangs.

Lucian didn't need to be told twice.

A crimson haze enveloped his vision as he lunged forward, the world blurring into streaks of motion. The nearest witcher barely had time to react before Lucian's fist connected with his chest, shattering armor and bone. The hunter flew backward, crashing into the wall with a sickening thud.

[Witcher Defeated (1/3)]

The remaining two witchers roared in fury, their weapons gleaming with deadly intent. One slashed at Lucian with a silver-coated blade, the other circling to flank him.

Lucian's body moved on instinct, ducking under the blade and driving his elbow into the witcher's ribs. The hunter gasped, stumbling backward. Lucian didn't let up—he twisted, grabbing the man's wrist and snapping it with a brutal twist. The witcher screamed, dropping his weapon.

The third hunter seized the opportunity, thrusting his spear toward Lucian's back.

[Danger Sense Activated]

Lucian spun, his hand snapping out to catch the shaft of the spear. The hunter's eyes widened in disbelief as Lucian wrenched the weapon from his grasp and drove it through his chest. Blood sprayed into the air, the scent intoxicating.

[Witcher Defeated (2/3)]

The final witcher staggered to his feet, clutching his broken wrist. Fear clouded his eyes as he backed away. "Stay… stay back!"

Lucian's voice was low and guttural. "Why? Aren't you here to kill monsters?"

The witcher whimpered, his bravado shattered. Lucian's lips curled back, revealing fangs glistening with blood. The hunger gnawed at him, demanding he sink his teeth into the man's throat and drink until nothing remained.

[Quest Update: First Blood - Final Target Remaining]

Lucian hesitated. The system urged him forward, the promise of power shimmering just out of reach. But a fragment of his humanity clung to the edges of his consciousness, resisting the descent into savagery.

The witcher's voice trembled. "Please… I have a family."

Lucian's vision flickered. The memory of his own family surfaced—faces blurred by time but still etched into his soul. His mother's laughter, his sister's mischievous grin. They were gone now, lost to the cruelty of a world that didn't care.

His grip on the spear tightened.

"You're lucky tonight," Lucian growled, his voice cold. He turned and walked away, the hunger clawing at him in protest.

[Quest Complete: First Blood]

Reward: Bloodbound Awakening Granted

A surge of energy exploded through Lucian's body, knocking him to his knees. The serpent tattoo on his arm writhed, its coils shimmering with crimson light. Pain and ecstasy warred within him as his body transformed.

[Bloodbound Awakening Unlocked - You have ascended to the next stage of vampiric evolution.]

New Skills Unlocked:

• Predator's Step: Move silently and strike with lethal precision.

• Blood Sense: Detect life and track prey within a wide radius.

Lucian's breath came in ragged gasps. The alley was silent now, the bodies of the hunters strewn across the ground. The scent of blood lingered, thick and intoxicating.

A figure emerged from the shadows—the vampire who had bitten him. His crimson eyes gleamed with approval. "Not bad for a fledgling."

Lucian wiped the blood from his lips, his expression hard. "What happens now?"

The vampire's smile was razor-sharp. "Now? You survive. But don't get comfortable, Lucian. This was only the beginning."

Lucian's fists clenched. The memory of the system's words burned in his mind: Become the King of Vampires.

He would survive. He would rise. And he would rule.

The night was far from over