Trial by Blood:Hunt II

A figure stepped forward.

A young woman in dark armor, a red insignia carved onto her shoulder plate. She carried two curved blades, her stance relaxed, but her eyes locked onto him with intense focus.

She smirked. "Not bad, Lowborn."

Kain's instincts screamed at him.

She was dangerous.

Before he could react, she vanished.

Then—A blade pressed against his throat.

"Let's see if you're really worth hunting."

The Blade's Edge

Kain froze, every muscle tensed. The steel pressing against his throat was cold, precise, and deadly. His heightened senses from the Crimson Reaver evolution picked up every shift in the woman's breathing, every subtle movement of her stance.

He didn't dare move.

Not yet.

"I expected a pathetic Lowborn rat," the woman said, her voice laced with amusement. "But you're… interesting."

Kain's eyes flicked to the side, assessing his options. He could sense her presence now, a faint pulse of life energy around her—stronger than the Bloodhounds, stronger than the guards.

She was elite.

That meant she wouldn't hesitate to kill him.

[Crimson Reaver Instincts Activated.]

His body reacted on its own.

Kain twisted his head just enough to let the blade graze past his skin. The second it moved, he dropped low, pivoting on his heel as his dagger whipped upward in a counter-slash.

Clang!

The woman parried effortlessly, her second blade swinging toward his ribs.

Kain barely managed to block with his arm, but even with his enhanced endurance, the force sent him skidding backward.

He hissed in pain.

She hadn't even used her full strength.

The woman twirled her blade lazily. "Quick reflexes. Good instincts. But still a Lowborn."

Her smile vanished.

"Let's test how much you're really worth."

She lunged.

First Battle Against an Elite

Kain had no time to think—only react.

Her speed was unreal. One second she was in front of him; the next, she was at his side, her blade slicing toward his ribs.

Kain barely dodged, the edge tearing through his shirt.

[HP: 100 → 87]

Blood trickled from the wound. He grit his teeth. If he kept fighting like this, he'd be dead in seconds.

He had to use his new abilities.

The second she struck again, Kain activated Reaver's Reflex.

His body twisted instinctively, dodging just as her blade whistled past his neck.

Her eyes widened in surprise.

Kain moved before he even thought about dodging.

The system was helping him adapt.

Now it was his turn.

He lunged, his dagger flashing toward her stomach.

Clang!

She blocked again, but this time, Kain was faster. He twisted his wrist, his claws extending as he raked them across her arm.

A thin line of red appeared.

She stepped back, glancing at the wound.

Then—

She laughed.

"You actually landed a hit?" She tilted her head, eyes gleaming. "Alright, you're definitely not normal."

Kain panted. His heart hammered against his ribs, but his body felt lighter, stronger. The more he fought, the more his instincts sharpened.

The woman examined him for a moment before flipping her dagger in her grip and stepping back.

"Enough warm-up."

Kain's breath hitched.

Warm-up?!

She blurred.

A sharp pain exploded in his side.

[HP: 87 → 62]

His vision blurred as he stumbled back. She had moved faster than he could track, her blade carving into his side.

Kain gasped, but before he could react, she kicked him square in the chest.

The impact sent him flying, crashing into the alley wall with a sickening thud.

[HP: 62 → 45]

He coughed, blood spilling onto the ground.

His mind screamed at him—he was outmatched.

She's stronger than me. Faster. More skilled.

She twirled her blade. "Still breathing? Impressive. But you're not ready."

Kain struggled to stand. His vision swam, his limbs screaming in protest.

Then, the system pinged.

Emergency System Prompt

[DING! System Analysis Complete.]

[Opponent: Tier 3 Elite – Aria Nightshade]

[Danger Level: EXTREME]

[WARNING! Survival Chances: 3.7%]

[Recommendation: Flee or Activate Emergency Evolution Point.]

Kain's breath hitched.

Emergency Evolution Point?

The system responded.

[Consume 1 Evolution Point to temporarily enhance a single ability beyond its current limits.]

His mind raced. He had just earned one Evolution Point from the previous mission.

If he used it now…

He might have a chance.

Pushing Beyond Limits

"System," Kain muttered through gritted teeth. "Use my Evolution Point. Enhance Crimson Drain."

[DING! Evolution Point Consumed.]

[Crimson Drain Enhanced to Rank 2: Blood Feast Unlocked.]

A surge of power rushed through him.

Kain's vision sharpened, his senses heightened. His heartbeat calmed, despite the pain wrecking his body.

His hands tingled with energy.

And for the first time…

He felt hungry.

Aria noticed the change instantly. "Huh. What did you just do?"

Kain vanished.

Before she could react, he was behind her, claws slashing across her back.

She hissed in pain, twisting to counter—but he was already moving.

His speed had doubled.

Kain's claws slashed again, and this time, when they connected—he felt it.

The rush of lifeforce being drained into him.

[Blood Feast Activated.]

[HP Restored: +20]

His wounds stitched themselves together.

Aria's expression darkened. "You—"

Kain didn't let her finish.

He attacked relentlessly, slashing, dodging, moving faster than before.

She was still stronger, but every time she landed a hit—he stole life from her.

The battle raged.

The Turning Point

For the first time since the fight started—Aria looked frustrated.

Kain could tell she was holding back before.

But now?

She was serious.

She launched forward, her twin daggers becoming a blur.

Kain barely dodged, his instincts screaming.

Too fast!

[Reaver's Reflex Activated.]

His body twisted just in time, avoiding a fatal strike to his neck.

But—

A dagger sank into his shoulder.

[HP: 65 → 38]

Kain grunted in pain, but his hand snapped up, grabbing her wrist.

Their eyes met.

Kain smirked.

And activated Blood Feast at full power.

A shockwave of energy rushed into him, his HP skyrocketing as he drained her strength.

Aria's expression flickered—first with pain, then…

Amusement.

A sharp whistle cut through the air.

Suddenly—

A squad of armed enforcers appeared from the shadows, crossbows aimed at Kain.

Aria yanked her hand free, stepping back with a smirk. "Not bad, Lowborn."

She rolled her shoulder, shaking off the last remnants of Blood Feast's effect.

"But we're done here."

Kain's heart pounded as he looked around. Six armed men.

He had pushed himself to the limit just to fight Aria—he couldn't take them all.

Aria grinned. "If you survive, find me again."

Then—

She vanished.

The enforcer's moved in.

Desperate Escape

Kain spun on his heel, bolting down the alleyway. His muscles screamed in protest, but adrenaline and his newly enhanced instincts kept him moving. Behind him, shouts erupted.

"Lowborn filth! Stop right there!"

Like hell I will!

Bolts whistled through the air, striking the brick walls beside him. A near miss. Another bolt scraped his shoulder, tearing fabric and grazing his skin.

[HP: 38 → 34]

Kain gritted his teeth. He couldn't afford to slow down. The enforcers were trained killers, and if they caught him, they'd execute him on the spot.

I need to lose them.

He vaulted over a pile of crates, landing in a side alley. The moment his feet hit the ground, he crouched low, pressing his back against the wall.

[DING! New Passive Unlocked – Silent Steps (Rank 1)]

[Effect: Reduces footstep noise and increases movement efficiency while sneaking.]

A rush of awareness flooded his mind. The sounds of his own breathing and movements dulled, his muscles relaxing into a smoother, quieter stance.

Perfect.

The enforcers stormed past, unaware of his presence.

He held his breath.

"Where the hell did he go?" one of them barked.

"Damn Lowborn's fast," another muttered.

Kain clenched his fists. I'm more than just a Lowborn now.

"Split up!" their leader ordered. "Find him!"

Shit.

He needed to keep moving. Now.

City of Shadows

Kain slipped into the deeper alleys, keeping his steps silent. The city was a maze, but he had spent his entire life navigating its forgotten corners.

Now, he had an advantage—his system-enhanced body.

If I can make it to the Slum Market, I can disappear completely.

The market was notorious for its lawlessness. Even enforcers hesitated to chase someone too deep into its territory.

Kain took a sharp turn, his instincts flaring.

He ducked—

Just as a crossbow bolt whizzed past his head.

"Got you, rat."

Kain snapped around—one of the enforcers had flanked him. He was alone, a smirk on his face, crossbow already reloaded.

[DING! Mission Update – Eliminate Pursuers]

[Optional: Kill at least one enforcer to increase Evolution Progress.]

[Reward: Bloodline Growth +1%]

Kain's eyes narrowed.

His instincts screamed fight.

The enforcer smirked. "End of the line."

Fighting Back

Kain lunged forward.

The enforcer fired—but Kain twisted mid-dash, the bolt skimming past his ribs.

[HP: 34 → 28]

Pain flared, but he pushed through, closing the gap in an instant.

His claws extended, and he slashed.

Blood sprayed.

The enforcer staggered back, clutching his arm where deep claw marks had ripped through his armor.

"You—"

Kain didn't give him time to recover.

He spun low, sweeping the enforcer's legs. The man collapsed with a grunt. Kain pounced, his claws pressing against the enforcer's throat.

The man's eyes widened in horror. "W-Wait—"

Kain hesitated.

Kill him.

The thought crept into his mind, dark and tempting. He could feel the system urging him forward.

One kill.

One step toward evolution.

The First Kill

The enforcer's hands trembled. "Please… don't…"

Kain's grip tightened.

This was the same kind of man who had mocked him, who would have executed him without hesitation.

But…

Was he ready to take a life?

A sharp click echoed through the alley.

The enforcer had drawn a dagger.

He's going to kill me.

Kain's body reacted before his mind could.

He slashed.

His claws ripped through the enforcer's throat.

The man's body went still.

A deep silence settled in.

Then—

[DING! Kill Confirmed – First Human Elimination Achieved!]

[Bloodline Growth +1%]

[HP Restored: +15]

A strange warmth flowed through Kain's veins. His wounds closed slightly, his body growing stronger.

He had killed someone.

For the first time in his life.

And the worst part?

It felt good.

Fading into the Night

Kain exhaled slowly. He couldn't afford to stand there thinking about it.

He grabbed the enforcer's pouch, pocketing a handful of coins and a small metal badge—an enforcer's rank insignia.

This might come in handy.

Then, without a second glance, he slipped deeper into the city.

System Upgrade

[DING! System Notification]

[Bloodborn Evolution Progress: 5% → 6%]

[New Passive Unlocked – Predator's Awareness (Rank 1)]

[Effect: Increases reaction speed when an enemy is targeting you.]

Kain felt his senses sharpen, his perception of the world expanding just slightly.

Another step forward.

Another evolution.

I can survive this.

He clenched his fists.

No—he could do more than survive.

This world had looked down on him, had called him a Lowborn, a rat.But now, for the first time…He had power.And he was going to use it.Even if it meant becoming a monster...