Chapter 4: Awakening the Predator
Leon's pulse thundered in his ears. The two combat droids moved in perfect synchronization—the first charging straight for him, the second dropping from above like a mechanized beast. He had no room to escape.
Then—something inside him snapped.
A surge of raw hunger coursed through his veins. His breath hitched as his vision shifted—the world slowed to a blur of red and black, every detail sharpening to impossible clarity. He could feel their movements before they even finished them, like a hunter sensing its prey.
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[Vampire System Alert]
Blood Hunger: 50% – Instinct Threshold Reached
Vampire Instincts Unlocked: Predatory Reflex (Rank F)
New Ability Available: Blood Laceration
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Leon's lips parted as something primal took over. His fingers tingled, and when he looked down, he saw his fingernails elongating into razor-sharp claws, their edges gleaming with a faint, dark-red glow.
The droid above was milliseconds away from crashing into him.
Leon didn't think—he moved.
His body twisted mid-air, reacting on pure instinct. His newly-formed claws slashed upward, catching the droid across its chest.
SHRRK!
A burst of sparks erupted as his claws ripped through metal like flesh. The droid staggered mid-air, its attack thrown off. Before it could recover, Leon's other hand shot forward, fingers curling into a clawed grip. He caught the droid by its throat, his enhanced strength lifting the 200-pound machine as if it weighed nothing.
He could feel it—its artificial pulse, its mechanical core beneath its armor.
And something inside him whispered: Break it.
Leon tightened his grip, his claws digging into its neck plating. The droid struggled, servos whirring, but it was too late—he crushed its throat with a sickening crunch.
The machine convulsed, sparks bursting from its body before he threw it aside like a broken toy. It crashed against the far wall, its limbs twitching before finally going still.
One down.
Leon turned to the second droid.
It hesitated. Just for a fraction of a second—but he saw it.
"It's assessing me."
Dr. Vance's voice crackled through the intercom, amusement lacing his tone. "Oh? The machine is hesitating? How intriguing."
Leon wasn't done yet.
The second droid suddenly shifted tactics—it jumped back, red optics flashing as it analyzed him. Then, its right arm transformed, the metal shifting and expanding until a long, bladed weapon extended from its wrist.
A warning flared in Leon's vision.
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[Enemy Upgrade Detected!]
Combat AI Adapting
Threat Level: Increased
---
Leon grinned, his elongated fangs flashing. "Good. I was getting bored."
The droid charged.
Leon's claws gleamed, his body moving with a newfound fluidity. The moment the droid's blade slashed toward him, he sidestepped, barely missing the deadly edge. His own hand lashed out, and this time, he activated his new ability.
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[Blood Laceration – Activated]
Focusing Vampire Energy into Claws
Damage Boost: +30%
Effect: Blood-Tearing Slashes
---
His claws glowed crimson as he swiped at the droid. The moment his fingers connected, the metal shredded like paper, deep gashes forming where his claws met its armor. Sparks and dark red liquid leaked from the wound—not just oil, but something synthetic, something that mimicked blood.
Leon barely had time to process it before the droid retaliated. It spun, its blade coming at him from the side—
Leon ducked, his movement effortless, almost playful.
He whipped around and delivered a devastating kick to the droid's torso.
BOOM!
The force sent the droid flying back, smashing into the metal wall. Leon followed instantly, his blood-laced claws carving through its limbs before it could recover.
The machine twitched violently, its systems failing. With a final thrust, Leon punched straight through its core, his claws piercing into its artificial heart.
A final whirring gasp—then silence.
Leon yanked his hand back, shaking off the sparking remnants of the machine.
Both droids lay motionless.
The room was dead silent, save for the hum of cooling machinery and the slow drip of something metallic.
Leon turned toward Dr. Vance, his breath still steady, his glowing crimson eyes locked onto the scientist.
Dr. Vance simply clapped. "Magnificent."
Leon frowned. "You knew I could do this, didn't you?"
The scientist's smile widened. "I had theories, of course. But seeing it firsthand? Far more satisfying."
Leon felt his claws slowly retract, his body cooling from its predatory high. But deep inside, he knew—this was just the beginning.
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[Vampire System Update]
Blood Hunger: 60%
Ability Mastery Progress: Blood Laceration (3%)
Predatory Reflex Upgraded: Now reacting 10% faster to enemy attacks.
---
Leon exhaled, trying to calm his rising hunger. He knew this feeling wouldn't go away.
Whatever Dr. Vance had turned him into... it was evolving.
And it wanted more.