"Friendship is built on trust; without it, you have nothing."
— Unknown
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"Will you believe what I would say, Eren?" asked Kain as he looked into Eren's eyes.
His red eyes held a serious expression, the weight of everything that had happened pressing down on him.
Eren, still pale from witnessing Kain's transformation, nodded slowly. "After what I just saw, I think I have to."
Kain took a deep breath. "Alright. I'll tell you the gist of it. Just… trust me for now, okay?"
He explained that something had changed inside him during his Awakening, something that forced him onto a new path. He mentioned that he now had a strange system guiding him, and that it demanded things from him—things he didn't fully understand yet. He admitted that he wasn't fully human anymore, but promised he was still himself. He left out the details about the Seven Sins, the visions, and the deeper mechanics of his transformation.
Eren listened, his eyes wide but his trust unwavering. When Kain finished, the room was quiet for a long moment.
"So… you're different now. But you're still you?" Eren finally asked.
Kain nodded. "Yeah. I'm still me. I promise."
Eren let out a shaky laugh. "Well, you don't look like you're about to bite me again, so I guess I'll believe you. Just… warn me next time, okay?"
Kain managed a small smile. "Deal."
"Can't believe my friend became a blood-sucking... tax collector. Oh, wait, vampire. They are different, right?" Eren spoke as he started cooking again.
He stood up, feeling the need to see for himself what had changed. He walked to the bathroom and flicked on the light, staring at his reflection in the mirror.
His hair looked a shade darker, almost black in the right light. His skin was paler, but not sickly—more like marble, smooth and flawless. His eyes, once green, now glowed a deep, mesmerizing red, the pupils slightly slit like a predator's. When he opened his mouth, he saw fangs—sharp, but not monstrous. He looked… stronger, more confident, almost regal.
He flexed his fingers, watching the muscles move beneath his skin. He felt powerful, but also in control. The hunger was gone, replaced by a steady energy humming through his veins.
Sanguini's voice echoed in his mind.
[Looking good, Mr. Kain! (o^∀^o) Your transformation is complete. You are now a Level 2 Vampire, and the Sin of Greed is dormant within you. Remember, your next quest awaits!]
Kain nodded to himself, then returned to the kitchen where Eren was waiting.
"Well?" Eren asked.
"I look… different. But I'm still me," Kain said, his voice steady.
Eren grinned. "Good. Because we have a party to join, and I'm not going alone."
Kain laughed, feeling lighter than he had in days. "Let's get ready, then."
They gathered their gear—swords, armor, and the new WGC IDs. Kain felt the weight of his new abilities, the system's presence always at the edge of his thoughts.
As they left the apartment, the city was just waking up. The streets were busy, but Kain felt every heartbeat, every scent, every shift in the air. He was hyper-aware, but not overwhelmed.
When they reached the WGC headquarters, their assigned party was waiting—a trio of nervous-looking newbies. The party leader, a short girl with sharp brown eyes and cropped hair, stepped forward.
"Hey, you must be Kain and Eren, right? I'm Mira, the party leader and our tank. I'll be up front taking the hits," she said with a confident grin.
She gestured to the tall boy beside her. "This is Jin, our archer. He's got the best aim in our class."
Jin gave a sheepish smile and a small wave. "I'll cover you all from the back. Nice to meet you."
"And that's Lira," Mira continued, nodding at the quiet girl with glasses and a serious expression. "She's our mage—don't let her silence fool you, she's the brains and firepower of the group."
Lira adjusted her glasses and gave a polite nod. "I'll handle support and ranged spells. Let's work together."
Eren stepped forward, smiling. "I'm Eren, swordsman and your all-purpose support. I'll do my best to keep everyone safe."
Kain nodded, offering a small smile. "Kain. I'm... also a swordsman. I'll be fighting up close."
Jin grinned. "Let's do our best out there."
With introductions done, Mira checked her watch. "Alright, let's move. We don't want to waste daylight."
As they stepped outside, sunlight spilled across the plaza. Kain hesitated, feeling the warmth on his skin. At first, it was just uncomfortable—a prickling sensation, like standing too close to a heater. But as he took another step, the discomfort sharpened, almost like a warning.
He winced, quickly stepping back into the shade. Eren noticed and whispered, "You okay?"
Kain nodded, forcing a grin. "Just… sensitive to sunlight now, I guess."
Sanguini's voice chimed in his mind.
[Warning: Direct sunlight may cause discomfort or harm. Please use protective measures!]
Kain rummaged through his bag and pulled out a pure black umbrella he'd packed just in case. He opened it and stepped out again. This time, the sunlight didn't bother him at all.
"Smart," Eren said, giving him a thumbs up.
Mira raised an eyebrow but didn't comment. "Let's go, everyone!"
As they walked toward the city gates, Kain explained quietly to the group, "The forest we're heading to is called Umbrawood. It's deep in the Beast Continent. The canopy there is so thick, barely any sunlight gets through. Once we're inside, I won't need the umbrella."
Jin looked relieved. "So it's safe for you there?"
Kain nodded. "Yeah, but until then, I'll stick to the shade. Also, it's best not to fight until we're actually inside the forest. The open roads are watched, and we don't want to attract trouble before we even start."
Mira agreed, "Makes sense. Let's keep a low profile until we reach Umbrawood Forest."
The group made their way to the city gates, greeting the guards and exchanging a few nervous jokes. Spirits were high, but everyone felt the tension of their first real hunt.
As they passed through the gates, the path to Umbrawood stretched before them, wild and green beneath the morning sun.
Their hunt was about to begin.
---
Kain and Eren arrive at the Umbrawood Forest, the forest was vast. It housed a lot of wild beast tribes, which used to hunt in their respective territory.
Right now, though, someone had intruded on their territory.
---
The party stood at the edge of Umbrawood Forest, staring into the endless sea of ancient trees. The sunlight barely pierced the thick canopy, casting the world below in a perpetual twilight. The air was cool and damp, filled with the scent of moss, earth, and distant wildflowers.
Mira took the first step forward, her shield raised. "Stay close, everyone. The map says the main path curves north, but we'll want to keep an eye out for side trails."
Jin nocked an arrow, eyes scanning the shadows. "I heard the wild beasts here are territorial. We should avoid any obvious dens."
Lira muttered a spell under her breath, a faint blue glow appearing around her hands. "I'll keep a detection ward up. If anything approaches, I'll know."
Kain felt a strange comfort in the darkness. The filtered light was gentle on his skin, and his senses sharpened. Every sound—the rustle of leaves, the distant call of a bird, the scurrying of small animals—was crystal clear.
Sanguini's voice echoed in his mind, cheerful as ever.
[Welcome to Umbrawood, Mr. Kain! (o^∀^o) This forest is rated D+ for difficulty. Please be aware of beast tribes, poisonous plants, and territorial disputes. Also, don't eat any glowing mushrooms!]
Kain smirked. "Noted," he whispered.
Eren nudged him. "Hm? What noted?"
"Oh, nothing," Kain replied.
The group moved deeper into the forest. The path twisted and turned. Occasionally, they'd spot claw marks on tree trunks or hear the distant howl of a beast.
They walked for nearly an hour, weaving through thick undergrowth and stepping over fallen logs. The deeper they went, the more vibrant the forest became. Strange flowers bloomed in the shadows, and vines hung like curtains from the branches above.
Eren bent down, examining a cluster of blue-leafed plants. "Hey, Mira, are these the healing herbs we're supposed to collect?"
Mira checked her guidebook. "Looks like it. Lira, can you confirm?"
Lira knelt beside Eren, adjusting her glasses. "Yes, these are Azureleaf. Good for minor wounds and mana recovery."
Jin kept watch as the others gathered the herbs, his bow ready. "Let's not linger too long. I heard Shadow Fang Wolves like to hunt near herb patches."
Sanguini chimed in again.
[Collecting herbs is a great way to earn extra credits! (＾▽＾) But beware, some plants bite back. If you see a sus plant, don't touch it!]
Kain nodded slightly.
As they continued, the forest grew eerily quiet. The usual background noise faded, replaced by a tense silence.
Mira raised her hand, signaling everyone to stop. "Something's wrong. Stay alert."
A low growl echoed from the shadows. Red eyes glinted between the trees.
Jin whispered, "Shadow Fang Wolves. At least three... maybe more."
Kain's senses went into overdrive. He could smell the musky scent of the wolves, hear their padded footsteps circling the group.
Sanguini's voice was suddenly serious.
[Warning! Hostile beasts detected.]
Mira stepped forward, shield raised. "Form up! Eren, with me. Kain, cover the rear. Lira, stay in the center and prep a spell."
The wolves emerged, it was black-furred, with glowing fangs and eyes like burning black flame.
Kain drew his sword, ready to attack.
Eren gripped his blade, sweat beading on his brow. "Ready?"
"Always," Kain replied.
The first wolf lunged at Mira, jaws snapping. She blocked with her shield, the impact reverberating through her arm. Eren slashed at another wolf, forcing it back.
Jin lost an arrow, striking a wolf in the shoulder. It yelped but kept coming.
Lira chanted, her hands glowing brighter. "Arcane Bolt!"
A blast of blue energy struck a wolf, sending it tumbling.
Kain moved like a shadow as he dodged a wolf's attack, countering with a swift slash.
[Great job, Mr. Kain! (☆ω☆) Remember, feeding on a beast's blood will help you grow stronger. Try to finish one off yourself!]
Kain nodded, focusing on the wounded wolf. He moved in, stabbing it on the throat, and collected some blood to drink while alone.
[System Notification: Shadow Fang Wolf defeated!]
[+50 EXP]
When the others were not looking, he drank the blood as he gulped it fast.
The beast's blood did not taste sweet; instead, it was a bit salty and felt as if he was drinking a vegetable soup, but cold.
[System Notification: Beast Blood Consumed!]
[Blood Points refilled to 100.]
[+1 Intelligence]
A surge of power rushed through Kain. The Intelligence stat was, in truth, the amount of mana one could control.
There would be no limits to the amount of mana someone could control if not for the Intelligence stat. That's why talent was important.
The remaining wolves, sensing danger, retreated into the shadows.
Mira lowered her shield, breathing hard. "Everyone okay?"
Eren wiped his blade. "All good here."
Jin checked his quiver. "Used three arrows. Worth it."
Lira nodded, though her hands trembled slightly. "I'm fine."
Kain wiped the blood from his lips, feeling stronger than ever.
Sanguini's voice was proud.
[Congratulations! First beast defeated and blood consumed. The Sin of Greed is awakening. New abilities may become available soon! (o^∀^o)]
Kain felt a strange hunger—not for blood, but for more. More power, more strength, more everything.
[...]
Various notifications came, but he decided to ignore them for now.
He shook his head, focusing on the present.
Mira clapped him on the back. "Nice work, Kain. You looked cool there."
Kain smiled, hiding the fangs. "Thanks."
The group regrouped, tending to minor wounds and collecting more herbs. The forest seemed less threatening now, the shadows a little less dark.
As they moved on, Sanguini whispered in Kain's mind.
[Be careful, Mr. Kain. The Sin of Greed is powerful, but it can be dangerous if left unchecked. Remember, balance is key!]
Kain nodded to himself, determined to master his new abilities.
The hunt had only just begun.
---
As the group caught their breath, Kain finally let himself glance at the system notifications he'd ignored earlier. A translucent window appeared before his eyes, visible only to him.
[Sin of Greed: Dormant → Awakened (I)]
You have tasted the blood of a wild beast. The Sin of Greed within you is awakening.]
[New Ability Unlocked: Treasure Sense — Sense valuable objects and sources of power nearby. Also useful in unveiling the hidden things.]
[Warning: The Sin of Greed may influence your desires. Exercise caution.]
Sanguini's voice chimed in, more informative this time.
[There are Seven Sins You can practice, Mr. Kain: Greed, Lust, Wrath, Sloth, Gluttony, Envy, and Pride. Each Sin grants unique abilities and can be awakened through special actions. To level up the Sin of Greed, you must use its ability and fulfill its desires. When your Treasure Sense reaches Level 2, Greed itself will also level up. Each Sin has its system of leveling—master them wisely! (o^∀^o)]
Kain felt a subtle pulse in his chest, like a second heartbeat. Words scrolled across the window:
Greed grows with every victory. Resist its pull, or be consumed.]
He closed the notifications, jaw set. The hunger for more was still there, but now he understood its source—and its danger.
---
They continued deeper into Umbrawood, spirits high after their first victory. The path ahead was uncertain, but together, they felt ready for whatever the forest would throw at them next.
The trees grew even taller as they walked. The light was dim, but Kain could see clearly. The ground was soft and covered in moss. Sometimes, they even saw small animals running between the roots.
Eren pointed at a big red mushroom. "Is that safe to touch?"
Kain shook his head. "No, don't touch it. It looks dangerous." He wasn't sure how he knew, but something inside warned him.
Jin laughed. "Good thing you're careful. I don't want to get killed due to a mushroom."
They kept moving. Lira's spell glowed softly, warning them if anything got close. Mira led the way, shield up, careful not to step on anything strange.
Suddenly, Eren stopped. "Hey, look at this."
There were broken branches and deep claw marks on a tree. The ground was messy, like there had been a fight. A torn piece of cloth hung from a bush.
Mira frowned. "Looks like another party was here. And something attacked them."
Jin found a broken arrow. "This is fresh. Maybe from this morning."
Lira's spell flickered. "I sense something nearby. It's not a beast, but it's moving."
The group got quiet. Kain's heart beat faster. The urge to run ahead and find whatever was out there grew stronger, but he forced himself to stay with the group.
"Let's stick together," Kain said. "We don't know what's out there."
They followed the trail. The forest got even quieter. Soon, they saw more signs—blood on the leaves, a dropped bag, and footprints leading off the path.
Mira whispered, "Get ready. We might run into trouble."
They moved slowly, weapons ready. The path ended at a small clearing. In the middle, there was a big, strange beast eating something. It looked up, growled, and its eyes glowed red.
Jin gulped. "That's not a normal beast."
The group got into position, ready to fight together.
The next challenge was about to begin.
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