Pain. It was the first thing that enveloped him, a bitter presence that arrived long before he took a single breath or processed the thoughts brewing in his mind. Pain was there before the realization dawned on him that he was, against all odds, still alive. Calder Draco's initial sensation was an intense fire coursing through his veins—not the kind of searing blaze that scorches the skin's surface, but rather a ferocious, primal inferno simmering underneath that felt as though some ancient, monstrous entity had ignited a torch deep inside his very marrow.
He was trapped in a state of paralysis, unable to scream, unable even to twitch. All he could do was endure, convulsing silently on the cold tile of the bathroom floor. The ground beneath him was coated in a sticky, unnerving mixture, a pool of blood that spread like dark ink across the fractured surface of the porcelain. Just when the suffocating silence seemed unbearable, a voice pierced through the stillness.
> [THREAD TYPE: HYBRID – DRACONIC / DEMONIC / VAMPIRIC / DIVINE]
[STATUS: VEIL-REJECTED – ACCESS GRANTED]
[SYSTEM CALIBRATING…]
With a Herculean effort, Calder managed to flutter his eyes open, and what he saw was nothing short of a dream—or perhaps a nightmare. The world around him shimmered like a fragmented kaleidoscope, bursting with swirling colors and bizarre symbols that danced elusively before him. Above him, a screen materialized, illuminating the dim bathroom like a constellation caught in shattered glass. This wasn't the sort of technology that belonged to any government scans he'd ever known; it felt ancient, almost malevolent, yet it pulsed in time with the thudding of his heart.
> [NIGHTBORN SOVEREIGN SYSTEM ACTIVATED]
[TIER 1 UNLOCKED – NIGHTBORN INHERITOR]
[NEW TRAITS: Blood Sigil | Predator's Archive | Breath of Dominion]
"What… is this?" he managed to croak, surprised that he could even vocalize. His voice came out scratchy and hoarse, as though he hadn't spoken in years. With each labored breath, he felt a flicker of movement in his limbs, an unsettling pain that flared up sharply, only to be replaced by an eerie, unfamiliar sensation of something transforming within him. His muscles ached, contracted, and then expanded, while deep within, his bones cracked and began to restitch themselves. His skin flushed with warmth, the eerie glow that had once radiated beneath the surface slowly dulling to a muted, rhythmic hum. The System was no longer just an external force—it had become intertwined with him, reshaping him irrevocably.
Staggering to regain his footing, Calder pulled himself closer to the mirror. The cheap plastic was cracked and warped under the wear of humidity and time, yet it still reflected a visage he hardly recognized. Once dull gray, his eyes now burned a striking crimson, with flickers of gold lacing the edges. His lanky frame had started to fill out—muscles tightening beneath his skin like coiled springs ready to launch. The complexion of his skin was notably healthier, a subtle pallor that seemed almost unreal in its smoothness. The contours of his jaw had sharpened, and his lips—how strange they felt—were fuller and more sensual, curving into a snarl as he scrutinized the new reality of his appearance. He wasn't quite handsome yet, but he was no longer ugly either. And that realization sent a shiver down his spine—it was exhilarating and terrifying all at once.
> [Restructuring Incomplete. 3% Bloodline Assimilation. Next Milestone: 10%. Appearance and Attribute Boosts Will Progress with Rank.]
A frustrated groan escaped him. "This... isn't normal." No known system granted traits beyond the confines of one's Class. No Thread allowed the simultaneous access to four distinct lineages. He recalled the tales—of Legendary Awakened who held Class S Echoes, of Veil Knights and Rogue Sovereigns—but this was different. This wasn't just a Class; this felt like a crown that Calder Draco had unwittingly donned—one that could redefine his existence.
The next hour unfolded in a whirlwind of agony. His body surged with wild energy in cycles, akin to waves crashing relentlessly against a weakened dam. He found himself dry-heaving into the toilet bowl, the acrid taste of bile choking him, metallic and nauseating against his throat. His senses were in disarray—one moment dull and detached, the next hyper-aware of the world around him. He could hear the soft hum of electricity surging through the walls, the rhythmic drop of water from a leaky faucet, and even distant screams that echoed from those victimized by the monsters that roamed the night. Yet amidst all that chaos and tumult, a peculiar clarity emerged. When the waves of energy subsided, he could stand, walk, and think clearly. The world itself had grown sharper, more vibrant, and he felt more alive than he had ever known was possible. Every deep intake of breath felt like a precious gift; each heartbeat resonated with the triumphant pulse of existence.
> [Sovereign Class Active – Thread Integration Stable]
[Your Existence No Longer Matches Global Awakening Protocols]
[Warning: Detection by State Agents May Result in Termination]
"Fantastic," he muttered to himself as his fingers brushed through his now-darkened hair. "I'm just a walking death warrant." Yet beneath the surface of his trepidation, a different part of him—the one that had endured darkness, consumed lies, and absorbed the world's indifference—smiled knowingly. The System hadn't just awoken him; it had chosen him. He was something more, something special, unique, and powerful beyond measure. He resolved to harness that power, to mold it into a force that could reshape his world.
As he dressed slowly, he couldn't help but notice how the fabric of his shirt tautened across his shoulders and chest, straining against the muscle that had grown beneath it. The mirror seemed to whisper of transformation, revealing a man he scarcely recognized—a man now filled with potent purpose and burgeoning strength. His movements felt more fluid, more controlled, embodying a grace that was new and exhilarating Despite everything, he couldn't shake the feeling that this new system presented him with an incredible opportunity to reclaim control over his life. It was as if a light had been flicked on in the dark corners of his existence. From that pivotal moment on, Calder made a firm and unwavering promise to himself: he would either force the world to submit to his will or he would set it ablaze, leaving nothing but ashes in the wake of his ambition.
But before he could launch into this grand crusade, there was one critical hurdle he needed to overcome—he had to become significantly stronger. Glancing at his stats brought a surge of determination: his Strength stood at a mere 2, Vitality also rested at 2, while his Charisma lagged behind at a 1. Mana was a bit more promising, sitting at 3, though he found himself lacking in allure with a Charm score of 0 and a Seduction score that was also at 0.
Calder took note of his skills as well; he held a Blood Sigil ranked at Tier F, currently sitting at Level 1. Clearly, if he wanted to transform his world—or even to incite a revolution—he had some serious work ahead of him. Each number represented not just a score, but a stepping stone toward the immense power he was determined to attain. The journey ahead would require grit, dedication, and an iron will—but he was ready to rise to the challenge. So Stats currently read :
[Strength - 2
Vitality - 2
Charisma- 1
Mana - 3
Charm- 0
Seduction- 0
Blood Sigil Tier F Level : 1]