After her shower, Zara dried her hair with a towel and changed into a soft black nightdress that shimmered slightly under the moonlight pouring through the window. The long training session had left her exhausted, but sleep didn't come easily tonight.
As she lay on her bed, arms tucked under her head, her eyes wandered to the ceiling.
"…It's been a month now," she muttered. "Even though I can still sign in, Fluff hasn't appeared once."
She turned to the side, clutching the edge of her blanket.
"I kind of… miss him now."
Sitting up, she tapped her fingers together before saying softly, "Sign in, system."
The familiar mechanical voice echoed in her mind.
[Signing in...][Mithril Metal Sword — received][Vampire Bloodline Potential — unlocked][Status Screen — unlocked][Skill: Berserk — unlocked]
Zara's eyes widened, blinking in disbelief. "Eh? Four rewards at once?! Why is it more than two?"
Meanwhile… in a hidden dimension beyond Zara's perception...
Fluff, the small white creature floating in a swirling digital space, was furiously pressing glowing buttons on a translucent console. Tears streamed down his fluffy cheeks.
[Awaaaahhh! I miss you too, Host! I wanted to insult you so badly the moment I got out!]
Beside him, meow slapped her paw over Fluff's head, her tone irritated.
[Fluff, are you crazy?! Why did you just dump a YEAR'S worth of rewards?! You're tanking your ranking!]
Fluff froze, eyes wide like saucers. Realization slowly dawned.
[W-Wait… I got too emotional again… like when I binge-watch tragic dramas…]
A sudden red warning flashed in front of them.
[Administer System Notice: System FLUFF's Ranking has been frozen until current Host completes contract.]
Fluff coughed hard, his face turning pale.
[Cough cough! What—what do you mean frozen?! AHHH!]
Meow floated lazily above him with crossed paws and a smug smile.
[Told you not to overdo it, didn't I?]
After calming down, Fluff glared resentfully at him.
[Hmph. Fine. Then you help the host! When will you unlock your features, huh?]
Meow stretched in midair, her eyes gleaming.
[You know what kind of system I am. Until Host enters a true war, my features remain locked. But when that time comes…]
shee twirled midair with a playful grin.
[Let's just say… she'll become a nightmare on the battlefield.]
Back in her room, Zara glanced at her palm where a faint red mark had appeared after unlocking her bloodline.
"…A berserk skill?" she whispered. "And a status screen?"
She opened her system screen, and her gaze hardened.
[Name: ZaraRace: High Class Vampire (Damphir)
Class: swordsmanStrength: BAgility: CStamina: B+Skills: Blood Sense, Berserk (Lv.1), Sword Mastery (Intermediate)Special: Vampire Bloodline Ability mix with damphir]
"…I don't want to drink blood again," she murmured. "But if I want to control myself… I have to become strong."
Her red eyes briefly glowed under the moonlight. Somewhere in the distance, the wind howled like a whispering omen.
Curious about the newly unlocked ability, Zara tapped on the Berserk skill in her status screen.
[Berserk]Temporarily boosts host's physical power significantly.For each enemy killed while active, power will continue to grow exponentially. Warning: Extended use may damage the host's mind if mental fortitude is insufficient.]
Her eyes lit up at first, lips curving into a subtle smile.
"…That sounds useful."
But then she reached the last line, and her smile twitched slightly.
"…Unless it turns me into a psycho. Yeah… I'll save that for emergencies."
She sighed and collapsed back onto her bed, arms spread across the cool sheets, staring at the moonlit ceiling.
"I just… want to go home."
A peaceful silence blanketed the room for a moment—until her throat suddenly began to burn.
"…Ahhh."
Her eyes snapped open, glowing faint red. A dry, maddening thirst clawed at her throat. She scrambled upright, heart pounding.
"No. Not again…"
Instinct took over as she scanned the room like a predator. Her gaze locked on a faint red dot moving slowly past the hallway—someone was approaching. She backed into the shadows beside the door.
A moment later, the door creaked open.
Lilith stepped inside, holding a chilled blood bag in one hand with her usual smug smile.
"Meal time, beauty."
But before she could scan the room, Zara launched herself forward, unable to resist. Her fangs sank deep into Lilith's neck.
Lilith's smirk twisted into something darker—playful yet laced with something else. She didn't resist. In fact, her knees trembled slightly, a deep flush rising in her cheeks.
Ahhh… so this is what it feels like… to have someone drink directly from your veins… it's… divine…
Zara, half-dazed by the intoxicating taste, continued drinking. It was like warm nectar—sweet, thick, addictive.
But as her mind returned, her eyes snapped open in shock.
"L-Lilith?!"
She quickly pulled back, her lips trembling. A drop of blood lingered at the corner of her mouth.
"I-I didn't mean to—did it hurt? Are you okay?! I—I'm sorry!"
Lilith, now regaining her composure, gently pressed a hand to her neck. The puncture marks were already healing.
"…Don't worry," she said calmly, "it didn't hurt. Not one bit."
Zara let out a relieved sigh.
But before she could relax, Lilith stepped forward, wrapped her arms around Zara, and pulled her into a soft yet firm hug.
"…You know," she whispered near her ear, "you bit me. That makes you my lover now."
Zara froze. Her face burned crimson as she felt Lilith's cheek nuzzling into her shoulder.
"W-What did you just say?" she stammered. "L-Lover?!"
Lilith's smirk deepened, her voice teasing and full of mischief.
"Mhm. That's the rule. Bite a vampire… and that vampire belong to them."
Zara's brain went blank as her heart raced uncontrollably, trapped in Lilith's warm embrace.