This was it. This was how he was going to die. After all these years of fighting, after losing everything he cared about, it was all going to end here, at the hands of the very monsters he had sworn to destroy.
Kael closed his eyes, bracing himself for the final blow. But instead of the sharp pain of claws tearing through him, he felt a sudden, overwhelming coldness. His body went numb, and the world around him began to fade into darkness.
Kael's eyes snapped open, but something was wrong. The familiar ache in his body was gone, replaced by a strange, cold sensation that seeped into his bones. He was lying on a cold, stone floor, the ceiling above him unfamiliar. Panic surged through him as he sat up, trying to make sense of where he was.
"Ah, you're awake," a voice echoed in his mind, smooth and eerie, like someone speaking directly into his thoughts.
Kael jerked back, his heart pounding. "Who… Who are you? What's going on?"
"Calm down, Kael," the voice replied. "I'm not here to hurt you. In fact, I'm here to help you."
"Help me? Where am I? What happened to the fight? And why the hell can I hear you in my head?"
"Allow me to introduce myself," the voice continued, ignoring Kael's questions. "I am Axel , your Ghoul System—your new reality, your new life. You, Kael Reed, are now a ghoul."
Kael's breath caught in his throat. "A… a ghoul? No, that's impossible. I'm human! I'm—"
"Were human," the system corrected, a hint of amusement in its tone. "You died...like a pussy. But I revived you and now, you're something more. Something.... powerful."
Kael's mind raced as he tried to process the impossible situation. He looked down at his hands and froze. His skin, once warm and alive, was now pale and cold, almost translucent. His fingers ended in sharp claws, and when he moved, he could feel an unnatural strength coursing through his body.
"No… This can't be real," Kael whispered, horror creeping into his voice.
"Oh, it's real, all right," the system replied chuckling. "And you'd better get used to it because you're going to need every ounce of power you'll gain if you want to survive in this world."
Kael clenched his fists, his mind rebelling against what he was hearing. "I don't want this! I want to go back! I want to be human again!"
"Sorry, no refunds," the system said with a hint of mockery. "You're a ghoul now, and if you want to survive, you'll need to adapt. Eat, level up, fight fellow ghouls—these are your new rules."
Kael's vision blurred with anger. "I'll find a way to change back, no matter what it takes!"
The system sighed, its tone turning dark and ominous." Foolish...You don't get it, do you? You're no longer in control here,I am. And if you don't start playing by the rules, I'll make sure your new life is a living hell."
Kael's anger flared, but before he could respond, a searing pain shot through his body, causing him to scream out in agony. The system's voice echoed in his mind, cold and relentless. "This is just a taste of what I can do. Don't test me, Kael. You're mine now."
Panting, Kael slumped to the ground, his body trembling from the pain. He could feel the system's presence in his mind, like a dark shadow lurking in the corners of his thoughts. He hated it. Hated what he had become. But he knew, deep down, that there was no going back.
"Good," the system purred, its voice softening slightly. "Now that we understand each other, it's time for you to begin your new life. You've got potential, Kael, more than most. But you'll need to earn your power. It won't be handed to you."
"What do you want from me?" Kael asked through gritted teeth.
"It's simple," the system replied. "Survive. And in doing so, become stronger. You'll need to feed...but that's just the beginning. Your enemies will be ghouls, humans, and everything in between. And if you fail… well, let's just say the alternative is far less pleasant."
Kael swallowed hard, the weight of his new reality pressing down on him. He didn't have a choice. The system was right—if he wanted to survive, he'd have to play by its rules. But that didn't mean he'd stop looking for a way out. He wasn't going to let the system win.
"Where do I start?" Kael asked, his voice barely more than a whisper.
"Excellent," the system said, satisfaction evident in its tone. "There's a doorstep waiting for you outside. A place where you can unleash your ghoul nature and begin your journey. Don't worry—I'll be guiding you every step of the way."
Kael's mind was a whirlwind of fear, anger, and determination as he slowly rose to his feet. He wasn't ready for this. He didn't want this. But he didn't have a choice.
"Let's get this over with," Kael muttered, taking his first step into the darkness, the system's voice echoing in his mind.
"Welcome to your new life, Kael. Let's see how far you're willing to go to survive."