He shoved the table into place with a final burst of effort, then backed away, listening to the sound of the rats scratching and squeaking in frustration.
For now, it seemed, he had managed to hold them off. But he knew it was only a matter of time before they found another way in.
He took a moment to catch his breath, his heart still racing. If he was going to survive, he needed to find a plan—fast.
Noah stood up after a few moments of catching his breath, his eyes still fixed on the barricaded staircase. The scratching and squeaking of the rats had died down considerably, but he wasn't about to let his guard down.
His neck still throbbed from where the rat had bitten him, and though the bleeding had stopped, the wound still oozed a faint trace of blood. He could tell instinctively that these creatures were drawn to the scent of fresh blood.
His blood was undoubtedly the freshest scent in the building, and it was only a matter of time before the rats would catch his trail again.
He glanced down the corridor to his left, cursing under his breath. "How big is this place?" he muttered.
The building seemed to stretch endlessly, and he hadn't even come across a single window that might provide a glimpse of the outside world. It was as if this structure was designed to disorient and trap anyone who ventured inside. And now, after descending a floor, it felt like he was even further from finding an exit.
The sheer size of the place was troubling to calculate, and an uneasy feeling settled in his chest. Was there even a way out?
Noah took a few cautious steps down the corridor to his left, scanning the dimly lit passage for any signs of movement. Before he could take more than five steps, he heard a soft thud.
His gaze snapped up to see a rat dropping from a hole high up on the wall. Another rat followed, then a third from a different hole.
"They've found me," he hissed, his heart pounding in his ears. There was no need to see the entire horde to know that they had caught his scent again.
With a surge of adrenaline, Noah bolted down the corridor, his speed propelling him forward like a blur. His theory had been correct—the rats were indeed drawn to blood.
As he sprinted down the hallway, he tried each door he passed, hoping to find one that was unlocked. Most of them were shut tight, refusing to budge no matter how hard he pulled on the handles.
Frustration clawed at him as he moved from one door to the next. Only on his sixth attempt did he finally find a door that swung open. Without hesitation, he darted inside and slammed the door behind him.
The room was large, a master bedroom complete with ornate furnishings and a luxurious feel that seemed out of place in a building filled with death and decay.
Noah's eyes quickly scanned the area and spotted a bathroom to his right and a wardrobe on the opposite wall. The sight brought a small smile to his face—perhaps he would have a moment to catch his breath and clean up.
He didn't waste any time. Making his way into the bathroom, he was greeted by the sight of a large, steaming pool built into the floor. Vapor wafted from the surface, filling the air with a soothing warmth. It wasn't just any bathroom; it was a hot spring.
"Well, that's unexpected," he murmured, quickly washing the blood and grime from his body before slipping into the hot spring. The water enveloped him, and the heat seeped into his muscles, washing away the fatigue that had built up in his limbs.
He let out a deep sigh, sinking lower until only his head remained above the surface. For a few precious moments, he allowed himself to forget about the rats, the labyrinthine building, and even the system.
It was the first time he had truly relaxed since waking up in this body. He spent several minutes just soaking, his thoughts drifting aimlessly. But as the heat of the spring soothed him, his mind began to refocus on the situation at hand.
There were still too many unknowns about the system, his new powers, and the dangers that lay within this place.
When he finally decided to climb out of the hot spring, he reached up to touch the wound on his neck, expecting to feel the raw, ragged edges of the bite. But his fingers met smooth, unbroken skin.
The injury had healed completely, leaving no trace of the bite. Noah blinked in surprise, his brows knitting together. It seemed that his new body possessed some kind of enhanced regenerative ability. Is this the natural healing of an Incubus? he wondered, feeling a mixture of relief and curiosity.
Naked, he stepped out of the bathroom and moved toward the wardrobe. As he passed a large mirror mounted on the wall, he caught a glimpse of himself. He paused, taking a moment to examine his reflection. He was still getting used to this new form—the purple hair, the amethyst eyes, the horns that curved back from his forehead. His physique was chiseled and toned, radiating an otherworldly beauty that made him appear almost statuesque.
For a moment, his eyes drifted downward, and he couldn't help but smirk. 'Well, at least I didn't get the short end of the stick there,' he thought, a flicker of amusement crossing his mind despite the situation.
As he turned away from the mirror, the system's familiar chime sounded once more.
Ding!
[Tip: The Incubus Race possesses accelerated regeneration. This ability increases when the Host experiences heightened emotions or engages in fulfilling encounters. Additionally, blood-based injuries are healed at an enhanced rate.]
Noah scanned the information, nodding to himself. It explained why the bite had healed so quickly, and it gave him insight into how to better utilize his newfound abilities. However, the message also hinted at something more—an implication about the nature of "fulfilling encounters."
The system had made it clear before that seduction would be a path to power, and now it seemed that even his body responded to that particular energy.