Few hours later, a low groan echoed from within the tent. Everyone held their breath, anticipation building. They had been waiting for her to awaken, knowing a barrage of questions would inevitably follow. Noah had considered delaying his tale, waiting for her to emerge before revealing the weight of their reality. But time, as he often lamented, was a cruel mistress, and there was no turning back the clock.
Her hair, the color of oxblood, cascades down her shoulders, framing an oval face that seems sculpted by the gods. Her features are delicate yet striking, with high cheekbones, full lips, and a captivating gaze from her silver irises.
Her body, though slender, boasts curves that are both alluring and graceful, creating a figure that is undeniably captivating. Her pale skin, flawless and smooth, adds to her otherworldly aura.
The red gown she wears clings to her curves, accentuating her hourglass figure. The plunging neckline offers a glimpse of her ample bosom, while the cinched waist emphasizes her slenderness, creating a breathtaking silhouette.
Overall, she exudes an aura of both vulnerability and strength, a captivating blend of innocence and defiance that makes her impossible to ignore.
The notification chimed, jarring Tyler out of his reverie.
⟨["A new family has been birthed. Pls proceed to name your family."]⟩
⟨["A member of the family has been birthed."]⟩.
⟨["You have successfully created a vampire. Pls proceed with the naming of the family."]⟩
A grim smile touched Tyler's lips. "The Cursed Family," he declared, the name echoing through the cavern.
"Looks like you caught up quickly,"
Noah remarked, a hint of amusement in his voice.
"So, our family name is the Cursed Family. Doesn't exactly roll off the tongue, but it will do for now. How about you guys return after clearing a particular quest I'll give you. In a month's time, I will come and pick you up.
" He turned to the woman, his gaze lingering on her for a moment longer than necessary.
"And by the way, what's your name, girl?"
This was the first time anyone had addressed her directly since she had awakened. She hesitated, stuttering slightly.
"My name is Mia Dallas. I… I was a student at the Warriors Academy. My team… we were aiming to be the first to win the academy's championship." Her voice trailed off, a tremor creeping into it. "But then… the bandits attacked. They… they killed two of my teammates and… and…" Mia's voice broke, tears welling up in her eyes. "They… they raped me. They… they said I was nothing, just a common level 1 with useless telekinesis. I… I was always bullied, never good enough. And then… this…"
The atmosphere in the cave grew heavy. Anger, raw and potent, emanated from Mia, radiating outwards in waves. Tyler felt it, a chilling sensation that sent shivers down his spine.
Mia knelt down, her head bowed, tears streaming down her face. "Thank you," she whispered, her voice choked with emotion. "Thank you for giving me a second chance. I… I will use this life, this power… I will use it for you, until the end of time."
A soft smile touched Noah's lips. Tyler, still reeling from Mia's revelation and the raw emotion that had just erupted, received another message from his system:
⟨["An oath has been made by a member of your family. Increase your family with your new skill: Blood Ritual."]⟩.
He ignored the message from the system and asked Noah, "What was the quest?"
Meanwhile, at the caverns of the bandits:
"Boss!"
"Boss!"
"They are missing! They had escaped!" he shouted.
Then another voice screamed, "There's a trail! It's dried blood. Maybe they went that way."
The boss came out and told all 12 of them, "Come on, follow me. We will just have to bring them back, dead or alive." They ran quickly into the woods.
"Well, my first quest will be for you guys to defeat the group of people coming for you guys with an insane bloodlust," Noah said. "So, see y'all later when you're done. For my second quest…"
Ding!
⟨[Main quest received: Defeat your upcoming opponents. Double exp for every kill you deliver and additional exp for the kills your family member killed]⟩
He smiled. Finally, he would embark on reaching level 30 and also pass the assessment of the academy.
Then the bandits came into view. The leader was a level 20 Water Elementalist, while six others were level 15 Dual Elementals. The rest were just a bunch of trash.
Tyler analyzed them through his system's skill.
.
"Mia," Tyler said, his voice low and urgent, "prepare to fight. I'll handle the leader."
Mia nodded, her amethyst eyes gleaming with a cold determination. She clenched her fists, the sharp nails digging into her palms. Telekinesis was gone, replaced by an unfamiliar surge of raw power, a primal hunger that pulsed through her veins.
The leader, enraged, unleashed a torrent of water, forming a colossal wave that crashed towards Tyler. Tyler, with a grim smile, activated Blood Strike. Crimson energy erupted from his gauntlet, meeting the water wave head-on. The impact sent a shockwave through the forest, shaking the ground beneath their feet.
The battle raged. Tyler, a whirlwind of crimson energy, danced amongst the enemy, his movements fluid and lethal. He employed the brutal efficiency of Muay Thai, his elbows and knees finding their targets with devastating precision. He countered the leader's water jabs with lightning-fast kicks, his movements a blur of motion.
Mia, meanwhile, relied on her newfound vampiric strength. She moved with an uncanny grace, her body a sinuous predator. She tore through the weaker bandits, her strikes swift and deadly. With each kill, her movements became more fluid, her senses sharpening.
The leader, realizing the futility of his attacks against Tyler, shifted his focus to Mia. He unleashed a barrage of water spears, each one imbued with a chilling energy. Mia, agile and unpredictable, dodged the attacks with a predatory grace, her movements a mesmerizing dance of death.
As she closed in on a bandit, she landed a swift kick, shattering his ribs. The gush of blood that erupted from the wound sent a jolt through her, awakening a primal hunger within her. Her eyes, already a mesmerizing amethyst, deepened to a shade of crimson, her movements becoming more fluid, more lethal.
With a bloodlust that consumed her, Mia tore through the remaining bandits, her body a whirlwind of motion. Her seductive body, now slick with the blood of her enemies, seemed to shimmer with an otherworldly beauty. The scent of blood, the taste of it on her lips, drove her into a frenzy.
The leader, witnessing the terrifying transformation of the woman he had once underestimated, felt a chill creep down his spine. He had unleashed a monster.