Back at the lab
As Kael walked into the room, the system rang out
—-
System Notification!!
Quest Completed x2
+150 EXP
+10 Endurance
+5 Intelligence
+ 15 Skill points.
—-
Kael sat on the bed as Dr. Kim checked his vitals. His mind was racing. His head was filled with the thought of vampires, vampires, vampires. Could he have encountered another vampire? He needed to find out.
"Miss Kim?"
"Yeah"
"Did you see who attacked you?"
Dr. Kim paused what she was doing for a second. The fright of the incident was evident in her eyes.
"Everything happened so fast so I didn't see it clearly but I know it was a man."
"A man?"
Dr Kim checked herself. No human was capable of such speed plus she knew she saw the man's teeth but…they were not teeth. They were fangs. She wanted to entertain the thought of another vampire but she knew it was not possible. The vampires were all hidden far away in the legendary Twilight Thicket. It was impossible for there to be an escaped vampire. The only vampire among humans now was this boy sitting right in front of her.
Kael could see the confused look on her face.
He was now sure something was wrong. He was going to go back and confirm what he saw. He knew he could defend himself if it was an ordinary animal or human.
"Good night, Kael. I'll see you tomorrow morning. " Dr. Kim said as she walked out of the room.
Kael stretched himself on the bed to reflect on the events of the day. He took a deep breath. Today was definitely one hell of a day.
He decided to check the System interface.
—-
Rebirth Odyssey System Interface
Header: Rebirth Odyssey
Profile Name: Kael
Race: Blood Race (Vampire)
EXP: 400/500 (Level 3)
Skill points: 15
Main Menu
1. Status
2. Quests
3. Skills
4. Equipment
5. Inventory
6. Settings
—-
'What are Skill points?'
Kieran's face appeared "Skill points are gotten by making use of the skills given to you by the system. You get one skill point for every minute you use your skills. You can use this points to upgrade the skills or unlock new skills"
'Locked Skills'
*Charm: Exert subtle control over a target's mind, compelling them to do your bidding. The target's actions will be influenced, but their memories and free will remain intact. Cannot work on opponents with higher levels. Skill points needed : 20
Decay: Accelerate the natural decay process of organic matter, causing it to wither and disintegrate at an alarming rate. Skill points needed : 35
Nebelwings: Summon a swirling cloud of dark, ethereal bats to swarm and disorient your enemies. The Nebelwings will dive, swoop, and strike with razor-sharp claws and teeth, for heavy damage.
Skill points needed : 50
—--
"Wow"
Kael was still going around the System when a dark, ominous presence creeped into the room. He was here again.
Kieran flashed in front of Kael. His face filled with warning
"He's here again. Be careful "
The air around him seemed to thicken, growing heavy with an otherworldly presence.
Kael's heart began to pound in his chest as a dark, misty energy coalesced before him.
The mist took shape, forming into the unmistakable figure of Yama, the ancient being who had visited earlier that day
Yama's eyes, burning with an inner fire, locked onto Kael's. A slow, enigmatic smile spread across his face.
"Kael," Yama's voice whispered in Kael's mind. "I see you've been...altered. This...vampiric essence within you is an abomination."
Kael's mind reeled as Yama's presence washed over him, threatening to consume him once more.
"What do you want, Yama?" Kael thought, trying to keep his mental voice steady.
Yama's smile grew wider. "I will not let you become a monster, Kael. I will not let this...project succeed. You will be my instrument of chaos, and together we will bring ruin to those who seek to create such abominations."
Kieran's holographic face flashed incessantly as he kept warning Kael.
"Don't take his offer, don't accept it, don't!!!!"
But Kael was deaf to all warnings. He wants to investigate this Syndicate and he knew that for this Syndicate to be able to make himself a vampire they were definitely vampires or had stronger other test subjects like himself hidden in the dark.
Kael's mind raced as Yama's words echoed in his thoughts, sharp and filled with promises of ruin. But as the pressure of the ancient being's presence weighed down on him, a flicker of realization sparked in Kael's mind. Maybe I can turn this to my advantage.
Yama's burning eyes glinted with amusement as he stepped forward, the thick mist curling around his form, pulling him into clearer view. For a moment, Kael almost thought he saw a hint of respect in the creature's gaze—but it quickly vanished, replaced by that same ominous, calculating look.
Without warning, Yama's lips curled into a smile, slow and deliberate, as if savoring some hidden knowledge.
"I see you've come to the right conclusion, Kael," Yama's voice purred, its warmth laced with a venomous edge. "You understand now. You cannot defeat me. But perhaps… we can work together."
Kael's eyes narrowed, sensing the trap. But he held his ground, his thoughts whirling as he assessed the situation. He couldn't afford to back down. Not now.
Yama extended a hand towards him, the mist swirling around it, dark tendrils of energy crackling from his fingertips. His tone was honeyed, smooth. "Join me, Kael. Accept my gift. Together, we'll bring chaos to the Syndicate, and you will be empowered beyond your wildest dreams."
Kael hesitated, fighting the urge to recoil. Something about this felt wrong, but he had no choice. He needed power. He needed to get closer to the Syndicate. Perhaps this was the only way.
I'll use him, Kael thought. I'll control the power and use it to destroy them.
Taking a deep breath, Kael extended his hand toward Yama's but he was regretful the next instant. No man could shake the devil's hands for free. As their hands clasped, a jolt of cold, ancient energy shot through him like lightning, searing his flesh with its icy grip. His heart skipped a beat, but he held firm, refusing to show any weakness.
The moment their hands connected, Kael felt it—the surge of power, overwhelming and vast. Yama's essence flowed into him, coiling through his veins like liquid darkness. The force threatened to tear him apart, but Kael took it, harnessed it, pushing through the pain.
Yama's voice whispered in his mind, smooth and coaxing. "You can wield this, Kael. Call on me, and you shall be unstoppable. But remember, each time you use my power, you will become more like me."
Kael's breath caught in his throat. More like him? What does that mean?
But before he could ask, Yama's grip tightened, his fingers digging deeper into Kael's palm, and Kael felt a sickening twist in his gut. His vision blurred, his thoughts muddled. The power surged again—flooding his mind with whispers, with dark promises of chaos. He almost lost himself in it, but just as quickly, he pulled away.
His heart thundered in his chest, and he staggered back, shaking his head to clear the haze that threatened to swallow him.
Yama, unfazed, simply smiled wider. "You will learn to control it. But each time you call upon my strength, a piece of your soul will be mine. And soon, Kael, soon you'll realize you have nothing left but the chaos I offer."
Kael clenched his fists, feeling the pulsating energy within him, urging him to take action. His mind swirled with the possibilities. He could feel it—the power of Yama, waiting to be unleashed, ready to tear apart anyone who stood in his way.
But with it came a creeping cold, like a frost crawling across his skin, sinking into his bones. The taste of it lingered in the back of his throat, bitter and corrosive. He had to control it. He had to.
Kael met Yama's eyes, his voice steady, though his mind was reeling. "I will use your power, but I'll never be yours. I will never become like you."
Yama's laughter rippled through his thoughts, dark and knowing. "We'll see, Kael. We'll see."
In that moment, Kael realized the true cost of the power he had just accepted. It wasn't just a tool—it was a chain. And every time he wielded it, he could feel a piece of himself slipping away, consumed by the darkness he had invited inside.
But Kael was not one to surrender easily. He gritted his teeth, determined to use Yama's power to bring down the Veiled Syndicate. He would gather the information, break their hold, and destroy them. He would use Yama as his weapon, and in the process, he would control his fate.
For now.