The owls' hooting in the dark night kept Kael awake. As a vampire, his senses and feelings were heightened, amplifying every sound. He could even smell and hear the owls' heartbeats. Tossing from side to side, he struggled to drown out the distractions.
The images of the incident with Doctor Kim earlier in the day flashed through his mind, fueling his curiosity. With a single, swift jump, Kael was out the window, sprinting among the trees toward the scene.
As he neared the clearing, the scent of the beast hung thick in the air—pungent and coppery with blood. He followed it, sniffing as he went.
Heavy, labored breathing reached Kael's ears, drawing his attention. He turned toward the sound. Blood streaked a tree's bark, smeared in sizable quantities. The animal must have been gravely injured. His confidence grew as he followed the blood trail.
"R-right here… to your left."
Kael froze. He had suspected the beast might be a vampire, but hearing a man's voice in the stillness of the night was still startling.
Turning slowly toward the voice, he saw a man sprawled on the ground, half-dead and bleeding profusely. Kael opened the system interface to assess the man's strength.
---
Rebirth Odyssey System Interface
Rebirth Odyssey
Profile Name: Apollo
Race: Blood Race (Vampire)
EXP: ??? (Level ???)
Rank: ???
---
Kael knew better than to approach carelessly. The man was a vampire—and a formidable one.
The man noticed Kael's hesitation.
"I'm as good as dead, boy. I can't even kill a mouse. I used the last of my strength for that attack earlier today."
Kael's eyes widened in realization. "So it was you. But why did you run when you saw me? You could have killed me and the lady if you wanted to."
"I sensed a familiar presence around you, and I was dying anyway. So, I gave up and left the lady alone when I saw she was important to you."
"You led me here. Why?"
"Kill me."
"What?"
"There's much to tell you, son."
"I'm listening."
The man, Apollo, began explaining the existence of a secretive organization known as The Order of Tenebrous—a faction of rogue vampires who now ruled the vampiric continent Red castle and sought to dominate the entire realm. Apollo revealed he was part of an opposing faction trying, unsuccessfully, to thwart their plans. Chased out of the vampire homeland, The Twilight Thicket, he had fled to the human continent Grand Heart.
A recent battle with his pursuers left him critically wounded. Desperate for sustenance, he attacked Dr. Kim. However, sensing Morbius' aura emanating from Kael, he mistook him for Morbius reincarnated. Hoping to have one final conversation with his "master," he deliberately left a trail of blood for Kael to follow.
Kael was stunned. These were matters far beyond his comprehension. As a fledgling vampire, who ruled the continent wasn't his concern.
"Kill me. If I stay alive, those bastards will never stop hunting me and my family."
Kael hesitated. Apollo, sensing his reluctance, deliberately quickened his heartbeat to tempt him. Then, he punctured a major artery, filling the air with the irresistible scent of fresh blood.
Kael's control over his bloodlust was still fragile.
Swish.
With unerring precision, he sank his fangs into Apollo's neck, draining him dry in mere seconds.
"Hah! That was refreshing!" Kael exclaimed. Energy surged through his body like an unbroken torrent. He felt invincible.
---
System Notification!
Congratulations on your first kill, Kael! You have received 3000XP!
Your victim was stronger than you: +1000XP.
Level up x5
Your new rank: Baron.
You have a kill. Do you want to use the skill Soul Binding?
"Use."
---
Congratulations on gaining your first soldier! +1000XP
Your soldier is of a higher rank than you: +500XP.
Profile:
Name: Apollo
Rank: Dark Saint
Position: ?
Note: Your soldiers rank up as you upgrade your levels.
Your victim dropped items. Do you want to take a look?
"Yes."
Epic Battle Axes:
Blood Render and Battlecry
Should be used together to unleash full power.
Crimson Vanguard Armor (Epic):
Must be used together with matching boots.
Crimson Strides Boots (Epic):
The Bloodbound Scriptures
Item type: Canon.
---
Kael examined the items with sheer joy. Even at a glance, he could tell they were beyond valuable. The rewards from this outing were far greater than he'd anticipated. Laughing maniacally, he bolted through the trees at high speed, heading back toward the lab.
As he ran, rays of the rising sun broke through the horizon, striking his eyes and reminding him that it was daybreak. Just then, a thought flashed across his mind.
Wait, aren't vampires supposed to be unable to walk in the daytime? I've got to ask Dr. Kim.