Minutes later...
"Are you sure this will work, Pete?" Sylvie asked, her voice tinged with skepticism but carrying an underlying curiosity—where did Peter, someone who just awakened, get this pontent and intricate magic only witch knew?
Peter didn't reply immediately, only offering a faint smile. "Let's give it a shot." He trusted Elena. She wouldn't suggest this unless it was absolutely necessary-especially when it came to keeping a potential ally on their side.
Sylvie hesitated before nodding. She raised her hand, slicing her finger with a small blade.
With a quick slice of her finger, crimson drops began to trickle down onto the intricate designs of the circle they had drawn on the floor. The pattern was elaborate, covered with runes that looked suspiciously like witchcraft to her. The sweet aroma of her blood was potent, otherworldly filled the room—something he never knew existed and it clawed at his sanity.
Peter's senses sharpened instantly, every nerve in his body alight with a primal hunger he had never experienced before.
His throat burned, dry and desperate, while his muscles tensed as though preparing to pounce. It was all-consuming, the kind of pull that eclipsed reason and left only instinct in its wake.
A sharp, ragged breath escaped him as he stumbled back, putting as much distance as he could between himself and the circle. His glowing red eyes flickered, panic and hunger warring within them.
Beads of sweat ran down his face as he clenched his fists, nails biting into his palms in a desperate attempt to anchor himself.
Peter took more steps back again, retreating to the far end of the room.
His breaths grew more ragged, more sweat forming on his face like a bucket of water had been emptied on his head.
His glowing red eyes darted toward the blood pooling in the circle. He lowered his gaze immediately, trying to hide the change from Sylvie—luckily her back was turned from him.
[Ding... Instant Quest Automatically Generated.]
Quest: Drink the blood of a dragon.
Reward: 100VP. +5 stats.
Punishment: Return to Level Zero of your class.]
"Curse you million times!" He growled inside.
The system's robotic voice echoed in his mind. Peter stiffened, his body trembling from a wave of hunger that surged through him.
[Don't let it consume you, Pete,] Elena's voice urged, calm but firm. [Hold on for a few more seconds. Drop your blood into the circle and make her take the oath. Everything will be fine.]
Peter clenched his fists, desperate to focus. He didn't know how it happened, but his nails elongated into razor-sharp claws. Digging them into his palms with his already elongated nails, he drew his own blood and stumbled toward the circle, his every step a battle against the maddening hunger clawing at his sanity.
The moment his blood hit the circle, the runes flared to life. A deep red light bathed the room, the sudden intensity startling Sylvie.
"Woah," she muttered, eyes wide as she stared at the glowing magic circle.
Peter's voice came out strained, barely audible. "Stand in the circle... take the oath... before I..."
Sylvie didn't need to be told twice. She leapt into the circle with eagerness like a child ready to get her candy, the crimson light wrapping around her like a cocoon. "I, Sylvie Delphyne..." she began, her voice steady as a strange energy surged through her. This was an oath to make sure she will never tell his secret to anyone, Elena gave it to him.
Peter barely registered her words. His entire mind was consumed by a single, primal command: Control your bloodlust.
For a few agonizing seconds, it worked, he could feel the bond. But then the hunger was greater, sharper and more insistent than before. It tore through his restraint like a wildfire.
[It's safe now,] Elena reassured with a motherly soothing voice.
Nearly losing all control, Peter lunged forward with inhuman speed, aiming straight for Sylvie.
He stopped at the last possible second, clarity piercing through the haze just long enough to force him to drop to his knees. His lips were bleeding from where he'd bitten into them, trying to stave off the overwhelming temptation.
The metallic tang of blood filled the air, and the sight of his own red drops mingling with the magic circle did little to help.
"Grrraah!" He groaned, the sound more beast than human, drawing Sylvie's attention. She turned, her eyes off the magic circle, locking onto his trembling form.
Her breath caught when she saw him. His eyes glowed a brilliant red, his lips stained with blood, and his fangs- elongated and sharp-protruded menacingly from his mouth.
But she didn't step back. Instead, she moved closer. Her mind growing with anticipation, she knew what was going on even before she told him who he was, thanks to his vampiric features she knew so well from movies.
Peter growled, warning her away, but she only smiled- provocative and fearless.
Then he lunged.
The speed was incredible, but to Sylvie, he was still slow and could subdue him if she wanted, he was being reckless but he didn't think straight right now...
[Newly Turned Vampires!] Elena couldn't blame him.
Sylvie watched him approach, her mind calm even as he grabbed her with clawed hands bringing her to his embrace, her body pressed to him, she closed her eyes with a smile—a victorious smile.
Peter didn't hesitate. His fangs sank into the side of her neck, piercing her flesh with precision.
Hot, sweet blood gushed into his mouth, and all rationality vanished.
The intoxicating taste consumed him, drowning him in a haze of ecstasy and hunger. His grip tightened, pulling her closer as he drank deeply.
"Ahhh~" A low, breathy moan escaped Sylvie's lips. Instead of pain, a strange sensation of pleasure rippled through her body. Her arms wrapped around him instinctively—one at his waist, the other pulling his head deeper into her neck.
"Umm~" she murmured, a faint blush spreading across her cheeks. She wasn't even aware of how much blood she was losing.
[Peter, stop now! You're going to kill her!] Elena's voice screamed in his mind after some seconds—desperate.
But Peter didn't hear her. He was too far gone. His hands gripped Sylvie's waist, yanking her neck to the side to give him better access. His fangs sank deeper, drawing more of her life force with each pull.
Sylvie, too, had lost herself. This was like nothing she had ever experienced. The fantasy she'd secretly harbored about Vampires was now her reality, and she didn't care if it was a dream.
But as the drowsiness of blood loss washed over her, she began to regain her senses. Her strength waned, and her body grew weaker by the second.
"Peter.." she whispered, her voice faint. She tried to pull him away, but his grip was too strong. She hesitated—she could easily overpower him, but the fear of hurting him held her back.
With no other choice, she raised her hand and delivered a sharp chop to the back of his neck.
Peter froze, his body going limp as darkness overtook him as the system voice rang in his head.
[Ding... The host has drunk the blood of a...]
****
I deliver, that I'm sure.