Maverick couldn't move as Emory's glowing silver eyes locked onto him. The rogue vampire tilted his head, breathing in slowly like he was sniffing something out.
"Strange…" Emory murmured, taking a step closer. The room went eerily quiet as everyone's attention shifted to the bar.
Maverick's stomach churned. His legs felt like lead, and his palms were slick with sweat. He could see the faint shimmer of the system screen hovering nearby, blinking like it was mocking him.
What now? Smile? Run? Beg? His mind scrambled for an answer, but no solution came.
Emory leaned in, his voice dropping to a chilling whisper. "You smell… different. Not quite human. Not quite…"
Before he could finish, a deafening crash shattered the tense silence. The lounge doors burst open, and shouts rang out.
"Hunters!" someone screamed.
Chaos exploded as a bunch of intruders dressed in black rushed in, their silver-edged weapons flashing. Symbols etched into them glowed faintly, adding to the creepy vibe.
Maverick ducked instinctively as the vampires hissed and scattered, some leaping to engage the attackers while others vanished into shadowy corners.
One of the hunters slashed at a vampire, the weapon glowing brighter as it hit. The vampire screamed as his arm was cut clean off, smoke hissing from the wound.
Maverick's breath caught. This is insane.
"Move!" the system barked, its text flashing urgently.
Turn left. Vault over the bar. Hide behind the counter.
The command jolted him into action. Heart pounding, he dove over the counter, landing awkwardly on the other side. The smell of spilled alcohol and shattered glass assaulted his senses as he crouched low.
The fight raged on around him. Vampires moved with inhuman speed, their claws tearing through hunters' armor. The hunters fought back with precision, their silver-edged weapons slicing effortlessly through their enemies. Maverick peeked over the counter just in time to see Emory grab a hunter by the throat and lift him effortlessly off the ground.
"This is your best attempt?" Emory sneered before throwing the man across the room.
The system chimed again.
Danger Level: Critical. Move now.
Maverick didn't need to be told twice. He crawled toward the edge of the bar, wincing as glass shards bit into his palms. A sudden explosion rocked the room, sending him sprawling.
He glanced up and saw a hunter holding something like a grenade, which exploded into a blinding light. The vampires screamed, backing away as smoke rose from their burning skin.
Now's your chance, the system urged.
Exit: Hidden passage, three meters ahead. Move quickly.
Maverick spotted a panel near the far wall, partially hidden by a toppled bookshelf. Swallowing his fear, he darted toward it, keeping low. His muscles burned with every movement, but adrenaline pushed him forward.
The chaos around him faded into a haze—metal clanging, growls that didn't sound human, and the gross rip of flesh tearing. All he could focus on was the screen.
"Come on, come on," he muttered, fumbling with the edges. The system highlighted a faint groove.
Apply pressure here.
He pressed the spot, and the panel slid open with a soft hiss. Behind it lay a narrow staircase descending into darkness.
Without hesitation, Maverick slipped inside and pulled the panel shut behind him.
It was cold and wet in the tunnel, the smell of mildew strong enough to make him gag. The walls shook slightly from the fighting above, but the muffled noise didn't make him feel any safer.
Maverick leaned against the wall, gasping for breath. His legs trembled, and his hands were smeared with blood—his own, from the glass cuts, and others', from who-knows-what.
"This can't be happening," he whispered, his voice cracking. "This isn't real. It can't be."
He slumped to the ground, burying his face in his hands. His thoughts spiraled. The crash, the vampires, the hunters—none of it made sense. He'd wanted adventure, sure. A little excitement. A break from his dull, monotonous life.
But this?
"This is some cosmic joke," he muttered, laughing bitterly. "I didn't sign up to be Vampire Snack Number One!"
The system's soft chime interrupted his meltdown.
Warning: Time is limited. Move deeper into the passage. Hunters detected nearby.
His stomach dropped. He strained his ears and caught faint footsteps echoing down the stairwell. They were coming.
Maverick scrambled to his feet, wincing as his knees protested. The passage stretched ahead, dimly lit by faint glowing fungi clinging to the walls. The system guided him again.
Follow the path. Go right when you hit the split. Hide in the little nook if things get bad.
He ran down the tunnel, his breaths short and uneven. The sound of his steps made him flinch. He hesitated at the split for barely a moment before turning right.
The footsteps grew louder.
They're faster than me. His pulse spiked as he saw the little recess the system pointed out—not much space, but it'd have to do.
He squeezed inside, pressing his back against the cold stone. His heartbeat thundered in his ears as shadows flickered on the wall ahead.
The hunters' voices were low but clear.
"Lost him. He must've gone deeper."
"Keep moving. We can't let any of them escape."
Maverick held his breath as the shadows passed. The hunters didn't glance his way, their focus on the path ahead.
When their footsteps faded, he exhaled shakily and stepped out of the alcove.
The passage eventually led to an old wooden door, its hinges rusted and creaking as he pushed it open.
The system chimed.
Mission Complete: Survive the Night.
Next Mission: Find Safe Shelter.
Relief flooded him, but it was short-lived. A searing pain shot through his throat, catching him off guard. He doubled over, clutching his neck.
"What the hell?" he gasped, his voice hoarse.
The pain intensified, spreading like wildfire. His senses sharpened unnaturally—he could hear distant footsteps, smell the lingering scent of blood from the battle above, and feel every fiber of his clothes against his skin.
The system's screen flickered back to life, its message sending a chill down his spine.
Warning: Blood Cravings Detected.
Maverick stumbled over to a broken mirror on the wall. His reflection was weird—his eyes weren't the usual brown but faintly glowing red, pulsing like they had their own heartbeat.
"No, no, no," he whispered, stepping back. "This isn't happening."
The craving grew unbearable, his throat burning like it was on fire. He clenched his jaw, fighting the urge, but deep down, he knew it was only a matter of time.
The system chimed again, its cold, emotionless text sealing his fate.
Bloodlust Level: Rising. Immediate action required.
Maverick stared at the message, his hands trembling. He wasn't sure what scared him more—the hunters, the vampires, or the monster he was becoming.