The thing that used to be his father lunged, and Benson barely had time to react. He threw himself sideways, crashing into the shattered remains of the dining table.
The creature slammed into the counter where his mother slumped. She let out a weak cry, and Benson's heart dropped.
"Dad, stop!" he shouted, though he knew it was pointless.
This wasn't his father anymore. This was something else.
The hunger inside him stirred, clawing at his mind.
[Consume.]
"No, not him," Benson hissed under his breath.
The creature turned toward him, its bloated body jerking unnaturally with every step. Its mouth opened, revealing rows of jagged teeth that dripped with a black, viscous fluid.
"Greed…System…. what do I do?" Benson muttered, clutching the broken leg of a chair like a makeshift weapon.
[Consume.]
It was the only answer Greed ever gave.
The creature charged again, and Benson swung the chair leg wildly. It connected with a sickening crunch, but it barely slowed the thing down.
"Dammit!" Benson scrambled backward, his back hitting the wall.
The hunger surged, stronger than before. His vision blurred, and his grip on the chair leg faltered.
[Consume.]
The word echoed louder in his mind, like a drumbeat.
"No! I can't—"
The creature lunged again, and Benson's instincts took over.
He felt it before he saw it—the pull deep within him, like a black hole opening in his chest. The creature froze mid-air, its body trembling violently.
"No… no, stop!" Benson shouted, but it was too late.
The process had already begun.
The creature's flesh started to disintegrate, turning into ash that was sucked into Benson's outstretched hand. He felt it—the life force, the energy, the sheer power flowing into him.
And then it was gone.
The silence was deafening.
Benson stared at the empty space where the creature had been. His hands were trembling, his chest heaving.
He felt stronger now, but also… emptier.
[Experience Points Gained: 150.]
[Skill Unlocked: Hardened Flesh.]
"What the hell is happening to me?" Benson whispered, his voice shaking.
"Benson…"
His mother's weak voice snapped him back to reality.
He rushed to her side, his hands hovering over her as he tried to figure out what to do.
"Mom, I'll get you help, I promise," he said, though he had no idea how.
Her eyes fluttered open, and for a moment, they locked onto his.
"You… you're different," she whispered. "I can see it… in your eyes."
Benson swallowed hard. "It's nothing. Just hang on, okay?"
But deep down, he knew she was right. He was different.
The hunger was still there, gnawing at the edges of his mind. It wanted more.
He pushed it aside and focused on his mother. Her breathing was shallow, and her skin was growing colder by the second.
[Mission: Protect Your Loved Ones.]
[Objective: Find Medical Supplies.]
[Reward: 200 XP, Tier 1 Healing Potion.]
The system message popped up in his vision, clear and unyielding.
Benson hesitated. A part of him wanted to ignore it, to pretend this was all some kind of fever dream. But his mother's labored breaths reminded him he didn't have that luxury.
"Stay here," he said, brushing a hand over her hair. "I'll be back. I promise."
She didn't respond.
The apartment complex was eerily silent as Benson stepped into the hallway.
He clutched the chair leg tightly, his eyes darting around for any sign of movement. Every shadow looked like a threat, every creak of the floorboards set his nerves on edge.
"Medical supplies," he muttered to himself. "Where the hell am I supposed to find medical supplies?"
The building had a small first aid station on the ground floor. It wasn't much, but it was a start.
He made his way down the stairs, his heart pounding in his chest. The air felt heavier now, like the Red Moon itself was pressing down on him.
[Consume.]
The word whispered in his mind again, softer this time, almost enticing.
"Shut up," he growled.
He reached the first floor without incident, but the sight that greeted him stopped him in his tracks.
The lobby was in ruins. Broken furniture and shattered glass littered the floor, and the walls were smeared with dark, unidentifiable stains.
And in the middle of it all stood another creature.
This one was larger than the others, its body covered in jagged, bony protrusions. Its glowing eyes locked onto Benson the moment he stepped into the room.
"Of course," Benson muttered.
The creature let out a low growl, and Benson tightened his grip on the chair leg.
[Mission Update: Defeat the Threat.]
The system's cold, detached voice echoed in his mind, and he felt the hunger stir again.
The creature charged, and Benson barely had time to react.
The whole thing was chaotic. Benson swung the chair leg with everything he had, but the creature was relentless.
It knocked him to the ground, and for a moment, he thought it was over.
Then the hunger surged again, and before he could stop himself, he reached out.
The pull was stronger this time, more violent. The creature let out a shriek as its body began to disintegrate, its energy flowing into Benson.
When it was over, Benson lay on the floor, gasping for air.
[Experience Points Gained: 250.]
[Skill Unlocked (Dormant): Bone Armor.]
He didn't feel stronger this time. He felt… heavier.
Benson staggered to his feet and made his way to the first aid station.
It was mostly intact, and he grabbed everything he could carry—bandages, antiseptics, anything that looked useful.
He didn't waste time. He had to get back to his mother.
When he returned to the apartment, she was still there, but her breathing was even weaker now.
"Mom, I got it," he said, kneeling beside her. "I'm going to fix this."
He worked quickly, his hands shaking as he cleaned and dressed her wounds.
The system didn't say anything, but he could feel it watching, waiting.
When he was done, he sat back, his head in his hands.
The hunger was still there, a constant, unrelenting presence.
He didn't know how much longer he could fight it.