«Where… Where are we? And why did your hair change color? A second ago, it was gray, and now it's black! Your eyes too—they went from red to blue! And your skin turned pink! What the hell is going on?!» Levreshka blurts out, visibly panicked.
«Your eyes and hair turned the same color as mine,» Lyon replies coldly. «But the real question is… WHAT ARE YOU DOING HERE?!»
It's late at night. Lyon and Levreshka find themselves in a dense forest, with no trace of the portal they passed through moments earlier.
«And you have the nerve to ask me what I'm doing here?» Levreshka snaps, her voice laced with irritation. «I have no intention of being killed by that crazy father of mine. And after what happened between us, did you think you could use me and then disappear like nothing happened? That's not how you treat women!»
Lyon sighs, ignoring her accusations with a tired expression.
«And now... what do we do?» Levreshka presses.
«That's what I'm trying to figure out. The Scarlet Crown System is analyzing the human world, but it'll take some time. Also, the color of our eyes and hair isn't the only thing that's changed...» Lyon's voice drops, taking on a serious tone.
«What do you mean? What else has changed? My boobs haven't shrunk, have they? From here, they look just fine.»
«No, Levreshka, your boobs are exactly as they were,» Lyon replies with a hint of exasperation. «What's changed is— Levreshka, behind you!»
Levreshka spins around, startled. Behind her, a massive brown bear is approaching with a slow, menacing gait.
«What kind of creature is this?» she asks, her tone more curious than afraid.
[Analysis in progress... Bear. Species: mammal - carnivore. Power level: 550]
«It's an animal humans call a 'bear.' It's carnivorous and has a power level of 550» Lyon says, his worry evident.
The bear advances, jaws wide open, revealing sharp teeth glistening with saliva.
«550? Pff... even the weakest vampire could take down such a pathetic creature.» Levreshka strides confidently toward the bear.
LEVRESHKA: «BLOOD WORD: DAGGERS!»
Nothing happens. She tries again—still nothing.
The bear inches closer.
«Lyon, what's going on?!» Levreshka demands, her voice tinged with panic.
«About what else has changed... your power level isn't 8.300 anymore. It's 29. By entering the human world, we lost all our vampiric powers. In other words, we're regular humans now.»
«AND YOU'RE TELLING ME THIS NOW?!» Levreshka shouts, stumbling back in alarm.
«You're the one who charged at the bear before I could explain!»
«Then tell me, genius, what does your brilliant system suggest we do?»
«There's only one thing we can do now...»
«Which is?!» Levreshka yells, now clutching Lyon's arm.
«RUN!»
The two start running frantically, but the bear, agile among the dense trees and twisted branches, quickly closes the gap.
«Damn it, it's almost on us! Lyon, do something!» Levreshka yells, her voice sharp with urgency.
«What do you think I'm trying to do?!» Lyon snaps back.
[DING. Planet Earth analysis: complete. Data transfer in progress...]
«Levreshka, the system just finished its analysis! I've found something!» Lyon pants, his breathing ragged from the desperate sprint.
Levreshka, far less winded thanks to years of rigorous training, retorts, «And what are you waiting for? Do you have a plan to save us?!»
«Maybe. Human blood contains enzymes that can temporarily awaken part of our vampiric powers!» Lyon exclaims, his voice laced with a glimmer of hope.
«Fantastic! Except... WHERE THE HELL DO WE FIND HUMANS?!»
«Idiot, we're humans right now!» Lyon retorts.
A wicked grin spreads across Levreshka's face. «Perfect. So what are you waiting for? Let me drink your blood!»
«Not a chance! Knowing you, you'd kill the bear first and then finish me off! Besides, we can only access 10% of our vampiric powers, and only for ten seconds. Your power level would only rise to 830, and it's not guaranteed you could kill a creature with a power of 550 in that time!»
«And what about your power level? How high would it go?»
«I told you, it's a secret! But I can assure you it would be more than enough to take down the bear.»
«You arrogant jerk... you're full of yourself! And what guarantees me that you won't turn on me instead?» she asks, her suspicion clear.
«Because if I wanted to kill you, I'd have done it back in Mildelar! There's no time for games—if we don't act now, we're both dead in seconds!»
Levreshka huffs, visibly irritated. «Fine...» She bites her lip hard enough to draw blood, slowing down just enough to move alongside Lyon. Without hesitation, she grabs his arm and... kisses him. But it's not just a kiss—it's a deliberate transfer of her blood into Lyon's mouth. Yet, Levreshka lets herself get carried away, holding the 'blood transfer' far longer than necessary.
In that instant, a bright red aura erupts from Lyon's body, like a crimson wind spiraling around him. His hair turns silver, his skin darkens to gray, and his eyes blaze with an intense red glow.
The bear reaches them and lunges. Lyon raises his arm, palm open, aiming directly at the beast.
LYON: «FORBIDDEN BLOOD WORD: CRIMSON DEATH!»
A concentrated beam of crimson vapor, pressurized like a geyser, erupts from his hand and slams into the bear. In an instant, the creature is obliterated, leaving behind a thin layer of dust and charred fur, filling the air with a pungent, acrid stench.
Levreshka stands frozen, stunned by the forbidden spell Lyon just cast, as he reverts to his human form.
«You...» she mutters, disbelief etched on her face. «You bastard... A year ago, you couldn't even hold a sword, and now you're casting forbidden spells? I can't even use those!»
«I told you, Levreshka. I'm not the same guy from that night.»
[DING. Power increase detected. Lyon Valakys: 21 > 32]
«It seems killing this creature raised my power level from 21 to 32. Now I'm stronger than you,» Lyon states with a smug grin.
«You've got little to brag about! You just proved that, under equal starting conditions, I'm stronger than you. My starting power is 29, while yours is a pathetic 21,» Levreshka shoots back, her tone dripping with arrogance.
«Still, I can use forbidden spells, and you can't!» Lyon counters, a playful edge to his voice.
«No need to rub it in...» she grumbles.
«Let's move. The system detected a human settlement nearby.»