The Broken Vampire System

8

~Laurent

Ciela sat alone, her hair spilling like starlight over her shoulder, her fork barely touching the food on her plate. Her gaze drifted, unfocused, as if she wasn’t really here at all.

My legs carried me before I could think. I slid onto the bench across from her.

Her fork froze midair. She looked up—and her eyes widened. Her mouth parted, a soft gasp breaking free.

“…Laurent?”

I gave a nervous smile. “Yeah… I’m back.”

She set her fork down, staring at me like I was a ghost. “I—I thought you were still in the hospital. You… you shouldn’t even be walking yet.”

I shrugged, though my chest still ached faintly. “But I am. No need to worry.”

A flicker of relief crossed her face before she caught it and straightened. “How are you feeling?”

“Better than I expected.” I flexed my fingers, as if to prove it. “And you? After… everything.”

Her lips pressed tight. A shadow passed over her eyes. “…Trying. Nights are the hardest.”

“Why did you come back to school? You could’ve taken the semester off.”

“I could but the dreams get worse when I’m alone. I needed a distraction.” She exhaled.

I wanted to say something else when it appeared.

A sharp ding inside my skull. Light shimmered before my eyes.

[New Task Generated]

Defeat a Duskfang Wolf

Reward: +10 Strength Points

Failure: Extreme Pain – 5 hours

The letters pulsed like a heartbeat. I froze, staring at them. My blood went cold.

Duskfang Wolf? Ten strength points? Five hours of pain? Those were the same wolves that first attacked us the day of the field trip. They weren’t powerful individually but against me? Every enemy was powerful.

My hands trembled on my tray.

“Laurent?” Ciela’s voice pulled me back. She was frowning, her brows pinched. “Are you okay? You’re staring into space.”

I forced a smile. “Yeah, I’m fine. Just… need some air.”

Before she could press, I pushed back my chair. “Excuse me for a bit.”

Her gaze lingered, puzzled, but she nodded.

⸻

The back of the school was silent, the world muffled under the rustling of trees. I paced, gripping my arms so tightly my nails dug into my skin.

“Defeat a Duskfang Wolf? Are you insane?” I muttered to the empty air. “That’s not a task—that’s suicide.”

Another shimmer appeared.

[Activate Portal to Duskfang Dimension?]

Yes / No

My stomach knotted. The word Pain burned in my mind. Five hours of agony. I’d felt one hour before—it had nearly killed me. Five? Impossible.

I clutched my head, pacing faster. “No. No, I can’t… but…” My breath shook. “I can’t take that pain either.”

Either I die from the pain or I die at the hands of a Duskfang wolf. Either way, I’ll die. At least death by the Duskfang wolf will be swift. I won’t be in pain for five hours.

With a growl, I dug a small knife from my bag—a pathetic weapon, but better than nothing. My thumb hovered.

“Yes.”

The air split. Shadows bled into a swirling vortex, pulling with a silent hum.

I swallowed hard and stepped in.

The world folded. Darkness rushed me.

When I opened my eyes, I stood in a cavern, the walls jagged and dripping with black moss. The air reeked of iron and wet stone.

Another shimmer:

[Portal will reopen once 1 Duskfang Wolf is slain.]

“…Great. Just great.”

I gripped my knife tighter and crept forward.

The first howl came minutes later—low, guttural, vibrating in my chest. My blood iced.

Then I saw it.

A wolf—but wrong. Its fur was midnight glass, bristling with sparks of silver like stars trapped in shadow. Its fangs dripped black saliva that sizzled as it touched the ground. Its eyes—red, glowing, hateful.

“Duskfang…” I whispered, my heart hammering. There was no way I could defeat that thing. It was monstrous.

It spotted me.

I bolted. My feet slapped against stone, lungs heaving. Claws scraped behind me, fast, too fast.

Pain exploded in my leg. I screamed as claws tore across my calf, hot blood spilling. I crashed to the ground. The beast loomed, breath steaming, teeth bared.

“No—no, no—!”

I swung wildly. The knife clanged against its jaw, barely scratching. It snarled, lunging. Instinct screamed—I kicked out, my heel smashing into its snout. The wolf yelped, staggering back.

“Okay—okay, I can fight.” My chest heaved, fear flooding, but I forced myself up. Knife raised.

The wolf circled, lips curled back. Then it pounced.

Time slowed.

I ducked, rolled, slashed upward—my blade tore across its flank. Black blood splattered, hissing on the stone. The wolf howled in fury.

It lunged again. This time I didn’t run. I sidestepped, heart pounding, stabbing into its side. My arms shook with the force, nearly dropping the knife. The wolf writhed, snapping its jaws inches from my face.

We crashed together, rolling. Teeth grazed my arm. My knee slammed into its chest. I screamed, plunging the knife into its throat. Again. Again. Until it shuddered—then stilled.

Blood soaked my hands. My breaths came ragged, my body trembling.

Ding.

[+10 Strength Points]

The numbers climbed. Strength: 18.

I collapsed onto the stone, staring at the carcass. “…I did it. I actually did it.”

The elation bubbled—raw, wild. I felt my body healing after that completed task. All my injuries disappearing. That had never happened before.

Then two more howls echoed.

Shadows moved. Two more Duskfang Wolves slunk into view, red eyes burning.

My throat went dry. But something in me didn’t collapse this time.

I tightened my grip on the knife. “…Come on, then.”

The first lunged—I dodged, slashing its flank. The second snapped at my arm—I kicked its jaw aside, sparks of pain shooting up my leg. The fight was chaos—fangs, claws, blood, sweat. I screamed as teeth grazed my shoulder, but I stabbed, kicked, clawed my way through.

Minutes stretched like hours. My body screamed, but I didn’t stop. Not again.

Finally, both wolves lay still. I sighed as another menu popped up in the air.

Ding.

[Level Up: 1 → 2]

Strength +3.

Agility +2.

Endurance +2.

My chest rose and fell, but my lips stretched into a shaky grin.

The portal shimmered again.

[Mission Accomplished. Activate Portal?]

Yes / No

I stared. About two weeks ago, me facing this monster would land me in a coffin but just now, I beat not just one but three monsters. I didn’t know what was going on but I knew one thing for sure, the more monsters I killed, the more tasks I completed, the stronger I became and right now, the thought of killing more Duskfangs sounded alluring. I shook my head. “…Not yet. There are more duskfangs I’d like to put in their place.”

I went deeper into the cavern. More wolves came. I bled, I screamed, I fought—and each kill brought another chime. I’d lost count of how many wolves I had killed in this place but the new feeling of strength I felt in my bones with every new kill I made was unmistakable.

When I finally stood, new words lit up before me:

[New Skills Unlocked: Blood Instinct, Night Vision]

Blood Instinct: Heightened senses. Smell blood. Detect presence. Hear whispers.

Night Vision: Clarity in darkness.

I smiled. “…Now this is worth it. I just have to figure out how to use them.”

At last, I touched the menu.

“Yes.”

Light swallowed me. When it cleared, I stood back behind the school. The sun hadn’t moved. Only minutes had passed.

Time ran differently in that cavern than here. What felt like hours over there was only a few minutes here.

I slipped back into the cafeteria. Ciela looked up as I returned.

“Sorry,” I said quickly. “Had to… ease myself.”

She studied me for a moment but only smiled faintly before rising. “Take care of yourself, Laurent. I have to go now.”

And then she was gone.

⸻

Later that afternoon, I carried my books toward the dorm.

“Hi.”

The familiar voice stopped me cold. The same voice that my brain associated with my continuous beating and injuries. The man behind my pain was heading towards me, I sighed and braced myself for another beating.

A tall shadow stepped into my path. His frame was massive, shoulders like stone pillars. His eyes gleamed with cruel amusement.

“Laurent, right?” The Titan smiled, sharp and slow. “Name’s Kendrix.”

I froze. “…Yeah. That’s me.”

“Your friend,” he drawled. “Is she single?”

My stomach sank. “…Ask her yourself.”

I tried to walk past, but a massive hand clamped my shirt, dragging me back.

“You don’t walk away when I’m talking to you. Understood?”

“Yes.” I replied, my voice a whisper.

“Or do I have to put you in your place again?” He asked.

“No.” I replied.

His grip tightened. “Hope you’re not interested in her.”

“I’m not.”

“Good.” He leaned close, his breath hot with malice. “Because I am. I want her. And if you stand in my way, I’ll crush you like the bug you are.”

I swallowed. The last thing I wanted right now was a student with super strength having a personal vendetta with me.

He chuckled, releasing me. “Glad you didn’t die in the forest. Would’ve been boring without someone to play with.”

“I’m glad I didn’t sign up for that stupid field trip.” I heard him say as he walked away, my heightened senses already working.