Moonlight Alliance Council Structure
Head of Alliance: Viktor Volkov (Volkov Clan)
• Powers: Celestial Strength (Transform celestial aura into pure physical power, 4-5 times normal strength without training).
• Appearance: Silver hair, sharp features, and piercing golden eyes that reflect his immense power. His aura exudes authority and strength, making him an intimidating presence.
—
Council Seats:
1st Seat
Ivan Volkov (Volkov Clan)
• Powers: Celestial Strength (Same as Head).
• Notes: The most influential and revered family in the alliance.
• Appearance: Silver hair, silver eyes, and a tall, muscular build. Ivan emanates the same commanding aura as Viktor, though he has a colder, more calculated demeanour.
—
2nd Seat
Dimitri Fenrir(Fenrir Clan) / Nagisa Okami(Okami Clan)(Joint Seat)
• Powers: Enhanced speed and dynamic vision. Ability to temporarily surpass even the Volkov through short bursts of explosive power.
• Okami Clan Powers: Blood Art Illusions (Creates intricate, hypnotic illusions affecting small groups).
• Appearance:
• Dimitri: Short greyish-white hair, wolfish-yellow eyes, and a large, muscular build. His size and presence make him an intimidating figure, even among werewolves.
• Nagisa: Long, silky black hair, golden/violet eyes with a hypnotic gleam, and a delicate frame that belies her deadly precision in illusions. (Her eyes shine violet when using her illusion skill.)
—
3rd Seat
Alaric Drago(Drago Clan)
• Powers: Draconic Resilience. The Drago clan's celestial aura manifests as impenetrable skin, granting immense durability and resistance to both physical and magical attacks.
• Notes: Trade strength and speed for unmatched defence.
• Appearance: Shaved head, bronze skin, and dark brown eyes that seem to glow faintly when his resilience is activated. Alaric has a stocky, powerful build.
—
4th Seat
Turim Etin(Etin Clan)
• Powers: Barrier Creation. Can generate defensive shields around themselves or allies; effectiveness depends on the user's talent.
• Notes: Weaker in raw physical power but highly valued for defence
• Appearance: Short, wiry frame with short grey hair and pale green eyes. Turim's calm demeanour contrasts with the defensive strength of his abilities.
—
5th Seat
Seraphina Volkova(Volkova Clan)
• Powers: Lunar Healing. Can use their celestial aura to heal wounds, either on themselves or others. Healing is proportional to their energy reserves.
• Notes: The Volkova clan is a branch family of the Volkov, loyal and influential.
• Appearance: Flowing silver hair, soft blue eyes, and a serene, nurturing expression. Seraphina's presence is calming and radiant, reflecting her healing abilities.
—
6th Seat
Kazan Orlov(Orlov Clan)
• Powers: Wind Manipulation. The Orlov clan can harness the wind, creating gusts strong enough to disorient or knock back enemies. Enhanced agility accompanies this power.
• Notes: A strategic clan valued for versatility in combat.
• Appearance: Short, windswept blond hair, green eyes that seem to glimmer with mischief, and a lithe, acrobatic build. Kazan's movements are fluid and quick.
—
7th Seat
Mikhail Zorya(Zorya Clan)
• Powers: Starfire. Zorya werewolves channel celestial energy into searing bursts of flame, powerful for both offence and intimidation.
• Notes: Their flames drain energy rapidly, so it's used sparingly.
• Appearance: Fiery red hair, amber eyes with faint streaks of gold, and a tall, imposing frame. Mikhail's fiery nature is reflected in his intense gaze and confident posture.
—
8th Seat
Tatiana Karpov(Karpov Clan)
• Powers: Beast Bond. Members can summon and control lesser beasts as familiars, using their celestial energy to dominate the wills of animals.
• Notes: Exceptional for reconnaissance and subterfuge.
• Appearance: Curly auburn hair, hazel eyes, and a petite but agile frame. Tatiana's appearance has a natural, wild beauty that reflects her connection with animals.
—
9th Seat
Lev Markov(Markov Clan)
• Powers: Shadow Cloak. It can blend into shadows, becoming nearly invisible and immune to most non-physical attacks while cloaked.
• Notes: Relies heavily on stealth; weaker in head-to-head combat.
• Appearance: Jet-black hair that fades into grey at the tips, dark grey eyes, and a slender build. Lev's quiet and brooding demeanour matches his stealthy abilities.
—
10th Seat
Irina Zharkov(Zharkov Clan)
• Powers: Ice Manipulation. The Zharkov family wields frost-based abilities, creating ice barriers, spikes, or freezing enemies.
• Notes: Their power depends heavily on the environment and drains energy quickly.
• Appearance: Frost-white hair, pale blue eyes, and porcelain skin that seems almost translucent. Irina's icy beauty is matched by her cold and calculating personality.
—
11th Seat
Nikolai Petrov(Petrov Clan)
• Powers: Sound Manipulation. The Petrov clan can create sonic waves to disorient or incapacitate enemies.
• Notes: Limited offensive capability but highly effective for crowd control.
• Appearance: Silver hair down to his shoulders, striking blue eyes, and a lean, wiry build. Nikolai's voice carries a commanding resonance befitting his sonic abilities.
—
12th Seat
Vasili Morozov(Morozov Clan)
Powers: Enhanced Senses. The Morozov clan possesses extreme sensory abilities, allowing them to detect threats or track enemies over vast distances.
Notes: Physically weak but indispensable for scouting and intelligence.
• Appearance: Sandy-blond hair, light brown eyes flecked with gold, and a slightly hunched posture from constantly surveying his surroundings. Vasili's alertness gives him an intense, almost paranoid aura.
—
Key Notes on the Council
• Volkov Dominance: The Volkov clan is unparalleled in raw strength and maintains dominance in both influence and power.
• Fenrir Alliance: The Fenrir's close bond with the Volkov through marriage ensures harmony, though they remain independent in decision-making.
• Branch Families: Families like the Volkova are offshoots of the dominant clans, keeping some prestige but clearly subordinate.
• Strategic Specialisations: Lower-seated clans trade raw power for unique abilities, making them invaluable in specialised roles.
...
Thunder rumbled ominously in the distance, the sky a bruised palette of dark greys and blacks. Sheets of relentless rain battered the cobblestone streets, creating a solemn melody of hissing and splashing that echoed through the narrow alleyways.
Hidden from the eyes of the city, a shadowy arena stood at the heart of the darkness, illuminated only by the flickering glow of gas lamps.
'How can he be so strong!?'
Nikolai's breath came in short, sharp bursts as he faced the squire across the slick, blood-streaked ground.
His body ached with a dozen wounds, each movement a fresh agony. The relentless rain soaked through his clothes, chilling him to the bone and mingling with the blood that flowed down his skin.
"Haa.... Haa... It hurts to breathe, fuck... this damn setup."
Today seemed like his life might change for the better, given a chance to work for the most affluent company in his city despite his lacking talent and qualifications. However, instead, he met an arrogant and uncaring vampire princess, Selene.
'Did it all start from there?'
Earlier that day—a chance encounter that had turned his world upside down. She was strikingly beautiful, with an icy demeanour that matched the cold arrogance in her eyes.
Nikolai had made the mistake of insulting her, a reckless move born from frustration and ignorance. In a fit of spite, she accepted him as her employee, then attempted to turn him into a dhampir, her venomous bite meant to be a curse rather than a gift.
'She promised I would become stronger, to fight her battles like a dog. The damned arrogant little witch.'
Now, he found himself thrust into a fight he never wanted, pitted against the squire of one of Selene's suitors. Her suitor had insisted on a bond between their families through marriage, and as was customary, their squires would fight until one side submitted or died.
The stakes were high—not just for his life but for his father's as well. The money he would earn from this brutal contest was the only hope for a heart transplant for his ailing father.
The dhampir, a sinister figure with eyes that glowed a sinister red, sneered at him. "Ready to die, human dog?"
A low growl escaped Nikolai's throat, surprising even himself.
He shook his head, trying to clear the fog of rage and desperation that clouded his mind. He had to win this fight; his father's life depended on it. Meanwhile, the pendant around his neck, a gift from his late mother, pulsed faintly with an eerie glow, a constant but enigmatic presence.
"I am no dog, you arrogant prick!"
The dhampir lunged with a mocking smile, and Nikolai raised his arm to block the strike. Pain seared through his limb as the blood-forged rapier sliced into his flesh. He staggered back, his vision blurring with the intensity of his pain and the relentless downpour.
Despair clawed at the edges of his mind, threatening to pull him under.
He glanced up at the stands, where Selene watched with a detached interest, her crimson eyes flickering with something akin to amusement. She had set this in motion, her cruelty a catalyst for his current predicament.
Yet the moment he turned away, a look of concern flashed across her arrogant face, unseen and forgotten in the heavy rain that drowned out the spectator's voices.
"Your kind doesn't belong here," the dhampir taunted, circling Nikolai like a predator. "You're nothing but a pawn in a game you don't understand. Even with the princess's blood, you failed to evolve!"
Nikolai's grip tightened around the pendant, its warmth a slight comfort in the face of overwhelming odds. He had no choice but to fight through the pain and survive. For his father, for the future he had promised him.
The dhampir lunged again, his blade a blur in the dim light. Nikolai tried to dodge, but his injuries slowed him down. The rapier sliced across his chest, drawing a fresh line of blood. Nikolai felt strange, unable to focus or control his movements.
He fell to his knees, gasping for breath, the world spinning around him.
"Haa.....Ha.... No..."
A memory surfaced, unbidden. His mother's voice was soft and comforting as she placed the pendant around his neck. "This will protect you, my son. Remember, you are strong! No matter what anyone says, and mother... Mother will always be with you!"
With a roar, Nikolai felt something deep within him stir. A primal, feral instinct surged to the surface, drowning out the pain with a raw, untamed power. His heart pounded against his ribs, each beat echoing the roar of the storm above.
It was like the rain feared his bellowing roar as it momentarily stopped, the dark sky trembling with grey clouds before his long roar ended.
Pain seared through his arm again, but this time, it was different. It was a transformation, bones cracking and reshaping as his hand morphed into a massive, clawed appendage.
The transformation was swift and brutal, razor-sharp claws extending from his fingers. He stared in shock and awe at his new limb, a terrifying yet powerful manifestation of his hidden lineage.
The dhampir hesitated, eyes widening in disbelief. "What are you?"
Nikolai didn't have an answer.
All he knew was the overwhelming urge to fight, to survive, to kill! He launched himself at the squire with no finesse or skill, pure speed and power, with his newly formed claw slashing through the air with deadly precision. The dhampir's rapier was no match for the raw, feral power that now coursed through Nikolai.
Each clash of their weapons sent shockwaves through his body, but instead of weakening, he felt stronger, more alive.
His senses sharpened, the world around him coming into startling clarity. He could hear the dhampir's heartbeat and smell the metallic tang of blood in the air. Drawing on his newfound power, he dodged the next attack effortlessly and countered with a ferocious swipe of his claw.
The dhampir staggered back, a look of shock and fear replacing his earlier arrogance. Nikolai pressed his advantage, his movements a blur of speed and savagery. With a final, powerful strike, he drove his claw into the dhampir's chest, feeling the life drain from his foe as he collapsed to the ground.
As the dhampir fell, lifeless, to the ground, a strange sensation washed over Nikolai. A surge of energy coursed through his veins, making his muscles tense and his senses heighten. He glanced down at the pendant around his neck, its glow intensifying momentarily.
A strange window appeared in his vision before a voice whispered inside his mind, displaying his attributes:
Strength: 12 (+1)Agility: 11 (+1)
The numbers meant little to him, but the power he felt was undeniable.
He had absorbed something from his fallen foe, a gift—or perhaps a curse—bestowed by his mysterious lineage.
Nikolai looked at his clawed hand, the reality of his transformation sinking in. He was not merely human; he was something else, something far more dangerous. The pendant's glow faded, but the questions it raised burned brighter than ever.
Who was he truly, and what other secrets lay hidden within his blood?
The storm raged on, thunder roaring and lightning splitting the sky, but in the arena's heart, there was only silence and shock. Nikolai stood amidst the rain and the blood, a primal power surging within him, yet his mind and thoughts only sought answers.
As did the confused and beautiful ruby eyes of Selene, who watched the arena, unbeknownst to herself at the moment of Nikolai's victory, her lips curled into a slight smile.
"So he truly was a member of the Volkov lineage, ah, dearest father and mother, please do not blame your daughter for choosing our sworn enemy. It was a complete accident! I swear."
The darkness from the storm masked half of her face. The vampire princess smirked before it twisted into a distorted smile. She loved her father and mother, and the pressure created because of her bloodline and her father's main wife, who controlled the family.
'If only my father could have loved my true mother instead of marrying another woman and forcing me to call her mother... It makes me hate him when my actual mother acts like everything is fine as long as he loves her!'
...
In the heart of S-Kingdom, a fifty-story skyscraper dominated the skyline. Its sleek glass exterior reflected the city's lights like a jewel in the night. At the top, a beautiful woman with porcelain skin and waist-length golden hair sat, radiating the aura of a modern goddess.
"Haa... Where is my fated squire?" Her angelic voice echoed like a song, carrying a hint of longing. The scent of fresh roses filled her spacious office, mixing with the faint aroma of aged leather from the furniture. "These upstarts keep showing off, always talking about their parents and family. So annoying."
She sighed, the weight of loneliness gnawing at her. She longed for someone who could understand her, someone who would see beyond her title and beauty.
Two slender fangs flashed as her blood-red tongue slid along them. "I feel hungry. Is it that time already?" Her voice trembled slightly, betraying the emptiness she felt inside.
She leaned back in her black executive chair, which squeaked as she rolled her shoulders. The view from her floor-to-ceiling windows showed the bustling city below, but it offered no solace. "Should I call for takeout?" She swiped the papers off her desk with a humph, except for one sheet that stuck to the desk.
"Hmmm? A strange resume." Her scarlet eyes shone with interest as she examined the modest background and the image attached.
"Nikolai Volkov? A familiar-sounding name…" She whispered, her thoughts drifting to memories of the Volkov family, once proud and noble, now fallen.
Her fingertips clicked relentlessly on the keyboard while she twirled her hair around her finger. The soft clacking of the keys was the only sound in the room, aside from the distant hum of city traffic.
"Oh? So it's really the same Volkov family that applied to serve me. Is he stupid? Though I've heard their family was one of the most powerful of their bloodline. He would make the most efficient squire." A pang of sadness hit her as she recalled the tragic downfall of once-great families.
A beautiful crescent-shaped smile formed on her lips. "The strongest Werewolf Knights serve the strongest Vampiric royalty? I must interview this man. He is very easy on the eyes, too." Her heart fluttered with a mix of excitement and curiosity.
Excited, she dialled a 12-digit number in a millisecond, not something a human could perform.
One ring later.
"Yes, Your Highness?"
"I have found my squire. Set up a fake interview with candidate 1069, Nikolai Volkov."
"V-Volkov, Your Highness, are you sure?" The maid's voice trembled with shock.
The princess's excitement turned to conviction. "That's an order, Wilhelmina!"
"Yes, Your Highness!" The princess slammed the phone and leapt to her feet, her divine beauty on display. She gazed down at the humans below, holding a glass of red fluid. The anticipation coursing through her veins was palpable.
"To think that I would find such a promising squire to protect and fight for me. The All Mother's grace has blessed this Selene Aria Tepes." She whispered to herself, feeling a sense of destiny unfolding.
"You will serve this princess well, Nikolai!"
Meanwhile, in a rundown apartment on the outskirts of SL City, the morning sun filtered through thin curtains, casting a warm glow on the modest furnishings. The scent of freshly brewed coffee mingled with the faint mustiness of old books and worn fabric.
A handsome male in a dirty grey shirt, slacks, and black hair stood on the small veranda, performing his morning exercise routine under the rising sunlight.
"One, Two, One, Two!" His deep voice echoed through the air like a charming devil.
"It seems he's at it again. That Volkov boy never stops working hard…" A middle-aged lady with brown hair whispered to the other ladies in a small group, all of them peeking towards the veranda where the male performed.
His face was chiselled and fair with a foreign yet familiar look.
"He seems to have got an interview at that Scarlet building. His voice was so loud last night, almost crying with joy."
"Ohoho, such a pleasant boy. If only mine would be so proactive after coming home! Still sits playing video games all day!"
A few minutes later, a tall girl with short, messy white hair and a long jacket with a woollen hood jogged past the old woman with fluffy silver hair like an alpine wolf. "Morning, Aunties!"
Her voice was bright and cheerful, with a husky undertone; she shifted her golden eyes and gazed at the male now performing vertical push-ups with one hand. The cool morning air carried the scent of dew and blooming flowers. "Showing off as always, Nikolai…"
"Oh, my, if it isn't Little Nikita!"
"Are you here to wake up, Nikolai? It seems you are late today."
The girl named Nikita showed a reluctant look, her eyes trailing off to the image of Nikolai, who switched arms, his body covered in sweat. She sniffed the air several times before turning back to the old ladies.
"Not today, I just wanted... to see him before tonight. Could you pass on my greeting, please? I have some family issues to attend to and only popped out to see him for a moment." Her voice wavered slightly, hinting at the underlying worries she carried.
Nikita then dashed off towards the opposite road, her figure vanishing before the aunts could react. The old ladies soon spoke of young love and dedication while moving topics to their husbands or lazy sons.
On the veranda, Nikolai Volkov ached with satisfaction. Now that he had finished his morning workout, he could focus on preparing for his interview later today. The sounds of the city waking up provided a comforting background noise.
"Nikolai!" A stern voice with a slight wheeze echoed from within the room behind him.
"Father?"
Without a moment's delay, Nikolai dashed into the house, much to the chagrin of the aunties enjoying the sight of a young man's muscular chest in the boring SL City morning.
In the modest living room, a blue sofa faced pictures of a beautiful woman with raven hair and crimson eyes. The faint scent of incense lingered in the air, a remnant of their morning prayers. On the sofa, a middle-aged man sat, his scarred body still soldierly despite the tube in his nose.
'Coronary heart disease'
The doctors said he wouldn't last a year without a donor, and the medical costs were crippling their household.
"Boy, don't just stand there and help me clean your mother's altar!"
Nikolai never complained, his father's gruff voice bringing only a sense of worry. "Yes, Father, let me take care of it. I have a job interview later today at a big company." His voice wavered with hope and determination.
Nikolai grasped the fresh cloth and polished his mother's urn, his resolve firming with every stroke. Once, his father mentioned her wish to have her ashes scattered across the beautiful sea to the west of S-Kingdom. He saw his father's wide smile, a rare moment of joy at the news of Nikolai's interview.
"Do your best, Nikolai. I know you can do it. But don't worry about this old man. I will manage somehow. Cough, Cough!"
"Father!?" Nikolai's heart clenched with fear, his father's struggle to remind him of their precarious situation.
A small glob of blood leaked onto the tissue when his father began coughing—Nikolai's hand tightened around the cloth, his determination doubling.
"I'm fine, you damn worrywart. I will never die and leave you alone, not until you bring me proof you can find a wife!" His father's gruff voice masked the underlying concern and love.
"Father..." Nikolai's voice softened, filled with unspoken promises.
"Nikolai, your father isn't useless just yet. I can still work."
This kind of exchange happened many times in this room. Nikolai worked harder each time, determined to stop his father from working himself into an early grave. His only remaining family, his hero.
The pair spent the next hour cleaning the living room and his mother's altar and urn. The pair of them were silent, though both held great respect and love for each other. This was how they dealt with pain and emotional feelings.
In solitude.
After making his father some healthy soup that the hospital instructed him to serve, Nikolai saw the time approaching his job interview.
"Sorry, Dad, I've got to go soon. Make sure you take your medicine and take it easy, okay?"
Nikolai straightened his suit while looking back at his father. His shaved sides and medium-length wild black hair combed back made him look both dangerous and dashing, like a member of a mafia or the secret service.
"Dad. I'm off! Please wish me luck!" His heart pounded with anticipation and fear of failure.
Nikolai rushed out the door in his most expensive suit. He had saved up for two years to buy it, a small hope for a better future.
"You foolish boy! I know you can do it. You're our son." Ivan grumbled, watching his son disappear into the morning light.
"Elizabeth, don't you think our boy has become rather handsome? Do you think he gets it from me or you?" His father spoke to the silent room, the beautiful image of the black-haired beauty smiling with a timeless and enchanting smile.
Ivan watched the wide back of his son vanish into the distance long after the door slammed. He took a deep breath, observing the silent room. His silver eyes shimmered with tears as he touched the machine, which fed oxygen into his lungs.
"Do you think I don't know the job you are looking for is dangerous? My dear son, your father is sorry."
He unplugged the machine, his chest wheezing for a moment before he stepped to the urn, which had a picture and the name Elizabeth Bathory written in beautiful writing.
Ivan touched his wife's urn, his voice a whisper. "Elizabeth, forgive me... Our son suffers because of my mistakes. I will do whatever it takes to protect him, even if it means breaking our oath."
With that, Ivan also left the small apartment on the outskirts of SL City. His old, narrow eyes filled with a determined gaze.
"I will tell him about our family, his birth. About you... about everything tonight."
His back was tall and straight, revealing his pride as Nikolai's father.
However, nobody even noticed his departure.
...
In this world, all monsters originate from legendary or mythological existences.
According to legend, one of these mysterious monsters, a giant wolf, created a mountain of ice and snow in the eastern reaches of the R Empire. This silver wolf of destruction and creation earned the name Volkov from the local tribes in respect for his heritage.
Once revered as the Silvan Wolf by countless tribes in the distant past. Its legacy and myth have sadly faded into oblivion, overshadowed by the rise of vampires, werewolves, and shapeshifters.
However, a prophecy remains to this day. It shall return.
"Haaa~ so tired."
Nikolai's voice echoed through the empty monorail. His eyes were half closed, and he was feeling the burn from his morning workout. He had nothing good to eat, so he bought a Crème Brulé cold brew on his way to the huge Scarlet Moon building.
'The cold always makes me feel restless and energetic.'
"Did you hear about the Chen family? I heard they ransacked the entire house and stole anything of value."
"Really? Two days ago, I saw their daughter wandering late at night, but she seemed different, a little violent and dressed like a prostitute."
"What is the world coming to?" Another man added, closing his newspaper and lifting his briefcase as the monorail stopped.
He couldn't help but listen to the small conversations around him. People were talking about mysterious disappearances and deaths in the slums and outskirts.
'I should be careful. Dad isn't able to fight like he used to.'
The slow sway of the monorail continued. People came and went, while Nikolai tried to use his L20 to get information on the Scarlet Moon Group. He felt shocked that their mysterious CEO was the daughter of the owner and a genius at business.
'She's only a few years older than me; how embarrassing. I need to work harder.'
He could feel the looming pressure of judging his worth to this imaginary rival, while the city's scent was cleaner.
Nikolai always felt the hint of garbage and blood lingering in this city, which differed from those he visited during his time in the army.
'I feel nervous suddenly.'
Adjusting his collar and clenching his sweaty fist, he no longer felt like drinking the sugary cold brew, so he placed it beside him. He now felt a sense of tightness in his chest.
Many doubts and negative feelings sank into his heart as he covered his face with his large palms, the sticky feeling making him feel disgusting.
[Welcome to the Central district—SL Central. Please depart. SL Central. Please depart!]
"Ah, It's my stop!"
In a rush, Nikolai felt the prickly heat on his cheeks and neck. The humid weather of SL City was a bane, and he seemed weak in the heat.
'Left at the seventh intersection from the monorail.'
Nikolai held the directions, which he printed on recycled paper from a cheap confectionary store in the slums. He struggled, but the size of the building made it easier.
"Haa, will the work be hard? Are they going to mock me for the third tier of education? Though I worked harder than any elite."
His eyes gazed at the rich and well-dressed people moving around him as he approached the vast building, the feeling of fate looming over him.
Then he realised he still carried a cup of cold brew, and there were no bins! The moment he entered, he searched for someone to hand it to or ask about a bin.
However, the only person who seemed like staff was a blonde woman with a red jacket who stood at the welcome desk with a sharp look.
A tall, gentle woman beside her in a black suit was dealing with another person.
'Well, it can't help to ask her, right?'
"Hello, my name is Alex Goodman, here to accept the interview for…"
"Ah, Mr. Goodman, please hand in your acceptance form and wait in the foyer."
Nikolai walked towards the woman, his eyes noting all the glamorous people in the waiting chairs; it seemed some were like him, interview candidates who spoke to the woman beside the girl in a red jacket.
'Well, she might be an apprentice or intern to wear something so gaudy to work.'
"Excuse me, but would you mind telling me where the closest trashcan is?" Nikolai asked in his deep voice. Louder than expected, causing the woman barely up to his chest to suddenly snap her neck up and look at him with sharp eyes.
"Hah? Why would I have to tell someone in a cheap suit like you that?"
'Cheap suit. Who is this arrogant woman? It cost me $500!'
"There's no need to react like a hysteric fool. Just tell me where the bin is. Though my suit is cheap, your jacket looks ridiculous."
Suddenly, the world became cold.
Nikolai felt comfortable and pushed the cup into the girl's hand. Her crimson eyes stared at him with the most hateful glare. Before she could speak, he turned away and winked at her, flashing a smile to the previous woman.
"This is my acceptance form, thank you very much."
'Haha.'
The woman grasped his paper, gazing at the young woman holding Nikolai's cup with trembling lips, and placed the document on the pile of interviewees without stopping.
****
Nikolai's broad back vanished into the sea of people while silence remained around the welcome desk and the staff, concealed, all frozen solid.
"Hand me his paper!"
A fierce yet beautiful voice, like a fallen angel, sounded from the girl's lips. Much different from before. She crushed the cup of cold brew and tossed it at the wall, while snatching the paper from the poor woman who pulled it off the pile.
"Ah… how amusing you, you are, Nikolai Volkov?"
The beautiful girl's lips curled into a wicked smile, her eyes narrowing as she could see his figure from the crowd. Like a predator, she watched his every move.
Her smile twisted into an even darker shape when she noticed him wiping his sweat or looking nervous.
"Your Highness, Should the interview be cancelled?"
"Forget it. I will interview him myself. The others can enjoy an interview with you."
"Your Highness, do you plan to make him your squire?" The shocked woman looked around and noticed that many elites turned up hoping to become her squire, but knew her master wasn't concerned.
From the start, I knew that the one from the Volkov family would become my Squire.
"Isn't that a little petty?"
"Hmm? He mocked this jacket I designed personally!" The princess, with her twin tails floating with her movement, pointed towards Nikolai. Her fingers make a gun shape, and a hand on her hip.
A scene which may have looked adorable if she wasn't one of the most powerful women in the city.
"The foolish dog will regret crossing me, hmph!"
...
In the lift, Nikolai felt confident in himself.
However, he lacked an educational background. He felt his character and hard-working nature would make him perfect for the role. His fingers brushed along his chin while the elevator brought over fifteen people to the 69th floor.
'What exactly is the role, I don't think the application mentioned.'
The other candidates brought with them a mixture of scents-a blend of light floral fragrances and overpowering cologne as they entered the elevator.
Since birth, Nikolai has possessed an extraordinary sensitivity to strong scents. This unique trait has served him well in his previous jobs, particularly those involving food. He can easily detect products nearing expiry, pushing them to the front and boosting sales.
'Someone is sweating a lot; the scent is horrible.' He turned his gaze to see a single male, average in looks but slightly overweight, with an oily sweat across his brow.
Though it disgusted Nikolai, he felt for the man as he read through his sheets of paper while squashed against the walls.
"Ah… S-Sorry."
A soft voice sounded as the elevator shook, a woman's soft body falling into Nikolai's.
He easily caught her thanks to his training, using his muscular arms to keep her stable, avoiding any injuries.
"Thank you!"
Her voice was nervous, and she seemed nervous.
"It's no problem; make sure to be careful in the future."
Ding-Dong!
[Welcome to the Scarlet Rouge Group's 69th floor]
The speakers' lovely, mechanical voice prompted a rush—Nikolai held the girl steady, as people left the elevator.
As for Nikolai, he held an arm behind the female and observed the large male, not because he aspired to be friends or anything. He noticed the male struggled to move well, his legs seeming to be made of lead, tripping over them and almost hitting the young woman.
"Woah? Help!" The male cried out, while the female just released a soft yelp.
"Ahh!?" The difference between the two was roughly 100-150lbs; thus, Nikolai's right arm pushed out and caught the male with his hand, gripping his chest tight. His other arm wrapped around the waist of the woman above her hips.
"What?" His plump figure gasped—his voice, a deep, calming sound.
His large glasses slipped from his face into his palm while looking at Nikolai with a shocked face. The man's eyes were wide open, and his nose was snivelling.
"You alright, big guy?"
"Ah… yeah, thanks for catching me. Your hands are huge. I'm Luke, nice to meet you." Luke seemed rather free, adjusting himself and offering his hand, wiping it twice on his rather expensive suit.
'It seems he's quite well-off, but that doesn't matter.'
Nikolai reached out and grasped Luke's hand. He enjoyed interacting with people with manners. Plus, he needed further information about the job.
"Nikolai, do you have a few minutes after we get off?" Luke asked, wiping his face with a tissue.
"Of course!"
"Excuse me, I'm Yulia from the J-Empire. Thanks for helping me twice. If you need anything, I can help, too."
Once he bonded with Luke, it seemed the small woman with the dainty figure and soft black hair in a bob cut was called Yulia. "Oh? Thanks. It's no problem, though. Anyone would have helped a pretty woman win points with her. Normally, I was just lucky."
"Am I pretty?"
Nikolai didn't speak again. Instead, he stepped off the lift with Luke, wrapping his arm around his back and guiding him to a muted space near the window.
"H-Hey… don't just leave me alone!?"
The sixty-ninth floor was astonishing. A spread of rare and beautiful flowers spread across the balcony, with human-sized windows across the entire floor. However, Nikolai noticed outside people couldn't see through them, which he thought made the place even more extravagant.
"So, big guy. What exactly is the job opening for?"
"Eh… what! You didn't even know and reached this far? How there were strict tests and hurdles to get through!"
Luke seemed overexcited, and his eyes seemed to devour Nikolai.
The pair looked at each other, Yulia standing near them as if a member of their group. The rest were still waiting at the end of the hall, making noise and complaining.
"Well, I just applied and got through to the finals with that." Nikolai shrugged his shoulders while leaning against the stone pillar.
"Heh… some people have a big backing, I am envious. But seriously, you don't know?" Luke mocked, poking Nikolai's abs with his fingers.
"Ah, no clue. Can you help a brother out?"
"I can tell you, don't leave me out. Those people have already formed groups!" Yulia complained, pointing out that the others stood in groups of three or four.
"Hmmm, who are you?" Nikolai asked before he suddenly realised and gave a wry smile. "Sorry, Yulia. Was it?"
"Bro… did you just forget a beautiful woman like that in seconds?" Luke whispered in Nikolai's ear.
Nikolai nodded, put both hands in his pockets, and looked at Yulia objectively. He didn't really care who told him; Luke or Yulia could both give him what he wanted. "Just tell me, time is running out."
However, before Yulia could speak, the sound of a buzzer echoed, and then a soft, polite voice spoke clearly.
"Candidate 1069: Nikolai Volkov, please enter door number one. Thank you."
"Hmm?"
"Oh?"
The two looked at Nikolai with a strange look, like their gaze upon him changed from thankful for his help to reverent. He wanted to ask, but they called for him, and this job meant the difference between paying off his father's debts and being forced to sell his organs.
"Sorry, I'll see you after the interview." Nikolai waved before turning away.
"W-Wait, Mr Volkov!"
"Sir Volkov, are you really going to become her squire!?"
Nikolai's enhanced hearing picked up both Luke's and Yulia's words while jogging down the halls, checking them by numbers. 'Five…. Four… what's a squire?'
"Ah, door number one."
A huge double door, with the nameplate and title.
[CEO: Selene Aria Tepes]
He thought little and only thought her name sounded pretty. Nikolai knocked several times with a loud, powerful blow before stepping inside.
The moment he entered the room, a soft scent of roses and strawberries filled his nose, a sharp yet comforting scent with the aftertaste of blood. He looked towards the desk, only to find a familiar figure that caused his heart to race.
"Hello, little doggy~ It seems we meet again. How does it feel to know that this hysteric fool in the ridiculous jacket is the one who will decide your fate?"
Nikolai observed the surroundings, but only found her inside. The woman carried a beauty close to perfection, but looks alone couldn't sway him. His mother's beauty made him almost immune to beauty tactics.
"My name is Nikolai, thanks—where is the real interviewer? They can't let an irrational woman like you tend to their new hires, right?"
In reality, Nikolai knew he was being a prick, yet he couldn't hide his true feelings when someone irritated him or seemed to toy with him.
So he became defiant and stopped thinking logically. He might need the money, but he wasn't a dog or some slave.
Maybe it felt similar to her because Selene knew his background and that he would act this way. It was the signature of the Volkov family, written in countless meetings between her family and them that they are arrogant and ignorant but would never betray someone.
That loyalty is what she required.
The office became silent.
Yet something made her react; she couldn't ignore him or block him out, and Nikolai felt the same. They didn't understand and couldn't let the other's actions go without punishment or complaint.
Even if they looked stupid or made horrible choices.
Her eyes opened wide to their limits, her scarlet iris trembling as her mouth opened wide. She seemed to wish to speak several times, opening and closing her lips, but words didn't come out, so Nikolai walked to the water machine, filling a cup slowly.
She watched his actions with confusion. Then, when he placed the water on her desk, she couldn't help but feel her entire body trembling from his cheeky remark.
"You should probably learn to interact with humans before you pretend to be more than an intern." Nikolai scoffed before he sat on the black leather sofa, a thousand times more comfortable than the one at home.
While leaning back against the backrest, he let out a loud sigh. The stress of his interview, his father's illness, and his loss of sight of the future gave him a moment of solace. "Hey, little girl, what's your name?"
"Who is a little girl!? I am far older than you, and my esteemed name is Selene Aria Tepes!"
Selene's face turned the colour of her jacket in a rage.
Her hand grasped the empty water cup, crushing it into waste plastic. All the while, she stared daggers at the man with his feet up on her expensive imported marble table.
"Esteemed name, huh? Well, it is a beautiful name, and it suits you quite well. But I can see where this is going, and I don't need to put up with your abuse, right?"
For a moment, her face became more agreeable, until the second part of his sentence.
"You, a member of the Volkov family, came into the territory of my Tepes family." Her nose twitched as she scoffed. "Do you want the past to repeat itself?"
'Jeez, this girl's delusions and personality are off the charts.'
"So… when will I have my interview? Selene"
...
"Don't be arrogant with me, Volkov. I have looked into your situation. Do you think your father will last much longer if he doesn't get treatment?" Selene tossed a stack of papers at Nikolai, the speed almost knocking him off the sofa while forcing his feet onto the ground with a thud.
'What was that strength!?'
"And what?"
Nikolai noticed the petite woman with a pretty face turned away, ignoring him while typing on the computer with swift tapping. Almost like she was pretending to type and pressing random keys at high speed.
He couldn't deny she typed fast, though.
"What is this—"
"Your contract, including the upfront payment to cover your father's treatment using our company's private medical care facilities." Selene flicked her hair behind her ear while looking at him with a momentary glance before returning to her work.
"This amount is more than ten times what I expected, what the hell do you want from me?!"
Nikolai read the documents and felt irritated by her attitude and actions, while he himself could feel heat building up in his chest. He didn't understand why it differed from the contract on the job application so much.
This caused him to shift his doubtful gaze towards Selene, who focused on her work.
Selene looked pristine, without a single blemish or mark on her face. Her skin that glowed like the sun and Nikolai swallowed, overcome by her allure, only for her eyes to snap towards him and narrow with a glare.
"Can you not become horny over my beauty? It's disgusting and repulsive." Selene turned her head away, while Nikolai's face blushed and became flustered.
"Hah? Get over yourself."
"Stop talking; I don't care about the reasons or excuses—all I need is your body."
"Body? Hah, who is the horny one!"
"W-What!? How is your mind, like a dog in heat?" Selene's voice increased several octaves.
She seemed embarrassed with light pink cheeks and grumbled at her desk. "T-That's not what I meant. I need your body for the job you are applying for!"
Nikolai couldn't help but find her confusing, the fire in his chest calming slightly. Until his phone vibrated, and he found her actions and words to clash.
[SCG Deposited 1,000,000 into your account.]
[Current Account Every day balance: 1,005,100]
'What? I didn't even sign the contract yet!'
Nikolai looked at the contract and Selene with a confused expression, wondering if this was some kind of scam.
"T-The upfront payment is to prove your loyalty." Selene then continued. "Your father would need multiple weeks in hospital, this will cover all the costs."
"It seems a little excessive, what's the catch?" Nikolai narrowed his eyes while doubting Selene.
"The pay is increased equal to the danger of your life."
Nikolai's lips twitched because he half expected something like this, but only because of his father's safety would he accept it.
'Well, as long as I will not be killing or hurting innocent people.' He didn't speak about his concerns and signed the contract. "Hm? A blood print?"
'Why does she want something so old-fashioned?'
He couldn't help but sigh after finding a small blade on the back page. Nikolai gazed at Selene, but she no longer paid any attention to his actions and focused on her computer.
"Phew… Here I go."
Nikolai sucked in a deep breath before finally pressing his finger against the blade.
A sharp pain caused him to gasp before pulling back his hand. Blood oozed from his deep cut, almost flooding the paper, and creating a bloody scent that filled the room.
'So much blood?'
***
Meanwhile, at her desk. Selene peeked at Nikolai from the corner of her eyes, making it seem light she was working, but was watching Nikolai. She tapped her keys in irritation and curiosity, while amused by him checking the document.
'Did he discover me?'
'I won't hire anyone else because I finally found him, again.'
She watched Nikolai sign the contract with his bloody fingertip with an amused smile as she leaned on her hand.
'He looks so silly, but watching him is fun.'
Selene initially planned a mocking comment. However, the moment she could smell his blood, her body filled with an intense fire, causing her pupils to dilate and made her realised how high their compatibility was.
'It's beyond what I thought…'
"Ah?" Her lips suddenly felt warm, and when she touched them, Selene found blood oozing from her nose, from the sudden rush. The scent of his blood overwhelmed her, sweet, filled with vitality and power.
'I really cannot let anyone else have him.'
Despite trying to control herself, Selene's breathing became heavier. She rubbed her lips together while biting her lips to calm herself.
'What is happening to me? I am not some young girl who just started feeding!'
Selene's self-control crumbled as she glared at Nikolai like a starving wolf. The man himself oblivious as he played with the pens on the desk.
'Silly boy…'
Before Selene realised, her face and chest became hot, and she already approached him, sliding her bloody fingertip along the desk, unable to stop her hunger.
Maybe she would rather not stop.
"Hm?" Nikolai looked up at her, and frowned. "You look sick, see your nose is bleeding. Here, take some tissues." Nikolai stood up, handing her tissues.
Selene didn't respond, instead she wanted to taste him.
'I must have his blood!'
Her arm shot out, grabbing his wrist before pulling him towards the desk and slamming against it with a loud bang. The force cracked her expensive wooden desk as she gazed down at Nikolai with dull red eyes and delicate fangs extended.
"W-What the hell are you doing?!" Nikolai's left hand slapped her cheek with a loud pop!
"Huh?"
Nikolai's eyes widened. Selene ignored his slap and peered at him in a trance.
"Stop, or I will hit you for real!"
She couldn't understand his trembling eyes.
This would have happened anyway. Selene rationalised these thoughts and blamed Nikolai's blood for making her so dizzy that she needed to taste his blood.
Pah!
Nikolai's eyes widened in shock, as his second slap caused no damage, and she grabbed his jaw with a power beyond any human, and yanked his collar and opened her mouth.
"What—Argh!"
Selene's heart pounded when she felt him hitting and trying to resist her power. Because an unawakened human's strength was like a child to a royal vampire, rather, it increased her excitement.
Her lips brushed against his neck as she licked them in excitement, his blood so close she couldn't help but sink her fangs into his skin.
"Ngh… Bitch!" He grunted while Selene shivered and closed her eyes. Nikolai tried to throw her off, hitting her with a left hook, but her abs were like steel.
Her tongue slid across the bloody puncture marks, while one hand wrapped around his waist and the other grabbed his left fist.
"W-What is this?" Nikolai's arms couldn't move, her soft lips touching his neck as she drank his blood, and moaned. Selene could feel the power of Nikolai flooding into her, the warmth of his delicious blood entering her body and burning like lava.
'His blood is so warm, and the taste… delicious.'
Selene narrowed her eyes in bliss, tracing the wounds with her tongue as they sealed before she pierced them again. Her hands reached down, caressing his body. Lost in pleasure, she grabbed his throat, to stop him from making noise.
"More~ let me taste more."
She couldn't quench her thirst, and even Nikolai's resistance gradually faded. Selene could sense a euphoria until his hands dropped without power.
'W-What have I done? A Vampire Princess losing herself like a common harlot!'
The moment she noticed, a warning jolted her mind as she pulled away, with a long sticky bridge of blood forming in the air, connecting her lips to his messy neck. Even with the warning, she couldn't deny the pleasure and delight that overwhelmed her body.
Selene's eyes widened in realisation before pushing Nikolai onto the sofa, before wiping her lips in embarrassment.
'I cannot believe I lost myself…'
"Oi, are you dead?" Nervously, she asked Nikolai, tapping his leg with her foot.
Nikolai leaned over the sofa, slumped against the armrest. His breathing faint, but she noticed his face looked pale.
"Don't die, I was wrong. Nikolai."
Selene squatted beside him, though she frowned. She looked wonderful, with shining skin, radiant and glossy and her gaze filled with a vibrant red, but they flickered with worry.
"You have to live and become my squire. I will tell you everything, I promise."
Selene's finger slid across her desk, cleaning the bloody streaks when her gaze turned to the bloody contract Nikolai signed, before pressing her finger on it.
"To complete our contract, I have to do this." Her nail grew longer, cutting her fingertip, causing blood with a sweet scent to ooze down her hand. "I won't let you suffer." She then placed the bloody finger into Nikolai's mouth, rubbing his lips and tongue.
'Make him the strongest, I won't let anyone look down upon him.'
Selene closed her eyes and waited for the ritual to end.
'You can hate me, detest me, but I will ensure you and your father are happy in the future, regardless of what happens.'
Knowing Nikolai's future challenges, she remained adamant about her decision.
Selene counted to a minute, waiting for Nikolai to react.
Normally, the ritual would take half a minute, but she knew he wasn't normal and didn't lose hope, instead looked forward to his changes.
"Cough, Cough!" Nikolai's cough followed a few moments later. He lifted from the desk and gazed at Selene with a sharp and slightly aggressive look. "You might be beautiful, but don't act like a bitch in the future."
Nikolai didn't seem to find Selene's blood covered chin and fangs strange. Instead, he took it in his stride and tapped her cheek. "Understand?"
Selene's eyes opened in surprise.
How could she expect him to remain defiant and so cheeky? But his actions made her chest flutter each time he betrayed her expectations.
"Good, you survived. I thought you died."
"Well, here I am."
Selene stood from the sofa, unaware of her blouse being half open, and her skirt which became messy because of her movements.
"Nice ass." Nikolai's cheeky voice caused Selene's face to stiffen, turning back with a lovely expression on her face as she felt herself and gasped, adjusting her skirt.
"You perverted dog!"
"Last time I checked, you were the one who kissed my neck like a beast, right?"
Nikolai's atmosphere didn't change, nor did he become someone who followed her words, which confused Selene.
'How can a Squire resist and tease their master? Did something go wrong?!'
Selene shook her head.
There wasn't time because tonight he would have to perform his job, the million dollars wasn't something she gave for free.
"Tonight you will have to fight."
"Fight? What are you talking about, and what are you anyway, a leech?"
Selene turned around and ignored him while walking towards the door.
"Me? I'm a vampire."
She then opened the door, leading to a windy passage that looked gloomy, as grey clouds filled the skies and thunder started to rumble in the distance. "I'm also your master!" However, she didn't notice Nikolai's strange grin when she vanished into the passage.
"Sure, I'll fight because I need the money, but…"
Once again, thunder and lightning rumbled.
"I'm the master."
...
The dark skies covered the city as Nikolai's body stumbled through the streets. His mind was still foggy and ached. The events of the evening were a complete blur from meeting the arrogant princess.
To fighting and killing some strange monster, though it was the second time in his life... Nikolai felt a sense of confusion at how he remained so calm when accepting the fact he killed his opponent as if it was nothing more than throwing something into the garbage.
'When my hand tore his chest apart, I felt a release... like an orgasm. The euphoric feeling made me want to taste it again, to kill more and devour their hearts.'
Despite his confusion, the strange voice that sounded identical to his mother from the pendant and how his physical and mental attributes could be displayed numerically shocked Nikolai.
'How can this world be so strange, like a fantasy novel... I was just a normal person until two hours ago!'
[Don't worry, Nikolai, I will guide you as long as I can. Until this world makes sense.]
"Who?!" Once again, the necklace shone while he looked around the darkness
'The voice made him feel uneasy because that voice was special... He hated the idea something could use that voice to trick him.'
No!
It was supposed to be dark—the lamps on this street broke months ago, but the government still didn't repair them. He stood on a back road leading to his apartment, yet Nikolai could see as if it were daytime. "What... is going on? Is this because of her biting me?"
[Calm down!]
[I will not trick you, and this isn't because of that girl's bite, but your power and heritage!]
"My power and heritage, even that monstrous, deformed claw?" Nikolai walked slowly, his eyes more sensitive to the light and dark, but also his ears could hear people speaking dozens of metres away, inside their homes.
Children playing, adults arguing over rent or cheating. It hurt... he couldn't help but cover his ears, still not adapted to the changes his aching head just became more painful. "Then why does it feel so uncomfortable... Huh?"
[Because you spent twenty-five years without once using this power. It's like suddenly running at Mach speed from idle—your body will need to rest before it adapts to your changes.]
He could see his home from so far away, feeling the shine of other places' lights stinging—Nikolai noticed his father must be asleep since the lights were off. "If I just need to rest, then I'll trust you for now, but there is a lot I want you to teach me in the morning! Also, tell me why you use my mother's voice!"
[I promise]
'I don't know if it's stupid or optimistic, but I can't get angry when this voice saved my life... The changes in my body I cannot deny. Even my suit feels a little too tight now because my shoulders grew wider after summoning that claw.'
Nikolai let out a long sigh before he started to pick up the pace and rushed home, wanting nothing more than to sleep this off. And maybe it turned out to be a dream.
However, when he checked his phone, there was a strange text from a number he didn't recognise and another bank transfer from a different account for $5000!
—From Master
This is my number, don't lose it. I will contact you when you need to fight; other than that, you can use the company gym to improve yourself. Tonight was just a fluke because of your sudden awakening. Don't get overconfident.
My lovely Pet Wolf
[SAT Deposited 5,000 into your account.]
[Current Account Every day balance: 1,010,100]
"...."
Nikolai stood on his stairs, looking at the money, and once again felt the shock, a throbbing pain in his head and body, reminding him of the brutal beating he had suffered tonight.
Yet he was too exhausted, pulling out the keys with a jingle, almost dropping them. He entered the silent apartment with no noise; even his father's breathing machine didn't echo through the house with its comforting echo.
"Dad isn't home?"
He slipped and fell over the countertop, the sound of cups and silver falling on the ground as Nikolai fumbled around. His sense of balance seemed to have collapsed as the aching in his head grew worse with each moment.
Without turning on the lights, he stumbled into the living room, noticing a note on the table from his father. 'Gone drinking, will be back tomorrow. Make sure you eat and sleep well!'
The writing was a little dirty, but he didn't get mad. It was something that made him happy for his father to have the desire to leave the house for the first time in months.
"No problem, Dad, just make sure you don't get hurt... But I have so many questions. Can I even ask Dad about it?"
Nikolai didn't want to stress his father, especially before his operation, and thus, he would keep quiet until after the surgery happened.
"Damn, I feel so hot..."
With that, he shuffled to his room, the window half open.
His blue curtain had blown out of his window, but he lacked to desire to fix it, while an icy yet pleasant breeze flowed into the room before he tossed off all his clothes, feeling hot and collapsed onto his bed.
At first, he thought he might be up with questions and thoughts. But Nikolai fell into a deep sleep the moment he touched the soft bedding.
***
A pair of golden eyes flickered in the darkness, making agile movements as the figure leapt from rooftop to rooftop, a feral grace about them.
Their speed was so fast that anyone looking wouldn't have been able to make out a person but a blur of shadow.
"This is troublesome... The meeting went on for so long I am going to miss the deadline..." The soft, feminine voice with a slightly husky tone looked up at the moon before leaping once again, now standing facing an open window with a blue curtain dancing in the wind. "Nikolai... leaving your window open like this is asking for people to come inside!"
Inside, Nikolai slept soundly, the covers tossed around his body, and a few strands of messy hair covered his forehead, his messy black hairs dancing with the wind.
The mysterious woman with golden eyes jumped into the room with an agile twist of her body, her movements more akin to a wolf than a human, as she landed atop his bed, bouncing with the old springs echoing, yet the sleeping male didn't stir, her body mounted over him on all fours.
Nikolai was sound asleep, his breathing steady and calm. Even the scent of his blood had stopped flowing from the deep wounds.
In fact, the wounds had healed nicely... Though his body was now quite muscular, the activation of his bloodline made him grow and take a step towards perfection, causing the smaller woman to gasp, clearly surprised at his nude figure.
"Nikolai... you really grew up...." The female's voice heightened as she looked down, turning away quickly as the sheets shifted. Her cheeks were a slight red as her breathing grew heavy and quick.
She was so distracted she didn't notice the necklace shining a faint white light under the covers.
"I waited so long... now you have to keep our promise and protect me."
Her lips seemed to curl into a gentle smile, revealing sharp teeth, different from a vampire but still inhuman. Her hand reached down, her nails sharp as a single nail stroked Nikolai's cheek, a tender look on her face.
"I don't like how you smell like another woman... should I lock you in my basement and never let you out again... what if she tries to take you away from me?"
Her lips moved closer to his face, her eyes shining a bright golden light. "You're mine, and I will not share, never!"
Her nose sniffed at his scent, letting out a sigh. "I waited... twenty years.... since the moment we met, and you said I would be your princess."
"I waited for so long... Nikolai...." Her nose brushed his neck, sniffing his scent, her cheeks red, her body trembling as she wanted to bite and take him right here.
"With this bite, you will become my squire. Mother has finally accepted, and Father... well, he can't stop me now." Her mouth opened as she approached his neck, her fangs dripping with saliva, and her tongue licked her lips, her body trembling with excitement. "Nikolai, soon... you will be mine and protect me. We can have a family... and live happily ever after."
"Soon...." Her teeth moved closer, and finally, her teeth sank into the opposite side of his neck from where Selene bit him earlier that night.
[Werewolf Origin Bloodline injected into Host]
[Host in stasis]
[Beginning Automatic bloodline activation!]
[Progenitor Bloodline awakening]
[Vampire Clan: Báthory]
[Survival Rate: 0.001%]
.
.
.
Nikolai didn't wake, but his body started to change, his muscles growing even more defined, his height increased a few inches, and the wounds on his body had healed as he slept soundly.
While his body changed, the female werewolf stayed by his side, hugging Nikolai tightly, her golden eyes shining as she refused to move from her position, enjoying the warmth of his body, her nose buried in his chest, sniffing him obsessively, until her phone began to vibrate.
'Tsk, damn insects disturbing my time with Nikolai!'
[Finally, it is starting... Ivan, my love. Please forgive me for leaving you so soon. Now, I can save our son from facing certain death! The same cursed fate that made hybrids a taboo!]
[Detected the pure blood and blood arts of the Báthory clan heiress, Elizabeth Báthory!]
[Survival Rate: 86.52%]
"Goodnight, Nikolai...." She kissed his lips before leaping out the window, her figure disappearing into the darkness as Nikolai's body continued its change.
The first hybrid to survive his awakening.
All thanks to the obsessive antics of a female werewolf obsessed with a boy who met her in the past; despite being in her werewolf form, he didn't despise her.
A story the boy himself doesn't remember!
...
A resounding beat echoed through the dark room. Nikolai's heart released a low thud each time it pumped the two bloodlines through his body.
The once-open window was now tightly closed, and all his clothes were neatly folded on his chair. There were no signs of Nikita ever entering his room, only a lingering scent of her body and the marks on his neck.
[Bloodline Assimilation 3%...]
.
.
[Bloodline Assimilation 5%...]
[First-tier synergy achieved, stopping fusion ritual.]
.
In the dark room, the moonlight faintly shines before the rise of the sun greets the world. Nikolai's body reached a state that no monster had reached in their millennia of existence. He was a complete hybrid, even though his bloodlines only reached the first tier.
This was a moment of history because normally, this level of fusion would tear apart the hybrid and leave the room covered in flesh and organs.
"Ugh... what?!"
Nikolai's eyes snapped open, his hands rubbing his face, trying to remove a strange, itchy sensation, his movements causing pieces of dried skin to drop onto his pillow, revealing a glossy, youthful layer of skin without dirt or blemishes.
"How much dry skin does I... Why the hell is my voice different? Ahem, ahem! Hello, h-hello I am Nikolai Volkov! Huh? Did my voice break for the second time?"
He held his throat, squeezing it several times. Nikolai felt a strange sensation as if something was lodged in his throat, rubbing his fingers along his protruding Adam's apple.
'Somehow my voice became like those strange metubers who make boyfriend experience videos with anime avatars... Could I sing a Larry Black [1]song with this voice?'
"Forget it; what time is it?"
Nikolai rolled off his bed with a loud crack while rubbing away the sore sensation from his eyes and the rest of the 'dry skin' from his face. "Hm? What was that sound? Um... do people normally shed their skin like this? Ugh..."
His head felt strange—the moment he moved his eyes, the world spun, as if he lived in fast forward, forced to squat for a moment, rubbing and pressing against his soft fleshy eyes, trying to remove the unbearable feeling.
His eyes narrowed, their vision much better than before able to see a cracked dark shell that carried the same shape as his body.
Though for this much dry skin, he began to worry he might have some strange condition, quickly reaching out to his phone and tapping the keypad on the search engine. 'I woke up, and my skin shed like a lizard.'
However, the only responses seemed stupid or fake sites with viruses.
—REAL LAMIA Sheds her first skin for your enjoyment! R18+
—Snake queen's dirty shedding only $400 on Mbay!
His fingers tapped several links but came up with nothing... leaving him with Selene's bite being the most obvious cause, so he asked her over a message. When looking, there was a slight tinge of pain in his stomach, followed by a loud growl.
Like a beast roaring.
'Hmm, my stomach feels so empty. Should I buy something to eat?' Nikolai walked towards the corner of his room, towards the wardrobe. When he touched the handle and twisted it, the wood snapped straight off.
"What?"
[Nikolai, you need to adjust to your body's changes. Look in the mirror and see... Have you not even noticed your room is pitch black, yet you see it like it is daytime?]
'It really is mother's voice... I don't know whether to feel comforted or freaked out.'
[Once you check your changes, I will show you in a numeric value how different you are now from the Nikolai of yesterday. Please be mentally prepared to accept what seems bizarre!]
'I will do my best... Damn, I almost called her mother...'
He turned to the right, the human-sized mirror he bought with his second paycheck at eighteen, almost obsessed with skincare and his hair because Nikita always scolded or got him in an armlock until he submitted and let her cut it for him.
The same distorted sensation remained, his eyes moving faster than he could keep up. He felt like the world moved faster, and he could perceive more than before, but it made his head feel a little strange and dizzy.
"When did it become so small?" He whispered before his eyes widened at the sudden appearance in the mirror.
Although he worked out daily and maintained a strict diet, his paltry amount of money meant he couldn't afford to keep the most pristine muscle mass and toning while forced to work most hours of the day to make ends meet.
'What the hell is this? Did someone inject me with litres of steroids!? I look like the god of war, Cratos[2]!'
Nikolai's height always seemed tall for his age, now roughly six feet and four inches; not only that! But his body was built like a tank, with perfect muscle lines and formation as if a professional trainer and nutritionist had the help of a plastic surgeon to cultivate him overnight.
"I look like the goddamn armoured giant who broke the gates of the wall, Wario! So ridiculous and over the top... look at that bicep bulge... Everything about me received a significant size up! Heh, now I'm bigger than Dad!"
[...]
It seemed the trauma of his dad calling him the little mushroom prince growing up caused significant mental damage even now.
Nikolai twisted his body, posing in the mirror while examining his changes, noticing that his scars, blemishes and marks from the past twenty-five years vanished overnight! 'Even the wounds from that battle are gone...'
It was at that moment he noticed his brilliant white teeth, and the sharp canines and other teeth seemed slightly different.
He slipped his fingertips over his gums, feeling a tight sensation over the top row. The slightly hard and bumpy sensation felt like another set, or something hid beneath his gums.
"....Am I a vampire now?"
[Half]
'What do you mean?'
[Let me show you, please, put on some pants. Though you can be proud as a male, learn some manners and decency as the heir of the Báthory Clan!]
—⁂—
[Name: Nikolai Báthory Volkov]
[Heritage: Vampire (Progenitor 5% Awakened), Werewolf (Origin 5% Awakened), Lupus Diabolus (??? 5% Awakened)]
[Clan: Báthory, Volkov, ???]
[Racial Level: 0]
[Bloodline: Hybrid]
—
[Physical: 21]
-[Strength: 18]
-[Endurance: 25]
-[Dexterity: 18]
-[Agility: 22]
[Mental: 19]
-[Intellect: 14]
-[Wisdom: 25]
-[Charisma: 18]
[Blood Frenzy: 99/100]
—
[Abilities: Devil Wolf Form (Claw)]
[Blood Arts: Blood Aura(F-)]
—⁂—
While reading his attributes, he wore a pair of simple pants and his black shirt. "W-What the hell does all this mean, and why is Blood Frenzy so high!?"
However, before the necklace could answer his words, there was an intense pain in his abdomen, as if his stomach and organs were squeezed in someone's hands... "Guh...?!" Then a hunger... like he hadn't eaten for a year, a thirst as if he had lived in the desert for a decade...
"I..."
[Warnig Host Entered Blood Frenzy!]
That instant, his eyes started glowing dark red, and his extra teeth began to descend two rows of sharp teeth as his figure lunged towards the window, sniffing the air.
"Blood..."
The scent of blood flowed from a distant alleyway, over five hundred metres away from him, as his body flung from the window, falling with his arms and legs spread before crashing into the ground below with a bang!
However, he vanished, running faster than an Olympic sprinter on all fours, a pitch-black aura flowing around his body.
[1] Barry White parody
[2] Kratos Parody to avoid copyright
...
Nikolai's mind was like static his mind full of hunger. His body darted through the night until it reached the alleyway that triggered his senses.
In the darkness of this normally unused back alley, a body sat against the wall, the faint beating of its heart clear as Nikolai approached with a predator's steps, silent and deadly. His eyes flickered over the figure to reveal a rather beautiful woman. She leaned against the cold, dirty wall with her jacket torn and a wallet on the floor with all the cards and money missing.
"P....please...h-help.... someone...." The woman's voice hoarse as she called for help.
However, all Nikolai could hear was her heart pumping faster. The sweet scent of her blood filled his nose with its tempting scent.
Although the people close might have been just as delicious because her blood oozed from the knife wound in her stomach, the blood attracted him to this place. Instead of hunting someone close by, the blood thirst prioritised one thing.
Sating his hunger for Blood!
Nikolai didn't bother to check if she was alive; instead, the thirst clouded his mind. He could feel his fangs extending from his gums and his mind turning blank. He brought his face towards the woman's neck, ignoring her weak pleas as he sank his fangs into the woman's neck.
Nikolai could feel the warm blood flowing into his mouth; it was a taste he couldn't describe, sweet like a drug, intoxicating and addictive. The flavour of her blood reminded him of his mother's baked dessert.
Nikolai closed his eyes, relishing the sweet taste. He didn't notice the woman's struggles and weak cries for help till, eventually, her hands no longer struggled, instead wrapped around his thick biceps; not long after he began to drink, the clarity and feeling of static began fading from his mind.
Strength: 19 (+1) Agility: 22 (+1) Intellect: 15 (+1)
Nikolai ignored the notifications, too caught up with the taste of her blood. The woman's grip around his arms weakened. It was at this moment his mind regained some sense of clarity as he realised what was happening.
He retracted his fangs, blood dripping down his chin, watching as the woman took her last breath and her heartbeat stopped. The woman's hands fell off his biceps.
'Did... I kill this woman.... because of my hunger?'
[Calm down, Nikolai!]
'How can I calm down?!'
Nikolai stood up and backed away from the woman. His chest moved rapidly as he stared at the woman's lifeless body. Her blood stained his lips and drenched his clothes, but that wasn't the only thing he was aware of, her taste... it still filled his mouth, that sweet and tart flavour that made him want to keep drinking.
His lips trembled, the conflict of his mind as a human almost collapsing until... her neck and abdomen... began to heal, and the blood that covered the floor...
'What!?'
Her blood flowed back into her body as the wounds closed!
He didn't know why, but he took the knife that fell from her abdomen; the decent blade work seemed expensive as he hid it inside the waistband of his pants.
[I told you to calm down...]
Nikolai ignored the pendant's words and watched as the wounds healed completely, and the woman opened her eyes. They glowed a dark brown colour. Her eyes turned towards Nikolai.
"M...mmm, did you save me? Uh... it feels strange to move. I feel like I was hit by a-- Oh my god, wasn't I stabbed and robbed?!" The woman exclaimed, and Nikolai remained silent, staring at the woman with his crimson eyes.
'This... can vampires heal wounds?
The woman noticed Nikolai's silence, "Um, are you okay?"
"No, I am just glad you are alright. Though I couldn't catch the guys that did this, luckily, I scared them off before they stabbed you... Though I think they hit you in the abdomen with something quite hard." His words were so smooth and fluent that nobody could think they were a lie, causing Nikolai to be confused.
Because he sucked at lying to people!
'I lied to her so easily?' Nikolai was a little surprised.
"Oh... Thank you so much! However, is something the matter? You look a little pale?" The woman asked, climbing to her feet and falling into his arms. She blushed to notice the strange situation in his pants, causing her to squeal and push away.
Nikolai glanced at the woman and looked around. Luckily, nobody was around. 'Why is she acting so strange?'
"I am fine. Do you have somewhere you can go to?"
"I-I am okay... let's... I will go and take an ober ride home... so you can leave now, I will be fine.... honestly..."
The woman's cheeks were a little red, which Nikolai thought was because of her blood loss. He felt strange. Her gaze kept flickering to his crotch, but maybe she was just scared, and he let it go while waiting for her to book a ride home.
Nikolai walked with the woman, making sure she got a taxi ride home safely before walking back to his apartment.
He felt strange, lying to her about what happened and couldn't understand why she didn't turn into a monster or die... "First I should get some new clothes, my bed was a mess so I should order a new one, since I have money. It's probably best to at least use it."
'What the fuck just happened.'
Nikolai finally calmed down and could think a little clearer as he ignored the pendant's words, which strangely had been quiet the entire time. Nikolai remembered everything, from the static filling his mind, the bloodlust, the woman's cries and taste.
'Is this the monster I have become?'
Nikolai had never killed for pleasure, even in the military. He tried his best to save lives, But the moment that blood touched his lips...
He felt a pleasure that couldn't be compared to dating Miss's right hand...
'What the fuck is wrong with me.' Nikolai could only curse in his heart.
His crimson eyes flickered as he stared into the darkness.
'Was this my fate? To become a monster and kill innocents?' His body flopped down onto the sofa before he realised... his crotch was pitching a family-sized tent!
"No wonder she reacted so strangely... why do I have an erection after almost killing someone?"
[That is the effect of blood frenzy and the usual act of drinking blood from the opposite sex.]
'Hmmm? You finally start speaking?'
[Heightened sexual arousal, increased masculine hormones and destructive desire, rapid healing of wounds finished with a dash of excitement and euphoria.]
'Fuck, I almost moles that woman because of this?' Nikolai's eyes narrowed dangerously.
It wasn't an excuse. He could easily recognise his desire when he tasted her blood. If she hadn't pushed him away, and he didn't awaken, then that terrifying state... Nikolai didn't know what he would have done.
[Do not worry; that is only during a blood frenzy. You will feel the excitement during regular feeding. The effects will not be as drastic, though it is best you find the partner that turned you for the best person to deal with your need for blood.]
Nikolai's expression froze.
'Partner...?'
