The midday sun filtered through the clouds, casting long shadows across the bustling street. Alex Kairo adjusted the strap of his backpack and stared up at the towering Academy building in the distance, its glass panels reflecting the light like a beacon of hope.
In two days, he'd be standing inside those walls—training to become one of humanity's defenders against the unknown.
But for now? He needed toothpaste.
"Of all the things to forget," he muttered, stepping into a nearby convenience store. His list hovered on his holo-tab: uniforms, boots, standard-issue gloves, and now… toothpaste.
Life had been unusually normal lately, at least for someone who had lost both parents in the war.
The thought brought a brief pause to his steps. His fingers brushed against the chain around his neck—thin, almost weightless, holding a pitch-black pendant in the shape of a fang. His mother's last gift. Or so he thought.
He sighed and headed to the hygiene aisle.
The streets outside had quieted as he exited the store. A strange wind whipped past him—cold and sudden. He glanced around
A hunched figure stood at the far end of the street. Pale skin, sharp claws, and eyes that glowed a faint, sickly red. Alex blinked. A beast? Out here?
The figure didn't wait.
It lunged—faster than anything Alex had ever seen. A blur of pale limbs and claws.
Alex dove to the side, the creature's swipe slicing through the air like a blade. The wind from its movement alone knocked him off balance.
Crash!
The ghoul slammed into a parked vehicle, tearing through metal like it was paper. Alarms blared.
"What the hell…?" Alex whispered.
His instincts screamed. He activated his ability.
Mana surged through his veins like fire, strengthening his muscles, sharpening his vision.
Physical Enhancement. It wasn't flashy, but it had saved him in the past.
Alex rushed forward, ducking under the ghoul's swipe and landing a solid punch to its ribs. Bone cracked under the force.
The creature stumbled back—and grinned.
Then it vanished.
Behind you!
He spun just in time to block a blow aimed at his neck. The sheer force sent him skidding across the pavement. His arms stung.
Alex planted his foot and pushed off, this time delivering a spinning kick to the ghoul's head. The impact rang out like a gunshot.
It staggered… then let out a growl that sounded almost amused.
"Why are you smiling?" Alex hissed, panting.
The ghoul didn't answer.
It attacked again—faster, wilder. Alex blocked the first strike, dodged the second, but the third sliced into his shoulder.
Blood sprayed.
Pain flared white-hot. He clenched his teeth, grabbed the ghoul's arm mid-swing, and flipped it over his shoulder into a pile of trash bins.
It stood up almost immediately. No signs of injury. No fatigue. Only hunger in its eyes.
"I'm not gonna die here," Alex said, breathing heavy. "Not before I even make it to the academy."
He picked up a broken metal pipe nearby.
The ghoul charged again.
Alex swung. The pipe cracked against its skull—loud, but ineffective. The creature grabbed the pipe mid-swing and flung Alex across the street like a ragdoll.
His back hit a wall. Hard.
He coughed, blood splattering the ground. His vision blurred. His legs shook.
The ghoul strolled toward him now, slow and deliberate, like a predator savoring the moment.
Alex struggled to his feet.
Another dash. Claws came at his face.
He ducked, then uppercut the creature with every ounce of strength he had left.
It flew back, landing hard.
But this time, it didn't get up right away.
Alex collapsed to one knee, clutching his bleeding side. "Stay… down…"
And then—
The ghoul rose again.
Not limping. Not groaning.
Smiling.
It tilted its head, then opened its mouth. A voice that was barely more than a growl echoed out:
> "...System…"
Alex's heart dropped.
"What did you say?"
The creature's eyes glowed brighter. It launched forward one last time.
He raised his arms to defend—but the impact tore through him.
Claws sank deep into his torso.
He crashed into the pavement. Cold. Fading.
His blood spread across the ground.
And the last thing he saw… was the ghoul reaching for the necklace around his neck.
Alex's consciousness slipped like sand through his fingers. The cold from the pavement seeped into his bones. He could barely hear the rush of footsteps—or was it just the wind?
Then—
A voice.
Not human. Not natural.
> [SYSTEM ACTIVATING…]
[Critical Condition Detected.]
[Life Preservation Protocol Initiated.]
A burning sensation crawled across his chest, centered on the necklace. His body twitched, muscles spasming as the pendant pulsed with eerie, crimson light.
> [Assimilation Required.]
[Warning: Ghoul DNA Detected.]
Something inside him shifted. Bones cracked. Skin pulsed. His heart thudded once… twice…
Then stopped.
> [Ghoul Integration: 7%...]
"No… stop," he tried to whisper, but no words came out. A sharp pain lanced through his skull. Hunger surged like a beast waking from hibernation.
> [10%...]
[12%...]
[Caution: Mental Instability Detected.]
He screamed internally—but on the outside, his body began to heal. Flesh stitched. Bones realigned. His blood... darkened.
In the distance, someone approached.
A hooded figure.
Tall. Calm. Watching.
"Looks like the system chose him after all," the figure murmured.
> [15%...]
And then—darkness swallowed everything