“So we are in agreement then?” Jared asked as they finished plotting the demise of Gýt.

“I believe so,” Pierre assured.

“Yes,” Aldrin chimed in.

The sun was out still, rendering Aldrin useless as they huddled in the cave. “Are you sure the Trackers won’t find us here?” Aldrin asked for the third time.

Jared chuckled at his worried state, “Even if they do THEY have to come in here to find you which you have the advantage. Besides, Pierre’s passive Counter Track skill allows us to cover our footsteps and ground we covered,” Jared reassured.

“It’s not them I am worried about,” Aldrin quietly said, knowing his sister, Adeline, was more than likely on her way here if not already combing the forest with her men looking for him and his old group.

Aldrin’s System Alerts chimed in his mind letting him know he had to go through them as the events of last night replayed through his mind, specifically those that involved Gýt, the Tier 3 Hulk-Berserker.

With their newfound plan in place Aldrin was confident that round two with him would not go the same as the first round. With that thought in mind he opened his System Alerts and prepared the best he could.

Congratulations! Various enemies were defeated! Total EXP Awarded: 548.1

Racial Level increased to Level 10, 5 SP awarded!

Class Level increased to Level 10, 2 SP awarded!

EXP Held until you have chosen your first new Skill!

Vampire Progenitor Skill Tree is now unlocked!

Vampire Magics unlocked!

New Skills Unlocked!

Total Skill Points: 7

“Oh hell,” Aldrin grumbled, placing his head in his hands again, realizing he was descending further and further away from humanity.

“What’s wrong?” Jared perked up.

“I’ve unlocked another skill tree and magic,” Aldrin mumbled.

“OH! Which one?!” Jared moved closer to Aldrin ignoring the magic part.

“My Progenitor Racial Skill Tree,” Aldrin still mumbling into his hands.

“Wow, even your Race has a skill tree? How come Humans don't?” Jared asked.

“Probably because of my Unique Race being a Progenitor,” Aldrin shrugged his shoulders, looking up to see Pierre listening in.

“Are you going to put points into it?” Pierre jumped in.

“I am not sure I want to. I am scared it will lead me further away from myself,” Aldrin mused.

“That’s fair but what if there is something in there to help against our current nemesis, Gýt?” Pierre asked.

With a loud huff of defeat, he opened his new skill tree.

Vampire Progenitor Skill Tree

Warning: Only allowed access to Level 1 of some skills until you gain more power in your next Vampiric Rank.

As you progress further down the path of the Vampire Progenitor you will unlock more of your hidden power that will allow you to become a scourge to your enemies and a savior to your allies on Grenora.

Current Rank: Newborn

Next Rank: Juvenile

Daywalker

Level 1: Skills and Buffs return to you during the night but you are weakened and can be killed instantly during the day(Granted)

Humanity

Level 1: You have a reflection(4 SP)

Trace Your Roots

Level 1: Able to create specialized Vampires(2 SP)

Vampiric Ascension

Level 1: The living instantly treat you like Nobility(Higher Rank required)

Vampire Magics

Due to your Unique Race you are able to learn all Disciplines of Vampire Magics adapted to your Class however you must still choose a specialization to unlock a Level 5 Skill granting a bonus.

Specialization: Meet the required Trainer.

Hemomancy

Level 1: Manipulate your own blood to form weapons(100 Health and Magic Cost)(2 SP)

Shadowmancy

Level 1: Blend into the shadows of the night(2 SP)

Necromancy

Level 1: Summon 1 humanoid Skeleton(2 SP)

Staring in disbelief at his new skills he unlocked, his mouth opened and closed as his mind tried to digest what he could potentially become if left unchecked.

“What’s wrong? You look like you’ve seen a ghost,” Jared asked.

“These new skills are literally trying to make me an edge lord,” Aldrin sputtered in disbelief still.

Jared erupted into laughter with Pierre cracking a smile. Aldrin couldn’t help but let out chuckles of his own feeling somewhat relieved to finally have something to laugh at.

“Anything worth taking that would give you an edge against Gýt?” Pierre inquired.

“Combat-wise just the magic that has three branches, mostly the tried and true Vampire magics we usually see but I get access to all of them,” Aldrin said as he looked over them some more.

“If anything, the Necromancy spell would allow me to summon a skeleton,” He added.

“An extra hand if things go bad right?” Jared joked, trying to cheer him up.

“Mm,” Aldrin answered.

“Take the Level 1 Necromancy,” Pierre insisted.

Jared and Aldrin looked at Pierre as if he had grown a second head.

“Tell me Pierre. . .” Jared trailed off, a twisted gleam in his eyes.

Pierre eyed him warily, “Tell you what Jared?”

“Did you want to be a Necromancer and not tell anybody?” A smug smile made its way across Jared’s face.

Pierre scoffed, looking away, “No I did not.”

“Uh huh. . .” Jared teased.

“I’m just saying it would be cool since you already kinda fit the vibe or were you trying to be an assassin?” He quibbed.

“Listen, hang around him long enough and you’ll see,” He nodded his head at Aldrin.

“Look, just take Level 1 Necromancy like you both said it would be an extra hand and increase our chances of actually surviving if not outright killing Gýt,” Pierre changed the subject.

Aldrin bit his lip, drawing blood that made him wince, “Look, if I do this it will unlock the next stage of both my Class and Race which is why I am so hesitant to do so,” He said.

“All the more reason to hurry up and do it!” Jared’s excited twisted gleaming eyes now stared at Aldrin.

Pierre threw a pebble at Jared’s head, “Ow! Pierre! What was that for? You know I am still recovering,” Jared said, rubbing the spot where the rock had hit him.

“Look Aldrin, I know that this isn’t something you want to do but it is something you need to do if we are going to make it outta here alive and find a cure for your vampirism so either you man up or you die before you can even go back home,” Pierre’s hard voice echoed out into the cave, silencing any other argument of Aldrin’s.

Stolen story; please report.

Determined to head back home he chose the Level 1 Necromancy Skill allowing for everything else to reveal themselves. His EXP finished out his Class and Race signaling another System Alert chime.

Total Skill Points: 5

Congratulations! For completing the Tier 1 Basic Class you now have the option to proceed to Tier 2! Do you wish to do so now? Y/N

Frowning at the nonexistent choice of usually having to pick a Class to branch into he selected yes.

Congratulations! You have advanced to the Elite 2nd Tier Class:

Night Reaver, Vampiric Warrior(3 points per level): Few have survived an encounter with Night Reaver, the feared warriors of the Vampires during the Progenitor Wars. These warriors consume their enemies to enhance themselves during the heat of battle. After all, to a Vampire, blood is power.

“What the fuck are the Progenitor Wars?” Aldrin asked Jared and Pierre, each of whom only shrugged their shoulders.

Mystery Activated: The Progenitor Wars: It seems the World has forgotten a key aspect of its existence and everything that came from it. Find out more about the Progenitor Wars to uncover a millennia spanning forgotten piece of Grenorian history Lore Seeker!

Reward: ???, Skill Points, Title

“Ok, double what the fuck,” Aldrin said again.

Congratulations! You have ranked up from a Newborn Vampire to a Juvenile Vampire!

Juvenile Vampire: Your body has adapted to unlife as you transition from Newborn to Juvenile granting you Level 2 of some of your Skills and a new Skill in your Vampire Skill Tree has unlocked.

“I just love class evolutions! And look! His Race updated as well!” Jared cheered.

Aldrin pulled up a brief overview of himself to see the new changes.

Name: Aldrin Ravindra

Total Skill Points: 13

Natural Defense(Vampire): 100

Race: Vampire Progenitor Level 11 (Juvenile) - 5 Skill Points awarded for level up

Class: Night Reaver Level 11 (Tier 2 Warrior) - 3 Skill Points awarded for level up

Profession: Lore Seeker Level 24

Health: 2500

Magic: 2000

Stamina: Infinite

Titles: 3

Strength: 30

Dexterity: 25

Vitality: 25

Intelligence: 20

Willpower: 40

Charisma: 25

Titles Expanded:

First Vampire: Everybody has to come from somewhere and you are where Vampires come from

Reward: +10 to all stats, Vampire Progenitor Skill Tree Unlocked.

Chosen of Kilinos: Few have dared to reach to a demon and even fewer have had a demon reach out to them and have been granted their favor.

Reward: Immune to fire, Grants a 20% to spell power, Class Mutation at Tier 4

Traveler of an Archdemon’s Domain: You carry the mark of a person who has been to one of an Archdemon Prince’s Domain and back.

Reward: [Intimidation] and [Dread] waft off you subtly helping you in social situations.

Shuddering at the new entries to his status sheet he had to make a choice to either dive all in into his new role as a Vampire or perish like Pierre said. He knew he would have to get over himself and the thought of feeding on people like juice boxes if he was to ever survive to get a cure. A part of him knew that once he was cured the memories wouldn’t go away, those would be with him forever and that’s the part that terrified him the most.

The look on each of their faces as he drained their life away, the screams would echo in his mind when he would lay asleep, and the fear and terror in their eyes as they knew they were going to die by something inhumane. That is what scared him and kept him from embracing his powers as a Vampire.

Closing his eyes, he fell into himself searching for the monster that lurked in the back of his mind, the hunger that coursed through his entire being. Staring, he felt it stare back with a menacing glare shocking him from the dark mental-scape of his mind.

One day he would be rid of it and would never have to feel it again. That was all the resolve he needed, it was all for the cure, to end his nightmare and fear of ever becoming a mindless beast again.

With 13 Skill Points he now had the options of heading down four Skill Trees,

Vampire Progenitor Vampire Tier 1 Fighter: Bloodletter Tier 2 Warrior: Night Reaver

Opening up his new Tier 2 Class Skill Tree, he was decently surprised at what this one offered.

Night Reaver Skill Tree

Dual Weapon Proficiency(Passive): What will make you much more deadlier than you already are? Being able to use two weapons with equal skill.

Level 1: 25% damage with off hand weapon(2 SP)

Blood Aura(Passive): Some Vampires crave violence and feed off it letting their bloodlust exude through their pores.

Level 1: 3% damage boost and chance to stun enemies when fighting five or more enemies(2 SP)

Leech Imbuement(Active): What kind of Vampire would you be if you could not imbue some of your Vampiric nature into your weapon?

Level 1: 1% health returned to you after each hit(2 SP)

Lust for Carnage(Passive) - Stackable up to 60 seconds: There is a certain thrill when a Vampire takes a life whilst in battle.

Level 1: 10% to stats during combat when you kill an enemy for 10 Seconds(2 SP)

Roar of the Apex(Active): Well, you are considered an Apex Predator so why not add a little extra oomph to your arsenal.

Level 1: For 3 seconds, spells and weapon enchantments are locked(2 SP)

Staring wide eyed at his new skills Aldrin didn’t hear Jared calling his name until Pierre poked him in the shoulder.

“Huh? What? What’s wrong?” Aldrin rapidly asked, his focus shifting to the two.

“What happened? You were talking one second, and then you closed your eyes the second second, then jolted awake and got the glazed look people do when they are doing their System stuff the third second, and now you are staring like a fish for the fourth second,” Jared counted his fingers.

“I think there is more to the world and to the Vampires here than we realize,” Aldrin breathed out, before settling in and explaining his changes as well as the alerts he got.

Pierre and Jared whistled in astonishment after Aldrin finished filling them in.

“I have a theory!” Jared proudly said.

“What?” Pierre and Aldrin asked in unison

“I think the reason there is always an immediate action to eliminate any Vampire sightings is probably because if they are not feral but are instead sane like you are, Aldrin,” Jared waved his hand to all of him.

“Then we can assume that your Tier 1 Bloodletter Class and your new Tier 2 Night Reaver class build upon each other,” He paused.

“I’m guessing the reason you have so many passives for your Tier 1 is that it’s the foundation class for the rest of the classes going forward maximizing your potential to a scary degree, coupled with your other skills as both Vampire and Vampire Progenitor I would say if left unchecked you more than likely would become a World Boss Monster. . .” His thoughts freezing in their tracks when he looked at Aldrin.

“And if that’s the case for every Vampire then no wonder they need to die quickly and why so many Kingdoms put aside their differences when it comes to killing anything that’s undead. You guys are literal monsters if given time to advance,” He quietly said.

“But that is not to put the other races to shame since Vampires have the disadvantage of not having branching class picks like the rest of us do,” He picked back.

“Furthermore, there is no telling what lies ahead with Tiers 3, 4, 5, and potentially 6 IF you make it that far before we find a cure and let's not forget the other Class paths you could have taken too,” He finished, sitting down to let the thoughts wash over him.

Pierre gaped at Jared while Aldrin frowned at the potential revelations of what Jared was saying.

“I played a lot of different video games before being transported here, you know this Pierre,” Jared defended himself as Pierre continued to stare at him.

“The longer we are here on this planet the longer I wonder why you didn’t apply yourself this much in school when we were back on Earth,” Pierre finally said, breaking the silence.

Jared scoffed, “School stifled my outside-the-box thinking and creativity that has gotten us through some tough times here on Grenora,”

“I was only in school to appease my family and I also didn’t know what I wanted to do with my life then the world goes to shit and we end up here so far from everything that we find familiar and it has given me a chance to make something of my life,” He admitted, looking Pierre dead in the eye.

Pierre opened and closed his mouth, “You know what, that’s honestly fair. I am pretty sure I would be dead without your knowledge and creativity,” He complimented Jared earning him a big smile in return.

“Your thanks is appreciated my friend,” Jared answered back with the goofy grin still on his face.

“So I think you should take at least Level 1 in all your new Tier 2 Class Skills,” Jared turned back to Aldrin who listened to them.

“Definitely take all of them which should total to 10 SP leaving you with 3 SP to spare on your own but ultimately it is your choice whether you want to or not,” Pierre echoed, Jared nodding in agreement.

Aldrin listened and bought the first level of all of his new Class Skills, not bothering to look at the next upgrades until he could afford them.

Remembering he had also unlocked a new skill in his Vampire Tree he went to go see the alert for it hoping something he could use.

New Skill:

Charming Gaze(Success of the same Tier equates to Charisma + Willpower stat divided by 2)

Level 1: Subtly influence sentients and creatures' minds with minor commands(2 SP)

Thinking it would come in handy for Gýt’s followers, he invested his skill points into Charming Gaze leaving him with 1 Skill Point left. With that one point he put it into Strength increasing it to 31.

“Our odds have definitely gone in our favor now,” Jared grinned.

Pierre chuckled, “Indeed my friend,”

“I should probably stop being scared to lose control then,” Aldrin added to the chorus of voices.

The rest of the time in the cave during the day they all talked animatedly about their lives so far on Grenora until the sun set. The three of them stepped out into the night air, Aldrin feeling refreshed as the cool night air welcomed him home like an old friend. Jared and Pierre uncorked their last [Potion of Night Vision] hoping they wouldn’t need anymore for the time being after tonight. Then they set off to kill Gýt and his followers once and for all.