I slithered through the remnants of the bird's throat, navigating the crimson labyrinth of torn flesh and coagulating blood. The once vibrant avian heartbeat had stilled, replaced by a macabre silence broken only by the steady drip of blood. Here, within the confines of this fallen giant, I found sustenance amidst death's embrace.

My mouths, honed by survival instincts, latched onto veins and arteries, drawing nourishment from the fading warmth of the bird's lifeblood. With each rhythmic pulse, I absorbed vitality, the taste sickly sweet flooding my senses in a primal symphony of consumption. I was filled with bliss as I greedily devoured as much as possible.

About ten minutes later, my blissful reverie of nourishment subsided, and I resolved to assess my current status. With a mental command, I summoned my status page to evaluate any changes or upgrades gained from the recent experiences. And what I saw pleased me greatly.

Name: Leon

Race: Frailvein Leech Lv.2/5 Exp: 6/8

Class: Locked

Rank: H

HP: 2/2 -> 4/4 -> 9/9

MP: 0/0 -> 10/10

SP: 2/2 -> 3/3 -> 8/8

STR: 0.2 -> 0.8

VIT: 0.3 -> 0.7 -> 1

AGI: 0.5 -> 0.9

INT: 0.7 -> 2

CHS: 0

Free Points: 0/0 -> 1/1->0/0

Skills:

Active: Bite

Passive: Stealth, Bleed, Anesthetic, Detection.

Titles:

Child of Blood

Traits:

Blood Body

I was elated to find that my stats had increased, with Intelligence gaining an unexpected boost of two points. Although I wasn't certain of the reason behind it, I welcomed the improvement without hesitation. Despite acquiring MP, I remained unsure of how to utilize it effectively, lacking any corresponding skills or spells.

As I reviewed my other stats, I noted their growth, except for the Chs stat, which remained unchanged. However, this did not concern me, as I had no use for it anyway. The additional free point I received was promptly invested in Vitality, bringing it to a whole number. It occurred to me that once a stat reached a whole number, the decimal points vanished from view. Choosing to bolster my HP through Vitality was a strategic decision aimed at enhancing my survivability and reducing panic-inducing situations. Given my inherent weakness, each point equating to 5 in HP and SP held significant value, offering a crucial lifeline in precarious circumstances.

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A day or two had slipped by, marked by the consumption of every drop of blood I could glean from the Flit's carcass before it succumbed to rot. Amidst my feasting, faint vibrations from the exterior world stirred my senses. These vibrations, emanating from what seemed to be three distinct entities, hinted at creatures smaller than the bird but larger than myself. Their movements around the carcass ceased since, leaving me uncertain if they had departed or remained nearby.

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It puzzled me that these beings hadn't devoured the Flit's corpse if hunger drove their movements. Yet, considering the unpalatable nature of a creature drained from within, I understood their hesitation. Remaining vigilant, I prepared to face the unknown outside, armed with caution and heightened senses sharpened by my survival instincts I exited the beak of my temporary home. Peeking cautiously from my hiding spot, I relied on my keen sense of smell and heat detection to survey the area for any nearby threats or movements.

To my surprise, I discovered the three creatures nestled against the corpse of the Flit I had previously dispatched. Their behavior struck me as peculiar, especially considering their minimal body heat signatures and shallow, almost imperceptible breaths. It was as though they were on the brink of life, their presence a mystery shrouded in uncertainty. I observed them closely, trying to decipher their condition and intentions, yet the puzzle remained unsolved. Why just why?

The subtle vibrations and the gentle caress of the wind against my body hinted at our elevated position, suggesting that we were not on the forest floor but possibly perched within a tree or atop a hill. The persistent gusts of wind, swirling around us with a rhythmic dance, hinted more strongly towards a tree, where such breezes were more common and pronounced.

Realization dawned upon me like a sudden flash of clarity—I was nestled within the very nest of the bird whose life I had claimed. The dying creatures below were none other than the hatchlings, their fragile forms barely clinging to the thread of life. With this understanding came a grim decision. These helpless beings, unable to defend themselves or fight back, presented an opportunity I could not ignore. Survival in this unforgiving world demanded harsh choices.

Drawing upon past experiences, memories of a family of mice who had unwittingly crossed my path surfaced. The primal hunger that had driven me then surged forth once more, urging me to consume them for sustenance. Though satiated for the moment, the reality of my fragile existence compelled me to act. The potential experience gained from these hatchlings would serve as a crucial stepping stone in my quest for survival.

I descended upon the first hatchling, its feeble struggles proving futile against my calculated assault. Each bite brought me closer to the precious experience points I needed to grow stronger. The initial resistance soon gave way to stillness as life ebbed away from the first hatchling. Moving swiftly, I turned my attention to the remaining two, their fate sealed by the harsh realities of the natural world. The process was efficient, devoid of sentimentality or remorse. Moments later, their struggles ceased, marking the end of their brief, fragile lives.

As the lifeless bodies of the hatchlings lay before me, a notification from the system materialized, prompting me to open and explore its contents. Curiosity mingled with anticipation as I delved into the interface, eager to uncover any new developments or opportunities it might offer.

Hey kid like what you just did keep it up. Killing innocent children Is exciting keep on doing it and I'll give you some more rewards. Ps keep it up and struggle to live, I want to see you climb as high as possible just for you to crash and burn. See you in the afterlife buddy, where you'll be mine forever.

Reward: 2 Str, 1 Vit, 1 Agi, 5 Chs.

Error +4 Tainted soul.

A chilling sensation crept over me as I read the sinister message, its words dripping with malice and cruelty. The voice behind the message was revealed in the darkness, encouraging me to embrace killing. The allure of the rewards was undeniable, their magnitude surpassing even the gains from leveling up. The temptation tugged at me, urging me to embrace the darkness for the sake of power. The stats whispered to me like a sweet melody in my ear, promising untold strength and rewards beyond imagination. The path of struggle and growth, though arduous, seemed far more promising than the seductive whispers of forbidden power. It was a crossroads moment, where my choices would shape not just my abilities, but also my very identity.

The system notification revealed that my actions had resulted in the demise of three Level 0 Featherflits, granting me a total of 3 experience points. Reaching Level 3 granted me another valuable free point, which I promptly invested in Vitality to bolster my resilience and survivability.