The three of them walked toward the one place they knew would most likely be empty—the library.
"By the way… he came with me way too easily," Skye thought, her eyes flicking toward Luka. "He can tell what a vampire smells like… most likely from his own scent. But I only wanted him to come."
Her gaze shifted to Riven.
A hint of disgust settled on her face.
"Now I have to deal with the human."
"If it was just him…" she continued in her thoughts, "…I could've shoved him through the portal and left him there."
She exhaled slowly.
"From what I've learned about this world… he's something called a wallborn. The lowest in this society."
Her expression tightened.
"This entire system is sick. Casting people out because of where they were born… it's nothing like home."
"At home, the only ones at the top are the leaders, the king, and those who live in their castles. And even then, their control is limited… except for the king."
Her thoughts sharpened.
"But here… factions act like kings. Owning planets. Controlling everything."
She shook her head.
"And the military? Just another faction pretending it isn't."
—
They reached the library.
Skye pushed her thoughts aside as they stepped inside.
Empty.
Perfect.
"Okay, so who—"
Before Luka could finish—
Chop.
A clean strike to the neck.
Luka dropped instantly.
Unconscious.
"Now for—"
She turned—
Too slow.
Boom.
Riven's fist slammed into her face, sending her sliding back a few steps.
"he's strong…" Skye thought, regaining balance. "Maybe all humans are like this… but it's nothing I can't handle."
She prepared to rush him—
"Wait."
Riven's voice cut in.
He quickly dragged Luka's body out of the way, placing him behind him.
"You know… I could tell," Riven said, his eyes locked onto her. "From his voice. He was more excited than anything to meet someone like him."
His stance lowered slightly.
"But I knew something was off."
A small smirk formed.
"And honestly… I'm glad."
A translucent screen appeared in front of him.
[System: Defeat the vampiric foe
Reward: 600 EXP]
"I just unlocked a new skill," Riven continued. "And I've been wanting to test it."
A green aura flared around his body—like a flowing flame.
[Skill Activated: Mana Body
Your body is surrounded by mana, increasing stats based on control and output.
Cost: -2 mana per minute]
[ Mana: 25/25 ]
His stats surged.
[ Riven Harlow – Level 6
EXP: 2700/2800
Strength: 11 → 18
Speed: 11 → 18
Defense: 11 → 18
Health: 21/21
Energy: 21/21
Mana: 25/25 ]
Skye's eyes narrowed.
"A system…?" she thought. "Do all humans have this… and the king just doesn't know?"
The two stared at each other.
Waiting.
Neither moved.
So Skye did.
She vanished forward—
Appearing behind him in an instant.
Her hand shot forward for a decisive strike—
Riven ducked.
The attack cut through air.
He countered instantly—
A lightning-coated punch slammed into her.
But this time—
She didn't move.
Riven's eyes widened.
"—!"
Her fist drove into his gut.
Boom.
He lifted off the ground slightly from the impact.
[System: -6 HP]
Pain exploded through his body.
Skye grabbed his shirt, lifting him slightly as red energy began forming in her hand—
Before it could finish—
Riven kicked upward, knocking her arm aside.
He dropped back, breathing hard.
That one hit told him everything.
"She's way stronger than me…"
"Guys, I need—"
Chop.
Her hand struck his throat.
Blood spilled from his mouth.
[System: -2 HP]
"I shattered his throat," Skye said calmly. "No calling for help."
"And with that hit to his abdomen… he should be—"
Lightning exploded in her face.
Riven had fired point-blank.
The force sent her sliding back, giving him space.
He dropped to one knee, gasping.
"It hurts to breathe…" he thought. "I don't think I can win this…"
He glanced toward Luka.
"I need to get him out…"
But he already knew.
She was too fast.
Then—
A strange, soothing feeling spread through his body.
[Passive Effect: Mana Body
Heals 1 HP every 30 seconds]
His throat slowly began repairing itself.
Not enough.
But something.
"I guess humans aren't all that," Skye said, stepping forward, looking down at him. "Bad."
A small smile formed.
"I do have to kill you… but you look—and smell—kind of cute."
Riven's eyes sharpened.
"She's underestimating me."
That was his chance.
He bent his legs—
[ -7 Mana ]
Speed surged.
25.
He vanished forward.
Skye raised her guard—
Too late.
He slipped past it.
[ -7 Mana ]
Strength surged.
25.
His fist slammed into her ribs.
Crack.
She felt them break.
Her counter came too slow—
Another strike—
This time to the back of her head.
Her vision blurred.
Her body collapsed.
Silence filled the library.
Skye hit the ground—
Unconscious.
Riven huffed, breathing heavily as he looked down at the girl.
"See…" he said between breaths, a faint grin forming, "and you thought you were tough—"
Before he could finish, his body gave out.
Riven collapsed forward, falling directly on top of her, unconscious.
A few minutes later, Luka stirred.
He pushed himself up slowly, his vision clearing as he looked around the library. Blood stained the floor. Shelves were knocked over.
And both Riven… and the girl… were out cold.
Luka didn't need an explanation.
"Riven—"
He rushed over, dropping to his knees and pressing his ear against Riven's chest.
A heartbeat.
He let out a breath.
"Okay… good."
Then his eyes shifted to the girl.
"Now what am I going to do about you…"
He glanced around the room… then toward one of the chairs.
An idea formed.
—
An hour passed.
Riven's eyes slowly opened.
His head throbbed as he pushed himself upright, groggy. His vision adjusted—and immediately locked onto a pair of glowing red eyes staring straight at him.
He flinched.
Then calmed.
Skye was tied to a chair.
Hardened blood wrapped around her arms and body, binding her in place. More covered her mouth, sealing it shut.
"Finally awake, huh?"
Luka stepped into view, offering a hand.
"Yeah…" Riven muttered, taking it as he stood up.
Both of them turned toward her.
"So… what are we doing about her?"
"We're asking questions," Luka said.
With a flick of his hand, the blood covering her mouth peeled away and returned to him.
Skye inhaled sharply.
"Damn it… I'm too weak right now. I need blood…"
Her eyes flicked between the two of them… then down at her restraints.
"How is a lesser blood using blood abilities already…? He shouldn't be able to do that until after he evolves into a full vampire… Is it Lord Rohin's blood?"
"Speak," Luka said, his tone sharp. "Who are you, and why are you here?"
Skye glared.
"I'm not telling you anything… not while a human is here."
Her eyes shifted toward Riven.
Riven sighed and stepped forward calmly.
"Look… you tried to kill us. I don't know why—but you did. And you failed."
He crouched slightly, meeting her eyes.
"So tell me… what do you think happens when they find out you failed?"
Her expression tightened.
"What do you think they'll do to your partner… if you have one? Or your family?"
"…Tch."
She clicked her tongue.
He hit it perfectly.
"Fine!" she snapped. "My name is Skye. I was sent here by my father… and my lord."
"Lord?" Luka's eyes lit up instantly.
"Why does your lord want us dead?" Riven asked, far less excited.
"He doesn't," Skye said. "I just wanted to make my job easier."
"What do you mean?" Luka asked.
"What I'm doing is illegal in the vampire world," she explained. "I'm going behind my king's back for my leader. If the king finds out, my lord will be fine… but me and my family? We're dead."
Her eyes hardened.
"So I tried to make it quick. I was going to take you—" she nodded at Luka, "—and send you to the vampire world using a teleporter my lord gave me."
She glanced at Riven.
"But I didn't expect him to follow."
Riven raised a hand and flipped her off.
"There, you stay," she continued. "And my lord gets what he wants."
"But why is Riven a problem?" Luka asked. "You could've just asked. I would've gone with you."
"If I did that," Skye snapped, "I'd be breaking another rule. Humans can't know about vampires. If they do… they die."
Silence.
"I'm sorry," she added quieter. "But your friend has to."
"No I don't," Riven said casually.
They both looked at him.
"Because I'm not human. That Nyx guy said I'm a fairy or something."
Skye's eyes widened.
"You met my father?"
"That's your dad?" both boys said at once.
She exhaled slowly.
"…Fine. If my father let you live, then there's a reason. I won't question it."
Luka released the restraints.
"Just like that?" Skye asked.
Riven shrugged.
"Yeah. I mean, even if you try something, we're both on guard. And I already beat you."
"Overconfident, aren't we?" she said, raising a brow. "You caught me off guard. And I was holding back."
"So… can we go?" Luka asked eagerly. "I really want to meet this guy."
"That 'guy' is my lord," Skye snapped. "Show some respect."
Luka backed up slightly.
"S-sorry."
"Fine," she sighed. "If you want to go that badly, we can—"
She moved to tap her ring—
—but Riven grabbed her wrist.
"No."
"What? Why?" Luka asked.
"That portal," Riven said, looking at Skye. "How does it work?"
Skye looked at him, slightly annoyed, but answered anyway.
"It's not based on time," she said. "I decide how many people can go through it before I activate it."
Riven's grip tightened slightly.
"And then?"
"The moment that number is reached…" she continued, her voice steady, "the portal collapses and destroys itself. No one else gets through. No way back."
Luka's excitement faded just a bit.
"So if you set it for one person…"
"Then only one person makes it," Skye replied.
Riven nodded slowly.
"…Yeah. That's a problem."
He turned to Luka.
"It's a one-way trip."
Luka's smile slowly faded, his expression turning serious.
"Luka," Riven said, more firmly now, "let me break it down simply. Leave the people you've known your whole life… or go with your last blood relative and most likely stay there forever."
"…Not yet," Luka said immediately. "I'm not leaving you guys behind. Not until I feel like you truly don't need me anymore."
Riven nodded.
"Good."
"…So what are we doing about the mess here?" Skye asked, looking around at the blood and broken shelves.
"We can just leave," Riven said, turning. "No one comes here anyway—"
"Wait."
He stopped.
"What?"
Skye looked down, poking her fingers together slightly.
"I… need blood."
"What?"
"I need blood," she said louder.
The boys looked at each other—
Then laughed.
"What's funny?!" she snapped.
"You tried to kill me… and now you're asking for help," Riven said, grinning.
He held out his arm.
"Come on. Get your fill."
She frowned—but stepped forward.
Her fingers brushed his arm.
Her teeth shifted into fangs.
Then—
She bit down.
Riven sucked in a sharp breath as her fangs pierced his skin.
Warm blood flowed into her mouth.
It was different.
Sweet.
Addictive.
She pulled back quickly.
"…Thank you."
She glanced up—and froze slightly.
Riven's face was flushed.
So was hers.
"We'll talk later—got it?" she said quickly, turning away.
"…Okay," Riven said weakly.
"Oh brother, come on," Luka sighed, tossing him a rag.
"I grabbed this from the cafeteria."
He nodded toward the blood on the floor.
"We can't just leave it."
"Yeah, yeah…" Riven muttered, crouching down to clean.