The ruins lay silent under the moonlight.
A cold wind swept across the broken stone, carrying with it a faint metallic scent.
Ethan Carter stood beside the stone platform, his eyes fixed on Allen.
Something was changing.
Allen's breathing had slowed, but not in a good way. His chest barely moved, and the dark veins around his wound had spread further, crawling up toward his neck like living shadows.
The woman pressed her palm firmly against his forehead, her brows tightly furrowed.
"It's getting worse," she said quietly.
Ethan's heart tightened. "I thought you said you could suppress it."
"I am," she replied, her voice strained. "But the curse is stronger than I expected."
A faint tremor ran through Allen's body.
Then—
His eyes snapped open.
But they were no longer human.
A dim blue glow flickered within them.
Ethan froze.
"Allen…?"
A low growl escaped Allen's throat.
His fingers twitched violently, nails pressing into the stone beneath him, leaving shallow scratches.
The woman's expression changed instantly.
"Step back!"
Ethan didn't move.
"Ethan!" she snapped sharply.
That moment of hesitation—
Was enough.
Allen suddenly jerked upright with unnatural speed, his hand shooting out and grabbing Ethan's collar.
The strength—
Was terrifying.
Ethan was pulled forward before he could react.
"Allen! It's me!"
But Allen didn't respond.
His eyes burned with that cold blue light.
His lips trembled slightly—
Then his mouth opened.
Fangs.
Sharp, unnatural fangs.
Ethan's mind went blank.
In the next second—
Allen lunged.
Instinct took over.
Ethan twisted his body, barely avoiding the bite. He slammed his shoulder forward, knocking Allen off balance.
"Snap out of it!"
Allen let out a feral roar and charged again.
Faster.
Stronger.
Ethan barely had time to react.
He raised his arm to block—
Pain exploded.
Allen's teeth tore into his forearm.
"Damn it—!"
Ethan gritted his teeth, refusing to cry out.
Warm blood spilled down his arm.
Time seemed to slow.
A strange sensation spread from the wound.
Cold.
Then burning.
Something—
Was moving inside his blood.
Ethan's vision blurred.
Then sharpened.
The world changed.
He could hear everything—
The wind.
The woman's heartbeat.
Allen's breathing.
Even the faint movement of leaves far beyond the ruins.
"What… is this…?"
Allen released him and staggered back, growling.
Ethan stood there, breathing heavily.
His heart pounded—
But not with fear.
With power.
He looked down at his bleeding arm.
For a brief moment—
His blood shimmered under the moonlight.
Silver.
The woman's eyes widened.
"Impossible…"
Allen lunged again.
But this time—
Ethan moved first.
Faster.
Cleaner.
He sidestepped the attack effortlessly, his body reacting before his mind could catch up.
His hand shot forward—
Grabbing Allen's wrist mid-strike.
Allen struggled.
But Ethan didn't move.
Not even an inch.
Strength surged through his body like a tidal wave.
"Allen… stop."
His voice was low.
Steady.
For a split second—
Allen hesitated.
The blue glow in his eyes flickered.
The woman seized the moment.
She stepped in, her dagger flashing.
But instead of striking—
She cut her own palm.
Blood dripped onto Allen's forehead.
A faint silver glow spread.
Allen's body stiffened.
Then—
He collapsed.
Silence returned.
Ethan slowly released his grip, staring at his own hand.
His breathing gradually steadied.
But his heart still raced.
The power—
Was still there.
The woman looked at him, her gaze no longer calm.
"What are you?" she asked quietly.
Ethan didn't answer.
Because he didn't know.
He only knew one thing.
Something inside him—
Had awakened.
And whatever it was—
It was not human.
The wind howled softly through the ruins.
Under the moonlight—
A new hunter had been born.