Alfred raced through the dense forest, his heart pounding in his chest like the beat of a war drum. There were towering ancient trees that arched overhead, their colossal trunks wrapped in gnarled roots that resembled serpentine coils across the forest floor. 

 

Moonlight filtered through the dense canopy, casting an eerie silver glow upon the foliage. Many leaves rustled above and around him, their whispers serving as a constant reminder of the hidden perils concealed in the shadows.

 

The air carried the heavy, earthy scent of damp soil and decomposing leaves, mixed with the sweet fragrance of blooming nightflowers. Within the forest, a symphony of creatures, both magical and mundane, filled the air with their sounds. Chirping insects provided a steady background hum, and the occasional, familiar, hoot of an owl echoed through the trees.

 

As he sprinted through the labyrinthine paths, Alfred's senses remained on high alert. His footsteps were muffled by a carpet of fallen leaves and moss-covered rocks. In the distance, growls and eerie calls of unidentified creatures served as reminders of the forest's perilous nature. Shadows played tricks on his mind as he raced deeper into the heart of the forest, determination in his heart to evade pursuers and find safety in this enchanted yet treacherous realm.

 

As Alfred desperately sprinted through the forest, the deafening clash of battle suddenly shattered the stillness of the night. He skidded to a halt, his heart pounding, and concealed himself behind the gnarled roots of an ancient tree. In an eerie, moonlit clearing ahead, two colossal creatures engaged in a battle that defied imagination.

 

To his left stood the mighty Fengraven, its striking form bathed in the silver moonlight. This majestic creature was covered in shimmering azure scales, and it crackled with the power of lightning. It harnessed this power to send bolts of electricity arcing through the air toward its opponent. Its eyes glowed with an otherworldly intelligence as it lunged and struck with lightning-fast precision. 

 

"Holy shit!" Alfred completely lost his composure. Despite all the strange things he'd witnessed since his transmigration, the sight of an otherworldly creature hurling lightning arcs like pebbles, as a child might, brought him back to the unbelievable reality he now lived.

 

Facing off against Fengraven was the formidable Pyroclad, a creature of fire and stone. Pyroclad was a hulking behemoth with skin that resembled molten magma, radiating intense heat, and breath that could melt rock and metal. It swung its massive, stone-crushing tail with earth-shattering force, sending shockwaves through the forest floor.

 

Alfred watched in awe and fear as these two titanic beings clashed in a battle of elemental forces. "What on earth! What are these creatures? If they find me, I'm dead. What if there are more?" The thought sent shivers down his spine.

 

The forest was illuminated by dazzling displays of elemental power. Bolts of azure lightning and streams of molten lava painted the night with vivid hues. The two creatures moved with deadly grace, their colossal forms clashing with magnificent and terrifying beauty. Sparks and embers filled the air, creating a mesmerizing and dangerous dance of light, exposing Alfred's frame.

 

"Oh no!" The youngster shrank back behind a large leaf, praying that he wasn't sighted. "This... This is too much. What on earth are those things?" Despite his fear, Alfred poked his head out to continue watching the fight.

 

The roars of the battling creatures were deafening, reverberating through the forest like thunderclaps. Alfred could hear the sizzling of burning trees and the crashing of boulders as the two giants clashed. The forest creatures, normally silent at this hour, joined in with their frightened calls and rustling leaves, adding to the cacophony of the battle.

 

The added commotion was too much for our young protagonist, making his heart beat even faster to the point where he couldn't distinguish between the individual heartbeats. Alfred completely forgot his pursuers in front of the greater, more imminent danger.

 

The air was thick with the scent of burning wood and singed earth. The acrid tang of smoke and the metallic odor of scorched scales and molten rock filled Alfred's nostrils, creating a potent mixture of destruction and elemental fury that hung heavily in the air. 

 

The youth's senses were overwhelmed by the intensity of the battle, and he knew he was witnessing something extraordinary and dangerous. He dared not make a sound, fearing that the slightest noise could draw the attention of these fantastical creatures.

 

"I need to get out of here!" Alfred made his decision. As soon as the battle died down, he would find the path of least resistance and head back. Even if his survival was unlikely behind the comfort of the inner walls, it was less likely out here with these behemoths.  

 

But as the battle raged on, it became evident that Fengraven, despite its majestic prowess, was outmatched by the searing might of Pyroclad. Alfred watched in awe and trepidation as the clash of titans reached its devastating climax.

 

The night sky, previously shrouded in darkness, was now illuminated by the blazing inferno that engulfed Fengraven. The majestic bird-like creature fought valiantly against the relentless onslaught of Pyroclad's flames, its once radiant feathers now charred and crumbling into ash.

 

The symphony of destruction reached a crescendo. The roars of the battling creatures reverberated like thunder, shaking the very ground beneath Alfred's feet. The scorching flames emitted a constant, ominous hiss, punctuated by the explosive bursts of Pyroclad's fire attacks. It was as if the forest itself groaned in protest, the trees creaking and swaying in response to the elemental turmoil.

 

With one final cry, Fengraven succumbed to its injuries. The air was heavy with the acrid stench of burning feathers, scorched scales, and charred wood. The overpowering scent of smoke and singed earth permeated Alfred's senses, causing his eyes to water and his throat to burn. It was a pungent reminder of the destructive forces at play. 

 

The youngster's heart palpitated wildly as he watched the magnificent Fengraven succumb to Pyroclad's relentless assault. Alfred strangely felt a profound sense of awe and sadness, witnessing the fall of such a majestic creature.

 

There was also an undercurrent of fear, knowing that he was in the presence of powers far beyond his comprehension. It was a reminder of the perilous nature of the world beyond Shadow Peaks, where even the most formidable creatures could meet their fiery end.

 

Suddenly, Pyroclad let out a devastated cry to the heavens and succumbed to its injuries right after securing victory. Just as the youth was turning to head back, he suddenly felt a surge of courage, realizing that the object of his fear lay deceased only a couple of meters ahead of him.

 

With cautious and hesitant steps, Alfred approached the aftermath of the titanic battle that had unfolded before him. His timidity was palpable, but with each step, his confidence grew as he ventured closer to the fallen giants.

 

The young Vesperan would have been well on his way back if it weren't for the shimmering red hue amidst the nightmarish tableau of burnt debris and charred flesh—the remnants of the epic clash between the two beasts. Alfred's eyes were inexorably drawn to the scintillating crimson trails of blood that stained the forest floor, weaving a haunting tapestry of death and destruction. 

 

The air was heavy with the acrid remnants of burnt feathers, scales, and flesh, mixed with the lingering scent of smoke and scorched earth. It created a nauseating cocktail of odors. However, the sweet metallic tang of blood hung in the air, beckoning Alfred with open arms. It overwhelmed him, and he lost control, falling into a state of ecstasy.

 

[Rank C Blood Detected.

Would The User Like To Drain The Victim?

Yes/No]

 

[Rank C+ Blood Detected.

Would The User Like To Drain The Victim?

Yes/No]

 

"Yes!" Alfred blurted out without hesitation, he’d been plagued by an impulse to kill ever since his Shakti levels had bottomed out. The youngster was beginning to understand his Vesperan side; there was an innate energy inside him that felt hungry, just like him, and needed to be fed. However, it also supplied him with a burst of vitality and strength as long as his Shakti was sufficient.

 

Alfred's mouth hung open wide, filling with an almost infinite fountain of thick, red blood. Every particle of blood in the scorched soil and debris around him seemed to rise into the air and pour into the boy's mouth as if materializing from nothingness. 

 

As the child tasted the iron-rich torrent flooding his senses, he could only mutter in stunned disbelief, "What... What is this amazing feeling?" 

 

Alfred was going through an intense transformation and was experiencing sensations unlike anything he'd ever felt before. The strange infusion of blood coursing through his veins brought forth a powerful heat as if his very core was being altered and reshaped. 

 

His body trembled and quivered as the cells within him shifted and changed, evolving him from a simple Dhampir to that of a High Dhampir - an entity possessing unknown powers. A moan escaped his lips as this profound transformation took hold.

 

The 8-year-old boy, now 2 inches taller, had his senses heightened to new levels, allowing him to perceive the world in vivid detail. Every rustle of leaves, every flutter of a bird's wings, and every distant whisper became crystal clear. 

 

His strength surged, and he felt as if he could effortlessly lift boulders. His agility and speed surpassed anything he had ever imagined. The youth now felt more powerful, as if his very word were law.

 

Amidst this transformation, Alfred couldn't help but feel a strange mix of awe and trepidation. As the feelings of change subsided, his curiosity piqued. Alfred had to know. He shouted out, “Stats,” with anticipation.

 

[Name: Alfred

Species: High Dhampir  

Mana: 100MP 

Shakti: 100SP

Strength: 20 

Speed: 20

Defense: 20

SP: 10]

 

All his stats had risen to a minimum of 20, a significant improvement from the single digits. Alfred now possessed a hundred each of Mana and Shakti. The youngster was eager to test his newfound strength by sprinting through the forest. 

 

After receiving 10SP, he allocated 9SP to his stats.

 

[Strength: 23 

Speed: 23

Defense: 23]

 

"I better cool it," Alfred reminded himself. "I need to conserve my energy for the fight that lies ahead."

 

As Alfred retraced his steps from the outer forest toward the west gate of Shadow Peaks, caution became his closest companion. The memory of the intense battle between Pyroclad and Fengraven was fresh in his mind, and he knew better than to underestimate the dangers that lurked in these mystical woods.

 

He moved with the stealth of a shadow, placing each step carefully to avoid rustling leaves or snapping twigs. His senses were on high alert, picking up every subtle sound—the chirping of nocturnal creatures, the whispering breeze, and the occasional howl of a beast. Moonlight filtered through the dense canopy, casting an eerie glow on the forest floor.

 

With every cautious step, he drew closer to the west gate, the scent of earth and damp moss filling his nostrils. The journey that had started with him as a timid youth had now transformed him into a High Dhampir, and he was determined to make it safely back to the safety of Shadow Peaks, leaving the mystical forest and its dangerous inhabitants behind.

 

……

 

The city gates were eerily quiet in the early morning as Alfred approached the path leading to the inner walls. From a distance, he noticed that two new guards had replaced the ones from last night. He approached them cautiously, hoping to bribe his way in and avoid any blood checks for Vesperans. 

 

As he got closer, he thought to himself, "If they refuse, there's always plan B," secretly gripping the pommel of his hidden digger within his cloak.

 

As the youngster nervously crept closer to the guards, he was lost in his thoughts, distracted by the risky task ahead. In his daze, his next step inadvertently triggered a hidden magic circle, sending a sudden shockwave coursing up his spine to his brainstem. Alfred was instantly stunned, his body frozen in place. Before he could even react, he saw shadowy figures emerging from the darkness behind the guards.

 

Panic gripped him as his vision blurred, and he felt consciousness slipping away. In his final moments of awareness, regret flooded his mind. "Ah, why didn't I use the Troglodyte Aging Ointment?" he sighed inwardly, disappointed in his frugality as the mysterious figures closed in.