His sensitive ears folded back as he pressed both palms to his fluffy ears. The sound pierced his ear drums and soon everything became silent as Gavin struggled to keep one eye open on the beast in front of him.
Veronica, what is he doing? Gavin winced and pressed his palm to his temple, gritting his teeth. Every muscle in his body was frozen, unable to move while the shriek continued on. The walls themselves trembled from the power of the cry.
I believe it is a skill like your Hunter's Howl. It appears to be meant to paralyze prey for easier consumption. Veronica's words came filled with worry as Gavin kept one eye open while the Vampire Lord continued his screeching cry.
The purple miasma-like mana filled every inch of the room, invading Gavin's lungs and senses. Gavin doubled over, coughing as he attempted to inhale clean air.
Another blue screen appeared in Gavin's vision as his eyes burned and tears flowed freely.
Alert. Poison magic detected. Bonus quest received. To survive this challenge, devour the Vampire Lord's heart within five minutes before the Poison magic kills you. Reward will be an instant level up and a strong resistance to Vampyrism and Poison Magic will be attained.
Alert. Through battle you have gained valuable experience in fighting past your limits. New skill acquired. The Overdrive Skill.
When using the Overdrive skill, all attribute's when shifted into a Were-Wolf form will be tripled. This includes Health and Mana. Mana costs for all spells will be cut in half. Intimidate and Charm attributes will also be affected. It lasts thirty minutes. Side effects include severe stamina and mana exhaustion after use.
Message after message popped up in Gavin's vision. With so much information his stomach was in knots. Damn, this is killing my head.
One thing stood out. A new skill.
Gavin grinned in anticipation. A new skill, quest rewards, and a path forward.
Gavin's blood began to race as his adrenaline spiked. He focused on his mana and felt it rise to his command. Thick, red circles of energy enveloped his body.
Like the feeling when he practiced the water magic at camp, he focused on the image of multiple rings of energy that encircled him in a protective layer. Each one a thin, harnessed blade of energy around him.
Would you like to take the risk and use the overdrive skill? Veronica's voice was filled with a sarcastic tone.
Hell yes. Let's kick some undead ass.
Gavin gave the Vampire Lord a toothy grin.
Gavin felt a surge of unimaginable power course through his Were-Wolf body. His muscles bulged and strained with newfound strength as the Vampire stopped his shrieking. It didn't have any lingering effect on Gavin's psyche.
He clicked his long fingernails against his bone throne in distaste. "You should be a quivering mess at my feet by now. How is it you have such confidence?" The Vampire Lord's voice was filled with curiosity.
Gavin's smirk was his only response.
The countdown began.
He crouched low; the muscles in his legs tightening like a coil spring as he shot forward. The ground beneath his feet cracked and cratered as Gavin raced towards his prey.
The Vampire Lord barely managed to turn to the side and avoided Gavin's outstretched claws that would have pierced through his chest. Though the Vampire Lord managed to avoid the outstretched claws, he did not manage to dodge the linger circles of red mana that burrowed into his chest.
The Vampire Lord howled in fury at the pain in his chest. The strikes were like fire against his skin as his blood ran down his pale body.
He spun to the side and intended to strike Gavin's side with a fist hardened with the purple mana infused poison.
But Gavin was faster.
The wolf's claws dug into the stone and jumped to the side as he quickly ran up the pillar. He paused towards the top and shoved his claws into the stone as he looked down at the Vampire Lord.
"What the hell?" The Vampire Lord shouted as he instead formed a ball of poison and launched it at Gavin.
"Too slow fanger!" Gavin's laughter filled the Vampire Lords ears as he jumped off the pillar and flew to land behind him. The Vampire Lord spun. He used his enhanced speed to throw a quick backhand and connected with nothing but air as Gavin was once again a black blur to his eyes.
"Is running all you know how to do?!" The Vampire Lord shrieked as he continuously threw out balls of poison towards Gavin. Every one of them impacted harmlessly against the walls or floor.
Gavin laughed maliciously at the newfound power that was coursing through his veins. The sound echoed throughout the halls.
It was intoxicating.
His animal instincts were surging with renewed life and energy in his body in response to the overdrive skill. He was larger, faster, and it was glorious.
Gavin focused on his mana and filled his body with even more energy.
A memory flashed through Gavin's mind.
Astrid, at the entrance. Cold. Calculating. "Magic doesn't work well on Vampires wolf. Don't forget it."
That was fine with him. He preferred getting his claws bloody.
He watched with satisfaction as the Vampire was barely able to follow Gavin's movements with his own eyes as he ran circles around the pale undead creature. Gavin waited until he turned his back and charged back in.
"Predictable welp!" The Vampire Lord shouted as he turned around and grabbed Gavin's shoulder. The Vampire opened his mouth wide and quickly bit down on Gavin's fur covered shoulder.
Alert. Paralyzing agent in the Vampire Lord's saliva detected. You do not have much time to break free. Veronica's urgent warning filled Gavin's mind.
Gavin screamed out in pain and rage as the Vampire sank its fangs into the meat of his shoulder. His blood instantly burned while the Vampire Lord held onto him tight, drinking his fill.
"Gross, get the hell off me!" Gavin roared, yet his mind clouded. His limbs grew heavy and slow to respond as his heart rate began to slow.
He was losing blood way to fast.
The beast began to drink. The smell of blood and sweat filled Gavin's nostrils as the undead lord pulled Gavin's head to the side and bared his bloody fangs at him.
"Mmmmm. You taste so sweet. It's been a while since I had someone so delicious." The Vampire Lord sneered as he licked one of his fangs and leaned in, biting down on Gavin's neck to continue feeding.
Gavin could barely register those words as his arms fell limply by his side. Damn it! I can't move. Gavin struggled mentally. Neither his mind and his body, responded as it should.
Alert. Two minutes remain for the bonus objective. Gavin, you have to snap out of it! If you don't, you will never gain the power to protect Erza! Veronica screamed in Gavin's mind. Her voice filled with worry and concern as she watched everything unfold.
Those words broke through to the core of Gavin's being. I will fail to protect Erza? I… Will fail to protect my mate? That sentence shook him through to his soul.
His mind went blank. Dark. His vision narrowed in focus and the room around quieted into a stillness that was unnerving.
Gavin felt something ancient and primal grow inside of him.
The feeling swelled in his heart. Then it moved quickly as his blood was pouring out into the Vampire Lord's mouth. His entire body shook violently in the arms of the Vampire Lord. Without warning, his mana exploded out around him in a powerful burst.
A dark, crimson red mist filled the entire throne room as Gavin roared to the heavens. The ferocity of his roar, infused with the last vestiges of his mana shook the foundation of the throne room. Chandeliers rattled, chains clanged against the walls, and dust fell from the ceiling.
A violent gale swept through the throne room. It threw tables, chairs, and even the bodies of the dead Vampires already slain around like rag dolls. The Vampire Lord had no choice but to release Gavin, blood covering his face as he grimaced
Gavin stood in the center of the throne room as he felt unimaginable power coursing through his veins. Words formed in his mind as he struggled to maintain control over his surging mana.
"I am the Alpha Wolf that was foretold. I am the one that will bring either ruin or salvation to the world! All will know my name and tremble!" Gavin's roar of fury sent a shockwave of pure mana out in all directions.
Gavin didn't know where those words came from, but they felt familiar and old to him; like he had heard them long ago in the past.
The Vampire Lord was thrown against a nearby pillar with a loud groan and his wings were twisted at an unnatural angle. The wounds on Gavin's shoulder and neck were soon healed up thanks to his Were-Wolf healing skill. The stamina drain wasn't even felt thanks to his Overdrive.
Gavin felt like a part of him was unlocked at the mention of failing to protect Erza, of failing to protect his mate. This was another level of power that he never dreamed of accessing.
Alert. You have realized part of your ancestral heritage as an Alpha Shifter and claimed the birthright of your blood. The first Limiter on the AI system has been removed. Congratulations Master Gavin. Now feast on that bastard's heart. Veronica informed him, pride in her tone as she witnessed him harnessing the power that lie dormant in his heritage.
Gavin stood there. His mind was simultaneously fuzzy and clear as his wounds quickly healed. He lifted his arms, examining the wounds that were quickly repairing. The skin knitted close, the fur regrowing in place. Not even a scar remained, except for the throbbing bite on his shoulder from the Vampire Lord.
His eyes burned with a vibrant red as he glared at the Vampire Lord. "I think I should thank you." His words were a rumble of confidence as he strode forward. His mana still exploded out from him in chaotic waves as the storm increased in its intensity to a powerful hurricane, with Gavin as the eye of the storm.
The Vampire Lord struggled against the magic but was unable to do anything as Gavin walked towards him. "What in the hell are you?" His voice trembled slightly as he witnessed what he could only consider walking death stalk towards him.
It felt like an avatar of Thanarion himself stalked him.
Gavin let out a bitter bark of a laugh. "Hell if I know. Right now, the only answer I have, is I'm royally pissed off that you bit me." Gavin's cold reply made the Vampire Lord pale even more, if that were even possible.
Before the Vampire Lord could reply, Gavin thrust his hand into the chest cavity of the undead lord. The Vampire let out a shocked gasp as he looked down to see Gavin's black fur shoved through his now broken ribs. "Wait. Don't." He tried to protest as Gavin withdrew his arm and held the still beating heart of the Vampire Lord in his hand.
Gavin hesitated as he sniffed the heart and then sneezed while he shook his head. The putrid odor of death and rotted flesh filled his nose. He opened his jaws and started to chomp down on the blackened heart. Black blood poured down Gavin's jaws as he finished and swallowed the meal.
Alert. Quest completed. Kill the Vampire Lord dungeon boss. Reward. Instant level up. Reward. Instant skill level up. Five free stat points awarded.
Alert. Bonus objective completed. Conquer the floor without becoming enthralled by the enemy. Reward. One elixir of restoration.
Alert. Second bonus objective completed. Devoured the heart of the Vampire Lord in the allotted time. Rewards. Resistance to poison elemental magic and Vampyrism gained. Instant level up received. Due to the new resistance to Vampyrism, the effects of the Vampire Lord's bite are now being negated.
Total rewards obtained. Two instant level ups. Ten free stat points. One elixir of restoration. Resistance to poison magic and Vampyrism.
Congratulations. Now you are level seven.
Multiple messages came one after the other after Gavin killed the Vampire Lord. He stood there above the body of his defeated foe. He focused on his mana and conjured a ball of flame in the palm of his hand. He pointed it towards the Vampire Lord's remains and fired the spell, incinerating the body. "No one takes a chunk out of my shoulder and lives." Gavin repeated grimly as he continued the stream of concentrated flame.
"Now where are my so-called guides at?"