The Vampire Summoner: Lord of Shadows

Chapter 2: A Lord's Hunger

The dark forest stretched endlessly before Akira and his new companion, the shadow wolf. As they walked, Akira's mind churned with questions. Where was he? What was this system? And why had he been turned into a vampire?

The system voice interrupted his thoughts:

[System Overview Unlocked. Would you like a detailed explanation?]

"About time. Yes, give me everything," Akira said, stopping to lean against a tree.

[Host: Draven Nightshade (Default Name Assigned)]

[Race: Vampire (Fledgling)]

[Abilities: Shadow Summoning, Vampiric Regeneration, Enhanced Senses]

[Current Summons: Shadow Wolf (Tier 1)]

[Tasks: Survive and grow stronger. Ultimate goal: Ascend as a Vampire Lord.]

Draven frowned. "Fledgling, huh? So, I'm bottom-tier for now. Great."

The system continued:

[Warning: Vampires require sustenance to maintain strength. Hunger will lead to a loss of control.]

"Yeah, I figured that out," he muttered, wiping his lips where the wolf's blood had stained them earlier.

Before he could ask more questions, the shadow wolf perked up, its ears twitching. A low growl rumbled in its throat.

"What is it?" Draven whispered.

The wolf turned its glowing red eyes toward a cluster of trees ahead. Draven followed its gaze, his enhanced senses kicking in. He smelled something—blood, human blood.

He moved silently through the underbrush, the wolf following closely. As they neared, the scene became clear: a small group of humans—hunters—was huddled around a campfire. Their weapons gleamed in the firelight, and one of them tended to a fresh wound on his leg.

"Adventurers," Draven muttered. The system chimed in:

[Humans provide optimal sustenance. Feeding on them will restore health and strengthen abilities.]

His fangs throbbed at the suggestion, but he hesitated. These people weren't monsters; they were just surviving, like him.

"Do I really want to start my new life by killing people?" he whispered to himself.

The shadow wolf let out a low growl, clearly ready to pounce. Draven placed a hand on its head, signaling it to wait.

Then one of the hunters spoke. "Damn monsters are getting bolder. We barely made it out of that cave alive."

Another nodded. "We need to warn the village. If that vampire's still alive, we're all screwed."

Draven's blood froze. They know about me?

His hesitation vanished. If these hunters reported back, he'd be hunted before he had a chance to grow stronger.

"I'm sorry," he whispered, stepping into the firelight.

The hunters jumped to their feet, weapons drawn. "Who's there?!" one barked.

Draven raised his hands in mock surrender. "Just someone passing through."

"Stay back!" the wounded hunter shouted, aiming a crossbow.

Draven sighed. "I was going to let you go, but you've seen me now. I can't take that risk."

The hunters didn't get a chance to respond. With a gesture, the shadow wolf leaped from the darkness, sinking its teeth into the crossbowman. Chaos erupted as Draven moved faster than the eye could follow, disarming another hunter and tossing him into a tree.

The fight was brief. The hunters were no match for a vampire, even a fledgling one.

As the last hunter fell, Draven knelt by the wounded man, his fangs gleaming. "I wish things were different," he said before sinking his teeth into the man's neck.

Warmth and power surged through him as the hunter's life drained away. The hunger that had gnawed at him finally subsided, replaced by a rush of energy.

[Congratulations. Host has leveled up.]

[New Ability Unlocked: Shadow Step.]

Draven stood, wiping his mouth. His shadow wolf returned to his side, its fur stained with blood.

"Shadow Step, huh?" he muttered. He focused, and in an instant, he vanished, reappearing several feet away. A grin spread across his face. "This could be useful."

He turned back to the campfire, the bodies of the hunters now motionless. "I didn't choose this life," he said softly, "but I'll do whatever it takes to survive."

As the fire burned low, Draven and his wolf melted into the shadows, leaving the clearing empty except for the flickering flames and the scent of blood.