Creeper gets creeped
After Alex distanced himself from the forest, he remained oblivious to the discerning eyes that scrutinized his blood-soaked form. Jade, recognizing the familiar figure from the entrance exam, couldn't help but question the peculiar circumstances surrounding his presence in the woods at this late hour.
"Isn't that the boy I took the test with? What's he doing out in the forest by this time?" Jade's mind raced with speculation, and a sense of curiosity overcame her as she decided to investigate further. Standing at the midpoint of the path, she observed the aftermath of an unknown episode that had left Alex marked by blood.
Little did Alex know that Jade and her sister Ella had just completed the arduous task of unpacking. The room arrangement that followed was a silent endeavor, punctuated only by the sounds of their individual preferences coming to life within the shared space. Their relationship, far from the stereotypical bond between siblings, was characterized by a complex interplay of expectations and aspirations.
Jade, ever conscious of living up to her sister's standards, approached their relationship with a quiet determination. Ella, on the other hand, harbored ambitions of becoming the best, fueled by the tragic loss of their parents. Her hunger for power, however, teetered on the brink of an obsession, rendering her indifferent to those she deemed weaker.
With their room in order, Ella, the more assertive of the two, announced her departure for training. A brief directive for Jade to secure supplies before curfew accompanied Ella's exit, sealed by a nonchalant wristwatch transaction that transferred credits to Jade's account. As the door closed behind Ella, Jade found herself standing alone in contemplation.
Her path crossed with Alex's as she returned from her shopping excursion. Something about his presence in the forest at this peculiar time triggered Jade's suspicion. Curiosity mingled with a growing sense of unease as she decided to explore the woods, guided solely by the desire to unravel the mystery that seemed to envelop Alex.
Upon entering the forest, what unfolded before Jade was beyond her imagination. Two lifeless bodies lay sprawled on the ground, shrouded in an eerie stillness. Shock and disbelief momentarily paralyzed her as she assessed the situation. Were these casualties the result of Alex's actions?
Cautiously, Jade approached the inert forms, her fingers reaching out to feel the pulse at their necks. The juxtaposition of a rank 1 individual leaving two rank 2s incapacitated baffled her. The intricacies of the scene sparked a flurry of questions, leaving Jade to grapple with the unsettling reality before her. The forest, once a place of quietude, now held secrets that beckoned her to uncover the truth.
After a brisk run, Alex reached his room, cautiously turning the doorknob to avoid waking his roommates. He didn't want any inquiries about the blood staining his body, particularly from Zac, who was blissfully asleep with his back turned.
However, when Alex's gaze fell upon Luis, a sudden freeze gripped him. "The gig is up, I have been caught," he thought, convinced that Luis was staring directly at him. To his relief, a subsequent snore suggested Luis was still deep in slumber. "I thought I was caught," Alex whispered, exhaling the tension. "Tell me who the hell sleeps with their eyes open? What a creep."
Carefully tiptoeing towards the bathroom, he couldn't shake off the discomfort of Luis's unsettling gaze, but he pushed the thought aside.
In the privacy of the bathroom, Alex swiftly showered, washing away the evidence of the night's events. The blood, a macabre reminder of his recent actions, vanished down the drain as he scrubbed diligently.
Post-cleansing, he retreated to his bed, though not particularly sleepy. Curiosity led him to inspect his stats and the newly acquired features.
\[User: Alex Red\]
\[Race: Hatchling\]
\[Berserk Mode: 20%\]
\[Berserk Mode: A state when the user converts rage into energy to empower themselves\]
\[Warning: Do not let the percentage exceed 50%\]
"It's almost like a new skill," he pondered, contemplating periodic checks to manage it. Next on his list was his level.
\[Level: 2\]
\[20 / 200 Exp\]
The increased experience signaled a level-up. Satisfied with the progress, he proceeded to scrutinize his HP and core stats.
\[HP: 15/15\]
\[Note: Every time you evolve, your HP will increase by 5\]
\[Strength: 10\]
\[Agility: 10\]
\[Stamina: 10\]
His HP had indeed increased by 5, a consistent pattern with every evolution. Uncertain about the primary stats, Alex then explored the new feature that allowed him to allocate points. After careful consideration, he opted to enhance his ability, taking advantage of the opportunity to overcome its genetic limitations.
\[Upgrading...\]
\[Congratulations! You have successfully upgraded your ability to "Beast Flames"\]
\[To upgrade your ability again, you will need to evolve once more\]
\[Fire Skills: Fire Drill\]
\[Fire Drill: Enables the user to form flames around their hands and spin at an incredible speed, -5 HP to use this skill\]
Contemplating when the next evolution might occur, Alex acknowledged the addition of a new skill that incurred a 5 HP cost. He closed his eyes, settling into sleep after a long day. Tomorrow marked his first day at Orchid Academy, and he looked forward to testing out his newfound skills.
*****
**[Author's Note:]** *Hi, everyone! 😊 I hope you enjoyed the chapter. Don't forget to vote with power stones and golden tickets – your support is highly appreciated!*