The First Taste of Chi,
Vicky Thorne stood before the chained Disciple (Iron Tier). The man's defiance was gone, replaced by the hollow-eyed terror of someone who had stared into the abyss and seen it stare back. He had revealed everything he knew about the Silent Dragon School, their hierarchy, and their power. He was an exhausted, empty well of information.
"You have served your purpose," Vicky said, his voice devoid of emotion. "Your knowledge has been useful. Now, your energy will be."
The Disciple's eyes widened. "No... please! My Master will—"
Vicky's hand clamped over the man's face, his fangs extending. This wasn't a normal feeding; he was actively commanding the system to consume this new energy source. He bit down, and the Disciple's body went rigid.
It was nothing like drinking the blood of a normal human. It was like inhaling fire. Vicky felt the man's "Chi" — his internal life-force — flooding into him. It was a hot, wild, and refined energy, starkly different from the raw, chaotic blood of monsters. His system flared, analyzing and devouring this new power source. The man withered in seconds, turning to a dry husk before dissolving into dust.
Vicky staggered back, a wave of intense energy washing through him. A series of system prompts flashed in his vision, a cascade of new information.
SYSTEM MESSAGE
Special Energy Source Consumed:
Chi User (Iron Tier)
XP Acquired: +300 XP
New Trait Unlocked (Passive):
Chi Resistance (Basic)
SPECIAL REWARD: Chi-Kill Bonus
Bonus Stat Points Acquired: +2
Item Acquired:
Dungeon Pass: Tier 1 - The Shadow Sewers (One-Time Use)
Vicky's eyes snapped to the new item. It materialized in his hand as a small, smooth stone, cold to the touch and swirling with dark purple energy. "Bonus stats... excellent."
He immediately allocated his new points, feeling the power settle into his frame.
STAT ALLOCATION
1 Point -> Strength (STR) (Total: 12)
1 Point -> Endurance (END) (Total: 10)
"A dungeon..." Vicky mused, examining the stone, the concept immediately familiar from his gaming days.
ITEM:
Dungeon Pass: Tier 1 - The Shadow Sewers
Rank: Low (Tier 1 Monsters: Lvl 1-7)
Party: 5-10 Members.
Description: A one-time use pass to an instanced dungeon. Time within the dungeon is accelerated (12 hours inside = 1 hour outside). Provides significantly increased XP gains and a chance for rare loot.
Warning: Instanced dungeons must be cleared to exit. Death inside is permanent.
Vicky felt a cold, predatory smile cross his face. This was the solution to everything. The Silent Dragon School's weakness was their slow progression. This pass was the key to his exponential growth.
He checked his new status.
VICKY THORNE: TIER STATUS
Tier: 2 - Vampire
Level: 6 (465/1200 XP)
Skills:
Blood Arrow (Lvl 1), Blood Claws (Lvl 2), Blood Shield (Lvl 1)
"Marcus. Elias," Vicky spoke into his comms. "Summon Alpha Squad. To The Vault. Now. We have a new training facility."
The Party
Ten minutes later, his two Lieutenants stood before him in the main chamber, flanked by seven of the strongest Tier 1 - Night Walkers (Lvl 1) from Elias's first recruitment wave. This was the "Alpha Squad," the core of his future enforcement arm, led by the silent and brutal 'Alpha-One'.
They all looked at the swirling, dark stone in his hand with disciplined curiosity.
"This," Vicky said, "is our solution. A private, accelerated training ground. The system calls it a 'dungeon'. It is filled with monsters, and it will be dangerous. But the XP gains will be massive. It is the forge we need to sharpen our 'raw power' into a weapon."
He looked at Elias, who was practically vibrating with the desire to prove his squad's worth. "You will lead Alpha Squad. You will teach them to fight as a unit."
Vicky held the stone. "The pass allows ten members. We are ten. I will formalize our group."
SYSTEM MESSAGE
Forming Party...
Leader: Vicky Thorne (Lvl 6)
Members (9): Marcus Keller (Lvl 5),
Elias Vance (Lvl 5),
Alpha Squad (7 x Lvl 1)
Party XP Distribution:
Proportional
"Perfect," Vicky said. He held the pass aloft. "Activate."
The stone dissolved, and the dark purple energy within it exploded outward, tearing a stable, shimmering hole in the air. It looked like a swirling vortex of liquid night.
"Stick close. Elias, Alpha Squad, front line. Marcus, skirmish. I will support. Do not deviate from the plan. Let's begin."
He stepped through the portal first. His nine followers marched in after him without hesitation.