For the first time in what felt like forever, Ethan settled into something resembling a routine. A week had passed since his battle with Abomination, and while the world speculated about him, he remained focused on his own path—training, investigating the Cyttorak crystal, hunting supernatural creatures, and keeping an eye on Peter Parker, who had also been bitten by the spider on that fateful day.
Day 1: Refining Control
On a secluded rooftop under the pale light of the moon, Ethan extended his hand, summoning tendrils of blood that hardened into razor-sharp spikes. With a flick of his wrist, they launched forward, embedding themselves into a concrete wall before retracting back into liquid form. The air was cool, but his body radiated heat, the remnants of his training still coursing through him.
His control had improved, but there were still gaps in his technique. The fight with Abomination had exposed weaknesses—reaction time, endurance, and an upper limit to his constructs. If he was going to push the Crimson Code to its full potential, he needed to train smarter, not just harder.
"Focus," he muttered to himself, his amber eyes narrowing as he summoned another wave of blood tendrils. They swirled around him like living serpents, their edges glinting in the moonlight. "You're not just a vampire. You're something more."
He clenched his fist, and the tendrils solidified into a massive, jagged blade. With a grunt, he swung it through the air, the force of the motion sending a gust of wind across the rooftop. The blade shattered upon impact with a steel beam, scattering into droplets that reformed into smaller, more precise weapons.
"Better," he said, breathing heavily. "But not enough."
Day 2: The Cyttorak Crystal
Sitting cross-legged in his dimly lit apartment, Ethan held the Cyttorak crystal between his fingers, feeling its immense weight despite its small size. The crystal pulsed faintly, its crimson glow casting eerie shadows on the walls. The moment he focused on it, a deep, ancient voice echoed in his mind.
"You seek power, yet you hesitate. Why?"
Ethan's grip tightened. "Because power without control is destruction."
The crystal pulsed again, stronger this time. A vision overtook him—an endless void of crimson energy, a monstrous figure wreathed in chaos, whispers of dominance and ruin. He felt himself being pulled into something vast and terrible—until another voice cut through the madness.
"Resist, my son."
Ethan's eyes snapped open, his breath coming in ragged gasps. The crystal lay in his palm, its glow dimmed but still present. He set it down carefully, his mind racing. The voice—who was it? And why did it feel so familiar?
He stared at the crystal, his reflection distorted in its crimson surface. "What are you trying to tell me?"
Day 3: Hunting in the Shadows
The city was alive at night, but in its darkest corners, creatures lurked that humans had long stopped believing in. Ethan had been tracking a rogue vampire for hours, his senses sharpening as he followed the scent of blood. The air was thick with the stench of decay, and the faint sound of scurrying rats echoed through the alleyways.
In a forgotten alleyway, he found it—an emaciated creature feasting on an unfortunate victim. Its sunken eyes snapped up to meet his, lips peeling back in a hiss, revealing elongated fangs slick with fresh blood.
"You should have picked a better hunting ground," Ethan said, stepping forward.
The rogue vampire lunged at him, moving with inhuman speed, but Ethan was faster. A crimson spike shot from his palm, impaling the creature mid-air before retracting, flinging it against the wall. The vampire shrieked, writhing, but Ethan was already upon it. He grabbed it by the throat, his own fangs bared.
"Pathetic," he whispered before sinking his teeth in, draining it dry.
A notification appeared before his eyes:
[Crimson Code Milestone Reached: Vampire Predation (Stage 1) – Enhanced absorption of vampire blood unlocked.]
He wiped his mouth, relishing the rush of supernatural energy. Stronger. Faster. Hungrier.
Day 4: Watching Peter Parker
At school, Ethan noticed Peter acting off—his fingers twitching, his movements more erratic, like he wasn't used to his own body. During lunch, Peter nearly crushed his soda can without realizing it.
"You sure you're okay?" Ethan asked, watching him closely.
Peter hesitated. "Yeah, just… weird muscle spasms. Probably stress."
Ethan raised an eyebrow but didn't press further. He knew what was happening—Peter's powers were manifesting. The spider bite had done its work. Part of him wanted to warn Peter, to prepare him for what was coming, but he held back. Some lessons had to be learned the hard way.
Day 5: Testing and Training Hemopyric Manipulation
In an abandoned warehouse, Ethan hovered his hand over a floating sphere of blood, focusing on its temperature. Slowly, it began to heat, turning from a dark red liquid to a boiling mass of crimson steam. The air around him shimmered with heat, and beads of sweat formed on his brow.
"Good," he muttered, his voice strained. "But not enough."
He pushed further, the sphere glowing brighter until it erupted into a burst of fiery energy. The explosion sent him stumbling back, but he couldn't help but grin. His heat manipulation was growing stronger, but it was still unpredictable. He needed more control.
Day 6: Another Hunt
This time, his prey was stronger. The werewolf prowled the outskirts of the city, a savage beast of muscle and fury. Tracking it had been difficult, but when the full moon rose, its scent became unmistakable.
The battle was brutal. The werewolf's claws raked across his chest, tearing fabric and flesh, but Ethan didn't flinch. He retaliated with a jagged spear of blood, impaling its shoulder before twisting the construct into barbed chains, binding the creature in place.
The werewolf howled, straining against the crimson bindings, but Ethan only smirked. "Not so tough now, are you?"
With a flick of his fingers, the chains tightened, cutting into fur and flesh. The beast snarled and thrashed, but Ethan had learned from his previous fights. No wasted movements. No hesitation. He moved in, sinking his fangs into the werewolf's throat.
The hot, potent blood surged through him, unlike anything he had tasted before. Power flooded his veins, muscles tightening, senses sharpening. He let out a slow breath as the lifeless body slumped to the ground.
He was growing stronger.
But so was his hunger.
Day 7: The Path Opens
Just as Ethan was about to drift off to sleep, a surge of energy pulsed through his body. A deep, mechanical voice resonated in his mind:
[The Path of the Unknown is open. You have 24 hours to enter.]
His eyes snapped open, glowing faintly amber. The next challenge had arrived.
And there was no turning back.
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Dear Readers,
I want to take a moment to thank each and every one of you for following Ethan's journey so far. From the moment he awakened to his vampire nature, to his brutal clash with Abomination, to the intricate dance of power he now navigates, your support has been invaluable. Writing this story has been an incredible experience, and knowing that there are readers out there who are as invested in Ethan's path as I am is truly inspiring.
This chapter marks a turning point. Ethan is no longer just surviving—he's evolving. He's mastering his abilities, hunting creatures that would prey on the weak, and testing the limits of his newfound power. But as he grows stronger, so do the challenges ahead. The Path of the Unknown has opened, and with it, we embark on our very first multiversal adventure.
The next chapter will take Ethan beyond the boundaries of this world and into an entirely new realm, one filled with dangers, opportunities, and revelations that will shape him forever. Where will he go? What new powers will he uncover? What threats will he face? One thing is certain—this is only the beginning.
To those who have been here since the start, and to those who have just joined, thank you. Your excitement and feedback mean the world to me. I can't wait to share what's coming next. Buckle up—Ethan's journey is about to take a massive leap forward.
See you in the next chapter!
With gratitude, XinXin