Early the next morning, Jelo woke up to a violent headache.
It felt like someone was hammering directly into his skull, each pulse sending waves of sharp pain radiating through his temples. He groaned, clutching his head with both hands as he forced himself to sit upright. The room spun slightly, and his vision blurred at the edges. Something was wrong—terribly wrong.
"Oh no… no, no, no… please don't let it be what I think it is," he muttered, his voice hoarse and barely above a whisper.
As if responding to his fear, the System interface materialized before him, its glowing text cutting through the dimness of his room like a knife.
**Energy Reserves: Low.
Warning: Critical Energy Levels.
Acquire Dabba heart to replenish reserves.**
Jelo's heart sank like a stone dropped into dark water.
"I knew this would happen sooner or later…" he whispered, a bitter taste filling his mouth.
