The smell of fresh blood was intoxicating. Not for the humans, but for the monsters.
Roar!
The zombie that had been chewing on Jason's shoulder lifted its head. Its face was a mess of grey skin and black veins. Pieces of Jason's expensive Italian suit were stuck between its rotting teeth.
It lunged at Aria.
"Sister! Watch out!" Bella screamed, huddled in the corner, her face pale as a sheet. She wasn't worried about Aria; she was worried that if Aria died, no one would protect her.
Aria didn't panic.
She could feel the changes in her body. The [Empress's Plunder System] had already integrated the stolen attributes.
Agility... Deception...
Time seemed to slow down.
The zombie's claws swiped at her throat.
Aria leaned back. The rotten fingernails missed her nose by an inch. She could smell the stench of decay—like old meat left in the sun for a week.
Disgusting.
She tightened her grip on the silver steak knife.
"Die."
Aria stepped forward. Her movement was fluid, like a dancer.
Schluk.
She drove the knife upward, under the zombie's chin, piercing straight into the brainstem.
Black blood sprayed onto her face. It was warm and sticky.
The zombie twitched once, then went limp, collapsing on top of Jason's corpse.
[Ding!]
[Target Eliminated: Infected (Level 1)]
[Plundering...]
[Success! You have stolen: 2 Strength Points.]
Aria exhaled. A wave of power rushed through her veins. Her arms, previously slender and weak, now felt firm. The heavy feeling of the silver knife disappeared; it felt as light as a feather.
She licked a drop of blood from the corner of her lip. She didn't wipe her face. The crimson contrast against her pale skin made her look like a demon crawling out of hell.
"A-Aria..."
Bella crawled out from behind the sofa. Her makeup was ruined by tears. She looked at Jason's mangled body, then at the dead zombie, and finally at her stepsister.
She was trembling.
"You... you killed it. You're so strong," Bella stammered, trying to put on a pitiful expression. She reached out to grab the hem of Aria's dress. "Aria, I knew you wouldn't leave me. Daddy told you to take care of me. We need to leave. Carry me? My legs are soft..."
Aria looked down.
Her red eyes were cold, devoid of any warmth.
In her past life, Bella had said the same thing.
"Sister, carry me."
"Sister, give me your food."
"Sister, you go check that dark room first."
And finally: "Sister, I'm sorry, but one of us has to die so I can live with Jason."
Aria smiled.
She lifted her foot.
Stomp!
She stepped hard onto Bella's delicate hand.
"Ahhhhh!" Bella shrieked. The sound was sharp, piercing the chaotic noise of the banquet hall. "My hand! You're crushing my hand! Aria, are you crazy?!"
Aria applied more pressure. She could feel the delicate finger bones grinding against the marble floor.
"You are right, Bella," Aria said softly. Her voice was smooth, like velvet wrapping around a knife. "We need to leave. The smell of blood is attracting more of them."
She pointed with her chin.
At the entrance of the banquet hall, five more zombies had gathered. They were guests just moments ago. Now, they were beasts. Hearing Bella's scream, they all turned their heads.
Their dead, white eyes locked onto the two women.
"They are hungry," Aria whispered.
"Let me go! Help me up!" Bella cried, trying to pull her hand free, but Aria's strength was now far superior.
"I can't carry you, Bella. You are dead weight," Aria said.
She bent down, grabbing Bella by her hair.
"But you can still be useful."
"No... no! What are you doing?!" Bella's eyes widened in horror. She saw the intent in Aria's gaze. It wasn't anger. It was calculation.
Aria dragged Bella up. She spun her around, facing the group of approaching zombies.
"A good sister should help her sibling escape, right?"
Aria leaned close to Bella's ear.
"Scream louder. Make sure they look at you."
Then, Aria kicked Bella in the back.
Thud.
Bella stumbled forward, falling right into the path of the leading zombie—a woman who used to be a famous actress, now a jaw-snapping monster.
"No! NOOO!" Bella scrambled backward, kicking her legs. "Aria! You demon! I'll kill you!"
The zombies pounced.
Teeth sank into soft flesh.
"AGHHH! IT BIT ME! ARIA HELP ME!"
Blood splattered across the floor. Bella's screams were agonizing, curdling the blood of anyone who heard them.
The zombies swarmed her, tearing at her expensive dress, fighting over the fresh meat.
Aria didn't look back.
She used the distraction to sprint toward the kitchen exit.
[Ding!]
[Trait Triggered: Heart of Stone.]
[You sacrificed a blood relative for survival.]
[Hidden Achievement Unlocked: The Ruthless Queen.]
[Reward: Passive Skill - Fear Aura (Low Level).]
Aria smirked as she burst through the kitchen doors. The sounds of chewing and screaming faded behind her.
She wasn't a hero.
She wasn't a victim.
She was a predator. And the feast had just begun.