Vampire Progenitor System

The Ghul twitched as it stood. Its limbs cracked unnaturally, head tilting in that off-putting way that made Lucifer narrow his eyes. Its jaw stretched, letting out a low hiss that turned into a full-on screech.

Lucifer smirked. ”So you can still move. Good.”

But before he could take a step, the Ghul vanished.

”Shit—”

Boom!

Lucifer barely raised his arm in time. The creature’s claw raked across his forearm, cutting through fabric and skin like butter. He slid back a few feet, heels digging into the dirt.

”That speed...” he muttered, glancing at the gash. Blood dripped. His healing kicked in fast, but it still stung like hell.

The Ghul dropped to all fours, eyes locked on him. Saliva mixed with black ooze dripped from its sharp teeth as it sniffed the air like it was tasting his blood.

Dera’s voice came sharp from behind. ”Keep it busy!”

Lucifer blinked. ”What are you—”

She dashed past him, her jacket flaring as she slid to a stop near the edge of the clearing. With a quick flip, she opened her glowing book, pages fluttering rapidly until one burned with purple light.

Her voice was calm. ”Marking it. Weakness boost, full tag. You’ve got 30 seconds to go wild.”

The runes flared.

The Ghul hissed and turned toward her, suddenly charging—

”No, you don’t.”

Lucifer’s figure blurred again.

Boom!

His kick connected with the side of the Ghul’s head, sending it flying once more, this time crashing into the campus wall. Concrete cracked. The creature screeched and rolled before scrambling upright again, blood dripping from its mouth.

Lucifer landed lightly, wiping blood off his arm. ”This power-up... not bad.”

Dera’s eyes tracked the Ghul, serious now. ”It’s a Class-D Ghul. Strong body, messed up mind. It doesn’t feel pain. If we don’t finish it fast, it’s gonna call more.”

Lucifer grinned. ”Then let’s finish it.”

The Ghul let out another screech—and charged, this time faster, claws aiming for both of them.

”Duck!” Dera shouted.

Lucifer dropped low as she hurled a burst of purple light over his head, slamming into the creature mid-air.

BOOM!

It screamed, smoke rising from the impact.

Lucifer shot up from his crouch and dashed forward. ”My turn.”

He jumped, twisted mid-air, and brought his fist down like a hammer straight into its face.

CRACK.

The ground split beneath them.

The Ghul twitched once... then fell still.

Dust hung in the air. Silence followed.

Lucifer stood over the body, exhaling. ”Tch... stepping stone, huh? That was more of a boulder.”

Dera walked over slowly, her notebook still glowing. ”You handled it. Sloppy, but strong. For a half-blood, you’re not bad.”

Lucifer raised a brow. ”That supposed to be a compliment?”

She gave a small shrug, the corners of her mouth barely lifting. ”Don’t get cocky. That was just one. There’s always more.”

Lucifer looked down at his bloodstained knuckles and grinned. ”Good. I could use the practice.”

Lucifer dusted his hands, still staring at the Ghul’s corpse when Dera stepped beside him, arms crossed.

”And I could use a hand with some things,” she said casually.

Lucifer raised a brow. He tilted his head slightly, eyeing her like she just said something weird. ”Wait... you want my help? You’re asking me to be a hunter?” He burst into laughter, clutching his side. ”That’s the dumbest thing I’ve heard all night.”

Dera rolled her eyes. ”Relax, ego boy. Hunters are a family thing. All human. You don’t qualify. I’m not giving you a badge—I’m giving you a chance.”

Lucifer’s smile faded slowly.

She looked him straight in the eye, serious now. ”Help me track down and clean up rogue monsters like that Ghul. Or... keep being a rogue vampire and wait till the wrong hunter finds you. Your call.”

Lucifer stepped forward, the red in his eyes glowing faintly. ”Are you threatening me?”

They were close now. Almost nose to nose.

”I’m not your average rogue. I might be weak now, sure... but if I went all out, I could take you. Don’t act like you’re untouchable just ’cause you’ve got a shiny notebook and some glowing boots.” He smirked. ”When I do something, it’s on my terms.”

Dera blinked once, surprised by the energy shift. She took a step back before catching herself and standing firm again. ”Fine. You’ve picked your stand.”

She turned to leave, coat swaying behind her.

Lucifer called out, ”Wait.”

She paused.

”I’ll join you... but like I said—my terms. Hunting one monster at a time is boring. Not worth it. We go big, or I go solo. You give me info on the monsters, the rogues, the nests—I’ll handle the cleanup. Simple.”

Dera turned halfway, brows raised like is this guy for real? Then she smiled, just a little. ”You’ve got guts. I respect that. And I like a challenge.” She walked back a step, holding out her hand. ”Deal, Lucifer.”

He shook it, then frowned. ”Weird to hear my name like that.”

Dera smirked. ”Weird name.”

Lucifer narrowed his eyes but let it go. ”You know mine, but I don’t know yours.”

”Dera,” she replied. ”We’ll keep in touch.”

Her boots shimmered with light. With one leap, she landed smoothly on a rooftop. She looked back at him once before hopping to the next, disappearing into the night.

Lucifer exhaled, shoulders relaxing. ”Crazy night.”

Then—ding.

He looked down at his system screen lighting up in front of him. ”Let’s see what I got from this.”

[System Notification]

You have slain a Ghul (Class-D).

EXP Gained: 1,500

Level Up: +1

Stats Points Earned: +5

---

He blinked. ”Huh. Not bad.”

But just as he dismissed it—

Ding!

Another screen appeared, this one with a golden glow and a soft rumble behind it like distant thunder.

---

[Achievement Unlocked: First Hunt]

Title Earned: Monster Slayer

Description:

You’ve taken down your first supernatural monster solo. A true predator knows when to strike. This title proves you’ve walked into the darkness and made it your hunting ground.

Effects:

+5% Damage to Monsters

+2% Evasion against hostile creatures

+Minor intimidation against lesser beings

---

Lucifer raised a brow. ”Monster Slayer, huh...?”

He swiped the screen away and stared at the empty street, quiet now. Blood was still drying on his sleeve, and his body still ached from the fight—but there was a weird thrill in his chest. Like the night had just started.