Sai’s blade sliced through the air with a sharp hiss, but it struck nothing. His heart pounded in his chest as a soft laugh echoed around him, mocking and confident.

  Before he could adjust his stance, the vampire lunged at him, faster than anything he had faced. Her claws, sharp as daggers, reached for his throat. Sai moved just in time, pulling back. He rolled on the ground, narrowly avoiding her strike, the wind from her attack grazing his neck—too close.

  He barely had time to get to his feet when another blow came. Faster, harder, and relentless.

  The vampire moved like a blur, every strike a mix of speed and brutality. Sai barely blocked her claws. The strength behind each strike rattled his bones, sending pain through his arms. His muscles screamed for rest, but there was no time.

  Twisting and dodging, he tried to stay one step ahead, but she never slowed. Her attacks were relentless, a storm of sharp claws and deadly speed.

  His heart raced, but his mind stayed focused. This wasn’t training. This was real. He wasn’t just fighting to win—he was fighting for his life.

  A flicker in the shadows caught his eye, but it was too late. Before he could react, a heavy blow hit his ribs, sending him flying backward. He crashed into a wooden beam, the sound of splintering wood ringing in his ears as he broke through it. Pain exploded in his chest.

  His vision blurred. He gasped for air, but the pain in his ribs made it hard to breathe. His limbs felt heavy, and the world spun in darkness.

  Cracked ribs. Blood. The taste of iron in his mouth. He forced himself to move, to rise, but before he could, the vampire was on him.

  Her red eyes glowed with hunger as she came down on him like a shadow. Sai raised his sword, but it was too slow. Her claws found his throat, lifting him off the ground with crushing force.

  He couldn’t breathe. His legs kicked uselessly in the air, his body going limp under her grip. His sword fell to the floor.

  She smiled, cruel and wide, watching him struggle. "You’re strong. But not enough." Her voice was low, full of amusement.

  His fingers twitched. she had taken the bait.

  A rush of awareness filled him. His Identify skill activated.

  Race: Vampire Thrall

  Emotion: Amusement. Confidence. Hunger.

  His right hand shot out. A glowing glyph appeared in his palm, casting an eerie light. The vampire’s eyes widened in shock, but it was too late.

  Sai pressed the glyph against her side.

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  A scream filled the air, high-pitched and desperate. The glyph burned into her flesh, sending arcane energy searing through her. Black smoke rose from the wound, and the vampire recoiled, releasing her grip on Sai’s throat.

  He collapsed, gasping for air, his body shaking with coughs. Every breath hurt. His ribs screamed, but the rush of adrenaline kept him moving. That had been too close.

  Rolling to the side, he barely avoided another slash from her claws. She was furious now, her movements wild and unsteady.

  Emotion: Rage. Pain. Desperation.

  "You—!" she snarled, her voice full of fury. "You’ll pay for that!"

  Sai didn’t wait. He vanished into the shadows, hiding his presence, becoming one with the dark. The vampire searched the area with angry eyes, but he was already gone.

  "Where—?" she shouted, confusion and frustration in her voice.

  Sai struck. His sword slashed her leg, cutting deep.

  A loud shriek filled the air as the vampire staggered, blood spreading beneath her. She stumbled, but Sai didn’t stop. He moved quickly, his strikes fast and precise.

  Another cut. Then a third. Each strike weakened her, but with every hit, Sai felt his own strength fading. His ribs burned, his breathing became shallow, and his vision blurred.

  His heart raced faster. He had to end this—before it was too late.

  The vampire lunged again, but Sai was faster. His sword cut across her throat with a clean strike—only for her body to shift into a dark mist.

  Cold air and shadows exploded from where she had been. Her form melted into nothing. Sai’s sword passed through empty space.

  A hiss filled the air, full of anger and pain.

  "You will regret this," she warned, her voice fading into the silence.

  The mist vanished, leaving only stillness.

  Sai stood, his breath ragged, sword raised, scanning the darkness. Victory? No. This wasn’t victory. This was survival.

  With a deep breath, he felt some of the tension leave his body. But it wasn’t over. Not yet. Not by a long shot. He had survived, but the fight wasn’t done.

  As the last echoes of battle faded, Sai moved quickly, using the shadows to hide his escape. His body ached, each step reminding him of the pain he had just endured. But he couldn’t stop now. He needed rest, but he couldn’t let his guard down. Not yet. Not with whatever else might be out there.

  He crept through the streets, careful not to be seen. His footsteps were silent on the cobblestones, and the shadows seemed to embrace him as he passed. His ribs throbbed, a constant reminder of his injury, but he kept going. He couldn’t afford to be spotted.

  Finally, he reached his inn. His hand shook slightly as he turned the key, the lock clicking behind him. The safety of his room was a small comfort. He leaned against the door, taking a moment to catch his breath.

  Inside, he took off his shirt, wincing as the movement sent pain through his side. His ribs were cracked, his body bruised, but he couldn’t waste time. He needed to heal.

  Mana surged through him as he worked to heal what he could. Each movement was slow, but he knew it wouldn’t be enough. His injuries were too bad for full recovery, but he could ease the pain.

  With a heavy sigh, Sai collapsed onto the bed. Sleep claimed him quickly, exhaustion from the battle taking over. His body, battered and sore, needed rest.

  Morning came too soon. Sai woke to the dull ache of his injuries. His body hurt from head to toe. He squinted against the light streaming through the window and pushed himself into a sitting position. His ribs still ached, reminding him of how close he had come to death, but it was manageable. Barely.

  He slowly got up, wincing as his ribs protested. But he forced himself to move. He had to go to the guild. The mission board wouldn’t wait.

  With a groan, he dressed carefully, making sure not to put pressure on his injuries. His body screamed, but he kept going. One step at a time.

  He reached the guild, where the noise of talking and moving people someone greeted him and someone continued their chatting.