Adam picked up the first wyvern core, turning it over in his palm. The pale grey surface pulsed faintly, veins of charcoal shifting like slow lightning beneath the surface.

"Hmm. But when I ate the wyvern meat earlier, I didn’t get anything." He frowned, glancing at the sleeping figures across the fire. "Is it because my level is too high now? Or because I cooked it?"

He shrugged, dismissing the thought.

"Whatever. At least I can still get something from the cores. Eating raw monster meat is pretty disgusting anyway."

He brought the first core to his lips and swallowed.

The core slid down his throat like a smooth, warm stone. For a moment, nothing happened. Then a subtle pressure built in his chest like something trying to take shape.

He swallowed the second core. Then the third. The fourth, fifth, sixth—one after another, each sliding down with increasing ease.

[You have consumed: 6 Lesser Wyvern Cores]

[Absorbing residual essence...]

[Skill Fragment Acquired: Shadow Orb (1.0/1.0)] (COMPLETE)

[Effect: Launch a projectile of condensed shadow energy that splits into multiple orbs upon impact, striking up to 3 additional targets. Each orb deals moderate dark damage.]

Adam’s eyebrows rose. "Not bad. A multi-target projectile." He flexed his fingers, feeling the new energy settle into his palm. "But I still need a more direct, head-on attack."

His gaze fell to the largest core, the alpha’s. It was darker than the others, the veins of charcoal almost black, pulsing with a deeper, heavier energy.

He picked it up, felt its weight, and swallowed it whole.

[You have consumed: Shadowfang Wyvern Lord Core]

[Absorbing concentrated essence...]

[Skill Fragment Acquired: Shadow Bolt (0.5/1.0)]

[Effect: Launch a dense, fast-moving projectile of shadow energy. Penetrates light armor and deals significant dark damage to a single target.]

[Detected: Shadow Orb Fragment (1.0/1.0) + Shadow Bolt Fragment (0.5/1.0)]

[Compatible skill fragments detected. Merging...]

[New Skill Synthesized: Shadow Lance (Lv. 1)]

[Effect: Launch a lance of condensed shadow energy that pierces through multiple targets. Upon impact, the lance explodes into smaller seeking shards that hunt additional enemies within range. Deals heavy dark damage. Ignores light to moderate armor. Effective against groups and single targets alike.]

Adam stared at the notification, a slow smile spreading across his face.

"Shadow Lance." He raised his hand, and dark energy coalesced in his palm, denser than before, sharper, more focused. It took the shape of a slender, wicked spear, its surface rippling with shadowy veins. "This looks... deadly."

He dismissed the energy with a flick of his wrist and leaned back against a tree, his eyes drifting to the sleeping forms of Lilith and Ignis.

"Not a bad haul for one night."

Then he felt it—a gaze, sharp and unblinking, boring into the side of his face. Adam turned his head slowly.

Isolde sat a few paces away from the fire, her pale blue eyes fixed on him with an intensity that made his skin prickle. The firelight flickered across her pale features, casting shadows that made her look almost otherworldly.

’Creepy, creepy, creepy,’ Adam thought, his internal voice a nervous mutter. ’What is that? Is she trying to eat me?!’

Isolde didn’t look away. Her gaze remained locked on his, unwavering, unblinking. The silence stretched, thick and uncomfortable.

Adam cleared his throat.

"What are you doing, Isolde?"

Isolde’s lips parted. Her voice was quiet, but firm.

"Blood. It’s time for the dose for the poison still in my body."

Adam blinked. Then understanding dawned, and he let out a small breath of relief.

"Oh. Right."

Isolde’s pale eyes narrowed. Her voice sharpened with suspicion.

"You didn’t forget, did you?"

Adam’s expression flickered—just for an instant—before smoothing into careful nonchalance.

"Eh? Forget? Of course not." He waved a hand dismissively. "I was just... testing you. To see if you’d remember."

Isolde’s gaze didn’t waver. She said nothing.

’Damn,’ Adam thought, rising to his feet. ’That was close.’

He walked over to where Isolde sat, his footsteps soft on the grass. When he stood before her, he tilted his head slightly, exposing the side of his neck.

"Go ahead."

Isolde rose as well. She was shorter than him, her head barely reaching his shoulder. For a moment, she simply stood there, looking at the pulse beating beneath his skin.

Then she stepped closer.

Her arms slid around him, her small frame pressing against his chest. She felt warmer than he expected and her body was soft in ways that made Adam’s thoughts stutter.

’Haaah... focus,’ he thought, forcing his breathing to remain steady.

Then he felt it, her small chest pressing against his, soft and warm, the curve of her breasts, petite but unmistakable. His internal voice cracked.

’Focus. Focus. FOCUS!’

Isolde’s lips found his neck. Her breath was cool against his skin, and then her fangs pierced him.

The bite was sharp, a quick pinch of pain that faded almost immediately into a strange, numb warmth. He felt her mouth seal around the wound, felt the pull as she began to drink.

Isolde’s internal voice was a cascade of relief and hunger.

’Finally... finally, I can be full.’

She drank deeply, her throat working as she swallowed mouthful after mouthful of his blood. It was warm, rich, laced with a strange, electric energy that made her head spin. She pressed closer, her fingers curling into the fabric of his shirt, as if afraid he would push her away.

Adam let her drink.

He could feel the slight lightheadedness creeping in—not enough to be dangerous, but enough to remind him that she was taking more than a taste. His hand came up, resting on her back.

"Enough," he said quietly. "You’ll drain me."

Isolde’s mouth pulled back with a soft, wet sound. Her lips were stained red, and a thin trail of blood trickled down her chin. Her pale blue eyes, clearer now, met his.

For a moment, neither of them spoke.

Then Isolde’s voice came, barely a whisper.

"...not enough."

Adam’s lips twitched. He raised his hand, hesitated, then patted her head awkwardly.

Isolde’s hand shot up, fingers wrapping around Adam’s wrist, stopping the awkward patting mid-motion. Her pale blue eyes, still hazy from feeding, narrowed with something between irritation and embarrassment.

"Don’t treat me like a child."

Adam blinked, his hand frozen mid-pat. His voice was genuinely puzzled.

"Hmm? Why not? I’m petting you because you’re cute."

Isolde’s pale face flushed crimson. Her grip on his wrist tightened.

"What do you mean by that?!" Her voice rose, sharp and flustered. "If you want to touch me, you have to pay with your blood!"

Adam’s internal voice, thoughtful. 𝚏𝗿𝗲𝐞𝐰𝚎𝕓𝐧𝚘𝘃𝗲𝐥.𝐜𝚘𝕞

’Hmm maybe I can take this opportunity to get close to her... she still seems unsatisfied. And I still have plenty of blood.’

He tilted his head, studying her flushed face, the way her fingers trembled slightly around his wrist.

"Alright."

Isolde’s eyes went wide. "Ehh?! Really?!"

The word came out too loud, too eager, and she realized it immediately. Her face burned brighter. She clamped her mouth shut, looking away.

’Damn it,’ she thought, her internal voice a chaotic jumble. ’He accepted it so easily. Does he... does he actually like me?! But he already has that spider woman by his side...’

She shook her head, the motion sharp, rattling her own thoughts.

’Get a hold of yourself, Isolde. You’re a prisoner. You shouldn’t get overconfident.’

Adam watched her internal struggle with quiet amusement. His voice, when it came, was gentle.

"So? Do you want more? You said you weren’t satisfied yet."

Isolde’s jaw tightened. Her voice came out clipped.

"Yes, yes. Just... just wait a moment. I was thinking about something."

She looked at him again, her cheeks still flushed, her voice softer now—almost shy.

"Don’t take back your words. Because I’m going to drink again until you’re dry."

Adam’s lips curved into a faint smile.

"Alright. Go ahead."

Isolde nodded. "Fine, don’t go back on your words, okay?"

She stepped closer, her arms sliding around him again. Her lips found his neck, and her fangs pierced the same wounds as before.

Adam’s hand came up, settling on her head, fingers threading through her crimson hair.

’Her hair is so soft,’ he thought, stroking gently. ’And her body smells sweet.’ He inhaled, the scent filling his senses. ’Different from Lilith and Ignis. Lilith smells like night-blooming flowers. Ignis smells like smoke and embers. But Isolde... she smells sweet. Like honey.’

Isolde drank.

The blood flowed, warm and rich, and with each swallow, the hunger that had been gnawing at her since the poison eased. She pressed closer, her small frame trembling against his chest.

Adam let her drink.

He could feel the lightheadedness creeping back, stronger this time, but he didn’t stop her. His fingers continued their slow, soothing strokes through her hair.

’She’s like a frightened animal,’ he thought, his internal voice quiet. ’Hiding behind all that pride and anger. But underneath... she’s just lonely.’

Adam’s arms tightened around Isolde, pulling her closer. His fingers threaded through her crimson hair, cradling the back of her head as she fed. The feeling of her fangs on his neck felt intimate, making his heart beat faster.

’This woman... is she really going to drain me dry?’