A Universe of Bloody Evolution

Stand down. Don't fucking move! Leo roared right into the link with his subordinates. His Essence also spiked, lashing out at the connection. From now on, even the slightest movement from anyone could bring forth their demise.

Calm down. Don't panic. Everything is fine. Leo chanted in his mind as he scanned everything in sight. Upon first look, this floor didn't seem much different from the one above. Yet, when his eyes refocused and finally registered the dark silhouettes on the floor, he realized what shit he had just stepped on...

Spread across the entire hall, Nightmares slept. The bulky Collectors lay on the floor, curled into a ball, while Scouters sat like statues, wrapped in their own wings. Thanks to the color of their skin and the violet glow coming from within their bodies, Leo almost mistook them for Corcera constructs. However, the occasional shudders going through the monsters' bodies quickly cleared things up.

This is hell, fucking Nightmare Nest, or worse. Leo swallowed, not daring to move another muscle until his head cleared. Not even the bloodlust flowing through his veins could fight against the primal fear that almost consumed him now. There must be hundreds of them here... And what the fuck is this?!

Where on the upper floor, the bodies hanging from the ceiling weren't more than decoration; here, this also changed. Darker than night ooze dripped from the corpses, only for it to gather on the ground and form cat-sized blobs. Those things never moved from their original spots, but they whirred and shook almost constantly, adding yet another worry to the pile in Leo's head.

Identify, please don't fail, not now.

Phantom (Nightmare Voidling) | Rank: F | LVL: N/A | Type: Nightmare, Aerial, Ghost

Okay, that doesn't seem too bad. Leo noted, his nerves settling down just a bit. Bestiary. Let's see what you have for me.

Race: Nightmare Voidling | Subspecies: Phantom
Expected Potential: F to N/A
Weapon of choice: Possession
Known weaknesses: Incomplete Body
A Nightmare born after the Outbreak's stabilization. At first glance, Phantoms are weak and useless. Yet, out of all the early stage Nightmares, Phantoms possess the most potential. Their unique ability, 'Possession,' allows them to completely take over a Voidling or sometimes even a survivor. Afterward, they force their host to evolve, changing them into a creature of the Night. With that, the host dies, and Phantom becomes the new primary occupant of the body without the ability to leave again. It is wise to remember that Phantoms are susceptible to Essence-powered attacks due to their incomplete form.

Shit! Ghosts that can mutate others into Nightmares. Just what we all need. Leo clenched his fists, the fear slowly giving way to anger. And there is no way to stop this bloody mess from continuing, not with how weak humans are compared to Nightmares for now...

And what do you want?! Leo snarled the last part as a System notification kept trying to force itself into his field of vision.

The System has acquired enough information about Wolford's Graveyard. Do you wish to display the collected assessment now?

No, there is no time. I need to get the fuck out of here. Leo nodded, forcing all the worries, theories, and other dangerous thoughts out of his head. It might have felt as if he had stood there frozen for hours, but barely a minute passed, and he didn't dare to waste another one on watching the Nightmares sleep.

Just stay calm and back off, one step at a time.

Listening to his own command, Leo, without even tearing his eyes away from the Nightmares, began to retreat into the tunnel. He didn't even think of giving his minions the same order, which turned out to be a mistake.

One of the Runners, who was partially turned to him, met his eyes and screeched lightly, the tone questioning. Fear gripped Leo's heart as his chances of getting out silently collapsed like a domino.

In the corner of his vision, something stirred, followed by a howl that echoed through the entire building. Leo hardly registered the noise as he spun around and shot towards the tunnel's exit. A final command also went out to his subordinates, the words short and simple.

Distract them.

More howls answered the first one just when Leo reached the top floor, but he didn't stop and only pushed his legs harder than ever. Reinforcement also joined the escape, fuelling strength right into its user's muscles.

Yet, none of those things meant Leo was fine, and the System only proved that fact with its following message.

Nightmare Pursuit in progress. Good luck.

Screw you! Leo growled, flipping the Ether Flare's lid. A single spark of Essence shot into the thing, igniting the tip in a blinding explosion of golden fire.

Leo grimaced as the flare's surface grew warmer with each millisecond. It didn't burn yet, but that was only a matter of seconds. Great time to learn how this bloody thing affects me...

At this point, he already reached the office area, barrelling right into the same corridor he had come through. Roars and howls rang in Leo's ears as they became louder than ever. Nonetheless, he didn't turn around; he knew what was chasing him after all.

Death, represented by tens of beasts straight out of nightmares. All of them hot on Leo's heels, waiting to tear him apart and then use his body to create more Phantoms.

"Not today!" Leo shouted, sliding into the only office that offered him a chance at freedom.

The flare, still burning bright, dropped to the floor right in the middle of the entrance to the room. A moment later, the beasts behind screeched in distress, the Ethereal fire doing its job.

Knowing the success was short-lived at best, Leo closed the distance to the hole and jumped. With Reinforcement still burning in his legs, he had to finish the landing with a roll. Not that it mattered, not when he was free once more, basking in the light of the setting sun.

Yet, before Leo could lower his defenses, Hunter howled within his mind, the message clear as the sky above. He spun around, eyes on the hole as another flare landed in his hand.

A second or five passed before a loud roar pierced through the silence, shutting all hopes of it being over. Heavy thuds reached Leo's ears right after, followed by a light tremble of the roof as a massive body shot out of the hole.

Leo didn't wait for the beast to land and ignited the flare while simultaneously putting some distance between him and the hole. A good decision as the beast landed a moment later, leaving a small crater in its wake.

The monster roared again, louder than a Brute or even the Cursed Juggernaut Leo had the displeasure of meeting.

Collector (Nightmare Voidling) | Rank: E+ | LVL: N/A | Type: Nightmare, Surface, Regenerator, Might

Okay, don't panic. There is only one, and it definitely doesn't like the sun. Leo noted, his feet already carrying him across the roof, far away from the Collector. Or at least that was the plan...

Although the beast shied away from the sun, parts of its skin igniting in a crimson fire, it never gave up the chase. The Nightmare moved on all fours, cutting straight for Leo, who, even with Reinforcement fuelling his every move, couldn't escape too far.

Guess I'm not the only one here with Grace in the Supernatural tier. Leo hissed, sliding out of the path of the monster's long and thick claws. Limit Break to one hundred percent, System! Now!

Instantly, Reinforcement and Limit Break flooded Leo's body with new energy. Every vein ignited with a golden light, the complete opposite of his form's color scheme. At the same time, a weight settled upon his soul, carrying an obvious warning.

I just need to buy some time. Leo flinched as the beast's fist almost collided with his side. Without another thought, he brought out another Ether Flare, activating it right away. Let's dance, you sack of shit!

Bloodlust spilled out in waves into his body and mind. However, despite knowing well how to activate Focused Bloodlust now, Leo didn't proceed. This skill was too primal, too focused on fighting, and facing the Collector head-on was the last thing he wanted.

Another time, Hunter. Leo called out to the beast, still weaving through the Collector's continuous onslaught. Although the Nightmare didn't care much for the Ether Flares, it definitely couldn't ignore the wounds that the items and the sun caused to its body.

The sunlight had already burned away all of the beast's skin, leaving only blood in sight. The violet glow from within also almost died out during the fight, now barely visible behind the dark liquid dribbling out of the Collector's body.

As the dance of cat and mouse continued, the Nightmare grew slower and sloppier. At some point, Leo even managed to drag a flare across the Collector's side, earning a ground-shaking roar from the beast.

Come on, die already, you stupid shit! Leo growled, throwing one of the flares in the Voidling's face. It stumbled back, and with all the power still coursing through his veins, he pounced. The remaining flare went right into one of the Collector's eyes while a Kiss of Death enhanced blade stabbed into the other.

Even then, the Collector slapped Leo away, sending him flying across half of the roof's width. He gasped for breath upon landing, the cracking of bones within his chest telling a story of its own.

Shit! One hit and I can barely move. Still, Leo didn't stay put and rose on trembling legs, his tails coming around to support his weight.

Ahead, the Collector writhed on the roof. Blood pooled underneath the beast, as even some bones became visible beneath the burned-away muscles. The sun's judgment fell upon the Nightmare, and now it had to pay the full price.

End of the road for you, mate. Leo grimaced, stumbling towards the almost-dead Nightmare without the support of Reinforcement or Limit Break.

"Was it worth it?" He asked, finally stabbing his claws into what remained of the Collector. "Was it worth to die for a chance to kill me?"

As if trying to answer, the Nightmare screeched for the final time before going still. Leo shook his head, Devour activating as System notifications began their assault.

Give me a damn minute, Leo growled, forcing his ability to move faster. Only it didn't work. Even as a few bones snapped back into place, Devour's attack stopped, the healing and steady flow of new Essence along with it.

What? Leo's eyes widened. I wasn't done yet!

However, the moment he tried to activate Devour again, the System forced its message to the forefront of his mind.

Warning! The user's soul cannot filter any more foreign Essence at the moment. Disabling Devour. Limit Break inactive. The System advises against straining your soul any further to avoid permanent damage.

Leo groaned, collapsing to the ground. Of course there had to be a limit to Devour. Even for an Epic ability, it just seemed too strong to not have any drawbacks...

Guess it could have been worse... I survived a Nightmare, after all... Leo chuckled even as the few partially healed bones screamed in protest. This will be annoying. Not enough to stop me from returning to the Safe Zone, though... But first, System, show me what you've got.

Nightmare Pursuit forcefully stopped. You live to fight another day.