Wake up!
Wake up!
"Argh!"
Dawsyn shot upright in bed, his body drenched in sweat as though he had escaped an inferno. His chest rose and fell with every desperate breath, his heart hammering against his ribs.
One day…
One day I'll avenge my family.
I'll reclaim what is rightfully mine through sweat and blood.
He slowly reached for the golden fang necklace resting against his chest, absentmindedly rubbing the ruby embedded in its center.
"Ow!"
The sharp tip of the fang suddenly pierced his thumb.
A single drop of blood rolled onto the crimson gemstone.
Instantly, an unbearable pain exploded through his chest.
"What… is happening?"
He clawed at the necklace, trying to rip it from his neck, but it refused to move. Instead, the fang began sinking into his skin as if it were alive.
His vision blurred.
Countless blue words flickered before his eyes.
Ping.
Bloodline Unlocked.
Ping.
System Activated.
Ping.
First Quest Initiated.
Objectives:
Run 5 MilesComplete 100 Push-upsLift 200 Pounds
Reward:
5 Stat Points
Synchronization Progress:
13.7% / 100%
Dawsyn reached toward the floating messages, but his fingertips passed straight through them.
"What…"
The pain became unbearable.
Darkness swallowed his vision.
His body collapsed onto the floor.
For months, every night had been the same.
The same nightmare.
The same screams.
The same fire.
It played over and over again like an endless loop.
Ever since his once-powerful family had been destroyed by betrayal, the nightmares had never stopped.
Dawsyn lived in a world hidden beneath the surface of society—a world ruled by crime, power, and bloodshed.
Gang leaders fought relentlessly for territory, wealth, and influence.
At the very top stood one man.
Damien Ashford.
Tall, composed, and commanding, Damien carried an aura that silenced a room the moment he entered it.
To his family, he was a loving father and devoted husband.
To the streets…
He was a monster.
He never flaunted his wealth, always preferring tailored black suits over flashy jewelry. The only exception was the golden fang necklace he never removed. At its center rested a ruby-red crystal—an ancient family heirloom passed down for generations.
Many times, Damien had considered throwing it away.
Every time he tried…
Something inside him refused.
His rule was simple.
"Get down… or lay down."
Those who obeyed prospered.
Those who resisted disappeared.
His empire grew larger with every passing year.
But power always breeds envy.
And envy eventually becomes betrayal.
Flashback
Several rival gangs had grown tired of living beneath Damien's shadow.
Alone, none dared challenge him.
Together…
They believed they had a chance.
For months they studied his movements, bribed informants, and planted spies within his organization.
When the opportunity finally came…
They struck.
A celebration had been organized to commemorate one of Damien's recent victories.
Music echoed throughout the ballroom.
Laughter filled the air.
Glasses were raised.
No one noticed the traitor standing only a few feet away.
The assassin smiled.
A blade flashed beneath the lights.
In one swift motion, Damien's throat was cut.
Blood sprayed across the marble floor.
Panic erupted.
Guests screamed.
Before anyone could react, explosions shook the building.
Fire consumed everything.
By sunrise…
The most powerful man in the city was dead.
His empire fractured overnight as ambitious lieutenants fought over the vacant throne.
No one realized Damien had spent fifteen years hiding his greatest secret.
A son.
Damien's burned body was transported for an autopsy.
Despite the devastating fire, one item remained untouched.
The golden fang necklace.
A woman identifying herself as Damien's family representative quietly collected his personal belongings before disappearing without attracting attention.
Her name was Daisy.
As she clutched the necklace in trembling hands, tears rolled down her cheeks.
"Please…"
"Let Dawsyn live a normal life."
"Don't let him become part of this world."
At fifteen years old, Dawsyn had grown into a respectful young man.
He had always wondered how his mother could afford their comfortable life despite never working.
Was it an inheritance?
A trust fund?
Something else?
Whenever he asked…
She would simply smile and change the subject.
The morning after Damien's death, Daisy sat quietly at the kitchen table.
A small velvet pouch rested beside her.
When Dawsyn entered, she gently slid it across the table.
"What is this?" he asked.
"Open it."
Inside lay the golden fang necklace.
"What is it?"
Daisy looked into her son's eyes.
"This… is the last thing your father left for you."
Dawsyn froze.
"My father?"
"I thought you said you never knew who he was."
Daisy lowered her head.
"I lied."
Silence filled the room.
"I've always known who your father was."
"I kept the truth from you because it was the only way to keep you alive."
She looked at the necklace.
"It wasn't just my decision."
"It was your father's wish as well."
She took a shaky breath.
"But now…"
"…he's gone."
She slowly reached across the table and took Dawsyn's trembling hand.
"It's time you learned the truth about Damien Ashford."