Vampire Devouring System

After what felt like an eternity of struggle, Zane finally ran completely out of energy, and collapsed down in a chamber.

These catacombs were like a maze—but Zane had no time to be considering if they were going towards an exit or not. Usually in Dungeons, the entrance was also the only exit, but sometimes that was not the All he knew was that he needed to get away from that golden cage area, and so he kept going until he could no longer hear the blood-curdling screams of his former party members. He almost hoped that the sight he saw there was all just an illusion too—but he knew better.

Now was not the time to be optimistic.

Gently laying Leo down beside him, letting him lean on the stone wall, Zane took a seat on the ice-cold floor as well, taking a few deep breaths. As a porter, he was used to carrying heavy loads, so he was able to escape and bring his friend all the way here. Unfortunately, he wasn quite out in the clear yet—the problem was—

”… What now? ”

—Correct. He had not brought any food or water with him during his flee, as there was no time. Now, they may have escaped immediate danger, but they were stranded in an enormous labyrinth of a Dungeon, with no food or water. Eventually, the Hunters Association should send somebody to save them, but… thats if the Gate didn close altogether.

There have been cases like this before, and to this day, those Hunters have not returned. Their fates were easily imagined, and presumed dead.

Zane did not want to end up like them.

”Damn it… Leo, can you hear me? ”

”Ngh… ”

A groan. Okay—at the very least, that meant he was still conscious, and actively trying to fight the whispers in his mind.

”Alright, heres whats going to happen. You
e going to stay right here, and wait while I go find some food or water for us. Got it? ”

Another groan. Zane took that as a yes. Just as he was about to leave, however, a hand suddenly grabbed his forearm, and he froze.

”No… listen closely… ”

”Yes…? ”

Through grit teeth and a insanely firm grip, Leo mustered out a few harsh words.

”You have to… kill me. Now… while I can still… control myself… ”

”W-What? ”

Faced with this ridiculous request, Zane could only blink in wonder for a few seconds. Then, he hurriedly shook his head in frustration, and proceeded to punch Leo straight in the face.

”Ngh! ”

”Are you crazy?! ” Zane yelled, unable to control himself. ”What kind of stupid idea is that?! ”

”LISTEN TO ME, ZANE! ” Leo stormed in an even louder voice, echoing through the catacombs. Zane cautiously looked around for a moment, making sure no monsters were approaching, as Leo continued.

”This… is not a joke, or a game. Im being serious. Once I lose control… I don know what Ill do to you. Its only a matter of time until then, so please… kill me now, while I can still retain my sanity. From friend to friend… this is my final request. ”

”… ”

Zane stared at Leo for a good few moments, thinking back on all the memories they shared—both good and bad. While everyone else looked down on the infamous Porter of Porters, Leo alone remained by his side. It was him who grew up with Zane. Him who saved Zanes life multiple times in a Dungeon. It was thanks to him, that Zane was even a Hunter in the first place.

He owed Leo far too much.

Lips quivering and voice trembling, Zane slowly shook his head.

”I… I can . ”

With that, he fled the room, slipping out of Leos weakening grasp and searching for water. He had faith in his best friend—Leo was strong, nearly an A-Rank Hunter. If Dante could tank through it, then surely he could too.

Or perhaps… that was just blind hope of the weak. Denial. The lack of bravery to face reality.

Zane was merely a porter, at the bottom of the ladder. He couldn even slay anything stronger than a E-Rank Monster on his own, much less his own best—and only—friend. But at the same time, he could not simply abandon Leo in these catacombs either, on the off-chance that Leo was able to conquer the thoughts invading his mind and retain his sanity.

It was a dilemma—so in the end, Zane chose to place his trust in his friend.

He needed to be quick. Dungeons of the catacombs archetype often had food or water in them, left behind as offerings to the dead. Just like all other items that naturally spawned in a Dungeon, no one really knew who left them there. What Zane did know, however, was that the food in these places tended to be old and rotten, so he decided to prioritize finding water first—though not before coming across a container to carry it in.

Within the chamber were two relic-worthy stone shelves, each filled with an assortment of old artifacts. One of them happened to be an age-old bottle that had god knows how much dust accumulated outside and inside of it. Beside it were some dusty books and old, useless items—all classic items of a catacombs-type Dungeon. After picking it up, Zane left the chamber, and headed off in search of water.

Cmon, Leo… you can bear it. Just stay with me…!

*****

After some trial and error using parts of his own clothes like read crumbs to track which ways hed been down, Zane discovered a water source, coming from a stone dragon-head carving on the wall. The safety of said water was unknown, but seeing as how there was no other choice, Zane decided to risk it and take a sip for himself. He didn feel anything particularly weird, but since he had to hurry back to Leo, there was no time to wait any longer.

In the end, Zane concluded that the water was safe—at least, as safe as anything inside a Dungeon could be—and followed the torn pieces of cloth back to Leo. By the time he returned to the chamber hed initially been in, his upper-half was nearly completely naked. But after seeing Leo still in the same position hed left him, not rabid and hostile, Zane smiled slightly, despite the terrible situation.

He knew that Leo would come through. He trusted him.

”Leo, I found some water, ” he said, walking closer and bending down beside his friend. ”Here. Take a sip. ”

Zane brought the old bottle closer to Leos mouth, inviting him to drink it, but his friends lips did not move. They just hung there, half-open, but not drinking. Noticing this abnormality, Zane frowned, and cautiously moved away.

”Leo…? ”

”… ”

Upon closer inspection, Zane noticed that Leos breathing had evened out, no longer struggling like before. In fact, it almost seemed like he was at peace in this state. His forehead was no longer sweating, his fists no longer clenched. But rather than being relieved, Zane could only feel bile rising up his throat as he desperately tried to gulp it back down along with his fear.

”… Hey, Leo, can you hear me? Hello? ”

Waving his hand a few times in front of Leos face, Zane desperately prayed inside that this was just another one of Leos tasteless jokes. He desperately wanted to believe that his friend had not succumbed to the voice inside his mind, and turned into one of those cannibalistic monsters. He desperately waited for a response—anything, anything at all—that showed even the slightest bit of humanity left in his friend.

And just at that moment, from Leos mouth came whispering one word.

”… Food. ”

Zane almost let out a sigh of relief, and laughed awkwardly as all the fear in his body suddenly vanished.

”Ohh, you want food, huh… yeah, you must be hungry after eating so much during that weird feast… how could I forget? I wasn able to find any edible things, but this water should help a bit for now. Ill go looking again right away though, so just stay here and- ”

”Looking? ”

Leo suddenly began standing up of his own accord, cutting Zane off mid-sentence. And then, as Zane froze, he revealing a hysterical smile on his face and those same spinning and deluded eyes as the others in the golden cage, crazed and bloodthirsty.

”But I have some right here. ”

Zane froze.

His last bit of hope crumbled around him, as his rust was betrayed.