"So, how do I pass the egg my blood essence?" Ryuk asked, preparing himself for the exercise.
"It's simple. Host simply needs to chant the Blood Essence Spell. The number of times chanted correlates to the number of drops Host wishes to give to the egg."
"And how many drops do you think will be enough to reduce the hatching time of the egg by half?"
"Three will be enough," the system said, and the second it finished, a new spell appeared in Ryuk's head.
Immediately, he chanted it aloud, his voice resonating incredibly loudly through the Pet World.
"Sanguis meus, vita nova. Ovum hoc, spiritu meo animetur. Fiat voluntas mea."
"Sanguis meus, vita nova. Ovum hoc, spiritu meo animetur. Fiat voluntas mea."
"Sanguis meus, vita nova. Ovum hoc, spiritu meo animetur. Fiat voluntas mea."
As soon as Ryuk finished chanting the spell, three large drops of golden liquid fell from above the Pet World, heading straight to the egg. They splashed upon its surface, and the light surrounding the egg flared out even more powerfully. The lights increased vastly until they formed a small glowing bulb.
Ryuk's godlike blood essence was quickly absorbed into the egg, further intensifying the light oozing from it.
In the next instant, Ryuk heard the sound of a crack as the Pet World shattered into glass-like pieces, and he felt his consciousness dispersing.
The next moment, he found himself back in his room, breathing heavily, his chest heaving up and down, and cold sweat dripping from his forehead.
"It seems Host lost control of the Pet World due to the feeling of weakness endured from giving away his blood essence. Host is advised to refrain from such actions for now," the system replied.
[System Alert: The egg's hatching period will be completed in 20-24 hours.]
"At least my aim was achieved," Ryuk muttered.
[Congratulations, Host has completed a Hidden Quest: Pass blood essence to an uncontracted egg.]
[Rewards: Host Charisma has been increased by +5 points.]
"I completed a hidden quest. Makes sense they call it hidden since I didn't find it previously in the quest tab," Ryuk said thoughtfully. "What's Charisma, anyway?"
[Charisma affects the bond with pets and their loyalty.]
[The increase in charisma points means that when the egg hatches, the pet won't find Host repulsive like it might with other creatures. The more Charisma Host amasses, the more other beasts will see Host as family rather than a threat.]
The system's explanation left Ryuk nodding. Looking to the side, he noticed the moonlight streaming through the room via the torn gaps in the metal walls. Unconsciously, he turned his gaze to the moon.
The moonlight revealed his handsome white face marked by large eyes, a small nose, and full red lips. His face was dirt-covered with soot and ashes, but that only made him look even cuter—like someone who would never harm a chicken.
"I guess I'll have to wait till tomorrow, then," Ryuk mused, settling down on the iron bed.
His eyes remained open for a while, the day's events replaying in his head, but he soon shut those thoughts down and forced himself to sleep.
Soon, a gentle snore could be heard through the room, and the place descended into utter silence.
"How long will you keep running, little dark one?"
The voice echoed through a snowy world, one filled with pine trees that cast long, dark shadows on the ground.
Through the forest, a snow-clad figure ran at full speed, breathing heavily, frost pouring in and out of his nose and lips with each breath.
He had no idea why he was running, but faintly, he felt terror behind him—a terror that prompted him to keep going.
"How long can you hide from us, little dark one?"
The voice came again, this time from his side. The figure immediately veered right, sprinting even faster. His foot slammed against a branch on the ground, causing him to fall. But he scrambled through the snow, quickly getting back to his feet and continuing his frantic escape.
His eyes turned back to see what was behind him, but all he saw in the dark forest was a wall of shadows and hundreds of crimson pupils glistening at him.
Their gaze radiated an intense bloodlust, making his hair stand on end. Instinctively, he sped forward blindly.
"You are cursed, and so is your fate. Nothing can escape that which is accursed, and you are its embodiment, little dark one."
The voice resonated once more. The figure turned his head over his shoulder to see, only to find the wall of shadows and crimson pupils mere inches away. He unconsciously pushed himself harder.
In the next instant, he felt the ground beneath his feet disappear. Looking down, he saw an endless abyss into which he began to fall.
He screamed as he descended rapidly, the last thing he saw being the wall of shadows and crimson pupils.
A scream reverberated through the room as a figure shot up into a sitting position.
Ryuk's eyes flashed with an intense, weary light as he looked around, his chest heaving madly.
Unconsciously, he glanced at his breath, noticing strange, snowy-white smoke puffing out.
The thick voice resonated through the space, and Ryuk turned to see Old Jack walking toward him with a tray in hand.
Jack placed the tray on the table by the bed.
Immediately, Ryuk jumped to his feet, grabbing the bread and stuffing it into his mouth while downing the coffee in quick gulps.
"You haven't eaten any real food for almost a week now. I can understand how hungry your stomach worms are," Old Jack said, watching Ryuk devour everything like a starving beast.
Within three minutes, Ryuk was done. He wiped his mouth with the back of his hand and felt a little more alive.
"So, what do you say, kid? You ready?"
Ryuk rose from his bed, nodding with determination.
"Good. Then come with me. It's still very early, and I want you to leave this place before too many people notice. The fewer who see you leaving, the safer you'll be," Old Jack said, his words carrying an implication that made Ryuk's eyes flash.
Together, they headed outside the room.
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In and Out_SnowySmoos.