The cycle turned, and Adrian's focus remained partly on the subtle currents of his own blood. He practiced the 'Blood Focus (Rudimentary)' with quiet intensity, the initial clumsiness slowly giving way to a more intuitive control. He found that by concentrating, he could indeed hasten the knitting of minor scratches or dull the persistent ache of the Blood Thirst for brief periods, redirecting his internal sanguine flow with minute precision. It was a minor effect, yet it felt profound—the first conscious manipulation of his vampiric essence. [System Notification: Skill 'Blood Focus (Rudimentary)' proficiency increased. Minor improvements to control and stamina cost.]
"The southern region awaits," he announced later, as the Crimson Kindred gathered. "Marcus, your tracking is paramount. Seraphina, your analytical skills will be needed to assess anything new we find – creatures, resources, potential dangers. The three of us will undertake this."
Garrick nodded, hefting a newly fashioned club of Ironshroom wood, its head dense and heavy. Elara had skillfully used Bloodvines to create a surprisingly effective grip. "Bring back something worth hunting. The Grunters were barely an appetizer." A low murmur of agreement went through the others. The drive for true sustenance, and the XP it promised, was a potent motivator.
Silas had crafted several more ingenious snares and had even managed to affix sharp, obsidian-like shards (found embedded in a fallen Ironshroom) to the ends of a few sturdy fungal limbs, creating crude but wicked-looking short spears. Adrian took one, testing its balance. It was a far cry from a true weapon, but an improvement nonetheless. [System Notification: Group Objective (Combat Preparedness: Craft or improve three personal defense/hunting implements using available materials.) – Progress 2/3]
The trio set out, moving south into unexplored territory. The fungal forest gradually changed. The towering stalks here were a paler, almost bone-white, and the air was noticeably cooler, carrying a damp, loamy scent. The undergrowth was sparser, consisting of bioluminescent mosses that cast an eerie, gentle glow across the forest floor, pulsing softly.
"Remarkable," Seraphina murmured, kneeling to examine a patch of glowing moss. "Symbiotic, perhaps, with whatever nutrients are in this soil. Or a defense mechanism." [System Notification: Flora Identified: Ghostlichen (Bioluminescent Moss).]
[Properties: Emits low-level light. Absorbs ambient magical/elemental traces. Slightly toxic if ingested by non-adapted lifeforms. Can be used as a weak light source or a component in certain alchemical processes (with knowledge).]
[Use: Illumination, potential alchemical reagent.]
Marcus, meanwhile, was focused on the ground, his eyes scanning for tracks. "Something larger passed this way. Not Grunters. Heavier, more deliberate." He pointed to a series of deep, cloven hoof prints pressed into the damp earth.
They followed the tracks deeper into the pale forest. The silence here was different, less filled with the chittering of small creatures and more with a watchful stillness. Adrian found himself extending his senses, using his 'Blood Focus' not for healing, but attempting to 'feel' for the thrum of life, for the tell-tale resonance of blood. It was a vague, indistinct sense, but he thought he could detect stronger… signatures… deeper in.
After another hour, Marcus held up a hand, signaling them to halt. He pointed through a screen of drooping, pallid fungi. In a small clearing, grazing on the glowing Ghostlichen, were three creatures unlike any they had seen. They were cervine in build, with sleek, dark pelts that seemed to absorb the faint light. Instead of antlers, bony plates, like sections of ridged armor, adorned their heads and ran partially down their spines. They were easily twice the size of the Grunters. [System Notification: Creature Detected: Armored Grazer (Herbivore – Fungal Forest Adaptation).]
[Threat Level: Low-Medium (Individually – primarily defensive due to size and natural armor). May become Moderate if cornered or protecting young. Group behavior: Herd animal, will attempt to flee from significant threats, but males may charge if escape is cut off.]
[Observation: Muscular build. Blood analysis (remote scan): Rich, high vital essence. Excellent potential sustenance source for Vampires (Original). Significant XP yield anticipated compared to previous sources.]
Adrian's breath caught. "Excellent potential sustenance," he murmured, relaying the System's observation. A thrill, predatory and primal, coursed through him. This was what they needed.
Seraphina's eyes were wide with scientific interest and a touch of vampiric hunger. "Their armor appears formidable. A direct assault might be costly, even for us."
One of the Armored Grazers, a large male with particularly thick plating, lifted its head, its dark, intelligent eyes seeming to fix on their concealed position. It let out a low, resonant bellow, a clear warning.
"It's aware of us, or something near us," Marcus whispered. "Their senses are keen."
"We observe for now," Adrian decided, his mind already racing. "Learn their behavior. We need a plan if we're to hunt these. This isn't like the Grunters." He could feel the Thirst sharpen within him, a specific craving now that a truly viable source was identified. This was the next step for the Crimson Kindred – not just survival, but calculated predation for the sake of power. The information they brought back would shape their immediate future.