The Shadow Of The Lunar Curse

Chapter 7: transformation 

Jerry's heart hammered in his chest as he stared at the figure in the doorway, Its form seemed to be made entirely of shadows that were shifting and writhing like smoke trapped in a storm, it's two piercing and glowing red eyes locked onto him while radiating a malice so intense that Jerry felt rooted to the spot.

"Sorry kid" the figure said with a low its voice with a distorted growl that sounded like it came from the depths of a nightmare, "I'm here to kill you"

Jerry's breath hitched as fear washed over him, He stumbled back while his hand fumbling for the light switch, but the hallway remained engulfed in darkness, The figure stepped inside, its movements were unnervingly smooth and silent.

"W-why?" Jerry managed to stammer with his voice shaking.

The shadowed figure tilted its head, as if amused, "You've been marked," it hissed. "And my master doesn't like loose ends."

Before Jerry could respond, the glowing interface of the Lunar System flashed before his eyes, cutting through the suffocating tension.

---[New Skill Unlocked: Inspection]

[Inspection Skill Description: Allows the host to analyze objects, beings, or environments.

The information displayed is limited by the host's level.

Warning: Higher-level entities may block inspection.]

Jerry blinked rapidly, and his fear was momentarily overshadowed by confusion.

"Inspection?" he whispered.

The system's text shimmered again.

---[Suggested Action: Use Inspection to gather information about the current threat.]

Jerry didn't have an opportunity to question the system.

"Inspect," he said instinctively, while still focused on the shadowed figure.

---[Name: Shadow Assassin]

[Level: 3]

[Type: Supernatural Entity]

[Abilities: Shadow Manipulation, Stealth, Enhanced Agility, Lethal Precision]

[Threat Level: High]

[Weaknesses: Silver-infused weapons, sunlight, disruption of shadow core]

[Description: A deadly supernatural assassin crafted for silent eliminations, It lacks human features, existing solely to fulfill its master's orders.]

Jerry's heart sank while thinking Level 3? He was only Level 1, and there was no way he could fight something like that!

The figure lunged suddenly forward which broke him out of his thoughts, Jerry barely had time to dodge as the shadow clawed at where the head had been a moment ago, Jerry scrambled backward while nearly tripping over his feet.

"Run!" the system urged him and flashed bright red text across his vision.

Jerry didn't need to be told twice, He bolted out the back door, the assassin's eerie laugh following him as his legs ran as fast as they could with his sneakers pounding against the pavement as he headed toward the woods, The cool night air bit at his skin, but the adrenaline coursing through his veins drowned out everything else.

The Shadow assassin was fast, and it was unnaturally fast, It was moving like a blur with its shadowy form darting between the trees, Jerry hid himself behind a large oak tree and began gasping for air, but the figure materialized right in from of him with its clawed hand slashing at Jerry's chest.

Pain pierced across Jerry's torso as he was thrown backward, and he crash into the ground, He groaned in pain and clutched his shirt which was now torn and stained with his blood.

---[Warning: Critical Condition Detected. Activating Emergency Protocols.]

Jerry's vision blurred as the system's interface popped up again.

---[Temporary Skill Unlocked: Lunar Combat Mode]

[Transformation: Moon Whelp]

[Status: Temporary Transforming]

[HP: 50/100]

"Transformation?" Jerry muttered with a voice.

Suddenly, Jerry started feeling a burning sensation erupting in his body, starting from the mark on his palm and spreading outward, His muscles became tensed, and his vision sharpened, his heartbeat was now thundering in his ears, He could also feel his bones shifting, his body changing, and his wounds were healing.

Jerry let out a scream, but the sound from his throat was like a howl and then claws started to extend from his fingertips, His body grew stronger, and His eyes glowed an intense blue, illuminating the surrounding darkness, making him able to see in the dark, fangs started to grow From his mouth like a vampire, his hair grew longer reaching his back and his side's hair also grew, When the pain subsided, he stood shakily while breathing strongly, he felt his smell, hearing, vision and fitness improved.

"What… what just happened?" Jerry whispered and stared at his hands that had grown sharp claws, His enhanced senses picked up every sound into the environment, the rustling of leaves, the distant chirping of crickets, and the assassin's approach.

---[Moon Whelp Transformation Active] (all stats have doubled)

[Abilities: Enhanced Strength, Speed, senses, and Healing. Limited Control] (may lose control under full moon)

[Weaknesses: Vulnerable to Silver, Emotional Instability.]

The Shadow assassin lunged at him again, but this time Jerry was ready as his newly sharpened reflexes kicked in, and he dodged to the side, while also slashing at the shadow assassin with his claws. To his surprise, the claws connected, tearing through his shadowy form.

The assassin let out an unearthly shriek while retreating slightly, the spot where Jerry had slashed started reforming, like the shadows were healing.

Jerry didn't let up as he ran with a speed and agility and bravery he didn't know he possessed, Jerry was trying to land blow after blow, but The Shadow assassin fought back fiercely while dodging or blocking some of Jerry's attacks, the shadow assassin shadowy tendrils lashed out catching Jerry's arm, He cried out as pain shot through him, but the wounds began to heal almost instantly.

The fight raged on, intense and brutal, Jerry's transformation gave him an edge, but the shadow assassin's experience and lethal precision kept him on his toes, They moved deeper into the woods as Jerry started using his environment to his advantage, their clash leaving a trail of destruction in its wake, clawed marks were on tree's, while some weaker or thinner trees had fallen.

Jerry was finally able to land a decisive strike, his claws went through the shadow assassin pinning him to a tree trunk, Jerry's hands were gripping the hard core of the shadow assassin, the core was too hard for him to destroy with his bare hands, the only solution was to pull it out, but Jerry didn't pull it, he wanted answers.

---[Quest Completed: Survive the Encounter]

[Reward: +50 EXP, 2 stat point]

[Host Info]

Name: Jerry Blade

Age: 17

Status: transformed 

Class: Moon Whelp (Lunar Werewolf)

Affinity: None

(Due to transformation, some stats are temporary increased)

Host Stats

Level: 1

Exp: 50/100

Strength: 10+(10)

Speed: 10+(10)

Intelligence: 15

Bravery: 5+(10)

Extra stat points +2]

Jerry stared at the shadow assassin, ignoring the system message,