MTL - Machine Storm - Chapter 9 Desperate Grim Reaper 3

A conversation with a handsome stranger leaves Ariane chained in a cellar with a strange affliction. She soon discovers that the darkness of the nineteenth century’s Deep South hides many dangers. Mages, wolf shifters and the humans who hunt them play a risky game where to stumble is to die, all under the amused gaze of the apex predators of the supernatural world: vampires.

It is never healthy to attract the gaze of the aristocracy of the night. It takes much to survive in this merciless world, but Ariane will not let that deter her. The southern belle has a bite, and she is willing to learn and to grow in this hostile new world. She will use whatever means necessary to reclaim her freedom, be it guile, charm, or those intriguing new instincts that make blood so delectable.

This is a story of vampires as I believe they should be, with their strengths and weaknesses, with their remnants of humanity and the beast inside. Updates every Friday. Mind the tags.

Cover by Antti Hakosaari: https://www.artstation.com/haco

Special thanks to Svensonsen for getting me started, as well as Omi Nya, Hesketh, Rhaegar, Yaksher, Selkie and Raven for proofreading my stuff. Thanks to my patrons and you dear readers, for the support. I could not do it without you.

Journey is on Amazon, both in ebooks and audio. here is a link to the first one:

https://www.royalroad.com/amazon/B08DK6G8Y8

The story probably exists in your local marketplace as well of I can tempt you.

[*Ding*

One day, the whole world gamified in the eyes of Su Mo.Not only could he use his lifespan to draw cards, but he could also see the hidden attributes of every item in life.As such, when he looked at the hanging lamp above him, he saw:[Item: An old hanging lamp][Hint: It will drop after one minute and seven seconds.]When he looked at his right arm, he saw:[Item: The right arm of a young man][Hint: The grip strength of his right arm is 3% stronger than that of his left arm due to continuous training.]When he looked at the ginseng on the table, he saw:[Item: A stalk of wild ginseng][Hint: It is tinted with a layer of source power. Consuming it could make you feel energized.]…Excited, Su Mo rushed to meet his girlfriend, who was a school beauty and had just agreed to date him.He then saw a bright red HP bar on top of her head.[Item: A very thirsty fox demon][Hint: You might not be able to put up a fight against her.]

It all started when a minute before we began morning activities, something suddenly occurred. The floor started shining a dazzling light, the shining expanded in an instant, and 30 classmates, including me, were laying on top of a place we didn’t recognize.