The title burned, then settled somewhere deep inside him, like a weight locking into place. Helena moved to his side, her hands hovering uselessly near his injured shoulder. “Dorian,” she said softly, terror threaded through her voice. “You’re bleeding.” He looked down. Blood soaked his hoodie, dark and thick, but beneath it something else moved. The dark veins spreading from the bite pulsed again, more pronounced now, branching outward like roots seeking soil. A sharp pressure bloomed behind his eyes. The System returned.

[STATUS UPDATE]

CONDITION: CURSED

DARK AFFLICTION DETECTED

SOURCE: UNKNOWN

[NEW QUEST AVAILABLE]

CURE THE CURSE [OR ELSE]

TIME LIMIT: 30 Days

FAILURE CONDITION: DEATH

The words hung there, merciless and exact. Helena’s face crumpled. “I didn’t mean to,” she whispered. “I didn’t know it would… Dor, I’m so sorry.” Dorian met her eyes. Despite the pain, despite the shadow crawling under his skin, he managed a crooked, exhausted smile. “We survived,” he said hoarsely. “That’s what matters right now.” The System did not contradict him. But the dark beneath his skin pulsed again, slow and patient, as if counting down the hours.