AT ONE COLD EVENING ON EARTH
ADRIAN
I did not expect to die choking on instant noodles at two in the morning. But hey, life's a joke, right? There I was, lying on my ratty apartment floor, lungs screaming for air, as my last thought was pure bitter garbage.
"Of course, I die alone. Just expired seasoning and my stupidity."I muttered to myself.
I knew that soon nobody would remember my name. When my consciousness started fading away, I was able to hear a whisper.
"Let's have a little more fun, little mortal soul." A cold voice said.
I was not sure if those words were reality or an illusion. Then everything went black. When I woke up, I was not in heaven or hell. I was drowning in the scent of lavender and cold stone walls.
"Why d-does this place look so familiar?"I whispered.
In a few moments, I realized my location. I was at the Velrin manor. Specifically inside the trashy omegaverse novel 'Fangs or Claws'. The place I had read about in every damn forum post complaining about how useless I was supposed to be. Suddenly, I heard a sharp voice inside my head that was not human.
"Congratulations, Adrian Velrin. You've entered an extra character in Fangs or Claws."The voice said.
"Who are you?"I asked nervously.
"I am a system, I am here for you to help communicate inside this world. Welcome to 'epilogue'." System said.
No way in hell. I sat upright, heart pounding like a damn war drum. The door creaked, and in walked Lady Nadia Velrin, perfect hair, perfect icy glare, and zero patience for weaklings like me. She was 'my' stepmother who had her own son, Henry, who is a year younger than me a perfect little copy of hers. Adrian's father, inside the novel, died while fighting at war, so she became the lady of the house soon after his death.
"You're awake." She said like I was an inconvenience. "Good. You're old enough to fend for yourself now."
"Wait, what?" My voice cracked. She waved me off like a bug.
"The head maid will bring your travel papers. This house has no use for weak omegas."She said. "I don't need you be around my son anymore."
Of course, the perfect Henry. He is her own son who arrived inside the house when 'Adrian' father died, and now he is the perfect heir of the family. So that was it. Sold off or cast out on day one. Great start. I watched how she turned around and left the room.
"First task. Leave Velrin mansion. Survival difficulty. Moderate."The system said.
I flopped down on the edge of the bed and stared at the ceiling. "Well, goddamn. They don't waste time around here."I whispered.
My omega senses screamed danger, outside the gates were hungry Alphas, and inside was pure rejection. My plan was simple, avoid heat, avoid alphas, and stay alive. I took a shaky breath.
"Alright, let's do this."I whispered. I snatched a handful of rusty coins off the dresser twelve coppers, if I counted right. Felt heavier than I expected, like someone shoved all my bad luck into these tiny, cold pieces of metal.
"Travel papers acquired. Inventory updated. 12 copper coins." The system's voice buzzed in my head, dry as ever.
No cheer, no sympathy. Just facts. The rain still drummed on the window, cold and relentless. I cracked the door open and slipped out, the hinges groaning like they hated me already.
"Exit Velrin mansion. Survival difficulty. High."The system said.
I pulled my coat tighter and darted into the night. Shadows wrapped around me like chains, and every step felt like I was walking on glass.
"Warning. Nearby alpha presence detected. Avoid confrontation." System warned.
Great. Just what I needed. I hugged the wall, slipping through dark alleys slick with rain, every footstep echoing too loud in my ears. The town wasn't safe, never safe, but better than the freezing stone tomb I had just escaped.
"Objective update. Reach the town square. Safe zone proximity: 30 meters."The system said.
I crouched behind a market stall, chest heaving. People glanced my way eyes sharp, hungry, or maybe just bored.
"Trade option available: Exchange 5 copper coins for food rations. Remaining coins: 7." The system said.
My stomach twisted in knots. Food meant a target on my back. But starving wasn't a plan, either.
"Decision. Purchase food rations. Survival boost +15."System said.
I grabbed the crusty bread and cheese, my hands shaking, and melted into the crowd. Just another ghost trying not to get caught.
"Next objective: Find shelter before dawn. Survival difficulty. Extreme."System said.
I swallowed hard.
"Step four, don't die choking on expired noodles again."The system said.
"Not funny, system."I whispered.
I kept my head low, the rain pounding against me like a thousand tiny fists. My clothes clung to my skin, soaked and heavy. I was cold, hungry, and miserable, but at least I was out of that damn Velrin mansion. The town square was a mess of flickering lanterns and rundown buildings, each one looking more like a trap than a refuge. I spotted a small tavern more of a shack really half collapsed roof, windows smeared with grime. I shoved the last of my coins into my pocket and pushed open the creaky door. The warm air hit me like a slap, thick with the scent of stale ale and sweat. A few rough-looking folks turned to eye me like I was some kind of rat trying to sneak crumbs. Behind the counter, a grizzled man with a scar running from his cheek to his jawline grunted.
"What do you want, runt?"He asked. I swallowed hard.
"A room. Just for the night." My voice came out rough, cracked from the cold and fear. He raised an eyebrow.
"Room? You look like you can't pay for a bed, omega. What's your name?"He asked.
"Adrian… Velrin." I bit my tongue.
The name was like a curse, and I hated that it felt like a mark on me. The man snorted, then leaned closer.
"Velrin, huh? The family's got no use for weak omegas. What makes you think I would shelter you?"He asked. I clenched my fists, trying to keep the panic from shaking my voice.
"Because I pay. Five copper coins. That's all I've got."I said.
He studied me for a long moment, the tavern quiet except for the rain tapping the windows. Then he shrugged.
"Fine. Five coppers. But don't make trouble."He added.
I nodded, relief crashing over me like a wave. The man grabbed a rusty iron key and tossed it on the counter.
"Room's upstairs. Don't make me regret it."The man added.
I grabbed the key, clutching it like a lifeline.
"I won't."I said.
The stairs groaned under my weight as I climbed, the wood warped and creaked ominously. The room was barely bigger than a closet, just a thin straw mattress, a cracked window, and the faint smell of mold. I dropped my pack and sank onto the mattress, heart still racing. Outside, the rain kept hammering down, and somewhere in the distance, I thought I heard the low growl of an Alpha.
"Shelter secured. Survival difficulty. Minimal." The system chimed.
I pulled my coat tighter around me, chewed the stale bread slowly, trying to savor it like a feast.
"Okay, Adrian." I whispered to the dark. "You got a room. Now you just need to not die in it." For once, this world felt a little less suffocating.