Chương 3: The First Step
Mystic Falls, Present Day
The next morning, Alex woke up with a sense of purpose. The conversation with Alaric had given him a much-needed boost of confidence. He had taken the first step toward building alliances, and while it was just a small victory, it was a crucial one. But Alex knew that he couldn't rely on others to protect his family—he had to become strong enough to do that himself.
After a quick breakfast, he sat on the edge of his bed and pulled up his system interface. The familiar blue screen appeared in front of him, listing his current status and available missions.
[System Status]
Strength: 12
Speed: 15
Body: 13
Endurance: 14
Spirit: 10
Points: 200
Level: 2
[Missions]
Daily: Complete 50 push-ups (Reward: 10 points)
Daily: Run 3 miles (Reward: 15 points)
Monthly: Reach 20 points in all attributes (Reward: 100 points)
Yearly: Survive until the end of the year (Reward: 1000 points)
Alex frowned slightly as he reviewed his stats. He had a long way to go before he could consider himself strong, but at least he had a clear path forward. The daily missions were simple enough, designed to push him to his limits while steadily increasing his attributes.
He decided to tackle the physical tasks first. If he wanted to be prepared for whatever Mystic Falls had in store, he needed to make his body as strong as possible.
Stepping outside, Alex took a deep breath, filling his lungs with the crisp morning air. Mystic Falls was quiet at this time of day, with most of the town still waking up. It was the perfect time for a run—no distractions, no interruptions. Just him and the road ahead.
Alex started off at a steady pace, focusing on his breathing and the rhythm of his feet hitting the pavement. The streets of Mystic Falls were lined with ancient oaks and quaint houses, giving the town a picture-perfect charm that belied the darkness lurking beneath the surface. But Alex didn't let himself get distracted. He had a mission to complete.
As he ran, he could feel the burn in his muscles, the strain in his lungs. But he welcomed the discomfort—it meant that he was pushing his limits, growing stronger. Every step brought him closer to his goal, not just in terms of the mission, but in terms of his overall survival.
By the time he completed the three miles, his legs were burning and his shirt was soaked with sweat. But when he checked his system, he was rewarded with a small burst of satisfaction.
[Mission Complete: Run 3 miles]
Reward: 15 points
[System Status]
Points: 215
The points were a small reward, but they were essential for his growth. Points could be used to enhance his attributes, purchase items from the store (once it was unlocked), or even save his life in a dire situation. Alex knew he had to be careful with how he spent them.
Next, he focused on the push-ups. Dropping to the ground, he began the first set. His arms trembled as he pushed himself up and down, but he refused to stop until he hit the required 50. By the time he finished, his arms felt like jelly, but he knew that he had accomplished something important.
[Mission Complete: Complete 50 push-ups]
Reward: 10 points
Alex collapsed onto the grass, breathing heavily. It wasn't just about the physical gains—it was about the mental toughness he was developing. Mystic Falls was a dangerous place, and only those with the will to survive would make it through the coming storm.
As he lay there, staring up at the sky, he felt a sense of determination settle over him. He might be new to this world, but he had a purpose now. Protecting his family was no longer just a vague goal—it was a mission, one that he couldn't afford to fail.
Later That Day
After showering and changing into fresh clothes, Alex decided to pay a visit to the Salvatore Boarding House. He knew that Stefan and Damon Salvatore were central figures in Mystic Falls, and while their relationship with each other was complicated, they were both powerful allies—if he could gain their trust.
The Boarding House was an imposing structure, surrounded by dense woods and a wrought-iron gate that gave it an air of isolation. Alex had never been there before, but he had heard enough about it to know that the Salvatores preferred their privacy. But he wasn't going there to socialize—he had a purpose.
As he approached the front door, he could feel a sense of unease creeping in. The Salvatores were vampires, ancient and powerful, and he was just a teenager with a system that hadn't even reached its full potential. But Alex had no choice—he needed to gather as much information as possible, and the Salvatores were the best source.
He knocked on the door, listening to the echo that seemed to reverberate through the entire house. For a moment, there was no response, and Alex wondered if they were even home. But then the door creaked open, revealing Stefan Salvatore, the younger of the two brothers.
Stefan was as handsome as the rumors had suggested, with a calm, almost serene demeanor that belied his true nature. But there was a hint of curiosity in his eyes as he looked at Alex, as if he was trying to figure out why this stranger had shown up at his door.
"Can I help you?" Stefan asked, his voice polite but guarded.
Alex took a deep breath, steadying his nerves. "I'm Alex Lockwood. I just moved to town recently, and I've heard a lot about this place. I was hoping we could talk."
Stefan's eyebrows rose slightly, and Alex could see the wheels turning in his mind. "Lockwood? Any relation to the mayor?"
Alex nodded. "He's my uncle."
Stefan's expression softened slightly at that. "Come in," he said, stepping aside to let Alex enter.
The interior of the Boarding House was as grand as the exterior, with high ceilings, ornate furniture, and a sense of history that seemed to permeate every corner. But there was also a darkness to the place, a sense of foreboding that made Alex uneasy. He knew that this house had seen its fair share of death and violence, and it was likely to see more in the future.
Stefan led him to the living room, where a fire crackled in the fireplace, casting a warm glow over the room. "What brings you here, Alex?" Stefan asked, gesturing for him to sit.
Alex took a seat on the leather couch, trying to appear as relaxed as possible. "I've been doing some research on Mystic Falls, and I've come across some… interesting things. I was hoping you could help me understand them better."
Stefan's gaze sharpened slightly, and Alex knew he had hit the mark. "What kind of things?"
Alex hesitated for a moment, choosing his words carefully. "The history of this town. The stories that don't get written down, but everyone seems to know. I think you know what I'm talking about."
For a moment, Stefan said nothing, his eyes locked on Alex's. The silence stretched out, heavy and uncomfortable, but Alex didn't back down. He knew that Stefan was trying to gauge whether he could be trusted, and Alex had to prove that he was worth the risk.
Finally, Stefan nodded. "You're right. There's a lot about this town that most people don't know. But once you do, there's no going back."
Alex met his gaze steadily. "I'm already in too deep to back out now."
Stefan studied him for a moment longer before leaning back in his chair. "Alright, I'll tell you what I know. But first, I need to know—why are you so interested in this?"
Alex considered his answer carefully. He couldn't reveal everything, not yet. But he needed to give Stefan enough to earn his trust. "Because I know what's coming. And I need to be ready."
Stefan's eyes narrowed slightly, but he didn't press the issue. "Fair enough. But be careful, Alex. Once you start down this path, there's no turning back."
Alex nodded, his resolve firm. "I understand."
As Stefan began to explain the history of Mystic Falls, the founding families, and the supernatural forces that had shaped the town, Alex listened intently. This was exactly what he needed—knowledge, allies, and the strength to protect his family from the dangers that lurked in the shadows.
But even as he absorbed Stefan's words, a part of Alex couldn't help but wonder if he was making the right choice. The deeper he delved into the world of Mystic Falls, the more he risked losing himself. But he had no other option—his family's safety depended on it.
As the conversation continued, Alex could feel the weight of the responsibility he had taken on. The storm was coming, and when it hit, he would need every ounce of strength, every piece of knowledge, and every ally he could gather to survive.
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