That fucking idiot… I kept my face straight as I watched Yukina's condition. Although I may be five hundred years old, I never used this ability before. Everything was blurry, and I could sense the agony her body was in.
Surely, she was doing well herself— I kept checking her condition, constantly. Every time I could sit down, but she got too arrogant. Yes, the bears were all severely weakened for those she killed.
Never get arrogant. That's how I became a vampire. I told this to her through our connection, I became bitten when my first party was hunting a creature of the night.
It was a hot streak, we completed every mission we took… But the vampire that turned me was powerful, yet our party was too. But, it slipped past our tank, swordsman and mages— grabbing me, and held my neck in its hands.
With a mock, and a sink of its fangs, my fate was turned— becoming immortal, a being that preyed upon weaker beings.
Hopefully this is a lesson to you…. I wished silently, I could feel Yukina lose consciousness not long after. With a sigh, and a stretch of my new flesh I got to my feet. Close to Yukina, we had found a cave— James was sleeping with his back against the wall; Melinda was asleep- resting her head in his lap facing towards him.
These past three days, I was regenerating my nerves, flesh, and skin. Due to the severity of the situation I couldn't heal her paralyzation. Today I might be able to, but there's no guarantee her body will be back to normal… there's a chance it could lead to permanent nerve damage. Although, I think she'd rather want to move than to be forever like that.
Shaun was huddled in a far corner of this cave, he held his knees to chin; his finger repeatedly tapped his shin, since… we could not find his wife, his anxiety was high.
Verd, he was a different story. Since his kids were safe, his anxiety was low— the only part he kept asking was about Sage
"She'll be fine, she's strong!" He proclaimed, he was not wrong. Amidst the women, Sage was strong, and a bit weird.
Some days she'd get these random ideas and talk to me. Mainly about my vampiric nature, such as drinking coagulated blood. Truthfully I did answer.
Coagulated blood was like trying to eat rotten meat as a normal person; I tried when I was freshly turned, I had to vomit everything and I almost lost control when I came to.
I only needed fresh blood, directly from the source or from keeping it in a bottle to preserve it.
"I'll be outside." I proclaimed to them and brought out a white cloak from my storage. "You five rest."
"Already on it."
"Where will you be going?" Jin asked, he raised his head to look at me. "Are you leaving us?"
What kind of crap is this guy thinking?
I can understand being afraid, there are bears everywhere— direwolves, yatta.. yatta. I had to physically sigh, before tying my cloak. "Listen, tiny." Whilst I pointed at him, I continued. "I have no emotional attachment to any of you. I need to keep track of a certain someone."
Jin merely just stared at me, mouth hung. Shaun held his legs tighter, whilst Verd stopped pacing and became like Jin…
"So just stay here, and don't ask."
"..."
With a slight sigh, I turned around and left the mouth of our temporary home. The air was freezing, but my body wasn't being affected.
There was no snow outside, it was just a pure grey rocky ground. No trees, wildlife, or anything.
What a perfect place, for now. If only…. Yukina was here….
My urges were starting to come back. My throat was becoming scratchy, ugh… I took a spot next to the cave.
Blood cravings are the worst, even when I evolved past a vampire thrall. It started off needing blood every few weeks and barely a cup… However, my appetite increased significantly over time.
There was not much upside, other than my physical stats… Damn it…
Before I could get lost in my thoughts, a voice, one I knew for over five hundred years entered my mind. Even in our past lives, it stayed the same— he sounded like a young man; however, not as energetic as one.
Shen? Can you hear me?
What is it?
He's been like me, immortal and over five hundred years old.
The demi-god meeting will be held in Ard. It starts in a month, can you join me?
I leaned back whilst closing my eyes. It was a tough decision, should I or should I not. Or should I allow him to come? He shouldn't interact with Yukina. Not now at least.
He could sense my hesitation, his voice again popping in my head.
Very well, I'll ask another.
Hold on, you idiot.
I know that hesitation.
I had to cover my face in frustration. This guy…
I'm on my way to Ard at the moment. I can stay secluded, but there are issues with the meeting.
Is it my son?
Like usual, his intuition was on point; blatantly clear it was built over time ... .Hell, it was greater than mine, and totally wise I am a year older than him.
"Shit…"
Remember the letter I left?
Obviously.
I can't have you or him interact… I feel like that's what the god following him wants to happen.
There was a pause, he was thinking but I couldn't hear it. As I stood here, I felt my foot tap subconsciously, he was thinking long.
It took a while, but he eventually spoke in my mind again….
I won't talk with him. Black hair, young girl, multi-colored eyes, correct?
That's correct. I responded, a thought crossed my mind, and an itchy feeling picked at my scalp. I believe Mathew will look different at the meeting.
To put it simply, the demi-god meetings at Ard usually hold a banquet. The two demi-gods, Lorraine and Stark hold it for Valda and Frederic.
Even the latter was confused by this, but it was put simply; they were fearful of their power. Lorraine's specialty was knowledge, afterall, she was the demi-god of knowledge. Her husband, the demi-god of smithing was self explanatory.
If all four demi-gods had an amicable relationship, it would be all well. But, back to Mathew's role.
Is it… due to that theory?
Yes. Lorraine would try to keep that theory hidden. It's best to be safe when that cult is going around; there're a lot of problems that will arise if they find Mathew.
Point him out when the meeting starts.
"I'm not a bloodhound you ass…" I grumbled to myself, I had to take a deep breath before continuing. And who knows if I can make it.
And what's your problem now?
As I said, I'm on my way to Ard; currently, I'm in frosted peaks with Mathew's adopted family.
… And that should not be a problem for you…
He isn't wrong, I'm nearly fully healed, and my stats are enhanced currently. Yet, these damn people are weaker than expected.
Their gear is below average, their means of attacking are purely physical. Jin with his weak little arms can pierce a bear's hide but can't kill one who's moving. James heals, but he runs out fast.
I felt a stinging feeling in my forehead— this isn't a good situation at all. Even I, as a vampire, only have one means of attacking— my vampiric charm, yet it works only on intelligent, or humanoid beings…
I'll be with you at sundown. I said to him before canceling our communications channel. It was as easy as cutting the mana flowing to my mind.
"That guy… Haah… I should grab something to eat for everyone." As I muttered this, I grabbed a sword from my storage. Something simple, a dull silver blade without any enchantments. "Bear meat should be fine."
I scratched a note onto the ground in front of the cave and set off.
Bears hunt in packs in this world, as well as direwolves. I shouldn't have to rely on my hearing much. However, I kept them open as I strolled on these stones.
Honestly, it was barren, without much to look at. Eventually, I felt bored, so I searched through my storage space as I walked.
The paperwork is going to be horrendous… Eugh… There was a bunch of crap inside, and important paperwork.
"Reincarnated of Gaia… Captured…" I caught the bridge of my nose whilst looking down. What are these kids doing? I couldn't help but wonder. "Time to deal with that one when I get to Ard."
When I searched through the rest, they were random meeting papers that I shouldn't worry about.
Anyways, I heard some scratching, growling and barking not far away. Direwolves…? Not the best choice, but it's good enough.
The noises were from my right, just over a hump in the ground. I shouldn't even bother.
If I could hear them, they could hear my footsteps. I started off slow, but picked up my pace— my footsteps were extremely loud, and I saw the direwolves turn their heads to me.
Like the bears, their sizes were vastly increased. They were as tall as me when I had no heels or shoes on…
The first one snarled, and dashed at me. Unfortunately for it, they were too slow, and I brought my sword through its neck.
Then its ally tried to pounce, meeting its fate onto my blade, its body ran through.
Four left?
With a slight huff, I kicked the corpse off my blade.
I guess I'll have to eat raw meat.
I stormed my way over to the next. It couldn't react when my blade split its skull open. Then its partner met its fate by decapitation.
Thus… the last two stared in fear. Tails tucked, hackles lowered, and their ears were flattened.
"I'm not sorry." I muttered as I couldn't help feeling a smile creep onto my lips.
*********
"...Welcome back." Jin welcomed me as I dragged the corpse inside. Everyone else snapped their heads to stare at what was inside my hand.
"Thanks, Tiny." I thanked him before dragging the corpse into the middle of the cave." I stopped and turned to see Melinda had her eyes open. "You're awake?"
"Yes…"
That's good. She was having issues staying awake the past three days.
"Good, good."
James helped prop his wife next to him, and asked. "Did you go out hunting?"
"Duh?"
He fell silent, the realization of how stupid his question was, was written on his face. Then, he frowned before the questioning started.
"We're holding you back, aren't we?"
"Yes, but I'm helping you out as an obligation to Yukina."
"Thanks…" James let out a low huff, then continued. "I figured… can any of us help you with cooking."
"Mister Tiny over there can." As quick as I could, I pointed at Jin. "He's just sitting there, so get up."
"Why the hell do you keep calling me tiny?"
I turned my head to him with a smile… my face felt a little warm, but it felt too good to stay quiet. "Due to your tiny manhood."
"..."