Chapter 124: News

I don’t know when I got home. Fragments of that day are all that remains. Images of me tending to the farm, moving items across, aimlessly walking, I was just going through the motions.

I dreamt empty dreams of home. My house a desolate wasteland, my backyard overgrown and yellowed from neglect; images of a place without an owner.

When I woke up, I just gazed at my ceiling for a time. Eventually, I got bored of that. No need to waste my day in sadness, “let’s do something.” I say in an attempt to pep myself up. With limbs of iron, I leave my bed.

Slowly I walked through the echoing hallways, no sound to be heard other than my own two feet. It filled me with a sense of sadness, prompting me to mentally connect with Chic.

The connection froze for a moment before an audible click told me our minds are connected. “Hey Chic, I could use some company right now.”

“K” Is all I got in reply.

Moments later, a skittering sound fills the hallway. Chic comes bolting down the hallway like their ass was alight. Skidding to a stop with a neat slide in front of me.

I gently pick Chic up, cradling them in my arms, hugging them. “Cave spiders are the best; do you know why?”

She shakes her head.

“You are small enough to cuddle, cuter than normal spiders, and far more valuable when it comes to combat.”

She nuzzles my chest, squeaking slightly like a chew toy.

With Chic in my arms, I wander into my front room. Snagging a banana off a passing tree before settling down on a couch. Turning the dragon radio on, so some music could take my mind off things.

A calm tune plays.

I shake my head, “no, I need something heavier.” Playing with the dial, I eventually hit a station with some strong rock. “Perfect.”

I enjoyed the song they were playing. To my surprise, after the song, a news station began speaking.

An effeminate voice speaks. “Hello, I hope you enjoyed the new hit single from Dendal. We are loving the music he is producing recently; we think you are too.”

A more masculine voice speaks. “ From rags to riches, this man continues to surprise us all. I heard he produced this song in his backyard without any help.”

“Really, that is amazing.” That same feminine voice replied.

“We will give you now to our news report for the music break.” An audible click sounds.

A young and energetic voice speaks. “Hello, I am J, your favorite news reporter bringing you the latest in continental news. Let’s begin with the big news story today. A previously unknown species of dragon has been killed recently. The Imperial empire takes credit, but we have some juicy details. The person who killed it is named Aeternum. Or as he is now called, The Slayer; for his exceptional combat capabilities. The dragon was found inside a dimension referred to as the End. Leaks have revealed this dimension to be barren but not unpopulated. As we all know, the more desolate and barren, the more dangerous it is, and the items are far rarer. We have reached out to the Dagger family inside the Imperial empire for a comment. We are also attempting to get access to the dimension for our lovely listeners.”

“In other news, Denden, Candil, Foxtail, Oxenretreat, Florina, and Cardin have received heavy damages due to the most recent blood moon. Florina, and Candil in particular, were nearly destroyed. Our hearts go out to the friends and family who have lost lives to the most recent blood moon.”

“On more good news, we won’t see another blood moon for at least a year, astrologists say. Origen bank has also given out interest-free loans for those suffering families.”

“Rumors of a vampire resurgence have spread like wildfire over the border. No evidence has been found yet; we have a monster hunter here today to speak about vampires.”

A smoky voice speaks through the radio. “Hi… Hello.”

“Please tell us what you think about these rumors?” The young news reporter says.

“Ah, yes. Monsters, abominations. I don’t think they are back. They were wiped out over 100 years ago. I would say almost 200 hundred. Are records are unclear after the Night hunters disbandment.”

“I see, are you sure? Is there any possible way they are back?”

“Not impossible, but unlikely. We don’t know how the vampire infection was created; it is a mystery to this day. Simply for that fact, we cannot rule it out.”

“You call it an infection?”

“Yeah, they infect innocent people. Turning them into blood-thirsty monsters. An incurable, terminal infection. The only option is a bullet between the eyes.”

“I had heard there was a cure?”

“A myth. It has circulated for as long as vampirism has been known. If the cure existed, why did vampires fight during the great hunt?”

“I see; thank you for your insight. We return back to our last story for the day. Thanks to great strides, the space program funded by the Earthen Royalty has been a success. It took years of development, but we have finally escaped the atmosphere of our planet. I wonder if perhaps we can lay this round globe vs cube planet argument to rest.”

“Thank you for tuning in today; see you tomorrow and enjoy the songs we have lined up.”

I just say back as some music kicks in. “The Earthen empire has a news station? I really need to visit that place soon.”

This gave me a lot to think about. First, did they really have to give my name… “assholes!” Second, I need to warn the vampires. Third, I can’t believe they have already got into space. I thought technology was far more behind than that.

Maybe my dream of the internet isn’t as far-fetched as I first thought.

The vampires won’t be active till night. Looking at my clock, “the only afternoon.” Got some time to burn.

Feeling my stomach rumble, I head to the kitchen. Turning the radio up so I can hear it while cooking. I slept in far too late today, but hey, I need to stay awake this evening.

Boiling some water, I toss some eggs into it. I want them hard boiled. Preparing a bath of ice water to refresh the eggs after they are ready. I take some sausage meat mince: adding salt, pepper, thyme, garlic, paprika, and some, chili-flakes for flavor.

Mixing it all together, I create child fist-sized balls of mince. Eggs now hard-boiled, I chuck them into the water bath.

Taking the eggs out, I peel them. Flattening the sausage meat into a large circle before wrapping the egg in it. I rub the meat until it is as evenly distributed as possible. I take all the eggs, doing the same process.

Next, I take some egg yolks, a dash of milk, and salt, mixing it all together. I prepare some breadcrumbs to the side. Dipping the sausage balls into the egg yolk before the breadcrumb, I create scotch eggs; once they are all dipped, I fry them in oil, at 180-celsius oil.

I had the foresight to craft a probe this time, using it to check the oil temperature. Once golden brown, I chuck them in the oven until they are heated through.

Taking out my golden brown price, I bite in. Immediately regretting it, having burned my mouth so bad I took a hitpoint. Chugging a healing potion to soothe my aching mouth.

Once they had cooled down, I took a careful bite. My mouth was still a little burned; so I didn’t enjoy it as much as I would have otherwise. Nonetheless, they tasted wonderful.

They didn’t last long, quickly disappearing into my stomach.

With a full belly, I head around the island. Chopping down overgrown trees; because they apparently keep growing here and propagate naturally. Next, I mow the grass with a lawnmower, which I found in NEI. This took ages, given the surface area. Next, I check and refill the farm. Move the items into the ME system, restock the automation, and finally check my infinity drill. Which has amassed over 100 million rf. A terrifying number.

It is still daylight, but it is disappearing quickly. Turning into my vampiric form, I head to the vampire base. The place was silent as expected. While waiting, I turn the radio on. Enjoying some light beats while I read.

To my surprise, I heard a scuttle. Turning my head, I see a young man, a vampire. “wow, someone is awake early.” I say offhandedly.

“Sir… Aeternum, sorry. Hello.” The young man says.

“I see you know me, and my distaste for honorifics. Nice to meet you.” I say, holding my hand out.

He shakes it nervously before sitting next to me. “May I ask why you are awake?” He says.

“I have something to discuss with you a lot.”

“I see.” He says curiously.

“And you? Vampires find it difficult to wake up before sunset.”

“I didn’t go to sleep.”

Taking a second look, he does look tired.

“How are you awake; your body must be screaming.”

He shows me marks on his arm. “I hurt myself to keep alert.”

“That… Is hardcore.” I say in reply, surprised at the man. “Why are you doing that?”

“I want to test the limits of my vampiric biology.”

“I see, a scientist at heart.” He nods in reply. “I am impressed; few are willing to do that.”

“Thank you.” He says shyly.

“What’s your name anyway?”

“Rakin.”

“I see; nice to meet you, Raki.”

We sit in silence for a time, no small talk. Eventually, he caves.

“What are you going to talk to us about?” His foot tapping the floor lightly.

“I should say, wait for everyone to wake up, but I feel like indulging. Rumors are spreading of vampires.”

He stands up. “That is impossible! We have been so cautious!” Strongly defending his family.

“Calm down. I am not pointing fingers. I am here to give a general warning.”

He sits back down, a conflicted expression on his face. “What should we do?” He asks.

“Well, be bloody careful first.” He chuckled at that. “We need to increase the radius of our hunting area. If you bite 2 people and they are friends, they might both say they are woozy, tired after the night. That is now a coincidence; what if a third says they suffer the same problem?”

“It’s now a pattern.”

“Exactly.”

“So we increase the radius to minimize the risk.”

“Exactly what I plan to tell people.”

“How can we expand outside the city, the other towns are days out?”

“You guys have super speed, and If you want? Mail yourself to a town. Also, we have a front door here; try and find a town around it.”

“I see.” A look of deep contemplation on his face.

Finally, the vampires begin to stir. Like an agreed upon time, they all open at once. A couple lagging behind a few moments; late sleepers.

They all get up, some saying “Good morning.” Out of habit. Eventually, they all see me and Raking sat on the sofa. Helt quickly approaches, “Hi, Aeternum.”

“Hi, Helt. I have a small announcement to make.

“I see, feel free to take the stage. He says; happy to not have to do it.”

I walk up to the podium, clearing my throat with a cough. All eyes are on me, which is a little unnerving.

“First, I am happy to see you all and a couple new faces.” Nodding towards the new members. “What I came here today, to say, is of grave importance. Rumors of vampire activity are starting to spread.” Which got a lot of whispering.

“We are by no means strong enough to resist a full-scale hunter assault. So, the plan is to increase the hunting area. We need to search out other prey, the ones in the town are getting clued onto it. The front door is there, you all have super speed. Or at least I hope some of you have gotten it. Good luck, and stay safe. I don’t want any people dying; Lilith would be sad.”

With that, I step down from the podium. The crowd a wave of nervous expressions.