“So with this ‘System’ of yours, you not only gained almost limitless regeneration, but also enhanced senses, along with a +5 increase to all of your attributes besides wisdom?!” questioned Zhan Shen.

Miles smiled, “Yes. Why even bother asking Old Zhan? I’m sure you can see it for yourself.”

The old butler nodded, “True. Alongside the vile aura within, I can sense power slightly greater than the average human.

But Master Miles, can there really be something so convenient? To give power, without taking anything back? Are you confident those attribute increases didn’t use up any of your Faetality? All Fae Serums, even those of the highest tiers require Faetality! Are you sure there are no side effects to this ‘System’?”

Miles frowned, falling into thought, “That... That’s actually true. I’m not sure actually. I suppose I should get my Faetality checked again.

As for this being convenient, maybe I have gained some weaknesses? Like you said before, perhaps, I cannot handle the sun?

In all records, Vampire have had a set of specific weaknesses. I too have a strange title called Cursed, along with a phrase called Sol’s Hatred, but it hasn’t really done anything so far. Well, it doesn’t matter much since I can turn back, but I should probably test that as well--”

Zhan Shen suddenly raised his index finger, signaling Miles to be silent.

Closing his eyes, he muttered, “There’s someone here. Intruders. Two-- No, three of them. I can clearly sense two Faehuman presences, one at the entrance, the other inside. The third one, however, is difficult to focus on. He’s a troublesome one.”

‘Intruders!? Could they be assassins here for me? No. Not even Harold would stoop that low. So… just plain old looters or robbers? But why would ordinary thieves include a Faehuman that even Zhan Shen considers troublesome?’

Miles posed a question, “Should we retreat then? We don’t have defense systems installed in any of the safe houses. So if it’s someone you can’t handle...”

His guardian stared at him as if he was an alien or something, “Master Miles, you wish to run away? To let these bastards trod on you, and what you own?!”

Miles shrugged, “There’s really nothing here I care much about. I can handle the loss. And don’t they say running away now and fighting tomorrow is better than dying? If you can’t handle them, what’s the point of staying and losing?”

Zhan Shen looked utterly disgusted. He inhaled as if he was preparing for some grand speech, to pass on profound wisdom and experience…

Miles immediately recognized the tell-tale warning sign, ‘Oh hell no! I’m not listening to another one of this battle junky’s lectures on the greatness of war and battle!’

So he interrupted him, before the speech could even begin, “Just tell me this, Old Zhan. You said the third Faehuman is troublesome, but not that you can’t handle him. Which is it?”

The old butler looked quite displeased, but as always, he still answered the question, “Of course, I can handle him! At best, he’s a higher tier Epsilon at full potential. I’m the same, and even if he’s got some powerful ability, this old man won’t lose to some Epsilon rookie.”

‘An Epsilon at full potential! That’s a Faehuman with Faetality only slightly less than 10,000! Roughly 10x my own! And being at full potential means he’s used up all of it, to inject as many Fae Serums as possible! I wonder how this mysterious person would match up against the old monster Zhan...’

Although Miles felt slightly excited by the potential battle, he was as rational as always.

Turning to his guardian, he proposed, “In that case, you should take them by surprise. I’m sure they can’t sense aura as well as you. They might not even know we’re here yet.”

Zhan Shen paused, as if to refuse... but finally nodded, “I don’t like sneak attacks, but it’s a logical strategy. Since this is your first fight, let’s do as you say.”

Miles nodded, until he realized there was something off in those words, “Wait, what!? My first fight?”

The old butler grinned, pleased at his ward’s reaction, “Yes, yours! Master Miles, you’ve fully entered the world of Faehumans now! Even if it was in a roundabout way, by becoming a Vampire with a system or whatever, it’s ultimately the same! And Fae Humans need to know how to fight! Have you already forgotten my mantra, War is Life and Conflict is the greatest of all teachers?”

Miles cringed at the so-called ‘mantra’. It was a recurring statement in most of Zhan Shen’s speeches, and he had heard it just a tad bit too much. Still, he wasn’t sure if he was ready...

The elderly butler seemed to notice this, and continued in a reassuring tone, “Master Miles, the main reason I wished for you to use a Faeserum, even at the possibility of hindering your Faetality growth, is for you to gain battle experience as soon as possible. You already know this. After all, we’ve argued at extreme lengths about this.”

Miles couldn’t help but smile at that. Some of their arguments had indeed lasted long into the night.

Zhan Shen continued, his voice rising, “But now, you already gain a sizable power increase in almost all of your attributes. You’ve mastered the basics of my training. Now what’s important is to learn from practice! You are ready!

But of course, while the basics are enough for any Jack or Harry, it’s not even slightly enough for you. However, don’t worry, this wise old man will be sure to take good care of you...”

Miles shuddered at that last sentence. Knowing Zhan Shen and his battle junky tendencies, he didn’t want to find what was considered being taken “good care of”. Unfortunately, he also had a point.

‘Sooner or later, I’ll have to fight. It’s better to be prepared, than get caught off guard. I can’t stay behind an old man forever. And even if worst comes to worst, I still have Conditional Undeath…’

Besides in a way, Miles was intrigued to see what he could do as a Vampire, a Newborn Kindred. What he could do with his new attributes and abilities, when combined with the ‘basic’ training from the old monster.

Taking a deep breath, he grinned, “Alright then, Old Zhan. You’ve convinced me. Let’s crack some heads!”

***

Luther had entered the safehouse mere minutes ago. What lay before him was an open, and roughly developed floor. It was extremely dark, every corner wreathed in moving shadows, and empty besides the concrete walls and the floor.

If he didn’t know for a fact that this property was listed under a wealthy corporation from the inner city, if he hadn’t seen and tracked down the service staff who visited on occasion to maintain the place, he might’ve actually doubted whether he was in the right place.

While he was confident of the place, he was not happy with the company. He was with the plain-looking man, his debt collector, Master Jonn, but he had never felt as alone as he was now.

‘Damn you Jimmy! Why the hell did you force me to go alone with this creepy mannequin?’

But Luther couldn’t stay mad at his friend. That’s just how Jimmy had always been, even when they were kids. He was the one who always had to take care of him. In a way, he was glad Jimmy hadn’t changed, even after going to Military School.

While Luther was lost in the past, Master Jonn suddenly spoke out, his eyes flashing blue, “Someone’s here!”

Feeling nervous, Luther tried to look around, but no matter how hard he searched, he couldn’t spot anyone.

Slash!

He barely heard the sound, the wind from the strike blowing onto his face.

In the next instant, Luther could see his attacker. It was an old man in a suit, his hair and sharp beard as white as snow, his eyes sharp and merciless, and his combat knife just a few inches away from impaling him.

Shocked by the powerful pressure coming off of his mysterious assailant, Luther couldn’t help but take a step back in fear, not a single thought of retaliation in his mind.

But he couldn’t help but wonder why the old man had stopped, just before he was about to strike.

As if in answer, the old man spared an annoyed glance at Master Jonn, “Che,” and immediately retreated a dozen meters behind.

BOOM!

A piece of concrete, the size of a rock, split apart from the roof and crashed down on where he had been just a moment ago, causing the entire building to shake.

Master Jonn grinned at the old man, a hint of excitement rising on his plain-looking face, “I didn't expect to meet a fellow Epsilon here. And I must admit, old man, you're good… really good!”

Having said so, he spared a withering glance at Luther, “Boy! Get your head out of your ass! You might’ve even been able to hit him just then! Do you want to pay your debt, or do you wish to die?”

Hearing the shout, Luther was shaken awake out of his stupor. Immediately, he reached into the back of his pants and pulled out a small pistol, sleek, and shining with a black luster.

Bang! Bang! Bang!

The bullets shot out leaving visible trails of wind in the air, but the old man didn’t seem to mind at all. He simply took a step forward... and vanished.

The bullets missed, loudly striking the wall behind.

Slash! Slash! Slash!

Almost immediately, the air around Master Jonn began to flash with slashes of wind, forcing him to dodge and go on the defensive. Despite his best attempts, two cuts appeared on his body, drawing blood.

Hissing in pain, Master Jonn stomped on the ground with his right foot.

CRACK!

A concrete spike stabbed through the ground, targeting the old man.

Master Jonn had hoped this spike would hit the old man, or at the very least halt his continuous attack, but all it did was make him take a step backward.

And in the next instant, the old man’s pressure and energy doubled, causing the air to wiggle around him. Two faint black shadows formed around his eyes, giving him an eerie aura, as he punched forwards with his free hand.

BOOM!

The concrete spike shattered into pieces as the fist crashed through.

Master Jonn started to retreat, forming walls of concrete before him, over and over. But the punch continued to shatter through all obstacles and walls, on its way to shattering his bones.

Meanwhile, Luther was having a lot of trouble deciding whether to shoot or not. It was obvious the old man was faster, so shooting now would only be detrimental to Master Jonn.

‘Damn it! Damn it! I’m just a normal Faehuman, with a couple of physical boosts! What the hell am I supposed to do in a fight like this? If I knew a crazy old man like this lived here, I never would have come here! F*ck my luck in the ass!’

Still, to his credit, Luther was completely focused, trying to spot an opening to help out. If opportunity came knocking, he would definitely grab it.

Unfortunately, it also meant he wasn’t paying attention to his surroundings. If misfortune came knocking instead, he wouldn’t notice at all. And he definitely didn’t notice the vague figure suddenly appearing behind him.

Crack!

Luther collapsed onto the floor, hitting his head on the concrete with a painful crack.

Miles appeared from the shadows, massaging his knuckles. He couldn’t help but smirk, “And that’s one head cracked.”