POV: Darius

"Say, have you heard", I hear some of the nurses gossipping, "there's supposedly an elf 'talking' with the 'Lord's Mansion', can you believe it?"

"What, again? I only heard that it happened a few days ago."

"No, I mean right now."

The rumor mill is scary. Somehow it manages to defy all logic but rumors always arrive faster than your feet can carry you. The mansion is easily an hour away, so how can anyone be certain that they are still talking, assuming that it even happened.

"Sir!", one of my men addresses me, "we are here to deliver your requested reports for the day."

Three of my soldiers are here just to deliver some paper. Goddamnit, people, you don't have to plan a whole excursion just for that bit of outdated news.

"Put them on the table, I'll read them later."

"Understood, sir."

"Can you do me a favor? I'm getting stiff from just lying in bed all the time. Would you mind accompanying me a bit through town?"

"If you so order, sir."

"Hmpf, if that's the only way then yes, I order you to."

"Understood", the three salute and help me get up and out.

I go to the lady at the front desk, "I'll be out for a bit. These three will make sure nothing bad happens, alright?"

"B-but doctor's orders...!"

"No buts. These are MY orders! Don't worry, I'll be back in an hour or two. You even confiscated my weapon so I couldn't even do anything stupid if I wanted to", with that said my legs carry me out of here.

"H-hey, stop!"

I can feel the doctor coming into the room and staring at me but I've already left. He's certainly shaking his head in frustration but he should be used to my antics by now.

I make my way through town with my three unwilling companions in tow. Not much seems to have changed while I was out cold, it wasn't long but it is good to confirm anyway. While I'm out here I might as well check about those rumors. Usually, I don't give a crap about gossip but this time I have a good feeling about it.

On my way to the mansion I meet a few people I know, everyone's worried about my health and tells me to go home. They are good people but this is something I have to check for myself. At least I'm not a catfolk so I should be safe.

After a while, we arrive at our destination and indeed it seems like someone is chatting with the house. Not just speaking in its direction and not understanding the response but actually discussing things. Well, I can't understand what they are saying, "I̶t̸ ̴s̵e̶e̶m̷s̵ ̴s̸o̶m̶e̷ ̷f̶r̴i̵e̸n̷d̴s̶ ̶o̴f̵ ̵y̸o̵u̵r̴s̸ ̶h̶a̵v̸e̴ ̴a̸r̵r̷i̴v̸e̸d̷.̵"

The person speaking looks to be an elf just as the gossipping ladies said. Silver hair... didn't I just read about that earlier? Wasn't that... crap! Now I remember, the silver-haired elf is a vampire!

Name ??? Age ??? Classes ??? Race Silver Elf ??? Extra Vampire ??? HP ???/??? MP ???/??? SP ???/??? STR ??? DEX ??? VIT ??? MAG ??? FTH ??? WIL ??? CHA ??? Equipment ??? Skills ??? Weakness ???

That... is not good. All stats unreadable means that we're hostiles and he overpowers me by a large margin. But didn't Therese's report say he was low level and not a threat? Does that mean she's already working for him, under his control? I trusted you, Therese, why must you betray me so...

I really should've stayed in bed... shit, too late for that now. But just stats aren't everything. We're four against one, we can still gain the upper hand!

I call out to him, "hey! What are you trying to pull here!?"

The silver-haired monster turns its attention towards me, "what do you mean? I'm just talking to an old friend here."

"Don't make me laugh! Monsters like you have no friends!"

"Rude."

"D̷i̴d̸ ̴y̷o̴u̴ ̷d̵o̵ ̵a̶n̶y̵t̴h̸i̶n̸g̶ ̴t̴o̶ ̶h̴i̸m̸?̸ ̵H̸e̵ ̸s̸e̶e̸m̸s̸ ̸q̵u̵i̸t̸e̴ ̸a̶g̷i̵t̸a̶t̵e̷d̸.̵ ̷M̶a̷y̸b̵e̷ ̴y̶o̸u̷ ̵s̶h̵o̶u̴l̶d̷ ̶t̸r̷y̴ ̸t̸a̵l̸k̸i̸n̶g̸ ̴w̶i̸t̵h̴ ̶h̸i̵m̸.̵"

"Y̷e̵a̶h̷,̸ ̵I̶ ̴c̸e̵r̵t̷a̵i̷n̸l̶y̸ ̶s̸h̷o̸u̵l̷d̶.̴ ̵O̸n̸e̵ ̴c̸a̸s̴e̷ ̸o̸f̴ ̷T̸h̷e̴r̶e̴s̵e̷ ̷i̷s̶ ̸e̵n̸o̶u̷g̵h̶.̴"

I whisper more to myself than to my men, "did the 'Lord's Mansion' already take his side? Shit, we have to get rid of that vampire right now!"

The aura around the monster changes.

Successfully resisted fear status.

Ha, I still got it! You won't intimidate me so easily!

clank clang

Uh? "Hey, where are you running? Dammit!"

Two of my escorts dropped their weapons and ran away leaving just two of us behind. Well, that's one way to my hands on a weapon right now.

"I̵ ̴t̶h̶i̶n̷k̶ ̷t̶h̸a̷t̴ ̶w̴a̴s̷ ̸a̴ ̵b̴i̴t̶ ̶t̷o̶o̶ ̸m̶u̸c̷h̵ ̷f̵o̵r̶ ̸t̵h̵e̸m̷.̶"

"Put your weapons down", he demands, "we don't have to fight - unless you insist. We can talk about everything."

Successfully resisted fear status.

"What is there to talk about? All I see is a monster that tries to steal our livelihood from us! You're not a regular vampire, are you? You're certainly a noble!"

clang

And there goes my last companion... shit, did I just intimidate him by pointing the vampire thing out?

"Did you, did you just call me a mere noble?"

"Yes, that I have, what about it?"

He looks angry, "you did not just put me on the same level as that puny scum!"

If he considers even vampire nobles not worth his time he must be... "so you're a lord then?"

"...if we're that familiar already you might as well call me a progenitor actually."

"Y̸o̴u̸'̷r̵e̷ ̷w̷h̵a̶t̸!̴?̶"

Failed to resist fear.

...yeah, that is way too much. Even at my best, I wouldn't be able to stand up to a vampire progenitor. The obscured stats should've tipped me off. So much for the legends that said that the heroes have wiped out all progenitors, one is right here in front of me...

Vampire lords are already terrifying enough but a progenitor? At best we might wear down one of those ancient beings by sacrificing the entire fortress...

God have mercy on us... let my sacrifice not be in vain...

"May I at least have a name to go along with that title?"

"Jared Delacroix. Though as commander I would've expected you to be aware of a prominent silver elf vampire taking residence here, Darius."

"So you know of me... I apologize, I've spent the last while unconscious, only awoke a few days ago. I've... not been made aware of your... greatness yet", I bow down. Please be merciful and accept my apology.

His face shows clearly that he is dissatisfied with me, "so what did you disturb me for? I was kinda in the middle of something important here."

"...I heard a rumor that someone was talking with the mansion and I had to check that for myself."

"And then you saw me and just had to interrupt."

"N-no, I would never dare!"

"Stop, lying. That is exactly what it looks like on my end."

"Y-you're right. I apologize, your excellency."

"Stop that shit. I know that you don't really mean it. You don't see me as someone worthy to serve under, you see me just as an obstacle you need to get rid off with any means necessary."

"I, I'd n-never!"

"M̵a̸y̴b̶e̷ ̵y̸o̶u̴ ̶s̴h̶o̷u̶l̵d̴ ̴t̴u̴r̸n̶ ̴t̸h̴e̵ ̴a̷n̷t̴a̴g̷o̵n̸i̴z̴i̷n̶g̸ ̴d̷o̶w̸n̵ ̷a̶ ̴b̴i̸t̸.̴"

"H̶a̴v̵e̸ ̶y̷o̸u̶ ̷s̵e̴e̴n̴ ̸h̷o̶w̷ ̸t̴e̵r̸r̶i̵f̸y̵i̶n̷g̷ ̶h̵e̷ ̷i̵s̵?̴ ̴I̵f̴ ̶I̷ ̶l̸e̵t̵ ̵h̴i̴m̸ ̴d̵o̵ ̸w̷h̷a̷t̵ ̸h̸e̵ ̷w̸a̷n̷t̶s̵ ̵h̶e̴'̸l̶l̴ ̸k̷i̸l̵l̴ ̴m̶e̶ ̵b̵e̸f̶o̴r̶e̶ ̸I̸ ̵c̴a̵n̴ ̵e̶v̴e̴n̷ ̶a̴c̴t̴.̵"

"M̶o̸r̷e̷ ̵l̷i̴k̸e̸ ̷t̵e̶r̸r̷i̶f̷i̵e̴d̷.̷"

It is very obvious that even the mansion is taking his side. At least there was no system announcement yet, so there's still some time.

The vampire turns back towards me, "right, ...so I take it you know Chloe or Therese?"

"Y-yes, what about them?"

"I talked with them a bit. They gave me the impression that you need someone to take over the residence here so I thought of offering."

So they ARE working for him... what have you done to them, you monster? Especially Therese would never agree to work under a vampire.

"We... respectfully decline your most gracious offer."

"As I said before cut it with the bootlicking, it's disgusting."

"As you, as you wish."

"Also, why would you decline? It would solve several of your long-standing problems."

"Why? Because we don't want to suffer under the rule of a monster like you!"

Crap! Now I've done it.

"I, I'm sorry, I didn't mean to..."

"And here I had somewhat of a good mood and was offering my help and what do I get for that? Right, that."

He's visibly angry. The fear effect clouding my mind is getting stronger and stronger, "I don't know what I can do to quell your anger... do with my life what you wish but please just spare my people! Take my blood if you wish but please!"

"Let me tell you a little secret", he gets closer to me and whispers to me, "the taste of blood is related to how healthy the 'donor' is and you don't really look to be in prime condition."

"Y̸o̶u̶ ̴s̶h̸o̵u̴l̶d̷ ̸p̵r̴o̷b̶a̶b̶l̴y̵ ̸c̶l̶a̴r̶i̷f̸y̵ ̶w̶h̸a̶t̸ ̸y̶o̶u̶ ̸m̴e̴a̶n̴.̸ ̷A̷s̵ ̷i̷t̶ ̸s̸t̵a̵n̵d̶s̸ ̷h̵e̸ ̸p̵r̶o̶b̶a̸b̵l̵y̵ ̷t̵h̵i̸n̴k̷s̴ ̷y̴o̶u̶ ̶w̵a̵n̵t̶ ̵t̶o̴ ̷k̷i̶l̸l̵ ̶h̶i̵m̸.̶"

"I̴ ̷t̶h̷i̸n̶k̶ ̶I̷ ̶w̷a̶s̷ ̴p̶r̶e̸t̶t̵y̸ ̵c̵l̶e̶a̸r̶ ̸t̴h̷a̵t̵ ̸h̴e̵ ̶i̷s̴ ̶i̸n̷ ̷b̷a̵d̴ ̷s̸h̸a̶p̴e̸ ̷a̴n̴d̷ ̶n̷e̸e̶d̷s̷ ̶s̴o̵m̶e̴ ̷r̷e̴s̶t̵.̶"

"But if you insist I won't certainly say no to a free meal."

He reveals his fangs and sinks them into my neck. I can't move, not even scream. The fear and pain prevent any attempt at that...

So this is how my life ends. As food for a legendary monster just because I couldn't listen to the doc again... forgive me, Maggy, I know you'll hurt the most from this.

POV: Jared

(Any idea what was up with that guy?), I ask Elly while I carry an unconscious body towards the medical facility. Didn't think my STR would suffice for that but apparently, it does. Seems like they forgot to add the 'weight' feature to this world.

(I mean, what did you expect? You were talking with the mansion in the middle of the day so people took notice. Add to that a vampire with... less than ideal social skills and you're just asking for trouble! You should really clear these misunderstandings up before it gets worse than this time!)

(Elly, I meant why he caved like that. I did see his MP drop by 300 so he certainly used [Appraise] and with that, he should've known that he is vastly superior to me.)

(...would you want to die just to take a low-level mob out? He neither. So he couldn't take the first strike. He was probably counting on you attacking him first - and then you got lucky with [Intimidate]. But seriously, you can't rely on just always getting lucky like that!)

(Speaking of... I never turned that skill off again. Whoops.)

(Please don't change the topic, this is important!)

(Yeah, yeah. But what else should I've done? ...I've probably already said too much back there about being a progenitor...)

(Oh, come on that will totally not bite you in the ass.)

(I give it one week max.)

A bit later I run across a few soldiers that agree to help me carry Darius. It worries me a bit that they don't ask me what happened to their boss. Do they not care? Their boss is out cold again and just a single person is carrying him...

(Elly, why did I actually get away with biting Darius? Shouldn't the law enforcement system be against me now?)

(I guess he volunteered before so it doesn't count as an attack? I mean, have you looked at your stats? Given your raw STR and his inflated VIT I doubt you could pierce through his defense if he didn't allow it.)

(That's something I hadn't considered actually. Technically my bite would be instantly lethal if I wanted. Or at least if I get a moment to drink enough blood from the target. Might be a good alternative in the dungeon if I could find some targets that I can pick off one by one.)

(Assuming monsters even care about losing blood. They seemingly operate under different rules.)

(Yeah, at least something like the golems or slimes should be immune anyway. One is just a rock, can't drink that, and the other would melt my skin on touch and has no blood either.)

After a few more minutes we finally arrive at the medical facility with the commander in tow. One of the soldiers volunteers to run ahead and get the doctor for us.

"Damn, Darius, what will I ever do with you... what happened to him?"

"He, uh, collapsed. I'm not entirely sure what happened."

"Weren't there three other soldiers with him?"

"Uh, no, I found him alone."

(Liar!)

(Shut up!)

"Whatever, that can wait. Please carry him to his room. Follow me."

"Sure."

We carry the unconscious man back into his sickroom and lie him on his bed. I hadn't noticed before but the bite marks are well hidden under the collar.

"Alright, thanks for your cooperation", the doctor addresses us, "now if I could ask you to leave, the patient needs to rest for a change."

The other soldiers salute and then leave.

"Understood. Emmm, could you let me know once he's in a condition to talk? I got some business with him."

"Depends on how he's feeling. Can I get your name?"

"Jared."

"Okay, I'll note it down."

"Thanks. I'm off then."

By now it has been long enough to regenerate the MP and SP I should've had in the morning so I go to fulfill my training and flood nuking quota of the day.

I just hope that the blood mage class I got via the glitch is worth it long term...

POV: Elly

Really, whoever wrote the code for [Appraisal] is an idiot...

function appraise(Object target) {

PowerLevel pow = self.getPowerLevel();

if (relation(self, target).isHostile? && target.canAppraise?(pow)) {

displayAppraiseWindowFailure(target);

} else {

displayAppraiseWindowProper(target);

}

} function canAppraise(PowerLevel pow) {

if (self.hasTitle?('World Navigator')) return true;

PowerLevel ownPow = self.getPowerLevel();

return ownPow.exceeds?(pow);

}

Better not let Jared know about this, he'd accuse me of cheating again...