It had already been a few days since Paul with his companions had ventured out to the continent of Dragovh. Rather than wearing his Eldritch Knight armor and drawing unwanted attention. He donned his black three piece suit and trench coat knowing that it makes him look more proper and noble, which he hopes could push people to be more open to him and treat him better.

The forest was beautiful, the entire trip. He felt as if he was on a vacation in the caribbean. The air was also extremely clean, he could feel it entering his lungs and exiting his nose, it was a journey he could stay on forever. Noting his past life, always being busy with work and smelling the odor of a lively city. He and Alana were both on horseback and Bahamut was sleeping neatly on the back of Paul’s saddle.

“Ahhhhh, I could sleep underneath one of these trees and have the time of my life.”

“You could. Though I don’t recommend doing it near a road.”

“You know, back in my time. I had little to no time for myself. Always busy with the stuff I have to do with my company.”

“Huh, explain your capability to lead people. You already have previous experiences.”

“Ehhh, I guess? It’s different from leading an actual Military force but it does have some correlations. I dabble mostly in transportation. So this entire thing is mostly new to me. Without the systems of Dark World VR, everything became more hands on.”

“I see, so that’s why they called you on the logistics of the stockpile. You already know what to do, how come you have Sir Francis run the supply of your army?”

“Easy, I was already the head of command for the ground forces. It would be a hassle to change it, and my expertise would help better in fighting on the frontline as a high level player who specializes in killing. Francis’ build is more generalized, so he’s perfect for logistics work.”

“Hm, I see. Then, you should try to behave yourself. A foreign man from a foreign land in a foreign place is never a good mixture.”

“I know, and you behave yourself too. Don’t go out at night drinking the blood of the innocent.”

“I have you know as a Countess, I do not merely drink blood like that. I require blood from the higher sectors of human society.”

“Ah! I remember this cliche, it’s because you don’t want the blood of dirty peasants and only want to drink the clean blood of rich folks or something?”

“No. It’s more so that the Nobles usually take better care of themselves and are fed well. Hence, they’re better for our diet. Though, it’s not that I need to feed every night. I’ve gone past that point. But I’d usually drink blood once a month just for the taste.”

“Dang, how powerful are you? The fact that you can walk out in the middle of the Sun and even not require blood.”

“I would be weak if I needed intake of blood. Nay, I merely take in food from other sources including those humans eat. It’s not the same level of drinking or eating a human but it works.”

“Not gonna lie, woman, you need to hold back a bit. I’m also a man, you know? Hearing you say that gets me riled up.”

“Ara, exactly why? I’m not gonna drink or eat my Masters blood.”

“Is this contract like… superficial or is this like a real thing?”

“AHAHAHA! Superficial? If you would’ve said such things to me, I’d already cut your tongue. But, since you're my Lord. I’ll answer you clearly. This contract is a real thing indeed, I cannot go against the wishes of the one who defeated me. Hence, you. If you say don’t drink human blood, I’m forced to go find another source of food instead.”

“I see, well. We have some food here. You’re gonna love my signature Beef Steak.”

“I look forward to it. Though I’m used to having a glass of special wine with me, something new wouldn’t hurt.”

“Now you’re getting in the spirit! Let’s hope the town they said is actually close. It’s been a few days now and the Village’s food is either a hit or miss for me.”

“So far, I liked the food. The Curry from the previous Village was extremely good, I’d like to try cooking something like that.”

“Ohhh, a Vampire cooking human food. That’d be a sight to see.”

The Town they’ve been looking for appeared out in the distance, the large settlement was properly walled off and four town guards were on the gates. The Morning sun perfectly shines on the town, its Church bell tower could be seen through the wall, ringing and sounding as afternoon comes. The Gate guards asked for their reasons and let them through, though suspicious of the woman following behind him.

They immediately went to the town Inn near the Western Gate, though since it was lunch time, the place was packed. They managed to find a table after waiting for a few minutes for a group of men to finish their food. Bahamut without hesitation already requested anything with Beef, Paul agreed while Alana was busy looking at the Menu. At the same time, he takes out two small boxes for utensils, a metal spoon and fork with a cutting knife which the other one he gives to the Countess who was deeply ingrained at the Menu they’ve been given.

“Found anything interesting?”

“No, just seeing that they have a wide variety of spices I’d like to try.”

“Go for it. We’ll be here for a while, my backs killing me from all that horseback riding.”

After ordering and getting their food, the trio ate. Due to the lack of Forks, and not being used to his hands. Paul had to bring his own utensils and Alana just got curious at the things he had to eat and saw it as a great way to show her elegance while eating. Hence she requested for the same thing he has.

“Alana, Got any idea where we could stay for the night?”

“We should try asking a Merchant.”

“Why a Merchant? I always thought that Inns and Taverns had the best accommodation.”

“No, Master. These are usually options, but Merchants houses usually are the better places as they not only have better food, but also tend to have a nicer place to stay in.”

“I see, well for now let’s try this place. I saw some people head up the stairs in the middle.”

“This place is unique, Inns with an Ale house underneath it is not something you’d see.”

“Wait, Inns usually don’t have a food court underneath it?”

“Oh yea, foreigner. Yes, Ale Houses are usually the thing you call Bar like in the city. Lot’s of drinking and lots of fighting. Inns are a place of lodging, sleeping and resting for the night. This location though, It’s very unique as it's both.”

“Huh, the more you know. My knowledge is very limited concerning this kind of stuff. Thank you.”

The Vampire smiles and continues eating, Paul goes back to his beef and continues munching. After having a nice meal, the trio calls it a day and starts the hunt for a place to stay. Sadly, the establishment they ate in was already full for the night. Outside, Paul is walking around rapidly, thinking. Alana then steps in.

“Let’s try asking some Merchants.”

“Why?”

“Merchants usually have their own lodging in settlements like these, and they’re better than Inns anyways. Nicer food and beds.”

“Really? That’s a thing?”

“Mhm, and with our outfits, I’m sure we could pass as Nobles.”

After asking some Merchants from the Western Gate, they found an entire house meant for them given by the Lord of the Land. The party heads off, it's located on the Eastern Gate, the same one they came in first. They’re immediately greeted by an older Merchant who noticed their expensive and unique looking outfits and let them in.

“Of course sir! We’d be happy to take you in for the night. Is the pretty face here your wife?”

“Something like that. Can I request for separate rooms?”

“Ohhh I apologize sir, but we’re very full.”

“Ah I see. Well, you heard the man. Let’s go in.”

Alana was right, the place was more organized and cleaner, It also smelled better. Inside their room which has four beds all to themselves, Paul converses with the small Dragon who seemed to be tired.

“Bahamut, how was the food? Did you enjoy it?”

“It was good. The meat wasn’t lacking and was very tender.”

“That's all? You’ve been a bit quieter than usual.”

“What the Bloodsucker said still bothers me. Am I also at level two hundred?”

“You should be, but ever since you came here. You’ve been nothing but an overpowered killing machine. I guess you should be above that or something.”

“I hope so, it’s not easy to fight that other Dragon God named Catherine.”

“Ohhh! Man was she hot. I want a wife like that.” A smack from Bahamut’s wing flies to the back of his head.

“Ouch!”

“Do not joke about such things, I highly even doubt such a creature would see you in the same light as herself. To her, you're merely a mortal inkling of the human species.”

“But, learning from you. You're pretty down to Earth and understand my jive.”

“That’s me, but you must be in proper decorum when she’s around. Respect her, for she wears a crown like mine.”

“I guess so, but don’t overthink it okay? Right now, our job is to find a way home. So I won’t really be trying to act like that.”

“Mhm. I apologize, I always look at the bigger picture. Such a beast is out there in the open, what more on the parts of this continent that we’ve yet to uncover?”

“Don’t worry, we got an all powerful purebred hottie vampire mommy here.”

In response to the sentence, the Countess gazed at Paul with her eyes full of intent to kill.

“I-i mean, we have a lady Vampire here! Who has been around far longer than some mountains I’m sure we’re in safe hands!”

After a few minutes inside the Merchant’s Lodging. He’d go out to find information about the surrounding towns with Alana while Bahamut sleeps on his bed, the people in the building seem to avoid eye contact or even get in the way.

“They seemed stiff, do I smell or look that bad?”

“Looking like this, it’s to be expected. Kings and Government Officials are encouraged to visit their towns and people and see the condition of their place. They might think we’re one of those.”

“Ah, I see. Well. Let’s go back to our room and call it a day.

The two return to their room on the second floor and curious, Paul asks the trained Noble Alana about the people’s behaviour.

“They really don’t like Nobles don’t they?”

“Not really, they just want to avoid saying something that might incriminate them or have their rights removed.”

“Ah I see. That makes a lot of sense since I’m sure the judicial system here is more on the stop.”

“It usually depends, in the Vampire Kingdom, we have a Court to settle things like these.”

“Huh. That’s pretty advanced for this world's era.”

“We retain knowledge for thousands of years, of course we’d have better knowledge than the Kingdoms. Our Scientists and Legislators don’t die unless someone wants them to.”

“You're already devolving into a very cut throat society, I can only imagine the bloodshed.”

“It is but a chore as the Vampire Queens assassins would tell me.”

“What? There’s a Vampire Queen?”

“Oh, she’s been long dead but her Legions and secret Battalions are still active to this day, led by our King, King Harold of House Dreyfus.”

“Wow. She must’ve been one powerful being.”

“She was. She nearly enslaved all of humanity thousands of years ago.”

“SHE WHAT?!”

After a good night's sleep, the party exits the merchants house and heads off to the Guild House to check out the quests and find clues to how they could go back home. They immediately stood out at the place, though a party of people caught Paul’s eyes.

“Alana, Bahamut. Stay here, I might’ve found some of my people.”

“No problem Master. Just don’t be out for too long, I can feel the gazes of the people here.”

The party seemed to be very well equipped and using weapons he encountered before in Dark World VR. Curious, he approaches them and opens up to talk to a man, he was very burly and young with a military cut.

“Excuse me, What’s the Capital of America?”

“Washington D.C.”

“Well, well, well.”

“Yo, you another player?”

“Yea! Name’s Paul Jackson.”

“Roy, Roy Irvins.”

“Roy, could you tell me if anyone has found a way out?”

“No. Me and the boys are also out and about trying to find a way home.”

“Damn it, how long do we have to stay here?”

“I don’t know man. But keep going, we’ve been here for six months now.”

“It’s been six months? Any news about the people? Like for example Breznick?”

“Those roleplayers? They’re in deep shit. That massive city of theirs got transported deep inside the Kingdom’s territory and the officials want to absorb them. Problem is, they have a bunch of high level players, no way the people of this land could fight them head on.”

“I see, and what about Libertus? What happened to them?”

“They’re out and about. Their city they have been transported to some swamp land. Very inaccessible. We actually tried to go there, but damn. The place is crawling with strange monsters and the land just sinks it. Gotta get a helicopter or a tank if you want to go through that..”

“So there’s new monsters, the entire leveling system we know is useless.”

“Wait, what? What do you mean the leveling system is useless?”

“Yea, you see that vampire behind me?”

“Yea…”

“They don’t use leveling systems and mind you.” He comes closer to the man's ears.

“I’m level two hundred. Maxed out, but with a swipe of her sword, she pierced my Eldritch armor, you know. One of the toughest armors in the Dark World next to the Divine ones.”

“Holy shit, we’ve been here for a few months now but we only have encountered trash. Speaking as a level ninety.”

“Yea, so be careful. Also, how does the respawn system work? Do we respawn at headquarters with Altars?”

“No, it’s limited to the Holy See’s religious buildings and the ones we built that look like cathedrals and sorts. Mobile Altars, don’t know. Haven’t tried it yet,”

“Ah, I see. Alright. Well, keep safe out there. Don’t do anything stupid.”

“Don’t have to remind me bro. Keep safe Paul.”

“You to Roy.”

He then regroups with his people and Paul with his party takes a quest to investigate a demonic pack of animals in a nearby forest, Northwest of the town. It was requested by the local Serfs that they had to fend them off from eating their Cattle. Though hesitant, he nudges and takes the low level mission.

“Well, I might as well do some basic stuff like the old times.”

“Ugh, wild beasts.”

“Hmm, I hope they’re tasty.” Alana and Paul look at Bahamut after saying the sentence. “I thought a joke would be appropriate.”

“Look at this, the little dragon is cracking jokes. Did you eat something?

“No, I just wanted to help lighten the mood.”

“Is it just me or is the local Church very busy?”

“I’m sure they make most of the Alcohol, many of the Churches of the Holy See also own a part of the land in Regions which they used to make products like Ale, Paper, and Candles.”

“Ah, so they make stuff like that too huh? Man, the Church must be filthy rich with an industry like that.”

“Religion and business, oh how human.”

“Not gonna lie, as a business owner myself. It’s part of us to make profit out of things.”

“Be careful if you ever want to make an enemy of the Monks and Priests, Lords and Governors love Religion, you don’t want to be smited by them.”

“I’ve already been smited many times, so far. No one has killed me through that method so I guess I’ll live through it.”

“I request that we head off now. While it’s still morning.”

“Let’s go then.”

“Right.”

The trio goes to the barn next to the Gate where their horses were stored. Bahamut quickly rests on her little bed behind Paul’s seat on his saddle, he takes the reins and rides on to the forest. The Undead Horse he uses has a modern leather saddle with a stirrup, something not yet seen or heard of in their era with military packs for his equipment and holsters with his shotgun and assault rifle in them.

Alana used a spare horse from him, but had more pouches and pockets for supplies and food. She only really has a sword that materializes hence they used the space for other things that they’ll need for long travels. It was for a good twenty minutes of riding did they finally stumble upon clues of the Demonic Wolves that are said to have roamed the forest. Four scratch marks, most likely from those beasts, are marked on trees near the road.

“Seems that they met another predator. What do you guys feel?”

“None, so far it's quiet.”

“Alana: I sense nothing.”

“Paul: Alrighty, keep your heads up.”

As the party continues onward, Paul slowly draws his revolver from his saddle. Suddenly sensing danger, the Dragon and Vampire immediately change stance. Alana had her hands straightened while Bahamut spread her wings and took off with her mouth a little open, ready to start throwing flames. Like a cowboy, he quickly points his revolver at a bush, he shoots at it with one bullet.

The corpse of a heavily scaled Abyssal Wolf gets launched out of it. To his surprise, its corpse wasn’t even facing the party, it looked like it was making a mad dash out of the forest when six more Wolves jumped out, all running to the opposite direction. Alana, using her hands, slices two while Bahamut burns one and Paul shoots another one. The last two disappear into the woods behind them. Knowing now of a danger, they go inside the forest with their horses, Paul looking visibly distressed.

“Something’s not right. Bahamut, you have those Dragon eyes. Look deep into the forest and see what’s-”

Before finishing his sentence, the Vampire moves her horse next to him and stretches her left arm at him. Gesturing him to stop, scared of what got her senses heightened, he halts his horse. The Dragon then fires a burst of flame to the front of his horse, it burns an insanely thin wire of web used to block the path. His eyes widen at what just happened,

“Okayyy, this is Spiders. Terra Arachnids from seeing that type of blocking… I’m… not used to creepy crawlers but if it’s what has to be done. Let’s get this over with.”

“Are you really afraid of spiders?”

“Look Mrs I’ve lived for thousands of years. Maybe for Vampires stuff like this is no problem, but for me. Anything with more than four legs is a big no-no.”

“AHAHAHA! And you tell me you're an Eldritch Knight?”

“Ha ha, whenever we face stuff like this. My mates usually take over. Though I can still fight them, I just prefer not to.”

After the laughs and jokes, they continue on into the forest. Encountering more and more webs and what seemed to be small eggs on the base of the large trees. In a few meters, Paul feels an eerie shock climb from the bottom of his spine to his head. He squints to his front and sees an extremely large hairy brown Spider. Large enough to outsize a compact car and there’s a lot of them. He started counting and counted about eight large spiders with hundreds of smaller ones beneath them.

“Bahamut.”

“Yes, M’Lord?”

“You know what I said about holding back? Forget about that just for now. I want you to go and release as much flames as you can and control it. Don’t let it spread throughout the entire place.”

“As you wish.”

He then turns his head to his left, looking at the vampire.

“I-Cups. I want you to prepare your horse. We’ll make a lot of sounds, so expect them to follow us.”

“I don’t know what you just called me, but since you're making sense, I’ll do as ordered.”

“Okay, Bahamut. I’ll fire off a shot to that one in the middle, when they turn around to attack us, do your thing.”

The Dragon merely nods, and with a bit of a trembling hand. Paul points his revolver at the Spider, about sixty meters away from him. Pulling the trigger, the bullet goes through a heap of webs and explodes the back of the big spider. The others around it immediately stop and turn to the shooter. Revealing a large pile of dead wolves.

Without a single thought, Paul pulls the reins, prompting his horse to make a dash to the outside of the road. Bahamut lets out her firebreath while transforming to a bigger version of herself. The color turned from yellow to blue quickly. Melting the majority of the spiders but the smaller ones make it through her breath and passing through her legs.

As much as he doesn’t want to look back. Out of sheer curiosity at the scene occurring behind him, Paul turned around to peek and could see multiple spiders of varying small sizes jumping from the branches of the trees. Remembering that this isn’t a game, and those crawlers were actually out to get him, his face could only look more terrified. He quickly starts shooting at the spiders. Some hit, while others continued to Bahamut. Bouncing off her armored scales.

The spiders were ever so getting closer, spending his six shots. The man quickly changes to his Glock 17s. Seeing the futility, Alana opens her bat-like wings, jumping out of the horse she’s on and facing the small spiders. Within the span of two seconds, she teleported from multiple different spots, and only the sliced pieces of the spiders remained.

“Oh damn, she’s scarier.”

He looks forward and continues on till reaching the end of the forest, recklessly entering a dirt road and nearly hitting a merchant's carriage. Without thinking twice, he hops out of his horse and pulls out the assault rifle holstered on the saddle and starts scanning the forest. He casts “Identify”, briefly making an outline of enemies and friendlies. Looking through the M4A1’s Holographic sight, he could see the outline of the Countess colored in blue rapidly slicing through the remaining Spiders whose outline is Red with deadly accuracy, she wasn’t even using her sword but just her bare hands.

He scans around and sees that apart from some Deer and birds, the forest was safe. He takes a large sigh of relief and puts the gun back to the saddle and awaits for Bahamut and Alana to return. After regrouping, the party once again starts their trek back to the town. Paul couldn’t be happier to finish the quest, with a smile on his face.

After a while of traveling, they find and enter the Guild House once again, and submit the quest form. The Clerk signs it, they collect the experience points and bronze coins. Though not much and doesn’t even equate to their work, it didn’t bother the party.

“Adventurers ID please.”

“I don’t have one.”

“Oh… well, I recommend you sign up for one, it could help you determine if you're eligible for harder quests and also give you a guide to what skills or magic you could learn next.”

“No need ma’am, I already have my own version of that and believe me, If it's an Earth Dragon or Red Dragon quest, I’d have no problem taking it on.”

“Okay sir, but I’d still like to remind you to immediately get one if you ever change your mind.”

“Thank you, now I’d like to ask if there’s any ancient caves or ruins that we could visit.”

“Sorry sir, but the forest of Edore is extremely quiet apart from some beasts here and there. Also, before I forget. May I ask if there’s anything noteworthy from this quest.”

“Spiders, large ones.”

“Spiders, sir?”

“Yes. We fought spiders that seemed to have eaten the local demonic wolf population.”

“That’s strange. We’ve had reports of smaller ones. But never at this scale, I’ll immediately send a request to the Order of Knights to investigate. Thank you sir.”

“No problem. Have a good day.”

The party calls it a day and heads back to the Merchants lodging where they once again slept through the night. After a good night's sleep, the fear of yesterday’s affair had completely left Paul. He looks around and notices that Bahamut was still in deep sleep on his pillow. The small Dragon had a long day, he caressed her scaly back, a faint smile could be seen on her mouth.

“Ara, good morning.”

“Ah, Alana. Good Morning.”

“Seemed that someone had a good night’s sleep.”

“I guess the stupid smile on my face gave it away huh?”

“Exactly. You’re particularly easy to read.”

“Is that a compliment or an insult?”

“Depends.”

“Huh, well. Let’s pack our stuff and ask around for our next destination, though this is a pretty quiet town. The guards or merchants might know a thing or two.”

He slowly gets up, making sure to not disturb the sleeping Dragon. The vampire laughs at his shorts that had the style of red hearts. He immediately puts on his shirt and pants, returning to his work outfit. After wearing his trenchcoat and checking his fedora, he picks up Bahamut with his black gloves and gently slips her into his trench coat's pocket. They headed out to the hallway and started asking merchants for any information of ancient ruins or dungeons.