Seth let out a deep sigh.

He cocked his head over his shoulders, his gaze lingering over the blurry outline of Ashlen before it fell onto the two ghastly figures strolling behind him. His eyebrows came together into a slight frown.

“At least she could have shaped them a bit less creepy,” Seth muttered, pulling his gaze from the horrifying-looking creatures to the sun slowly setting behind the horizon. It should already be time to feed these things.

Pulling a bottle from his pocket, Seth took two bloody-red crystals and tossed them onto the track of hastily packed dirt. A single drop of fresh, cold water from his canteen was enough to let the tiny cubic-shaped crystals expand like balloons. They reach the size of a small bed in a matter of seconds.

Satisfied with his work, Seth shifted his attention back to the vampires.

He chuckled. Can't wait?

The two creatures were staring at the cubes as though they were the most delicious things the two slits carved on their faces had ever smelled. Their gaped mouths filled with black-rotten but sharp teeth were a sight to behold, though the sunken pitch-black eyes that looked like portals to the Abyss were no less intimidating.

But Seth didn't show an iota of fear and continued examining these creatures, deep in wonder.

The two Prowlers vampires stood almost as high as him—which was not much for a pair of mature bloodsuckers—with long, frail hairless limbs and dark hair flowing down on their backs like threads of ink. Jet-black claws curved down from each bony finger, sharp and ready to slaughter whoever and whatever dared to cross their path. Pale, semi-transparent skin covered every inch of their naked bodies. Leaving nothing to the imagination.

Seth doubted anyone would find a fancy in gawking at some stupid androgynous animal. Even if there were people for all the tastes.

The prowlers were almost as ugly as the beasts he had seen roaming at Stoneater Cliff’s resource site, though the faint aura steaming out of them was enough to make the fair hair on his back stand up. Even the Yellow Core Stage Stoneater queen, back then, had not been this intimidating.

But the incomparable unappealing vampires were a great source of relief when put against the pitch-black mountain range ahead.

Glimpsing over the cut that was slowly but steadily making itself visible in the distance, between the last of Ashlen’s sphere of influence and the start of the beast's territory. Seth felt all hesitation vanish.

No Copper Rank fox to save my ass… but a couple of stupid silver core vampires should be enough for this trip. He said to himself, trying to boost his mood.

The original plan had been to bring the Icy White Clawed fox with him as the first security measure and the vampires as a backup plan, a backup plan that was not meant to be needed.

Because, who would be stupid enough to step—willingly—in the path of a Copper Rank beast and not expect to be vaporized for such insolence?

Seth, at least, wouldn't unless he got his brain fried.

Liz—the Icy White Clawed fox in question—was busy running an errand for Ivor in the north, and one that was pretty important considering the way he had been blatantly turned down, leaving no room for negotiation.

But Seth’s attention didn't linger on the thought much longer, pushing it to the back of his mind before drawing his gaze back to the duo of prowlers. Who were having the feast of their lives as they gulped down big pieces of jelly-like condensed blood, practically with the same enthusiasm they would have had if it was the real deal.

When presented with such a sight, Seth couldn't help but feel impressed by all the convenient products Alchemists were capable of producing. It almost gave him the urge to give it a shot himself.

Seth quickly discarded the idea. As much as he fancied the concept of producing his own pills, elixirs or even these kinds of incredible alchemical products, he had not been born for the job. Forget about the sheer amount of knowledge, resources and time it would require to get him past the fundamental level—like concocting the most mundane mana gathering pills or even a cleansing crystal.

He wasn’t even sure of having the talent or the passion the profession demanded. Yeah, his external energy manipulation skills were up to the standards, but that was just the tip of the iceberg when it came to learning a profession.

Lucas was an example of that.

His talent was monstrous, but if he had not spent countless hours researching, practicing and training under a master. He would have never reached his actual level. And that was while still spending half of his remaining time cultivating, which was not little at all. Sometimes, Seth wondered how he had the energy to go out and spend long training sessions with him in the training woods.

It was a source of study.

Now that I think about it… he should already be at the Orange Core Stage at this point, Seth thought, clicking his tongue in annoyance.

Almost two weeks had passed since he had left Darkhold City, and just like him, Lucas had decided to use an elixir to force his cultivation to advance from the peak of the Red Core Stage all the way to the Orange Core Stage. A spark of envy couldn't help but flare in his chest.

There wasn't really a motive for feeling jealous from this fact alone, but if one goes over the path both youngsters had reached their actual advancement levels, one could pretty much understand Seth’s reasons for feeling like that.

While he had focused his entire being on cultivating and honing his battle skills as much as possible, Lucas had probably not even spared half of his effort on his advancement… and he was already on the same advancement stage.

Of course, Lucas was his friend, and Seth was more than happy to see a friend of his accomplishing so many things. And many more. He hoped. But it didn't mean he couldn’t be... Just a bit, yeah… just a bit… jealous of their different realities.

The most annoying one, by far, was all the opportunities that come with the title of being the son of a white core practitioner and the head of a renewed family like the Ronderner Household. While people like him need to peel their skin to get every coin they could for their practice, no more than a few words were needed to get Lucas the best resources, scripts and gear money could buy.

It was frustrating. But Seth shook his head. He had a bigger fish to fry rather than bothering with such trivial matters.

After the prowlers finished their dinner, Seth immediately started looking for a spot to set his camp. The sun was already leaving the last rays of light on the nearly interminable crop fields before the chilly night welcomed him. Spending the night on a path full of dust, rocks and the constant danger of having a vessel crashing him into meat paste was not so appealing, let's say. Especially after a whole day of steady, monotonous hike.

It was time to get some rest.

With that thought in mind, Seth spent the next hour looking for a good spot—preferable below a tree—within the few meters of grass that was left separating the uncrowded road and the fields of Violet-nailed corn on the sides.

The moonless sky was already pitch-black when he found a tree of his preference, with a thick trunk and some good foliage in case mother nature decided to bless him with a moist night. There wasn't a single cloud in sight, but better be safe than sorry.

Should better start before something comes this way, Seth thought, taking out a small silver orb from his pocket. A wisp of mana later, and a high-end pop-up tent stood in front of him.

A warm and fluffy sleeping bag welcomed him inside, looking even more tempting than usual.

Seth smiled as he got inside, thanking Liz in his head for the incredible gift.