In the depths of the night, the main tent was filled with members and warriors of the Tepes family.
Liya stood at the very front of the crowd, announcing loudly,
“Everyone, I have confirmed the number and location of the monsters’ nests in the forest. The route is set—we can launch our attack at once.”
The vampires around her nodded one after another, admiration flashing in their eyes.
“The Young Lady truly is a once-in-a-century genius of the family.”
“With this, we can obtain the Demon Flower deep in the Forbidden Forest with the fewest losses.”
“That’s wonderful!”
Praises surrounded Liya, and she raised the corners of her mouth in pride, calmly accepting everyone’s admiration.
The meeting ended, and the crowd dispersed. After tidying up, Liya prepared to leave as well, but when she looked up, she saw Sefina standing by the tent flap, her expression somewhere between a smile and a smirk.
“The Young Lady’s exquisite plan is all thanks to that little cutie’s efforts, isn’t it?” Sefina said softly, “Yet, why didn’t she appear at the meeting?”
The information Lin Shu had obtained at the cost of severe injuries had greatly aided Liya’s family in entering the Forbidden Forest, yet Lin Shu herself had not participated in this important meeting.
Liya glanced up at her. “No matter what, she’s only a familiar.”
Seemingly unwilling to say more, Liya strode right past Sefina, lifting the flap and walking out.
Sefina didn’t seem to mind and strolled after her at a leisurely pace, speaking as if by chance, “But she—”
“Sefina Drago!” Liya interrupted, stopping abruptly and turning back sharply.
Her voice suddenly rose, scolding, “You’re here to assist in affairs, not to teach me how to do things!”
“The Tepes family has many matters to handle. Am I supposed to concern myself with a familiar’s feelings, too?”
“If I hadn’t summoned her back then, would she even have had the chance to serve a noble of the vampire clan?” Liya lifted her chin slightly, her tone hard.
“I gave her the right to survive. Isn’t it only natural that she should pay me back?”
“And besides, she’s always making a mess of herself, embarrassing me—always dragging me down!”
Sefina fell silent, simply lifting her gaze past Liya to look ahead.
Following her gaze, Liya turned her head and saw Lin Shu standing not far ahead, holding a set of brand-new outerwear—the very thing Liya had just ordered brought.
Lin Shu looked at Liya, her face pale and her expression frozen. It was obvious she’d heard everything.
‘It’s only natural… dragging me down…’
Those words stabbed into Lin Shu’s heart like knives, making her body tremble ever so slightly.
Lin Shu had long felt Liya’s coldness, but hearing these words herself, the pain pressing on her heart was far worse than she’d imagined.
She bit her lip hard, quickly set what she was holding on the small table beside Liya, then turned and fled as if escaping.
“She leaves without saluting her master? Becoming more and more ill-mannered.” Liya’s voice drifted over from behind.
Lin Shu quickened her pace, nearly stumbling as she ran away.
Liya put on the coat and snorted coldly.
No matter what, Lin Shu would still obediently do her work. She was her familiar—without her, Lin Shu had nowhere to go and could only stay by her side.
Sefina’s eyes narrowed slightly, her gaze thoughtful as she watched that thin, retreating figure. She paid no more attention to what Liya was saying, only to the direction in which Lin Shu had left.
*****
Lin Shu walked to the outskirts of the camp, leaned against a tree, and clung tightly to her trembling arms.
Liya’s cold words echoed in her mind:
“Isn’t it only natural that she should pay me back?”
“Always making a mess of herself, embarrassing me—dragging me down!”
So, in her eyes, she’d already become nothing but a burden. All her efforts and dedication meant nothing at all to her.
Lin Shu fought hard to suppress the pain surging in her chest, but tears were already brimming at the corners of her eyes.
The last bit of hope left in her heart crumbled away in that instant.
Cold moonlight spilled across Lin Shu’s body, and she had never felt so alone.
No one knew how long passed before her tears finally dried. Lin Shu lifted her hand, wiped the corners of her eyes, and let out a long, deep breath.
It was time to leave.
Better to leave now than remain as an unwanted burden, suffering cold indifference.
But—where should she go?
After three years, she’d come to understand this world: Humans held the lowest status among the many races in this alien land.
Most Humans lived on the territories of the Holy Race, relying on their protection just to barely survive.
Should she go and seek shelter with the Holy Race? But that would still be living under someone else’s roof.
A thought rose up in Lin Shu’s mind, growing stronger and stronger.
“System,” Lin Shu whispered.
As soon as she spoke, a translucent, ghostly blue panel appeared before her.
This was the “Familiar System” that had come with her when she crossed over.
Back then, this system—which only she could see—had popped up in front of her, telling her about her identity and the rules:
[Host, greetings. As the only Human familiar, you can form contracts with any female in this world.]
[Upon forming a contract, both the master and the familiar gain new abilities.]
[Also, by helping your master realize her wishes, you can increase wish points. As wish points rise, the familiar gains opportunities to copy traits of the master’s race.]
Lin Shu’s gaze fell upon the panel, which also showed her contract with Liya.
The wish point progress bar, signed “Liya,” was stalled at 66%. She stared at the number and gave a self-mocking laugh.
Liya’s wish was to become the most outstanding Leader in the history of the vampire family.
For three years, Lin Shu had risked her life for her, helping her transform from a sheltered young lady into the Leader commanding most of the family’s members.
And now, it was all about to end.
“Tell me, how can I return to my original world?” Lin Shu asked calmly.
She wanted to go home, return to her own world, live as an ordinary Human, and lead a peaceful life.
If she could sever her ties to this world, perhaps she could forget everything soon enough.
On the system panel, lines of text began to appear:
[…]
[Host, greetings. Your request has been received, please wait…]
[Querying relevant permissions and information.]
[Related item matching your needs has been found.]
Lin Shu froze. She’d only wanted to try, but the system had actually answered?
The ghostly blue panel instantly gathered into a ball of light, hovering in midair.
Lin Shu slowly reached out, and as if sensing her touch, the light dropped into her palm.
The light faded, and Lin Shu felt something solid in her hand—a key.
“What is this?” Lin Shu looked up and saw the system panel reappear.
[This is the key item for the host to return to her original world.]
“How do I use it? What does it do?”
[No further information about the item is available.]
No matter how Lin Shu asked, the system would only pop up the same line.
Helpless, Lin Shu waved away the panel and clenched the cold metal key tightly in her palm.
It seemed she could only search for more clues on her own.
Suddenly, a lazy voice sounded behind her:
“Little cutie, are you hiding out here all alone?”