Under the shroud of night, Hill had already pulled back the hood of her trench coat. After all, the overly large hood would get in the way of her next meal.
She gently gathered the strands of hair falling around the girl’s neck, collecting them one by one and gathering them into a small bundle, then tucking it behind the girl’s head.
She always treated her delicacies with such care—after all, even though she had crossed over into this still somewhat unfamiliar world, the sense of ritual remained necessary.
Just like in her previous life: after a week of working herself to the bone, she would find her favorite restaurant on the weekend, dress herself in clothes unsullied by the scent of the office, and savor her meal.
She leaned in, opened her mouth, and extended her fangs—just like her claws, they were fully retractable, a gift that vampires had evolved to conceal themselves. Of course, it could also be a blessing from the Goddess of the Night.
As the distance lessened, the fragrance that drifted to Hill’s nose grew richer and richer. She couldn’t help but wear an intoxicated expression, nearly moaning in pleasure on the spot.
This child’s scent is truly amazing. Even if the most renowned merchant in Norcan Town offered her the finest steak in exchange, she… would never agree.
Such a delicious treat—how she wished she could bring it back to her apartment, enjoy a hot bath, and then savor it at her leisure.
Alas, for now she would have to make do.
Hill stopped overthinking, narrowed her eyes, and buried her face in the girl’s pale golden hair. Beyond the blood’s intoxicating aroma beneath her nose, there was also the lingering scent of hair long washed with fine soap.
Ah, what bliss!
With a sweet satisfaction, Hill plunged her fangs into the girl’s neck. The tender flesh couldn’t possibly resist such a domineering invasion.
Awoo～
It was like biting into a soft bun filled with milk and honey; Hill let out a sound of pleasure from her throat and, applying a bit of strength, simultaneously injected her numbing toxin while drawing the scalding fresh blood into her mouth.
Gulp, gulp…
Hill’s eyes flew open wide, delight and disbelief swirling in her rose-colored pupils.
This nectar-like taste was untainted by alcohol or that damned tobacco, only the purest fragrance and a delightfully viscous texture. Yes, after injecting the toxin, the prey’s wound would quickly coagulate for healing, so the blood most vampires drank was much thicker than normal.
Hill didn’t mind at all; in fact, she rather liked it.
One gulp, two gulps, three gulps… Fresh blood slid down her throat, landing in her stomach with a warm sensation—like swallowing the blessing of the Goddess of Light, a flavor so divine it could make one’s eyebrows quiver, a feeling of power instantly coursing through every limb and bone.
For an instant, Hill almost believed she had become the Goddess’s child, enjoying divine favor at her knee like other saints.
Glancing at her own status screen, she saw her experience bar jump by a full 30 points from just that one mouthful of blood!
One mouthful, 30 experience points!
It was like she had been struck by lightning—a surge of joy so fierce that Hill trembled all over! Normally, those pitiful creatures she hunted would offer no more than two experience points after two or three gulps of blood. This girl alone was worth over a dozen of those useless wretches!
Goddess above!
Just like that drunk who had already collapsed on the ground, Hill felt the girl before her was a gift straight from the Goddess!
She didn’t know how much time passed.
Whew! Hill released her bite, gasping a bit—she really had gotten a little too excited during that meal.
Those few gulps were more than enough to fill her, but today, Hill felt greedy.
It was just like eating at a buffet—no one could afford to eat a buffet every day, but since she’d finally entered the restaurant, she had to stuff herself before leaving. Hill couldn’t guarantee when she would next taste blood of such high quality; for all she knew, it could be months before another opportunity like this arose. In her worst-case scenario, it might be months before she could feast so well again.
So… lovely, young girl, please allow this poor, starving little vampire to have just a bit more of your precious blood. If it came to it, Hill would even be willing to dig a rare silver coin from her wallet and place it in the girl’s hands.
Though the currencies in the surrounding dozen or so kingdoms had varying purchasing power and styles, they all used gold, silver, and copper. Copper coins were the cheapest—a few could buy a chunk of dry bread, ten could buy a cup of hot milk, and a hundred copper coins was a typical family’s monthly income.
The exchange rate between copper and silver was 1:1000; a single silver coin was almost half a year’s income for an ordinary household.
No wonder Hill felt a twinge of pain just thinking about it.
Come to think of it, there was even a blood-selling business in the kingdom. Human blood, far more valuable than animal blood, was needed by many magicians for their experiments. Hospitals also needed to replenish their blood banks regularly. As a result, the blood trade in these kingdoms was surprisingly thriving.
Unfortunately, to prevent certain unsavory elements from profiting, anyone wanting to buy blood from a legitimate shop had to present a hospital license or a magician’s certificate. Hill had neither. Otherwise, she wouldn’t have needed to risk prowling the night for prey—did they think it was fun playing cat-and-mouse with the sheriffs?
What’s more…
People described the blood trade like this: “Sell blood for two silver coins, buy blood for twenty!”
Robbery! Unless Hill herself were dismantled and sold as an actual vampire, how could she afford such a meal at twenty silver coins a pop?
Many vampires like her were forced to hunt for fresh blood, and those unscrupulous blood traders bore much of the blame!
Damn it all!
Enough resting, time for a few more sips.
Hill glanced at the two wounds she had made; they seemed to be nearly healed already. She planned to strike while the iron was hot and drink a little more before leaving.
What a pity—if only she could spirit this girl home and keep her as a walking blood pouch! That would be the dream!
Unfortunately, as much as the thought tempted her, there was a complete legal system in the kingdom, sheriffs with deadly aim, and priests at the Temple of Light who had plenty of ways to send her soul on its way.
It wasn’t worth the risk. Besides, the girl was so naturally beautiful that Hill refused to believe she didn’t have a drop of noble blood in her. Even if she was only the lowest-ranked baronet, descended from knights, or could cast a spell or two, her influence would be impossible to estimate.
A minor vampire like her wouldn’t stand a chance if she provoked such people—lying down to await death would be her only choice.
Thinking regretfully, Hill tilted her head, lining up to drink from the same two wounds. But just then, something unexpected happened.
Even in the darkness, the blonde girl’s emerald eyes were striking—like the finest green gemstones, the color said to be that of the sacred springs worshipped by the legendary elves.
Hill’s night vision was nearly perfect, so she clearly saw the girl open her eyes. Those elegant lashes fluttered, confusion and a hint of curiosity flashing through her gaze.
As expected, the girl was no ordinary child. She’d been pampered since birth, so she didn’t suffer night blindness; aided by the faint glow of a streetlamp at the end of the alley, she could also clearly see Hill’s face, now revealed without her hood.
She took in the vampire girl’s startled expression, the little cherry mouth frozen half-open, the fangs poking out, and even the rose-tinted eyes—she could see it all.
Hill drew a quiet breath, quickly restoring her expression to calm, and slowly extended the claws at her fingertips.
Why did this girl wake up? The drunken man she’d just injected with the same toxin was still sleeping like the dead—even if Hill danced on his chest in her heeled boots, he wouldn’t wake soon. So, at the moment, this wasn’t her main concern.
The most important thing now… was to increase the dose!
Sharp claws approached the girl’s delicate neck. Just a touch would draw a fresh wound and inject the toxin anew.
But then, the girl spoke up, her voice crisp and clear: “Hello, may I… ask you to wait a moment?”
Hill’s face didn’t change, her hand not pausing at all.
Still, this child was remarkably polite—most likely a noble, then.
But there was no need for begging; Hill had only intended to take a few sips and leave, killing wasn’t really her style…
“You’re a vampire… Oh, no, my teacher once told me you all dislike being called that. So, are you one of the Bloodkin?”
The girl’s clear voice was like the chime of wind bells, so pleasant that it lifted the heart.
Hill still didn’t stop, her fingertip already touching the girl’s neck, the tip just barely piercing the skin, ready to inject the toxin…
“Could you take me with you? I’m willing to offer my blood—you may take it whenever you wish, as long as you’ll protect me and I don’t have to spend the night in a place like this anymore.”
Hm?
Hill halted her motion, tilting her head to look at the girl before her.
She blurted out, “I’ve never met anyone who made a request like that in my whole life.”
Today really was full of surprises.
Was the Goddess playing a prank on her?