"I mean, yes, I didn't tell them I didn't have an ID, but you can't blame me. It's the government that's to blame. Why should I get arrested for helping some people out that were in trouble? Sorry I need an ID to be a helpful person. Next time I'll just let the innocent die so I don't risk completing a quest. I wonder what kind of stain that would leave on the guild and the people who call themselves adventurers?" Silence filled the room and all gazes were cast on me. My skin crawled, but I made no movement to make it obvious.
"Pfft....Ahahahahaha!" Torappu started laughing. It sounded like an Angel had just whispered into my ear sweet words of comfort. "I did not expect that. That was such a pessimistic response. Blaming the government?" They laughed a little more. The trio stayed quiet. They obviously were still nervous at the sentence that could be cast. "Well, anyway. I was just teasing. I'll give you an ID. I just need you to prick your finger with this and mark the plate with your blood."
"What is this? A ritual?" I retreated my hand away.
"No," They chuckled. "It's how we mark your plate. The Mana in your blood seeps into the plate and revels your stats as well as your identity. It's like looking at your status window."
"Oh...."
More like oh crap!
I don't have any Mana in my blood, how the hell is this going to work? And what's gonna happen when the plate doesn't activate? They'll know I'm a human without Mana. Will they dissect me?
Torappu pulled a plate from under their desk and placed it on to top. "Here." They smiled. I slowly made my way closer to them. Once I was in reach of the plate, I went to grab it. Immediately a hand shot out and grabbed my wrist.
"MWUAH!" A kiss on my cheek from Torappu.
"Hey!" Sora started. "What was that for?"
"Yeah," Rubellia added.
"Hm? Oh, just a small present from me. I couldn't help it." Torappu's eyes met mine. Usually I'd look away, but this time I was frozen in place. Like something was holding my head, forcing my gaze to focus on theirs. "He just looked so...," they licked their lips and I felt a shiver run down my spine.
Seriously, this person scares me...
I unsheathed my sword and put it to my finger, cutting it slowly. Making a cut deep enough to bleed but not deep enough to do any harm.
Guess this is the end of my secrecy.
My blood dripped onto the plate. Nothing happened, just as I thought. I was about to get ready to explain myself for the questions that were sure to follow, but then the plate started to glow white.
Slowly but surely, my name appeared on it in the top left corner. My stats soon followed along with my level and class, which was still none. It truly did look like the status menu, the only bad thing, Torappu saw all my low stats.
But for some reason, they grabbed my ID and handed it to me. "Here you go." They smiled.
"Oh, uh...Thanks," I said.
I don't know why they hadn't questioned my stats, but I was glad.
"So, now that you have an ID, I'm assuming you'd like to join my guild." Torappu said as they rested their elbows on the desk and chin in their hands. "Correct?"
"Your guild?"
"Yes. I'm the Guild Master." They smirked.
No wonder this person scared me! They're the Guild Master, meaning they have tremendous power!
For once I was glad of my submissive nature. "I see." Was all I replied with.
"Hm? You aren't surprised that someone like me is the Master? Usually people freak out in disbelief."
"Someone.... Like you?" I didn't understand what they meant by that, and I'm sure my pause made that obvious.
"You don't know what I am?"
"Nope."
"Huh, I thought my hair and eyes would give it away. I'm a vampire." Once again for the nth time that day, Torappu smirked. And now that they mentioned it, I do see some small fangs.
"What does that have to do with anything?" I asked.
I, quite frankly, didn't understand why them being a vampire would make me freak out or anything. Also, I hadn't even known vampires were in this world.
I wonder if there's werewolves too?
"Aw, how sweet. You're the first and only human to ever say that, Ki. And the first to treat me normal and not show fear. However, I can smell some hesitation coming from you."
"I mean, that's because from the moment I first saw you, I knew you were strong. So I just submitted to you." I shrugged nonchalantly.
"Is that so?" Torappu stood up and walked around the desk to stand in front of me. They reached up and grabbed my collar, pulling me down to be eye level as they leaned and whispered into my ear. "How would you like to be my successor?" They let go of my collar and I immediately shot back up to full height. "Just kidding." They smiled.
"What? What did she say to you, Kichirou?" Sora asked.
"I think you mean, he," Han corrected.
"I thought it was a she, too," Rubellia chimed in.
I was watching the squabble when Torappu tugged on my sleeve.
Can you not? Who are you, the ghost of Dick Turpin?
"What?" I asked. I came off more ruder then attended, but that couldn't be helped.
"I'm whatever you want me to be," They winked. In reply, I blinked slowly.
"Sure." I mumbled, turning my gaze back to the trio.
"No, really! I don't just tell that to everyone." They said as they sat back down. "Any way." They clapped their hands together and the room fell silent.
Damn, this person is scary!
"I accept you into the guild."
"Huh?" Sora said, sounding baffled. "He doesn't have to go through that week long process?"
"There was a week long process and you didn't tell me?" I said with a frown.
"W-well, yeah. If we had told you, you probably wouldn't have come." I stared at her.
She wasn't wrong.
"Ah-ha-ha," my staring must've made her nervous because she let out a pitiful laugh and changed the subject. "Anyway, you don't have to do that. You got immediately accepted."
"I guess," I said as I looked away. Whatever week long thing I would have originally had to go through I didn't have to go through. No point in sulking about them not telling me.
"But, why?" Rubellia asked Torappu. "I mean, I don't mind. I'm happy. But no one's ever just been accepted in like that before."
"The reason is simple." Torappu smiled as they reached over the desk and held my hand. "I like him. He intrigues me." I quickly yanked my hand away. Whatever cuteness I saw in them before was all gone. And it wasn't because they were a vampire. It was the way they acted. Like a slut.
I saw Sora and Rubellia frown at Torappu's statement. All Torappu did was smile even more.
"So can I leave now?" I asked. I wanted to go quest. It totally wasn't because of the uncomfortable vibe I was getting.
"Sure, but first I need to speak to you alone." Torappu said, their voice serious. "So please, step outside." they told the trio.
They didn't argue or make any faces this time, just did as told.