Being stunned was an understatement, Dahlia was shocked by that news. He was going to find her parents for her? Just like that?
No, it was too good to be true. At least back on earth, people never help people for free. There's always a catch. Even if the favor isn't called now, definitely later.
"However, there is a condition,"
Just as she thought, nothing was free in the end. Guess earth and this vampire world are kissing cousins after all.
However, Dahlia still mustered the courage to ask, "Fine, what's your condition?"
Tobias smiled - for the first time.
"That's the problem, I don't know,"
That made Dahlia's brows arch, "You don't know?" She laughed, "How is that even possible?"
"I don't know," He shrugged, "That's why it's called a favor, consider it a debt you're owning me and I'll come to collect when the time is due," Tobias said to her.
"When the time is due?" Dahlia considered those words, trying to see if it would be favorable to her in the long run.
Tobias must have noticed her worry because he said, "It could be in two months? Six months? A year? Two years? Ten years? My lifespan is longer than yours, so you can rest assured I'll definitely be back for it,"
If he puts it that way, that makes it better. Dahlia was confident she could fulfill her mission and end this game before the year is up. If that was the case, Tobias might not collect on the favor and she'd be gone.
Hehe, lucky her!
"Deal," Dahlia agreed immediately after going through her foolproof plan, "I'll grant whatever you want."
Moreover, what could the vampire possibly ask from her that he doesn't have?
Dahlia could tell Tobias was a very important vampire in the capital or something. She just doesn't understand what he's doing in this evil forest.
Perhaps, he did something wrong and was deported here? Hmmm, that could be the case. But as curious as Dahlia was, she couldn't delve into his private matter. As much as this was a game, the actions and consequences were real. Maybe she would ask the system for the back story of this game - that is, if it was for free.
"You would grant me anything I ask for?" Tobias pointed out the promise.
"Yeah,"
"You don't even know if I'm a bad person and I ask for something you can't afford to lose,"
Dahlia chuckled at that statement, she stood up to her feet this time and walked over to Tobias till they were staring into each other's face, "See? That's the problem. I have nothing to lose."
Dahlia was a solo player in this game nor does she have any character she favors. She has nothing to lose - Tobias just doesn't know that.
He smiled brightly, "In that case, that's good then. Deal."
The both of them didn't say anything afterward and an awkward silence fell over them. Then Dahlia made the mistake of looking into his eyes and she was breath taken by the color.
It was a rare emerald green color nor has she seen anything close to it back home on earth. It was almost enchanting, if not mystical and she was drawn to it else she wouldn't have made the first move by drawing closer to him.
At this point, Dahlia was pretty much sure the vampire was doing that hypnotizing thing of his again and knew the system would warn her pretty soon.
For the backseat feature to work, would she have to kiss him again? For some reason, the thought of kissing him once more filled Dahlia with anticipation.
She hadn't enjoyed the first kiss at that time, now? Dahlia was hell-bent on doing so this time.
However, the system notification didn't ring as expected and that made her realize she was the one leaning in to kiss Tobias and got herself back at the last minute.
"You should go," Dahlia announced breathlessly as if she had run a marathon. Her heart was pounding hard in her chest right now, she might have a heart attack!
"Yes, I should," Tobias said pointedly as if he too realized the boundary he almost crossed with her. He was a vampire who has lived hundreds of years and had his fair share of women, one won't make him lose his head.
"Have a nice sleep," He said to her and left with Dahlia closing the door right after him.
She leaned against it with a sigh. What was happening to her?
[Of course, you're horny!]
"Geez!" Dahlia was startled by the system's sudden appearance; she cursed it heavily in her head. What was that? And what does it mean she was horny?
'I'm not horny!'
Dahlia protested. Why would the system accuse her of such a thing? She has been celibate since her teenage years and choose that way for good reasons! She didn't want the complications of the heart and drama was the least thing Dahlia wanted in her life.
[Says the person who nearly jumped Tobias]
'I didn't jump Tobias!'
[Fine, keep on denying your lust for all you want]
At the mention of "lust" Dahlia saw red and nearly combusted from anger only to remember she was fighting with a damn AI.
`You know what? I'm not having this conversation with you, after all, you're just a voice in my head'
[Good for you, host]
[But you can never deny the truth]
"You-"
[Mission successful!]
That damn system was shutting her up.
[You have successfully convinced Tobias to let you go with your eloquent skills!]
Dahlia frowned, why does it sound like the system was being sarcastic?
[Mission Reward: 2000 credit points awarded to host's account]
[Loan debt: 6000 credit points]
Of course, it never forgets that.
[2000 taken from Host's account to pay off outstanding debt]
[Current loan: 4000]
[Good work, host!]
Dahlia rolled her eyes, what a sweet talker. Does it think that would fool her? Nonetheless, Dahlia was feeling better, her loan would be paid off real soon and she'd leave for the capital as well.
Things were going well.
For the moment.