"Rena, leap back and avoid the fireball!" I yelled while pulling another arrow and placing it on the string.
She nodded, jumping away from the creature.
A crimson orb the size of a watermelon floated out from the monster's hands, with its entire mass shaking, emitting a large pulse.
The ball shot into the air before crashing straight into the ground, cracking the stone tiles under my feet.
I could feel a pulse as the fireball disappeared in the stone, melting it like wax.
The molten rock and tile mixed, bubbling before it exploded from beneath the ground.
Superheated rock and dirt sprayed through the air, burning me as I couldn't dodge in time, unlike Rena, who dodged most by running a distance and leaping.
Another red orb emerged.
This time, the core would not release its spell into the sky but at her directly.
But the monster didn't get the chance; as we recovered from the first fireball's damage, my arrows began to arc down, the red spiral now wrapped around the entire arrow like a crimson spike.
The glowing tips pierced its core, shattering and popping the large crimson organ.
Its remaining HP bar dropped to a sliver.
Yet, unlike its broken core, it stood unaffected.
My eyes narrowed, thinking the second fireball would hit Rena and trying to draw another arrow, but my fingers were bloody and trembling.
Despite my worries, her body lunged towards the red slime, her eyes enraged before slamming the huge kanabo onto its core, shattering what was left.
With its HP completely zero, the slime stopped its fireball casting and dispersed its magic in the air.
Its skin splashed onto the tile and grass.
Like spilt jelly, it spread over the stage, leaving behind a large blue crystal and a small pair of red gloves.
When combat ended, I felt weak because my HP and MP were close to 0 as I fell to one knee, using the bow to hold me up, with the entire room spinning.
I felt a sense of thirst...
The hunger was nothing compared to humans.
Her racing heart was like bitter torture as she approached me, my eyes watching the blood pumping through her veins.
Slowly, my fangs grew in anticipation for a feed.
"Aki?" She whispered my name, her voice filled with worry.
Then the fool rushed to my side and tried to help me up instead of remembering my race.
"Damnit, Rena," I thought, cursing as she got close, unable to stop what came next.
Before she grabbed my shoulders, my vampire instincts took control as I latched onto her arms, biting down hard on her soft caramel neck while forcing her to the floor.
It was my first time tasting blood.
A sweet and intoxicating taste entered my mouth and flowed down my throat, quenching a dire need.
Unlike Rena's anger, a feeling of ecstasy entered my brain.
All the pain I received during combat and drawing too many Arrows was wiped out, instantly replacing them with a satisfying sensation.
I could hear Rena mumbling before her erotic moaning sounded, pressing against me as she started hitting me as salty tears began to fall down her cheeks, while my HP rose as fast as hers dropped.
My mind fogged, causing me to drink until Rena's HP became half before I regained control, pushing myself off her with fear and worry.
She pushed herself back while holding her neck and sitting, confused and dizzy with a red face, her lips letting out a subtle moan as she covered her body as if naked.
"A-Aki... ask if you need to bite next time... idiot." Her foot kicked my shin, causing a little damage to my HP, but the feeling in my mind and chest...
I couldn't forget the pleasure from tasting her... and from the look of her dazed and glassy eyes, neither could she.
"Is everything alright, Rena?" I asked to ensure she felt no discomfort or suddenly became a vampire...
"Tsk... fine, let's go."
Her attitude became curt, but I just forced myself on her.
So, being mature, I took a step back and then realised the boss monster's experience hadn't been given yet.
"Strange..." I whispered before picking up the core from the slimy goo, which felt heavy in my hand. This isn't because I am weak, not at all.
Then came the red and black gloves that seemed to be something a noble might wear.
[Elegant Cloth Gloves of Flame]
DEF + 1
INT + 1
A pair of elegantly woven gloves made with the core of red slime.
Active: Allows the wearer to imbue their weapon with a weak fire enchantment. (+2 Fire Damage on hit)
"Oh, these gloves are cool!" I felt the excitement for the first time after the nerves of battle faded.
The first real item we got except the cores.
"Rena..."
"You can take them, Akira. I don't need them." Rena's voice was still awkward.
I looked around for something useful. "Akira, I think there's a chest here. Quick, come!"
She called me over and seemed to have recovered somewhat.
As Rena pointed, I saw a chest similar to the loot boxes but made from a dark wooden oak with gold linings.
Opening it showed two items, one for her and one for me.
Inside Rena's slot was an armour, while mine was a spear, not too long but with a decent enough range to stay safe, about 130cm in total.
In Rena's, an unenchanted breastplate made from a similar crimson slime wasn't damaged or ruined.
It looked like her current Blazer, though, which was strange, just with a more rustic and fantasy finish rather than the perfect finish of a machine.
She looked at the red and black Blazer with a huge smile. This girl loved fashion, but when she looked at me, she blushed and turned away,
"Do you think it would suit me...?"
Her question was like a jab out of nowhere, stunning me as I froze, trying to answer correctly.
"Yeah, sure, Rena." My response was the worst, no matter how awkward I felt...
Looking down at the spear, I picked up the 1.30m long metal stick made of light but sturdy steel, which had an exquisite design carved near its pointed tip and comfortable leather bounding.
A golden magic line encircled the handle was barely visible but increased grip, providing a higher chance not to drop my spear in combat.
Seeing Rena holding the Blazer, I cleared my throat and spoke my honest thoughts; no need for a vampire to be embarrassed. I need to drink blood to live!
"Rena, I think it would look amazing on you. Though, I think you'd look great in anything."
Hearing my honest words caused Rena's head to lift, "Akira, thank you," then smiled sweetly, putting the Blazer armour aside and walking toward me, tilting her head and revealing the opposite side of her neck.
What is this? I thought for a moment before realising what she meant. It was a 'You're still thirsty, right?' gesture...
My throat felt dry...
Was Rena asking to feed again, or is she unaware...?
She seems aware and blushing...
No, Rena isn't a fool; she is teasing me!
Two can play that game...
Placing the spear beside the bow, my instincts took hold again, but with better control this time.
My fangs gently pressed against her soft caramel skin before sucking, receiving no resistance.
Unlike before, Rena leaned forward, wrapping her arms around me before sliding slowly with her strength draining. I followed and sat on the tiled stage, supporting her body and continuing.
As my lips gently kissed her neck, using my tongue to lap up the blood that leaked, her pleasant voice ringing in my ears made this so much better as her strong hands grasped my back tightly.
"Aki....ra... It's good. You finally speak to me like normal, hehe."
I couldn't tell what caused it, the delicious blood from her neck, the adorable moans, or her voice that took my mind back to the past, but I was filled with warmth as my body filled with my childhood friend's blood.
It wasn't about healing; I could regenerate in seconds, so drinking Rena's blood filled my HP naturally with pleasure, with our hearts racing in sync as blood pumped faster.
After my thirst diminished, I stood while helping Rena up by her firm hips, holding her body that weakened from losing HP; though Rena began rapidly recovering, the blood might not recover until we ate. "Thank you, Rena."
"Mm.... don't drink from other girls; it makes them feel.... strange." Rena pouted while glancing around the dungeon, avoiding my gaze; it must be the ecstatic feeling after the bite... it was... addictive.
"Of course, Rena, then I'll only bite you?"
"Eh? N-no... idiot..." She pushed me away and wore the black and red Blazer.
[Fierce Leather Blazer of Flame Resistance]
STR + 2
VIT + 1
A strong blazer was made to protect the chest and abdomen with a strange technique of mixing Red Slime into the tanning process.
Passive: Reduces all fire damage taken by 20%
[First Floor Completed!]
[Boss Slain!]
[You gained 20 Experience (Exp: 4/30) ]
[Rena gained 20 Experience (Exp: 4/30) ]
[Level Up]
[Distribute Attributes]
The sound echoing in both our heads caused us both to smile as the feeling of succeeding filled our chests.