The next morning, I woke up to an unfamiliar roof over my head. I sniffed and noted the smell of oak. Then another more tantalizing scent hit my nose, and I bolted upright in an instant. it smelled like roasted sausage. I looked around the room and spotted four other beds. I tilted my head questioningly. Why was I here, and how did I get here? Where is here?
I crawled off the bed and started, then shuffled over to the mirror I spotted in the corner. Once I got there, I breathed a sigh of relief. I was still me; no marks were there. So, I wasn't attacked. I noted my bedraggled ivory hair and my heterochromatic eyes, one gemlike ruby-red and the other jade-green. I rubbed my eyes to fight the sandman and wake up. My pale skin shone like a sliver of moonlight as I gazed at the mirror. Then it hit me. I was half-naked. I looked around for my clothes, but they weren't there. Panicking, I scrambled through the room, digging through drawers, boxes, and bags, trying to find something to cover my immodest form.
I heard footsteps and the rustle of a few bags. I dove behind a bed and hid. The door to the room squeaked open slowly. A familiar voice spoke in a soft, confused mutter. "I could have sworn I heard footsteps, and I did. Now where is Izuna? I was supposed to call her down for breakfast and introduce her to the group after helping her get changed."
I peek over the bed and see Athena. "G-good morning, Athena." I squeaked. Athena turns to look at me and giggles at my timid routine. "You're such a goofball; come here; I brought you clothes. We can talk once you are dressed and downstairs. Welcome to the Silver Owls."
I stand up and stumble over to her, and she just looks over me and smiles. "Your beautiful." She whispers softly. I blush bashfully and start changing. She helps me suit up in my adventurer's gear. Light leather armor for fast movement. It exposed my midriff, which left me mildly uncomfortable, and consisted of a combat skirt with tight combat shorts underneath, reminiscent of a kunoichi from a far eastern kingdom. She also handed me my spear, which I was grateful for; it was a family heirloom. According to the legends, it is a spear of the highest class. Weapons come in several classifications. Standard, magical, intelligent, legendary, divine, and mythical.
The spear's name is Achlys, and it was classified as mythical. It is said to be able to pierce anything, no matter the distance or strength of the wielder. It has a hidden effect that is only known to vampires as well. When it cuts into flesh, it drains a percentage of their blood and magic, providing a significant power boost to its designated owner. Next, Athena gave me a round shield. "I know you like to be nimble in combat, but this way you can protect yourself next time you overextend, like in your last fight."
"Thank you, Athena. Sorry, but could you tell me why I'm here?" I finally mustered up.
"While you were sleeping yesterday, the GM and the rest of us decided to have you join us as an adventurer, that is, if you don't mind." Athena answered awkwardly. "So, I carried you to our current base of operations. Do you need anything else?"
I shake my head. "No, but thank you very much. I don't know if I will ever be able to repay your kindness."
"Need any blood before we set out?"
I shake my head again, this time a tad sheepishly. "Drinking from a humanoid being is the same as proposing for marriage. Besides, I already had my fill a few days ago in the woods from a wild boar monster. I won't need to drink more until 3 or 4 days from now; otherwise, I eat like any normal person."
"That so? It's nice to learn more about vampire culture. Now I wonder why so many people fear them on the same level as a monster."
"I can explain that, basically, vampires need to drink blood once a week. Drinking blood from humanoid races is taboo outside of romance due to its sensual nature. Since it is only a cultural taboo, there are a fair number of vampires who disgrace their kind by doing just that en masse, draining humans, elves, and beastkin alike of blood, life, and magic until they leave mounds of corpses in their wake." I explained
Athena stared at me for a bit afterward, then spoke up. "That explains a lot, wow. That said, you seem to be more comfortable with me now." She noted with a smile on her face. "Is there anything we should avoid or keep away from you? In the legends, vampires turn to ash when the sun comes up, but you seem to be able to walk about just fine."
I chuckled warmly. "Indeed, I do feel more relaxed around you, at least now, though it's still an effort to not stutter. As for things to avoid, there isn't really anything that vampire progenitors are weak to. The sun weakens normal vampires, but daywalkers and progenitors are immune. I do have arachnophobia, though."
"I see, so no spiders or scorpion quests, gotcha. Cool beans, let's go get breakfast before it gets cold. The rest of the team is excited to meet our newest member after all." Athena nods and grabs my wrist to pull me along. What a unique personality! Athena is such a dork. I think with a brilliant smile.
We headed down the steps and into the dining room, which was a tad rowdy. Athena's three other teammates sat there conversing noisily—a sure sign of an adventurer, it seems. They pause just long enough to wave and greet Athena. Then they see me and grin. "Welcome to the Silver Owls; have a seat and enjoy yourself. I'm the sub-captain, Iris the scout; this moron here is our mage Hecate; our healer and archer is over there; say hi, Artemis. You'll probably fit in as our ranger and mid- to close-range combat specialist. Let us know if you need anything at all, and we will be there for you before you can say slime!"
The rapid-fire barrage of greetings hit me like a wave, and I hid behind Athena, peeking out timidly. Hecate gasps: "She's adorable!!" Athena smiles and gently nudges me forward.
"Izuna, you'll have to adjust to your teammates eventually; you may as well get it over with." A warm, gentle smile tugged at her lips. I gulp and stumble forward. I take my seat beside the end of the table and the only other empty chair. Athena brings me my food and ruffles my hair, then takes her seat beside me with a plate of her own food.
The breakfast seemed to be sausage biscuits, pancakes, and fruit. It honestly looked delicious. They even had syrup; I didn't think that was possible outside of noble homes and the palace. The Silver Owls must really be elite if they can have sugar, milk, and syrup products like this. I hope I don't hold them back. As I chowed down, the conversation picked up. "Captain, where to next? I think the dungeon city of Selphort would be a good idea. We're gonna have to train the noobie after all." That was Iris, proving her role is no fluke as the sub captain.
Athena nods in acknowledgement. "You're correct; that would be a good stop under normal circumstances. However, these are not normal." She went on to explain the situation, my race, history, and the plan going forward. "-In short, our next stop is the kingdom of Mina. There is a rumor that there is a dungeon city there by the name of Vradale. We will run quests along the way. Be mindful of wanted posters. We don't know if they realize they missed the princess."
Soon after we finished breakfast, we packed our things. Even though I had everything of mine on me, I helped because I didn't want to be rude. Then we took off and headed out the north gate for the city. We were guarding a merchant caravan on the way to the port city of Valeport. It was a one-way trip since the merchant planned to stay there for a week. From there, I wasn't really sure where we would be heading. I tightened my grip on my beloved spear in a spurt of anxiety. Athena noticed and gently stroked my hair until I relaxed. "Thank you for that." I said with a small smile. Athena smiled and shook her head. "No need to thank me; I'm here to help you and ease your worries whenever you need me." Her warm response was especially comforting, proving she's a big sister in her family.
The merchant drummed up a conversation. "When did the Silver Owls take on another member?"
Athena, who paced beside me, smiled and spoke. "Quite recently. She is our ranger and a magic spearwoman. She is quite shy outside of combat, though."
The merchant nodded warmly. "It seems you're quite fond of her yourself; it's like you two are sisters." An affectionate smile crossed his face.
Athena chuckled and nodded. "I do have a little sister back home, and she acts the same way. Socially awkward dorks that they both are. There's just something that makes me feel protective of them."
"I understand completely; I have a daughter back home myself." The merchant grins.
Then, in the next instant, I dashed forward like a bolt of lightning. My sudden movement surprised everyone as I left them in the dust and came back a few beats later with a jackal monster carcass in hand. Athena chuckles and shrugs. "Izuna, you should warn us of monsters' ahead next time." She ruffles my hair with fondness. Hecate, Iris, and Artemis stared at me in open-mouthed shock. The merchant chuckled and spoke up. "It looks like she's mighty capable too. I feel safer already."
I finally spoke up to respond to Athena. "Sorry, Athena, I forgot." Athena giggled in response.
Later that day, we stopped for camp. I did my best to help set up the camp and cook. I was even assigned hunting duty and caught a boar monster. The last one was a delicacy, so I can't say I didn't look specifically for another. That's a secret, though. Before I headed back, I drained its blood with my fangs, like last time. The merchant and his crew didn't know I was a vampire, so I had to do that out of view. I decided to hunt two more monsters and drain them for everyone else. Then I headed back after washing the blood off my face. The blood was deliciously thick and salty, as usual.
Once I returned, the rest of my team was sitting around the campfire with the merchant caravan. Iris spotted me first; being our team's scout, that's to be expected. "Izuna's back, and with a feat!! Let's go help her prepare the food." Thinking ahead of the pack, she and Athena jogged over. "How was the hunting? Run into any problems?"
"Hunting was good and delicious as always." I responded in a hushed tone so that only Athena and Iris heard me. "I already hid my tracks on the prey that I caught for them." Athena nodded and smiled. "Did you level up this time around?" I smiled broadly and nodded with a big, cheesy grin. Athena chuckled and took two of the beasts and carried them over to the campfire. That left me to go idle away in the darkness beside the carriage.
"Status," I call out.
Name: Izuna Runelia Level: 2
Age: 16 Race: Undefined
Class: Valkyrie Princess
HP: 3,000/3,000
MP: 3,235/3,235
STR: 1,620
AGI: 2,900
SPD: 1,400
LUCK: 750
Unique skills: Omni-directional movement, Future sight
Skills: Spear combat 7, Passive regeneration 2, Leadership 2, Cooperation 3, Elemental magic 5, Governing 1, Hunting 1, Kin control
Titles: Princess of the Lost Kingdom, Survivor, The Last Queen of the Vampires, The Anomalous Birth
SP: 530
"Open skill list"
Available skills: Analysis, Analysis blocker, Shield combat, Presence detection, Danger sense, Skanda, Barrier magic, Recovery magic, Holy magic. Summoning
"Let's go with Analysis blocker first."
A magic pop-up screen shows up in front of me.
Analysis blocker cost 200sp
Yes\No
"Yes please."
Analysis blocker obtained!
Sweet, now I won't have to fear being caught and can blend in as a faux high elf now. Not that I wasn't already a high elf, but at least this way I can hide my vampire nature. "Next, let's see if I have enough. Barrier magic, please!"
Barrier magic 1 cost 300sp
Yes/No
"Yes please!"
Barrier magic 1 obtained!