"Chairman? Looks like you all don't get what's going on here. We're all loyal followers of Chairman Bolifar. Everything we do is for him. You ain't got the right to meet him yet!"
The manager shook his head like we were dumb. Seemed he didn't want to introduce us. He spread his arms and told Adrian straight:
"Lofin's an idiot, but I see your potential! Our company needs people bad. Join my team and you'll work hard, get one free day a week, and lots of good benefits. Way better than working under that loser Lofin! Plus, if we take over this big city, the hard workers might even get to meet the chairman himself!"
Man, this guy must've been in HR before becoming a vampire! So they're after the whole city!
If they keep growing, they might really pull it off. No wonder the government's controlling this area so tight, always checking people's blood for "diseases". They probably found out vampire blood is different and wanna stop it from spreading.
But even the tightest security's got holes. Looks like vampires already snuck into the health department. That soldier driver and the guide lady were new recruits for sure.
"What about me?" I asked. Sounded like he thought he had us both, but he only mentioned Adrian.
"You?" The manager frowned like I stank. He waved his hand and said, "You look strong, but light magic don't fit our company's future plans. Talent like yours shouldn't be in this world. Better go underground and wait for news."
That's too much! Can't believe I came all this way just to get rejected again!
I finally got it. This manager liked Adrian and wanted to make him a vampire. But I use light magic, so I can't be controlled. That's why he cut me out from the start.
"Sorry, but I'm happy being human. Don't wanna change my race right now," Adrian said, shaking his head.
"Oh really? You don't get a choice..." the manager growled. He was gonna force us, but then another voice spoke up.
"Well said! It's rare to find someone with such guts. I quite like it!" It was a woman's voice, real sexy. It came from the other coffin.
Was the vampire ancestor Bolifar finally showing up? That coffin had way more dark magic than the manager's. I thought so at first. But when the manager heard it, his face changed. He turned and begged:
"Director ma'am, I found them first. Please respect the rules and let me have them..."
So that's how it is!
Adrian was like a hot bun - two high-level vampires fighting over him.
But she was just a director. I was disappointed again. Looked like my plan to take them all out was toast. All the coffins were open now. Besides the manager's and director's, the last one was already empty.
That Chairman Bolifar wasn't even here.
"How dare you! The chairman put me in charge of this base. Who are you to tell me what to do? Le Hooyi, listen up - I'm taking this new guy. You better worry about dealing with that magician!"
The coffin on the ground suddenly stood up. The lid opened slowly in a cloud of black smoke. Pretty dramatic.
But the director who came out was surprising. She was real young! Fancy clothes and pretty face - must've been important before. Too bad she became a monster's puppet without knowing.
"She seems stronger than we thought. Better save your strength. Want me to handle her?" Adrian said, looking serious.
He had a point. Magic's hard to refill in this world. This lady director was way more scary than we expected. Usually, vampire ancestors are about level 6, and their followers are much weaker. Direct followers are usually only level 5. But this director felt at least level 6. No wonder I thought she was the boss at first.
Honestly, didn't expect to meet such a strong vampire in a place with so little magic like Earth! But Adrian can handle this level no problem. I nodded to agree.
"Alright, I'll take the manager then!"
They'd already picked who'd fight who. The manager had to listen to the director's orders, so he was aiming for me now. Made sense for me to face him.
"So you still won't give in, huh? You're really something, little brother. I'll make you bow to me myself!" The lady director licked her red lips, looking excited. She vanished and reappeared next to Adrian.
Surprisingly, she didn't use weapons or fists. She went straight for his neck with her mouth!
"Hey! Fight properly! What're you doing?" I almost blew up. The director probably thought she could take Adrian down easy. That "kiss" was just to suck blood. But doing that flirty stuff right in front of me - I couldn't take it.
"Watch out! I have a girlfriend. Take this seriously and show some respect!" Adrian dodged just in time. He jumped back and warned her angrily.
"Oh, someone's jealous!" The director glanced at me. Of course she wouldn't stop. She went after Adrian again, even bolder this time. Clearly trying to make me mad!
I started to regret letting Adrian fight her. He's strong with his fighting energy, but close combat is his weak point!
Don't know if the director got lucky or saw through this. She kept pressing Adrian hard. He had no time to get his weapons out. He could only use his clumsy basic fighting skills and try to dodge her shameless attacks.
"Not bad for a human from another world! You've lasted way longer than any Earth person could!" The director showed her fangs, looking even more excited. Her attacks got faster and stronger. Looks like I underestimated her - she's stronger than just barely level 6!
But I couldn't help Adrian yet. The manager finally started moving.
This guy was pretty normal, only about level 5. But for me without my wings out, I couldn't fight him head-on.
Maybe 'cause their power came from the same ancestor, both vampires fought kinda the same way - mostly close combat. But the manager hadn't been a vampire as long as the director. He wasn't as good at fighting.
I kept throwing holy light bombs at him. He couldn't dodge them all - he got hit by one or two out of every ten! But holy light bombs are the weakest light magic. They don't use much power, but they're not very strong. Couldn't really hurt him bad.
If holy light bombs don't work, let's try a higher-level purifying spell!
Before, I couldn't use purifying spells in this situation. But things are different now. I can't use them unlimited, but two or three is no sweat!