Chapter 28: Shady Store

Fortunately, no monster attack them on their way to the gate. Probably because the area near the village were regularly rid of ferocious beast that may endanger it's citizens.

As the wooden gate open, welcoming the long caravan in. Zyro was finally able to see what otherworldly village is like. The houses were built similar to medieval architectures, made of wood and stones from one story building to three.

Zyro sighed.

His expectations had betrayed him again. In his mind, he thought he'll be greeted by a vigorous atmosphere. With busy vendors and workers littering the sunny streets as the kids joyfully played, lively voices and laughs resounding everywhere. However, what surround him was akin to a dead town. It's the middle of the day, yet the windows are shut, The streets empty without anyone insight. Zyro look around the silent street only to see tranquil desolation.

Hearing only rolling wheels of carriages pulled by mounted creatures.

It's not like Zyro didn't knew the reason for this mysteries.

After a while of traversing the desolate streets. They arrive at a large wearhouse, it's gate open wide. Inviting the caravan inside the embrace of shadows.

"The Vampires sure hates the sun." Pert quietly jested.

Red eyes dimly glow in the warehouse darkness, staring at the caravan from a distance.

"Unload the crystals!" The guards ordered the slaves.

Zyro and the others begin their arduous work.

Apart from the Mine and the forest. The villages or the kingdom in land, under the Highland is also an option to survive. However, this places were populated by vampires. A race second only to Gricks in the Foggy Ring and the race of the three stalkers that assaulted Zyro that night.

Although, Zyro wasn't that well verse in entertainment creations due to his poor circumstances in the past. He atleast had heard of vampires. Which marveled him, how could this fictional existence born by human fantasy exist here too? And the human language? Zyro didn't know. All he knew is that, the vampires and human language are connected to the mysterious northern continent.

The reason why Pert hide the existence of vampires from him is because of the laws that despised the North. The Vampires are said to originally belong to the Northern continent, so they're viewed as inimical race at some degree. But that's not the only reason.

Natures of vampires contradict others. Aside from the basic necessity such as food and water to sustain bodily needs. Vampires also need blood of other races for consumption due to their distinct digestive system. Furthermore, their skin were sensitive to the sun. Hence, Vampires were nocturnal creatures - active in night and asleep at day. That's why the streets were empty. This strangeness of theirs spark discomfort due to how akin they are to carnivore monsters that hunt at night. Leading them to experience extreme discrimination.

But despite this, the Vampires rule half of Foggy Ring. Inhabiting the majority of its land with mostly pure blooded citizens. Because of the discrimination they face, halfbreeds seldomly appear in their kind unlike other races. Additionally, the vampiric talents they hold were no laughing matter.

Vampires are feared as night hunters. With clear vision in the darkness of night, tenacious blood that prevent bleeding from minor injuries, pointy fangs, ability to manipulate blood at will and regenerative body's. Coupled with a long lifespan making them ferocious experts in life and battle.

Zyro could already imagine how handy such abilities in every situations, specially at night when most being rested in piece. But he could only sulk in envy, knowing this racial talents will forever remain a dream for him.

Amidst work, Zyro spare a glance around. Seeing numerous glowing red ires in the dark looking at them with disdain, pity and arrogance. As if they're lowly creatures serving them.

Not like they can declined that fact. As slaves of the Mine, they're the lowest there is.

After finishing their work and getting their pay, Pert lead Zyro to a poor looking store. Making their way inside, Zyro see a dark room lighten by dim lamps hanging above their heads. On right the side, a long wooden table with an old man with haggard milky-white hair seated quietly. Behind him was a high shelf, with various items for sales.

Hearing someone coming, the old owner hastily stood up to greet but later scorn in dissatisfaction as he look at the dou with his red eyes.

"What do you want filthy slaves..." He sneer in a raspy voice. However, upon seeing Pert, the old owner expression soften.

"Oh, you again brat." Said the old man with suppressed delight.

This wasn't a ordinary store where the other slaves go to. For it was a store for those who have insufficient money, like Zyro.

The 5 red coins he earned were mere change in society. It could barely buy him a modest dinner, let alone, a piece of fabric and a needle he wanted. To earn more, Zyro could volunteer for this deadly job several times, which he didn't think he'll survive. Hence, Pert had helped him solve the issue by taking him to this secluded store.

"Nice too see you again, old man" Pert greeted in a happy tone with well hidden dread. As he put 10 red coins at the table. Which is far from enough to buy the things they want.

The old man smile widened.

"What do you want?"

"One roll of fabric and a needle please" Replied Pert.

Although Zyro's mental AI translation allowed him to comprehend what they're saying. He still let the kid do the talking due to his tongue lack of experience in speaking the alien words.

Hearing the kid's need, the aged seller crouched. Reaching something under the table and handed it to Pert.

"Pill it up before I return" The seller left with a smile.

Zyro gaze at what Pert is holding with a grim expression. It was a well sealed metal flask and a small knife...

For blood containment.

Vampires had long lifespan, so their population grew more than it decrease. The more of them, the higher the demand for blood that only other races can provide. However, those suppliers of theirs viewed vampires as blood sucking creatures that feed on people. Raising the price above minimum. Greed and negative health effect had also played apart.

So poor vampires accept blood as payment. Which is cheaper, specially in deals with desperate slaves.

Zyro slit his wrist with a knife, letting warm red liquid flow into the flask. And stop halfway, leaving the container half-filled. Clearly it wasn't enough.

"What are you doing?" Pert tilted his head, wondering.

He had come here multiple times to trade and knew full well how stingy the old man are specially when angered. The best action here is to keep the old vampire mood by abiding to his unfair deals without question. He had told Zyro this before coming, and his clearly not listening.

"Zyro, you don't want to anger that vampire, or else..."

Zyro cut his words.

"If I don't sighed, tell the old man this. (Add 30 Dried meat, a pair of boots, gloves and a cloak. Take it or leave it)"

"W-what?"

Pert questioned many times but Zyro didn't bulge, staying quietly as he patiently waited.

The kid heart palpitate. Not wanting to anger the vampire and tried convincing Zyro in vane. If Zyro's misbehavior awake the old man's fury, the negotiation price will rise. If push come to shove, Pert will have to contribute blood too.

Soon, the old man return with a roll of fabric in hand. The moment he came out of the door, a alluring fragrance assaulted his nostrils. Captivating his cravings as he sniff the entrancing aroma of the otherworldly blood.

Subconsciously, he swallowed a lump of saliva.

Zyro who's watching attentively rejoice internally.

'Bingo'

He've been pondering why the three stalkers that turned out to be fallen vampires, reduce to slaves followed him that night. Despite encountering him for the first time, they had chosen Zyro as their meal. Meaning, something really alluring must have attracted them towards him.

And back then, Zyro had just finished his pathetic act of pretending to help Pert to be knock unconscious. Causing him to sustain multiple bleeding wounds.

If anything that he can connect to vampires, that'll be blood.

Although his presence here seems logical and can be explained by breed degrading that cause one's hair to darken, the more the racial blood is mixed. The fact remain that Zyro belong to a different specie, born in earth as human.

Surprisingly, human blood extract a extremely alluring flavor for vampires.

The old vampire hold plenty of experience in life, so he knew what to do in this kinds of situations. Calming his emotions, the aged vampire composed himself and normally walk to the table as if uninterested in the alluring blood.

He check the container, and seeing it half filled. Anger welled within him as he complained in a exaggerated demanding tone.

"Didn't I say to fill it!?"

The furious shout echoed within the dim lit room, startling Pert. But didn't manage to move Zyro nor change his calm expression.

Two angered eyes stare at the two intensely, full of indignation.

Pert, knowing Zyro's lack of fluency in speaking the beast language despite his rapid progress trembled. He have to do the talking but was unable to come up with words to settle the seller's rage. Zyro didn't want to fill the container either. Making the problem more difficult.

Stuck between this two, sweat run down his forehead. Nervous, his mind went blank, unaware of what to do... Then, he remembered Zyro's instructions.

"A-add 30 Dried meat, a pair of boots, gloves and... a cloak.T-take it or leave it." Said Pert with trembling lips.

"What did you say!" Questioned the grumpy old vampire.

Seeing the grampa tough act, Zyro snatch the container back and said in a cold tone in the beast language.

"Repeat"

Although he lack fluency, He could atleast utter a single understandable word. Albeit, not that well.

The moment he said those rough words, The vampire crimson eyes turn to him. It's luminous red color that circled his ires made his gaze more intimidating, like an eye of a hungry predator, looking down at it's prey.

But Zyro remain unshaken under those vampiric eyes that seem to pierce through him.

Not knowing what to do, Pert heed the command given. Repeating Zyro's demand as the two continue their staring contest.

Still, the old vampire remain stolid. Not giving in.

So as Zyro.

Tilting the metal flask. The red liquid inside began crawling towards the edge. Slowly but surely, it will began to spill.

When the container angle reach a dangerous position, the grumpy seller expression change, contorting.

Then... A single drop fell on the floor.

The vampire grimace, dismayed by such wasteful act of precious blood. Gritting his teeth in frustration, he spat.

"Fine! You win!"

He admitted unwillingly, before smirking. Turning into laugh. Reverberating through the entire room.

Pert was rendered speechless at the scene.

After some time, the hoarse laughter died down. The old man sighed and said.

"You one hell of a brat for an impure slave. It's been a while sense I loss a deal! However, I did say you win... But only if you fill it."

"Sure" Zyro replied in a calm tone, already expecting it.

He wasn't certain of his blood value, and being arrogant about it will only make things difficult. Besides, the deal he sealed is already good enough, better not be greedy.

After that, the negotiation goes smoothly. Pert who's still dumbfounded by what just happened carry the items out, wrapped inside the fabric to hide from others site. Zyro stayed behind to fill the flask. All of this precautions was done to insured both parties agreement.

After a while, Zyro draped his wrist with a strip of fabric. Preparing to leave.

Before he could, the old man toned with a smile.

"You got me good this time brat, be sure to come back for another round..." He paused, the curve in his lips falling, as he look at the young man with pity in his eyes

"if you can... I wonder."

If he can... In all honesty, Zyro wasn't confident too. As someone who's weak as him. Surviving was already a grueling task, let alone, completing an impossible mission. That needed him to take the dangerous steps ahead.

He simply nodded in response, walking towards the door. As he did, a paper poster of a girl plastered in the wall beside the door cought his attention.

Zyro stop for a moment, feeling a vague familiarity towards the maiden drawn in the poster.

"Quite a beauty isn't she? That's the princess of vampires, Scarlet. She have been missing for a while now. If you find any clues of her, fell free to inform me. I'll give you a sizable sum if you do." The who's behind him, mischievously voiced, jogging his memory.

It was the girl that seen him in the night of his scape.

Zyro shrugged and walk away, loosing interest. He doesn't have time to worry about such trivial things in his current situation.

As he kick the door open, letting rays of warm light in from the brilliant sun. A scream followed by multiple angered curses resounded behind him.

The young man look ahead impassively despite the rough road and dangers he have to brave once again to return in the Mine.

"You rude brat! Don't come back here ever again!!"

Zyro's journey continue.