Black Witch Muriel

Vlad couldn't help but sigh. Damn, mature women really are something else.

"Pa!" "Ah"

A sharp slap echoed, followed by a seductive moan.

Watching Muriel's hips tremble under his hand, Vlad saw her lips part in a gasp—her response involuntary, sultry, and laced with teasing charm.

Unable to restrain himself, Vlad felt the incredible softness and elasticity under his fingers. He exhaled again, slightly stunned.

"Disgusting~" Muriel whispered, biting her red lips while casting him a flirtatious glance.

She didn't look the least bit affected. Instead, her charming eyes stayed locked on Vlad's face, continuing her seductive act with practiced ease.

Even Vlad had to admit—this woman could act.

Had he not caught the flicker of anger buried deep in her enchanting gaze, he might've believed her performance.

Her alluring face leaned toward him, rising with deliberate grace, but Vlad simply stood still, unmoved, watching calmly.

Muriel cursed him inwardly, but with no other choice, she continued leaning in closer, more boldly.

When her warm tongue grazed his cheek, Vlad instantly understood her intentions.

Sure enough, just as her lips curved into a proud smile and she kissed him, wisps of black mist slipped into his body.

In the next moment, Muriel pushed him away, let out a triumphant laugh, and declared:

"You've been cursed by my Black Death Insect. Let's see if you survive this time."

Winking flirtatiously, she added with a mock sigh, "Such a shame. You were rather strong—it's a pity."

But before she could revel in victory, Vlad's calm reaction shattered her smugness.

"Oh? You mean... those?" he replied.

He lifted a finger, stained with blood and wrapped in thick black mist that oozed from his skin.

Had a microscope been available, it would have revealed the truth: the black gas was made up of thousands of tiny insects.

The witch's methods were no doubt terrifying.

"This... this is impossible!" Muriel gasped, eyes wide in disbelief. She stumbled back, shaking her head.

Vlad raised his hand, and a wave of blood-red energy surged from his palm, disintegrating the black mist into nothing.

With a mocking smile, he met Muriel's stunned gaze.

Before she could react, his body blurred—and in an instant, he stood before her. His hand shot out, seizing her throat and pulling her close, giving her no chance to resist.

"Oh? Why would it be impossible for me? Please, explain."

Realizing the danger too late, Muriel reached for the dagger at her waist, but Vlad's grip tightened.

Clink—clatter.

The dagger slipped from her hand. Her body went limp, her strength vanishing. She slapped weakly at his chest, her fingers fluttering helplessly.

"Ah...uh…"

He looked at Muriel, who struggled feebly, as though trying to beg for mercy with her last bit of strength.

This time, Vlad didn't hesitate.

He bared his fangs and sank them into her slender, delicate neck.

Muriel, already oxygen-deprived, could only roll her eyes in agony. She didn't even register the bite—only the sharp, tingling pain blooming across her neck.

Moments later, her vision faded to black. She collapsed into unconsciousness.

"Hoo~hoo..."

Vlad dropped her to the ground, licked the blood from his lips, and murmured, "Turns out she was thirty-year vintage... and unopened, too."

He looked at the pale Muriel lying motionless and smacked his lips in mild surprise.

For someone who had been so seductive and bold, she had still been untouched.

The world really is full of surprises.

Clicking his tongue in amusement, Vlad turned his attention inward—to the glowing orb of light in his mind.

"Huh? What's going on?"

A faint thread extended between the mysterious orb and Muriel's body, flickering unsteadily, unstable.

"Does it really need to be voluntary?"

Vlad frowned. He didn't fully understand the mechanics, but the connection—though weak and erratic—seemed to be forming.

As if answering his question, the orb suddenly sent him a message:

"The host must complete the sharing of luck with the target's willingness or non-resistance.

Note: If the target resists, the effect is halved."

"Please replenish the required luck, patch the system loopholes, and complete the upgrade."

Reading the message, Vlad raised an eyebrow.

"So this really is a system... though it feels rather useless."

"Patch it? Loopholes?"

He paced slowly, head down, deep in thought.

"There's definitely more to this than I expected."

"And if I'm understanding correctly, this system has been damaged from the beginning—desperately in need of luck to repair itself."

"That explains why it never showed up before or had any effect."

Realizing this, Vlad felt even more confident in the plan he was forming.

He looked at Muriel, lying unconscious on the cold stone slab, and narrowed his eyes.

"Aleera."

At his call, Aleera emerged from the cave, wearing a pink and purple sarong-style dress with a wide V-neck that revealed part of her chest.

She glanced briefly at the unconscious Muriel, then walked over to Vlad's side and stood silently, awaiting orders.

Vlad looked at her. Since leaving the monastery, she had become more beautiful and charming, her features now tinged with a soft maturity.

"Did you find anything?"

"Master, we scouted the town. There are many witches hiding in the nearby forests."

"I fear we've wandered into their nest."

Aleera's sweet face was slightly creased with concern, her brows furrowed delicately.

Vlad smiled, reached out, and gently pinched her cheek.

"Don't worry, Aleera. They're just low-level witches. Nothing to be afraid of."

"Mmm~" Aleera looked into Vlad's confident eyes, and her worries quickly vanished. She nodded sweetly and gazed up at him with sparkling eyes.

Ahh~ I feel so safe.

Master is the most handsome when he's not bullying me.

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