1 year ago

How did he manage to get this far?

That was the thought running through Valum’s head as he dashed into a narrow alleyway.

If he was honest with himself, he didn't anticipate waking up a year ago, finding himself in a comatose state, only to end up in the very place he and his wife had dreamed of moving to with their infant daughter. It had been their shared ambition since their marriage.

Instead of nurturing his daughter and potentially expanding their family while working a simple, humble job, he found himself evading arrows and spears hurtling in his direction, racing through the bustling streets of Myredi.

“Get the monster! Stop him!” Echoes of shouts and exclamations pursued him as he weaved through the maze of alleys and crowded streets of the capital.

"You really are an idiot," Valum chided himself silently.

Honestly, the guards were fortunate. If it were night, he likely would have evaded them already. But the blazing sun had weakened him to a point where he was only marginally stronger than an average man.

This deficiency was exacerbated by his lack of combat training beyond sporadic skirmishes with goblins or wild beasts near the wildlands' borders.

Thinking he was in the clear as he turned the corner, he abruptly halted as a sword nearly pierced his face. Staring back at him was a young woman with platinum blonde hair and piercing bright blue eyes, a fierce determination etched across her face.

“Surrender, you are surrounded. The other guards will be here soon.”

Valum raised his hands and closed his eyes, reminiscing about the events that led to this confrontation.

...

It had taken a full year to amass enough funds and comprehend his newfound condition, but Valum considered it worth the effort. Waking up with the world seemingly transformed was an overwhelming shock.

After tracking down acquaintances from before his blackout period, he discovered that his wife and daughter had relocated to the capital city after his apparent demise. He was relieved; at least they weren’t struggling in the wildlands.

He didn't entirely mind the changes. The need to drink blood every few days was irksome, but the perks were too compelling to ignore. He was faster, stronger, and continuously uncovering new abilities.

Staying in one place became a challenge. Obtaining blood wasn't as facile as one might imagine.

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His initial attempts nearly killed his first two victims. People didn't react kindly to a stranger showing up in town with someone found unconscious, bearing bite marks on their neck.

Fingers invariably pointed at him, forcing him to flee repeatedly. This made earning a living quite challenging.

The sun’s weakness and the risk of burning if he hadn't consumed blood recently were tolerable inconveniences.

Everything changed a few weeks ago when he encountered bandits attempting to extort him. He dispatched them effortlessly, took their coin, and secured enough blood to last a fortnight.

But the act of draining blood from them, treating them as mere livestock, tormented his conscience. Collecting human blood in waterskins unsettled him deeply.

Arriving in the capital was a relief. The towering walls and buildings, crafted from white stone and adorned with blue-tiled roofs, presented a breathtaking spectacle.

The carriage transporting him stopped at the main gate, where several guards interrogated him. Valum explained straightforwardly that he was here to reunite with his daughter, which wasn't entirely untrue.

Locating two specific women in such a vast city wouldn’t be easy. He learned that his wife had joined the employ of the Blackwood family, a young merchant household in search of a live-in maid.

“This is where we part ways, lad.” The elderly carriage driver, who had been kind throughout the journey, bid him farewell.

Handing him a few extra silver coins, Valum expressed gratitude. “Thank you for your kindness, safe travels.”

“You too, young man. You too!”

The bustling city streets teemed with people engaged in various tasks, creating a chaotic yet invigorating atmosphere.

After absorbing the vibrant ambience for a while, he settled into a small inn away from the main thoroughfares. Upon entering, he approached the innkeeper. His attire, salvaged from bandits with questionable hygiene, didn’t speak of opulence.

“How much for five nights and a bath?” Valum inquired, attempting a charming smile.

The middle-aged, balding innkeeper grunted out a response, “Three silver and five copper.”

Placing the amount on the counter, Valum watched as the innkeeper swiftly pocketed it. “The maid will prepare the bath,” he stated, motioning toward a robust woman hurrying down the hall to one of the rooms.

“Thank you.” Pausing briefly, Valum shot the innkeeper a sidelong glance. “Say, have you heard of the Blackwood family?”

Setting down a mug he had been cleaning, the innkeeper picked up another. “Yeah, they are renowned in the city. A well-off merchant family. Their manor is in the southern district.”

“Thank you again. I'll be on my way.” The innkeeper barely acknowledged Valum's departure, engrossed in his tasks.

As steam rose from the large wooden tub, Valum eased himself into the warm water. It had been a considerable time since he bathed in anything other than a river or lake.

For some inexplicable reason, he wanted to appear presentable and smell pleasant when he reunited with his wife for the first time. Although for him, it had only been a year and some change, for her, it had spanned over a decade.

Valum was more anxious than on his wedding night. He reckoned she might either die of shock or attempt to kill him. Possibly both, if he was brutally honest with himself.

“All right, Valum, tonight, Blackwood Manor! Let's assess the situation first.”

Valum had the confidence that he could charm his way out of potential conflict. After all, he did succeed in convincing her to marry him, he recollected.