The dreamy haze lasted moments after I opened my eyes. The sights that welcomed me looked dim and foggy, and my body demanded more rest. I pushed past the reluctance and made to sit up.

"You're awake?" I heard a voice call from beside me and spotted Amara perched atop a boulder as she poked at the flaming lumber.

I rubbed the sleep off my eyes and felt my parched throat ache in protest. Sporadic spasms of hunger assaulted my stomach, and I crawled over, feeling cold all over.

"How'd you get the fire started?" I questioned, my enhanced perception altering me to the persistent spell of rain raging in the background.

Amara offered me a sizzling piece of meat, and I accepted it while adopting a look of confusion. "Magic," she answered. "Mana can be used in more ways than just powering your talents."

"Amazing." I expressed astonishment at the fact that something like magic would exist distinct from the talents. It made me wonder about the vastness of reality and wonders yet to be explored.

"Do you have water or anything?" I asked. My throat was damn near flaking by now, and pushing hot food down my alimentary canal only contributed to worsening the condition.

Amara, still focused on the drifting embers, answered, "There's some in that bowl." She pointed at the crude wooden basin. "I collected some rainwater within."

The existence of the bowl was so bewitching to my eyes that I nearly shot over. Nearly. Instead I calmly handed my half-eaten piece of steak to Amara and patiently walked over.

For the first time in my life, the water tasted like divine nectar. The bowl was enough to satiate my thirst and provide relief to my mind and body. The dehydration had been a major factor in experiencing mental fatigue.

I let out a satisfied exhalation, feeling the functionality of brain resorting to optimal levels. While I was still feeling sore slightly, it would recede after exerting myself physically. The only point of dismay remained my marred clothing and grimy body.

Hmm? Isn't it raining outside currently?

I put on a thoughtful expression with a finger on my chin. While unconventional, it wasn't specified the bath must be taken in a controlled environment filled with ancillary items.

"Ahem." I cleared my throat to catch the attention of the older vampire. I had noted the shift in her attitude since my awakening. She seemed more somber and thoughtful, as if pondering some difficult life choice.

"What?" She asked with a brow raised.

"Do you not want to leave? I thought you were in a hurry to find comfort."

The change in her behavior wasn't necessarily a good thing. I sincerely hoped she hadn't come to some destructive measure and was contemplating the best possible timing.

"It's already midnight, and it's pouring outside." She replied languidly. "Just get some rest; I will keep watch."

Huh?

That was not what I had been expecting. I took a quick glance at the Favorability section, noting it resting at 29%. Somehow the talk of—yesterday?—seemed to have mellowed her out. If her current attitude could be called that.

Amara needed time to think, and I was more than happy to leave her alone. Of course I was still taking that bath.

"Then you wouldn't mind me soaking outside for a bit?" I probed. "I really need to get rid of this gunk and the smell accompanying it."

You could be reading stolen content. Head to Royal Road for the genuine story.

She shrugged. "If you fall ill, don't come crying to me."

I halted, putting on a weird expression.

"Why would I come crying to you?"

What a strange thing to say!

"I, uh..." She paused, realizing that she might've said something she didn't mean. "Forget about it. You heard nothing."

I definitely heard that, but pretending was an art I found myself remarkably talented in. Shaking my head at the thought of Amara's out-of-sorts behavior, I made my way outside.

Perception was an attribute that dealt with sense enhancement. That didn't just apply to supernatural sense only, but augmentation of preexisting ones. Like sight, smell, or hearing.

While the outside was covered by a blanket of darkness, I could still make out the form of trees and the rough texture of the bark. The ashen tincture alongside gnarly texture was a painful reminder of our current predicament.

End Forest.

A piece of land existing near the end of the Eirland Kingdom, overrun by vicious monsters birthed within its cursed center and the beasts released from the events. It was this blighted existence Erdwatch guarded the Kingdom from.

Usually hunters would roam the periphery, scouting newly formed Instances and eliminating them promptly. And once in a while a raid would be held to cleanse the deeper parts to avoid any chances of monster uprising.

Despite that, this forest remained one of the most dreadful regions in the entire continent. Even A-Rank hunters walked these lands with dread and caution.

While I lacked information on our exact coordinates, I was fearful we might've landed in parts deeper than we could climb out of. Even with Amara at my back, I wasn't sure we would make it out of here alive, in case we happened to have teleported too deep.

Nothing will come out of fretting over a situation you have no control over, I reminded myself and strolled out from under the cover of the cave.

Rainwater cascaded down my body, rousing a chill to crawl up my spine. Grimy rivulets of liquid made their way onto the ground.

The deluge was forceful and coming down with startling intensity. Already the upper layer of ground had been washed over, leaving the roots to hold the land from sliding away. Worms were gouged out from their habitats and revealed their rosy red skin under the wash from the torrent.

I glanced around a bit, finding my surroundings desolate and empty. It seemed the downpour had confined the monsters to their shelter, also. I was thankful for that because I didn't want to get caught with my pants down.

Because I was pulling my pants down.

As much as I wished to clean my clothes, the soggy texture against my skin only roused an uncomfortable feel. I shed my clothes and left them atop a pointy rock. This way they wouldn't slide away and be further contaminated by mud and worms.

I spread my arms, lifted my head, eyes closed and naked as the day I was born. A smile hung on my face, relief and hope burning like a warm fire within my chest. Ambition and anticipation taking root within my heart, filling me with all sorts of giddy sensations.

I didn't know how long I spent under the shower, but my mind had grown substantially calmer. My senses spread to take in the life around me. Blood Monarch acting like a radar to scout for any signs of vitality.

All around, minute sources in the form of insects clouded my senses. Close by, a vigorous fount of vitality pressed against me with an almost physical weight to it.

Hmm? It's so close...

Too close, in fact, I realized with a start. My eyes flew open and shot straight in the direction of the cave entrance. Standing there was Amara with her arms crossed, gazing at my profile.

A small, almost imperceptible smile hung on her lips as she darted her gaze below. I subconsciously covered my member and frowned.

"What are you doing here?" I asked, not moving an inch from the spot.

"Just admiring the scenery." She answered, not removing her stare from my hands covering my groin.

Her admission birthed feelings of frustration within me. On one hand it was a relief to see her adopt her earlier offhanded attitude; on the other, I did not like being teased at all.

My heart demanded revenge, and a devious idea took root. I smiled and eased my hold on the cover. "Well, enjoy your stay." I spoke while calmly removing my hands and stretching my back.

Amara let out a whistle, entirely unperturbed. "Nice package."

Clearly my nudity had no effect on the older vampire, but I also wasn't going to let her rankle me anymore.

I flexed my muscles, providing an uninterrupted view to Amara, who watched the show with the grace of a noble spectator. Entirely unbothered.

Feeling daring, I proposed, "Why don't you join me?"

At my offer, Amara revealed a grin and took a step forward. I watched with breathless anticipation as she leaned forward and winked at me. "Fat chance."

And then she left. Just like that.

But the fire within my heart blazed brighter still. That nascent desire gained solidity, and I promised to myself that no matter what, I would make her mine.

My clothes had their dirt washed out, while my body looked clean and smelled neutral. I donned my slick clothing, shuddering at the wet texture, and breathed out.

My breath fogged as I entered the cave and ran toward the fire. I had yet to finish my portion of the meal.