I access my NCI and check my list of available cantrip spells through my Spell Slot Inventory: Infestation, Fire Bolt, Booming Blade, and Primal Savagery. Most of them will come handy in the challenge to come. I'm not sure if Ambrosia plans to use her Charm or Dominate skill to bewitch them, but for peace of mind I cast my first spell: Primal Savagery. I'm not sure if she'll be able to charm nine people at once. Anyway, she can easily have them for supper.

Primal Savagery is a transmutation cantrip that causes my teeth and fingernails to sharpen. It's an effective spell for melee attacks. Especially for me since I have Vampire Ancestry, this spell instead of causing a maximum damage of 10 Hitpoints, it can add up 50% more, causing a maximum damage of 15 Hitpoints.

The effects of the spell take place immediately and I can sense my fangs inside my mouth sharpening and extending. My fingernails resemble that of a creature rather than that of a human. For the time being, my opponents haven't noticed the effects of Primal Savagery on my body. Just looking at me from far away, the effects would be subtle, but up close I am deadlier than ever. I feel an intense pressure in my hands as my nails grow into sharp claws and even my jaw tightens as my teeth become sharper. Best not to bite my tongue or talk too much right now.

I'm tempted to use Mage Armor and increase my defense, but that spell or any other spell I decide to cast right now will reveal my intentions. Avoiding a needless fight is always the best course of action, although I'm sure my sexy vampiress has a mind of her own and will act unpredictably. On the other hand, nothing has gone as I expected so far in the Real-World Game.

Once more something unforeseen happens. A petite, silver-haired girl appears out of nowhere, her Threat Level is no more than 5, and her HP is 25. She wears a short wizard robe, making it clear what her class is.

"I'll save you," she shouts and I see that she's already casting her first spell: Burning Hands.

"Kill him but leave the wenches alive. Let's have some fun!" The mob leader barks and his stumps do as he commands.

Damn! Fuck the random factor of this game. Hell unleashes, with three of the mobs attacking the hot wizard apprentice while the rest attack us. My first thought is to help her, but who's going to help me? I am the weakest of the three.

Back at the battle at hand, I see the mob leader becoming the first victim to Ambrosia's sheer power. With lightning speed she flies towards him and slices his throat in a bloody flash. Deep red material paints the stone road and Ambrosia is sprayed with the man's blood. Ecstatic, she continues slicing him, her movements resembling that of a master chef rather than a butcher. Each movement sharp, precise, exacting.

For some reason, the rest of the four mobs think I'm the strongest and I'm forced to retreat, but I'm trapped in a cul-de-sac now and my opponents try to overwhelm me. Unconsciously I make the decision to cast Fire Bolt instead of Mage Armor, and my choice proves to be the correct one. The Fire Bolt flies and hits the first Level-2 mob on his left hand.

Stolen from its rightful author, this tale is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings.

Level-2 mob received a 5-Point Hit and has been crippled! My NCI informs me.

I dismiss the notification immediately. At times, I think my NCI proves more of a hassle, due to the exhaustive amount of details it provides.

Well, the thing is my attack caused the other three to freeze in terror, seeing their comrade writhing in pain. This gives me the opportunity I want to attack head-on, bloodlust filling my body, demanding immediate release like a volcano ready to explode. Mimicking my sexy mentor's moves, I slice the first mob's throat, achieving a Critical Hit of 15 points! Blood sprays my face and the faces of his fellow mobs.

This game is unbelievable. Almost exhilarating! I've never experienced such intensity in my virtual world. Life is so fragile here and the slightest event can change everything in an instant. Despite the fact I'm weak, Primal Savagery buffed me in a way that made my body-avatar a proper tank. I wish I'd used it earlier.

Lost in my brief triumph, my glory is short-lived as the mobs recollect their composure and attack me with their daggers. Reflexively, I dodge the attacks of the first two, but the third cuts my left forearm, barely though. He'll be the next one to pay for that insolence. I'm a mighty vampire sorcerer and all mortals will learn to fear me. At least, that's what I want to think, however, the three mobs kick my ass, having circled me now and making it impossible for me to parry all attacks, quickly decreasing my HP down to 80%.

I want to scream for help, but my vampire friend is lost, engulfed in a bloody frenzy, still draining the mob leader dry. Ambrosia's character is irrational when sated. Now that her vampire lust kicked in, she's lost in her obsession for blood. Like a feral animal she grabs another mob and bites his neck, ripping away his flesh and throwing him to the ground. The mob leader, barely alive, gets back to his senses and pulls out a large dagger, threatening her from a few feet away. He's already heavily wounded, and it's only a matter of minutes before he dies. Ambrosia is toying with him and the others. A part of me wants to watch, to study her attacks, her precision. Compared to her, I might as well be throwing my arms in random directions. Still, I can't be distracted.

"You'll pay for what you did!" I roar focusing back on my prey. The words coming out of my throat resemble more of a creature of the night, rather than human language. My heart pounds hard, ready to explode and I feel the adrenaline rush taking control, heightening my Primal Savagery to a new maximum.

I attack again, jumping on the nearest mob and drop him hard to the ground. My fangs meet soft flesh and his throat makes a satisfying squish as the tips of my fangs sink deep enough, making my victim scream. My NCI notifies me of another 15-Point Critical Hit. This isn't enough to kill the mob, but the blood loss and the shock render him unconscious. The other two mobs attack me desperately with their blades and stab me in the back, tearing my muscles and nerves. Fortunately, the stabs aren't deep enough to cause severe wounds or blood loss. I cry from agonizing pain, but I get up and sink my claws on soft and pudgy flesh, forcing them to back down. Both stare at each other momentarily, sweaty and dismayed. They might be able to defeat me if they attack, but I'm sure I will claim the life of one of them. It's a risk they aren't willing to take and decide to fall back, leaving their comrade unconscious and dying. I spit out a piece of flesh ensnared in my teeth as they run. The damage to my body is already starting to heal on its own. My wounds are numb and I feel no pain.

"Phew! I should be more appreciative when people ignore me next time," I rumble to myself. Then I hear a scream from the direction of the petite wizard girl.

"Help, save me!" She pleads. The three mobs have torn open her robe and are trying to have their way with her.

A pop-up window with an Optional Quest appears before me: A maiden in distress: Save the young wizard from the three mobs.