Weed and his party cautiously continued forward, until the wall’s gates were in sight. Next to the gate were men in white gloves that looked like guards.
Sharp teeth!
Paled face!
Draping black cape and so forth.
“The guards are vampires.”
Weed stopped at a distance.
“Shouldn’t we attack?” Mapan asked a question that no one could answer.
Highly intelligent monsters that don’t attack were very rare; the mobs that may not attack were herbivores, or those that lived in tree or such doesn’t hold aggression as much; unless they were protecting their youngs!
But vampires were subtly different; maybe in some ways, they have emotions such as human beings. Weed took a step forward.
“Maybe I’ll get a dialogue with them. Let me have a word.”
“That could be dangerous…be careful, Weed-nim.”
Irene words were full of concerns. As soon as Weed finished, the always sunny Yurin also felt uneasy. But Weed, as it was his position, took the lead and embarked.
“Don’t worry. I’ll somehow avoid and make it back here alive.”
Faith and will power!
Though having his profession as a sculptor, his defenses were quite lacking; while the extent of the Kingdom of Vampires, Todeum, vampire guards were still unknown. But still, Weed fought against a clan of vampires before, and had to deal with Tori a bunch of times before; so much that he understood their laws and habits that he could use these to his advantage.
Geomchi5 approached from the side.
“I’ll go with. Cant let you brave the danger alone.”
“Yes, sahyeong(elder brother).”
Weed and Geomchi5 walked carefully step by step toward the vampire guards. Geomchi5 was completely trustworthy. Regardless of the differences in levels, he did not show fear to monsters he have encountered. In this dead of night, they advanced forward, fully prepared; Geomchi5 suddenly asked.
“But Weed, why don’t we fight them? Whether its vampire bats or a village full of vampires, shouldn’t we just attack and destroy them?”
On Versailles continent, territories belonging to a race of monster were popular hunting grounds. An example would the Goblins, the one with the Broadest Distribution, where many of them came together to built forts using the materials and land around them, namely woods. Goblin town or Goblin forts!
With that said, because of them, the nearby kingdoms productivity will be decreased. Usually then, the lords of those kingdoms would commission people to hunt down and destroy them. These opportunities not only will increase their reputations, but they get to keep all of the loots. But Weed had a different opinion.
“Maybe, but it’s too early to make a decision.”
“Too early?”
“Yes. We’re not even sure if we’ve arrived to the Kingdom of Vampires, right? However, starting a war with the vampires will do more harm than good.”
“I see. An unexpected brawl is something we don’t want after coming this far.”
“War is the last option after everything else.”
“Yes, understood.”
Weed and Geomchi5 came up to the vampire guards.
“Halt!”
The vampire guards snarled while revealing their blade like fangs.
“The stench of unfamiliar bloods. Are you humans?”
“Yes.”
Weed said in a humble tone.
“What are humans doing on our land? This is where you can not enter. Return to whence you came from!”
“Leave now and I spare your blood.”
Though they didn’t openly acted out their aggression, the vampire guards were still very hostile. At this point, adventurers would usually back away or choose to fight against the guards. The typical cases, though Weed was different.
“The weather here is a good one! The bats can fly high in the sky freely, hunting down the crawling vermin on the ground.”
“I understand what you’re talking about, human.”
“I agreed.”
The guard showed a slight reaction.
“And truly to your names as the lords of the night, the clothing you wear is really luxurious; full of elegance and cordial. Donning a white shirt, setting contrast to the black pants and the cape. Ah! Is that the Cloak of Darkness?! I’m honored to see such an exquisite item.”
Weed fussed over their outfits.
Seems like the vampire was a race of clothes lovers, whom had shown lots of considerations toward their outer appearance; the vampire guard on the left voice seemed to soften after hearing the compliments.
“Take a photo, it’ll last longer.”
Though the right guard still had his Battle Stance up and seemingly will rush in at any moment. Weed could show the same amount of interest in the other guard, but they might notice the lies if he had switch from one to another. Seeing how the Intimacy level only rose slightly, there was still a huge risk of them becoming aggressive. Weed then pulled out a carving knife.
The right guard asked.
“What are you going to do?”
“I’m going to give you two gifts.”
“Gifts?”
“Yes, I’m going to craft something, I’d be delighted if you accept.”
Weed then pulled out a piece of Nabemok (some sort of crafting material?)
There were a variety of ways to increase intimacy. Having a silver-tongue to hoist someone’s ego was the simplest way, but it’s effective immediately and works only for a while, and will stop working after a certain point.
However, in order to raise familiarity to a higher point and maintain it, one had to act appropriately according to the person-your-sucking-up-to’s personalities; furthermore, doing quests with that person or saw through some sort of trial with each other increases trust, hence forth higher status of intimacy.
But there was a simpler way.
‘Give them gifts!’
Weed continued trimming down the Nabemok.
‘Vampires like pretty girls.’
He could sculpt Seoyoon. Seemingly in her early 20s, her skin matched those at the age of 10 in terms of smoothness and tenderness, a beauty that defied the laws of aging. However, to sculpt Seoyoon was immensely difficult; to achieve the same level of beauty meant to not make a single mistake while crafting.
If the Heavens were to grant a human with something on the line of absolute beauty, it was not an exaggeration to say Seoyoon was the recipient of that reward; so to truly mimic that level of beauty was not possible. What more, to willingly passing that finished product to vampires was too hard to bear.
‘Though…it was confirmed that vampires prefer little girls.’
Weed recalled the time he freed the town Morata. Something that quenched the blood-thirsty vampire, Tori, for a whole decade was a statue of an unfortunate girl!
The flower-garden-loving innocent type of girls, one that flounder about on the bed of grass. Weed made his decision and began to sculpt. He moved his hand expertly with the carving knife as he was with his mastery of the sword, and he finished the sculpture in a flash.
“This is a gift.”
“A Lovely gift……! We’re whom who appreciates fine arts; and this girl here is truly to our liking.”
The guards were thrilled. Loving girls is a main characteristic of vampires! (*for any guy really -.-*)
“Are you of the sculptor class?”
“Yes.”
“We nobles of the night never had the chance to mingle with an engraver before, so you may come in. Many of us would love the opportunity to enjoy your works.”
Ttiring!
Access of vampire village Seirun have been granted
Weed returned and told his colleagues that flattery and gifts will get the vampire guards to grant permission to enter.
“Soo handsome.”
“Valiant.”
“Truly the lords of the night!”
Pale, Zephyr, and Mapan obsequiously used painted words to impress. Then, came the gifts.
“This here is a tail obtained from a water buffalo.”
“This ring is a loot I got from hunting.”
“Jewelry. Hehe.”
They pretty much bribed and suck up to the guards until they got permission to enter.
“You guys are alright. OK, go! Though do not raise any trouble, else we’ll kick you out.”
As for Maylon, Romuna, Surka, and Yurin, they were allowed to pass without getting screened at all.
“The more pretty girls, the better..PASS!”
Their faces hardened a little bit when it came to Irene.
“I feel unpleasant. Do you believe in God? Well, no matter. We were not condemned. Rather than the boisterous lives of the day, we enjoy the serenity of the night, like it is the source of life. But girl, watch yourself when you’re in the village. Do not use your Holy power, else we will not be held accountable for what happens to you and your friends.”
Though the bore their fangs at her, she was still allowed to pass with a warning.
“You cannot come in!”
However, they firmly opposed Seechwi. Orcs are inferior creatures! Seeing how they viewed themselves as nobles, the vampires wouldn’t allow something that doesn’t match their standards to roam their streets.
“Chwiik chwwik! Come on.”
The eyes of the guards remained indifferent toward Seechwi’s begging.
“Our village is not a place where you Orcs can set foot in!”
Now. Geomchis’ turns.
“Well, it’s simple. Do what we saw, make a few gestures here and there.”
“Yeah, well, yes, but……”
“Wait and pay attention. You guys, I’ll start first.”
Geomchi5 decided to be the first to advance toward the guards.
“Hi guys, you don’t need to stand here!”
“Huh, what? What did you say?”
The guards forehead furrowed.
“With faces like yours, you’ll keep everyone away for miles…”
“Shits are spewing out of this dirty human’s mouth!”
“WHA? You undead bastards!”
Geomchi5 was a moment away from going to war with the guards.
“Don’t do it!”
“Please no.”
It took Weed and Zephyr a while to settle the situation. Then it was Geomchi3’s turn.
“Take notice on what I do.”
Weed was overcome with anxiety, but figured what the heck. Since Geomchi5 method failed, he figured Geomchi3 might have learned something, hence him proceeding forward.
“Human, do not enter.”
The guards blocked him.
“Mhmm, keep up the excellent work.”
Geomchi3 patted the guard’s shoulder as he tries to pass.
“Human. You are not allowed to come in.”
“Uh-huh, whatever.”
“A lowly human like you fools do not have the pe