I stretched, feeling the morning sun shine through the cracks in the bricks of the room I fell asleep in. The fire long since turned cold, bird chirps echoing down the halls of the castle.

  If I weren’t in a solid brick room right now… I could almost say this is exactly like camping in my old world.

  A grin cut across Ken’s face as he enthusiastically leapt up. “Now, let’s go hunting!” The monster I beat yesterday seemed easy enough. So, is that what is considered dangerous in this world? If so, I have nothing to worry about.

  I gathered my belongings and sprinted out the door. Not even realizing I just jumped into the castle courtyard off of the two-meter ledge without so much as breaking a sweat. I ran into the overgrown courtyard, and unleashed Wind Cutter at every small animal I came across. After I was satisfied with how my magic was working, I decided to take all of the creatures back to the start of the courtyard and look for something better than the stone to butcher them.

  Back in my old world, smoked and cured meats were really good ways to preserve food. I would give anything for a refrigerator or freezer, but maybe I could do something with magic when I learn more.

  I looked around the castle, which was way bigger than I remembered. Finally, I came across a room that was boarded shut. The boards were rotted away, so peeling the wood from the door wasn’t hard at all.

  “Jackpot!” I walked right into the castle armory. Err… most of the weapons are rusted beyond use thanks to the rain.

  Even though most of the metal blades were past their use, I manage to find a small dagger. After using Appraise, I figured out that it was known as a Dwarven Mithril Hunter’s Dagger.

  Dwarven Mithril Hunter’s Dagger (R)

  Only can be forged by the Elder Dwarves of Solsguard. This mithril dagger is impervious to damage, and will remain sharp forever. The magical properties of the mithril gives this knife the ability to slice even the toughest hides.

  Attack Damage: 37

  “Oh, so there's statistics for weapons as well? This seems like it is pretty nice!” I happily look over the knife, even the hilt is in pristine condition. “The mithril must have done its job.” The ceiling had partially fell in, which was the reason for all of the water damage. After sifting through all of the items in the armory I found a few more useful pieces.

  High Elf Recurve Bow (R)

  Specialty of the High Elves of the Forest of Turantia, this recurve bow is easier to draw and fire than any other of its type.

  Attack Damage: 54

  Wight Magus Staff (U)

  Staff of the Undead King. Allows the caster to easily manipulate their mana, while also giving a boosting effect. The Undead King had this staff created from the remains of the countless armies who lost to him by his grand magus. The Spell Multiplier enchantment works in conjunction with the caster’s magic to deal damage.

  Enchantments: Spell Multiplier (7)

  Attack Power: 29

  Dwarven Clippers (S)

  Created by the Elder Dwarves of Solsguard, these scissors can cut through any material that is beneath steel. The hair of the Elder Dwarves was said to be so tough, mithril had to be used to trim it.

  Enchantments: Weather-Resistance (4)

  Attack Power: 22

  “I wonder what the letters beside the name designate? I can figure that out later.” I happily stash the dagger and the scissors in my bag, hang the bow over my back, and take the staff with me. This was a much better haul than I thought I could get. It’s been so long since the last paladin, that I figured everything would have withered away by now.

  I went back to the room where I slept, and sat the bow down in the corner. “For now, I will use this room as my base of operations.” It's large, comfortable… sorta, and most importantly… it is still in one piece.

  I spent the next few hours gently butchering the prey I found in the courtyard. I didn’t take the time to look at their stats before I attacked, I definitely need to make sure I pay attention next time. I would hate to take on something I can’t handle.

  Demon Rabbit (Level 4)

  Dead

  Dark Pigeon (Level 1)

  Dead

  Twisted Canary (Level 7)

  Dead

  What is with all of these sinister names? I guess Appraise won’t give me any details about them after I have slain them. No matter, I have food for the next few days thanks to these guys. That is, if I can preserve it.

  I frantically gathered stones that had fallen from the castle walls since they still resembled a square and slowly built a smoke pit to preserve the meat. Once I completed it, I went through my routine of wood gathering with Wind Cutter.

  “Now the moment of truth… Flicker.” I lit the flame at the base, and once it got going well enough I covered it to allow the smoke to rise. Taking some dirt from the courtyard, I plugged all of the holes that were leaking smoke on the sides. Besides it being built from an old castle, this actually looks and functions pretty well. I look up at the sky and see that there’s still about a half-day of sunlight left.

  I wonder what it’s like outside of the castle.

  Until now, I haven’t left the castle grounds. While the meat is smoking, I take it upon myself to stretch my legs a little and leave the castle’s safety. If all there is out there is creatures like I have faced here then I have little to worry about anyway.

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  Getting to the front door was easy since I saw it in passing while looking for the armory. I open the small hatch, and a gentle breeze blew in, lifting the dust from the floors.

  “It’s time to go exploring!” I fist pumped in the air… and of course no one saw it. But I did, and it felt good.

  The outdoors had some of the same fauna that had made its way into the castle. Unfortunately, Appraise can’t give me much in details regarding the plants yet.

  Plant

  “Why, yes. Yes it is a plant.” I rolled my eyes at the sarcastic feeling window that appeared when I activated appraise on the bushes near the entrance. I’m really not out here for that anyway. I want to try out this new staff on something a little bigger than the squirrels and rabbits in the courtyard.

  It didn’t take long for me to find my first opponent.

  Savage Deer (Level 14)

  HP: 64 Mana: 38

  It could almost be mistaken for a regular old deer… except for the fact that its twice the size and its antlers look like they are made of blades.

  “You have to be joking.” One wrong move here and I’m dead. And what’s worse? The deer is already looking at me.

  “PHERUUU!”

  It charged, shaking its head left and right trying to gore me as it passed. It is so quick that I almost didn’t have the chance to dodge.

  “Wind Cutter!” The staff’s end caused an explosion of wind pressure that flew at the deer, knocking it on its side.

  The deer got back up, shaking off what I thought was a killing blow as if it were nothing. It charged again, this time, stopping right before it reached me. As it rammed its head upward in an attempt to uppercut me with its massive antlers made of metal, I panicked and slammed the staff down as hard as I could. I was sent flying back into a tree, with more force than I thought would be enough to kill me.

  The deer started to charge again. “Wind Cutter! Wind Cutter! Wind Cutter!”

  After a lengthy battle of me dodging to the best of my abilities, I somehow managed to defeat the savage deer. This is probably why all of the smaller creatures were inside the castle walls. This has to be the big species of the area. It managed to cut me a few times, but not deep enough for me to be concerned with my life.

  I pull the deer back to the entrance and push it through the door. I’ll come back for it later. I still want to see what else is out here. I managed to take out the biggest threat yet, so I should be alright.

  I wandered around for a little while, yet couldn’t find any other creatures. “I guess the deer was the boss monster here.” I dust the dirt off my pants and head back towards the castle. The sun was already setting, and the crickets were playing their orchestra.

  “Veee, veee”

  “What the hell was that?” I turn around abruptly, but I can’t see where the sound came from. I start walking again, however I keep an eye over my should incase something comes at me from behind.

  “Vee!”

  I spin around, but by the time my vision registered what happened a large bat creature had latched onto my neck. I pulled it away, tearing a small bit of flesh from myself. “AH! You overgrown buzzard! Wind Cutter!” Unlike the deer, the Wind Cutter had torn the bat in half. I stumble around, I didn’t think I lost that much blood but the dizziness of low blood volume started to set in. I picked the largest part of the bat up and ran as fast as I could to the castle. Luckily, nothing else came for me.

  Inside the door, I still found the deer lying on the floor. I ran by it to the room I am using, and searched for any cloth I could find. At this point, my vision was blurry…

  I’m going to die again. This can’t be how it ends.

  I cusp the hole in my neck, but the pressure doesn’t help and I pass out.

  “I feel warm.” I slowly open my eyes after noticing the change in temperature, to my astonishment my neck was wrapped in a linen cloth. “Appraise”

  Linen Bandage (C)

  Soaked in the medicinal herb Synea Leaf. Heals minor injuries.

  “How the?” I looked around, in the corner of the room stood a little girl. She couldn’t have been no more than six, maybe seven years old. She looked petrified, as though she was scared of me.

  I sat up slowly, keeping an eye on the child in the corner to make sure this wasn’t a trap. I looked myself over, it looks like she treated the cuts on my arms, too.

  “Hey, thank you for helping me. My name’s Ken.” I reached out a hand, trying to send out a friendly sign. The girl didn’t move from the corner.

  “It’s alright, don’t worry. Despite how I looked before you put the bandages on, you are safe here. Outside of the castle is pretty dangerous I know, especially for kids. Why did you come all the way out here?” Again, the girl didn’t move a muscle.

  What the hell do I do in this situation? I can’t rightly ask her to leave since she probably saved me from bleeding out.

  “Appraise.”

  Belinda (Age: 7)

  Level: 4

  “Belinda, huh?” The girls… ear twitched? She has cat ears? That’s a thing here? No, back to the matter at hand. “Look, are you hungry? I have food if you want some.”

  The girl looked shocked, and nodded her head. “Okay then!” I smiled. “Follow me!”

  I led the girl to the courtyard where the smoker was preserving the meat. She sniffed the air hard when I removed the lid where the meat was hanging, and her eyes lit up. Still, she didn’t try to take the food and run away. I handed her the piece of smoked demon rabbit, which she took albeit slowly from me. I mean, I get it. What kid trusts a stranger they just met, right? I guess her parents raised her well.

  We sat down on bricks next to the smoker. “So, where are your parents?” The girl shook her head. “Are you lost?” The girl shook her head. “You have to tell me something. I promise I won’t be upset, you have to let me know how I can help you.”

  The girl stopped eating, tears filling her eyes when she looked up at me. “Don’t make me suffer when you kill me.”

  “What the hell did you just say?” I blurted out spitting up the bird meat I was chewing on.

  The girl jumped back and put her arm up as if to guard from an impending attack.

  “Why would I hurt you?” I stood up and pointed at her. “You helped me out, and you think I am just going to kill you or something? What do you take me for?”

  “Please sir, I am sorry.” She bowed her head.

  “Seriously, why would you think that?” I asked, sitting back down.

  “Well, because you are a vampire.” She said, without look up.

  “Ha, that’s funny. You think I am a vampire? Ha ha ha!” I burst into laughter. The girl didn’t move, looking even more skittish than before.

  “Status.”

  Ken Tigressi

  Half-Vampire (Age: 17)

  Level: 18

  HP: 61 Mana: 92

  Jobs: Apprentice Paladin, Vampiric Overlord

  Titles: None

  Skills: [Locked] [Locked] [Locked] [Swords (2)] [Bows (1)] [Shields (1)] [Wands(1)] [Staffs (3)]

  Magic: [Locked] [Locked] [Locked] [Locked] [Locked] [Wind Cutter (6)] [Flicker(3)] [Life Steal (1)] [Blood Oath(1)]

  “I’M A FREAKING VAMPIRE?!?!”