"May the Mother Goddess watch over us! Kate, am I not seeing things? Those two novice warriors of the first rank have actually defeated two Demonic Moles? If this gets spread around in Battle Axe Town, I can't even imagine how many people won't be able to sleep soundly at night." The lecherous man who had followed them all the way stared in utter astonishment at the scene before him. He took a deep breath, finding it impossible to believe what was happening right in front of his eyes.

  "They've merely vanquished a couple of useless, cowardly Demonic Moles. I could easily crush those pitiful creatures with just my toes," Kate sneered, clearly not taking Kenley's combat prowess seriously at all.

  "Kate is right. Those good-for-nothing Demonic Moles are so weak that I could just pick a bumpkin from the town and even he could scare them off. Don't frighten yourself needlessly. If Kate were to intervene, killing a few Demonic Moles would be no different from squashing a few pesky bugs," another person chimed in, adding fuel to the fire.

  The lecherous man let out a nervous chuckle and wiped the awkward cold sweat from his forehead."Kate, should we strike now? They've just finished their battle and surely haven't recovered their strength yet. If we act now, we can take them down with ease."

  Kate waved his hand dismissively."Not yet... When hunting prey, the best time to strike is when they're completely exhausted. Let's observe them a bit longer and wait until they're almost done with their mission before making our move."

  "As expected of Kate! When it comes to who is the most outstanding hunter in Marlen Imperial City, if you, Kate from the Adventurer's Guild, claim the second place, no one would dare to claim the first," the lecherous man promptly flattered him.

  "Hmm!" Kate seemed quite pleased with the compliment, but he still feigned modesty with a false show of humility."Although I don't deny my own abilities, there is indeed someone who could be considered a worthy second."

  "Oh? Are you talking about the 'Night Owl'?" the lecherous man asked with curiosity. The Night Owl was the most mysterious adventurer in the Marlen Imperial City branch of the Adventurer's Guild. It was rumored that his strength had long ago broken through the third rank and he had become a member of the Bronze People. However, rumors were just rumors, and no one knew for sure if they were true or false.

  "Let's not worry about that for now. They're about to leave. Let's follow them!" Kate seemed reluctant to mention the Night Owl and had his eyes fixed solely on Kenley and his servant.

  "Yes!"

  ...

  "Master, it seems that someone is following us," Tia said without turning her head.

  Thanks to the upgrade in her level, Tia had unlocked a new detection skill called Blood Perception. This was a unique skill exclusive to vampires, allowing her to sense the blood flow of living beings within a certain range around her.

  "Yeah, I know. Tia, don't look back. Just keep walking," Kenley said calmly, seemingly not the least bit worried about the people trailing behind them.

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  Tia furrowed her brow."Master, there are quite a few of them, and each one of them is quite powerful. Master, should we perhaps take shelter for a while?"

  Through her Blood Perception, Tia was well aware that the people behind them had ill intentions, and each of them was at least of the second rank. Tia and Kenley, on the other hand, were only of the first rank, and they were severely outnumbered. Tia couldn't think of any way to fight back.

  "Shelter? Why would we need to take shelter?" Kenley let out a soft chuckle.

  Tia was taken aback."But Master, they outnumber us by a large margin, and each of them is of the second rank or higher... Tia is worried that if something unexpected happens later, with my current strength, I won't be able to protect you," Tia said in a low voice, blushing and lowering her head.

  "Are you afraid?" Kenley suddenly turned his head towards her.

  "Yes! Tia is afraid!" Tia suddenly raised her head and looked straight into Kenley's eyes.

  "Afraid of what?"

  "Afraid that I'll never be able to drink your blood again, Master," Tia said with a weird smile.

  "?!" Kenley stared at Tia in shock. He had never expected Tia to give such an answer.

  "Then, is this what you call love?" Kenley looked ahead, no longer meeting Tia's gaze, and asked this question.

  "No," Tia replied simply and directly.

  Kenley was shocked once again. What had gotten into Tia? Why was her answer so straightforward and rebellious? It even made Kenley wonder if this was still the gentle and quiet Tia he knew.

  "Perhaps you don't love me, but just my blood..." Kenley let out a sigh. Indeed, after becoming a vampire, Tia's mental state had undergone a drastic change. Was it because of the physical transformation?

  Although their intimacy level was 300 (Mad Love), the actual situation was far more complicated than he had imagined.

  Hearing Kenley's sigh, Tia suddenly stopped and said something that Kenley could never have expected."Tia just wants to replace all the blood in your body with mine, Master. Tia wants to merge with you completely, even every single drop of blood in my veins."

  Kenley opened his mouth but closed it again. He suddenly turned around and stared at Tia. He had never expected Tia to say such extreme words. Was this her true thoughts? Indeed, it was in line with the description of the"Mad Love" stage.

  Perhaps this was what it meant to love someone to the extreme, to the point of madness.

  Kenley felt as if something was stuck in his throat, and he couldn't utter a word.

  "Tia, you..."

  Tia smiled sweetly, unaware that a tear had trickled down the corner of her eye."So, Master, please take good care of yourself, okay? Tia is so scared. You always disregard the danger behind you and ignore Tia's concerns. Tia is afraid that one day I'll lose you! Tia doesn't want that! Tia doesn't want to force you to become a vampire too!!!"

  "I..." Kenley moved his throat, trying to say something but failing to do so.

  He suddenly understood how Tia felt as someone who loved him deeply.

  Yes, whether it was the battle with the Demonic Moles or being followed now, Tia couldn't understand his disregard for danger.

  However, explaining all these things to Tia during the actual process would be a cumbersome task. Not only would it cause them to miss the best opportunity and waste time, but it might also put him in an even more dangerous situation.

  "Tia..." Kenley wrapped his arms around her. Her small body was as delicate and precious as porcelain, and Kenley held her tightly without moving.

  Tia shed silent tears, but she cherished every embrace from Kenley.

  "Tia, I don't know how to explain this, and it's too complicated to do so right now. I'll tell you later, okay? Trust me," Kenley lifted her face gently.

  "Okay, Tia trusts you, Master," Tia said, looking directly into Kenley's eyes without the slightest hint of evasion.

  "Tia, come with me," Kenley's state of mind had also changed. He took Tia's hand and started running in a certain direction.

  Tia blushed. This was the first time Kenley had ever held her hand and run with her. Why did it make her heart race so much?