Vampire

Today Edward bid farewell to the princess and went home to sleep in. Maybe it was because of the nonstop pace over the past few days, but he slept straight through until the afternoon. Rubbing his bleary eyes, wearing pajamas, with hair sticking up like a bird's nest, he shuffled to the front shop in a pair of cotton slippers. He was worrying about what to do tonight—this time difference was no joke.

"Hey, Harry, still here? It's already past five." Edward glanced at Harry, then at his watch.

"Perfect timing, Edward. I was just looking for you!"

Harry turned to face his boss.

"Today my cousin sent someone with a message saying a big client from the Middle Continent wants to buy a large batch of our Alchemy Pots. He's inviting you to dinner tonight. Said it's a formal banquet, so you should bring a female companion. I rang the bell for ages, but you didn't wake up."

Edward thought to himself, Where am I supposed to find a female companion? One already 'flew' away. The other isn't even a thing yet! And even if she were, I wouldn't dare bring a princess to discuss business. So he asked, "How did you reply?"

"I said you were busy today and asked if we could reschedule. The messenger came back in the afternoon and insisted you keep the shop open—they'd visit around six or seven tonight. So I've been waiting here ever since.

I figured you'd wake up by dark at the latest, so I agreed.

Is that 'younger sister' who stayed at your place a few days ago wearing you out? Still sore in the back?" Harry said with a lecherous grin.

Edward coughed dryly, thinking, I am worn out, but not the way you mean. And it was even more embarrassing to explain, so he dropped it and pressed on: "Your cousin is that relative who came back from the Middle Continent and now runs your old carriage route, right?"

"Yeah, that's him."

"Then why didn't he just stop by to deliver the message himself? Why send someone?" Edward was puzzled.

"I wondered that too. The messenger said the client hired my cousin's carriage and was visiting some Big Shots."

"Alright, you head home for the day. I'll mind the shop."

After sending Harry off, Edward ducked behind the screen wall and changed his outfit. He transformed back into the shop assistant look: shirt, suspenders, slicked-back hair shiny with oil, and adjusted his flashy little bow tie in the mirror. He felt he rivaled 'Little Li' from that big ship in his Previous Life. Well, at least he was skinnier now.

Then he waited around bored in the shop. A few days ago, this homebody wouldn't have bothered waiting for any 'big client.' After all, his was the only shop of its kind in the world—take it or leave it, he didn't need the money.

But when Monica left, he gave her all thousand Gold Coins, telling her, "A poor home but a rich road—don't skimp on yourself out there," like an old father sending his daughter off to college. The beauty was moved to tears. So for Edward, now cash-strapped, every customer was a 'god.'

But 'god' was late. Edward had already eaten a pizza he took out of his Spatial Ring. It was still steaming when he pulled it out. He'd tested it before: things in the Spatial Ring didn't lose heat instantly, but slowly—maybe one degree every few days. The closer to room temperature, the slower the heat loss, until it matched the ambient temp. He'd planned to leave a few thermometers in the ring to measure its baseline temperature, but Monica's arrival interrupted the experiment.

Just as Edward was bored out of his mind and wiping down the weapons on display, the Copper Bell on the shop door rang.

"Welcome!" Edward hung the 'Filial Son Sword' he'd been polishing back on the wall and turned to greet the newcomer. At the same time, a strange, strong perfume hit his nose.

It was the two weirdos from earlier that day. Through the window, he could see Harry's family carriage parked outside. But their faces were free of the daytime makeup, revealing skin much paler than normal. The two oddballs were actually quite young and handsome, though their lips were an unnatural red.

"Are you Edward Smith?" one asked with a sinister smile.

"That would be This Humble One. Are you two the friends introduced by Harry's cousin?" Edward frowned slightly, sensing they weren't here for business—their tone was rude.

"I am Count Frian of Transylvania, and this is Count Jacob with me." The 'handsome guy' glanced back at his companion, who had been sniffing the air since entering. The companion gave him a confirming nod.

"What business do you have?" Edward asked.

"We're looking for someone—a woman. Same hair and eye color as you, about up to your nose." He gestured at his chest and grinned. "Big here. Do you know where she is?"

Edward slapped his forehead in sudden realization. "I thought Monica was being noticed by those monsters, but it's just two vampires tracking her by scent..."

"Since you recognize us as Blood Race... can you tell us where she is?" Count Frian tilted his head at an unnatural angle, baring a mouthful of sharp teeth, two Fangs especially prominent. His eyes went wide—more white than pupil—the irises shrinking to pinpricks, veins bulging on his face.

"Shoo, shoo, stop baring your teeth." Edward waved his hand like he was scaring off a biting dog, even bending down as if to pick up a stone.

The two 'Counts' looked deeply insulted, their faces twisting further.

"Human brat, talk fast. Where's that woman? You're just a minor Alchemist—careful, we'll tear you to pieces!"

"You mean Monica? She left."

"Where to?"

"Pointless to ask. You're only 'Counts,' equivalent to Great Knights. Chase her and she'd cut you down in one swing each. Might as well die here." Edward said nonchalantly.

At that, Count Jacob lunged forward, his hand morphing into a sharp, eagle-like claw. He grabbed Edward by the neck and slammed him against the wooden screen wall, lifting him off the ground. His face pressed close, a stench of rot filling Edward's nostrils. Edward grimaced, covering his nose and turning away.

"Brat! Talk!" Jacob snarled, though something felt off. The guy's neck was oddly tough—he could grip it but not hurt him. Even dangling in the air, Edward showed no sign of struggling to breathe.

"Wait, don't get so close—you stink." Edward said, pinching his nose.

Jacob pulled back slightly, the bulging veins and protruding Fangs slowly retracting.

"Spill it. Be smart."

"Before I answer, let me ask: why are you looking for Monica?"

"Heh, she's a legendary Pureblood... Her blood can break our bloodline Shackles and let us advance a rank. Then we'd be Marquis! Jiejiejie... I hear Pureblood blood can even awaken our noble Lord Dracula..."

So this is what 'baptism' does? She's practically Tang Monk's flesh now, Edward thought.

Jacob cackled, ignoring Count Frian's disapproving look. He sniffed at Edward too and continued, "You're a Pureblood too! Just a bit off, not quite right. Tell me where she went, and I'll give you a quick, painless death. Your blood is enough for both of us to advance. Once we catch that woman, we'll take her back to awaken Lord Dracula..."

Count Frian was already covering his face in frustration. Who threatens like that? You've given him no reason to talk! This guy was not only a Pervert but an idiot.

But Edward, still held by the neck, said calmly, "Fine, I'll tell you. She went to the Rainforest Country. Even if you catch the next fast boat, it'll take half a month. Relax, no rush. Before you drink my blood, can you answer a question I've wondered for years? Curiosity is a Caster's weakness."

"What question?" Count Jacob asked instinctively.

"Are you really afraid of sunlight? Look, it's all light—my magic lamp in the room is very bright, so why aren't you afraid of it?"

"There's something in sunlight that you humans can't see... that's what we..." His words were cut off by Frian, who gestured for him to finish off the Alchemist in front of them quickly—after all, they had already achieved their goal. This Alchemist in front of them was just as unhinged as Jacob, something was off.

"Wait, wait a little longer. Could the Two of you cooperate with me in a small experiment?" Edward said with a smile.

"What experiment?" Jacob felt a flicker of curiosity, finding this Alchemist truly interesting—facing death and still insisting on running experiments. He casually brushed aside Frian's hand that was pulling at him.

"Before the experiment, allow me to introduce my new alchemical product: the Ultraviolet Sterilization Lamp." The Alchemist pointed to a square white box hanging above the corner of the wall. The box had a layer of metal mesh on the outside, and inside were four purple tubes.

The two Vampire Counts instinctively looked at the box. At the same time, Edward cast a spell—a Zero-Level Trick: Mage Hand. A click sounded from the switch on the box. The purple tubes lit up.

"Ah—my eyes!"

Blisters instantly swelled on the faces and exposed skin of the two vampires, then burst with a pop. Wisps of Black Smoke rose from their tightly shut eyes. Count Jacob had no time to mind Edward; clutching his head with both hands, he and Frian lunged toward the shop door. But somehow, the door had been locked tight. They threw themselves against it, expecting to shatter the glass easily, but only two massive spiderweb-like cracks appeared.

They thought one more impact would let them escape this terrifying place. But the dreadful light was stronger than they imagined—they had no strength left.

Black Smoke began to rise from the bodies of the two Vampire Counts; spontaneous combustion had begun. In their daze, they heard Edward's gentle voice, like the whisper of a demon from hell:

"The ultraviolet rays in sunlight are that invisible thing you mentioned, aren't they? This is a strong ultraviolet lamp made from Quartz tubes filled with Mercury vapor, several times more intense than the ultraviolet in sunlight. It seems this experiment was a complete success. Thank you both for your full support in this experiment. Rest in peace..."