Later, the siblings and the vampire moved to the other side of the grassland to fight the arachnid-armored beasts. As they continued grinding monsters, they didn’t encounter any more sneak attacks like before.
They had the Blood-Armored Demon Ape patrol nearby as a guard, while Inaepha joined in for a bit of casual monster hunting. But since her attacks were basically just a single sweep of her crimson scythe that sliced enemies apart like tofu, usually killing them in two hits—three at most—she quickly got bored.
At noon, the younger sister and Inaepha ate the lunchbox made by Shilok. While saying “it’s just okay,” Inaepha still finished first.
They rotated turns hunting monsters. To keep the idle Inaepha from getting bored, Shilok made a swing chair hanging from a tree (only about three meters high) for her to rest on. Just in case, he even created steps on the trunk. Inaepha quietly complained that his thoughtfulness was unnecessary.
The vampire lay comfortably on it, enjoying the breeze, while the siblings went to grind monsters. During a break, as if she had been waiting for this moment, Shier approached Inaepha and showed her a tablet.
The blonde, golden-eyed loli marveled at this magical device. Under Shier’s enthusiastic guidance, she learned how to use it even faster than the demon landlady had.
When Shilok finished another round and came to switch with Shier, he saw the two blonde “sisters” sitting side by side on the swing. In the warm afternoon sunlight and mist, Shier smiled as she taught, while Inaepha frantically tapped the tablet. The scene made Shier look more like the older sister, and Inaepha the younger.
Wondering why Inaepha was getting so heated just from playing a game, Shilok leaned in to look—
Unlike the casual Plants vs. Zombies played by Asmodi, the game given to Inaepha required intense reaction speed. Shier was teaching her Arcaea. The challenge—perhaps a trick—was the boss song Tempestissimo.
Shilok thought: “Seriously, at least let her start from PST difficulty…”
So Shier went back to hunting while Shilok rested. Watching from the tree steps, he saw Inaepha’s neck flushed pink, her fingers moving so fast they blurred, even making the swing sway.
“Ugh…”
After finishing a track, Inaepha let out an unwilling groan. Her golden eyes turned red and glistened with tears. After observing her a few more tries, Shilok calmly said:
“Your reaction speed is already there. At 1:13, you panic and your fingers tangle. You don’t need to switch to six fingers like Shier—you only need two.”
“You idiot human! It looks easy to you watching. I wish I had ten fingers—how could two be enough?”
“Just pretend I’m tricking you. Try it.”
She stared suspiciously at his smirk, then tapped to start another attempt.
Four minutes later—
“I did it… I actually did it! You idiot human—”
“Wait, really? Let me see—whoa! You cleared it on your first day. Inaepha, you might be a genius.”
Shier sat beside her, shocked and amazed. Even she hadn’t expected such fast progress.
“Hmph, hmph, hmph. Easy. When I get serious, this level is nothing.”
Inaepha subconsciously searched for the dark-haired figure and found him extracting a crystal core from a beast, smiling at the loot. She glared at his slender back with mixed emotions.
That day, Shilok gained a lot of experience (though he didn’t level up) and collected plenty of arachnid beast meat. Shier reached level 25. Inaepha, on her first day playing Arcaea, achieved a PURE MEMORY on Tempestissimo.
Dinner time.
Shilok and Inaepha cooked together using the new ingredients. Meanwhile, perhaps motivated by her gamer pride, Shier was in her room trying to beat Inaepha’s score. Shilok had reminded her about her online class—whether she listened was another matter.
After all, it took Shier a week to clear the song, while Inaepha did it in hours.
Shilok thought: She’s a vampire—her dynamic vision and physical ability are far beyond humans. It’s normal she’s better.
He flipped the meat in the pan:
“Like this—add more oil, turn the rolls, and cook them thoroughly over medium heat.”
He plated the meat and sprinkled sesame seeds. Beside him, Inaepha—wearing a maid outfit—watched closely, even taking notes like Shier.
She leaned in, inhaled deeply, and smiled blissfully:
“So fragrant… I’ll admit it—when you’re in the kitchen, you’re the strongest, you idiot human. I can sincerely call you… Master Shilok.”
“Please just call me by my name normally.”
Inaepha was especially enthusiastic while cooking, improving rapidly with the new tools and asking many questions.
At dinner, the three enjoyed a meal centered on arachnid beast meat. Inaepha listened to part of Shilok’s story about the foxfolk, her expression shifting between anger and silence. Thankfully, she didn’t rush off to kill the culprit that night.
8:21 PM.
Shilok left the suite, looking for a quiet place to think. It wasn’t that the suite wasn’t quiet—it was Shier.
After finishing her online class, she immediately dragged him into games. Even when he tried reading, she’d lean close—sometimes into his arms, sometimes back-to-back, sometimes hooking his leg with hers. It was impossible to focus.
Not excitement—just restlessness.
He figured it was because he couldn’t be close to Belen, whom he liked.
So, after telling Shier he’d go check the barrier, he headed to the castle’s grand bath.
(He did check the barrier first. Technically not a lie.)
He walked up the central staircase to the third floor, through corridors and doors, to the west wing. Past an archway, red carpet turned to white marble. At the end of the hall, he entered a luxurious changing room.
White tiles covered the floor and walls, bright ceiling lights shone overhead, and large plants decorated the corners. A table held iced water and fruit.
“This feels like enjoying a rich person’s life for free… what a deal.”
He tied up his long black hair, popped a grape-like fruit into his mouth, stripped naked except for his wrist device, and pushed open the foggy glass door.
“…This is nothing like the small bathroom at home.”
The bath was like a small pool, made of dark stone. Hot water poured continuously, overflowing onto the floor.
Glass walls revealed the moonlit forest and lake outside.
He placed an “occupied” sign and rushed toward the bath—only to slip immediately.
A few minutes later—
“Ahh… I get why Belen likes hot springs.”
Floating in the water, he admired the view.
“This is amazing… it feels like I’m floating in the air.”
Relaxing completely, he felt like he had risen above ordinary life. He opened LINE and sent Belen a photo to show off.
Her reply:
“Hope you die on your mission!”
Followed by jealous messages and stickers.
Shilok:
“You just want to see me naked, don’t you?”
“For fairness, I won’t wear anything either.”
“Go die. We’ll talk when you’re back.”
One moment she cursed him, the next she sounded like she agreed.
As he absentmindedly gazed outside—
Click.
A door opened in the distance.
Shilok turned toward the entrance.
Through the mist, a slender figure approached… but he couldn’t tell if it was male or female.
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