Fair Trade for Protection

With Helvetica leading him, Aster went forward from the elevator, heading for the only door present on the floor they stopped at.

*Gulp!*

However, to reach it, he first needed to traverse a narrow path without railings to cling to. Either side is a straight fall until the 300th floor, so it's doubtful if one could survive falling.

With his heart beating like a snare drum, he walked through the one-meter-wide path, following the tall elf's lead. When they reached the end, Aster fell to his knees as he released the breath he had been holding from the start. His hands and ears were cold from the fear of falling!

After a few more steps, they reached the large door leading to the mayor's office. It was tall, with simple angular and curved styles combined, reminiscent of the inside of a clock more than a simple entrance. Furthermore, its edges and every deep engraving on it were releasing a faint blue glow, as if the material itself were the one glowing.

Helvetica stopped in his tracks and stepped aside before saluting toward Aster. "Well, this is as far as I can go. Go on, enter. The mayor should be inside."

"..."

Aster thought that he would accompany him all the way. Although it was unexpected, he still had to brave through. No matter what scary-looking race the mayor was, he would try to maintain a flat, serious expression!

He walked forward before placing a hand against the giant door. Despite its large size, Aster only had to exert himself a little to push it aside, opening a gap enough for him to slip through.

*CREEEEEAAAAK!* *THUD!*

As soon as he entered, the door slowly swung back to its original position and slammed close.

"So you're the 100% human kid, huh?" And just at the same moment, a deep, manly voice echoed.

The voice from somewhere close startled Aster, who stiffened. He turned left and right, scanning the dim room, but could only make out the faint, shadowy silhouettes of the furnishings.

"Haha, I'm right here, behind you." The voice echoed once more before a pale hand tapped his shoulder.

"...!"

Aster sprang forward without hesitation, whirling around with his arms raised, as if ready to fight at any moment. However, his limbs were trembling, and his breath was stifled as his heart pounded deafeningly.

Gradually, he focused on the figure of a person.

A tall man, around 2 meters in height. He had slender yet sturdy limbs and an extremely pale complexion, as if devoid of blood. He had rosy-red lips, with two fangs peeking as he thinly smiled. Crimson eyes with vertical pupils regarded Aster, seemingly amused by his reaction.

Without even needing to think, Aster could identify the man's nature. "A vampire!"

"Oh, you've got that right." The man smiled sweetly, clapping his hands in praise. "What a perceptive lad. I'm Magnus Severin P. Noire, the mayor of this Orinfeld City, pleased to make your acquaintance, Mr. Aster Mistral."

"Mayor..." Aster's eyes widened as he slowly stood up. "Please forgive my earlier rudeness, Your Honor. I'm someone who has just awakened in an unfamiliar land, so I can't help but be cautious."

Seeing Aster lightly bow his head in apology, Magnus's smile broadened.

"No need to apologize. Well, the room might be a bit dim for a human's senses. Let me illuminate the space before we begin our discussion."

Aster was just wondering about that. Although it was high noon, the inside of the room was almost pitch black, other than a few glowing parts here and there.

*SNAP!*

With a simple gesture, all the lights in the room turned on. Aster was forced to squint from the sudden brightness, but as his eyes gradually adjusted, he could see the interior of the mayor's office.

Gold-colored tables, a luxurious red sofa, and ochre-painted walls with sky-blue accent lights. Everything looked so expensive that Aster suddenly feared touching anything.

"Go on, have a seat. Don't be shy," Mayor Magnus offered, gesturing toward one of the sofas.

"...?"

On one of them, someone was already sitting without moving a muscle, making Aster think it was a mannequin at first. A beautiful woman with red hair tied loosely into a ponytail. Just like Mayor Magnus, she also had pale white skin with lush red lips. She wore a blood-red ball gown—with an impressive bulge around the chest part—as she sipped tea elegantly.

"Magnus, dear, don't you think you're scaring the kid too much? Think how intimidating your face is." She muttered as she opened her eyes.

"...!"

Aster's blood went cold from the sharp glare she sent him. Those gold eyes looked as if they were orb-shaped treasures, but they felt as if they were sharper than the sharpest knife.

"Go on, sit down. We wouldn't eat you."

But the smile she had was a mix of seductive kindness, with the fangs giving a hint of fierce temperament, making him feel mixed signals.

*Gulp!*

Nervous but didn't want to offend the two vampires, Aster took their offer and sat down in the seat opposite the woman. As he did, the mayor also sat down beside the woman and smiled.

"Sorry, sorry. Right, let me introduce you first. Aster, this is my wife and secretary, Geneviv Prada S. Noire." He spoke with a hand, gesturing toward the gold-eyed, red-haired woman.

"A pleasure to meet you, little savior." She greeted Aster with a light bow and a faint smile.

Aster stammered, either from nervousness or fear, as he answered, "Y-Yes, likewise. It's a pleasure to meet you too, Mrs. Noire."

With all three of them sitting down, Mayor Magnus suddenly leaned forward, his hands clasped together between his legs.

"I'm a little busy, so let me get straight to the point. Aster Mistral, our city... no, the world needs your help." He started. "We would like for you to share your seeds regularly, preferably every day."

Aster stiffened at the sudden turn of the conversation. "Seeds? You mean..." He trailed off.

"Yes." Magnus nodded. "It is as you are thinking. Sharing your DNA with women around the world and increasing the average human DNA for generations to come."

"..."

Aster hesitated.

He didn't want to become a stud for the government, moving at their beck and call. However, he can't refuse them flatly either, as doing so might worsen his current situation. It was a dilemma for him!

Just as he was thinking about how to refuse, Mayor Magnus continued his offer, adding more terms to it.

"Of course, we're not asking for you to do it for free. We'll offer you a high-class hotel room indefinitely. Furthermore, we'll make sure to protect you from those who wish you harm."

"...!"

An offer for free lodging and protection! Before he could even ask for it, the mayor had already proposed what he needed!

However, there's still one thing stopping him from directly accepting the offer.

"Mayor, your offer is definitely more than what I need. However, you should've heard about my disease, right?" He whispered.

Aster's disease causes him to lose "life force" with every breath he takes, shortening his already short lifespan! As such, strenuous activities—including procreation—were impossible for him.