|| Chapter 1 || Binding

The levitating round dumpling blinked in confusion. The person before it appeared neither interested nor frightened. A few seconds have passed since his introduction, and the man was only staring at him with raised eyes brows. Kerpuffle had already scanned the man's well-being, and it didn't look like he was mute or deaf. His mental strength and intelligence were excellent as well.

So... what the hell was the problem?

Could it be that Kerpuffle's form was too much? Did he not look cute enough? Or... Perhaps, his host prefers the hardcore type! 'Agh! I knew I should've taken the grim reaper form!'

Sigh...

Cadel suddenly released a heavy sigh, startling the little dumpling floating before him. Kneading his brows, Cadel turned away and shut his eyes tight. 'The little thing just talked to me. It is fucking talking to me. So it's probably true that you'll go crazy when you're dead.'

'But I'm dead... Why the fuck would I go crazy when I'm already fucking dead??'

'But I guess it's better than being alive.'

Cadel moved his jaw, recalling the cold metal blasting in his mouth. With closed eyes, he shuddered. He probably deserved it.

"Host!"

Cadel jerked back and opened his eyes in surprise. The sound was so loud it echoed all around him. Seeing the little round ball blinking its beady eyes at him, Cadel creased his forehead. 'It's still talking to me?!'

"Of course, I am!" Kerpuffle said, feeling wronged. It made a sound as if clearing its throat before orbiting around the man. Afterwards, it spoke. "Congratulations for binding with the Haven of Peace System!"

"I already heard the first time." Cadel stepped back with a frown. He eyed the floating ball. "What is this? Am I not dead? Or has my brain been harvested?" His eyes turned sharp. Before he died, the barrel was tilted upwards. There's no way they would make use of a damaged brain.

"No! No! No!" Kerpuffle shook. Ripples appeared on its fluid body. "Well, yes. You ARE dead. However, I am here to grant you the chance to start anew and-"

"I don't want to go back and live in that hell ever again." Cadel glared.

"..."

Kerpuffle whimpered. Why is this person so difficult? Please let me continue!

"I-I wouldn't dare to. Don't worry." The floating ball seemed to trembled under Cadel's piercing gaze. "We Systems are created to grant a deceased's wishes. I am one of the hundreds of systems that have heard your wish, and I am here to grant them to you. Binding with me and finishing all quests, I will grant you a new peaceful life derived from heartache and frustration. You will no longer suffer the same misery as your previous life. I guarantee it!"

"..."

Cadel knitted his brows. "Sounds fake..."

Damn it! Kerpuffle groaned internally. I've sacrificed so many points and battled many systems to get this host. Why does he have to doubt me?! The little round ball shed tears as he thought.

"But... alright." Cadel muttered while rubbing his chin thoughtfully. His words immediately made the little system stop.

"Alright?" Kerpuffle blinked. "Oh... Alright... Oh! Okay! Excellent! Wonderful!"

Thank God!!! He thought he was about to beg.

"Great! Travel to numerous worlds, succeed, and gather thousands of points! If you have successfully completed each world and live comfortably, you will be able to achieve the wish you've always wanted! Kerpuffle here will guide you through it all! Let's proceed!"

Cadel suddenly paused. "Worlds?"

"Ah? Yes, worlds!"

"What should I do?"

"Live peacefully and achieve a noble death!"

"You want me to like sit and die?" Cadel's face turned dark.

"Er..." Kerpuffle felt like he was sweating buckets. "Not exactly, but..."

"Shouldn't I be armed?" Cadel pressed. To live peacefully meant that he should be defending himself from everything disrupting his mission and goal. Perhaps, it would be easier to carry a weapon at all times.

"No!" Kerpuffle panicked. "You only have to live peacefully! That's all! PERIOD!"

"But I'll die-"

"Carry On!" Kerpuffle quipped, interrupting his host. He floated awkwardly, wishing to escape the intimidating look of his host. 'Why me?'

In the next second, a giant swirl of energy appeared before Cadel. Like a whirlpool of stars, it dazzled beautifully. The white room suddenly darkened as though the darkness devoured the light. Stars twinkled above Cadel's head, and he lifted his eyes, awed by the sight of it. This was the first time he had seen the night sky with so many bright stars. It was stunning.

"Host, it's time to go." Kerpuffle perched on top of Cadel's head. Its round eyes blinked adorably.

The youth cleared his throat and nodded. He turned around and took a few steps near the portal. Kerpuffle was feeling giddy and excited as he watched his host near the portal. Finally! He had successfully capture this difficult person-

"Hm." Cadel suddenly stopped a step before the portal.

Kerpuffle: ..?

"Just how many worlds should I-Oof!" Cadel failed to finish his words when Kerpuffle abruptly pushed him inside with a swift headbutt!

"Tsk! Enough talking!" Kerpuffle said as he swooped into the portal.

....

He felt like falling from a hundred meters and then crashing heavily. Cadel slowly opened his eyes. He instantly rose from the soft bed and examined the room he was in with wary eyes.

'Ding! Ding! Ding!'

Cadel looked around for the origin of the sound but realized it was all in his head when the next part noised.

'Uploading World Data...'

Once the robotic words were spoken, Cadel closed his eyes as countless images flashed within his vision. A steady stream of energy poured inside him along with a loud ticking noise.

Kerpuffle's voice suddenly sounded.

'Host body identified: Luke Vermillion.'

The world is known to include vampires who have lived amongst humans for thousands of years. As the intelligence and technology of humans began to evolve, humanity began to hunt down the remaining vampires to achieve ultimate superiority. Although those events happened during the olden times, vampires have feared the possibility of extinction and began to conceal themselves from the eyes of humans. The past few centuries were calm and peaceful. Until the boundaries of humans and vampires were broken. A new peaceful era where vampires coexist with humans was born.

It was until a hidden half-vampire began to scavenge the earth for pure-blood vampires, feeding on its blood and devouring their strength. His name is Valerian. The inhumane murders brought forth the rise of fear across the countries. As Valerian began to pick out every single vampire with the faintest relations to purebloods, a new organization was created to protect vampires from the dreadful threats of Valerian.

However, all was deemed useless when Valerian finally found the last remaining pureblood. He grew unstoppable and extremely powerful, toppling all world leaders and brought forth a new era of fear for both humans and vampires. The world was chaotic ever since.

'Mission: (Movement Locked) Plant base marker and Live comfortably away from harm for ten years. If host's lives are fully depleted without proper recharge from base marker, the host will be eliminated.'

Cadel wanted to shout when he read the last part of the mission. 'Base marker? Lives? What the hell is this?!'

Kerpuffle: Since you haven't unlocked the ability to move freely, you will be offered a base marker which will be your starting point and save point for recharging your lives. If the host leaves the area of the base marker, your life will slowly deplete, and you must recharge it right away.

Cadel hissed, "You failed to explain any part of this to me before."

Kerpuffle: That's why I'm telling you now!

Cadel pinched the bridge of his nose and sighed heavily. Whatever. He was going to survive this. He only needs to avoid being too far away from the base marker.

"So, where is the base marker?"

Kerfuffle: It is in your hand.

Cadel lowered his gaze and was surprised to find a thin glass stick in his grasp. It looked ordinary and simple, like a normal glass stick. "..."

Think innocent thoughts...

Kerpuffle: You can unlock the ability to move freely once you've gathered enough energy from other completed worlds. Good luck, Host!

Cadel: "..."