Let the Desert decide.

"The wasteland is divided into 5 regions. And the region we are in is called Sad Barrens. While the others are Malicious Hinterland, Dry Borderland Savage Badlands, and lastly, Burned Frontier popularly known as Thundering Prairie."

Annette paused a bit and took a deep breath from her long speech. She saw the serious expression on La Coasta and chuckled.

"Why are you so serious?" she giggled.

"Because I never knew the wasteland was divided like this.?" La Coasta answered truthfully.

"I guess you're busy chasing skirts or hiding in one corner of the village, fantasizing about your peaceful and goalless life." Tania snorted in disdain.

"What's wrong about that?" He chuckled, not minding her attitude.

What has he not seen?

Because of his incapability to follow the hunter to hunt, he had been ridiculed and called various names. Yet, that didn't stop him from living his life leisurely.

If not for his parents' disappearance. He would have left the Byport village.

"Tania watch it!" Kelsi snapped.

Her gaze stared fiercely at Tania who was sitting beside her.

"Huh!" Tania gasped. She realized her old behavior had taken over.

Annette's smile had long disappeared. Though she understood Tania's unruly behavior towards men. Yet, she wouldn't allow her hatred to sully their new friendship with La Coasta.

He was the first man that was closer to them for about 5 years. And not to talk about the weird connection and their sudden ability of a vampire they share with him.

All this happened because of him.

'I need to have a word with her.' She thought seriously.

They may be called witches. But being ungrateful witches was not one of them.

The atmosphere inside the rovers descended into an awkward silence. Everyone averted their gaze and stared at the endless dune.

The range rovers raised over the dunes, leaving a trail of dust. The sun was already setting and the temperature was dropping.

"Let's find someplace to rest for the night," Annette suggested.

"Alright. There should be a swamp and a tree area head. We'll rest there." Kelsi replied.

After about half an hour, the range rovers stop in a small swampy area, surrounded by sparse trees with few leaves on them.

"I will go hunt for desert squire," Tania announced, leaving the group without waiting for their reply.

"I will join you," Annette added.

After a couple of minutes, Kelsi and La Coasta had set up the fire. They sat around and he asked a sudden question.

"Where are you from? I know you're not from the wastelands."

Ding*

[Host has yet to complete today's daily mission.]

[I can't wait to see you go blind.]

'Fck!' he cursed in his heart.

Meanwhile, Kelsi creased her brow when she heard the sudden question from him. She twisted her lips and didn't know how to respond.

She wanted to tell him the truth while also wanting to hide it from him. Finally, after giving a deep thought, she let out a deep breath.

"When you solve the problem surrounding your parents in the Thundering Prairie. And I know what you're going to do next. Then, I will decide if to tell you or not."

"Why can't you tell me now?"

"Because if I tell you now. It would be meaningless." She answered, staring at La Coasta's eyes. She could see the dancing of the flames in his eyes.

"Alright!" he nodded and stood. "I need to train."

What!

Kelsi was surprised by his bizarre training. She couldn't fathom what was going on in his mind.

Meanwhile, deep in the desert, a group of men dressed in black, holding various weapons stared in a certain direction.

"How many?" A voice asked.

"Two?" Another voice responded.

"Good. I have been craving a jeep. Now, the desert hears my prayers." The voice said with an eerie laugh.

"Boys. Let's attack. Today is our lucky day. "

"Aye!" A group of men behind the sturdy man shouted.

….

"Kelsi, I need combat training." La Coasta said, standing up from the ground while wiping the bead of sweat from his forehead.

"Are you for real!?"

"Yes!"

"Fine!" She grumbled and left the camp area. "I won't go easy on you. Be prepared."

"Do you see me panicking?" he responded, taking a fighting stance.

Ding*

[Hostile group detected.]

[New Quest]

[Kill all the incoming groups and have the highest kill among your group.]

[Reward: Today's combat training would be canceled.]

[Penalty: Hidden.]

'Huh' He stared at the sudden notification and raised his brow. He raised his head and looked at his surroundings.

As a vampire, every one of their abilities was heightened at night. They could see further than any other human being.

A reddish glow appeared deep in his eyes and muttered.

"Why can't they let me enjoy my peaceful life? It's not like I attack them or we have any business together."

Sighed. "And I don't like killing. Can't we discuss this like a normal gentleman? Why kill."

"What are you muttering?" Kelsi questioned.

"We have company," he said casually.

Hmm!

Kelsi raised her brow and stared deep into the darkness and her pupil turned red.

"I know some people won't wait to die." She announced and withdrew the two daggers from her thigh.

'Sigh! I guess it can't be helped.'

"Why don't we race and see who has the highest kill." He suggested.

"Sure. But what is the stake." Kelsi chucked, staring at him with a smile.

"A promise to do something for the winner. The promise mustn't be absurd. It must be something the loser can do easily." He replied.

"Fine!"

"What are you discussing when we are under attack?"Annette and Tania came out of the sparse trees.

"A race? The winner gets to get a promise from the loser."

"Wow! That's nice. I'm in. Besides, we need to feed. And it's Tania's first feeding." Annette announced happily, appearing beside La Coasta and Kelsi, leaving a gust of wind.

"Don't forget about me." Tania appeared beside the three but her speed was slower than Annette's by a bit.

"Let the desert decide the winner."

****Author's Note****

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