Chapter 21

[Check Out My Patreon For +20 Extra Chapters On All My Fanfics!! For $5][www.p@treon.com/zaelum] 

[Thank You For Your Support!]

====

[New Fanfics For The Week Poll!!] [THE POLL IS UP!! IT'S FREE!]

[I've Already Confronted the Five Kage, and the System Just Arrived!] 

[Savior in the DC Universe] 

[Marvel: I Started by Containing SCPs] 

====

Dim light shone in the midnight bar as Emily counted the day's earnings, feeling a small thrill.

Thanks to the disappearance of the biker gang, more and more customers had been coming in these past few days, and the revenue was increasing daily, bringing her closer to her goal.

Clang! Clang! Clang! John closed and locked the bar's doors tightly, smiling as he looked at Emily, who was nervously clutching her hands behind the counter.

"Emily, counting your money again?"

"What do you mean by counting money? This is realizing my dream!"

"Oh? What's your dream?" John's eyes lit up with interest.

"John, you're still young. Don't you want to go to college?" Emily blushed and spoke quickly.

"Going to school, huh?"

"College!" Emily corrected him, her big eyes glaring at him.

"By the way, why did you come back so late today? Let me warn you, you now have a real job. Don't get into fights, even if it's to help others!"

Emily's face shifted quickly, her small face adopting a serious, adult-like expression as she scolded John.

Because their personalities meshed so well, in just a short time, they had become like old friends.

"Don't worry, you won't hear about me fighting crime anymore."

John patted his chest, making a solemn promise.

"Good!"

Emily returned to her money counting, leaving John with a bittersweet feeling.

Yes, Emily should be in high school, but due to her father's untimely death, she had to drop out and manage the bar. John had often wondered how such a frail girl managed to handle such a high workload every day.

With his help, things must have gotten easier for her.

"John, don't worry. You're my employee now, and I'll take care of you too!"

Emily suddenly looked up, speaking quickly before darting up the stairs with a blush.

Watching her retreating figure and her reddened ears, John felt a warmth in his heart.

As he gazed at the moonlight streaming through the window, his eyes gradually became distant. A new goal had taken root in his heart.

Since starting his job at the bar, Emily had assigned John a room on the bar's second floor. Each of them had a room, separated by a small storage room.

Entering his small but well-equipped bedroom, John lay on the soft bed, listening intently. Emily's light breathing reached his ears.

Even with a room between them, John could hear her steady heartbeat and even breathing.

This girl sure sleeps fast!

John envied her. He struggled to fall asleep quickly, especially after acquiring the Blood Lord's abilities. His energy was overwhelming, and he often had to count sheep into the thousands before falling asleep.

It was a joy and a pain.

As time passed, the bright sunlight shone through the window curtains, illuminating the room. A breeze lifted a corner of the curtain, and warm sunlight touched John's cheek. Slowly waking up, he glanced at the clock.

With lightning speed, John quickly put on his work clothes and rushed downstairs.

The bar was already bustling with activity. Despite it being daytime, many customers were drinking, a sight John had grown used to.

He hurried downstairs.

"Hey, John, did the sun shine on your little butt?"

"Haha, John, skipping work today?"

"John, bring me two more kegs of beer!"

Amidst the clamorous calls, John swiftly moved towards the bar, where Emily was busy handing out drinks.

"Emily, why didn't you wake me?"

John quickly grabbed some drinks to serve while expressing his dissatisfaction.

"I wanted you to sleep a bit more. You work so hard every day, and I haven't given you a single day off."

Emily laughed softly.

"Emily, you're a great boss!"

Dan, sitting at the bar, said enviously.

Soon, John was darting around the bar, delivering drinks to tables. He approached Dan.

"Thanks!"

Dan had been helping to serve drinks.

"Hey, no thanks needed. I'm your best friend!"

Dan widened his eyes, feigning displeasure.

Emily placed a large drink in front of Dan, her clear voice ringing out.

"Dan, this drink is on me!"

"Haha, thanks!"

Dan beamed and took a large gulp, choking a bit.

"Cough, cough, cough!"

John patted his back, looking helpless.

As Emily turned to organize the shelves, Dan leaned towards John.

"John, did you hear? Three more people died last night on the next street! My friend at the police station said it might be the same guy who fought the biker gang!"

"Oh? Why do they think that?"

"Their deaths were either from having their chests crushed by a punch or being kicked to death. It's brutal. But those three were no good, with multiple criminal records and being fugitives."

"Indeed... brutal."

John feigned surprise.

Dan narrowed his eyes, scrutinizing John.

"John, bring more drinks!"

"Sigh!"

John quickly jumped away, darting to the bar to grab a tray from Emily.

"Could it be him? Quite a coincidence!"

Dan watched John serve the tables, deep in thought.

At noon, the bright sunlight reflected off the snow outside, making the whole street glow.

John lounged on the sofa, legs propped up, basking in the sun. Noon was a rare break time, a quiet period until around 3 PM when people started flocking back to the bar after work.

With a thought, a translucent screen appeared before John.

He curiously examined the information on it. The movie cover had changed, and next to the Blood Clan cover was a new dimensional cover.

It featured a dark-skinned man, back turned, drawing a sword from his back. A somber and intense atmosphere enveloped John.

"Blade?"

"Am I really dealing with vampires again?"

John's eyes gleamed as he recalled the series content, feeling increasingly excited.

"Hey!"

A small head suddenly popped into view, Emily's delicate face glowing in the sunlight, making John's heart race.

"Huh? John, you're not scared at all!"

Emily pulled back, disappointed. From her perspective, John looked completely unfazed.

John's pupils contracted slightly before he closed the dimensional screen, smiling at the girl sitting across from him.

(End of Chapter)