Stick To Tobias

The system should have tagged this mission's level as difficult because it sure as hell felt like one. After the "excruciating" epiphany bath, Dahlia found her way to the dining room only to discover Tobias was no way to be found - only Juliet.

Dahlia didn't know whether to laugh or cry. She had hoped to achieve this mission much faster by making conversation with the vampire at breakfast. Now, with her plans going down the drain, Dahlia was not sure what to do anymore. Not to mention, Juliet was there to see her through breakfast. 

It was a silent awkward meal and while it looked like Dahlia was calm, the truth was that she was panicking inside since she had no idea if Juliet plans to avenge her for hitting her on the head with a pestle.

"Is the food not to your taste?" Dahlia was distracted from her thoughts by Julie's "concerned" voice - she sure hoped that was real.

"No," Dahlia said, straightening up immediately. She didn't realize she had been picking at her food until now.

"But you are not eating? Is something the matter?" She inquired further to Dahlia's aggravation. She just didn't want to eat because she feared it was poisoned, not that she said it out loud.

"Where is he?" Dahlia asked instead, looking around.

"He?" The woman Juliet was confused for a slight moment before understanding dawned on her," Oh, you mean Master Tobias?" She smiled knowingly and that made Dahlia uncomfortable. What was the woman thinking? 

"Don't worry, he's around if you're that worried about him," She winked at her. 

Dahlia frowned, why was that woman giving her strange signs? Was something wrong with her eye? So the dense Dahlia was unable to get the woman's point. 

After a deep breath, Dahlia dug into her food. One, she was hungry, and dying after breakfast doesn't seem like a bad death either- she would visit Hades with her stomach full. 

The food was prepared differently from the one she eats back on earth but it was appetizing and was accompanied by salads and fruits - and a strange drink she didn't touch. Even if it wasn't poisoned, what if it was blood - eww- although it didn't look like one. Still, no drinking. 

Now she thought about it, Dahlia had to ask the system if she can be converted into a vampire, and if that were to happen, would she remain one when she returns to earth after fulfilling her mission. Dahlia hoped not because that would mean extra drama and she wasn't ready for one. 

Imagine if she were to become a vampire, not only would she become phenomenal and garner fame, the government would be after her and study her like a lab rat. She didn't want such a life.

To prove her point, her system didn't make an appearance, and having known the system for a while now, the silence could only mean this was a stupid question. As much as this was a super immerse VR Game, there are rules of the universe you don't cross else order must be restored.

There was silence between them throughout breakfast and it wasn't until Dahlia was done with her food that she finally said, "Thank you. It was a nice meal,"

Juliet said kindly, "It's nothing, as far as you enjoyed the food. You might not know this but it's nice having a human by my side. Those vampires gain no substance from our food, so I'm left alone with no one to compliment my cooking,"

"Oh, is that so?" Dahlia was beginning to have a different view of this woman. Since she hadn't felt anything wrong with her body, that meant there was no poison in it  - or it was a slow-reacting one. 

Perhaps, she misunderstood Juliet. Maybe the people here were different from the humans back on earth?

"Look...." Dahlia turned to her, finally summoning the courage to speak, "I'm sorry for hitting you the other day. I didn't mean to...."

"You were scared, I understand," Juliet nodded, "I would have done the same if I were in your shoes, who wouldn't? You don't have to worry about it though, I've forgiven you already. Instead....." She trailed off.

"Instead?" Dahlia's brows raised questioningly. Why does it seem like the woman was about to ask a difficult request?

"Can we be friends?" she asked, biting on her lips nervously. 

Dahlia was taken aback by the request. Juliet was obviously older than her and probably her mother's age - if she had one; she was an orphan. Moreover, she never had friends back on earth - only acquaintances- and doesn't know how that works. She wanted to reject the woman's offer but seeing that Juliet was an elder and seemed lonely here, Dahlia gave in. 

She bet her system would be full of joy after it comes online. It is progress, she would probably say. 

"Sure," Dahlia said, trying to appear enthusiastic. 

"Oh my God," Juliet covered her mouth with her palm out of joy, "I'm so thankful, you don't know how much this means to me," She cried out. 

Yep, Dahlia doesn't know how this was going to work out either. Back on earth, she had no female friends not to talk of relating with the elderly people. She bet after a day or two, Juliet would be tired of her.  

If only she knew. 

"So where's Master Tobias? I really need to see him," Dahlia was sure she would get a concrete answer this time. 

"Oh, about that, he's outside -" 

Dahlia had already sprung up from her seat before Juliet was done and didn't get to hear the final word, "Feeding." 

Having learned her lesson the hard way the first time, Dahlia made no plans to escape this time. If she were to leave this place alive, her best chance was with Tobias - or with someone else who knew the way out and had amazing powers like him. So yeah, she had no choice but to stick to Tobias. Where would she find someone like that who would help her for free? 

Upon getting outside, Dahlia discovered that the house was the only visible structure in this place and they were all surrounded by thick forest. How had she even made it out in the first place? Well, she wasn't exactly looking the first time. All that mattered was getting out of here. 

Now, where was Tobias? 

Dahlia was looking around for the vampire when she heard serious rustling in the woods and turned to see what that was all about only for a wild boar to come charging towards her without warning.