The cute young girl seemed to smirk at me.
Her thumb lifted slowly as if approving my answer.
"A bag of mana stones."
Mana stones?
She could give me mana stones?
I didn't know how many was in a bag but it sounded like a lot.
Still, I lifted my chin with a scornful look.
"Do you want to scam me?!"
"Huh?"
That was the only word she managed before I tapped her shoulder lightly.
I couldn't push too far and risk getting myself killed.
Just enough to squeeze her dry.
"Do you take me for a fool?"
Sweat beaded along the young girl's forehead as she shook her head.
Brimming with confidence, I continued. "Do you know how much blood usually costs? And you asking to take my blood means you're a demon, doesn't it?"
Valentina staggered back.
"You know I can sue you for harassment. I could even spread a rumour about a demon girl."
I gasped suddenly, stepping back. "Aren't you… Aren't you Princess Valentina?"
The girl's eyes widened, and without a word, she spun around to run, but I grabbed her collar.
Still, she struggled, thrashing to escape.
Allen was weak, but there was no way I'd lose in a raw strength contest against a tiny brat.
I raised my arm slowly as she hovered slightly off the ground, still kicking to run.
I grinned as her tear-filled eyes turned to me.
"Now then, let's talk like adults."
---
In all honesty, I had completely forgotten I was supposed to meet Quincy.
But right now, something more important was in my hands.
First was the fact that I was planning on draining Valentina dry.
If I was going to get tangled in the plot either way, it was better to do it in a bold, or rather shameless, style.
I needed something, she needed something.
I give her, she gives me.
Simple.
Though at the moment, that was the least of my problems.
"Hey, look at that strange man walking with that kid."
"Should we call the cops?"
I shut my eyes for a moment as I made my way through the streets.
Valentina trailed behind me, and because of her small frame, people mistook me for a predator.
I couldn't even blame them.
If I saw myself walking with a kid, I'd probably think the same thing.
Glancing back at Valentina, who looked at me like I was a cake she was about to eat, I turned forward again.
'Just a little blood, that's all.'
For the first time in my life, I think I'd found something scarier than a toilet without toilet paper.
Within a minute of walking, Valentina and I reached my apartment.
I was broke, so I couldn't afford anything fancy.
"Wait here," I told Valentina before stepping inside and shutting the door.
After a minute, I came back and opened it again.
The room now looked spotless, mostly because I shoved all the mess into the wardrobe, but no one would know.
Valentina didn't hesitate a second and darted into the small apartment, jumping onto the bed.
I glanced at her, then sat on the floor.
It was safer to keep my distance.
No one knew if someone had a camera aimed at my room or if the police could barge in.
"So let's continue from where we stopped."
Valentina nodded, locking her gaze on me. "I will pay fifty bags if you give me a month's worth of blood."
'Fifty?'
It was definitely tempting, but not what I wanted.
"Princess, why don't we do this."
I pointed at my neck. "Take a sip first."
Valentina's eyes widened briefly. "For free?"
I nodded.
But of course it wasn't free.
Why would I give my blood for free?
What I needed was to create an addiction.
During my days in Night_Hawks, I had seen great people collapse into fools just because of drugs.
It was a tactic my boss used to trap rich men's children.
And for Valentina, who hadn't tasted blood in forever?
This was a death sentence.
The moment she took a sip, she'd crave more, then grow obsessed.
She'd waste her money and sacks of gold on me.
I tightened my expression, trying to keep my thoughts hidden.
The pink-haired girl rose from the bed and crawled closer to me.
"Are you sure?"
I nodded, feigning a pitiful look. "I heard demons have particular tastes, so isn't it better if you check the quality?"
What the hell was I even saying?
For a second, I sounded like I was talking about livestock.
Valentina hesitated briefly before settling on my cross-legged lap.
She wrapped a hand around my neck and leaned her mouth closer to my skin.
Her warm breath brushed against me like she was preparing her meal.
'Come on, lady, just drink already.'
As if hearing my thoughts, she lowered her head and bit into my neck.
My hands balled into fists, teeth grinding together.
Maybe it was because she was awakened, but her teeth were unnaturally sharp.
I felt the blood leave my body, slow at first, then rushing.
She drank it like one would savor wine.
Her tongue brushed against my skin as if she were feasting.
Then—
I pulled away.
The young girl, now with vertical pupils, sharp teeth, and long nails, stared at me with wide, desperate eyes.
Part of her pink hair had turned black, and her pink eyes carried a trace of moonlight grey.
"More…?"
I shook my head.
"No."
Her gaze dropped. "Okay…"
A faint grin spread across my lips. 'I have tamed the protagonist's weakness!'
I wanted to laugh so hard my stomach would ache.
Even if I never awakened, I'd be safe for the rest of my life, since the god of plot armor would be my shield.
Patting Valentina's head, I smiled innocently. "My lady, let us begin."
The facade slipped into a grin. "How about we call it ten bags a week?"