Blood flowed out endlessly, and Gallon's consciousness began to fade.
[Warning! Health is rapidly depleting! 3%... 2%...]
[Warning! Vital signs are about to disappear!]
The system's alarms blared wildly in his mind.
Am I going to die?
Did I just arrive in this world only to end up as 'rations'?
Gallon refused to accept this.
[1%...]
Just as Gallon's eyelids were about to close completely, a crisp, loud slap echoed through the grand hall!
An immense force sent Lord Sein flying away from Gallon's back!
Lord Sein crashed through a stone pillar, landing in a pile of rubble.
His face was a mask of utter shock.
A pair of soft, enormous wings unfolded from behind Gallon, embracing him.
Gallon used his last ounce of strength to turn his head.
An exquisitely beautiful face came into view.
Princess Camilla had woken up at some point, her sparse clothing now in disarray.
This Blood Clan princess actually saved me?
"Camilla! What are you doing?!"
Lord Sein stood up from the ruins. "How dare you strike me for a lowly human?!"
Camilla looked down at the bite marks on Gallon's neck.
She extended the tip of her warm tongue and licked the blood from Gallon's wound.
A warm sensation spread from his neck.
Gallon's body stiffened.
He watched as Camilla swallowed the blood, still warm with his body heat.
After she was done, she turned to face her father directly.
"Father, as you can see, he has cured me."
"My illness is gone."
Lord Sein stared at his daughter, unable to comprehend what was happening.
"How... How is that possible? With just his little tricks?"
Leaning against Camilla's soft wings, Gallon had already recovered most of his Stamina.
He caught his breath and took the initiative to explain.
"My Lord, what I used on the princess was not some trick, but a secret medicine passed down through my family."
He pointed to the small, empty metal vial on the floor.
"This substance induces a deep sleep and, within the dream, transforms spoken words into the most realistic sensations."
Gallon's gaze shifted to Camilla.
"The root of the princess's illness stems from a deeply buried trauma. As a child, she witnessed a loved one die in a pool of blood. That fear and despair led her to equate 'blood' with 'death.'"
"All I did was continuously repeat one phrase in her dream—'Blood is the source of life; it is warm, it is safe.' I used this new understanding to overwrite her old fear."
Camilla's body trembled slightly.
He...
How could he possibly know?
Even my father doesn't know this secret.
Lord Sein stood frozen.
This human...
Not only does he have strange methods, but he also has the terrifying ability to see into people's hearts.
[Ding! Gained Lord Sein Affinity +3]
[Ding! Gained Princess Camilla Affinity +5]
[Ding! Gained Affinity with multiple plot characters for the first time. System Upgrade! Reward: Mystery Gift Pack x1]
The series of system notifications invigorated Gallon.
Camilla retracted her wings, walked to Lord Sein's side, and whispered a few words in his ear.
Lord Sein finally nodded.
He turned his gaze toward Gallon.
"Human, you cured my daughter and saved the Royal Family's honor. Tell me, what reward do you want? Wealth, status, or... a few Blood Thralls?"
Gallon's heart stirred.
This is the perfect chance to escape my status as 'rations.'
But he knew better. A human, even one made a noble, would be nothing more than a high-class plaything in this Blood Clan castle.
Any tangible reward could be easily taken back.
Gallon gave Lord Sein a deep bow.
"Respected Lord, it was my highest honor to be able to ease the princess's worries."
He raised his head, his gaze sincere.
"I don't want any reward. Seeing the princess restored to health is the best reward I could ask for."
Better play the longer game! I'll forsake immediate gains for a greater future!
Lord Sein hadn't expected Gallon to be so pure and kind. A man who was about to become a meal on a plate was refusing any reward after curing the Blood Clan princess?
This human is interesting.
Princess Camilla looked at Gallon, feeling an unexpected sense of dependence on the human before her.
[Ding! Gained Lord Sein Affinity +2]
[Ding! Gained Princess Camilla Affinity +5]
[Ding! Accumulated Cross-Species Affinity has reached 20. System Store Access has been upgraded! Beginner rewards will automatically be upgraded to intermediate rewards!]
The string of notifications made it almost impossible for Gallon to suppress the smile on his face.
It worked!
My gamble paid off!
He bowed again. "If there are no other orders, I will take my leave."
"Stop."
Lord Sein spoke.
Gallon's body went rigid, and he froze in place.
A heavy cloth pouch was tossed over.
Gallon caught it instinctively. The crisp clinking of Magic Crystals sounded from within.
"Take it."
Lord Sein pointed at the pouch in Gallon's hand. "Don't let my daughter think I've mistreated her benefactor."
Gallon tightened his grip on the money pouch, gave his thanks, and turned to exit the grand hall.
Lord Sein hadn't expected Gallon to be so pure and kind. A man who was about to become a meal on a plate was refusing any reward after curing the Blood Clan princess?
This human is interesting.
Princess Camilla looked at Gallon, feeling an unexpected sense of dependence on the human before her.
[Ding! Gained Lord Sein Affinity +2]
[Ding! Gained Princess Camilla Affinity +5]
[Ding! Accumulated Cross-Species Affinity has reached 20. System Store Access has been upgraded! Beginner rewards will automatically be upgraded to intermediate rewards!]
The string of notifications made it almost impossible for Gallon to suppress the smile on his face.
It worked!
My gamble paid off!
He bowed again. "If there are no other orders, I will take my leave."
"Stop."
Lord Sein spoke.
Gallon's body went rigid, and he froze in place.
A heavy cloth pouch was tossed over.
Gallon caught it instinctively. The crisp clinking of Magic Crystals sounded from within.
"Take it."
Lord Sein pointed at the pouch in Gallon's hand. "Don't let my daughter think I've mistreated her benefactor."
According to the original owner's memories, these Magic Crystals seemed to be this world's currency.
This old vampire is pretty generous.
Gallon tightened his grip on the money pouch, gave his thanks, and turned to exit the grand hall.
He now wanted only to return to his quarters as quickly as possible and study his upgraded system.
After all, this cheat is my key to establishing a foothold in this world.
He left the Castle and, guided by the original owner's memories, made his way to the human residential area of the city. At last, he arrived at his own front door.
The door was dilapidated, and the walls were crumbling in places.
He pushed the door open and walked inside.
"Who's there?!"
A panicked female voice cried out.
Gallon froze. There's someone in the house!
He looked up into the room and was instantly stunned.
A disheveled woman was standing by the bed, holding a white cotton sock in her hand.