Chaos Era, Year 1816.
A horse-drawn carriage rolled slowly along the road, leaving two shallow ruts in the soft earth.
Musen, the driver, cut an intimidating figure—enough to deter any ordinary bandit from causing trouble.
The other four sat in the open cart behind, their backs resting against the wooden rails cushioned with a layer of straw.
Xia Lun and Aina sat side by side, close but not too close… while Liyana and Moke sat across from them, the latter keeping a disdainful distance from the elven woman.
Xia Lun cautiously extended his pinky finger, pretending it was accidental as he brushed it against Aina’s hand.
"Just hold it if you want to," Aina said coldly.
Her tone carried a hint of impatience.
Tch. For a hero, he really had no courage.
Xia Lun’s eyes lit up, and without hesitation, he took Aina’s delicate hand in his.
Her fingers were cool to the touch—vampires naturally ran colder than humans. What Xia Lun didn’t know yet, however, was that when a vampire was emotionally stirred, their blood would rush faster, raising their body temperature above that of a human and heightening their sensitivity.
"Are you… okay with the sunlight?" Xia Lun glanced at the blazing sun in the sky, then at Aina’s pale skin, unable to hold back the question.
"I’m not that fragile," Aina replied flatly.
Xia Lun pressed on, "Then… are you sleepy?"
Aina frowned. "No. Why do you ask?"
"I heard vampires sleep during the day and move at night," Xia Lun mused.
"Lowly trash," Aina scoffed. "I’m different."
"Really? Aina, you’re amazing." Xia Lun chuckled. "Oh, do you want some water—"
"Xia Lun!"
Liyana, unable to bear Xia Lun’s incessant, awkward chatter around Aina any longer, finally snapped, giving his shoulder a firm smack.
"What’s wrong?" Xia Lun blinked, oblivious to any wrongdoing.
Liyana leaned in. "You’re being annoying. At this point, you’re practically harassing her!"
Xia Lun scratched his head. "Am I…?"
"You’ve already asked Aina three times today if she wants water!" Liyana fumed.
Xia Lun defended himself, "The sun’s been intense lately. I thought she might be thirsty."
"Ugh! I can’t with you. Fine, go ask Aina yourself if she’s bothered!"
Xia Lun nodded and turned to Aina. "Am I bothering you? If I am, I’ll try to keep my distance."
Liyana watched with schadenfreude, waiting for Aina to scold him so she could step in as the good friend, console him, and teach him how to talk to girls properly.
Aina didn’t answer immediately, as if genuinely considering it. Finally, she spoke. "It’s fine."
Back in the vampire realm, Aina’s noble bloodline had ensured she was revered from birth. Even her own parents addressed her as "my lady."
No one dared speak more than necessary in her presence. Walking through the palace, the only sound she ever heard was the echo of her own footsteps. Under her overwhelming aura, even sycophants held their tongues.
This was the first time… someone had chattered around her so freely, asking trivial questions as if there were always something to say.
Even her occasional responses made Xia Lun smile.
It felt like she had the hero wrapped around her finger… quite satisfying, really.
A faint curve touched the corner of Aina’s lips.
Not a bad feeling at all.
Xia Lun glanced triumphantly at Liyana. "See? Aina doesn’t find me annoying. You’re just meddling, Liyana."
Liyana: "…"
Grumbling, Liyana slumped back into her seat.
"Moke, these two are just ridiculous!" she complained to him.
"If they like it that way, it’s none of your business," Moke shrugged. "Don’t force your own dating standards on others."
"What about you? Planning to date anyone? Men or women?" Liyana nudged him with her elbow.
Moke scoffed. "Obviously women. My tastes are perfectly normal."
Liyana feigned surprise. "Oh? You don’t feel anything for me? And here I thought I was stunning… Not that I’d actually do anything with you, since you’re a guy. I just like teasing you."
"Wow, thanks for the honesty," Moke said through gritted teeth.
Musen, the priest, had no interest in romantic affairs and stayed out of the conversation up front. After all, partners could betray you—nothing was as reliable as solid muscle.
"The labyrinth’s just ahead," Musen announced gruffly.
The carriage came to a slow stop by the roadside.
"The Labyrinth—Blazing Forest. Firewood from the flame-dwelling trees here is a unique material. Furniture made from it emits a gentle warmth and fetches a high price among nobles," Moke explained, having done his research beforehand. "But for us, this stuff isn’t worth the effort. Cutting the trees down would be a hassle to haul out… Our target is the Fire Wisps. They’re unique to this place, and their magic cores are highly sought after by fire mages."
Moke glanced at Aina—after all, most of her spells were fire-based.
Strange, really. Vampires and flames weren’t exactly compatible elements.
"I don’t need them," Aina said coolly.
Once inside the labyrinth, the group’s earlier casual demeanor vanished. Even Liyana’s gaze sharpened.
"Xia Lun, three hundred meters ahead—a Fire Wisp in that flame-dwelling tree."
"Leave it to me."
Liyana loosed an arrow. It pierced through several canopies before striking the Fire Wisp down with pinpoint accuracy.
Fire Wisps were small, monkey-like creatures, barely over a meter tall, their fur perpetually aflame. They hid among the crimson leaves of the flame-dwelling trees, nearly invisible.
But they were agile, packing surprising strength—a single leap from the treetops could shatter steel armor. Their searing body heat also made close combat difficult.
Xia Lun dashed forward, his sword cleaving the Fire Wisp’s head clean off.
As the creature died, its body crumbled into ash, leaving only a magic core behind.
With a flick of his blade, Xia Lun sent the core spinning into his palm.
"Xia Lun… how was it? Manageable?" Liyana and the others caught up.
Xia Lun nodded. "No problem. Stay alert."
Liyana then clapped Moke on the shoulder. "Alright, Moke. Your turn to shine."