Vampire's Slice Of Life

?Groggy.

Lith felt a sense of grogginess as everything around him seemed to be spinning, and was dark, blurry.

Trying his best to hold onto his last sense of alertness, Lith had a look at his shadow.

On the ground, there was no snow anymore and after a few seconds of wakefulness, Lith felt that it wasn't cold anywhere either.

As his vision turned somewhat clear, Lith saw that he was strapped to a log and was being carried by two people like a sacrifice.

He turned his gaze sideways and saw that there was another person being carried in a similar fashion.

In his drowsiness, Lith connected the dots and realized he was captured, and was now on his way to either be sacrificed or eaten.

This was a bad thing and the situation was dire. Lith had to do something, but his body and mind were not supporting him.

Despite trying his best, after a few more seconds of being alert, Lith's body gave up and he slept.

…..

The drowsiness eventually vanished and as Lith opened his eyes, he saw himself resting in a dimly lit place.

"You woke up?" There was an unfamiliar voice.

Lith turned around and saw an unknown person adding wood to a campfire.

Under the intense orangish-red light, his face had a gentle expression and he appeared quite charming.

Now, in such an unfamiliar situation, anyone would've panicked or be on guard, but Lith simply stretched and sat by the bonfire, warming his hands.

This was the same underground place as before where Dennis and he had been resting. This was also the same bonfire.

The only thing that was out of place was this man here, but Lith did not brood over it.

"I did. It was a good nap," said Lith, totally relaxed despite the strange situation.

"Heh… You're one interesting lad," said the unfamiliar man. "It's no wonder everyone has eyes on you."

The corner of Lith's lips curved up. "I know right?"

The unfamiliar man laughed softly. "You seem so relaxed, I really can't tell whether you're on high alert or just a fool."

Lith shrugged. "One shouldn't stress in a situation one has no control over."

The man nodded. "I agree with that. Anyway, I'll cut to the chase. You may have guessed it already, but this is a dream. You are currently being carried by devils of the Verdant Harmony World, on your way to get eaten."

Lith used a stick and shifted the burning wood in the bonfire. "I see."

The man blinked and stared at Lith, wondering what's with this calm reaction. He shook his head and said, "If you don't do anything, you and your friend will die."

Lith nodded and said nothing else in return.

The man's eyes twitched. This was sure a difficult fellow. "Young man, do you know who I am?"

"A deity?" Lith guessed.

"That's right. If you are meeting me, then it only means you've struck a fortune," boasted the man shamelessly.

Lith did not comment on it and listened.

"I'll cut to the chase. I'll take you out of this situation and even have you reunite with your companions. But in return, you will find the mythical ingredients, make the stew and give a bowl to me."

"I refuse."

"…" The man was dumbfounded.

Lith turned to look at him and asked, "Are all deities bad at asking something? Or is it just you?"

The man fell silent.

Lith continued, "The stew is out of question and what you're offering is too little for what you're asking."

The man squinted his eyes. "Do you even know what benefits the stew gives?"

Lith shrugged. "It doesn't take a genius to figure out why so many deities are after a single bowl of stew. I may not know what it is, but I sure do know its importance."

Sighing, the man said, "Fine. How about this: I'll help you get out of this predicament, also have you reunite with your friends, and help you with your cultivation once you reach the Sacred Celestial Realm."

Lith's eyes flashed with a curious glint. Sacred Celestial Realm? He did not miss the keyword.

"What's the place you just mentioned?" Lith asked.

The man laughed softly. "It's a secret."

Lith kept calm and replied, "So it's a realm right above my own?"

The man rubbed his chin. "I don't know which world you come from, but that place is far better than this world or this realm."

"Then, what makes you think I'm not already in the Sacred Celestial Realm?"

The corner of the man's lips curved up. "The very fact that you do not know of that place is proof. Everyone who lives in the Sacred Celestial Realm is aware of it."

"I see." Lith said softly. "Then, what makes you think I would want to go there?"

The man's eyes flashed with seriousness. "Because it's not up to you to decide. If your cultivation reaches a certain threshold, you'll automatically ascend to that realm due to the laws of Heaven and Earth."

"Interesting…" Lith said. Now this was all news to him.

He did not find any such information from the Grand Lust Sovereign's inheritance and the system did not mention anything about it either.

'System, are you listening?'

[The system is listening.]

'What is the Sacred Celestial Realm and where is it?'

[Host's cultivation is insufficient to know it.]

'When would it be sufficient?'

[King Rank.]

'I see.' Lith thought. It was not too far away.

Looking at the man in front, Lith said, "If I'm going to reach that place anyway, what makes your offer so special?"

The man chuckled. "Do you think you'll be safe once you ascend? There's a lot of big sects, clans, and families who keep an eye on newcomers. They'll force you into joining them and say you don't do it, some or the other day, you're going to be assassinated. It's a cold world."

"Why would I be assassinated? Are these guys not afraid of providence? Cause and effect? Karma?" Lith asked, curious.

The man smiled. "Those are some heavy words you're using, but no, they're not really afraid since the methods of assassinations don't have their direct involvement."

"Hmm… If they aren't involved directly, then there's ways to survive, yes?" Lith asked after some thinking.

"You're not wrong. But it's really difficult to survive and not many are able to do it." The man answered truthfully.

Lith chuckled. "What happened to the ones that did survive?"

"Well…" The man fell silent. He did not want to answer this question because, the ones that did survive, they turned into some of the biggest powerhouses ever to exist.

However, the number of such people were really few as the guys who've achieved greater heights would take themselves out of the immortal world's affairs.

Very few would ever try to actively compete in a realm consisting of big sects, clans, and families.

By telling Lith about the ones who survived became great people was riling him up for no reason.

What if he wasn't as great as he seemed? What if he got assassinated after ascending? This would be a big loss for his own clan!

The man did not come here with the goal of recruiting Lith, but with how the situation seemed and how amazing Lith's way of handling things was, he couldn't help himself from offering a place in his clan.

Lith looked at the speechless man and asked, "No answer?"

The man shrugged, just like the way Lith did a while ago. "I have it, but I am not saying it. However, take it from me that most of the guys who rejected the offers are dead. So you may want to listen to this senior here."

"Are you done talking to me now?" Lith asked, trying to end this conversation. He did not see much benefits from this man and even if there were, he already profited by getting some information about the Sacred Celestial Realm.

The man nodded his head. "I'll tell you one last time—there's no coming out of this predicament without my help. It's also not safe up there, so you better think it through. You won't get a backer like this again."

Lith shook his head. "We'll see about that."

The man smiled and without saying anything else, disappeared.

The world around Lith revolved and soon, he was back to feeling groggy.

'System, can you look around?' Lith asked.

[Yes.]

'How can I get out of this situation?'

[Host cannot get out on his own. External help is needed.]

'Oh… Then what that man was saying was correct?'

[More context is needed to answer Host's question.]

'I am asking, was the man that came in my dreams the only one who could help me?'

[No. A lot of deities are watching the Host. With a few gestures, the Host can get any of them to help him.]

'If I ask them, won't I lose out on things?' Lith asked.

[System cannot comment on it.]

'Phew… What a hassle…'

'Anyway, will I be eaten if I don't act fast enough?'

[Negative.]

'Oh, nice. I'll wait and watch then.'