Chapter 15: She Was a Dream

Half a month after parting with Noah, Luoyao’s body had fully recovered.

In those two weeks, she hadn’t seen Noah again.

The vampire kept her promise not to disturb her.

Luoyao’s life returned to its old rhythm—monotonous, repetitive, bland as water.

Every day, the TV reported attacks by vampires.

In her old apartment building, residents often went missing.

In the days after Noah left, Luoyao was worried.

She feared being taken by another vampire.

If they weren’t as kind as Noah, she’d be doomed.

But that worry lasted only until a week ago.

That night, she was preparing dinner at home.

Suddenly, the living room window swung open.

She thought it was just the wind and went to close it.

But at the window, a dark figure appeared before her.

Red eyes, sharp fangs—undoubtedly a vampire.

Luoyao wanted to jump out the open window right then.

Why did these monster girls keep targeting her?

This vampire was far less gentle than Noah.

Without a word, she tackled Luoyao to the floor, lunging for her neck.

But the expected pain never came.

Luoyao cautiously opened her eyes.

The vampire was staring at the bite mark on her neck.

“Tch, already claimed, huh?”

She spat out the words, turned, and leaped out the window, seeking new prey in the night.

Luoyao sat up slowly, her right hand touching the mark Noah left a week before.

Vampires couldn’t feed on a blood s*ave already marked.

It was like stealing someone’s partner in human society.

Not illegal, but it earned you enemies.

A blood s*ave’s life might not mean much to vampires.

But their pride wouldn’t allow others to touch their own.

Luoyao stared out at the night, Noah’s beautiful face flashing in her mind.

‘Even when you’re gone, your mark protects me…’

That night, she cried under her blanket for a long time.

She didn’t know why she cried.

Was it relief at surviving another vampire’s intrusion?

Or… regret for not spending more time with Noah?

She couldn’t figure it out, no matter how hard she tried.

The more she thought, the more Noah’s face and voice consumed her.

Finally, Luoyao sobbed herself to sleep.

In a daze, she dreamed of that special vampire.

In the dream, Noah held her, stroking her hair, whispering sweet, teasing words.

Luoyao didn’t know if those three days in the vampire castle were a dream.

If they were, she hoped the dream could continue someday.

If not, would the vampire who shared those days with her truly never return?

That question might never have an answer.

Luoyao woke at dawn.

She lingered in bed, slowly forgetting the dream’s details.

Then she got up, starting another dull day of work.

She’d studied art in college and now earned a living freelancing from home.

It wasn’t riches, but it kept her afloat.

A week after the vampire let her go, marking Noah’s fifteenth day gone, Luoyao was… getting used to being alone again.

That morning, she woke, washed up, and opened her computer.

She logged into freelance platforms to check for client messages.

Her luck was good—a private message awaited.

“Hey, artist, you there? I want a character design.”

Luoyao sipped her coffee, typing back, “Sure, my rates are on my profile. Pick one and let me know.”

The client was online and replied quickly, “Got it, the $800 one.”

Luoyao: “No problem. What’re your requirements?”

Client: “Hmm… female, ideally nine-head-tall, with a black-themed outfit.”

Luoyao raised an eyebrow, thinking, ‘Pretty professional, knowing nine-head proportions.’

She reached for another sip of coffee.

The client continued, “Hair color… white or… silver!”

Luoyao’s hand froze at “silver.”

Silver hair… silver hair…

Noah had silver hair.

She still couldn’t forget those nights, waking to see that silky silver hair first.

Its owner would be leaning over her… kissing or feeding.

‘Tch—why am I still thinking of her after all this time?’

“Artist, you still there?”

Luoyao snapped back, setting down her coffee. “Yeah, I’m here, go on.”

Client: “Make her a bit mature, with small tiger fangs when she smiles.”

Luoyao: “Got it. Any other details? Like eye color or accessories?”

Client: “Eye color… red!”

Luoyao: “…Alright.”

Client: “What’s up, artist? Too demanding?”

Luoyao: “No, it’s fine.”

Not demanding at all.

The moment the client listed the requirements, Luoyao had a clear image.

No, not an image—a blueprint.

Silver hair, red eyes, black-clad mature vibe…

It was practically Noah’s ID card! (Assuming vampires had IDs.)

Calming herself, Luoyao replied: “One week for the draft.”

Client: “Awesome, thanks, artist! mua~”

Luoyao: =A=

Client: “So shy, artist? No kiss back?”

Luoyao: “…I’m working now.”

She closed the chat, opened her drawing software, and started the sketch.

In her memory, requests like this weren’t uncommon.

In this game world, the Blood Hunt Church and vampires were always at war.

Their conflict was public, spawning legions of supporters.

Most backed the Church, who upheld justice and order, revered as saviors.

But a small few were vampire fans.

If they got caught by one, though, they’d probably rethink their fandom.

Vampire admirers were drawn to the “vampire” allure—beautiful yet deadly.

They couldn’t openly express it, so they showed support subtly.

Like this client, likely a vampire enthusiast.

But it didn’t matter to Luoyao.

They paid, she worked, end of story.

She didn’t care who they stanned.

Luoyao dove into the sketch, hours slipping by unnoticed.

At noon, she paused to order takeout.

Then someone knocked on her door.

“Coming.”

Luoyao shuffled to the door in her bunny slippers, peeking through the peephole.

A tall girl stood outside.

On her neck was a blood-red cross tattoo.