15 Distracting The Vampire

He had the most enthralling green eyes she has ever seen and Dahlia couldn't look away no matter how much she tried. One could almost say she was bewitched and when he asked again, "Tell me, who are you?"

She felt the need to answer. No, she must answer.

"I -" Dahlia was just about to milk out every single detail about her when the system's warning came in her heart.

[Subject is compelling host's mind]

Dehlia discovered that the system speaking in her head made her clear-headed for a while, however, when her gaze returned to that vampire's, she fell under his spell once more. Hence it became a battle of will.

"M-my name is Dehlia -" She was unable to fight the compulsion off anymore and was just about to confess the truth when a strong notification rang.

[Host cannot reveal the existence of the system else death awaits]

"Huh?" It seemed as if that warning Dahlia woke up from her slumber. What is that damn system talking about? She was going to die if he found out she has a system? Why?

[The Multiverse adventure is a special game and nonplayer characters (Npc) should not have the chance to grow self-awareness. That would cause certain disruption in the structure of the game and host would have to be terminated to avoid such disturbance] 

'Then what the hell do you want me to do?' Dahlia communicated with the system mentally.

[You must fight his compulsion off]

'And how the fuck do I do that? I can't even take my eyes off him? And what about in the future when I encounter the others? You might as well kill me now! Moreover, since I came into this world, all I have encountered is life-threatening situation. I'm ready to die, system, '

Dehlia decided she couldn't put up with it anymore. Her situation was hopeless, there was no use.

[To preserve host's life, bonuses would have to be unlocked early]

Huh? Dehlia was surprised. Why was the system suddenly being magnanimous. It was suspicious. Sometimes, she couldn't help but think that someone out there was messing with her life. Who designed this game? She wondered.

[Congratulations host for completing first mission amid loan debt. You're efficient and quick-witted] 

Dahlia's head swelled with pride. Was the system sincerely praising her? 

[ You've leveled up!]

[You've leveled up]

[Level two bonus]

[Backseat feature: System takes over host's mind to solve compulsion problems. Skill can be upgradable]

What? Dahlia was stunned. She might as well die than to let that damn system take over her mind. Well, it was already in her head, anyway.

[Limit: when compulsion is detected late, host would have to distract the compeller for system to function]

This is it! She knew it! There was never a time that damn system would grant her a favour without something in exchange. She should have known.

'What does this mean? "

[The subject has a firm hold of your mind with his compulsion ability and I'm unable to interfere without being treated as a virus. To be able to function, I need an opening]

That was why she needed to distract the vampire so the system could control her mind instead.

'Why happens when you try to force your way into my mind?' Dahlia couldn't help but ask.

[Significant damage to your brain]

At once Dahlia's blood ran cold. In one word, the system and this mad vampire was playing a game of chess with her mind. She was devastated.

'You're clearly stronger, why can't you override his compulsion?'

[Your level one backseat feature is not powerful enough. The skill is upgradable] 

Of course, everything required credit points. That money hungry system! 

[Do you host accept the backseat feature?]

Dahlia was clearly in a dilemma. Even if she accepted the feature, she would still have to distract the vampire and how she would be able to do that? Dahlia had no idea. But the other option was death. What was she going to do?

'I accept' she gave in. 

[Backseat feature activated]

[Ding!]

[Quest available]

[Dear host, distract the subject for backseat feature to function]

[Rewards: 5000 credit points]

[Time limit : 5 minutes]

In one world, her life was over in five minutes nonetheless the  backseat feature or not. Her system must be a sadist, Dahlia noted since the thing liked to put her in tough and dangerous situations.

Meanwhile the vampire hovering over Dahlia now had his brows furrowed in confusion. Its been over a minute since he compelled the girl to spit out everything there was about her, and although she said a few words, he hasn't gotten much information from her since then. 

Her eyes were glassy as if she was in a trance and that meant his compulsion worked, however, he couldn't understand why she stopped. Did he do it wrong? No, he has been compelling humans for hundreds of years and never experienced a situation like this one. 

He was still contemplating his next step when a small hand curled around his neck and before he knew it, she tilted her neck and their lips connected. The compulsion broke - at least on Dehlia's part. 

The vampire was stunned, his eyes widening to the size of saucers because he didn't see this one coming. He asked her to tell her about herself, not to kiss him. By chance, was she damaged in the head? Was that why his compulsion brought on a different result. 

Then she pulled away and announced to his shock, "My name is Dehlia as I've been told and I have no recollection of my life after slipping and hitting my head on the floor. I woke up to see myself in the palace as a donor and I still can't understand some of the events that led me here. Can you please tell me what is a badblood?"

At once, the vampire jumped away from her as if he had been scalded by her body. What the hell just happened?

He looked on time at Dahlia who still had that glassy look in her eyes showing that she was still under his compulsion until she got herself immediately and asked. 

"What happened?"

Shaking his head, the vampire left the room with great speed as if the devil was on his heels.